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Chasing Feelings #1
That Bubbling Feeling: A Feel Good Roommate Romance Novel
Stability is typically found when something is well constructed, firmly established, and evenly balanced. Neither Kai nor Jonah have the desire or skill to think about all that. Instead, they find their stability in each other.
Led by her heart, Kai is wild and curious, throwing herself willingly into all aspects of life just to see what it feels like. After all, any messes made can be cleaned up later.
Jonah is disinterested in the world, constantly pummeled by his own personal rain cloud and taking careful care to leave no messes behind. He much prefers to help Kai with hers anyway.
The two friends have been hanging in this vital balance for over a decade, leaning on each other heavily as they navigate childhood, college, and all that comes after. Now in their twenties and living in close quarters, they must work out what this dependency means for them, as their childish tactics may have been masking something more all along.
*This is the first book in a series but can be read as a standalone. It can also be read after Book 2 should the reader so choose.* The second edition of this book was published on May 10, 2024.
"Playful and sexy! Kai and Jonah are two confused kids who can't live without each other, and two adults who would do anything for the one they love. A story about human emotion and connection, "That Bubbling Feeling" begs the What's so bad about needing someone?"
A fun, easy, in-it-for-the-romance-and-banter type read. This is Book 1 in a series but can be read as a standalone.
Romantic ComedySlow BurnFriends to LoversGloomy / SunshineRoommates / Close ProximityDual POVMildly SpicyBratty Bickering / Banter
THIS BOOK and name callingMention of depression and anxietyMention of body image and exercising in a way that may not be considered entirely healthyMention of trauma and abuseSexual harassment (one scene, on page)Explicit spicy scenes (all consensual – MF)
Led by her heart, Kai is wild and curious, throwing herself willingly into all aspects of life just to see what it feels like. After all, any messes made can be cleaned up later.
Jonah is disinterested in the world, constantly pummeled by his own personal rain cloud and taking careful care to leave no messes behind. He much prefers to help Kai with hers anyway.
The two friends have been hanging in this vital balance for over a decade, leaning on each other heavily as they navigate childhood, college, and all that comes after. Now in their twenties and living in close quarters, they must work out what this dependency means for them, as their childish tactics may have been masking something more all along.
*This is the first book in a series but can be read as a standalone. It can also be read after Book 2 should the reader so choose.* The second edition of this book was published on May 10, 2024.
"Playful and sexy! Kai and Jonah are two confused kids who can't live without each other, and two adults who would do anything for the one they love. A story about human emotion and connection, "That Bubbling Feeling" begs the What's so bad about needing someone?"
A fun, easy, in-it-for-the-romance-and-banter type read. This is Book 1 in a series but can be read as a standalone.
Romantic ComedySlow BurnFriends to LoversGloomy / SunshineRoommates / Close ProximityDual POVMildly SpicyBratty Bickering / Banter
THIS BOOK and name callingMention of depression and anxietyMention of body image and exercising in a way that may not be considered entirely healthyMention of trauma and abuseSexual harassment (one scene, on page)Explicit spicy scenes (all consensual – MF)
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2024
37 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Ali Hidalgo
3 books51 followersAli Hidalgo is a small-town kid turned big-city homebody. She spends most days writing about her little romantic fantasies and clinging to her youth, and others reading works from her favorite authors, drinking coffee, and getting home at a reasonable time. Music, sweets, and friends who just get it are amongst her favorite things. The most important thing you should know about her is that she’s very, very grateful that you’ve taken the time to be here. If you're into fun, cute, in-it-for-the-banter-and-romance type reads, consider sticking around!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
March 19, 2024
Slow burn hard to get into at first. But the more you read the more my heart breaks for Jonah. His love for her was killing him. She’s so trapped in her own little bubble she doesn’t see how perfect he is. But finally she realizes what’s in front of her. That’s the only reason why I give it 4 stars because sometimes Kai was frustrating.
August 1, 2024
Oh. My. God. I thought this was just going to be a light-heart contemporary romance, but Ali Hidalgo absolutely blew me out of the water with this one. This was such a raw and real look into depression and anxiety. The descriptions and explanations of mental health was so perfectly written, I felt as though this author was sitting in on my therapy appointments. I am always a stan of a good friends-to-lovers trope and this was so well done. I heard a lot of people didn't like the time cuts throughout, but I actually thought they were very well done. These time jumps showed us the characters through different ages of their childhood and into their adulthood and really displayed their character development. On another note: the way Ali writes these friendships is UNREAL. It made me desperately want to be in this friend group. The relationship between Jonah and Oli is perfection and the addition of June and Tiff makes me want to die and be reincarnated in this universe.
All in all, no notes. This is perfection.
All in all, no notes. This is perfection.
Want to read
August 14, 2023Girl Kai? Lessgoooooo
April 23, 2024
Honestly, the writing could have used some work. The timeline also jumped around a bit too much, but once it got to the present day, it was a really cute story. I loved how real the characters were with their emotions. The one thing I didn't like was that the men kept calling the women "bitches." Of course, that is how friends interact, but it was still weird. Otherwise, a really cute story.
April 24, 2024
Unfortunately this book is a dnf @ 50%, I will try to come back to it but the time jumps that occur is very confusing to me so I’m not sure what is currently going on
September 12, 2023
Loved this which surprised me because I usually don’t love the friends to lovers trope. But I was eating this one UP! The tense and the banter was 🤌🏻 *chefs kisses*
September 25, 2023
This book perfectly captures the thoughts and feelings of someone who struggles with their mental health but does everything they can to be better for themselves and for the people they love. The banter between Kai and Jonah was perfect, a very fun read. The spice level was perfect for their story. This book deserves every single one of the 5 stars!
October 3, 2023
A friends to lovers story that told the story since they were children and growing into adulthood. The story jumped around a lot with going forward in time, which made it a little confusing. Kai and Jonah were always perfect for each other, and I loved that the author didn’t make them perfect. They both had flaws like real people. I only wish that they had gotten together sooner so we could see more of their relationship play out, but overall a cute story!
Read
December 22, 2024I am gonna DNF this at 45%. This book is fine, but kind of slow paced for my taste. Don’t feel like finishing it.
May 28, 2025
The author seem's to be new, so my respect for finishing a novel. However, here are my issues with the book:
1. Let me say, the characters read very real, so thats a plus
2. The book has two parts, with the first beinh 120 pages of backstory. That is just too much. It takes too long for the story to take off.
3. No showing, all telling. The author does not understand, how a scene works. Every chapter is just a random retelling of things that happend, like a diary. There is no tension, no build up, no scenes at all. We get no full scene, where we can really feel what the hero is feeling.
4. Immersive writing is, when you feel like you're there. Yet, we are never anywhere other than the protagonists head. A scene is something, that could be played out in a movie, we get only snippets of things that happen and move quickly on to the next.
5. It really doesn't help, that the hero gives off incel vibes. Also, how he is called "little" three times, once even by another man in the book. So how small is he really? He doesn't seem small on the cover of the book. It just takes away from the desirabilty along with the lack of drive.
6. The heroine seems to be completely lost and has so much going on, yet as a reader you do not really grasp it. It's brushed over, again, like in a dairy. So it's hard to root for her aswell.
7. There are a lot of great books on writing, that explain the need for a story to make sense and follow a logical flow. Also there is this inate need for the hero to be active and therefore anything that happens in the story to be a direct result of the heros prior actions. There is nothing like this in the novel, no red thread, no clear goals, no struggle to reach it. The hero and heroine struggle alright, but it's just random teen angst around growing up.
Anyways, others seemed to have enjoyed it. I just had to give up after 100 pages of nothing happening. Very disappointing, since I love pining and friends-to-lovers, but I got none of it here.
1. Let me say, the characters read very real, so thats a plus
2. The book has two parts, with the first beinh 120 pages of backstory. That is just too much. It takes too long for the story to take off.
3. No showing, all telling. The author does not understand, how a scene works. Every chapter is just a random retelling of things that happend, like a diary. There is no tension, no build up, no scenes at all. We get no full scene, where we can really feel what the hero is feeling.
4. Immersive writing is, when you feel like you're there. Yet, we are never anywhere other than the protagonists head. A scene is something, that could be played out in a movie, we get only snippets of things that happen and move quickly on to the next.
5. It really doesn't help, that the hero gives off incel vibes. Also, how he is called "little" three times, once even by another man in the book. So how small is he really? He doesn't seem small on the cover of the book. It just takes away from the desirabilty along with the lack of drive.
6. The heroine seems to be completely lost and has so much going on, yet as a reader you do not really grasp it. It's brushed over, again, like in a dairy. So it's hard to root for her aswell.
7. There are a lot of great books on writing, that explain the need for a story to make sense and follow a logical flow. Also there is this inate need for the hero to be active and therefore anything that happens in the story to be a direct result of the heros prior actions. There is nothing like this in the novel, no red thread, no clear goals, no struggle to reach it. The hero and heroine struggle alright, but it's just random teen angst around growing up.
Anyways, others seemed to have enjoyed it. I just had to give up after 100 pages of nothing happening. Very disappointing, since I love pining and friends-to-lovers, but I got none of it here.
November 24, 2025
It was safe to say I have a serious type for alternative men with long hair so I picked this book up for the cover. I think it was sooo cute! However there were times when I felt like they could’ve just had one serious conversation and it would all work out. Uhh Jonah is sexy, cute, and sweet. He’s so emotional for Kai 🥺 he’s a skinny nerdy dude who can throw you around when he wants to ;)
Kai is so fun! I relate a lot to her optimism even in tough times. I love how she finds her love for fitness and then makes a whole ass career out of it (you go girl!!!) and gains new friends along the way. However she did piss me off with how she was so OBLIVIOUS to what was right in front of her! If I was her I would’ve jumped my bestie’s bones immediately if he looked like THAT!
The one thing that irked me and this can be seen as shallow/superficial/whatever. HE CUT HIS HAIR 😭 obvi he was the same person afterwards which is fine like he was still sexy as hell but the fact he cut his beautiful long locks made me so mad! I at least hope it was a emo side swept hairstyle and not a basic hairstyle that your average Joe has cause that takes away from his originality. Other than that I highly recommend this book I love it so much!
Kai is so fun! I relate a lot to her optimism even in tough times. I love how she finds her love for fitness and then makes a whole ass career out of it (you go girl!!!) and gains new friends along the way. However she did piss me off with how she was so OBLIVIOUS to what was right in front of her! If I was her I would’ve jumped my bestie’s bones immediately if he looked like THAT!
The one thing that irked me and this can be seen as shallow/superficial/whatever. HE CUT HIS HAIR 😭 obvi he was the same person afterwards which is fine like he was still sexy as hell but the fact he cut his beautiful long locks made me so mad! I at least hope it was a emo side swept hairstyle and not a basic hairstyle that your average Joe has cause that takes away from his originality. Other than that I highly recommend this book I love it so much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
As an elder emo myself I was sold on this book purely based of the fact that the main characters are also elder emos. Through duel POV this story follows Jonah a sad quiet boi and Kai his bubbly excitable BFF as they fall for each other after 12 years of friendship. And they fall HARD.😍🥵
After meeting when they were 12/13 and growing up together they are separated when one of them moves away for college and they struggle with the distance. BUT when they are reunited and new feelings start to bubble away in the pits of their stomachs they try to navigate through this new found relationship. And boy does it get spicy. 🌶️🌶️
Honestly I didn’t think I would fall for Jonah as hard as I did. But the mouth on this man. Oh boy, it’s always the quiet ones 🥵
The childish bickering was hilarious and I loved every minute of it. And when they finally realise their feelings were mutual it went off with a BANG.
I will recommended this to everyone. Elder Emos especially. I cannot wait for book two! It was nice to read about characters that have similar issues I do and it was so well written!!
Please read the trigger warnings ❤️
After meeting when they were 12/13 and growing up together they are separated when one of them moves away for college and they struggle with the distance. BUT when they are reunited and new feelings start to bubble away in the pits of their stomachs they try to navigate through this new found relationship. And boy does it get spicy. 🌶️🌶️
Honestly I didn’t think I would fall for Jonah as hard as I did. But the mouth on this man. Oh boy, it’s always the quiet ones 🥵
The childish bickering was hilarious and I loved every minute of it. And when they finally realise their feelings were mutual it went off with a BANG.
I will recommended this to everyone. Elder Emos especially. I cannot wait for book two! It was nice to read about characters that have similar issues I do and it was so well written!!
Please read the trigger warnings ❤️
December 6, 2023
6/5 ⭐️
This book was so utterly amazing. I had this on my shelf for a while and decided to pick it up this morning, I can not be more happy that I did. This book enraptured me and my heart. I don’t think it will let go for a long time.
That Bubbling Feeling follows Kai and Jonah as their relationship grows from just friendship. (Though Jonah had always loved her Kai was not ready to see it nor experience it.)
The first chunk of the book has a jump skip after jump skip and I think it really helped give even more of an insight on the characters and their growth through the years.
The main characters were lovable!!
The side characters were lovable! (Oli, June/Juni, Aaron, Noah, Tiff, Briggs, and Thalia)
This whole book was everything, if not more, than I hoped for.
Ali Hidalgo really did so amazing with writing characters that I could feel, that I could connect to and a story that I cared about.
If you see this review and it interests you please go look her up and read her book, give her support if you can!
She is also so freakin sweet!
This book was so utterly amazing. I had this on my shelf for a while and decided to pick it up this morning, I can not be more happy that I did. This book enraptured me and my heart. I don’t think it will let go for a long time.
That Bubbling Feeling follows Kai and Jonah as their relationship grows from just friendship. (Though Jonah had always loved her Kai was not ready to see it nor experience it.)
The first chunk of the book has a jump skip after jump skip and I think it really helped give even more of an insight on the characters and their growth through the years.
The main characters were lovable!!
The side characters were lovable! (Oli, June/Juni, Aaron, Noah, Tiff, Briggs, and Thalia)
This whole book was everything, if not more, than I hoped for.
Ali Hidalgo really did so amazing with writing characters that I could feel, that I could connect to and a story that I cared about.
If you see this review and it interests you please go look her up and read her book, give her support if you can!
She is also so freakin sweet!
August 25, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars. Can’t say it enough. Buy the book!
I cannot believe I haven’t done a review on this yet!
I finished this book a week ago and I am still very much caught up in the characters.
Each character was fleshed out and made very personal. They were also not written like ‘chiseled guy gets hot girl’. No, they were unique and special. Even the side characters.
Kai and Jonah are childhood friends who come together again in later life as room mates. One thing leads to another as both of them try and work through some deeply hidden feelings and fears.
Oli is the third amigo in their group and he has a girlfriend June. You will also meet Noah, Briggs, Thalia, and Aaron as well. All of these people who will ultimately help Jonah and Kai in unexpected ways.
😏Friends to Lovers
🎭Romantic Comedy
🔥Slow Burn
👭Found Family
2️⃣Dual POV
🌶️Mild Spice
Cannot wait to see more from this author. I loved the personal deep diving that made a contemporary romance ACTUALLY relatable.
I cannot believe I haven’t done a review on this yet!
I finished this book a week ago and I am still very much caught up in the characters.
Each character was fleshed out and made very personal. They were also not written like ‘chiseled guy gets hot girl’. No, they were unique and special. Even the side characters.
Kai and Jonah are childhood friends who come together again in later life as room mates. One thing leads to another as both of them try and work through some deeply hidden feelings and fears.
Oli is the third amigo in their group and he has a girlfriend June. You will also meet Noah, Briggs, Thalia, and Aaron as well. All of these people who will ultimately help Jonah and Kai in unexpected ways.
😏Friends to Lovers
🎭Romantic Comedy
🔥Slow Burn
👭Found Family
2️⃣Dual POV
🌶️Mild Spice
Cannot wait to see more from this author. I loved the personal deep diving that made a contemporary romance ACTUALLY relatable.
August 30, 2023
As someone whos not normally a reader of friends to lovers… I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. Jonah is… Jonah. He is the definition of a cinnamon roll. He is broody, dark, and absolutely devoted to Kai. Kai is sassy, strong, and so loyal. Their friendship starts when theyre 12 and lasts well into adult hood. But eventually the line begins to blur and the slow burn, the tension, the banter… it had be squealing and kicking my feet!!
•Slow Burn
•Friends to Lovers
•Banter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
•Slow Burn
•Friends to Lovers
•Banter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
October 13, 2023
WOW!!!!!!!!!! MUST READ
I swear this was a throw back to my emo past lol giving 2010’s nostalgia🖤 pop punk vibes 🖤 best friends to lovers 🖤 and pure love!
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the details, traumas, grumpy/sunshine, and just how you can feel both of their emotions.
I have been recommending this book to everyone I know while reading it and I will continue to do so while also supporting Ali through more of her writing for the next books!
I swear this was a throw back to my emo past lol giving 2010’s nostalgia🖤 pop punk vibes 🖤 best friends to lovers 🖤 and pure love!
I loved everything about this book, the characters, the details, traumas, grumpy/sunshine, and just how you can feel both of their emotions.
I have been recommending this book to everyone I know while reading it and I will continue to do so while also supporting Ali through more of her writing for the next books!
November 20, 2023
I loved this so much! This is spoiler free!
If you like:
-room mates
-friends to Lovers
-slow burn
-rom com
-found family
-elder emo vibes
-dual pov
Then definitely read this book. I loved the characters so much, they were so accepting and honest about their flaws it made them seem more real, also their wrote so well and are so unique! I love protective Jonah and him and Kais Tension and banter was chefs kiss. The spice level was perfect for Jonah and Kais story.
If you like:
-room mates
-friends to Lovers
-slow burn
-rom com
-found family
-elder emo vibes
-dual pov
Then definitely read this book. I loved the characters so much, they were so accepting and honest about their flaws it made them seem more real, also their wrote so well and are so unique! I love protective Jonah and him and Kais Tension and banter was chefs kiss. The spice level was perfect for Jonah and Kais story.
March 30, 2024
Ohhh that slow burn though! I absolutely loved this book. I don't typically love a friends to lovers troupe but seeing as this took place over a long period of time, the different stages of friendship between Jonah and Kai made sense. JONAH HAS THE MOVES AND THE BANTER omg when he started getting more sassy and serving quip back at Kai I just knew it was soooo on.
I am absolutely invested in all of these characters and can't wait to see what the next book holds!
I am absolutely invested in all of these characters and can't wait to see what the next book holds!
June 17, 2024
I freaking enjoyed this book SOOOO much it was such an easy read and the way you get to see the characters grow and change ESPECIALLY the MMC JONAHHH who’s also in a rock band! It was so good!
What he did for the FMC Kai was so sweet until it wasn’t anymore…. 😉😏😈
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
He falls first
Nerd to stud (is this a trope idk it is now😂)
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (but when it itttttttt…. Mmmm jonahhhhh 🤤🤤)
What he did for the FMC Kai was so sweet until it wasn’t anymore…. 😉😏😈
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Forced proximity
He falls first
Nerd to stud (is this a trope idk it is now😂)
Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (but when it itttttttt…. Mmmm jonahhhhh 🤤🤤)
September 23, 2023
Absolutely enjoyed this book it was a really slow burn for me and was more a book I read over a long period rather than all at once. These characters had energy that was so nostalgic to me and my friends back in the days and I ate that up!! The Spice was 10/10 once we got to it! Super happy to have a physical copy on my shelf!
January 27, 2024
4.25 stars
This was a super cute slow burn friends to lovers romance. The tension and build up were great, but the couple finally getting together was a little lacking, was a little rushed in their ending.
I love to see mental health representation, but they did feel a little codependent because of their issues.
Looking forward to reading the other couple's stories.
This was a super cute slow burn friends to lovers romance. The tension and build up were great, but the couple finally getting together was a little lacking, was a little rushed in their ending.
I love to see mental health representation, but they did feel a little codependent because of their issues.
Looking forward to reading the other couple's stories.
January 27, 2024
that bubbling feeling definitely describes my experience
🥺 this was good!
I’m sitting here thinking about all that happened in this book and man my heart is just so full of emotions for Kai. What an incredible and resilient woman.
Jonah truly is her counterpart. I love the balance they provided for each other and truly understood one another’s cues.
🥺 this was good!
I’m sitting here thinking about all that happened in this book and man my heart is just so full of emotions for Kai. What an incredible and resilient woman.
Jonah truly is her counterpart. I love the balance they provided for each other and truly understood one another’s cues.
April 17, 2024
I loved this book. There was a few slow parts in it but all in all well written.
Jonah and Kai have suck a long past. It is great watching these two characters go into adults and getting to see all the issues they go through.
Read the warnings if easily triggered. I found how Ali portrayed the triggers are done well.
Jonah and Kai have suck a long past. It is great watching these two characters go into adults and getting to see all the issues they go through.
Read the warnings if easily triggered. I found how Ali portrayed the triggers are done well.
August 21, 2023
I originally found this book on TikTok and I had to read it!! I absolutely fell in love with this book and the development of the characters themselves 10/10 will most definitely read this again and try to find more books like this
August 25, 2023
The way this book actually left me with bubbly feelings… If you are looking for something that will leave you in a good mood after reading it PICK THIS BOOK UP. Its multi dimensional and has actual in depth emotional development all while making you smile and root for the main characters. Definitely a slow burn, but it will leave you smiling and cheering by the end. I honestly couldn’t put it down once I started it!
February 14, 2024
The best banter, friends to lovers, ughh I loved this book so much. So excited to see more of these characters in the next book! So well written and easy to follow. Also the characters were incredibly relatable.
May 20, 2024
It’s cute at times, but… it’s tries to add so many details that add nothing to the story. Good plot, ill developed. I wish I had liked it more, because it shows lots of promise. At least, it is cute and a nice read.
January 17, 2025
~3.5 They took too long to get together hmph, and they did not communicate their feelings properly until like past 90% of the book so. But I liked them as a pair. Just wish 100+ pages wasn’t wasted on will they won’t they
August 17, 2023
I was pleasantly surprised with this book and now I think I need me a Jonah <3
August 22, 2023
100/10 on the broody band member/playful brat vibes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews