Book Review: The Spare Room by Laura Starkey

Synopsis:

Two unexpected flatmates. One shared space. Will they cross the line into love?

Rosie had the perfect evening lined up: she'd come home early, slip into a sexy dress and surprise her boyfriend with date night. What she was not expecting was to find his bags packed and herself unceremoniously dumped.

But she can't even think about her heartbreak when she faces the more pressing matter of making rent this month. And in desperate times, she agrees to let her spare room out to her elusive upstairs neighbour.

Aled needs somewhere to stay while his place is being renovated, and she gets to keep her home. It's a win-win situation... At least in theory.

For Rosie has sworn off men indefinitely, and never saw herself living with one so soon after her breakup. But being in Aled's company day in, day out has this annoying habit of playing havoc with her heart...

On paper they're just flatmates, but could there be room for more between them?

Review:
Yet another romance read, apparently 2024 is becoming the year where I finally become a romance lover ???

This one follows Rosie, she's in a long term relationship with her boyfriend (nearly 10 years) and though it's quite clear to the reader, though she's not unhappy, she doesn't seem very happy either. One day she comes home and finds him with a bag packed and a letter written. In her 30s she's suddenly found herself back at the start again and not only does this book follow her romantic journey, it also shows the personal journey she goes on as she tries to discover who she is and what she really wants.

Anyway, queue Aled, the new tenant that's appeared in the block of flats. He's come into contact with Rosie a few times, mainly saving her in some embarrassing, clumsy moments. The two never really exchange many words to each other until he finds her crying and locked out of her apartment. Turns out he is the new landlord and whilst Rosie is in need of a flat share and his flat has plans to be renovated, the two agree that he will move into Rosie's spare room. And that is where everything changes.

I loved this one. I've been scared of slow burns previously because I honestly struggle not to get bored but this one was just the right amount of slow burn and the romance that formed seemed so genuine and you could see the natural way in which it came about, which I think just makes you root for the two of them even more. Both of the characters were likeable, both of them have had some problematic pasts and have their own personal issues, but each of them goes on a journey individually and together. I just loved it.

4.5/5

Amazon - The Spare Room: the absolute must-have forced proximity, friends to lovers romantic comedy to read this year! eBook : Starkey, Laura: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store