When I first saw this book on NetGalley I didn't know what to think about it. First of all, this book was written by Julianna Keyes. I read a couple of her book before and I really enjoyed those. However, I wasn't sold with the concept of this book. I just couldn't see how this would work because let's be honest, Aiden would have to do something bad to "steal" his roommate's girlfriend (and he did it). So yeah, this could have been a big problem to me (and it was, in the beginning) but I quite enjoyed this book.

Let's talk about the characters first. I'm going to be honest here, I didn't like them in the first 20% of this book. Actually, I wasn't enjoying this book that much in the first 20%. Aiden was an a**hole and he just wanted Aster because she was hot. He didn't even care if she was happy in her relationship or not. Aster, I don't know... I really didn't trust her at all (and it turns out I was right not to do it. However, both of them grew on me. Aiden was really an a**hole but ended up being a good kind of a**hole. He grew so much during this book. He did something wrong but he really felt guilty for it (even if that's not an excuse) and he ended up realizing there are more important things in life. Aster... she was different. She was one of those girls who hasn't had an easy life and who are trying to get a way out of that situation but she was more than that too. She was such a strong girl and she really knew what she wanted. To be honest, she was quite a surprise to me but after learning her story I completely understood her behavior. I did love these two together. First of all, they helped each other a lot but they also understood each other. It also helps that they had a great chemistry.

Being my third Julianna Keyes book I kind of knew what to expect from it, but just like I said, I really didn't like the first 20% of this book and that includes the writing. However it got so much better. I also really liked that there was a change of the POV after a certain something happened. In the beginning this book is told only from Aiden's POV but at one point it changes to dual POV. I loved how the author incorporated this so she could hide a few things.

Overall, this book didn't start out the best way but I ended up loving it anyway. If you're into romances and bad boys you should definitely read this one.

4 Surprising Stars!

My Roommate's Girl by Julianna Keyes tells the story of college students Aidan and Aster. After being caught for stealing cars, Aidan is left with the choice to either go to college, as part of a program that aims to help troubled youth while providing them with a free education, or to jail. Obviously, he chooses college.

As a third year student, Aidan is excited to be moving into an apartment with a roommate and not being stuck in the residence halls. This is how he meets, Aster (his roommate's girlfriend). He decides he immediately wants her, or at least to have sex with her, and he sets a plan in place to get what he wants.

From the outside, Aster is your everyday girl next door. She works as a residence advisor at her college, has plans for law school, and is dating a pre-med student. When she meets her boyfriend's new roommate, little does she know things in her life are about to change. Aster has her own secrets and past she's determined to keep hidden, but will Aidan be able to see beyond her outside appearance and really see her?

This is the first book I've read by this author and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. After the first few chapters, I was pretty much set on the fact that I would hate this book. Why? Because I hated the fact that a guy was purposely trying to break up a couple just because he wanted to hook up with the girl. I hated the way Aidan went about his plan and it honestly just irked me. However, I kept reading and I'm glad I did.

I was quite surprised when Aster's own secrets came to life. I honestly didn't expect it and as someone who finds some books quite predictable, this was an added bonus. I definitely think this is what sets this book apart from other books with the same theme. Instead of a book about a boy trying to get a girl, is was more about a boy and girl trying to figure out their lives and I thought that was refreshing.

The writing is great, the characters are nicely developed and interesting, and the plot takes you where you might not expect it. Honestly, I thought this book was going to be more or a comedic fight for a girl type situation, but it is the exact opposite.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

That’s the second book of this author that I had the pleasure of reading. I get the necessity for character building, but I have to admit I struggled to finish this one. It had some pretty exciting moments but at the same time, some parts were too long, and I found myself skipping through the main characters’ inner monologue. It seemed like Aster would go on and on about how she pictured her perfect life with Jerry, life devoid of passion, yet full of the things which she always wanted like stability and safety.

Aiden, the converted bad boy, who is trying to fit into the college life, without giving into all the temptations that ruined his teenage life and made him into a criminal. Apart from the description of his tattoos, there is hardly any mention of what he looks like up to like the middle of the book, which annoyed me a little bit. I just couldn’t seem to picture him in my head and it might be that I’m just imaginarily challenged.

Anyway, I did expect a lot from this story, since I loved the Burnham College series.

I tried. I really did. But no matter how many pages I read and told myself to enjoy the story, I didn't feel the connection. These days, I seem to like those college romances that include falling in love with a roommate. And while this book started out okay and kept me reading further, I fastly came to the conclusion that the plot was rushed. The title doesn't match the story for about 85% of the book. After these first 15% the characters dealt with problems that us readers didn't know about. These problems came out of the blue. Aster turned out to be everything I didn't expect, like she changed within the blink of an eye. Of course, you can say it's because we got to know her better, but the change didn't appeal to me. I liked her better before, even though she was described as that typical innocent college girl most readers are tired of by now. But it seemed fitting for her. Until the author decided it didn't.

So, My Roommate's Girl isn't even about getting the girl, as I hoped, because I like a little forth-and-back before the characters realize they're actually in love with each other. I didn't spot a real motive behind the story to keep going further. As I said, suddenly Aster and Aidan had problems no one even thought of and that's what kept the story alive. But I didn't like reading about either of their problems and to be honest, I couldn't even stand the two of them most of the time. Aidan did a terrible thing in the beginning, just to get in Aster's pants and Aster... Just no. It's like what draws these two together is lust. And lust only. And maybe the common history, but that shouldn't be reason to fall in love. And I didn't get the impression that they did fall in love.

I can't imagine any guy being like Jerry. Well, except for the cheating part, maybe. Jerry is Aster's boyfriend, the one Aidan wants to steal Aster from. And his roommate. It's hard picturing him as something else than a nerd and a hopeless romantic, a true soul, too, maybe. But then he goes out with Aidan and his friends and his morals fly overboard. I didn't know who I wanted to slap afterwards, Jerry or Aidan. Probably both. To me, this part was rushed like mad and was the easy way for the author to find a way to end things between Jerry and Aster. As if cheating is the only thing that might make a couple break up. Also, it was the only mistake in their relationship and of course, something as major as this will end with them breaking up, but Aidan didn't even get to see other bad parts of his roommate's relationship. They didn't exist.

This review is going to be one of my shortest ones. That's simply because I can't find anything else to mention. My Roommate's Girl wasn't the worst book I read, but I expected something different, something more emotional maybe, because Aidan and Aster sure as hell were flat as paper. I read another book written by the author a year ago, called Undecided and remember liking that one much better.

I was obviously not in the right mood when I first started reading this book because I set it aside, but when I picked it up again I was hooked immediately. Having reread the beginning of the book I have come to the conclusion that it was me!

Aidan Shaw is in his third year at Holsom college . He is in a PPP programme for young people who have offended in some way but are deemed to have potential and are offered a chance to go to college. Aidan had been in Juvie for fighting and was arrested for stealing cars. Prison or college is a straightforward choice. Although being part of the programme is anonymous, Aidan has certain obligations to maintain such as gainful employment, volunteering for the centre and participating in sport.

As the book starts Aidan is moving into an apartment off campus. His new roommate Jerry seems like a nice guy, but it is Jerry's girlfriend Aster that catches Aidan's eye. As soon as Aidan sees Aster he knows he wants her and will do anything he has to in order to get her. He does a bad, bad thing.

This was a great book about love but also redemption and second chances. It doesn't go where you think it is going and it's all the better for that. I am massively outside the target audience for YA/NA and so I have limited tolerance for the tired old cliches that get trotted out every time. Somehow Julianna Keyes effortlessly selects some of them and uses them wisely, discarding the others to make a clever, engrossing story. A storyline which other writers would make the entire plot of a novel is finished very quickly and we are on to a whole new plot.

Aidan is a wonderful flawed guy, he f#%ks up A LOT. But that is part of his growing process because he has to consciously choose to change his default responses. Aster looks like the sort of girl who goes skiing with her parents and reads to blind kids in her spare time (Aidan's view not mine), but appearances can be deceiving.

Overall, loved it. It was funny, sweet and a great read.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

New to me author. Keyes wrote an interesting concept a program that gives young criminals a chance to go to college. Aidan is on his third year of college when he moves in with Jerry. Its a great place even better is Jerry's girl Aster. Aidan moves the world to get the girl to even notice him. Heck break them up why not, Aster can be his. I loved the concept of this program working to help rehabilitate them into productive members of society.

My Roomate’s Girl by Julianna Keyes was a pleasant surprise!! When I read the blurb and started the book, I was a little worried about the plot being predictable but I’m happy to say it didn’t happen. I was entertained throughout the whole story!!

Aidan is a reformed bad boy who gets a second chance. College is his path to redemption. When he meets his roommate’s girlfriend for the first time, all bets are off. He must have her. Aster is perfect… blond, beautiful, sweet, and smart. Just the opposite of him and he wants her. He is determined to achieve his goal.

But nothing is as it seems and as these two start to get to know each other, we quickly learn that they are both flawed in their own way. What I loved the most was while they were far from perfect, both with pasts that shaped them, together they became perfection. They pushed each other to become better and embraced each other’s short comings. I loved the friendship they formed as the story develops.

The struggles they both face brings them closer as they seek redemption and a new start. Loved the emotional growth in Aidan. He became a different man by the end of the book and I wanted to hug him so badly. It’s a beautiful story of redemption and healing.

“I didn’t think happiness was real, and I definitely didn’t think it was tangible, something you could hold, touch, feel.”

From the title and cover you would think it’s going to be a fluffy read, but it truly wasn’t. It had humor, heartache and heat. A hero and a heroine who are both imperfect apart but together they create magic.

“I could love you, Aidan, but not if you don’t deserve it.”

Book Review – My Roommate’s Girl (4 Stars)
In hindsight, the story ends the moment it begins. I park in front of the apartment building, my new roommate, Jerry, comes out to help me bring in my meager belongings, and everything is fine . Then he says, “This is my girlfriend, Aster.” I look at Aster and I’m done. So if you think about it, Jerry kind of started it.
That statement right there made me like Aiden Shaw immediately. This guy had a wit about him that I couldn’t ignore. However, the more I read the more I started to question just how witty and charming I initially thought Aiden was.
While second chances aren’t all that unheard of, Aiden just landed the ultimate second chance. Fresh off of being arrested he’s given the option to go to prison on a take a one way ticket to Holsom College and turn his life around. Although he never pictured himself going to college, he’s no fool and he jumps at the offer. Fast forward and Aiden is starting his third year and doing quite well. He manages to snag an apartment off campus with a roommate and for all the trouble he’s managed to avoid the past two years…this roommate situation and makes up for it. One look at Aster, his roommate’s girlfriend, and Aiden is determined to have her. So Aiden sets a plan in motion to break them up (insert where I start to question my initial judgment of him) and he succeeds. Unfortunately for Aiden, the breakup backfires because Aster does a little digging and discovers the truth about the breakup and wants nothing to do with Aiden. Not only does he now have to deal with the unexpected guilt he’s dealing with as far as Jerry is concerned but he has to figure out a way to make it back into Aster’s good graces.
I can’t quite put my finger on what made me like this book so much but it just really clicked for me. I liked the characters and the storyline. I initially thought this was going to be from Aiden’s POV but I was pleasantly surprised to get a little deeper and realize it was told from Aiden’s and Aster’s POVs. Neither of these characters were what I expected them to be, and that’s not a bad thing. Like I said, I did question Aiden but in the end I realized he was a pretty good guy. Even when he thought he was doing something underhanded or shady, he kind of learned a lesson from it.
I took the scholarship they probably could have given to some kid who wasn’t faking his gratitude. But hey, I figured I’d made a living taking things that weren’t mine—why stop now?
This was another statement that didn’t quite set well with me but then I realized that Aiden realized what a golden opportunity he had and he didn’t squander it.
What also made me like these two was the wit and the drive to succeed. How each took their pasts and eventually embraced it, learned from it and make better decisions because of it. At one point they might have just been going through the motions but it clicked for them that they had a bigger purpose. This is one of those stories where you can actually see the growth in a character and the character also recognizes their growth. I think what really made this book work for me wasn’t so much that Aiden’s plans blew up in his face but the way they did and how he had to face it all.
This book is definitely worth adding to your summer/beach reading list. This is only my second Julianna Keyes’ book but I’m seeing she’s definitely one to stalk!

Aidan was given a second chance by the judge when he was caught stealing cars. He chose college over prison in a second chance program. Aidan’s roommate is Jerry who is a pre med student. Jerry is a nice guy. Jerry’s girlfriend is Aster. The minute Aidan is introduced to Aster he wants her and is determined to get her and starts to plan how to break up Aster and Jerry so he can have Aster for himself. Aidan is not a commitment type of guy. Aidan invites Jerry to a bachelor party and makes sure he gets drunk. Once Jerry is drunk Aidan pays a prostitute to hit on Jerry and Jerry cheats. Jerry immediately tells Aster about cheating and they break up. Aidan goes to Aster as a good friend and a shoulder to cry on knowing her caused this.
I liked this story a lot. It is a deep story. I felt bad for Jerry who is a nice guy and got hurt and was set up to cheat while drunk and then was honest immediately afterwards. I didn’t like Aidan at first but then he started to change and grow and couldn’t help but love him in the end. This was a quick read with a good plot. I loved the characters and twist and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

I wanted to love this book, I really did, especially after drooling over that hot man on the cover.

However, I was barely able to tolerate Aiden at the beginning of this book. He was conniving and didn't not care about the consequences of his actions. That pissed me off! And he was keeping secrets from a lot of people, including Aster (his roommate's girlfriend). Nothing unusual there, right?

But then, I was thrown when I found out someone else was keeping a secret and I got excited about the future interaction with Aiden and Aster.

Unfortunately, the book just fell a little flat for me.....I needed more, more, something.....just not sure what that something was.

I do love the author and will continue to buy and read her books.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book. The title is a bit polarizing, and so is the blurb, so I was scared that it would be a bit too weird and just too much, and for the first 20% of the book, it was. I hated Aiden’s attitudes and the decisions he made. But somewhere along the way, the book got loads better, and I grew attached to the characters, and I understood them. And I ended up liking it a lot.

The same happened about the writing for me. I wasn’t quite sure at first, even though this was my third book by Julianna Keyes, but then everything got better, eheh. But I have to say that the formatting of this book felt weird for me. The book is told through Aiden’s POV for the first third, and then suddenly it goes to being dual POV. I was a bit confused about this change, though I understood it story wise, for 20 chapters we had no title, and suddenly we have the narrator’s name… it was a bit weird.

Even though Aiden didn’t always make the smartest decisions, I ended up loving the guy, his determination to be better, even when he didn’t believe himself capable of it. And I ended up loving Aster too, especially because she put her life and her future ahead of anything else. She knew what she wanted and needed and she fought for it.

The story turned out to be so much more than I was expecting, and WOW, it was so amazing, and so full of character growth. I loved it. The theme about second chances and knowing what’s best for you and that you alone are responsible for your life. Amazing.

Guys, don’t be put down by the original idea of a triangle and cheating, the importance of those things is minimal to non-existent in the book, so go ahead and pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

My Roommate's Girl by Julianna Keyes
Publication Date: June 12, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

The day a judge gave me the choice between going to prison or going to college was the day I vowed to stop stealing. Never again would I see something beautiful and beyond my means and take it, just because I wanted it. Just because I could.

When I moved in with Jerry, it was with good intentions. I needed a place to live while I got my degree, and he needed a roommate.

Then I saw Aster.

Blond and beautiful, good, pure, sweet, smart…and Jerry’s girlfriend. She was everything I never thought I could have. Except…maybe I can.

So I put a plan into action. Yeah, I’d probably go to hell, but it would be worth it. I wanted Aster. I wanted her yesterday and tomorrow and every possible way.

But you know what they say.

Be careful what you wish for…because you just might get it.

What I Liked:

Y'all, this should not have been a book for me, based on the title and synopsis alone. In what world would I be okay with a guy literally trying to steal someone else's girl - especially his roommate's? It sounds bad, I know. I wasn't all that excited to read this book when I first heard about it, but I've read five of Keyes's previous books and I have yet to be disappointed. With a little push, I decided to give this one a chance, and I'm glad I did. Keyes always has a way of surprising me, with every book I read. I should just turn off my brain and try every and any book she writes, because clearly she writes romance novels that work for me!

My Roommate's Girl is told mostly from Aidan's POV - the first 30% is, anyway. Aidan used to steal cars, got caught, went to juvie, but was offered a second chance and a fresh start. He was placed in a program that helps troubled teens, a program that got him on his feet and into college, where he is pursuing a degree in social work and he has an on-campus job. Aidan is done stealing... until he meets Aster, his roommate Jerry's girlfriend. Aster is perfect in Aidan's eyes, and he decides that he wants her, badly enough to break up her and Jerry. When his plan works, he doesn't expect to feel bad about it. He doesn't expect Aster to find out so quickly. He doesn't expect to actually fall for her. He doesn't expect to find out that she isn't who she seems to him, anymore than he is to her.

"Be careful what you wish for" is right! Aidan wanted Jerry's girlfriend and he devised a plan that would break them up - which, in his mind, would "free" Aster to be able to have sex with anyone, but specifically, him. Some plan, huh? Aidan is so shameless and without inhibitions. I like that he goes after what (who) he wants, though you really want to smack him at first. I'm not saying what he did was okay or right, but I forgave him after a while, and so did Aster.

This story constantly surprised me. I fully expected a story that involved cheating and sneaking around behind Jerry's back and all kinds of forbidden romance that I hate (because of the cheating). But. There is no cheating in this book. No real sneaking around. Jerry and Aster break up fairly early on in the book, which eliminates the possibility of cheating. Also, time moves by in this book, days and weeks at a time. It isn't until the 50% mark that Aidan and Aster do anything physical together - fine by me. I was happy that there was no cheating (in terms of Aidan and Aster).

There also was no love triangle, which was surprising. It turns out, Aster and Jerry had been together for a while (a year, I think? I can't rememeber), and they loved each other, but it almost seemed fake, like plastic. I don't know how to describe. Like a bland kind of love? Eventually Aster realizes that she didn't really love Jerry - and Jerry didn't really love her. He didn't even know her (because she didn't let him know her). Anyway, after they break up, Aster doesn't pine for Jerry, and Jerry doesn't pine for Aster. No messiness. No love triangle. No rebounds. No make-ups.

I adored Aidan. He's shameless, determined, stubborn, and a little wicked. He's trying to better, but going after his roommate's girlfriend probably isn't a sign of trying to be better. He actually feels bad about taking Jerry to the party that ruined things for Jerry and Aster. Aidan realizes he made a mistake. I liked seeing Aidan grow a conscience and realize that his actions have real consequences that affect real people. Aidan grows a lot during this spring semester of college, and not just because of a girl (Aster).

Aster was a mystery at first, because in Aidan's eyes, she is so perfect. Hot, smart, kind, a good girl. But it turns out that she wasn't always "good", she still isn't "good", and she shouldn't necessarily be on that pedestal that Aidan has her on. I like that Aster had a lot more depth to her than we initially see. Aster is a nice person and she's very likable. I feel like I would get along with her really well - she's an introverted extrovert and she is pretty awesome when she isn't yelling at Aidan.

The chemistry between these two picks up after Aster breaks up with Jerry. It's not an instant thing - Aster isn't looking for a rebound - but you can see it simmering beneath the surface. These two make each other burn and there are a lot of intense scenes full of chemistry without anything physical happening between them. In fact, they don't have sex until the midway point, if I remember correctly. I liked this setup - the romance didn't feel rushed, and the story progressed nicely, around the romance. No insta-love, lots of chemistry and a number of hot sexy times - perfect for a New Adult romance novel.

Of course there is some drama around the climax, but it's not too bad! One thing I hate is dramatic, over-the-top climax scenes that lead to one of the protagonists messing up, and then a grand gesture is needed, and blah blah blah. The drama wasn't too bad, and while one protagonist does mess up, it doesn't take long before they are back together.

In addition to the yummy romance, there are quite a number of good friendships in this book. Aidan has good relationships with a number of other college boys in the same program as him, who are trying to do better for themselves. I love the one guy who is not a college student but a 23-year-old who got married to his sweetheart. How adorable! And on Aster's side - she kind of has no friends but she makes a friend (and a surprising one - this girl is not who I expected to be friends with Aster!). I always like to see positive, non-toxic friendships in books, and this book had some good ones.

In general, this is a fantastic New Adult novel that has a steamy romance, some "tough issues" that don't dragged the story into a dark story, a strong male and female lead pairing, positive friendships, and a good story. I was rooting for Aidan, on his journey to be a better person. I'm glad he got his happy ending!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything that really stuck out to me except that I wasn't totally sold on Aidan at first, because of the active role he played in breaking up Jerry and Aster. Of course, given how their relationship seemed, I didn't think they should have been together in the first place, but Aidan playing a role in forcing the breakup was a low move. The good thing is that he recognized this and grew from it, and I liked him more for that. But yeah, initially I was turned off by this whole thing. If you experience the same, keep reading! Aidan won't disappoint you.

Would I Recommend It:

If you like New Adult contemporary romance, this is a great new standalone novel to try. I've moved entirely away from New Adult "powerhouses" like Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, and Elle Kennedy, but I'm 100% sold on Keyes's books (New Adult, yes, but also her adult books). There is no love triangle or cheating or sneaking around in this book, I promise!

Rating:

4 stars. I know Keyes has said that this would be a standalone novel only but I wouldn't mind reading about some of the other characters! But I'll always look forward to reading more from her, regardless. Hopefully some adult romance novels next! You think her New Adult books are hot? Hehehe...

It started off ok. then Aiden really showed his bad side and decided he wanted his roommates girlfriend, the entertainment value vanished for me. I finished the book and it did improve and so did Aiden but not much. The story was a bit weak and so were the characters. It was a "I've started so I'll finish" type read for me.

Title: My Roommate's Girl
Author: Julianna Keyes
Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
My Rating: 4 tattooed Stars!
Swooning Level: 5/5
Release Date: June 12th, 2017

*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*


Aiden Shaw has a past of taking things that aren't exactly his. Literally. And he was in deep...facing jail time. So, when he's given the opportunity by a judge to either go to prison or get a free ride to college as part of a second chance program for troubled young adults, Aiden *graciously* accepts.


Now at the age of twenty-two and fully committed to making the most of this second chance work, Aiden finds himself moving in with a new roommate, Jerry. On move in day Aiden meets Jerry's blonde & breathtaking girlfriend, Aster. Now, Aiden is faced with desiring what's not his...again. As a result, he makes a plan. A way to steal Aster right out from underneath Jerry. Even if she is this perfect angel who he's sure reads to blind kids, and even if Aiden believes she's too good for him, He wants her. Bad. Aster may be someone else's girl but Aiden won't let that stop him from hijacking her anyway. Old habits die hard...


But what if Aster isn't the goody two-shoes that Aiden believes her to be?
What if she is more like him then she's letting on?
They both have pasts.
They've both been given second chances.
They both need the healing of two hearts finding their home.


"I let her see it, see me, showing her everything I have, all the flaws, all the truths. She doesn't even flinch."


My Thoughts:
Can somebody say ANGST?!?!?! My Roommate's Girl has some of the finest back and forth banter I've ever read. The beginning of the story is told in Aiden's perspective,and honestly I loved how the author chose to write it that way. I instantly fell in love with Aiden and felt drawn to him. I was rooting for him and Aster to find their happily ever after from the start. The humor and angst was off the charts and made this story stand out from others of it's kind. I felt the alternating POV between Aiden & Aster was seamless. Keyes wrote from a guy's perspective with perfect believability. And Aster was a strong female lead. I was thoroughly shocked learning of her unexpected past, but think it worked perfectly. It was inspiring to see Aiden & Aster take the second chances they'd been gifted and choose to live freely.


"The best part is what we have between us, the promise and potential that's always felt like a myth, but is now clear and present."


Overall: My Roommate's Girl is a book that I will most certainly want to reread! It's a very solid 4 stars! I can't even tell you how many times I laughed out loud. (Aiden really is just a big ol' cutie pie behind that tattooed, bad-boy exterior.) Then there were numerous times I was blown away by the deep emotions. Lot's of heartbreak, angst, sweetness & swoon-worthy moments. I definitely want to read more from Keyes! Her writing style was refreshing and unique. I'd recommend My Roommate's Girl to all romance lovers! Go check it out loves!


P.S. I've fallen in love with Aiden Shaw and I don't care who knows it! *winks*


Thank you to the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read My Roommate's Girl!


~KristaMae~

A great entertaining read I've come to expect from this author. Well written story line that held my interest the whole time

I loved this book far more than I initially thought. I was a little nervous going into it because I hate cheating tropes. But this wasn't anything like that and while I definitely had my doubts about Aidan to start, he definitely won me over by the end. I loved Aster's unexpected backstory and I thought the whole twist was pretty brilliant and also helped to redeem Aidan. The characters were engaging, even the side characters (ohhh Jerry...) and the plot was well-paced. All in all, Julianna Keyes has written another winner!

This was the perfect New Adult read! I loved the forbidden concept and the romance between the two characters.

Julianna Keyes writes some of the best new adult romances!

Full review to come...

4 “Guilty Pleasure” Stars

ARC via NetGalley

Thank you!

I almost feel guilty for liking this book this much. Don’t get me wrong. This is my third Julianna Keyes’ book, so I should’ve expected it, but I still feel guilty that Aidan hooked me the way he did.

Aidan is a bad boy—and it has little to do with the fact that he used to steal cars, and a lot to do with the fact the he does horrible things in order to steal his roommate’s girlfriend. Worse yet, Jerry, the roommate, is such a nice guy that you can’t help but feel sorry for him. Sure he cheated and that’s unforgivable, drunk or not, but Jerry was so heartbroken by his own stupidity that he told the Aster, the girlfriend about it right away. You can imagine how well that went.

Well, the thing is Aidan is partly responsible for Jerry’s cheating. He paid a prostitute to hit on a drunk and pretty clueless Jerry. All so Aster would find out and break up with his roommate, leaving the path open for Aidan to make the move.

Dude, that’s just horrible. It’s… horrible. And still, I liked Aidan.

See. I have a reason to feel guilty.

I shouldn’t like a guy like him, but he kind of grew on me with time. Besides, I blame Julianna Keyes’ ability to write a convincing male POV. All your fault, author!

Now that I’ve transferred a little bit of my guilt, let me tell you what else I liked about this book: the complex characters.

As you can see, Aidan makes it hard for readers to like him by being a jerk. But he also makes it easy to like him because he’s trying to change, even if his initial actions don’t show that. But as we spend time inside his head, we get to see how he’s truly holding on to his scholarship – a special scholarship given to people who were once in trouble with the law as a way to rehabilitate them (I absolutely LOVE that, BTW). Aidan is starting to see a future that doesn’t involve crimes and prison, and I couldn’t help but root for him.

Aster, on the other hand, makes it easy for you to like her until BAM! A Gone-Girl like twist hits you in the face. I LOVED the way that twist was introduced and when it happened in terms of pacing. It shook things up and added a new layer to the story and the characters. It took Aster from the role of good girl and gave her the opportunity to be a stronger female character. She had a troubled past, but she wasn’t willing to let it interfere in her present and keep her from having a better future. It complemented Aidan’s arc and gave her one, too. I thought it was a really smart choice.

The romance had a little less heat than I expected, but maybe that’s because it focused on developing the characters as individuals. I still rooted for them to get together, especially once the truth about Aster came to light.

I also loved Jerry and Missy. I thought they were fun and added something different to the story.

This was another great New Adult book by Julianna Keyes. She’d already been a one-click author for me, and after enjoying my third book by her, I don’t see it changing.

**Amazon review is live**

The title of Julianna Keyes’s new adult romance My Roommate’s Girl gives a pretty good hint as to the subject matter, and the synopsis fills in some of the details. But what’s delivered is so much more than what’s expected and this is one of those stories you’ll be hard pressed to put down once you start.

Aidan has gotten into his share of trouble and his last chance to make something good out of his life is to take a judge up on his offer to go to college with a scholarship program for troubled kids, instead of a stint in a local jail for car theft. His roommate Jerry is a nice guy, a doctor’s son who's been handed a much nicer life than Aidan, including a stunning girlfriend. Aster certainly fits the part of a perfect girl to hang on the arm of a successful man. But Aidan is struck with some very lustful intentions. He hatches a plan to break up the happy couple in hopes that he’ll be the one Aster turns to, to pick up the pieces. But actions have consequences. Has he ruined a happy ever after for three people in his quest to steal his roommate’s girl?

So clearly, Aidan is a selfish prick. His intentions are never in doubt, and obviously he’s not hero material. Right? RIGHT? I mean, what kind of guy does that? The manner in which Aidan goes about his plan to break up Jerry and Aster is very sly, very well planned, and has consequences that don’t quite fit what he’d envisioned. I don’t want to give away too many spoilers because there are some really great plot twists in this story that have to be read to be appreciated. But there are a few things I can say, in hopes that you will be willing to give this book a try, despite how bad things look for Aidan.

As it turns out, Aidan ends up being one of my favorite heroes! (I didn't expect that either!) He has to deal with the consequences of his actions and the real results of what happens when you interfere in someone else’s relationship for your own personal gain. He’s forced to take a good hard look at himself and make some serious changes. Yes, there are some extenuating circumstances that led to his decisions, but he owns up to them and his mistakes. His character growth from start to end is impressive and definitely one of my favorite things in this story.

Aster seems to have the perfect life but we learn a lot more about her as the story progresses. She has a strong friendship with Aidan at the beginning of the story, one that is shattered by Aidan’s actions and one he will have to work hard to regain. The feelings the two of them have for each other are complicated because of their history, and it’s a slow burn romance as they find ways to fix things between them. There are some sexy scenes in this story as Aidan and Astor connect but it’s not how Aidan had first envisioned. The ending of this story made me cry, that’s how invested I felt in their relationship. Redeeming a villain is not easy, but Julianna Keyes does it remarkably well in this angsty story of love and consequences. It’s definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.

This review has been posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews and feedback updated with the link. An abbreviated version will be posted at sale sites during release week.