This book combines two things that I really really enjoy in a romance novel. First, it has two protagonists that are both likable and that you are rooting for. Second, it holds place for some really fascinating thoughts about intimacy and romance and identity. Yes, it's a romance novel, you know the two main characters are probably going to gettogether in the end, so it's not super serious! And yet, within the conversations with those characters and the plot of the story, there's a lot of conversation about knowing what you want in relationships, and navigating different expectations, and sex, and it' was just really, really good.

I struggled with what to rate this book, because it wasn't perfect, but it was just so darn enjoyable, and I really did appreciate how naturally these more serious conversations were woven in, that in lieu of being able to give half stars, we're going to bump it up to a five.

The Intimacy Experiment
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
🔥🔥
Rosie Danan is officially one of my favorite authors of all time. I LOVED The Roommate, but I LOOOOOVED The Intimacy Experiment. I’m so thankful I was able to get an advanced copy of the ebook. This is exactly what I needed after reading The Roommate back in October. What I love about this book is that it has the sexy, hot tension that The Roommate had, but you really get to know the relationship between Naomi and Ethan in this one, more so than Clara and Josh (don’t get me wrong, I still loved Clara and Josh’s story). The Intimacy Experiment also brings to light the idea of religion and intimacy in modern times, and how they can co-exist in a relationship, as well as a lifestyle. Danan is an incredible writer, and I couldn’t put my phone down the two days I read The Intimacy Experiment in. I will highly recommend this one for a long time. Please keep your books coming, Rosie Danan!!

I loved The Roommate, and didn't think Rosie Danan could top it, but I was wrong. Naomi and Ethan's story is one of the best I've read this year. I had ALL the feels with this one. It's a powerful story of love, faith, and believing in who you are and who you are meant to be. When they started talking about why they wake up every day, I was a goner, and it only got better from there. A must read.

Having loved The Roommate, I was so excited to read The Intimacy Experiment and learn more about everyone's favorite badass, Naomi Grant.

Naomi is the perfect blend of Badass Boss Bitch and marshmallow. She had a hard past that taught her not to trust and give her heart easily. But, after spending time with cinnamon roll rabbi Ethan Cohen, Naomi starts to open up and welcome love back in her life.

The chemistry between Naomi and Ethan is obvious. From the very beginning the attraction between them is clear, but the two lack the communication to tell the other what they want. While The Roommate was all about the steam and the physical relationship building into more, The Intimacy Experiment gives us less steam but more relationship building.

I would have liked to see a bit more of the relationships that Naomi and Ethan had outside of each other, as the secondary characters in this book are absolutely amazing (I'm rooting for Leah to get her own book).

This book was just shy of getting a five star rating for me. There are a few things that I wish could have been fleshed out a bit more (i.e. delving more into Ethan's relationship with his dad and more of a friendship building before Naomi and Ethan get together), but all in all the story delivered.

I binged this SO FAST! I couldn't get this into my kindle fast enough. I adored Danan's debut and just knew I would adore this one as well.

I loved the story between this unlikely pair! A rabbit and a former porn star, this seems like bar joke gone wild and I was here for it.

I must mention that this was a slow burn for sure. I felt the pacing could have been sped up just a bit. I do appreciate the details we were given as we learned slowly about both Naomi and Ethan.

Their chemistry was so good. I loved their ability, once they determined what they wanted, to really be open and communicate what they wanted the future to look like for each other.

The ending almost broke me, almost. I love the way everything wrapped and would totally recommend this to most of my friends. Those of you who don't like steamy sex scenes and a fair use of language...I would pass on this one.

Thank you @berkley and @netgalley for an advanced copy of this read. All thoughts are strictly my own.

Naomi Grant is a successful businesswoman. She started up her own sex-positive start-up Shameless and has never conformed to the idea of what society thinks she should be like. She feels the need to do more though and wants to start teaching and lecturing about intimacy. Only problem - no one wants to hire her.

Ethan Cohen is the rabbi of his own synagogue and loves his job very much. He wants only the best for his congregation, but is trying to increase the number of his members. Especially young members. When Ethan and Naomi cross paths with one another they decide to work together. Naomi gets an opportunity to lecture on modern intimacy and Ethan gets an opportunity to get young members into his shul. Should be a win-win situation, what could go wrong?

I absolutely loved Naomi and Ethan together. As soon they met I could feel the chemistry between them. Ethan was the sweetest most cinnamon roll hero and I loved how he saw through to Naomi's vulnerabilities. The way these two became acquainted with one another was so so sweet.

I can honestly say that I haven't read much Jewish representation in romance books. I've read one other romance that had Jewish representation - The Ex Talk - and enjoyed that book very much. I loved the way that Rosie Danan was able to incorporate the love of Judaism within this wonderful romance. I have so many excerpts highlighted because of Ethan's obvious love, but also his patience. The way Naomi and Ethan come together with their combined backgrounds was just done so perfectly. I'm sure I'm not putting into words how this book made me feel - but trust me when I say it gave me all the feels.

I loved The Roommate when I read it earlier this year and I was a little bit afraid that The Intimacy Experiment wouldn't live up. But I was proven wrong and Rosie Danan is such an amazing author. I can't wait to read more of her work!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

Absolutely incredible contemporary romance. I have been so lucky to read an advanced copy and I was not disappointed. Naomi is the woman we all want as our BFF and our hot, sweet, caring rabbi? Oh boy! He is such a great hero. Chemistry is off the charts. I laughed, I became very overheated, and I cried!

I am convinced...Rosie Danan is the best new author of 2020!

Disclaimer: I got this as an ARC from @NetGalley

This is perfect for fans of The Ex Talk and enemies to lovers trope. It's a fun and hilarious book that will give you hallmark vibes.

Drip! Drip! Drip! Sweat pouring from my head! It’s getting hotter here than Lut Desert!

The chemistry between Naomi and Ethan makes you sweaty, jumpy, yes you need to order more undergarments because your pants will be on fire when you read pages about their blooming intimacy experience and you will cross your fingers for their happy ending because you may have already suffered from broken heart when you’ve watched Fleabag’s last episode (logical but extremely bittersweet ending) and screamed “No! No!” , as sexy priest has been slowly walking away from the bus stop and their story reminded you of exactly the same dilemma!

This book is about a relationship between man of God and ex porn star/ new sex educator ! Hell yeah, it’s unconventional, juicy, scandalous, forbidden, taming, intriguing combination you want to devour urgently!

Thankfully our hero is a rabbi! So there’s nothing hold him back to date or form an ultra tempting relationship! Of course his work at stake when he decides to hire Naomi as a lecturer to his synagogue to speak about intimacy, sex, relations!

Of course some of ultra conservative or biased mind will protest this situation!
What happens if they come clean about their feelings and decide to date! Oh yes, this means their opposite worlds will collide: but when you love someone you learn to love him/ her completely! You can’t disregard his/ her past, mistakes, misdemeanors. You have to say “yes” to the whole package!

Will their love survive against those emotional struggles including displeasure of congregation, judgmental public opinions.

I honestly say: I loved both of the MCs a lot!
Naomi Grant is one of the badass characters who shielded herself with poisonous bitchy concoction but inside of this shield: there’s tender hearted, delicate Hannah who got hurt by narrow minded people, bullies. She can perfectly fight for own wars and literally kick asses! But when the cracks start to appear on her shield , she realizes she deserves to be loved and cared and she can find that unconditional love at the place she could never imagine and the person she would never think to become close!

From the beginning Ethan Cohen steals our heart ( he reminded me of young, blushing Hugh Grant from Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral : beautiful times before he played cheating narcissistic husband at Undoing)

He’s sweeter than ten layer chocolate cake (I shouldn’t skip the lunch before I start writing this review) He’s loyal, he’s patient, he’s supportive, he’s a true gentleman! He knows how he feels about Naomi and he’s not ashamed to express them! After reading about so many douchebag alphas, he’s the most adorable book boyfriend we yearned for!

I was planning to give four stars to this read but Naomi’s epic speech part at the last third and the author’s way of bold approaching the sensitive subjects such as belief, religion, grief, queerness, sexual awakening made me give extra half stars so I’m rounding up 4.5 to 5 hotter than habanero, steamy, sexy, intimate stars!

I couldn’t relate with Clara and Josh at first book but thankfully this book’s characters and their story hooked me up from the start! I loved them so much!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing arc copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I adored this book. Danan is not afraid to break the mold and stereotypes. This love story between an ex-sex worker and a Rabbi is delightful, informative about aspects of Jewish faith and just a heart-warming story.

What a breath of fresh air! Naomi Grant might be one of the smartest, most bad-ass, romance heroines in recent memory. We first met Naomi in Rosie Danan's The Roommate where she was one of the side characters we all ached to hear more from. Now that Naomi is the main character we get to see just how brilliant she is. Sex-worker advocate, scholar, and CEO. What more could she want? The answer is a certain rabbi she meets while rediscovering her jewish faith. This book HAS IT ALL.
Rosie Danan is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors and I can't wait to read whatever she puts out next.

Rosie Danan does it again with her beautiful The Intimacy Experiment, which is about spirituality, sex and true love in equal measures.

Ex-porn-star turned sex educator Naomi Grant – AKA Hanna Sturm – wants to expand her highly-regarded start-up website, Shameless, into the realm of public lecturing, but due to her past – and the fact that she willingly calls out the privilege of the academic and religious worlds -  no one’s willing to hire her.

Rabbi Ethan Cohen has a small shul with a tiny number of worshippers, something that becomes a problem when his synagogue’s executive board points out that they’re hemorrhaging money and need to do something to fix the situation quickly, or they’ll shutter the shul.  When he’s named one of Los Angeles’ most eligible bachelors, the notion of drawing young, hip millennials to witness his worship services comes to his attention.

When they meet after her failed presentation to the board of his synagogue, Naomi and Ethan realize that they have a perfect solution to their problems in one another.  At Ethan’s suggestion, they join forces to put forth a series of seminars on the topic of modern intimacy at the shul.  Naomi writes the syllabus, and together they try to work out the hypotenuses they’ve developed when it comes to love and sex.  In the process of working together, they begin to develop feelings for each other.  But the constant rejection Naomi’s been through – and the battle they must wage against the world to keep the shul open – pose a possible risk.

I adored this book so much.  Naomi’s one of my favorite heroines of the year so far: ambitious, tender at heart, but understandably self-protective after everything she was put through in high school.  For everyone who’s been waiting for her romance since The Roommate, you will not be disappointed.  She has to learn to overcome the past, and when she does the reward is rich.

Ethan, meanwhile, is a warm at heart cinnamon roll with a strong community surrounding him.  Adored him as well.

Their story – a slow burn romance, beautiful to behold – is about Naomi rediscovering the power of emotional intimacy, her Judaism and a baseline sense of faith after being so rejecting of harmful others and Ethan learning how to open up a little more.  Spirituality and personal growth as well as romantic growth fill the page.

This is a novel about communities – the one Naomi has at Shameless, the one Ethan has at the shul, and the one they form together at the classes and among their friends – and I love the way Danan puts that feeling of intimacy together. The big enemy in this novel – besides Naomi’s self-doubt and scars – is definitely the repressive nature of the academic world through which she must navigate. This is handled in a way that’s not-over-the-top cartoony, but explains Naomi’s frustration with the academic world and Ethan’s desire to grow the shul’s foot traffic due to his love of his own faith.

The Intimacy Experiment is like a long soak in a hot bubble bath - worth absolutely every second you spend relishing it.  It is glorious, soul-enriching, and sweetly romantic. I highly recommend it.

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Did you hear the one about the ex-porn star and the rabbi? Instead of a joke it is a sweet, heartfelt, smart, thoughtful contempoary romance. A second in a series but can be read as a stand alone. Naomi and partners run a website that includes tutorials on sexual pleasure. Ethan invites Naomi to do a lecture series on modern intimacy for his synagogue hoping to increase membership interest. I don't want to say too much, but the lectures themselves are worth reading the book.

I love the idea of community that is brought up and wanting to belong whether it is with friends or family, religion and even co-workers. I could relate to bonds in all of those areas. I will remember Naomi as one of my favorite heroines as she overcomes her guards and lets down her walls to accept love from others. Ethan is almost too perfect at understanding and dealing with her past and career. As I finished the book I instantly found and downloaded "The Roommate". After reading it I came back and re-read all the scenes with Naomi, Clara and Josh and loved this book even more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Much anticipated sequel to The Roommate! I love Rosie Danan's style of writing and her characters! Cannot wait to see what she does next.

I really enjoyed this book - particularly the depth of the discussions of Judaism. Naomi and Ethan are full, well-rounded characters with big interesting lives. The emotional and theoretical frameworks are the best part of this book and go to places that I haven't found in romance before, which I very much appreciated.

This book was much more interesting than a typical romance. The Jewish perspective made it unique, in addition to the former sex worker angle, which is a rarely heard from group in novels. A nice addition to this book, which may be part of the print edition, would be resources for those people in the sex trade who may wish to get out of the industry.

"No one really talked about how so much of letting other people in involved listening to yourself."

Honestly, one of my favorite contemporary romance novels maybe ever. This is a full, rich story with fantastic characters (I would die for Naomi), a super steamy romance, biting humor, and thought-provoking takes on religion (something I do not usually enjoy, but done SO WELL here), modernity, intimacy, and love. Cannot say enough good things about this.

If you enjoyed Rosie Danan's The Roommate, you will undoubtedly enjoy "The Intimacy Experiment" even more.

Thank you to Net Galley for a free advanced review copy

Holy intimacy, Batman! This book was amazing, just as much as the Roommate was. An easy read with an important message. I admit, personally I have been going through issues with intimacy and vulnerability like I never have before, and Rosie Danan really hit the nail on the head with this one. I will definitely be reading again. Also. I will be selling the hell out it like I have since the Roommate was released -- no doubt about that.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc in exchange for honest feedback.

Holy moly, this book. I'm not Jewish, but I am a religious person and I feel like this was one of the best explorations of faith I have ever read in a contemporary fiction book, let alone a romance novel. I enjoyed The Roommate and thought it had some super sweet moments, but I think I enjoyed this one even more and it was solid all the way through. Naomi and Ethan have so much chemistry, and I felt like both of them were so fleshed out as characters, it made for such an enjoyable reading experience. I was dreading the moment of doom but when it actually happened, I felt like it was an understandable circumstance, rather than flagrant miscommunication. One of my favorite romances I've read this year, and I know that readers are going to be excited to read this one in 2021.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC.

I liked this a lot and more than <i>The Roommate</i>. Truly my friend Gretchen put it best in her review when she compared this to <i>Fleabag </i> but they are allowed to date. I also thought about the movie <i>Keeping the Faith</i> a lot. All around a good time, and a good read alike if you want a slightly less angsty Roan Parrish readalike.