I binged the Rommmate Pact in one sitting, I couldn't put the book down!!

ER Nurse Claire wants to get married. Her dream has always to have children and live out her days avoiding life's dangers. After a long shift, she is reminded of a pact she made with roommate Graham to get married when they hit forty. Yet now, they're going to take this even further and make it a friends with benefits pact. There's no way this could end up going wrong, right?

Graham is an avid outdoor climber and mountain biker. Injured after an accident, he has Claire to take care of him. Devoted to never want to be married or say the "l word," he's alright with the friends with benefits pact. Yet, feelings are everything when he can't move his leg for days on end. This forever bachelor may discover who he's "not" looking for is right in front of him.

Allison Ashely delights in "The Rommmate Pact" and will leave fans of her other novels happy. The Roommate Pact is told in dual points of view, equal time shared between Claire and Graham. This novel is closed door with little peeks inside that door every so often. While characters from Would You Rather pop up, this could be read as a stand alone.. although I do recommend reading WYR first.

I adored Allison’s first book Would You Rather so I was super excited for this one! This one didn’t disappoint. The tension and banter was definitely turned up a notch in this one and I was here for it. Seeing Graham fall for Claire was so dang cute. I love their relationship. I love their friends. I loved when she called him honey grahams. I loved the emails.

Im giving this four stars because I learned something about closed door romances (and it’s completely a me thing), is that if closed door romances are going to push that boundary without going over it, I’d much rather the books cross that boundary because for me it’s like the door is slightly open, you’re vibing with it and then it slams and jumps to the next scene. Whereas a fullllly closed door would dance around the subject and the door would be closed the whole time. I LOVED that Allison was pushing these limits but dang did it make me want more. And I know closed door is what Allison writes so this is completely a me thing.

I highly recommend this book. It was fun and it was a super quick easy delightful read.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Allison Ashley is one of the nicest humans and I adore her. I was so excited to get my hands on this book.

Though there’s a ton I love about it, I had a hard time with the sex pact - which is a big plot of this book. I felt like the author for critiqued for writing great tension but then having closed door books, so she went in another direction and wrote a highly sex-filled book, but still closed door. There’s a market for closed door romances, and I’m mostly bummed she didn’t embrace that.

But anyways, it was cute despite that.

Read if You Like:
⭐️ Forced Proximity
⭐️ Friends to Lovers
⭐️ Great tension with little to no steam
⭐️ Secret Letters
⭐️ Caregiving
⭐️ Adventure
⭐️ Flirty Banter

Ugh.... I LOVED THIS! I love the friends-to-lovers plotline, and Allison Ashley writes it so well! I don't even know what to say other than -- Rom-com lovers need to read this book!

Roommates Claire and Graham make a pact that if they are single in four years, they would act on their attraction and get together. However, all that changes when Graham gets injured and Claire, being the nurse she is, offers to help nurse him back to health.

I love Allison Ashley’s writing and this book reminded me why. It is heartfelt, humorous, engaging and a quick binge. She uses her knowledge of working in the medical field and brings this background into her work, and what can be better than a heroine who’s a nurse and an outdoorsy firefighter hero. Claire and Graham had not only the most beautiful chemistry but also strong character growth. One of my favorite parts was reading the emails Graham sends to Claire’s unused email address as a form of therapy. I am also a big write to no one person and there was something special about seeing Graham open up in these letters and how much it helped with the healing process. Also, for WYR fans, there is a lot of Mia and Noah scenes integrated throughout the story <3

This was well written and the romance was cure but had a few ableism issues that left a sour taste in my mouth. Since I'm disabled myself, I'm no longer interested in reading stories that don't handle disability sensitivly, especially when it's coming from a healthcarw worker. I think able bodied people will enjoy this but it's not for those like me..

I absolutely LOVED this book! It's the sequel to Would You Rather, however it can be read as a standalone. Claire is an ER nurse who wants to find a husband, as long as he isn't a risk taker. She experienced tragedy at a young age and only wants to be with someone who is solid, dependable, and who she doesn't have to constantly worry about. Her roommate Graham is the epitome of a risk taker. After a pretty serious rock climbing injury, he's dependent on Claire's help. And while Graham's body begins to heal, Claire begins to heal pieces inside of him too...

This book was adorable! I loved Graham and Claire's banter, Claire meeting Graham's family, and THE EMAILS!!! (All the heart eyes and swoons!!) It had a tiny amount of spice, lots of laughs, and so many heartfelt moments. I can't recommend it enough!!

I loved this book, it was so cute. Claire and Graham have been friends for years and made a pact with their friends that if they were still single by forty then they would marry each other so their friends would realize they were meant for each other and get married. This worked, however Graham held onto that deal while Claire brushed it off and did not take it seriously. Years later when it comes up in conversation, Claire sees how hurt Graham is by her disinterest in marrying him and proposes a different kind of arrangement if they are still single by forty. However, this arrangement begins a bit early due to growing chemistry between the two roommates and is equally slowed down by an unfortunate accident. This seems to be a good thing though because it forces Graham and Claire to acknowledge other things about each other that may have been otherwise overlooked had they been occupied with their agreement. It also allowed them to look at themselves and face their individual demons.

The tension in this book is palpable and their relationship is swoonworthy. I sympathized with Claire and her inability to find a man who is compatible with her in this day and age, and longed for Graham to come to his senses and sweep her off her feet. I especially liked the care these two characters had for each other from the very beginning of the book. Their feelings were already there, they just shifted direction as the story went on instead of having to start from scratch and I thought that was amazing to see. I also love the dual perspective and how it is dominated more by Graham than Claire. Generally, romance novels follow the female’s perspective more heavily even with dual perspectives so I appreciated this change as well. I also really enjoyed the character development. While Claire and Graham grew as a couple, they also grew as individual people in order to become stronger together. It was inspiring to read and added a thought provoking layer for the reader.

Overall, this book was adorable and I cannot wait to recommend it to everyone!

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I loved it!

This story follows two roommates: daredevil Graham and nurse Claire. While the two have chemistry, it’s not until after Graham hurts himself in a climbing accident that the two really start to bond on a more romantic level. A relationship is out of the question, however, both due to Graham’s playboy ways, and Claire’s past trauma involving her thrill-seeking father’s death. But when their feelings start to develop, how long will their “just friends” with benefits situation last?

This book had some great tropes: one bed / forced proximity, secret love letters, overcoming childhood trauma, friends (roommates?)-to-lovers, a devil dog-turned-sweetheart and more. I loved the vulnerability of the characters, as well as the banter and tension. I thought it was so sweet, and had a very satisfying ending.

I loooooooved Graham so much. Oh my god. He was funny, charming, and basically the perfect man. I really loved Clare too but I got so mad at her for sabotaging everything that could make her happy. Regardless, I really loved this book. It was very light spice but still just a bit to make their chemistry just amazing. Definitely will be recommending this book.

"The Roommate Pact" by Allison Ashley is an uplifting and heartwarming contemporary romance that will leave readers with a smile on their faces. With an engaging storyline and delightful characters, this book delivers a perfect blend of humor, friendship, and love.

The story revolves around Claire Harper, an ER nurse, and Graham Scott, a thrill-seeking firefighter. After a few glasses of wine, they make a pact that if they are still single at forty, they will become friends with benefits. Claire, who has had her fair share of dating misfortunes, sees this as a safe arrangement. She believes she could never fall for Graham and his adventure-filled lifestyle, especially after the tragedy that impacted her own family.

However, just as the pact takes effect, Graham suffers a serious rock climbing accident, bringing them closer than ever. Claire steps in to help him recover, leading to unexpected intimacy and the challenges that come with it. As they navigate their evolving relationship, the lines between friendship and something more become blurred, putting their agreement to the test.

The chemistry between Claire and Graham is palpable, and their banter and interactions are infused with genuine warmth and humor. Ashley skillfully develops the characters, allowing readers to connect with their vulnerabilities, fears, and aspirations.

"The Roommate Pact" is a testament to the power of friendship and the unexpected ways in which love can find its way into our lives. It reminds us that sometimes the best relationships are formed when we least expect them. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy heartwarming romances with well-developed characters and a touch of humor.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley

This is the sequel to Would You Rather. I’ve not read the previous book and I didn’t feel at all confused with what was going on so even though it’s part of a series, I’m confident it can be read as a stand-alone.

The Roommate Pact is a straight up romance book with a HEA. Roommates Claire, an ER nurse, and Graham, a firefighter, make a pact that if they are both single when Graham turns 40 they will marry each other. Cliche? Yes. But I’m here for it. Claire and Graham are two of the sweetest, most genuine people I’ve ever read in a romance. Pull out the pom-poms--I was cheering for these two the whole time. The back and forth banter between these two was entertaining and wholesome--if I could just grab two people up and squeeze them like little baby cheeks, it would be these two.

Now…why four stars and not five. Two things… First, I felt it started a bit choppy in getting Claire and Graham introduced and building a connection with me. Now that I’m reflecting on that, it might have been a cleaner beginning had I read the first book. Even though it’s a sequel, looking on Goodreads, it’s not combined as a series, so hmmm… but still. I love Claire and Graham. I just wish I had a little more interaction, background, and build up to these two making this marriage pact. Second, both are struggling to overcome a traumatic childhood event which is the main focal point as to why these two take an entire book to get together. I definitely don’t want to downplay anyone’s trauma, I just felt like they let it be too much of an excuse and for too long--it started grating on me! And I never understand how, if someone has a great relationship with a parent(s), they never discuss the effects of these traumatic events until years if not decades later--and when they do it always rectifies the dilemma! Oh well…I still love Claire and Graham!

This is my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. It was a fun, feel-good romance with very little spice. (Their chemistry was so good, I would have liked to have a little bit of detail in the spice department! Haha!) Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

It was okay but nothing about it stood out to me. The plot was good and the characters were alright but not compelling enough that I would recommend it to friends or reread it.

Claire Harper and her roommate, Graham Scott make a deal -- if they are still single by the time they're 40, they will decide to become friends with benefits. Claire figures it's a good enough deal; Graham is a decent guy, and she's had no luck with love.

Graham is injured in a serious rock climbing accident. He has broken bones, and he must stay bedridden. Claire will help him. Of course, sleeping in his bed and caring for his dog wasn't part of the deal. They can't miss the chemistry brewing between them.

Friends with benefits can be hit or miss, so I appreciated that Claire and Graham weren't just in it for the physical attraction. Both opened up and became vulnerable. They both received what they deserved.

**Review will be published the week of release on my site and socials!**

GRAHAM.

I am a PUDDLE after sweet Graham took over my heart. I binged this book because I was wrapped up in the undeniable chemistry between Graham and Claire and I needed to get to every soft and fiery moment between them. The banter was stellar and I loved them. I loved them so much.

Friends with benefits is a tough sale for me, But I will say I liked the way Ashley went about it. I didn’t feel like the physical aspects were pushed just to add heat. There were true relationship building moments that got me on board with the dynamic and I JUST ADORED THEM. I loved seeing Graham open up to his vulnerable side and seeing Claire getting the things she deserved and working through what happened in her past.

I loved the medical jargon and adventure aspects. I liked the subtle side characters and their roles. And even getting to see Mia and Noah!! This book was a delight. I love the way Allison Ashley weaves a romance and two books in and I’m an official fan girl. She also writes fantastic heat (a little reminiscent of Sarah Adams) where the heat is building and fades out. My favorite level of steam.

Read it y’all!

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: light frequency but strong
Romance: multiple vague fade to black
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a father, airplane crash (recounted), trauma, medical discussions, rock climbing accident

Claire and Graham, side characters from Would You Rather, get their own friends to lovers book. An “if we’re still single when we’re 40” pact goes off the rails when the two start making out way before then. And when adrenaline junkie Graham is injured climbing, nurse Claire is there to take care of him and spend more time together. Their chemistry is off the charts, but they have some huge obstacles to work through if they’re even going to think about altering their arrangement.

This is a (mostly) closed door romance. Nothing in the story beats was especially surprising, but Claire and Graham have great banter and deepen their friendship, and it was joyful to read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Darling story! One of those fun loves stories that has you smiling the whole time. Quick and light read. I really enjoyed this book.

Firefighter Graham and nurse Claire are roommates with a joking agreement to embark on a friends with benefits relationship if they are still single at forty; as soon as they voice the option, they suddenly start to notice just how attractive the other is. She’s determined not to fall for a first responder whose life is constantly on the line. When Graham breaks a leg in a minor climbing accident and needs companion care, Claire realizes she cares more than she thought. Voiceless due to getting intubated, she starts sleeping in his bed since he can’t call out if he needs something. Their early communication after the accident is by notes and texts while his voice heals, and then Graham begins unburdening his thoughts and feelings to what he believes to be a defunct email address of Claire’s.

Tension ratchets up when Claire washing Graham’s hair becomes a sensual experience ,and again when he decides to help her with her dating profile. When she brings him to see his parents, there is Just!One!Bed! and of course she gets along perfectly with his well-meaning, match-making parents–and even becomes friendly with his dog. They do consummate the relationship, but the nitty gritty after the hot makeout sessions is left off the page.

Chapters alternate points of view, and Graham’s heartfelt emails are swoon-worthy. The story is well-plotted and well-paced with good character development and sensory writing. This takes place in the same universe as Would You Rather–Claire is the one who tricks Noah and Mia into confessing their feelings, and Graham and Claire’s chemistry is palpable there; and although Noah and Mia appear in The Roommate Pact, it does work as a stand-alone interconnected novel rather than part of a series. Overall, this is a solid hurt/comfort romance with a very satisfying slow burn of friends falling in love.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #TheRoommate Pact from #NetGalley through the author’s publicist.

I ADORED this book. When reading Would You Rather (the first book in this series of interconnected standalones) it was obvious that there was chemistry between Graham and Claire, so I was so excited to find out that they were getting their own book. Where Noah and Mia were tender and soft, Graham and Claire were fiery and funny. Their friends/roommates to lovers dynamic was very much rooted in the kind of friendship you would expect between two people who liked each other but saw each other all the time: kind of snarky and kind of petulant, but always loving.

I'm not a huge fan of the "friends with benefits to lovers" trope, and I do think the book would have been just as good without it, but it didn't bother me! It really only served as a way to get the characters to confront their sexual tension, as most of the emotional connection between the developed in their quiet moments together while Graham was recovering.

I loved the use of emails as a way for Graham to come to terms with his feeling, and the inclusion of Gertrude (his dog) was cute and silly every time <3

4.5/5 ⭐

I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I loved it!

This story follows two roommates: daredevil Graham and nurse Claire. While the two have chemistry, it’s not until after Graham hurts himself in a climbing accident that the two really start to bond on a more romantic level. A relationship is out of the question, however, both due to Graham’s playboy ways, and Claire’s past trauma involving her thrill-seeking father’s death. But when their feelings start to develop, how long will their “just friends” with benefits situation last?

This book had some great tropes: one bed / forced proximity, secret love letters, overcoming childhood trauma, friends (roommates?)-to-lovers, a devil dog-turned-sweetheart and more. I loved the vulnerability of the characters, as well as the banter and tension. I thought it was so sweet, and had a very satisfying ending.