Roomies Paperback – March 11, 2016

SO HERE I am, at 8: 26 in the AM, all smiles for the first victim—I mean, patient, of the day . For the record, I hate mornings. I don't know whose record that information is going on, but it's going on someone's. And consciously awake and functional? Not before 10: 00The sudden belligerence in her eyes tells me that she may need some assistance down the hall. Not that I would drag her to the examination room or anything. (Insert chuckle here.) But I might give her a gentle shove in the right direction. HarmlessI love my job. I love it so much I think I should go home right now and celebrate the profound beauty of it with a bottle of wine. I glance at the clock and see it's not even ten in the morning. I scrunch my nose up and turn away. Wine waits for no oneOh. Sorry. It fell from my hand,” I tell my roommate, who was clearly put on this earth for my visual enjoymentI relish looking at Graham; it is one of my favorite pastimes— right up there with consuming large quantities of wineA good thing about being so close to someone is that they know you so well. A bad thing about being so close to someone is that they know you so wellit. You’re not bad, you’re not terrible, you’re not even evil, you’re just youHe’s like a blank canvas and I am without a paintbrush. And again with the poetryI don't think that matters. If people care about you, they won't give up on you, no matter what you've done in the past or what you do in the future. We aren't programmed that way. We're made to find hope in the most hopeless of places and in the people that seem the least likely to deserve it, because they really need it the most, and something in us knows that, at least subconsciously. It's what makes us human. No one is unworthy. Not even you. If people want to have faith in you, let them. And really, you can't stop them. It's not up to youIt is okay for us to just be like this. It feels like he is gathering strength from me, or that I am his lifeline in a storm of blackFun is a frivolous word, and while it is important to enjoy the time you spend with someone, there is so much more needed in a relationship than how entertained you are in someone's presence. There has to be a connection; an understandingHe smiles back. “ See you then.” Pausing near the door, he says, “You look good there.” “Where?”“In my bed.” DuuuuudeI wave his apology away, more pressing matters than my health at hand (I know, I'm always sacrificing myself for those around me). Namely, letting him know how unfounded his views areI turn away, really hoping that isn't me when I am her age. I could see myself being that lonely, nosy old lady with no fashion sense. As if I needed that thought to make my morning any betterThen he's stupid. And you don't need stupid people in your lifeI watch as stars make their presence known, flipping on like tiny lights under the canopy of night. “Part of living is accepting you do not control everythingOne day you'll find someone you don't have to feel the need to hide from. She won't be something you think you want or need. She won't be your redemption. You'll know when you find her, because you'll want to change for you, not for her. I was just another addiction, just something else you thought would make you whole. Nothing can do that for you but you

Roomies by Lindy Zart is a really awesome book and I really enjoyed reading it. There were so many funny parts in this story I found myself laughing out loud at some of the dialog between Graham and Kennedy who are roommates, and they have been roommates for over a year and a half. Graham is a little ocd about keeping the house clean and Kennedy or 'Ken' as Graham calls her is a little bit on the messy side! But other than that they do everything together and they get along really well!But they are both holding back on each other an important fact-they both are in love and they do not want to be the one to say it first as they both are very insecure in their own ways. Kennedy is still a virgin and is a bit younger than Graham, and Graham is very handsome and is constantly hit on by women he gives golf lessons to, and well- Kennedy hates that. Graham has stopped dating all together because what he wants is right at home, and Kennedy is so whacky acting that even though guys hit on her, because she is a pretty girl, she does not give them a second glance, because she is hopelessly in love with Graham.Into this story comes Grahams younger brother, Blake, a bit of a troublemaker, an ex drug addict and alcoholic, and they have not seen each other in years and he is totally the opposite of Graham with the bad boy persona that women love. Kennedy herself is not immune to him but she loves Graham and would never do anything to lose him. Graham however is very jealous and possessive of Kennedy and he does not like his brother trying to step into 'his space' when it comes to Kennedy. Blake being Blake, he takes every opportunity to cause problems between Kennedy and Graham, and he totally enjoys every minute of it, as he uses his past as a way to manipulate Kennedy's feelings.This book is filled with a lot of hilarious moments, sad moments, and a few major revelations that explain why Graham's brother is the way he is. There is sexual angst, and add to this Kennedy and her relationship with her parents makes for an interesting read! Her father wanted a boy- he got one child- a girl, and so raised her with hunting, fishing, and other skills like this that Kennedy hated but loved her dad enough to do to be with him. Her mom never said anything, just continued through the course of Kennedy's young life burning all the meals and doing her own crazy things like making pink scarves for her father in law.Will Graham and Kennedy be able to stop fighting and arguing about things long enough to admit their feelings for each other, will Kennedy quit being so immature, trying to get a rise out of Graham by hanging out with his brother Blake and making Graham jealous, will Blake stop fighting with his brother and quit causing trouble between kennedy and Graham? You will have to read this to find out!When Blake and Graham's dad comes looking for Blake and tries to bully Blake to go home, even though he is about 27 years old and his father should not be telling him he has to do anything, will these brothers pull together and stick up for each other? Read this book and see how everything resolves itself, you will be glad you did!I totally loved this book and I highly recommend it, I also plan on reading anything else by this author, as she writes a great story! I gave this book 5***** stars!

More like 3.5 but I decided to be generous. I liked this book I just didn’t love it.I’m finding Roomies a tricky book to review; probably because I have conflicted feelings about it. Some parts of it of I loved, for example Kennedy’s crazy, unique, wonderful personality. She was a mess and she didn’t always say or do the right thing. She had insecurities without having an insanely dark past. Her humour and inner monologue was for the most part very amusing. Her voice was unique and her personality best described as quirky.I loved Blake with his brooding tortured image and past. He was sexy, slightly dangerous but inside a complete sweetheart. Graham was a genuine nice guy, he tidied, he baked, he looked after the heroine, he was the guy you’d bring home to meet the parents. So as you can see I liked all the main characters for their own reasons. To me they all had clear voices and personalities, meaning they didn’t all merge together.The problem I had with this book and to be honest having re-read the blurb I should have many realised this, was the love-triangle that happened between Blake, Kennedy and Graham. I know a few years ago love triangles were all the rage but I’ve never been a huge fan. Yes they are angst ridden, which I love, but they can also drag on and on as the hero or heroine (although to be fair it is often one woman and two men) deliberates and struggles to choose between two perfectly good options!To me it seemed fairly obvious who Kennedy would end up with, although personally I would have gone with the other brother, but each to their own and can understand why Lindy Zart chose the pairing she did. Having said that some of the writing was extremely thoughtful and heartwarming. I loved the relationships Kennedy had with both Blake and Graham. Although this wasn’t the perfect book for me I can see a lot of people enjoying it. Roomies is a great contemporary romance for those who like love-triangles with a touch of crazy sauce.For more reviews like this visit my blog at http://forgettheclassicsireadromance.blogspot.co.uk

I clicked onto this after buying Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover. The cover is attractive and the blurb sounded right up my street – romance; love triangle; possible friends to lovers plot. Unfortunately the cover and blurb are about as good as this gets. I could only force myself to read 60%, just over half, so will only be speaking to that portion of the story.This is about three main characters Kennedy and her roommate Graham, and Graham’s brother Blake who comes to live with them over the summer.There are a few things that really annoyed me with the writing in this book. Firstly the over use of the phrase “ya know”, secondly over use of full stops and non-existence of sentence splicing which made the attempt to make the narrative conversational and empathetic feel staccato and hard to read in places. There were parts of the narrative that I had to read twice as the sentence structure stopped it from making sense. Thirdly, the story was slow in the main and there felt like a complete lack of story progression. I read to 60% and nothing notable had really happened.In terms of the actual characters themselves, Kennedy is the only narrator throughout. Kennedy, 22, is living with 27 year old Graham and has been for over a year. Their relationship status is best friends but I really struggled to comprehend how that relationship worked. Kennedy is so very immature and it feels as though Graham has a sort of big brother/father role in her life which was completely at odds with her being “in love” with him. The dynamic felt completely wrong and unrealistic.Blake is thrown into the mix to supposedly upset the relationship between Graham and Kennedy. Does he achieve this? Well to be honest I didn’t think there was much to upset in the first place. Kennedy is supposedly in love with Graham but their relationship is platonic so I don’t really get what difference it makes.The implausibility and lack of a realistic concept of time kicks in from the sudden appearance of Blake – who was kept a secret by Graham – and how quickly Kennedy attaches herself to him. Now maybe it’s just me but if she’s so in love with Graham would she be off with Blake within a few days of meeting him?? No, I don’t think so.I also found the in depth and unnecessary paragraphs, and paragraphs, of description of Kennedy’s job really off putting. Kennedy is a podiatry assistant and reading about clipping toenails and bunion removal does not float my boat in the slightest.If I could give less than one star I would. I feel like I’ve read a completely different book to those giving 4 or 5 stars. Don’t waste your time or money with this.

Here are three words to describe this book: Witty, Hilarious and compelling! I couldn't put it down, i was addicted and when it was finished i was actually sad! Although this book was endearing because of it's humour i also thought it dealt with some important issues, such as the fact that we don't all grow up the moment we turn 18... but that's okay! We're not all perfect... but that's okay! I especially enjoyed this book because it was like sitcom, New Girl meets How I Met Your Mother. The main character, Kennedy Somers, was my favourite female character of all time; she's witty, honest and just oh so slightly crazy! It was an absolute joy to be inside her head. The two male characters were brilliant but they were not the same and i found that refreshing after reading about the same stereotypical male character over and over and over again! Graham Malone is sweet and sensitive and thoughtful while his brother, Blake Malone, is arrogant, aloof and sarcastic. I loved them both equally and when poor Kennedy had to face the choice of which brother she wanted i was torn right with her! This is a must read book and i will definitely be checking out other reads by Lindy Zart!

This novel has a bunch of mixed reviews, however, I really enjoyed it.Kennedy is the type of quirky and irreverent heroine, hiding a vulnerable heart, that I totally get and adore. I laughed out loud at so many things.Graham, her roomie of just over a year, is the perfect guy – gorgeous, tidy and clean, and can bake, and gets her.Kennedy is in love with Graham but he’s her best friend, so she keeps the status quo and his friendship by keeping her feelings a secret.Into the mix comes Graham’s troubled half-brother, Blake, who is a hottie himself. His arrival shakes things up between the roommates and they are in for a summer of angst, realisations, and revelations.Kennedy carried this story with her cuteness, her inappropriate quips, and her big heart. The chemistry and friendship between her and Graham was heart-warming, and the tension between her and Blake was sexy, and at first it makes who to root for a little bit difficult. But you know her heart belongs only to one man.Loved it!

Two roommates. Kennedy who is full of quirkiness, attitude and sarcasm. Graham, stubborn and sensible (mostly). Will they won't they get it together enough to admit they have feelings for each other. Blake, Grahams brother arrives and is thrown into the mix.This quirky, sweet story full of angst and sarcasm is a great read. Thoroughly recommended.