The Roommates

by Brandi Pitts, Patience Christine, Stevi Bakos

The roommates is a tale of darkness, danger and desire. Follow Scarlet, Cecile and Phoebe, three young women six months after college graduation as they fight for their lives through a minefield of lies, betrayal, forced proximity and love. In the shadows of crime and corruption Scarlet battles her feelings for Zeph the hitman/undercover bodyguard, Phoebe is drawn to the haunting lure of rockstar Jace Kane’s fame and notoriety and Cecile is drawn into mafia machinations coming back to haunt her from her past. How will these three women survive and make it out alive?





One night stand turned enemies to lovers

Friends to lovers

Angry Frenchwoman

Witty FMCs

Rockstar romance

Hitman/bodyguard romance

Mafia romance

He falls first

Touch her and die

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2024

Reviews

[book_lover_jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I finish this in one day? Maybe…

This is a dark mafia stand alone romance please do check the TWs before reading.

I throughly enjoyed this book like a lot. Found family tropes are one of my top tier tropes aside from enemies to lovers.

I loved how the guys called Cecile a Frenchie or angry little French woman 😂😂 as someone who works with dogs I had a really good giggle at it.

The banter between the characters was hilarious and amazing 😂 I could not stop giggling 🤭

If you are a lover of hand necklaces this book has it 😉🥵

Stars: 4.8/5
Smut: 4.6/5

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETA READER REVIEW

Y'all this book was amazing! I knew I was going to love it when I got a first few sneak peek.

Now I've ARC read Brandi Pitts current books and they're amazing too!

But this compilation of authors writing together is the chefs kiss!

The characters, the build up, the involvement the LOVE HATE, my god what a rollercoaster ride of amazingness!
Each character brings their own personality and drama to this story and each of them meld together perfectly.

I'm feeling a little cliff hangerish at the end and I hope my feelings are feeling and there's more coming!

Put this on your TBR for read yesterday! You will love it!

[Angela H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting,the female characters are sassy and at some points vulnerable , i liked it just be sure to not skip reading the trigger warnings.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***
Name: The Roommates
Author: Brandi Pitts, Patience C. Peralta, Stevi Bakos
Rate: 4.5 🌟

~When you first start to read this book, you will think this will be a one-night stand with a Rockstar or just a normal Rom-com…. But oh no!!!! This book will give you a whole 360 major plot twist turns!!! Like who would have expected this to be a mafia romance from the way it starts??? This book is just too good!!! You will enjoy getting to know these characters…. Thinking that you might know everything about them until that unexpected guest shows up to your home threatening to hurt your friends…The plot, the drama, the storyline itself will keep you wanting more and more!!! Oh, and let’s not forget the spice!!! These three authors sure did an amazing job… ​

[Smut and Stabby NICOLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars immediately!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had no idea what to expect going into this book but I knew it was going to be good and holy hell it was amazing 🤩 I mean Three FMC Baddies and Three MMC hotties 😍 can’t go wrong at all!!! This story was so damn good and Cecile absolutely loved her character ❤️ so much action it was nice to read about a female taking the lead and being the protector. Very empowering🥰

[Nikki Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this 10 stars I would..... I read it in one day .... Could NOT put it down!¡!!

[tessa richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great. Lots of action and spice, even some revenge. Characters are well diverse and compliment each other. Definitely read the triggers on this one but well worth the read if they are not an issue. Thank you Brandi Pitts, Patience Peralta, and Stevi Bakos for this great book!

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Mafia romance. I am also a big fan of Brandi Pitts's Mafia books, so when I saw Brandi Pitts was co-writing I knew I had to read it. I was NOT disappointed at all. First, the co-writing between the authors was great. It all went well together and the storyline was a great mixture of personalities and how different people can be.

This book follows three best friends who have just graduated college and are moving in together. Phoebe, Scarlett, and Cecil are all very different but very similar at the same time. After going to a concert and meeting the band Phoebe has what she thought was a one-night stand with a band member and ends up being more. Things start to unravel after Cecil's past starts to catch up to her and her secrets are being unraveled right infant of her. But will things get too crazy? Will her roommates hate her for keeping these secrets? Will they stand by her in the end and all fiend true love? The action in this book is amazing you will be on the edge of your seat and wanting to change the page for more.

Thank you, Brandi, Stevi, and Patience for sending me this ARC and allowing me to read it. I look forward to reading more from you guys in the future!!

[Heather Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this novel, I knew it was a dark romance, and I had already established that DR isn't my genre, but I gave it a go. I had to pause at Chapter 19. There are dark elements leading up until Chapter 19, but not enough to give me pause. Dominic's narrative in Chapter 19 showcased my limit, and I'm convinced it's because it was in first person.

This novel succeeds in its genre by giving the reader reasons to evaluate whether this genre is for them. This book proved successfully that DR is complex for me, demonstrating that individuals who like the genre can find a home in The Roommates.

I won't suggest checking your triggers because it's DR. You know what you're getting into with DR, and expect you're getting all the DR elements in this novel.

[Alycia keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT!! 🚨 I love that it starts with everyone graduating college and starting to go after what they want in life. This is such a beautifully written book and I loved every part of it. Please be aware to check your trigger warnings because your mental health matters! ❤️

[Katelynn Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, Spice was definitely spicing however the ending was not it for me…. Wish there was a little more depth to the ending however the rest was good 😊

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of anger in this book. Like every second. I'm like dude, do none of these people ever not be angry? Shoot, it starts off as one thing, leads to another, then another and another. If I had roommates like this I might be gone before hand lol. I did like the book, but at times it was hard to follow. I felt it just jumped around a lot and man, like I said the angry.

The three girls are literally at each other throats all the time. Rockstar, and assassin are at each other throats. Then all 5 are there. It's like a very angry book. So if you like that with special happy time scene. This might be the book for you. There are a lot of twists and trigger warnings in this book. I still think it was good, I just hated that at times I kinda got lost on what or why stuff were happening until later in the book.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors of this book for providing an early copy for me to read. Here is my honest review

5 ⭐️ Smut 🌶🌶🌶🌶 🥵I am not a big smut person, but this was very well done. This story has touched my heart, I found a new love for rockstars. Jace now has my heart, and he always will. Sorry, Husband. I love the way this story played out. Cecile is a feisty french woman! She spoke french when she got frustrated, as a girl who is studying french, very well done! Might be safe to say one of the best books I have read of 2024. Might be hard to top this one.

[ashley ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wish i could give this book more than five stars because it genuinely deserves so much more!! AHHH the writing is so good and overall i just love it

[Colbygirl13reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! What starts out like a fun romcom about the 3 FMCs, Phoebe, Scarlet, and Cecile turns into so much more. I love the plot twists and turns so much I couldn’t put this book down. The FMCs have been through so much in their past and they have become badass, strong women. They love hard and protect those they care about.
Defiantly read the trigger warning, especially when their situation turns violent. Jace, Zeph, and Dominic each have their own troubled pasts, but that just enforces the love between these three couples. Definitely is spicy 🌶️ And easy to read. Love this action packed story.

[Meredith Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book was amazing! These three authors did an amazing job on this journey of these three friends and their love for one another and the men that come into theirs lives. This is a dark romance that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I can’t say I have a favorite part or character I loved it all. Please do read the TW before you read ( unless you like going in blind). This is hands down one of my favorite reads this year.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark mafia romance and it didn't disappoint. I was a fan of Brandi already, so when I saw this one I knew I needed to read it. There are sassy FMCs and MMCs who seem to bring their own kind of drama to the mix. It's blended well within the character development. Despite having 3 authors to this book, it flowed very well. BRAVO!

[Lynda Lightsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. Don't hate me. But this book was very hard for me to get through. I did it because I know and care about one of the authors and also because the story had potential.

First? This book had a typo almost every other page. The dialog was also not formatted correctly. Two people would be talking in the same paragraph, and it would be hard to tell who was saying what. After I was informed I was given the unedited copy, I tried my best to look past this.

Second? I can't imagine how hard it is to write a book--let alone with other people. THAT being said, this book definitely had 3 different voices, and it felt like all 3 wanted the story and characters to go different directions--which is probably why there were plot holes and persona whiplash between the characters.

However, I did like the ending.

[Raja Hollis · Rating 3 out of 5]

First before I start my review I just want to collectively thank all of the authors involved in this project for even granting me permission to read this ARC. Now as much as I wanted to give this book five stars I just can’t and here are my reasons why. Number one I personally thought that there could have been more backstories about our characters and what made them the way that they are as people. Number two I’ve read plenty of books were you have multiple point of views in one chapter and I was able to understand who was speaking because of it would have that characters name that is speaking as a line break and now yes this book did have that in certain chapters but sometimes it would just be the design picture that represented the character so they were times when it was kind of confusing to know who was speaking unless you were taking notes. Lastly I think that yes the book was good towards the end. It kind of got jumbled up and the plot got a little bit confusing, but I do think that it did wrap up nicely and for a debut novel it was definitely one of a good ones that read. all in all I wish these ladies nothing but the best and now even though my review may not be the same way some of everybody else’s is, that is the whole point of arc or beta reader to give opinions to help guide them in their author journeys.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I'm going to read a dark romance, it needs to have a storyline, and this delivers! The Roommates also has any and all tropes you could possibly want—it would check every one of my boxes if it were set in a small town, lol.

I loved the banter between the characters, the mafia situation, and the plot twists.

I received this as an ARC in return for my fair and honest review.

[Shreyaaaa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this book as part of Stuff Your Kindle event, and it is no better than a wattpad book

A lot of inconsistencies and story speed is too fast, and writing is also not that good

I had to drag myself to get this book finished

[Raeann Wolfley · Rating 5 out of 5]

These AMAZING Author’s gave me everything I can possibly want in a book! In the beginning we get introduced to the three FMC’S. They were graduating college, definetly gave off rom com vibes and had me giggling. Out of no where, BAM it got real! Real fast! We get to know the three MMC’s a rockstar, a hit man / bodyguard, and a mafia man!!!! Like what??? All my tropes I love in one! I was so here for it. Please check your triggers before reading! Loved everything in the book. The steam was so HOT! Off and on I was definitely fanning myself lol. Then the suspense literally had me in a chokehold, sitting on the edge of my seat! Get ready for this wild rollercoaster with so much action, and a lot of twist and turns! Definitely is added to my top reads of 2024!

[Heather Clegg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this would have been better as a trilogy with each character having their own love story. It felt VERY rushed. I was confused on how the characters fell in love so fast when you didn’t get to really hear any of their story. The book focused more on the drama/suspense. It also had many grammar and spelling errors. Multiple quotes that didn’t end in “. There was also a few times I had to backtrack to figure out who was talking and what happened. It just felt like way too much way to fast. I liked the sassy female characters and think it was a good start, but could have been so much more.

[Sherleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you start reading this book it will give the illusion that is a Hallmark Rom Com. That is, if you skip the extensive (and worthy) trigger warning list. Is starts like a "regular" romance book, until our friend group is thrown in the middle of an unexpected and violent situation. It follows the development of the spicy romance between three different couples, that connect through the friendship of the three FC that are roommates. Easy to read, action packed, kick A$$ females, violence and spice!!! Really enjoyed this book!!!

[♥︎Obsidian°Scorpio°Reads♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨A.R.C Review🚨

This book blew me out of the water. I loved it so much!.
I was not anticipating this book be exceeded over the age of college students, but I was So Freaking WRONG! The love and spice, to the twist and turns this takes was stunning!.

Don't pass this book up!.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶🌶.5/5

[Baileybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark romance is such a fun read with something for everyone. You have 3 strong witty amazing FMCs. You get to follow each roommate and their romance story. My favorite part is the fact that with the MMCs you get a completely different dark romance genre. Some Mafia, Rockstar, and hitman/bodyguard. There's so much going on to keep you engaged from beginning to end. It has great plot, amazing characters, and some unexpected twists.
🤍Spice 🔥
🤍One Night stand turn not so one night
🤍Enemies to lovers
🤍Friends to lovers
🤍He falls first
🤍Touch her and die

[Annika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unnecessary intro. Author is repeating and over explaining in some parts of the book. Like we get it!
But if I disregard the small errors and repetition, the story is good and captivating, twist and turns that keeps you hooked for most of the story

[Wallie Martinez-Vega · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Roommates is a dark romance stand-alone book that revolves around our three main female leads: Cecile, Phoebe and Scarlet. They graduated college together and moved in 6-months after to live in Phoebe's home trying to embark into their new post-graduate life. Phoebe manages to win VIP-tickets to a super famous rockstar performer named Jace and then it revs up into a tale of darkness, romance, mafia, shootings, hidden past, and other graphic components (please check the trigger warnings) that lead us through the lenses of our three female leads and our three male romantic interests (6 POVs in total, but easy to follow as they are noted). It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and then casually slows down to a manageable 35 mph + 10 mph over speed limit. In short, it is a rollercoaster of emotions, different distinct personalities. It is sometimes gritty, flippant and gruesome while other times it is endearing and shows the values of chosen family, love and strong female power and rage. The female leads are strong and independent, they break through some of the FMC cliques of romance/dark romance.

It is a read that turns into a fun ride with highs and lows. At times, you have to suspend reality but this does not devalue the emotional turmoil and whiplash you'll experience. Which for me was fun, but it is not everyone's cup of tea. In addition, there are evident instances where certain plot/action points were quickly summarized and resolved while others are fully fleshed out - all in effort to focus on the emotional development of the characters.

All in all, an enjoyable read for those wanting a solid story with strong female lead characters who go through ALL the stunts, actions and brutality until you get a complete resolution that is satisfying and also a great epilogue for our characters.