DNFed by the third chapter. There was just too much of a "she's Not Like Other Girls" vibe going on, both explicitly said/thought by the hero and implied in the text. And I'm just not here for that sort of nonsense in my romance novels. I wasn't really feeling a connection to the two characters anyway so it was no loss for me.

I love Julianna's writing so much! I was so looking forward to this one. While I enjoyed it, it wasn't really something memorable. I guess I wasn't a fan of the MC's. I was actually not liking much of Aidan and everything he set out to do to break up this couple. But I just loved how much he truly cared for Aster. And then something happened in the story that had me Team Aidan! Still, a few more things of the characters had me not fully enjoying this one.

I have been a fan of Julianna Keyes ever since I discovered her from one of those chance reads I took on Netgalley. Julianna has a way of writing that delivers stories that maintain a realistic edge, and at the same fulfill the yearnings of the romance reader for the angst-ridden and sexy reads that make our day. Plus, Julianna always has a unique tangent to her writing, with twists to existing tropes that makes her books so worth your while.

My Roommate's Girl toting a gorgeous cover, is written in the first person, told from both Aidan Shannon Shaw, the hero's, and Aster, the heroine's point of views. Aidan meets Aster through Jerry, his roommate, whose girlfriend turns out to be none other than Aster. From the moment Aidan lays eyes on Aster, he wants to have her for himself, he needs to have her. But there is of course that little pesky problem of the boyfriend who stands in his way. So sets Aidan on the course that would deliver Aster into his arms, as conniving and manipulative as it sounds.

What unfolds next was not by any means predictable. One would think it would be, given where the story was headed, but the way Julianna peeled back the layers to both Aidan and Aster was truly masterful.

Aidan's character is easier to figure out in a way; the troublesome background, the way it had been easier for him to fall in with a bad crowd and lose his way. Until a judge had seen through his belligerence and decided to give him the chance to clean up, or else. But like a tweet I came across just today, "the devil works hard but peer pressure works harder", and that is exactly the case with Aidan as well.

Now Aster, she is the true gem of the story. Her character managed to surprise me at every single turn, and that is no mean feat for someone who reads through so many romance novels and can often predict character behavior from a mile away. But damn, Aster certainly managed to shake my preconceived notions and then some. I felt proud of her for identifying with what had happened, and even fighting back just as dirty to get even. But then again, Aster did not take into account how seductive it is to be stripped bare of all the fronts she has put up, and to be seen exactly for who she is; not the image of perfection that she presents to the rest of the world, but a woman with faults and flaws of her own, someone who learnt from her past and aims to never go down that path again.

Like every single hero I have read from Julianna, Aidan is sexy personified. From his dirty blond hair and that raw physique of his, to the way he wants Aster with every fiber of his being; all that and more made him pretty alluring. Even though the only way Aidan knows to get what he wants is to fight dirty, with Aster, he finds that his conscience doesn't allow him to be half the douche bag he could really be. For him, Aster is the woman that makes it all matter; she makes him want to stand steadfast on the path of the straight and narrow.

I loved Aster just as much. The fact that she had been able to leave a difficult past behind and clean up her act, that spoke volumes when it comes to the strength of her character and the kind of person she is. And she proves to be just that, honest and kind where it matters. I loved the ending, the way it all came together and how everything worked out. There is nothing better than a happily ever after for a couple you root for from the very beginning, even when that beginning might be the furthest thing from perfect.

Recommended for fans of romances that deliver unusual twists and turns that makes the book that much more worth it.

Final Verdict: My Roommate's Girl delivers a succulent tale that is trademark Julianna Keyes, with characters that are relatable, and a happily ever after that I rooted for, from the very beginning!

Favorite Quotes

I kiss her.
I don’t even think about it, I’m just acting on instinct. The hand on her hip slips around to the outside of her arm, up to her shoulder, her neck, fingers curling into her nape. She doesn’t move, doesn’t look away from my mouth, and the soft flutter of her lashes is the last thing I see before my lips touch hers.
She makes a tiny sound when our mouths meet, and I feel a tremor roll through her, like a frisson of energy arcing from her body into mine. I fumble behind me to stick the spoonful of melting ice cream back into the carton, only fifty percent sure I manage the task, a hundred percent sure I don’t care.
I cup her face with both hands, feel her silky hair teasing my fingers, the softness of her mouth, her breasts pressed against my chest. The tip of her tongue touches my bottom lip at the same moment her hand comes up to stroke my cheek, and I leap away like I’ve been electrocuted.

“Aidan,” she moans again.
“What...do...you...need?” I grunt out. Sensation is rocketing up and down my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, things I’ve never felt before and don’t know what to do with.
When I first saw Aster, first thought of fucking her, I didn’t think it would be like this. I thought she’d be prim and proper, maybe ride me like a dainty cowgirl. I thought I’d dirty her up, scandalize her a bit.
Now I don’t think I could scandalize Aster if I tried. She fucks like it’s the most natural thing in the world, like my hands pulling her hair is the thing she likes most. Like my mouth on her nipples and my cock plowing into her is something she lives for. I want to earn those responses. I want to hear them. I want to taste them.

When I first arrived at Holsom, I was terrified. It was new and strange and even among thousands of students, I felt hopelessly alone. Meeting Jerry helped, but I never truly relaxed. Never felt like I belonged. I thought I might, one day, but even after a year of dating I knew that deep down, he never really knew me because I never really let him.
Aidan knows me. I only let him know me because I thought I’d never see him again, but here we are, out in the middle of nowhere, and I don’t feel alone at all. I feel like he sees me and he’s totally okay with what he sees. Scars and all.

At long last I’m seated, his cock buried inside, taking a moment to adjust to the aching fullness. I grind my forehead into his shoulder, feeling him, feeling everything, and he lets me take my time, no pressure, no hurry.
I shift so my lips find his neck, his racing pulse betraying his laidback demeanor. I flex my thighs and lift up slightly, then slide back down, finding an easy, unhurried rhythm that makes everything inside me go soft and molten.

Aidan drops his hands from my hair and I see him digging his fingers into the sand at his sides, trying to hold on. Trying to wait for me.
That’s what sends me over. The sight of this man, weak but still so strong. Hard, solid, tough, sweet. A study in contradictions.
I come with a soft cry, stifling the sound in the curve of his neck, tasting his sweat on my tongue. My body spasms in long, slow waves for what feels like an eternity, and when the orgasm ebbs away Aidan jerks beneath me, hips pushing into mine as he anchors me with his hands on my waist, holding me in place while he takes what he needs.
My limbs feel like jelly, like there’s no earthly way I can stand, no possible way I’ll be able to hike back. I lift my head and absorb the quiet forest, the pristine lake, the boundless sky. This is the farthest from civilization I’ve ever been, but out here, with just me and Aidan, I’ve never felt closer to home.

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Rating = 4/5 [GREAT READ]

So I wasn’t impressed with this novel. I don’t honk compared to other romance novels this one was just decent. It took me a bit to get into it and that’s why I read it for so long. I didn’t seem to connect to the characters, the plot wasn’t executed well and I just felt like it let me down. I just think I hyped this up too much and just wasn’t satisfied with it. I do want to check out her other work. I won’t write her off because of this novel but she seems to have written other college romances which is what I like to read!

For me, there are a few golden rules in romance.

There must be a HEA or HFN.
No cheating
The relationship can't be unhealthy
I know that these are just rules for me, and even the definition of what each of what these mean for me might be different from someone else but for me they are hard stops.  Given that, I the title of this book should have been a clue that it wouldn't work for me but after seeing a couple of people rave about it on Twitter I decided to give it a try.   I think we all know how this is going to turn out...

At 55 % I have decided I won't be finishing this book.  It hits 2 out of my 3 already and I have no desire to keep reading to find out of it will do the same with the 3rd.   As the title suggests, the male lead in his book moves into an apartment and falls for his roommate's girlfriend.  When he decides he must have her, he sets up his roommate by taking him to a bachelor party where he gets him drunk and has paid a prostitute to do whatever it takes to hook up with him.  I can only assume that others didn't see this as being as problematic as I did since the character was a man, but can you imagine this story line being well received if we were talking about a woman?  The standard shouldn't be different with a male character.  As if that wasn't problematic enough, the rest of the relationship is based on both characters lying to each other repeatedly.  They aren't truthful about their backgrounds or who they are and have a dynamic that is so dysfunctional that I found it to be anything other than romantic.

There are too many books that take me to my happy place to continue with something that I so fundamentally disagree with.  While this book may work for others, it just isn't my cup of tea.

This was a fantastic, entertaining read. The first book that I read from this author, but I have to say, I will keep an eye on her. Really worth to buy the book and read it. ;) Funny, hot and has everything a girl could need.

Not sure what I was expecting when I picked this one up, but I really didn't connect with it. I had no problem with the subject matter, but it just didn't gel. I had to put this one down about halfway because I wasn't enjoying it.

I like Julianna Keyes as an author and this title didn't disappoint. The novel opens up with, Aidan, a college student who has been offered a chance to make up for his past (felonious) mistakes with a scholarship and a chance to rewrite his story. In an attempt to get away from his bad influences he moves in with Jerry, a kind of geeky pre-med major that Aidan hopes will be a good influence. While he does like Jerry, he becomes fascinated with Jerry's girlfriend, Aster, and decides to make a really bad decision, he starts plotting a break up between Jerry and Aster. It's a mean, sneaky and hilarious decision that succeeds and changes the POV of the story in an completely unexpected way when Aster becomes the narrator.

The description makes Aidan sound kind of like a jerk and he is. But in a super relatable way. He's not a super billionaire by 25 or a sports star. He's an immature 20ish year old who runs with his impulses and makes mistakes. And Aster, Aster is a great character who has so many layers that I don't want to spoil but she is one of the most unique heroines I've read this year.

I tend to keep the NA authors that I read fairly small. NA is a genre that can be inauthentic and kind of trope-y. But I think Keyes is one of the best at it because she manages to capture some of the poor decision making college students make and balance that tone with a sense of maturity that keeps book from getting overwrought. I would absolute recommend this book.

Review left on Amazon and BN.com as SJC Reviews

I'm so sad to say this book was definitely not for me.
I was intrigued by this one because I've heard great things about the author and this is my first book from her. Also, the original blurb appealed to me.

Unfortunately, I couldn't connect to the characters. I started this book in June but then had to stop because I wasn't liking the story at all. I finished it only yesterday, 4 months after, and I'm afraid to say it didn't got better.

The hero was absolutely immoral. I get the whole bad boy thing but this was a whole new level of assholish-ness. The boyfriend Jerry was unrealistic. No one is this perfect and even if he was like that then what happened couldn't be believable from my point of view.

I hated how Aidan was desperate enough to do this and just to get laid, I mean he didn't even like her, that was purely physical. It's not appealing in a man, I just can't like this character or feel for him.

Aster was plain. I didn't find anything in her that could have made me care.

I'm seriously disappointed because I was expecting a lot from this book. But nonetheless, I still want to read other works from this author so if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

My Roommate’s Girl by Julianna Keyes
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:

Aidan had a choice; one of those moments in life where you choose, knowing your life is going to be altered irrevocably with either choice. For Aidan, the choice wasn’t hard, go to college rather than go to jail and for three years he’s kept his nose clean, his grades up, and completely away from trouble.

Then he met Aster . . . .

Aster is everything Aidan wants: she’s kind, she’s caring, she’s gorgeous, she’s intelligent, and she’s focused on her course work. She’s also taken by Aidan’s new roommate, Jerry. Jerry is the epitome of nice guy and taking something (or someone in this case!) he cares for seems like the lowest thing Aidan could ever do, but Aster is worth the guilt and seriously dirty deed it’s going to take to split the couple apart. All Aidan has to do is bide his time.

What Aidan doesn’t count on is how three years of playing by the rules and generally being a decent human being gets disrupted when he schemes to break up Jerry and Aster. Though he and Aster are growing closer, the guilt about his actions is tremendous and Aidan is desperate for Aster to remain in the dark about his despicable behavior. What Aster doesn’t know can’t hurt Aidan, right??

But, Aster does know . . . .

Aster projects to the world the kind of girl she wants to be, the kind of girl she works hard at being, and the kind of girl both Jerry and Aidan want. What much of the world doesn’t know is Aster’s secret and why she tries so damn hard to maintain the image she wants to be remembered for. What she has planned for Aidan isn’t at all in line with her good girl image, but he blew her world apart and she isn’t going to allow him to get away with his treachery. Trouble is, Aster’s plan is a long game and she doesn’t count on actually liking Aidan while she’s plotting to destroy him. In fact, Aster is even more broken hearted over the loss of Aidan (when it happens!) than she was over the loss of Jerry.

What ensues following all the heartbreak is two very, very damaged people trying to make their lives not only right, but happy. Together, Aster and Aidan are so good, but there is a tremendous amount of hurt, a pile of secrets, and trust issues they both have to deal with before they can truly be together and be good for one another. The road is far, far from easy, and Fate has a way of making things harder, but the risk is worth it for Aidan and Aster and their future!

The Bottom Line: This is not my first rodeo with Julianna Keyes and I have to say, I really enjoy her spin on college romance! From beginning to end, My Roommate’s Girl is a roller coaster ride of crazy, emotions, frustration, and tension! From one moment to the next there’s no telling what Aidan or Aster is going to do and most of the time, their actions will just leave you shaking your head in disbelief. With that being said, they’re both really likeable characters and it’s hard not to root for them and their eventual HEA. The cast of secondary characters all play appropriate roles and more than support the Aidan and Aster throughout. If you’re looking for a guaranteed HEA with a few twists and turns, and all the feels then My Roommate’s Girl is just the book you’re looking for.

I've read the Timed Served Series and this is a much lighter tone than that series. It's not a bunch of laughs and giggles but not as dark either.

Definitely a slow burn, slow developing story between the hero, Aidan, and heroine, Aster. The love interest slowly develops and it may be too slow for some readers. I admit I had to stop and restart a few points and once I got to the midway point the story's pace seemed to pick up a little and so did my interest.

Two likable MCs, an interesting story about forgiveness, redemption, and hope with a little sex thrown into the mix. I would recommend it but know that it is a slower pace story that takes time to develop.

I loved this book!! Julianna Keyes has a way of writing characters who are flawed, but loveable. This is a somewhat-light (in the best way, no 3am sobbing here) redemption story for both the hero Aiden and the heroine Aster. The story is about the struggles to try to "be good enough" and how someone may be right even though they are not in your plan. The Aiden we meet in the beginning is a far cry from the one who ends the book. The way Julianna wrote his emotional growth was so believable—one step back, two steps forward the whole way.

I love love loved the banter between them. And the heat. And the way they connected in the most unexpected ways. And the side-characters (including the lovable title roommate). The only thing is I think the title could be somewhat misleading. I almost skipped because I thought it would be a triangle and it's not in the least.

Julianna's writing really stands out for me and I can't wait for her next book.

I am starting to realize a lot of my favorite writers right now are Canadian. Julianna Keyes makes the list hands down! When she surprised all her readers with My Roommate’s Girl, I was thrilled. A new book from an author I love? YES! A total surprise?? Even cooler.

Aidan has just moved in with Jerry, his new roommate. Jerry is pretty much an all around nice guy, unlike Aidan who has a past with quite the rap sheet. He is in his third year of college now and things are finally coming together for him. Until he meets Aster, Jerry’s girlfriend. And then, well, he falls hard and wants her NOW. Which is hard because obviously she is Jerry’s girlfriend. But Aidan may be slightly reformed but he’s not a nice guy (at least in his mind). He is determined to break them up and have Aster for himself.

And he does. But it doesn’t quite go as he expected, or how I as the reader expected either which is good because I wanted to be able to like and root for Aidan. Which you know, I can’t do if he is a down and out jerk. But he is not! He is just a little bit diabolical.

When Aster and Jerry break up, she is blindsided by his infidelity. But somehow she keeps running into Aidan and soon, a tentative friendship (with the possibility of more) is growing between them. Aster has secrets in her own past, things I didn’t quite expect honestly. But it made her an interesting and thoughtful character.

Aidan has some tough choices to make in this book, beyond just trying to be with Aster. Shades of his past come back to haunt him and he has to decide how he will proceed. Will he lose Aster over wrong choices? I don’t want to give anything away but I feel like the Chris Pine like cover does not do Aidan justice. Sure, he is hot but there’s a lot riding on his college experience, more than perhaps most young adults have to deal with.

Aster and Aidan do not have a perfect romance at all. It’s pretty imperfect all around but that is what makes it interesting, at least to me. AND another great joy in this book is the introduction of Frisbee Baseball. Is this a thing in real life? I don’t know but I had a lot of fun reading about it in the book.

Julianna Keyes writes books with a great combination of thoughtful character development and real world fallout. Nothing goes exactly as planned for Aidan in this book but I think he becomes a more interesting guy for it when all is said and done. He’s not the bad guy but he definitely has a little bit of the anti-hero to him which kept me reading. I’d say this is definitely his story, more so than Aster’s, who, while likeable, remained a bit more distant to me as a character.

My Roommate’s Girl is available now and it is well worth your reading money. Julianna Keyes strikes awesomeness again!

This one was... Hm. I struggled with the general concept of this book. The blurb mentions that the hero, Aidan, "puts a plan into action", but I wasn't really expecting the actual plan. It's really a terrible, shitty, awful plan that made it really difficult for me to come around on this one.

Aidan is given a choice by a lenient judge who sees that Aidan has more to offer the world than car theft. He can go to jail, or he can go to college. A local college has a program specifically set up for these kids, and Aiden, not wanting to go to jail, wisely chooses college. On his first day, he meets his new roommate, Jerry, and Jerry's girlfriend Aster.He immediately wants Aster, but knows that she's not the kind of girl who cheats on her boyfriend. Which is when he comes up with his grand plan.

I'll put it in spoiler quotes in case you don't want to see it. [spoiler title='Spoiler' style='default' collapse_link='true']Aiden invites Jerry to a bachelor party with some of his rougher friends. Before the party starts, he pays one of the strippers to have sex with Jerry. This way he can make sure Aster finds out Jerry cheated on her, causing her to break up with him. Then he'll be in exactly the right place for the sure-to-appear revenge fuck Aster will want.[/spoiler]

It goes partly according to plan. He succeeded in breaking Aster and Jerry up, but it didn't have the desired outcome. And in short order, Aster finds out Aiden's part in the break up and is as pissed as she should be. This whole thing, though, bothers me. Your fleeting desire to have one-time sex with someone does not mean that you get to destroy someone else's happy long-term relationship. This is such a complete dick move that I had a difficult time coming back from it. Aster is suitably pissed, but they keep getting thrown together by various situations, which gives Aiden time to work on her and get her to come around. He does feel bad about what he did, but not really. He got what he wanted, and eventually Jerry starts dating someone else, so in Aiden's mind it all worked out in the end.

This story was well-written; I would definitely read more by Julianna Keyes, but I never quite made it back from Aiden's actions in the beginning. And he does something else pretty stupid about 80% of the way in, which as far as I can tell worked out because of sheer dumb luck. Which doesn't give me a lot of hope that Aiden learned anything at all from his experience here or from what landed him in court in the first place. He and Aster definitely had chemistry, but I'm not convinced it would have translated into more than one night. Or more than one night, but not necessarily a HEA.

My Roommate's Girl
Julianna Keyes
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This turned out to be an awesome read. I definitely wasn't expecting this book to go in the direction it did. But I'm so glad it did because I couldn't put it down.
This story truly shows that people can change if they are given the opportunity. This book touched on so many real life issues and still had a great ending.
I'm definitely adding this author to my list of favs. I loved her writing style and love reading new adult stories.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, you can never go wrong with a Julianna Keyes book. Her writing style has a way of sucking you in immediately, staying up late at night reading the book well beyond your bedtime. I love the dialogue in this book and the chemistry was well written. Now that I am done reading and I will be looking for Julianna's next book (which will hopefully be soon)!

Aiden was ready to move in with his roommate leaving his college dorm behind. A new experience that didn't revolve around the stained carpet and dingy hallways. As he made his new transition he came face to face with the girl who would change his life. Aster was everything he wanted and made him truly feel alive. The only problem was she was dating his roommate. He would do everything he could to make Aster his no matter what the cost. In the end their relationship would heal them both.

Would love to read something by this author again! The story was well thought out and the characters were very likable!

I really liked the premise of this book, and hoped that I would like it a lot more than I actually did. It was a light, flirty read with some good plot twists, so I at least wasn't bored with it. 

Aiden is a college student in a second-chance program that allows him to go through school and work. He's pretty cocky and the second he meets his roommate's girlfriend, Aster, he wants her. It's not exactly insta-love, but it's kind of like an undercover insta-love if that makes any sense. Aster is happy with her relationship, so I was a little thrown off by Aiden chasing her so hard, but the plot doesn't make me hate Aiden too much. I also really liked Aster; she was down to earth, determined, and caring. She has baggage of her own, and both Aster and Aiden had some solid character development. 

It's hard for me to put my finger on why I wasn't in love with this book; maybe it was the writing style, maybe it was the timeline of the plot, or maybe it was just some of the decisions they made. Overall, it was a fast read but not something that stayed with me after I finished it.

This is just not the book for me. I hate that he was lusting after this girl, while she was in a relationship with someone else.