Cover Image: THE ROOMMATE

THE ROOMMATE

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

When I was younger I would commit the ultimate crime, I read the last chapter, first.

I hated secrets and I felt books kept them from me!!

I just had to know EVERYTHING without pause.

I have since overcome this slight jist of madness and I wanted to high five myself on how far I have come.

I relapsed….

I was all hyped up and ready to go. Poured a glass of wine, hit the bedroom early, and grabbed my book:

The Roommate

Caroline Macon Fleischer, you little rascal, you!

This book is twisty! The suspense was present early on and I just couldn’t help but take a peak at the ending! I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it!

This book is fantastic and even though I did cheat, I didn’t ruin the book for myself! There is no way I could when you have an author like Fleischer, behind the pen.

Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser:
SHE INVITED HIM IN, NOW SHE CAN’T GET HIM OUT . . .

The most addictive psychological thriller you’ll read this year.

Donna is so ready to start her new life. But the nightmare has only just begun.

Donna’s had enough of her dead-end job in Chicago, her unhappy family life, and total lack of boyfriend. Then her grandmother leaves her this perfect turquoise-blue bungalow in the California hills. Things are finally looking up.

And now she’s found the perfect roommate to help pay the bills. Joshua keeps the fridge stocked with delicious fresh food, they watch cooking shows together and stay up late sharing their deepest secrets. He’s not just a roommate, he’s a friend, and soon Donna can’t imagine life without him.

But Donna can’t stop the doubts creeping in. Where did he get that key to the side door? And what are the strange sounds coming from his room?

Then Donna brings home her new boyfriend, and things start to spiral out of control.

Her perfect roommate is about to become her worst nightmare.

Was this review helpful?

Donna has been left a sizeable house but the trouble is she can’t afford to run it without some financial help and of course lets someone totally unsuitable move in. Sounds good? Sadly it isn’t! The writing is disjointed and conversations stilted. Either of those things are dealbreakers for me so both of them - just no. It reads as if it’s from several decades ago (Polaroids!) but then a date pops up and it isn’t so old after all. I think most of us have moved on since those days. Both the main characters were awful which doesn’t help. Sorry this story just wasn’t my cup of tea despite how great the blurb made it sound.

Was this review helpful?

"She invited him in now she can't get him out"

Donna 25, inherits a house in California from her Grandmother Rudy. It has come at a perfect time, as she has had enough of her dead end job in Chicago and her single life.

Along comes Joshua who seems the perfect roommate to help pay the bills. Joshua keeps the fridge stocked with fresh foods and they watch late night movies together. He is more like a friend than a roommate!!

When Donna brings home her new boyfriend things start to spiral out of control. Her perfect roommate is about to become her worst nightmare!!

A thrilling read that kept me engrossed from the start.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

An unputdownable narrative of intrigue, this thriller casts a spell that holds you captive, anxious to uncover its hidden truths.

Was this review helpful?

The plot had me gripped but the characters had me so freaking frustrated, I felt like I was screaming internally A LOT while reading this.

Was this review helpful?

Joshua is one of the most truly creepiest characters I've read in awhile. The author does a great job of setting up the story. The sense of unease and foreboding is so thick at times it feels like a heavy wool blanket. Donna was more than a bit naive but then again there wouldn't have been a good story without that. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book as it left me in a constant state of suspense throughout. The characters were multilayered and no one was who they seemed to be. Often times, I found myself yelling at Donna out loud for being naive at times. We shouldn’t let just any stranger into our homes because they seem like a good companion at first. Oh Donna… how I wish you heard me! Lol

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book!

The writing style was really good and I look forward to reading any other books from this author in the future :)

Was this review helpful?

Donna inherited a house in California. She is ready for a fresh start away from Chicago, where she currently lives. Soon Donna realizes she needs a roommate to help cover the costs of the upkeep of the house. She meets Joshua and they seem to really hit it off. They become fast friends, and everything is great until it isn’t. Secrets are revealed and Donna’s life is turned upside down. Donna begins to dread returning home from work. Will Donna’s life ever be the same again?

This book took me a while to really get into. I wish Donna was just a little bit more likable and relatable in this book. Because she isn’t fully developed as a character, her naivete is frustrating. Also, the names of the characters Addie and Donna just threw me for a loop. I feel it should’ve been the opposite. The mom should have been Donna. The pace didn’t take off until the middle of the book when we begin really learning about who Joshua Flowers really is. Overall, I give it 3/5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The main female character, Donna, has inherited a house from her grandmother, Rudy, and moves into it with the aim of turning her life around. The narrative style tells the story from Donna's point of view; I found this very strange when there are sentences such as 'She looked like a dirty troll.' There were inconsistencies, e.g. when Joshua cleaned his room so the smell disappeared but the next sentence states the smell is still present. It is unclear why Donna continues to take Joshua as a roommate even though he makes the strange comment about resenting her not needing to pay rent when they first meet, and even allows him to stay after refusing to make a month's payment.
The events seemed too far-fetched and the characters completely unrealistic in this book which dragged so slowly that it failed to build any suspense for me. I could not maintain sufficient interest to read more than a third of the book.

Was this review helpful?

Whilst I ramble incoherently here, I have to add that I’m really unsure how a written review will do this book justice. Please just trust me when I say – THIS IS A MUST READ.

Was this review helpful?

The storyline was good. I really enjoyed the story and the suspense. It was aggravating at times because it didn't seem to know the law of squatting. It lagged at points. The roommate didn't really have any especially likable characters, but it did have a few nice twists to wrap your mind around. Young woman inherits a house from a grandmother she hardly knew, and then finds the perfect roommate to share the expenses with--only you know the roommate will soon be imperfect in the worse way because otherwise the book would be boring.

Was this review helpful?

A captivating and thrilling read. A slow burner to start however it bring psychological thrillers to next level.

Was this review helpful?

Crazy story! The snake! The painting! The big scene that had my jaw on the floor.
This was a short read, so we didn’t get to know a lot about all of the characters. We learned enough to know that Joshua wasn’t right. I really felt for Donna.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, I read this quickly in a day because it was so good. It was fast-paced but slow enough to make you so frustrated you are ready to punch both of the main characters in the face. It is beyond frustrating watching characters you like get gas lit in front of your eyes, but it makes it so much more satisfying when they finally get revenge. This game of cat and mouse between the two roommates was unlike any other book I've ever read and this is a pretty popular trope. I loved how refreshing this was and it really kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I can't wait to read more from this author because she had a really interesting style and pulled it all together at the end really nicely. I will say part of it was pretty predictable because there was a lot of clues leading up to the reveal but I didn't mind because it was so wickedly & shockingly revealed. This was a really crazy one and one of the best thrillers I read this year. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy and exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Great book! It had a nice twist that I didn't see coming and it definitely pulled me in. It makes you think twice about finding a roommate.

Was this review helpful?

This is a new to me author and I have to say I am looking forward to reading more by this author! I loved this book

Was this review helpful?

This reading was annoying. It’s one of those readings that prepares you if you ever get stuck in a similar situation. Overall I like it but it was annoying.

Was this review helpful?

My favorite part of reading this genre is when there are unexpected twists and turns, and the author of this novel delivered. I read this quick, just about a day or so.

Was this review helpful?

A great novel. I enjoyed the read. Thank you for letting me read it. I especially liked how it ended.

Was this review helpful?