The Roommate Pact

When it comes to relationships, ER nurse Clare and firefighter Graham are polar opposites. She wants the real deal – someone to grow old, have children and buy a house with. He has been closed off and avoiding relationships ever since 8th grade. Even so, the two of them agree to become friends with benefits if they are still single by the time they turn forty. Surely, that pact will never come into fruition, though, right? Then again, why wait until then? I am somewhat torn about this book. Somehow it was exactly like I thought it would be, but it still managed to not meet my expectations, if that makes any sense. Truthfully, there isn’t a lot going on plot-wise, which is a shame, but forgivable since the characters do make up for that. Clare and Graham’s backstories – which involve a lot of trauma – are quite intriguing to read about and I enjoyed finding out more about the circumstances that shaped them. A rather interesting decision on the author’s part is the way she deals with the more intimate scenes. There is a lot of talk about sex – our MCs seem to be horny pretty much 24/7, fantasize about one another and wallow in memories, but when it comes to the here and now, it’s only fade-to-black. Not that I particularly mind, I just find it to be a weird choice and a bit inconsistent. „The Roommate Pact“ might be the perfect book for readers who prefer character-driven romances over plot-heavy ones and enjoy tropes such as friends-to-lovers.