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Room 212
In every life there is always that...one.
Twenty-one year old Laura Sedgwick is a rebel without a cause. Her only plans for life are to make no plans. She revels in her fascination of the unexpected as she navigates her way through mid -1990’s Dallas nightlife. One very bad night brings her face to face with the one man likely to change her mind about…well...everything.
Twenty-three year old Seth Whitaker has every intention of seeing through with his well mapped out life. He is a hard working over-achiever that has no intentions of slowing his pace for anyone. With a fierce determination to not let life pass him by without taking a huge bite, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the one distraction that could keep him from his best laid plans. Little did he know his determination to keep his life on track would be the very thing to trigger the events that change the course of both their lives.
In this life she had only done one thing right...
and she was his only chance at salvation.
*Explicit sex, strong language, some drug use. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Twenty-one year old Laura Sedgwick is a rebel without a cause. Her only plans for life are to make no plans. She revels in her fascination of the unexpected as she navigates her way through mid -1990’s Dallas nightlife. One very bad night brings her face to face with the one man likely to change her mind about…well...everything.
Twenty-three year old Seth Whitaker has every intention of seeing through with his well mapped out life. He is a hard working over-achiever that has no intentions of slowing his pace for anyone. With a fierce determination to not let life pass him by without taking a huge bite, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the one distraction that could keep him from his best laid plans. Little did he know his determination to keep his life on track would be the very thing to trigger the events that change the course of both their lives.
In this life she had only done one thing right...
and she was his only chance at salvation.
*Explicit sex, strong language, some drug use. Can be read as a stand-alone.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2014
664 people are currently reading
3620 people want to read
About the author
Kate Stewart
50 books25.8k followersNew York Times, USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Internationally bestselling author Kate Stewart, a Texas native, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick. Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense.
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
The Ravenhood Trilogy, consisting of Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line, as well as the spinoff series, Ravenhood Legacy, have become NYT, USA Today, and International bestsellers as well as TikTok sensations. The Ravenhood was recently acquired for film adaptation with Kate set to co-write the script, as well as executive produce, which will kickstart her lifelong dream of becoming a filmmaker.
Amongst Kate’s other bestselling works, The Bittersweet Symphony Duet, specifically Drive, was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for best contemporary romance of 2017. Stewart’s works have been featured in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The New York Daily News, Huffington Post, Glamour Magazine, and translated into over twenty languages.
More info: https://geni.us/katestewartbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
May 17, 2014
4 Stars!
Not all romances and love stories are hearts and flowers. Some couples have real fights, real issues and their happily ever afters don’t come easy. Room 212 depicted that. This was a raw story of a girl trying to find herself. She found her first love along the way. This love didn’t come easy. It was full of heartache and drama. But it was real.
Laura has been let down by love. She’s a questionable character when we first meet her. Laura is a bartender who just broke up with her boyfriend of two years. She’s at the park and happens to get accosted by a frisbee. A frisbee thrown by a golden boy. When she first sees Seth, she knows he is entirely out of her league. Laura lives day to day, no real ambitions. She dabbles in recreational drugs, works at the bar and lives her life by her own rules. Seth is nothing like that. He is ambitious, a hard worker. He knows what he wants in life and he’s willing to work hard to get it.
Laura isn’t crazy about Seth at first. When he shows up at her bar the same night as the frisbee incident, she sees him in a different light. Eventually, she agrees to go on a date with him. Seth and Laura quickly fall into a pattern of spending all their free time together. They are very different, but they both click. Their relationship is far from perfect, but they grow to develop strong feelings for one another. As time passes, Laura falls in love. She gives her heart away to Seth. It should work out from there... right? If only it could be that easy...
I wish I could say Laura and Seth ride off into the sunset... but it’s not that simple. Laura and Seth fight. A lot. And Seth. Don’t get me started on him. Never have I had such a love and hate relationship with someone. That boy made me feel like I was bipolar. One minute I was in love, the next I wanted to punch him. Some of the things he did and choices he made broke my heart.
It’s out of character for me to side with the heroine or like her better than the hero in a story. I usually love the guys and am easily annoyed by the women. I don’t mean to be that way, it’s just how it is. This story was the exact opposite. Laura was my favorite character by far. As I said before, Seth pissed me off half the book. The other half, I loved him
This story stole my sleep. Once I hit the point I knew I needed to go to bed, I had to stay up and finish. I needed to see what would happen between Laura and Seth. I am a fan of ansty reads. I also love second chance romances. These two do get a second chance at love after the first time blows up. But it seems the second go isn’t much easier that the first. I loved the person Laura became. She started off as a character many wouldn’t love, and turned into my favorite of the book. She made the book for me.
I thought it was awesome that this author took a chance and wrote about the messier side of love. It was neat to see the meaningfulness of the title, and I also thought the karma theme worked well. I enjoyed the writing, and even though I had a few issues with one of the main characters, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind a messy romance.
Love is a lot of things, but it’s not kind.
Not all romances and love stories are hearts and flowers. Some couples have real fights, real issues and their happily ever afters don’t come easy. Room 212 depicted that. This was a raw story of a girl trying to find herself. She found her first love along the way. This love didn’t come easy. It was full of heartache and drama. But it was real.
Laura has been let down by love. She’s a questionable character when we first meet her. Laura is a bartender who just broke up with her boyfriend of two years. She’s at the park and happens to get accosted by a frisbee. A frisbee thrown by a golden boy. When she first sees Seth, she knows he is entirely out of her league. Laura lives day to day, no real ambitions. She dabbles in recreational drugs, works at the bar and lives her life by her own rules. Seth is nothing like that. He is ambitious, a hard worker. He knows what he wants in life and he’s willing to work hard to get it.
Laura isn’t crazy about Seth at first. When he shows up at her bar the same night as the frisbee incident, she sees him in a different light. Eventually, she agrees to go on a date with him. Seth and Laura quickly fall into a pattern of spending all their free time together. They are very different, but they both click. Their relationship is far from perfect, but they grow to develop strong feelings for one another. As time passes, Laura falls in love. She gives her heart away to Seth. It should work out from there... right? If only it could be that easy...
‘Love doesn’t care if you were there for five years or five minutes, Laura. Once your heart decides to give itself away, time has nothing to do with it. It’s not a choice you made, it’s a choice your heart made.’
I wish I could say Laura and Seth ride off into the sunset... but it’s not that simple. Laura and Seth fight. A lot. And Seth. Don’t get me started on him. Never have I had such a love and hate relationship with someone. That boy made me feel like I was bipolar. One minute I was in love, the next I wanted to punch him. Some of the things he did and choices he made broke my heart.
It’s out of character for me to side with the heroine or like her better than the hero in a story. I usually love the guys and am easily annoyed by the women. I don’t mean to be that way, it’s just how it is. This story was the exact opposite. Laura was my favorite character by far. As I said before, Seth pissed me off half the book. The other half, I loved him
This story stole my sleep. Once I hit the point I knew I needed to go to bed, I had to stay up and finish. I needed to see what would happen between Laura and Seth. I am a fan of ansty reads. I also love second chance romances. These two do get a second chance at love after the first time blows up. But it seems the second go isn’t much easier that the first. I loved the person Laura became. She started off as a character many wouldn’t love, and turned into my favorite of the book. She made the book for me.
“So there’s no hero for you?”
“I am my own hero."
I thought it was awesome that this author took a chance and wrote about the messier side of love. It was neat to see the meaningfulness of the title, and I also thought the karma theme worked well. I enjoyed the writing, and even though I had a few issues with one of the main characters, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind a messy romance.
December 3, 2015
4.5 stars
“You know Laura Lynn, our God is a jealous God, you love something more than him he is bound to take it away.”
At twenty one Laura met the love of her life. After having broken up with her boyfriend and temporarily resting in a park, she's hit in the face with a frisbee. Seth is at first turned off by Laura's bitchiness, but when the two randomly meet again later that night, they see another side of each other and form a connection.
After months of dating despite their differences (Laura being a wild girl and a bit of a partier, Seth being more conservative and a hard worker) the two are in love and going strong. But Seth's past continues to haunt their present relationship and the two find themselves at odds on where their life path leads them.
“I’m a firm believer that if you want something, you have to make it happen. The world owes you nothing, but you can take your piece of it. All you have to do is work hard and claim it.”
This book was the perfect angst hit for all of you angst whores out there like me. I loved Laura and Seth's story, I honestly could feel their love for each other, it was a very powerful romance. Seth and Laura worked well together despite their differences and worked hard on lowering their defenses around each other. I loved the first part of this book to about 70/75%, while the last 25% or so didn't flow as well for my tastes.
Laura was my favorite part about this book, I love imperfect heroines and she felt like a real person to me. She didn't want to spend her life spewing out bullshit so she did what she wanted. Small warning, Laura did some recreational drug use but it honestly didn't bother me all too much because well, that's life and people use drugs. Reality of our world and all.
The only thing preventing me from giving this book a full 5 stars is the whole not enough groveling thing I'm always getting on about. Seth fucks up big time in my opinion and he honestly didn't grovel as much as I'd like. I also didn't understand a lot of his reasoning and decisions for the things he did, maybe because I didn't have his perspective. Laura I understood a lot more, but probably because I was able to see her side of things.
I read Loving the White Liar before this book and while I enjoyed that one, this one left a mark on my heart. For those of my friends who love angsty romance reads, I highly recommend this book. I think fans of RK Lilley will enjoy Kate Stewart's work very much.
"So there’s no hero for you?
"I am my own hero.”
“You know Laura Lynn, our God is a jealous God, you love something more than him he is bound to take it away.”
At twenty one Laura met the love of her life. After having broken up with her boyfriend and temporarily resting in a park, she's hit in the face with a frisbee. Seth is at first turned off by Laura's bitchiness, but when the two randomly meet again later that night, they see another side of each other and form a connection.
After months of dating despite their differences (Laura being a wild girl and a bit of a partier, Seth being more conservative and a hard worker) the two are in love and going strong. But Seth's past continues to haunt their present relationship and the two find themselves at odds on where their life path leads them.
“I’m a firm believer that if you want something, you have to make it happen. The world owes you nothing, but you can take your piece of it. All you have to do is work hard and claim it.”
This book was the perfect angst hit for all of you angst whores out there like me. I loved Laura and Seth's story, I honestly could feel their love for each other, it was a very powerful romance. Seth and Laura worked well together despite their differences and worked hard on lowering their defenses around each other. I loved the first part of this book to about 70/75%, while the last 25% or so didn't flow as well for my tastes.
Laura was my favorite part about this book, I love imperfect heroines and she felt like a real person to me. She didn't want to spend her life spewing out bullshit so she did what she wanted. Small warning, Laura did some recreational drug use but it honestly didn't bother me all too much because well, that's life and people use drugs. Reality of our world and all.
The only thing preventing me from giving this book a full 5 stars is the whole not enough groveling thing I'm always getting on about. Seth fucks up big time in my opinion and he honestly didn't grovel as much as I'd like. I also didn't understand a lot of his reasoning and decisions for the things he did, maybe because I didn't have his perspective. Laura I understood a lot more, but probably because I was able to see her side of things.
I read Loving the White Liar before this book and while I enjoyed that one, this one left a mark on my heart. For those of my friends who love angsty romance reads, I highly recommend this book. I think fans of RK Lilley will enjoy Kate Stewart's work very much.
"So there’s no hero for you?
"I am my own hero.”
September 18, 2015
4.5 Mental Whiplash Stars!
Room 212 was recommended to be quite some time ago and time had just gotten away from me until I could sit down and devour this story. I'd loved Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart and knew that I wanted to check out her other CR works. So no time but the present..
One word to describe this book---ANGST. If you're not a fan of angst, don't bother. It's actually a book where if I describe much, I think readers may run for the hills! The heroine is Laura Sedwick, ex trust fund baby that broke up with her parents for a life of bar-tending, recreational drugs, and just living day by day. Is she 100% happy? No. Until she's asleep in a park (homeless) and hit smack dab in the mouth with a frisbee golf disc. Ouch- blood spewing everywhere from her mouth. So much for a nicenight's sleep afternoon nap in the park! And the thrower of said disc? A gorgeous strawberry blonde Adonis named Seth.
And so their roller coaster love story begins...
I think it's safe to say that their relationship in general continues along this crazy path. Passionate in every sense of the word. Their chemistry was palpable and I immediately fell in love with this career-driven polar opposite guy named Seth. He was 100% put together and she was barely being held by the seams. Kate Stewart took two very different people with different goals and drives and when you mixed the two- the combination was explosive. But isn't that how life usually rolls? Opposites do attract and the best plans get thrown out the window.
Those readers looking for a love story with the typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, marry and have 2.5 children won't find it here. These two protagonists make many mistakes, aren't always mature nor do they always know what they want- out of relationships or life in general. Seth appeared to have his ducks in a row...until he met mad bitch with a busted lip. But because of that, this story is realistic to me. In fact, I found so many similarities between myself and my husband and this couple- their relationship. I think that is why I didn't strangle my kindle or throw it against the wall. I know that kind of love. I live it everyday. Two very passionate people stuck together, mix in some love and it's a f*cking explosion waiting to happen. They lived passionately, loved passionately, and fought passionately. I don't know which aspect I liked the most- their loving or their fighting!
I'd tag this book as realistic romance- not all hearts and flowers, walking off into the sunset hand and hand. Her plot lines feature characters and situations that happen in true life and they're not always so pretty. I pretty much wanted to junk punch Seth on more than one occasion. But through the journey with these two- and it's some journey- I found myself laughing out loud at one heck of a sun poisoning (fighting for the toilet) scene...
Fanning myself on more than one steamy interlude between two off the charts passionate MCs...
Threatening to throw my kindle against the wall because of two confused MCs that need to pull their heads out of their arses!
Room 212 is a second chance romance between two very different people that, no matter how unsuited they are, they're perfect for each other. It has all the elements of love, lust, and even hate to deliver an off-the-charts angst that had me finishing this in essentially one long sitting. The characters aren't perfect and I found myself ready to throttle each of them on any given occasion but I got them. In so many ways, I'm personally living their love story and I'm so happy we all got our HEA.
Complimentary copy received by author in exchange for mypain and suffering honest review.
Room 212 was recommended to be quite some time ago and time had just gotten away from me until I could sit down and devour this story. I'd loved Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart and knew that I wanted to check out her other CR works. So no time but the present..
One word to describe this book---ANGST. If you're not a fan of angst, don't bother. It's actually a book where if I describe much, I think readers may run for the hills! The heroine is Laura Sedwick, ex trust fund baby that broke up with her parents for a life of bar-tending, recreational drugs, and just living day by day. Is she 100% happy? No. Until she's asleep in a park (homeless) and hit smack dab in the mouth with a frisbee golf disc. Ouch- blood spewing everywhere from her mouth. So much for a nice
"Look, I'm really sorry...Uh, what's your name?"
"Mad bitch with a busted lip."
"Well, mad bitch with a busted lip, I'm Seth."
And so their roller coaster love story begins...
I think it's safe to say that their relationship in general continues along this crazy path. Passionate in every sense of the word. Their chemistry was palpable and I immediately fell in love with this career-driven polar opposite guy named Seth. He was 100% put together and she was barely being held by the seams. Kate Stewart took two very different people with different goals and drives and when you mixed the two- the combination was explosive. But isn't that how life usually rolls? Opposites do attract and the best plans get thrown out the window.
Those readers looking for a love story with the typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, marry and have 2.5 children won't find it here. These two protagonists make many mistakes, aren't always mature nor do they always know what they want- out of relationships or life in general. Seth appeared to have his ducks in a row...until he met mad bitch with a busted lip. But because of that, this story is realistic to me. In fact, I found so many similarities between myself and my husband and this couple- their relationship. I think that is why I didn't strangle my kindle or throw it against the wall. I know that kind of love. I live it everyday. Two very passionate people stuck together, mix in some love and it's a f*cking explosion waiting to happen. They lived passionately, loved passionately, and fought passionately. I don't know which aspect I liked the most- their loving or their fighting!
"I told you not to call me an idiot."
"I call it like I see it, Laura. You largely resemble one right now."
I'd tag this book as realistic romance- not all hearts and flowers, walking off into the sunset hand and hand. Her plot lines feature characters and situations that happen in true life and they're not always so pretty. I pretty much wanted to junk punch Seth on more than one occasion. But through the journey with these two- and it's some journey- I found myself laughing out loud at one heck of a sun poisoning (fighting for the toilet) scene...
Fanning myself on more than one steamy interlude between two off the charts passionate MCs...
Threatening to throw my kindle against the wall because of two confused MCs that need to pull their heads out of their arses!
Room 212 is a second chance romance between two very different people that, no matter how unsuited they are, they're perfect for each other. It has all the elements of love, lust, and even hate to deliver an off-the-charts angst that had me finishing this in essentially one long sitting. The characters aren't perfect and I found myself ready to throttle each of them on any given occasion but I got them. In so many ways, I'm personally living their love story and I'm so happy we all got our HEA.
"How are you so sure it's going to work?"
"Because, baby, we can't survive the opposite."
Complimentary copy received by author in exchange for my
September 3, 2016
2 STARS
I think this is one of those books where it starts off wonderfully and as you gradually read, the original appeal of the story fades away and you start deducting stars because of the ridiculous character dialogue and underdeveloped plot. Combined with a hard-to-get-into writing style and certain word choices that rubbed me the wrong way, this book was a huge miss for me.
Some things I liked:
The cover
The title and the meaning behind it – that was very unique and a nice twist
The premise – bad girl meets driven, dedicated good boy (nice change from the usual bad boy)
The blurb
Unfortunately that’s about it.
Basically the book is about a young, wild rebel girl Laura who has no sense of direction in her life who meets Seth, a well-rounded and financially established guy. I have to say, I loved this part: it was a very realistic first chance encounter and humorous as well.
“Look I’m really sorry…Uh, what’s your name?”
“Mad bitch with a busted lip.”
Yes Seth busts her lips with a Frisbee hehe.
The two of them take some time to know each other and pretty soon, there are signs of love from both. I think this is the point of the book where things started to go bad for me.
For one, I never understood why Laura insisted on naming people “Barbies.” Whether it be “Marcia Barbie,” “Mrs. Barbie,” or “Ken Barbie,” I was just so sick of it. And the nickname “Laurs.” That would’ve made sense if only her name wasn’t Laura. Substitue the a for a s...hmm not really seeing how that’s a nickname.
Another thing I had difficulty wrapping my mind around was how easily the characters threw around the term “rape.” In this book’s context I understand it’s for a light, semi-humorous effect; however I just can’t stomach the usage of such a term unless it actually applies to the situation, which in this book it did not.
“Last night he came to my house and banged on the door. When I opened it, hair a total mess, in boxers, and a chocolate stained t-shirt, he raped me.”
This sentence refers to Laura’s friend and her brother getting together. A very joyous, happy occasion but for me the rape term marred it.
“I remember you almost raped me in a parking lot.”
This sentence refers to Laura and Seth reminiscing about old times. Again, supposed to have a nostalgic effect but I felt creeped out. Like someone doused a bucket of cold water on my head.
But most importantly, this book hit on my number 1 pet peeve in books and that is massive character stupidity that keeps interfering with their relationship. I’ll be honest with you, by the time I finished reading I did not want Laura and Seth to be together because they were that dysfunctional. I think the author’s intention was to make Laura appear tough and bitchy to reflect the hardships she’s been through; however, the use of her “Barbie” terms really diminished any kind of sincerity her character might have had. Needless to say, Laura’s character did not appeal to me at all.
What saved the first part of the book for me was Seth. He’s drool-worthy, smart, and at the age of 23 works 3 jobs and is pretty much financially set. He knows what he wants and he works to get it.
With such a strong character profile, I expected his actions reflect that as well. Sadly, my impression of him was a big whiny baby who threw anger tantrums when Laura didn’t do what he wanted. I’m pretty lenient with my book heroes as I fall for them quickly, but in this one, Seth was just a plain asshole. And one thing he said after the first sex scene drove me up a wall and I was tempted to DNF right then and there.
I pretty much got tired of their back-to-back arguments. I can totally understand if there were a few because let’s face it, life isn’t always pretty and perfect and having fights/misunderstandings weaved into a story makes it realistic and easy to relate to. But gosh. Even with a nicely executed time gap, the characters didn’t seem to mature at all, especially Seth. Just know that at the 80% mark I was ready to tear my hair out from all the unnecessary and ridiculous things Seth demanded of Laura and to see her finally acquiesce to them made me want to weep. Whatever happened to female dignity?
Overall, this could’ve been an easy 4-4.5 star read. However, the usage of some terms (this is my personal preference of course) combined with a lack of character development pretty much blew it for me. However, this is one of the few times I would still recommend it: one, the ratings are crazy high so there has to be something in the book that appealed to readers and two, most of my complaints with the book are of personal preference, which means you may not feel the same way and might end up really enjoying it.
Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is one of those books where it starts off wonderfully and as you gradually read, the original appeal of the story fades away and you start deducting stars because of the ridiculous character dialogue and underdeveloped plot. Combined with a hard-to-get-into writing style and certain word choices that rubbed me the wrong way, this book was a huge miss for me.
Some things I liked:
The cover
The title and the meaning behind it – that was very unique and a nice twist
The premise – bad girl meets driven, dedicated good boy (nice change from the usual bad boy)
The blurb
Unfortunately that’s about it.
Basically the book is about a young, wild rebel girl Laura who has no sense of direction in her life who meets Seth, a well-rounded and financially established guy. I have to say, I loved this part: it was a very realistic first chance encounter and humorous as well.
“Look I’m really sorry…Uh, what’s your name?”
“Mad bitch with a busted lip.”
Yes Seth busts her lips with a Frisbee hehe.
The two of them take some time to know each other and pretty soon, there are signs of love from both. I think this is the point of the book where things started to go bad for me.
For one, I never understood why Laura insisted on naming people “Barbies.” Whether it be “Marcia Barbie,” “Mrs. Barbie,” or “Ken Barbie,” I was just so sick of it. And the nickname “Laurs.” That would’ve made sense if only her name wasn’t Laura. Substitue the a for a s...hmm not really seeing how that’s a nickname.
Another thing I had difficulty wrapping my mind around was how easily the characters threw around the term “rape.” In this book’s context I understand it’s for a light, semi-humorous effect; however I just can’t stomach the usage of such a term unless it actually applies to the situation, which in this book it did not.
“Last night he came to my house and banged on the door. When I opened it, hair a total mess, in boxers, and a chocolate stained t-shirt, he raped me.”
This sentence refers to Laura’s friend and her brother getting together. A very joyous, happy occasion but for me the rape term marred it.
“I remember you almost raped me in a parking lot.”
This sentence refers to Laura and Seth reminiscing about old times. Again, supposed to have a nostalgic effect but I felt creeped out. Like someone doused a bucket of cold water on my head.
But most importantly, this book hit on my number 1 pet peeve in books and that is massive character stupidity that keeps interfering with their relationship. I’ll be honest with you, by the time I finished reading I did not want Laura and Seth to be together because they were that dysfunctional. I think the author’s intention was to make Laura appear tough and bitchy to reflect the hardships she’s been through; however, the use of her “Barbie” terms really diminished any kind of sincerity her character might have had. Needless to say, Laura’s character did not appeal to me at all.
What saved the first part of the book for me was Seth. He’s drool-worthy, smart, and at the age of 23 works 3 jobs and is pretty much financially set. He knows what he wants and he works to get it.
With such a strong character profile, I expected his actions reflect that as well. Sadly, my impression of him was a big whiny baby who threw anger tantrums when Laura didn’t do what he wanted. I’m pretty lenient with my book heroes as I fall for them quickly, but in this one, Seth was just a plain asshole. And one thing he said after the first sex scene drove me up a wall and I was tempted to DNF right then and there.
I pretty much got tired of their back-to-back arguments. I can totally understand if there were a few because let’s face it, life isn’t always pretty and perfect and having fights/misunderstandings weaved into a story makes it realistic and easy to relate to. But gosh. Even with a nicely executed time gap, the characters didn’t seem to mature at all, especially Seth. Just know that at the 80% mark I was ready to tear my hair out from all the unnecessary and ridiculous things Seth demanded of Laura and to see her finally acquiesce to them made me want to weep. Whatever happened to female dignity?
Overall, this could’ve been an easy 4-4.5 star read. However, the usage of some terms (this is my personal preference of course) combined with a lack of character development pretty much blew it for me. However, this is one of the few times I would still recommend it: one, the ratings are crazy high so there has to be something in the book that appealed to readers and two, most of my complaints with the book are of personal preference, which means you may not feel the same way and might end up really enjoying it.
Review copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2016
4.5 ★'s
Holy Angstfest!! I hit the freakin' angst mother lode with this book and what a sweet, heartbreaking ride it was. I didn't want it to end.
I had actually read The Fall and The Mind before I read this book and I was a little disappointed that I hadn't read this first. LET ME TAKE THAT BACK!! This book was sooo good that I think I wouldn't have liked those books as much. They are nowhere as angsty!
So let me explain the connection...In this book, we have Laura and Seth who just happens to be the parents of Dallas ( The Fall) and Rose (The Mind and the upcoming The Heart).
The prologue is set in the present and it's pretty emotional but then we go back to the past fourteen years ago to when Laura and Seth first meet. They are both fresh out of relationships but are drawn to each other. Laura's a free spirit to say the least and Seth likes things very planned out. They're both not what the other was expecting...or who they thought they would want. That changes very quickly...and dissipates almost as fast.
OMG...I couldn't get enough...and couldn't stop reading. I hated that I finished so fast. If only K.S. wrote all her books this way, I would be one happy camper! ~sigh~
Unfortunately, I did have a few problems...the first was NO SETH POV! WTH?! It was sooo sorely needed especially because he is a big fat jerk! It's so weird because in reading Dallas' and Rose's books, I really liked Seth-the-Dad but Seth-the-Boyfriend not so much. I was even willing to give younger Seth a pass. Too bad older Seth is still a jerk although not quite as big of one! :(
The best part is the love story, well, who am I kidding...the mother effin' angst was the best part but I've already said that! Seriously, it was great reading about them falling in love...and the sex was pretty hot as well.
I enjoyed how things worked out especially when Laura ends up in Texas...that was sooo cute! There's also some teary moments such as when she goes to her Mom's...nothing beats a Mom and I loved how Laura kept up with the rose bushes.
If you're a fan of angsty, emotional books, I can't recommend this enough!
♦ Note: at the end of the book, it states that Dave (Laura's brother) and his girlfriend, Kristi's, book, Vinyl, is coming out in 2014. Apparently, that didn't work out. Too bad because it would've been interesting to know more about him.
Favorite quote:
♥ "I have never kissed anyone the way I kiss you. It’s a part of me that only you get, no one else, ever.”
Holy Angstfest!! I hit the freakin' angst mother lode with this book and what a sweet, heartbreaking ride it was. I didn't want it to end.
I had actually read The Fall and The Mind before I read this book and I was a little disappointed that I hadn't read this first. LET ME TAKE THAT BACK!! This book was sooo good that I think I wouldn't have liked those books as much. They are nowhere as angsty!
So let me explain the connection...In this book, we have Laura and Seth who just happens to be the parents of Dallas ( The Fall) and Rose (The Mind and the upcoming The Heart).
The prologue is set in the present and it's pretty emotional but then we go back to the past fourteen years ago to when Laura and Seth first meet. They are both fresh out of relationships but are drawn to each other. Laura's a free spirit to say the least and Seth likes things very planned out. They're both not what the other was expecting...or who they thought they would want. That changes very quickly...and dissipates almost as fast.
OMG...I couldn't get enough...and couldn't stop reading. I hated that I finished so fast. If only K.S. wrote all her books this way, I would be one happy camper! ~sigh~
Unfortunately, I did have a few problems...the first was NO SETH POV! WTH?! It was sooo sorely needed especially because he is a big fat jerk! It's so weird because in reading Dallas' and Rose's books, I really liked Seth-the-Dad but Seth-the-Boyfriend not so much. I was even willing to give younger Seth a pass. Too bad older Seth is still a jerk although not quite as big of one! :(
The best part is the love story, well, who am I kidding...the mother effin' angst was the best part but I've already said that! Seriously, it was great reading about them falling in love...and the sex was pretty hot as well.
I enjoyed how things worked out especially when Laura ends up in Texas...that was sooo cute! There's also some teary moments such as when she goes to her Mom's...nothing beats a Mom and I loved how Laura kept up with the rose bushes.
If you're a fan of angsty, emotional books, I can't recommend this enough!
♦ Note: at the end of the book, it states that Dave (Laura's brother) and his girlfriend, Kristi's, book, Vinyl, is coming out in 2014. Apparently, that didn't work out. Too bad because it would've been interesting to know more about him.
Favorite quote:
♥ "I have never kissed anyone the way I kiss you. It’s a part of me that only you get, no one else, ever.”
August 31, 2015
It is true that love is not always rainbows and sunshine. Not every happy ending is paved from perfectly laid plans of roses and devotion. The love story in Room 212 was raw...angry...true.
Laura is a 21 year old woman roaming into adulthood. With the 90s culture as her backdrop she is quite the free spirited soul. Unashamed of herself she embraces the rhythm of life. Drugs, booze, possible love, and definite sex abound. Her life choices are questionable at best.
She is hit in the face with fate when an errant Frisbee finds her in the park. She has no idea the man behind the throw would make her life as erratic as the object busting her lip!
Seth...the polar opposite of Laura. He is a "firm believer that if you want something you have to make it happen," and he lives by the motto "all you have to do is work hard and claim it."
Harsh words from a man seemingly wanting a walk on the wild side. Sassy Laura is just coming into her own...perhaps this is a wake up call for her...or maybe a foreshadowing of the bumpy road ahead. The only certainty at this point is an undeniable pull...a craving for one another the defies reason.
HERE COMES THE FEELS! Welcome to the "angry angst" that is the love story of Seth and Laura. Keeping it simple and real, I DO NOT like Seth. From his errant Frisbee to his swoon worthy moments of romance, I found his steadfast focus on his "end goal" to be cold and calculating. I knew he wanted Laura...I read his struggle, but I still found his actions louder than his words...he crushed me right along with Laura!
As for Laura...FIGHTER! Whether falling in love, crash landing, or just existing for herself, she rocked. While Seth was fanning my ire, Laura was healing me. In all her craziness of poor decision making and breaking down she showed the true ugly side of love. She brought out the consuming lust and desire, the angry heartbreak, and the constant insecurity that accompany a dysfunctional relationship.
"I was a little morally screwed up. I found my footing though, and I took the hard road to do it. I figured out a few things."
What a crazy tale. Kate Stewart never sticks to the norm. She gave a completely dysfunctional love story of want and need. She made an interesting case of "is love enough?". This read will be hit and miss for many. It isn't pretty. It is often frustrating. It is chalk full of poor decisions and passionate rants. Stubbornness, defiance, forgiveness, scorching sex, and emotional upheaval. That is what makes Seth and Laura. That is what is found in Room 212. Enter at your own risk and remember "love is a lot of things , but it is not kind."
Laura is a 21 year old woman roaming into adulthood. With the 90s culture as her backdrop she is quite the free spirited soul. Unashamed of herself she embraces the rhythm of life. Drugs, booze, possible love, and definite sex abound. Her life choices are questionable at best.
She is hit in the face with fate when an errant Frisbee finds her in the park. She has no idea the man behind the throw would make her life as erratic as the object busting her lip!
Seth...the polar opposite of Laura. He is a "firm believer that if you want something you have to make it happen," and he lives by the motto "all you have to do is work hard and claim it."
Harsh words from a man seemingly wanting a walk on the wild side. Sassy Laura is just coming into her own...perhaps this is a wake up call for her...or maybe a foreshadowing of the bumpy road ahead. The only certainty at this point is an undeniable pull...a craving for one another the defies reason.
HERE COMES THE FEELS! Welcome to the "angry angst" that is the love story of Seth and Laura. Keeping it simple and real, I DO NOT like Seth. From his errant Frisbee to his swoon worthy moments of romance, I found his steadfast focus on his "end goal" to be cold and calculating. I knew he wanted Laura...I read his struggle, but I still found his actions louder than his words...he crushed me right along with Laura!
As for Laura...FIGHTER! Whether falling in love, crash landing, or just existing for herself, she rocked. While Seth was fanning my ire, Laura was healing me. In all her craziness of poor decision making and breaking down she showed the true ugly side of love. She brought out the consuming lust and desire, the angry heartbreak, and the constant insecurity that accompany a dysfunctional relationship.
"I was a little morally screwed up. I found my footing though, and I took the hard road to do it. I figured out a few things."
What a crazy tale. Kate Stewart never sticks to the norm. She gave a completely dysfunctional love story of want and need. She made an interesting case of "is love enough?". This read will be hit and miss for many. It isn't pretty. It is often frustrating. It is chalk full of poor decisions and passionate rants. Stubbornness, defiance, forgiveness, scorching sex, and emotional upheaval. That is what makes Seth and Laura. That is what is found in Room 212. Enter at your own risk and remember "love is a lot of things , but it is not kind."
March 28, 2016
Rating: 1 out of 5.
I took some time to write this review. I spent about an hour after finishing the book, reviewing what I read and how I felt about it. An hour later, I am not feeling better. Which is quite a pity because I loved this author's other novel Loving the White Liar.
This is probably the most spoiler-ish review I have ever written. But I don't think you can appreciate how dumfounding this novel is until you know all of it.
I took some time to write this review. I spent about an hour after finishing the book, reviewing what I read and how I felt about it. An hour later, I am not feeling better. Which is quite a pity because I loved this author's other novel Loving the White Liar.
This is probably the most spoiler-ish review I have ever written. But I don't think you can appreciate how dumfounding this novel is until you know all of it.
March 6, 2017
This was a 5* book that I absolutely hated.
Let me explain...
I don't do well with sad books and this book had some sad parts. It also had a lot of those "noooo don't do that" moments along with those "awww so sweet" ones. This: “Mom, it hurts. It hurts so much, I can’t breathe, Mom. I can’t breathe!” made me cry. Honest to goodness, real tears. These MCs gutted me. Fantastic story. A few editting issues. If you like ultra angsty reads, don't miss out on this one.
Let me explain...
I don't do well with sad books and this book had some sad parts. It also had a lot of those "noooo don't do that" moments along with those "awww so sweet" ones. This: “Mom, it hurts. It hurts so much, I can’t breathe, Mom. I can’t breathe!” made me cry. Honest to goodness, real tears. These MCs gutted me. Fantastic story. A few editting issues. If you like ultra angsty reads, don't miss out on this one.
July 25, 2015
***** 5 Young Hearts Are Meant Forever Stars ****
This book just makes me HAPPY!!!! Sing with me.... I'm so haaaapppppyyyyy!!
This will be short and sweet!
If you like...
young love
drama
angst
hot sex
stupid choices
a little drug use
accidental overdose
sex with the wrong man
hate filled words
ultimately leading to the now youngens as adults....
falling back in love
hot sex
stubbornness
tears
and one HELL OF A GOOD EPILOGUE
THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!
Meet Laura....
and
Seth
These two fall in love hard and break each other even harder.
Loved this story so much!! Kate Stewart you definitely know how to write an angsty love story!!
This book just makes me HAPPY!!!! Sing with me.... I'm so haaaapppppyyyyy!!
This will be short and sweet!
If you like...
young love
drama
angst
hot sex
stupid choices
a little drug use
accidental overdose
sex with the wrong man
hate filled words
ultimately leading to the now youngens as adults....
falling back in love
hot sex
stubbornness
tears
and one HELL OF A GOOD EPILOGUE
THEN THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!
Meet Laura....
and
Seth
These two fall in love hard and break each other even harder.
Loved this story so much!! Kate Stewart you definitely know how to write an angsty love story!!
April 19, 2014
6/5 stars
Room 212 so deserves all the stars I've given it. I was recommended this book and bought it without reading the synopsis. I went into it blind.
Wow.
The prologue sucked me in and squeezed the life out of me. I gave my heart willingly such as the main character, Laura.
Laura is a bitch. She doesn't take shit from anyone and she likes it that way. That is until she meets Seth.
The book tells us the story of how Laura met the charming Seth, and how her life was forever changed the moment he hit her with a frisbee in the face! Yes. You read that right. He. Hit. Her. With. A. Frisbee. How rude!
"Look I'm really sorry... Uh, what's your name?"
"Mad bitch with a busted lip."
Obviously the poor guy didn't mean it but still. That scene was hilarious and the beautiful start to a roller coaster of a relationship.
When I say roller coaster I mean that as a HUGE understatement. My emotions were all over the place. One minute I wanted to slap a ho, the next I was giggling like a maniac, then I was trying hard not to rip my heart out of my chest, oh and feeling as if I had to take a cold shower in the middle of my lunch break(not good) and THEN out of no where I would get so lost in the book that I felt as if I were part of the story itself. That's a lot of said emotions.
Kate has mad skills. It gives me chills to think about Seth. He is the epitome of the perfect male. In my opinion anyway. He is a charming smartass who knows how to love a woman in all kinds of ways. All kinds of ways.
The sexy scenes. Maybe I should just say buy the book and read the sex scenes yourselves? Who can go wrong with really great sex scenes? They were flippin awesome. Hello, remember I needed a cold shower at work?
I love Room 212, I adore the characters, I wept at the pain they had to endure. But you know what? It was all worth it. Every single last bit of heart ache was worth it.
Take a chance on Room 212, you may find your next favorite read<3
Room 212 so deserves all the stars I've given it. I was recommended this book and bought it without reading the synopsis. I went into it blind.
Wow.
The prologue sucked me in and squeezed the life out of me. I gave my heart willingly such as the main character, Laura.
Laura is a bitch. She doesn't take shit from anyone and she likes it that way. That is until she meets Seth.
The book tells us the story of how Laura met the charming Seth, and how her life was forever changed the moment he hit her with a frisbee in the face! Yes. You read that right. He. Hit. Her. With. A. Frisbee. How rude!
"Look I'm really sorry... Uh, what's your name?"
"Mad bitch with a busted lip."
Obviously the poor guy didn't mean it but still. That scene was hilarious and the beautiful start to a roller coaster of a relationship.
When I say roller coaster I mean that as a HUGE understatement. My emotions were all over the place. One minute I wanted to slap a ho, the next I was giggling like a maniac, then I was trying hard not to rip my heart out of my chest, oh and feeling as if I had to take a cold shower in the middle of my lunch break(not good) and THEN out of no where I would get so lost in the book that I felt as if I were part of the story itself. That's a lot of said emotions.
Kate has mad skills. It gives me chills to think about Seth. He is the epitome of the perfect male. In my opinion anyway. He is a charming smartass who knows how to love a woman in all kinds of ways. All kinds of ways.
The sexy scenes. Maybe I should just say buy the book and read the sex scenes yourselves? Who can go wrong with really great sex scenes? They were flippin awesome. Hello, remember I needed a cold shower at work?
I love Room 212, I adore the characters, I wept at the pain they had to endure. But you know what? It was all worth it. Every single last bit of heart ache was worth it.
Take a chance on Room 212, you may find your next favorite read<3
April 7, 2021
Kate Stewart delivers a tear-jerker with room 212.
The story begins with Laura Segwick standing in room 212. She is recapturing what happened in that room the day before.
Laura knew she was a glutton for punishment.
She should clean room 212 and leave the memory of him behind.
She should come to her senses but that was something she hadn’t done since he had shown his face.
The pillow she held still smelled of him
She knew there was no erasing Seth Whitaker and when tomorrow comes she knew she would still be clinging to that pillow.
Laura Sedgwick hated love. Love had ruined every single day of her life for as long as she could remember.........and for the second time in her life she declared war on love and on Seth Whitaker.
She remembered being 21.
She remembered the day Seth Whitaker came into her life. She was just coming out of a humdinger of a relationship - she wasn’t ready to start another one. Nope she wasn’t ready for Seth Whitaker. She was in charge of her life. She lived it on her own terms, made her own choices...... but meeting Seth changed all that. Unable to control that destiny she gives in and hands over her heart to Seth.
This is my first read of Kate Stewart and I loved what she has produced.
A story that started with the ending of a love story.
What happened in room 212? I had to find out.
Room 212 was a unique and powerful story of redemption, evolution and second chance love but what was also unique is that there was no trilogy. It started, it developed and it ended without the proverbial cliff hanger.
Kate Stewart is now on my radar. Titan coming up next (her first book) but I believe I have found something special with this author. Keep her on your radar. I know I am.
Looking forward to the next release from Kate Stewart.
A great story and worth every star.
The story begins with Laura Segwick standing in room 212. She is recapturing what happened in that room the day before.
Laura knew she was a glutton for punishment.
She should clean room 212 and leave the memory of him behind.
She should come to her senses but that was something she hadn’t done since he had shown his face.
The pillow she held still smelled of him
She knew there was no erasing Seth Whitaker and when tomorrow comes she knew she would still be clinging to that pillow.
Laura Sedgwick hated love. Love had ruined every single day of her life for as long as she could remember.........and for the second time in her life she declared war on love and on Seth Whitaker.
She remembered being 21.
She remembered the day Seth Whitaker came into her life. She was just coming out of a humdinger of a relationship - she wasn’t ready to start another one. Nope she wasn’t ready for Seth Whitaker. She was in charge of her life. She lived it on her own terms, made her own choices...... but meeting Seth changed all that. Unable to control that destiny she gives in and hands over her heart to Seth.
This is my first read of Kate Stewart and I loved what she has produced.
A story that started with the ending of a love story.
What happened in room 212? I had to find out.
Room 212 was a unique and powerful story of redemption, evolution and second chance love but what was also unique is that there was no trilogy. It started, it developed and it ended without the proverbial cliff hanger.
Kate Stewart is now on my radar. Titan coming up next (her first book) but I believe I have found something special with this author. Keep her on your radar. I know I am.
Looking forward to the next release from Kate Stewart.
A great story and worth every star.
December 14, 2015
Holy angst. Room 212 is one of those books that I stumbled upon a while ago but never started it. So when I was told that The Fall was a sort of spin-off, I had to read it before I started Dallas & Dean’s story. Boy was I glad that I did. Although I am sure you can tell from my updates, that this book might have pushed some buttons.
Laura and Seth’s relationship is anything but easy. They are complete opposites but irrevocably drawn to one another. Room 212 is not an easy love story, but not all love is easy. Sometimes it’s a real bitch.
Laura is a bit of a wild child, free spirit. Working as a bartender no real future plans – everything that Seth is not. But it doesn’t take long for these two to start falling in love. They fought. They loved. They fought again. It was not easy to love Seth. I fell in love with him just as easily as I hated him.
I am a sucker for hard relationships and second chance romances. There is just something sweeter about those who find love, lose it and fight to reclaim it. This story had it all. All of it. I loved the highs and the lows and everything in between. I felt like I needed to hide away for a month to recover from the experience of this book. I can’t get enough of this author. I don’t know if the sequel to this book is still in the works or being considered, but I’d love to see her brother’s story.
If you love angst and heartfelt romances, even if it punches you in the gut and makes you its bitch, READ THIS.
Laura and Seth’s relationship is anything but easy. They are complete opposites but irrevocably drawn to one another. Room 212 is not an easy love story, but not all love is easy. Sometimes it’s a real bitch.
Laura is a bit of a wild child, free spirit. Working as a bartender no real future plans – everything that Seth is not. But it doesn’t take long for these two to start falling in love. They fought. They loved. They fought again. It was not easy to love Seth. I fell in love with him just as easily as I hated him.
I am a sucker for hard relationships and second chance romances. There is just something sweeter about those who find love, lose it and fight to reclaim it. This story had it all. All of it. I loved the highs and the lows and everything in between. I felt like I needed to hide away for a month to recover from the experience of this book. I can’t get enough of this author. I don’t know if the sequel to this book is still in the works or being considered, but I’d love to see her brother’s story.
If you love angst and heartfelt romances, even if it punches you in the gut and makes you its bitch, READ THIS.
June 9, 2014
4 KARMA STARS
“Numb again. Love again. Fuck it.”
I did not know what to expect of this book. I was looking for a quick read and went in blind. I was pleasantly surprised.
“Very few people get a chance to spend their lives with their first love. It’s a gift.”
The story of Laura, the 'fly by the seat of your pants' wild child and Seth, 'I've got my life planned out' guy, was a wonderful story of second chances, karma and how the mistakes of our youth can be mended with time.
Laura meets Seth when he’s taking a break from his “Mrs. Right” who is oh so wrong for him. Of course, they fall for each other…hard…and despite their obvious different views on life, they just make sense. Of course, stupid decisions, broken hearts and egos set up roadblocks a long the way.
This was a really good read with a ton of angst with the issue of trust at the crux of it all.
I loved Laura from the get-go. It was Seth who I struggled to reconcile my feelings with. At times, I really liked him and at times, I despised him. But in the end, he won me over.
“Numb again. Love again. Fuck it.”
I did not know what to expect of this book. I was looking for a quick read and went in blind. I was pleasantly surprised.
“Very few people get a chance to spend their lives with their first love. It’s a gift.”
The story of Laura, the 'fly by the seat of your pants' wild child and Seth, 'I've got my life planned out' guy, was a wonderful story of second chances, karma and how the mistakes of our youth can be mended with time.
Laura meets Seth when he’s taking a break from his “Mrs. Right” who is oh so wrong for him. Of course, they fall for each other…hard…and despite their obvious different views on life, they just make sense. Of course, stupid decisions, broken hearts and egos set up roadblocks a long the way.
This was a really good read with a ton of angst with the issue of trust at the crux of it all.
I loved Laura from the get-go. It was Seth who I struggled to reconcile my feelings with. At times, I really liked him and at times, I despised him. But in the end, he won me over.
June 16, 2016
Favorite of 2014
HOLY FREAKING COW! Seriously, WOW! I am beyond stunned with how truly marvelous Room 212 is. It blew me out of the water with its surprising turn of events. Never have I read a book where I felt like I was hanging by a thread, the way Room 212 made me feel. And not only that, the characters are superb and I love them oh so much, and the writing was beyond spectacular.
Laura and Seth were complete opposites. But you know what they say, "Opposites Attract." And they most certainly do. Laura is a carefree, wild-child type, with a huge personality and killer looks. Seth is the reserved over-achiever, always planning out his next step. He has the boy next door feel and look to him. Plus, he is super swoony and would do anything for anyone to please them. Like I said, he is an over-achiever. But I loved that about him. He knew what he wanted in life and how he was going to conquer the world. Laura on the other hand was fly by the seat of her pants and didn't know where life would bring her. She just goes through the motions, and you get this feeling she is missing something, and so is Seth.
But lordy, do these two show us what it is like to live. And lived they did. They were in their own little Seth and Laura Bubble. Their Bubble of Enchantment, is what I shall call it. They share wicked amazing chemistry and click like no other. Laura and Seths relationship screams pure unadulterated bliss. But and however all great books come with some knuckle cracking, blood pumping, heart pounding angst. And Room 212 is riddled with that crazy heart stomping angst, from the very beginning to the very end. But you know what I LOVED EVERY FREAKING MINUTE OF IT! I was a jumbled mess of nerves trying to figure out where Seth and Laura would end up. They had a relationship that was so raw and wonderful. But there was always that uncertainty looming around them. You just do not know what to expect. And that Bubble of Enchantment that they settled into, was the perfect comfort zone when this dread was looming.
Goodness, this was the book that fueled my book junkie addiction. I needed this fix. Room 212 had my blood pumping, my mind on high alert, and my nerves all scrambled. This is the type of book that I love. This is why I read. Author Kate Stewart wrote a unique story, that has a steadfast relationship that is full of super steamy scenes, the swooniest hero EVER, and full of angsty uncertainty. Room 212 is a MUST READ and most definitely a favorite of 2014! Be on the lookout for Book Two in this series, which I do believe can be read as a standalone, as it has interconnecting characters. I most certainly give Room 212 5 Stars!
HOLY FREAKING COW! Seriously, WOW! I am beyond stunned with how truly marvelous Room 212 is. It blew me out of the water with its surprising turn of events. Never have I read a book where I felt like I was hanging by a thread, the way Room 212 made me feel. And not only that, the characters are superb and I love them oh so much, and the writing was beyond spectacular.
Laura and Seth were complete opposites. But you know what they say, "Opposites Attract." And they most certainly do. Laura is a carefree, wild-child type, with a huge personality and killer looks. Seth is the reserved over-achiever, always planning out his next step. He has the boy next door feel and look to him. Plus, he is super swoony and would do anything for anyone to please them. Like I said, he is an over-achiever. But I loved that about him. He knew what he wanted in life and how he was going to conquer the world. Laura on the other hand was fly by the seat of her pants and didn't know where life would bring her. She just goes through the motions, and you get this feeling she is missing something, and so is Seth.
But lordy, do these two show us what it is like to live. And lived they did. They were in their own little Seth and Laura Bubble. Their Bubble of Enchantment, is what I shall call it. They share wicked amazing chemistry and click like no other. Laura and Seths relationship screams pure unadulterated bliss. But and however all great books come with some knuckle cracking, blood pumping, heart pounding angst. And Room 212 is riddled with that crazy heart stomping angst, from the very beginning to the very end. But you know what I LOVED EVERY FREAKING MINUTE OF IT! I was a jumbled mess of nerves trying to figure out where Seth and Laura would end up. They had a relationship that was so raw and wonderful. But there was always that uncertainty looming around them. You just do not know what to expect. And that Bubble of Enchantment that they settled into, was the perfect comfort zone when this dread was looming.
Goodness, this was the book that fueled my book junkie addiction. I needed this fix. Room 212 had my blood pumping, my mind on high alert, and my nerves all scrambled. This is the type of book that I love. This is why I read. Author Kate Stewart wrote a unique story, that has a steadfast relationship that is full of super steamy scenes, the swooniest hero EVER, and full of angsty uncertainty. Room 212 is a MUST READ and most definitely a favorite of 2014! Be on the lookout for Book Two in this series, which I do believe can be read as a standalone, as it has interconnecting characters. I most certainly give Room 212 5 Stars!
March 9, 2020
Hmmm...
I'm 10/90 with this book.
I liked 10% of it... & hated 90% of it. This book started off so good & went down hill so fast!
The majority of my hatred went to really one person... & it was Seth!
I really wasn't meshing well with Him.
I alway felt something was off about him.
He laid it on too thick ...& once I started to get into him... He pulled the ultimate douche bag move.
Game over... I could not see past it.
The whole thing with Rebecca. Was just wrong.
I felt that Laura set herself up for some of that whole drama.
Once she heard him talking on the phone & saying he loves his ex... That should have been her 1st clue. She totally ignored it. So she set her self up to some of the heart break.
& Seth was a damn idiot. It was always his way or no way.
I felt he was seeing Laura long enough to know what he wanted.
Seth & Laura's sex scene was a little unbelievable..
The 1st time Laura had sex with Seth. He's so big she can't take it.. Come on!!!
Then he opens his mouth and says this.
"I have to break you in, baby. This is the best way."
Ughhh!!! What is she... A damn horse
She's had lots of sex before..& 1 night with him.. & she forgets how to do things & is unsure of herself...
There were some hot sex scenes... But... It was still to late for me.
It just goes down hill from there.
Ok.. What's with the pagers In this book?? When Seth asked for her number.. She gave him her pager #!
When does this story take place.. It doesn't say...
But, pagers went out in the 90's!!...lol
I wish I had a better timeline of things. Because... Pagers, payphones... Idk.. It just didn't add up to me. That threw me off..
So...
We have to flash forward about 14 yrs. ( which is confusing at 1st because it only says 6 months)
By chance... Seth & Laura meet again. Seth is 37 & Laura is 35.
I still did not care for older Seth! & I felt Laura was soooo selling herself short with him.
She just let him bulldoze her overwhelm her senses.
She lets him touch her, get in her face..
Even after he tells her that he married Rebecca and had a baby with her!!!
Omfg!!!... She was the reason why they broke up in the first place!!!
But... The kicker for me was when he said that even though they are divorce they are still good friends!!
I'm sorry... But, Laura will always be The other women, sloppy seconds and second choice!!
He never picked her!! & to meet up again after all those years.
Ughhh.... She falls back in.
I hate how she just gives in & gets with him the second day after not seeing him in 14 yrs!! She Blames herself and forgives him for everything!!!
I could not take it!!! I can not stand Seth!!! At all!!!
& the way he talks to her!!!
"you broke your own heart then, you cold-hearted bitch, and you're doing it now."
He calls Her an idiot...
She doesn't even say anything but please don't be mean!!
When her friend Linda told her that Seth was right...
OMG! I wanted to slap her!!!
Seriously, what kind of friend is that!!
The letter in the end.. Was to late for me..
All I kept thinking while reading that letter was...
He needed to make the grand gesture! He needed to go out of his way! He needed to prove himself to her. Bend backwards for her.
He had a kid from someone else! Not her... That's his problem not hers!!...
But, nope... She goes to him.
By the end of this story... I didn't even want them to be together. & you shouldn't want to think that in a love story.
Also too
There was a lot of missing words, misspelled words it got old.. I kept having to go back & reread things. I hate that.
I know my review is all over the place... But I just had to get this all out!! I know I'm missing things... But I think you guys get what I'm trying to say about this book.
I'm 10/90 with this book.
I liked 10% of it... & hated 90% of it. This book started off so good & went down hill so fast!
The majority of my hatred went to really one person... & it was Seth!
I really wasn't meshing well with Him.
I alway felt something was off about him.
He laid it on too thick ...& once I started to get into him... He pulled the ultimate douche bag move.
Game over... I could not see past it.
The whole thing with Rebecca. Was just wrong.
I felt that Laura set herself up for some of that whole drama.
Once she heard him talking on the phone & saying he loves his ex... That should have been her 1st clue. She totally ignored it. So she set her self up to some of the heart break.
& Seth was a damn idiot. It was always his way or no way.
I felt he was seeing Laura long enough to know what he wanted.
Seth & Laura's sex scene was a little unbelievable..
The 1st time Laura had sex with Seth. He's so big she can't take it.. Come on!!!
Then he opens his mouth and says this.
"I have to break you in, baby. This is the best way."
Ughhh!!! What is she... A damn horse
She's had lots of sex before..& 1 night with him.. & she forgets how to do things & is unsure of herself...
There were some hot sex scenes... But... It was still to late for me.
It just goes down hill from there.
Ok.. What's with the pagers In this book?? When Seth asked for her number.. She gave him her pager #!
When does this story take place.. It doesn't say...
But, pagers went out in the 90's!!...lol
I wish I had a better timeline of things. Because... Pagers, payphones... Idk.. It just didn't add up to me. That threw me off..
So...
We have to flash forward about 14 yrs. ( which is confusing at 1st because it only says 6 months)
By chance... Seth & Laura meet again. Seth is 37 & Laura is 35.
I still did not care for older Seth! & I felt Laura was soooo selling herself short with him.
She just let him bulldoze her overwhelm her senses.
She lets him touch her, get in her face..
Even after he tells her that he married Rebecca and had a baby with her!!!
Omfg!!!... She was the reason why they broke up in the first place!!!
But... The kicker for me was when he said that even though they are divorce they are still good friends!!
I'm sorry... But, Laura will always be The other women, sloppy seconds and second choice!!
He never picked her!! & to meet up again after all those years.
Ughhh.... She falls back in.
I hate how she just gives in & gets with him the second day after not seeing him in 14 yrs!! She Blames herself and forgives him for everything!!!
I could not take it!!! I can not stand Seth!!! At all!!!
& the way he talks to her!!!
"you broke your own heart then, you cold-hearted bitch, and you're doing it now."
He calls Her an idiot...
She doesn't even say anything but please don't be mean!!
When her friend Linda told her that Seth was right...
OMG! I wanted to slap her!!!
Seriously, what kind of friend is that!!
The letter in the end.. Was to late for me..
All I kept thinking while reading that letter was...
He needed to make the grand gesture! He needed to go out of his way! He needed to prove himself to her. Bend backwards for her.
He had a kid from someone else! Not her... That's his problem not hers!!...
But, nope... She goes to him.
By the end of this story... I didn't even want them to be together. & you shouldn't want to think that in a love story.
Also too
There was a lot of missing words, misspelled words it got old.. I kept having to go back & reread things. I hate that.
I know my review is all over the place... But I just had to get this all out!! I know I'm missing things... But I think you guys get what I'm trying to say about this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2014
5 Clean Towels and Karma Stars
The nice thing about staying at hotel is the clean towel. Clean sheets. And you don't have to do the laundry. Someone else comes in and picks up the wet towels and gives you back fluffy ones. I always try to make a nice neat pile of the towels so they don't have to go all around the room picking up towels. I figure its the least I can do. Like laundry karma. This book has plenty of both. Hotel rooms and karma. Good combo.
Laura believes in karma. She has been raised in a good Christian home in Dallas. Her parents' house has a picket fence, roses bushes and plenty of judgment to go around. Laura is over it. She is making her own life that includes bar hopping, raves (the majority it set in the 90's), random drugs and DJ music. She does not want her mom's life and is doing her best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Seth has a plan. He is making his plan happen. Even if he has to work 3 jobs to do it. Seth is good looking, arrogant, and drop dead sexy. When he sees Laura, he wants to meet her. And he makes it happen. Not the best of introductions but it gets the job done.
I'm a firm believer that if you want something, you have to make it happen.
The story begins toward the end and we get the flashback to the beginning. Good storytelling technique except that it gives you a tummy ache knowing that the book begins with ending of love story and you just have to wait to get there.
My name is Laura Sedgwick and I hate love. It had ruined every single day of my life for as long a I could remember.
Laura and Seth have a great start. But there are so many things left unsaid that you know it can't be all smooth sailing. And it is so frustrating. I wanted to shake them both. They don't freakin' listen. To each other. To me. To Karma. Because Karma is yelling at them.
I had twenty more minutes of being Seth's girl.
Laura wants to be in charge of her own destiny. She wants to live life on her terms. But can she make her own rules. Make her own choices and still be in a relationship. And what about when the choice is taken away from her? Hard to control your own destiny when you have given your heart away.
Love is a lot of things, but it is not kind.
Well if that isn't just the most foreshadowing sentence EVER. Pick up this book. You will be frustrated in the best way. You will also be hooked on Ms Stewart's writing. That is the best kind of karma. Good writing brings you good reading. I think Confucius said that. He would have liked clean towels too.
The nice thing about staying at hotel is the clean towel. Clean sheets. And you don't have to do the laundry. Someone else comes in and picks up the wet towels and gives you back fluffy ones. I always try to make a nice neat pile of the towels so they don't have to go all around the room picking up towels. I figure its the least I can do. Like laundry karma. This book has plenty of both. Hotel rooms and karma. Good combo.
Laura believes in karma. She has been raised in a good Christian home in Dallas. Her parents' house has a picket fence, roses bushes and plenty of judgment to go around. Laura is over it. She is making her own life that includes bar hopping, raves (the majority it set in the 90's), random drugs and DJ music. She does not want her mom's life and is doing her best to make sure that doesn't happen.
Seth has a plan. He is making his plan happen. Even if he has to work 3 jobs to do it. Seth is good looking, arrogant, and drop dead sexy. When he sees Laura, he wants to meet her. And he makes it happen. Not the best of introductions but it gets the job done.
I'm a firm believer that if you want something, you have to make it happen.
The story begins toward the end and we get the flashback to the beginning. Good storytelling technique except that it gives you a tummy ache knowing that the book begins with ending of love story and you just have to wait to get there.
My name is Laura Sedgwick and I hate love. It had ruined every single day of my life for as long a I could remember.
Laura and Seth have a great start. But there are so many things left unsaid that you know it can't be all smooth sailing. And it is so frustrating. I wanted to shake them both. They don't freakin' listen. To each other. To me. To Karma. Because Karma is yelling at them.
I had twenty more minutes of being Seth's girl.
Laura wants to be in charge of her own destiny. She wants to live life on her terms. But can she make her own rules. Make her own choices and still be in a relationship. And what about when the choice is taken away from her? Hard to control your own destiny when you have given your heart away.
Love is a lot of things, but it is not kind.
Well if that isn't just the most foreshadowing sentence EVER. Pick up this book. You will be frustrated in the best way. You will also be hooked on Ms Stewart's writing. That is the best kind of karma. Good writing brings you good reading. I think Confucius said that. He would have liked clean towels too.
April 22, 2014
If I could, I would give these book more than five stars!!! Absolutely one of the best reads of the year! I was asked by Kate to read this book and let her know what I think. Well, I feel honored! When I started, I wasn't sure what to expect from the title, it kind of through me off. What I did find was one of the best and most awesome books that I have read! It is a true love story over the span of a decade. I felt every up and down moment with Laura and Seth and at times, just wanted to choke Seth with my bare hands! I read a lot of books, but this is one of those that will stick with me. Thank you Kate Stewart for letting me be a part of Laura and Seth's lives. Very, very well done!!!
December 4, 2015
4.5 STARS
F@ck me. This book hurt. I love a contemporary romance with a couple that will make your head spin they are so incredibly intense and passionate together. This book gave me butterflies on one page, then punched me in the gut on the next one. Oh the FEELS! This book is so damn good!
July 13, 2016
Damn! I just can't get enough of Kate Stewart's work. After I had read The Fall I knew, I needed to know the origin story of Laura and Seth. Even though I knew they got their happy ending, I was still intrigued by how they got it and what they had to go through to get there.
This was her first book and yet I couldn't tell. It felt rich and full of her interesting and complex characters, who's going through real and relevant problems.
It doesn't matter what actions her characters make, if their horrible wrong, she somehow manages to make them likable no matter what. I loved Laura and Seth. Their oppositeness and how they change each other for the better.
Kate Stewart knows how to write a sexy scene. The way she uses words are flawless. They just jump from the pages. I could feel Laura and Seth's attraction and it was intense and strong like hell.
I had to curse a few times because of Laura and Seth's stubbornness and stupidity when it came to their feelings. But that's what makes a book GREAT! When I feel the words and the characters actions.
Their love and journey was exquisite and captured me from page 1. I had to go through a lot to get my happy ending. But it was worth it. Kate Stewart's writing is sublime. It keeps a tight grip on me and doesn't let go until I reach the final page. I'm ready for more.
5 BadAssDirtyNinetiesRuleStars
This was her first book and yet I couldn't tell. It felt rich and full of her interesting and complex characters, who's going through real and relevant problems.
It doesn't matter what actions her characters make, if their horrible wrong, she somehow manages to make them likable no matter what. I loved Laura and Seth. Their oppositeness and how they change each other for the better.
Kate Stewart knows how to write a sexy scene. The way she uses words are flawless. They just jump from the pages. I could feel Laura and Seth's attraction and it was intense and strong like hell.
I had to curse a few times because of Laura and Seth's stubbornness and stupidity when it came to their feelings. But that's what makes a book GREAT! When I feel the words and the characters actions.
Their love and journey was exquisite and captured me from page 1. I had to go through a lot to get my happy ending. But it was worth it. Kate Stewart's writing is sublime. It keeps a tight grip on me and doesn't let go until I reach the final page. I'm ready for more.
5 BadAssDirtyNinetiesRuleStars
April 7, 2014
Kate Stewart is now one of my favorite authors ever. This is such a different book than it appears to be. You think you are getting one thing and then you realize she is taking you somewhere else completely. Everything about this one was beautiful. Emotional, funny, sexy (oh so damn hot) and a heart breaker all into one. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2014. NO this IS MY FAVE of 2014. This book hangover will be mostly due to the fact that Seth is now my #1 favorite book boyfriend of all time. This book is so different than anything you have read lately, READ IT! You will love it. I can't wait for VINYL!!!
February 24, 2016
Not all love stories and happy ever afters come easy and nothing is more from the truth than for Laura and Seth. Each have their issues but together the seemed to centre each other, until they didn't. Maybe love came for them too early, maybe they just were not ready but sometimes fate has other ideas. Fate gives them a second chance but are either or both too stubborn to take it?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, as much as Seth was hard to love in the beginning he certainly made his mark by the end. This was a journey for both of them and I loved the end. (full review to come)
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, as much as Seth was hard to love in the beginning he certainly made his mark by the end. This was a journey for both of them and I loved the end. (full review to come)
avoid
August 22, 2021Note to self : H has a GF or ex gf that he loves, but he cheats on her with the h for a few weeks. Then he dumps the h to be with the gf. The h knew about the gf and his love for the ow and willingly slept with the H anyway. Few weeks later, h sleeps with Heroes BFF, the H finds out and she leaves town. H marries gf, has a son with her.
Divorced H and h see each other 13 yrs later, and he talks her into moving back. She does, but then he starts dating someone else…
…and this is romance how? 🙄
Divorced H and h see each other 13 yrs later, and he talks her into moving back. She does, but then he starts dating someone else…
…and this is romance how? 🙄
March 31, 2014
This book was amazing !!! review to come .
November 5, 2022
Just not my cuppa tea
I usually adore all of Kate Stewart's books but this one was tough going ....even without all of the angst and messiness of this second chance love story I would have struggled...about halfway through I wasn't sure if I even wanted to continue reading...possibly due to my slight distaste for the characters, it was mainly Seth's selfishness and occasional arrogance and to a lesser extent Laura's immaturity (as her younger self) and behavior ...but I am glad that I finished it even though I was still somewhat disappointed at the end of this story.
It didn't "feel" to me like a love that would have survived 14 years apart... it appeared more sexual and less emotional... unless you count the possessive jealousy they both exhibited at various times (past and present day).
The writing is good as per usual... story...not so much "for me" !!!
I usually adore all of Kate Stewart's books but this one was tough going ....even without all of the angst and messiness of this second chance love story I would have struggled...about halfway through I wasn't sure if I even wanted to continue reading...possibly due to my slight distaste for the characters, it was mainly Seth's selfishness and occasional arrogance and to a lesser extent Laura's immaturity (as her younger self) and behavior ...but I am glad that I finished it even though I was still somewhat disappointed at the end of this story.
It didn't "feel" to me like a love that would have survived 14 years apart... it appeared more sexual and less emotional... unless you count the possessive jealousy they both exhibited at various times (past and present day).
The writing is good as per usual... story...not so much "for me" !!!
January 15, 2017
:/ another asshole hero who doesn't redeem himself... another author who likes to make women lose their self-worth and dignity?
He leaves the h for his ex and the h sleeps with his best friend (which I completely understood he's with the OW) and then they break up.
I hate that the h was blamed for everything. Even in the years later he wasn't good to the h :/ AND he's the one who married the OW and had a child! And yet it's as if he wasn't the one who dumped her, got with the OW first ...
Is it so hard to find an author who writes heroines who stand up for themselves :/ (I love anti heroes)
This could've been a 5 star read had the hero grovelled and they both accepted some sort of blame even if to me it's the H's fault this all happened. But instead both MCs blame the h. It's effed up
I didn't think the characters even grew from their younger selves ...
And he loved his ex when he was with the h at first and she hears him tell her he loves her (the ex) after their first sexual experience and she still carries on...
He leaves the h for his ex and the h sleeps with his best friend (which I completely understood he's with the OW) and then they break up.
I hate that the h was blamed for everything. Even in the years later he wasn't good to the h :/ AND he's the one who married the OW and had a child! And yet it's as if he wasn't the one who dumped her, got with the OW first ...
Is it so hard to find an author who writes heroines who stand up for themselves :/ (I love anti heroes)
This could've been a 5 star read had the hero grovelled and they both accepted some sort of blame even if to me it's the H's fault this all happened. But instead both MCs blame the h. It's effed up
I didn't think the characters even grew from their younger selves ...
And he loved his ex when he was with the h at first and she hears him tell her he loves her (the ex) after their first sexual experience and she still carries on...
August 11, 2016
I will start with how honored I felt to read this unedited version. Kate does it again. She pills you in and forces you to care for her characters. I love this about her work. I couldn't put it down I stayed up all night to finish it. I laughed and literally cried tears for Laura. I had to wipe my eyes quickly just to keep reading. I'm a total masochist so this was absolutely the perfect book for me. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy really intense emotions from characters. I very easily give this book 5 stars. I wish only that I could give it more!! I absolutely loved it Kate!! Awesome job!!
June 24, 2016
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh wow this book hurt. Seth and Laura's story was one heck of a bumpy ride. The love is raw and gritty. Loved the epilogue! Can't wait to read her others - this is my first by Kate Stewart
Oh wow this book hurt. Seth and Laura's story was one heck of a bumpy ride. The love is raw and gritty. Loved the epilogue! Can't wait to read her others - this is my first by Kate Stewart
March 26, 2014
I loved this story. I can't wait for the rest of the world to read it.
August 7, 2018
This book made me MAD!!! The first 50-ish% was amazing, then it became my nightmare as everything spiraled out of control based on a stupid, stupid decision. Not my regular romance book, had many dark elements to it that made me cringe most times.
But, the writing was spectacular. This author nails it every time with the feels.
But, the writing was spectacular. This author nails it every time with the feels.
May 14, 2018
I have loved all KS's books but this one wasn't my favorite...Seth and Laura were young and so stupid and not much changed when they got older...Seth was a complete asshat...
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