The Other Room

by Katherine Hastings

After more than two decades of being best friends, I never thought I’d call Matt my nemesis. But that’s exactly what he’d become after he’d gone and done something so stupid, I didn’t think I could ever forgive him.

My vow to hate him forever started to fray when avoiding him like the plague was no longer an option. After I took pity on him and he came to crash at my place, the close proximity to the man I once adored started wearing down the walls I’d put up.

As Matt struggled to win back my friendship, I struggled with something even more daunting… ignoring the growing feelings for him that were becoming anything but anger.

I just had to stay strong… stay mad.

Ignore that perfect, charming smile…

Ignore the way he could still draw laughter from me like no one else could…

Ignore those intoxicating eyes that continued pleading with me to forgive him…

Ignore thosefeelings I didn’t want to have… the feelings I couldn’t have for the man who I’d vowed to hate—feelings growing so hot and intense they threatened to burn our little cabin down.

I had to fight them, and I would… it’d just be a whole lot easier if only he’d put a damn shirt on.

If you enjoy small town romances with laughter, passion, and romance, then scroll up and one-click to read this enemies to lovers romantic comedy today!

Genres: Rom Com

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Katherine Hastings writes books that make readers laugh, swoon, and escape into unforgettable adventures. From hilarious women’s fiction to swoon-worthy romance and high-stakes suspense, she weaves stories filled with heart, humor, and a dash of chaos.

Her books have been AUDIE Award-nominated for Best Humor and have won the SOVAS Award for Best Humor, proving that laughter and storytelling go hand in hand.

When she’s not crafting page-turning tales, you’ll find her in Wisconsin, snuggling her husband, two Boston Terriers, and the world’s naughtiest cat. If she’s not writing indoors, she’s outside with her horses, ducks, and Sebastopol geese—because life is better with a little fur and feathers.

Her happy place? Floating in the lake with a book, a cold drink, and a plate of Fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds.

Reviews

[Jypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Room is the first book I've read by Katherine Hastings. It's a charming but frustrating situation of enemies to lovers. Matt made a huge mistake, and betrayed Jo. She's still angry, but through dire circumstances, Matt ends up as her roommate basically. I gotta say, I would not have let him in to live with me. Some things are just unforgivable in my opinion. His mistake being one. I was so aggravated that Jo even gave Matt the chance. I did like the story, but I was mad at it the whole time I was reading. Beyond that, the characters are engaging and entertaining, but not all are likeable. The plot is somewhat predictable but still enjoyable. It's a cute second chance kind of thing, and romcom fans will enjoy it. Light and easy read.
*I received an arc. All opinions expressed are my own. *

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to a drinking game, Jo's saddled with the one person she can't forgive as her roommate. Will Matt use this time to woo her into forgiving him? Will he be able to claim her heart as he's wanted for so long?



Talk about lots of tension and passion swirling around! It takes Jo a hot minute to let go of her hate and mistrust of Matt. Not that Matt didn't deserve her anger, because he most certainly did. But I'm glad she forgave him because as a couple, they're adorable.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but after having read and really liked this one, I will be sure to 1-click all the others.

ARC via Enticing Journey Book Promotions for an honest review.

Full review/blitz ---> Live Through Books Blog.

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[Katherine Hastings]

Releasing August 15! Here's an excerpt from "The Other Room":

When I came out of my room, Matt leaned against the screen door, his mirrored sunglasses hiding the trouble dancing in his eyes judging by the smile playing across his face. The day-old scruff wrapping around his jaw gave him that extra edge of mischief, and I tried to force away the thoughts fighting their way to the front of my mind.

God, he looks hot.

Damn it. That one slipped by.

Just friends.

My mantra. The one I’d had to recite on occasion over the years when I’d caught those not-so-friendly thoughts slipping into the forefront of my mind. Times when I noticed just how handsome he was. When I’d notice the way his square jaw ticked as he struggled to suppress his laughter. How the tiny flecks of gold in his brown eyes sparkled in soft lights. The way his biceps flexed when he’d snag a fish and crank the reel. The times I wondered what his lips may taste like.

Times like this one.

[Jane McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Room by Katherine Hastings is the second in the Door Peninsula Passions series and is my favorite read of the summer!!
Bonding over being abandoned by their fathers and harboring a secret love for each other, Matt and Jo own every page of this story. Matt’s been spending the last year begging forgiveness from his best friend Jake. And now it’s time to beg for Jo’s, which has proven to be a much larger task. He was the one guy, the one person, she’d always been able to count on and he blew it when he got drunk and kissed Jake’s former fiancé.
Jo’s mission to avoid him becomes more difficult when she loses her spare room to him after a few too many shots. Realizing his skills as a handyman are exactly what her cabin needs – especially when he’s working shirtless – she starts to appreciate her new roommate. Her cat Petunia needs more convincing!
Matt’s got a tool belt filled with anything he needs to fix a railing and a roof along with charm and a six pack that make him nearly impossible to resist despite his poor decisions in the past. And Jo knows it too.
Hastings gives readers a really good reason to dislike Matt and then reveals the kind of man he really is – sweet, ambitious, genuine, HOT – and makes us fall in love with him! I’ve read almost every one of Katherine’s books and this one is my favorite. With a cast of characters who value loyalty, friendship and forgiveness, The Other Room is a must-read for any lover of romance.

I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Matt slept with his best friend’s fiancé, he not only lost Jake, but he lost his other best friend, Jo, too. While Jake and Matt have made up, Jo has been holding on to her anger. Still, when he finds himself homeless, she finds herself taking him in.

I didn’t like this one as much as I did the first book in the series. I felt for Matt, but he got himself into the situation he was in, and his reasons for doing what he did weren’t good enough for me. I thought Jo’s anger was a little over the top. Yes, she had to help Jake get over what happened, but it happened to Jake. If Jake was able to put it behind him, Jo should have been able to do the same. Her anger is more because she was upset that Matt chose Jake’s fiancé over her, but she never even gave Matt a hint that she was interested in being more than friends. It wasn’t really fair for her to be so hostile towards him for that. She’s also overly quick to jump to conclusions when she sees something, and easily assumes the worst without giving him a chance to explain.

It felt, at least from Jo’s side, that there was a lack of trust throughout the whole book, which made it hard to buy a relationship between the pair. At times I wondered why Matt even kept trying.

I liked the book but I didn’t love it. Still, I’m looking forward to reading future stories in this series.

**I received an ARC from the author to voluntarily review**

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt, Jake, and Jo were all best friends, until Matt made a very bad decision, and he lost them both. He's spent a lot of his time begging forgiveness from Jake, but Jo is going to be even harder to repair that bridge with. However, she's not completely heartless, because when he needed a place to stay, she was there (though may or may not have been under the influence of too many shots) to let him stay in her spare room. Matt is looking at this as the best opportunity he'll have to get Jo to forgive him, especially as he has some handyman skills that her cabin could use with the price being right. I'm not saying that it was an easy task for Matt, because frankly, what he pulled, well I stayed mad at him for a while as well. Luckily, they have chemistry which Jo starts to really notice when he has his shirt off, and we all know that strong chemistry isn't easily denied. As this story went on, the very talented Katherine Hastings had me forgiving Matt myself, and it was an entertaining read though it sounds like it could be serious. I did laugh a lot, especially at the secondary, named Petunia, who made her feelings known 100% of the time. So, did Matt ever get Jo to forgive him? You'll have to read this awesome romantic comedy about forgiveness, friendship, & maybe just maybe a little bit of love! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Romance Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

My summer has been so busy chasing kids around I haven't had a second to read, but when I got the ARC offer for the second book in the Door Peninsula Passions series I made the time read it. And I'm so glad I did! Ah! This story is a slow burn, romantic tension-packed story that had me begging for these two to get together. I loved the setting, the characters, and the depth of the storyline that really made me feel for both Jo and Matt (and I hated him in the last book!). I wasn't sure I'd be able to forgive him after what he did in The Other Room, betraying Jake, but I was shocked by how hard and fast I started rooting for him. He was more than redeemed in my eyes and I so wanted him to get his happy ending. I loved this book so hard and now I can't wait for Jenna's story, which is teased to be the next in line! Eek!! If you're looking for a book that pulls on your heart strings, has complex and believable characters, and a romance you'll be rooting for with every page turn, give The Other Room a try! It is the second in a series, but I think it can still be enjoyed as a standalone (but I recommend the The Other Room first so you can really get involved with all the characters!). Five romantic stars for Jo and Matt!

[Ga Books LoverX · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is one of the most important things in relationships? Communication!! This book def has a lack of that, but that is what makes it so much fun! This is a Enemies-Friends-Lovers romance and I thought the author did a great job of delivering the book!

Jo is a bartender that is living her best life, she is a bartender, home owner, and lives on the water. The only thing missing is her best friend that she has not really conversed with for the past year due to a REALLY stupid thing that he did. All of their other friends has forgiven him, so why can't she?

Matt is really down on his luck, after years of living in his rental, he is being thrown out because the owner has decided to sale the house. Then the perfect opportunity arises- he can move in with Jo and then get her to her to forgive him in the process. But is that all he wants?

All in all, this book was an enjoyable and entertaining read. I liked the situations behind it and honestly I totally see why Jo carried a grudge, I get it girl! Matt seemed almost a little like a lost puppy in a few spots that wasn't super attractive, but he definitely makes up for it with the chemistry that comes off of him and Jo together. I do recommend checking this book!

I received an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read by this author. I loved it and I really recommend this book! It’s the second in the Door Peninsula Passions-series and although there are characters from The Other Half in this one as well, you can read it as standalone, because everything will be explained.

This one is the story of Jo and Matt. Friends for over two decades and secretly in love with each other. Until he slept with his best friend Jake’s fiancé, that is. And Jake might have forgiven him, Jo certainly has not! But Matt needs a place to stay and she has a spare room.....

I received an arc of this book and this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in this fascinating series, and is Jo and Matt’s story. These two have been best friends forever, until Matt does something that to Jo feels like a betrayal. When Matt desperately needs somewhere to stay Jo is his only option. Can these two mend the rift between them, and act on their secret feelings for each other? This is a well written story which is entertaining, humorous, and passionate. I was hooked and intrigued throughout this story and cannot wait to read more in this fascinating series. I recommend for all.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Door Peninsula Passions series. We are transported back to this picturesque part of the country with Jo and Matt's friends to lovers story. These two have heartache in the past that has shaped how they view love and relationships but will it prevent them from future love. This story is one full of fun but lots of angst as these two work on themselves and each other. Loved this book from start to finish!

[Lauren Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I was totally hooked once I started reading that I just wanted to continue and forget everything else. This was a very enjoyable story with a fantastic storyline and characters. I highly recommend this series.

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, it would seem that Jo's grudge against Matt is unwarranted. But as the story progresses, we find out the reasons for her behavior. For Matt, a single mistake caused him the loss of his two best friends. He's resolved issues with Jake, but Jo is still not coming around. Then one night she ends up agreeing to let him stay in the spare room at her cabin and campaign get back in Jo's good graces begins. This was another enjoyable story in this series as these two go from enemies to friends to lovers with a happily ever after.

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

physical abuse isn’t sexy

NOPE! I struggled to like Jo through the first book. I gave her a chance in this one. She was awful. She was verbally and emotionally abusive to him all through the book. Then in the end she physically assaults him by hitting him. This is never ok. If a man did that to a woman it would cause a landslide of hate and bad reviews. It is never okay to hit another person unless it is self defense. The fact that this woman is so abusive in a romance book is sad. She didn’t learn about jumping to conclusions, she didn’t grow as a person.

[Gretchen Georgas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I enjoyed the first book in the series and was so disappointed in book 2. Jo was incredibly immature and the interaction between them was like high school kids. I will still read book 3 because I enjoyed my years of vacations in Door County and appreciate the local references.

[Kristi Ekasala]

Cute couple, and believable plot - where sometimes the miscommunications are far fetched or don’t warrant the character’s reactions. I was onboard with this one right away. I love Jo, Matt, and the cat!

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Room by Katherine Hastings
Jo and Matt are so sweet and fantastic characters. He hurt her and he’ll do anything to get in her good graces. I love this friends to love. It had me laughing at times, smiling and had all the feelings.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed book one of this series, but this one just didn’t have much of a storyline. It was just a lot of Jo’s insecurities and whining. What happened to the strong, confident Jo from book one?

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I already liked these characters from the first book in the series and I thought Matt was a great guy.

[Carly C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loves the follow up from The Other Half and still getting to see the characters form the previous book.

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! So cute! Love Matt so much. I love how the characters from the first book show up, these books are funny and cute! Reading the next one now

[Samantha (Millennial Life Crisis Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited for Jo and Matt’s story! After getting to read one side of who or rather what Matt did and the ripple effect it caused in the friendship between Jake, Matt, and Jo, I was so excited to see what happened once things were righted. While the rest of the town has forgiven Matt, there is one holdout – his best friend Jo. With her personal experience with men, she feels that what Matt did to Jake was unforgivable and cuts him out of her life effectively. But when Matt ends up homeless and they play a drinking game, Jo ends up with a roommate she never wanted. Matt is willing to do anything in order to rebuild his friendship with Jo, and by moving in he takes the opportunity to do just that. Through the harbored hatred, we realize that Jo actually had feelings for Matt that stemmed from childhood, and without her knowing, he felt the same way. With a healthy push from Jo’s sister, Matt decides to put his feelings on the line and the payoff worked. Not even one day later though, Matt’s indiscretions come back to haunt him, effectively losing Jo, even with things being a misunderstanding. Much like the other books from Katherine that I’ve read, I can’t get enough of this series and was so excited to get Matt and Jo’s story and she did not disappoint! I also love that through this book she gave us some hints and backstory on the next one in the series – Jo’s sister Jenna! I can’t wait for that story after reading a little bit of it in this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Ebonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt and Jo are the ultimate frienemies-to-lovers story - love, hate, passion, pain, and everything in between. After everything that they went through, though, I was happy to see them find love. They both deserved it.

I haven’t read the first book just yet, so the cities introduced to me in this book were new. I wish I could’ve climbed into the book and actually lived there, because Baileys Harbor and Sisters Bay sound absolutely amazing. Sisters Bay especially set the tone for this story, from the breathtaking lake views to the fun bars and restaurants in town. I thought Hastings did a great job of building the world around the characters and merging them seamlessly.

While Jo’s hatred of Matt seemed to stretch into the dramatic side just a tad for me, she’d been hurt before, and it showed as she struggled to forgive Matt and move forward to find the love she deserved. And kudos to Matt for manning up, realizing what he wanted, and going after it. Their story had so many layers to it, and I was cheering from the sidelines as I watched them work through those layers.

I plan to go back and read the first book, and I’m very excited for Jenna’s story in 2020! This was a good read!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Door Peninsula Passions series about a second chance between Matt her ex best friend and Jo who lets him live with her. Matt made a mistake that cost him his friendship with both Jo and Jake, but now that Jo and he are living together can he make it right for all three of them. Jo has some very bad abandonment issues that the slightest thing will set off. I enjoyed reading how everything works out for these two. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story by Katherine Hastings so loved this book once I finished the first one in the Door Peninsula passions series I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one . The banter between the couple had my laughing out loud and the way they would handle certain situations could be so frustrating but also hella funny . I can't wait to read more of this series and more by the author I love laughing while reading and this one so did it for me .

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you go to read the second book in the series you are hoping that it is going to be at least almost as good as the first. I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was floored that this book was even better! Unrequited love, betrayals, and a wonderful small town I have grown to love. I cannot wait for the third book to come out!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melinda Swaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Hastings totally has a fan in me forever

An entertaining, swoon-worthy romance that is a joy to read....with sizzling romance, compelling characters, punches of humour and a satisfying happily-ever-after. Katherine Hastings totally has a fan in me forever if all her books are fantastic as this one. Love this series and can’t wait for the next book. Happy reading!!

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Other Half I was left wondering about Matt and now we get to see the aftermath of his actions. He lost his best friends when he slept with Jake's ex-fiance. His counterpart is Jo whose always harbored feelings for him but she has thrust issues and his rapt sheet is not the best.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Room is the second book in the Door Peninsula Passions series and is a wonderful romance. The story draws you in from the beginning and keeps you engaged. The characters are delightful, warm, and lovable. I am looking forward to more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is still angry at his betrayal but when he becomes homeless she offers him a place to stay at her home. It is a small place and he is working hard to gain her forgiveness. Can being in such close quarters make her see things differently? See how she gets on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.