Turns out the advantage of reading a romcom centering around a modern intimacy curriculum is you get to learn a thing or two about intimacy and vulnerability. This was a fun and sexy - what a delicious slow-burn - romcom that was extra relatable as a former Jewish professional.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

This was a great follow-up book! I really enjoyed the advice on intimacy and discovering what constitutes intimacy WITHOUT sex. Really impressed and can't wait for another book!

I was super excited to get my hands on The Intimacy Experiment, the sequel to Rosie Danan’s debut novel, The Roommate! I had The Roommate on my TBR for a while before actually starting it, but once I finally read it, I was hooked, and I couldn’t wait to get started on this second book. It was such a fun read!

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. The summary definitely had me intrigued though, and I couldn’t wait to read Naomi and Ethan’s story. I really liked Naomi’s character since I met her in the first book, and definitely wanted to know more about her. And that’s exactly what we got in this book.

I want to get this started by telling you just how much I LOVED Naomi and Ethan… They were SO perfect together! Naomi, the confidant, badass businesswoman, and Ethan, the soft-hearted rabbi. Omg, they were so good together! I loved watching their relationship grow throughout the book. Ethan brought out a completely different side of Naomi, one that’s softer and not at all what she usually lets someone see. It was so sweet. They were really great together. Also, LOTS of steamy moments between the two, in case you’re wondering. *wink*

The storyline for the book was really interesting as well. Not only do we get updates about the success of the start-up that Naomi created with Clara and Josh in the first book, but we also get the storyline with Naomi helping Ethan with his Modern Intimacy seminars for his synagogue. It was really interesting, and I’m kind of wondering if these are a thing in real life, because if they aren’t, they should be! I definitely enjoyed reading about it.

Overall; I really enjoyed The Intimacy Experiment! I think I even liked it more than the first book, and that rarely ever happens for me. I just really loved the characters, and the storyline was interesting, and it made for a really good read. I’m kind of bummed that there are not going to be any more books in this series, but I am definitely excited for Rosie’s next book, Not Ready to Make Nice, which is currently set to release sometime in 2022. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for it!

This was so good!!

The Intimacy Experiment follows Naomi Grant, famous pornstar turned sex educator, and Ethan Cohen, the rabbi of a synagogue in Los Angeles. While attending a convention for educators, Ethan offers to hire Naomi to teach a class with his congregation about "modern intimacy" as it relates to sex and dating in the digital age.

What follows is a fun witty romance full of mutual pining, sexual tension, and some really enlightening conversations about faith and religion. I really loved our protagonists, and Ethan especially was a very endearing love interest. He was just so earnest ,a little dorky and suprisingly sexy when he wanted to be.

Only thing I really disliked was Naomi's penchant for dramatic slightly emotional monologues in front of inappropriate audiences. It was very cringe inducing and the second hand embarassment was intense.

Overall this was a really sweet romance about learning to be vulnerable in love and dating and I really enjoyed it!

This was a deeply gentle, important, and optimistic book. The chemistry between Naomi and Ethan SPARKED off the page, and they were both such unique, unforgettable characters.

The writing is so painful, and the characters are so lacking in depth that I simply cannot bring myself to finish this book.

Another sex-positive book by Rosie Danan featuring a strong female lead. I loved the themes of female empowerment, especially when it comes to sex and intimacy, and I think the author did a great job tackling these issues. My biggest issue with The Roommate was the lack of chemistry between Josh and Clara, and I'm so glad that I could actually feel it in The Intimacy Experiment. There was plenty of tension between Naomi and Ethan and the chemistry easily pulls readers into the story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this!

I really enjoyed The Roommate and liked Naomi’s character in there so I was really looking forward to jumping into my ARC of The Intimacy Experiment.

Naomi Grant is Josh from The Roommate’s ex-girlfriend. When we first meet her, I wasn’t a fan. I thought she was a snobby brat but the more I read The Roommate, the more she grew on me. You could tell that there was a lot more to Naomi Grant than met the eye, so I was thrilled that she got her own happy ending because I wasn’t wrong. Naomi Grant was a fantastic heroine who completely won me over…and her hero, Ethan? Yeah, I want all of his smoke. He was the perfect hero for Naomi and I never really looked at rabbi’s or even thought of a romance novel hero who was a rabbi but Ethan was all that and a bag of chips and I loved him to pieces.

Honestly, I was wary going into this book because I wasn’t that interested in a romance about a rabbi and an ex-porn star but I’m glad that I read it anyway because I really liked it. I think I enjoyed it a smidge more than I did The Roommate and I adored Josh and Clara so that was a bit of surprise. Rosie Danan has cemented herself on my radar. I will definitely be reading more of her stuff. She’s got a great writing style that is easy to follow and you can tell that she works hard in her word choices because she took an unconventional romance novel couple and made them just work.

I really loved the way that she handled the heavy topics brought up. It was honest and refreshing and I loved it so much. I loved that Ethan knew how he felt about Naomi and didn’t shy away from them. I loved how patient he was and just how he loved Naomi. Naomi was no slouch either. I freaking loved her. She was strong and she was smart and seeing her struggle with her faith had me thinking about my own faith. Rosie Danan did such a great job of making me sit up and take notice of the stuff that I haven’t given thought to and I’m glad that she did because it made me connect with Ethan and Naomi all the more.

There’s a lot to love about this book and if Rosie Danan is on your TBR list, pick up her books. Read them. I promise you’ll like it. This one was a good one for sure.

4.5 out of 5

Ooh la la - this was as hot and steaming as Rosie's first book. I really enjoyed following Naomi's story, and as a Jewish girl, I especially connected with all that good looking Rabbi! What's not to love? Naomi has kept people at arm's length her entire life, despite her career in adult film. But when she meets a Rabbi, someone she never thought she'd have anything in common with, and begins to teach an intimacy course at his synagogue, something inside her shifts. Naomi's walls begin to break down as she realizes she's not really protecting herself, rather keeping herself from the beauty and mess that is falling in love. I read this book in a couple days, as it was fun, light, entertaining, and carried some powerful messages about how far we are willing to go to lose and find ourselves. Great read!

The Intamacy Experiment which is book 2 in this world made by Rosie Danan, in this book we have Namoi as our MC girl here. You meet her in the previous book but I won’t say much of that so we don’t ruin anything. Now our guy is a Rabi named Ethan. Now this book, I don’t get the pairing. Naomi and Ethan don’t make sense to me, I don’t see the connection. The steam is not book one level steam, BUT beyond that it really is a great book. The themes are perfect. You have women empowerment, you have dealing with harassment and bullying, mental health mentions and talking to therapists, you have religion and seeing good sides and bad sides of that, you have a great story of childhood trauma for Namoi and how she rises above that to become exactly WHO SHE WANTS TO BE. I really loved her journey. While I may not care for the relationship, the story outside of the relationship is good and makes it worth the read!

The Roomate was a delightful surprise and the sequel, The Intimacy Experiment is a strong follow-up filled with heart, community, and of course love. Sex educator Naomi and Rabbi Ethan have instant chemistry and when they team up to lead a Modern Intimacy class at his floundering synagogue sparks fly. Their interactions are lovely to watch and there are major sparks and plenty of hot moments as these two spend grow closer. The backdrop of religion and community are not heavy-handed but instead made me think deeply about how desperate we are all for connection. The competency porn aspect of this book is high and the mutual respect between the leads makes me want to read everything else Rosie Danan publishes. This was a joy to read and a love story that I'm already wanting to dive into again.

After loving (and I mean LOVING) The Roommate, I was super excited for this follow up... but I was quite let down, tbh. I struggled to connect with Naomi (and found her and Ethan both kind of hard to believe) and the writing had me actually eye roll at times. I was so annoyed reading this that I kind of rethink my love of The Roommate. Maybe it's a timing thing? It's like I enjoyed the premise more than the execution. I think this is one of those common moments where the sequel is just not as good as the OG?

The Roommate was one of my favorite books of 2021, so my expectations for The Intimacy Experiment were sky-high. And, holy crap, were they ever exceeded. Naomi and Ethan brought it. What's "it"? Heat, humor, heart, swoons. ALL OF IT. I loved this book. The audio was excellent, with Alex McKenna and Kaleo Griffith bringing Naomi and Ethan to life. And there was a lot of life in these two. 😍

I requested this book before reading The Roommate, and I probably should not have done that considering that I did not realize that these two books go together. I do not like the portrayal of sex workers in this book or The Roommate. I was hoping the sex worker device would be sort of liberating and progressive, but it just felt trite and expected. I want something new, and this was not it.

I really enjoyed The Roommate and the glimpse we got of Naomi in that book, so I was really glad to see her story would be told as well!

The Intimacy Experiment, while steamy and sexy in its own way, was a very different experience than The Roommate. I loved the character development, especially the fierce but sweet Naomi. There is very little overlap between the characters and it can easily be read as a standalone without missing too much, so even if The Roommate wasn’t your thing, I would recommend checking this one out.

I adored the first book in this series, and I'm not sure I can pinpoint what in this book didn't grab me. There was something that just didn't jive quite as well as in the previous book.

However, I still love the characters and will be buying many more books by this author!.

DNF. This is definitely a matter of it's me and not the book. I don't really know what I was expecting with this one after reading the synopsis, but this just isn't for me.

Is there a movie or book quote that just absolutely melts your heart, regardless of how many times you've heard or read it?

One of my favorites comes from the movie Notting Hill, toward the very end of the movie, when Julia Roberts' character stands with a painting and, with her heart essentially in her hands says, "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

I hadn't thought about that movie or quote in a while, but as I tore through Rosie Danan's The Intimacy Experiment yesterday, I was reminded of it by the sheer vulnerability and beauty of her writing.

"I think I could be good at loving you, if you let me. That's a lot. IT's a big thing to say, and it's a bigger thing to deliver. I promise that I know that, but I still want you to give me a shot."

Or "What I'm trying to articulate, probably a little poorly, is that you're precious, not in spite of, but because of all the ways you believe you're broken."

These gorgeous, heartwarming quotes resonated in my soul, and that's exactly what Naomi and Ethan's story did, as well.

Readers are introduced to Naomi in Danan's debut novel, The Roommate, and while I really appreciated her badass, won't-take-shit-from-anyone persona in that book, I absolutely fell in love with her in this one. A former adult performer, Naomi is on a new path as a sex educator, but is struggling to be taken seriously by higher education. Ethan Cohen is a young rabbi with a synagogue that is low on members. When he attempts to reach out to millennials and recruit new members by hosting a modern intimacy seminar, he begins to make waves. But when he recruits Naomi Grant to help teach the 6-week series, his nontraditional ways threaten to rock the boat of Beth Elohim synagogue - as well as his heart.

I don't think I have words that will adequately express just how much I loved this book. Watching the surly, prickly, guarded Naomi become tender and vulnerable throughout this story melted my heart, and Ethan Cohen is definitely my newest book boyfriend. He embraces Naomi, flaws and all, and helps her realize just how precious and rare she is, and Naomi reminds Ethan that he is more than deserving of love and a committed partner.

This book was so incredibly sex-positive and Judaism-positive, and I love that readers get to see Naomi's faith journey, as well as learn more about Ethan's. I also adored his sister Leah, as well as the many synagogue members.

With biting banter, hilarious dialogue, a healthy dose of steam, and heartwarming, swoony moments, this romance swept me away and captured every part of my heart. From laughing one page to crying another, it took me on an emotional rollercoaster in the best way and didn't allow me to put it down. I also found myself continuing to think about it 24 hours after I finished it, which says a lot. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters, and I'm really hopeful that we'll get to see more of them in a future book!

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book! Read it, cherish it, and prepare to wait with bated breath for Danan's next book! I know I am! Thank you so much to @rosiedanan and @berkleyromance for my gifted e-ARC, and to @letstalkbookspromo @berittalksbooks and @whimsicalyme for hosting an incredible buddy read!

TYSM to Berkley and NetGalley for my copies of this book.

Wow!!! Dare I say it, but I enjoyed this story even more than I enjoyed the Roommate. While I liked Clara and Josh's story (and I'm glad we got a small taste of both of them here), I loved Noami and Ethan's stories. Not only the dynamic they brought when they were together, but that we dove deep into their backstories and their inner turmoils with their past, present, and future.

This story touched on so many important topics and issues, while also feeling like a breath of fresh air on various counts. It has me hoping (and wondering) if there will be even more stories added to this universe in the future...

Will be posted on Forever Young Adult blog and Instagram.

LET'S GET IT ON with The Intimacy Experiment (The Roommate #2) by Rosie Danan

Disclaimer: You don’t NEED to have read The Roommate before diving into Naomi’s story, but it does provide some good background on her character and her business (and it’s also a great book!).

First Impressions
This is definitely a Monet. From far away I love the colors, the pink neon sign lettering that is reminiscent of its predecessor, and that Naomi is at the lectern and that fits the story. But I don’t love the cartoon representations of the characters. Naomi is not giving me bitch-on-wheels vibes and I am not about Ethan’s middle-part floppy hair. But, you know, it’s fine.

What’s Your Type?
Friends to lovers; prickly-with-a-heart-of-gold ex-porn stars; sex positivity; thoughtful discussion on religion; hot and well-spoken rabbis

Dating Profile
Naomi Grant is a force to be reckoned with. A former adult film entertainer who began a highly successful company about sex positivity with her two best friends, she also recently completed her master’s in social psychology and wants to teach. But there’s very few places who will take a chance on an ex-porn star, especially one as audacious, ball-busting, and confident as Naomi.

Quote that perfectly encapsulates her character:
“The world is cruel and unrelenting, full of pain and injustice,” she said again, leaning just slightly toward him, “and I am a stick of dynamite. Sometimes ineffectual, other times unnecessarily destructive, but, on occasion, enough to at least temporarily disrupt the rhythm of the patriarchal abyss threatening to suck down everything I care about and hold it hostage.”

Enter Ethan Cohen, former physics teacher turned rabbi of a failing synagogue where the average member owns an AARP membership. He found his religion again after his father died, and he knows that his new profession isn’t exactly appealing to most women. He needs something eye-catching and fresh to get butts in seats or his role at his little synagogue is at risk of becoming obsolete. When Noami boldly offers her lecturing services at a conference, he’s the only one brave enough to take her up on it.

Quote that perfectly encapsulates his character:
“It’s, uh…why I always come back to the Einstein quote I told you about. I guess I get out of bed because I think about the connection that we all have, this fragile humanity, each of us insignificant and at the same time precious. A continuation of a species that is recklessly unique. I remember that life is a finite gift, and I’d be an asshole to waste it.”

Meet Cute
Naomi doesn’t see how a lecture series on Modern Intimacy works with religion—especially when she is the one presenting—but she can’t deny she’s intrigued, and not just about the work. Ethan has a magnetizing, passionate way of speaking about his interests, and apparently has no idea how utterly hot he is while doing so. Ethan finds Naomi utterly beguiling, as he should, but assumes there is no way she would ever be interested in shackling herself to a man whose job makes putting others a priority over himself.

The Lean
Please indulge me as I use another quote (I highlighted so many) to kick off this section:
“Ethan wondered if some people found battling her demanding instead of exhilarating. He’d always loved pop quizzes.”

While the physical chemistry is definitely there, this book is way more about Ethan and Naomi falling in love with each other’s brains. Naomi has finally found someone who can shake loose the heart she’s built a cage of snark and stone around, and Ethan, like intelligent beta he is, finds that every part of Naomi from her amazing looks to her whip-smart brain completely fascinating. On the surface they may not be the most obvious pair, but watching them get to know and totally respect each other’s worth was simultaneously hot and sweet.

Dirty Talk
Unlike the first book, there isn’t much actual sex in The Intimacy Experiment, though what we do get is, as I just mentioned, hot, explicit, AND sweet. Naomi knows how to have hot sex, but the emotional connection is not something she is prepared for. Before the deed is done, the dirtiest moments are Noami lusting after Josh, and because she is hilarious and bold, I found myself looking forward to these parts the most:
“He looked like a Calvin Klein model, and she observed that with the authority of someone who had fucked more than her fair share of Calvin Klein models. The shadow cast by his bearded jawline was ridiculous. She could wait out a summer storm underneath that thing.”

And even during the sexy moments Noami’s perspective still had me both turned on and giggling:
“He moved to grab some from the other room and returned still smiling, following orders and showing off his ass which, yeah someone was getting spanked later because fuck. What on earth?! The amount of squats required—”

Ms. Perky's Prize for Purplest Prose
Just like in her first book, I highlighted a lot of quotes from Danan’s writing because I apparently really enjoy the way she views life, love, and everything in between. But this is a romance review, so let’s focus on another sex moment that also made me laugh, because the most emotional sex often combines the two:
“All of a sudden, Ethan was extremely naked, and honestly she could come like this. She could come looking at his fucking gorgeous dick and his stupid face that she was so fond of that right now she kind of wanted to punch him in it. She was ready to write poems about his footlong eyelashes and the texture of his beard and the way his chest was covered in dark hair that made her want to whimper, physically whimper, at the sight of it, at the contrast of the color against his skin.”

We Need To Talk
I am not a religious person by any means, so the idea of reading about a rabbi initially had me halfway to Fred Savage, but I had faith (heh) in Danan, and she did not disappoint. I liked Ethan’s perspective coming from being a man of science who also cares about his faith because he feels that both are really two sides of the same coin: he’s looking for truth and meaning in a chaotic world. Naomi’s lectures on modern love were interesting and thoughtful and I particularly also liked getting to know the people who showed up for each session and became this open and honest group of friends.

I actually think I liked this book even more than The Roommate, and in no small part was that due to Naomi, who is such a fantastic character that I would’ve gladly read about her hanging out sorting her socks.
The only quibble I have is with the ending. Everything else in the book feels so grounded and realistic, even, for the most part, when we get to the big crisis point. But then we get to the resolution, and it becomes a bit contrived. Both Naomi and Ethan give these separate big, messy public speeches, and having two felt like overkill. (I think I had a similar feel about the ending from the first book. Not everything requires a huge romantic gesture!)

Was It Good For You?
GIF
Absolutely! I’m already looking forward to my next Danan romance!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Berkley Books. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. The Intimacy Experiment is available now.