Endgame

Roommates #3

by Ola Tundun

Ariella and Caleb were never meant to last…

She’s the ambitious workaholic constantly trying to prove herself. He’s the charming bad boy with a troubled past. Their love story could only ever have been temporary.

But when Ariella’s company faces a crisis, Caleb is the only one who can save it. Now they’re forced to work together, fighting their attraction, and the pain of their old wounds.

With her heart torn and her career on the line, Ariella must decide who to trust and what she truly wants. Can she forgive Caleb’s mistakes and rebuild their relationship? Or is it time to take a chance on a new beginning?

The epic conclusion to Ariella and Caleb’s steamy, emotional, messy story will convince you it’s possible to face the past and find home in the most unexpected places.

Reviews for the Roommates

‘Are you kidding me right now? Just yank the heart right out of my chest. You made me fall in love with this book, painfully rooting for these two… An absolute joy.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘LOVED… I was stressed as hell while reading it, but in a juicy kind of feels bad but feels reeaaalllyyy goooood kind of way, I want to call it a guilty pleasure, but I don’t even feel guilty about it.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘As soon as I finished this book, I needed moreeeee!….A+👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 with a love triangle that could easily rival Edward and Jacob or Conrad and Jeremiah.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It was real and gritty and it gave me lots of feels. I was fully invested. I was just as surprised about Caleb capturing my heart as he was about Aari capturing his. But I loved him… This was seriously such a good story by Ola Tundun!… If you like slow-burns, forced proximity, and he falls first, but also, realistic, messy, and emotional, give this book a try!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it… I will recommend it to everyone I know!’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Laughs and tears aplenty… People who I wished I could meet in real life. That doesn’t happen often, so is a real feat.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Romance, Audiobook

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2024

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing for providing me with this ARC. This book is due to be released on September 20th, 2024.

I am typically a big fan of books published by Storm Publishing but this one fell short. Right from the first few chapters, I knew this one was not going to be an all-time favorite but I still had hoped for it to be a 3 to 4-star read.....by the midway point, I lost all of my hope. This book was all over the place and lacked a cohesive flow. The plotline and overall story just didn't blend well. The way the author jumped around was just confusing. I also found the main characters hard to root for.

Unfortunately, I would not recommend this one. 2 stars and that is being generous. I almost feel like I've read a completely different story than the other reviews I'm seeing.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and you need to read them in order to appreciate them. Don’t let women’s fiction in the title fool you. This is a romance but with a lot of drama and twists and turns that will keep you reading and guessing. But all along, even with all of their flaws and doubts, I rooted for Ariella and Caleb to find their way to each other and to get their HEA.

[Booksandchinooks (Laurie)]

This is Book Three in this emotional series. I definitely recommend you read the books in order to be able to follow the plot. In this book we finally get a resolution to Caleb and Ariella’s relationship. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first two. I was frustrated with the continued obstacles and misunderstandings standing in the way of Caleb and Ariella’s future. Overall I am very glad I read the series as I loved the first two books but this one didn’t have the same feel and tone as the other books.

[Anca A · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Review: *Endgame* - ARC - Ola Tundun
4.2/5✨
1/5🌶️

I found this book attractive after I read the blurb of it. I need to thank Storm Publishing for offering me the chance to choose from their portfolio of books from NetGalley🥰. It's such an honor to have this privilege.

This is the 3rd book from "The Roommates" series, but it can be read as a stand alone too. Ariella and Caleb are trying to figure out if they can repair their relationship after a previous event which shook Ariella's trust in Caleb. While they're on a break from each other, Ariella finds consolation in a friend from Singapore, Dominic. He would soon want more from Ariella, but her heart is still belongs to Caleb. This love triangle will only bring more problems and will definitely change their lives.

Ariella finds it hard to understand Caleb's mistakes, but she is trying her best to forgive him in order to move on with their relationship. Dominic's presence is not in Caleb's favor, but he will definitely fight hard to regain his girlfriend. Even if Dominic is not playing fair, Caleb is still first in Ariella's eyes and heart.

I felt really bad for Ariella because she also had to face her problems with Caleb and also the issues from work too. She isn't feeling too comfortable in her role there and she's really considering changing her life and career. Some unexpected events put Ariella face to face with her fears and she is forced to choose what's best for her.

This story had a couple of sensitive subjects, like bulling, discriminating, manipulation, using excess of power. These things are, unfortunately present in real life too and made me reflect, a bit, about the reality we live in. I was curious about how everything would settle in the end and I was happy with the ending chosen by the author.

✨Tropes:
#SecondChance
#SoulMate
#WorkplaceRomance
#WillTheyWontThey
#LoveTriangle
#BossEmployee

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ola Tundun, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an early access copy of this book!

This book, set predominately in Singapore, deals with the fall out of Ariella and Caleb’s relationship woes, changes to their workplace and the dynamic of another interested party…. It is the third in the series and should not be read as a stand-alone. As someone who did read it as a stand-alone, it definitely coloured my experience, which I’ve captured below.

The good: writing, the characters and the tone of voice was fantastic in this book. The bad: I felt like the book dealt with some pretty serious issues, but it never got into quite enough detail to make them feel meaningful. The ugly: I didn’t realise this was book three in a series, and therefore the whole conflict between the two protagonists never quite made sense. I knew that Ariella still had feelings for her ex, she and her company were dealing with some challenges, and her ex, Caleb, had done something huge to break her trust… BUT it was never quite addressed in the book.

However, I’d like to assume that most people reading the book have read the other books ( recently enough to remember what happened!) and could pick up the nuance.

As a character Ariella is such a powerful character, she’s strong, she’s passionate but she’s also kind and true to herself. She’s a fantastic representation of what a woman in business can be like, and she never tries to be someone she’s not. But I didn’t like how trusting she was of Dominic, despite how clear he’d made his intentions….

Overall though, I really enjoyed the read, the juxtaposition between the UK and Singapore was a nice touch, and despite Caleb’s shortcomings, I enjoyed the way he always gave Ari choices. Plus Ms Pat is a queen.

Very easy read, a great book to smash through sitting by a pool with a cocktail in hand!

[Amy Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Spoiler alert - I want to make this very plain because I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone!*
**Opinions are solely my own and also based on personal experience that resonates with the story**

I absolutely LOVED this last installment in Ola Tundun's Roommates trilogy. It was the perfect round off to a tumultuous trilogy and I am in love with the ending! I am SO excited to read whatever Ola pens next and she is DEFINITELY and automatic author buy.

There was some fab characters (Ariella, Caleb, Ms Pat, Dahlia, Hugh, Jasper, Lara and Honey) and some less loveable characters (Dom - prick from start to finish!) and Melissa (slightly redeemed herself but still outlandish) and I loved seeing them grow throughout the story. And that Epilogue was everything!!

Ms Pat
- What a hero /ol' G! Absolute unsung hero of the book. She was the eyes and ears of everything that was going on and was usually overlooked and undermined but literally was the backbone keeping tabs on everyone and making good things happen / bad things not happen with her network of cleaners / friends! All the while doing it quietly in the background without wanting any praise or acknowledgment.
- The way she had the intel on everything at the end and never betrayed Ariella to Melissa, right from the start.
- However I also loved how Ariella always treated everybody with respect right from the start, regardless of job role, and when Ari first arrived she wanted to make sure Ms Pat still had a job but didn’t expect her to be waiting on her.
- Loved how Ms Pat basically adopted Caleb, and it made me laugh so much when she told Caleb that she was the one who was cleaning his flat and stocking his fridge as he was none the wiser, and she could see his good intentions with situations even if he executed himself terribly.


Ariella
- I loved Ari's character, and loved seeing her grow. I loved being able to read (for once) about a strong black woman, but strength in that she is not afraid to stand her ground and say her piece but also that she is a normal human and has 'flaws/difficulties' navigating her way through life, which makes her relatable to all women, instead of the common narrative of a strong black woman being portrayed/perceived as 'aggressive' when they stand up for themselves, and why it is a different narrative when you are white (for example, you would not be labelled as aggressive when standing up for yourself but instead head strong / confidently sure of yourself) which is what is so flawed / shitty about society.
- So graceful and so humble and understanding, she will admit her own faults despite her own heartache and execute it with such diplomacy (i.e. when Sophia broke down about being pregnant and Ariella thought about her own actions and that (from a Sophia POV) it would have been upsetting to have Ariella constantly being in Jasper’s life and removed herself from contacting him
- Love how Caleb just ‘gets’ Ariella, doesn’t question her needs, knows when she needs space, knows when she needs to have a ‘therapy shower’ for her anxiety, knows to send a ‘shark week’ parcel, and respects her interests – cooking, volunteering, family
- She definitely made some stupid choices like keeping Dom ongoing and she definitely should have said no to all the inappropriate ‘work meetings’ on his boat etc especially when she admitted she still found him attractive (how and why though!!) which put Caleb in an understandably awkward situation as he had already blown his top over Jasper so was in a difficult position to not act up again without giving himself a bad name, especially as he is basically doing it solo with no parents to guide him, which is why I LOVED how Dahlia saw this and was still looking after him even after she knew Ari/Caleb had split up/on a break
- So cute how Lara worked with Caleb to help bring Ariella back out of her depression. There really wasn't anyone else that could have worked their magic / known Ariella well enough but I think they needed each other (Caleb / Lara) to be able to understand Ari enough to get through to her.


Caleb
- One thing I loved about Caleb was that he always gave Ari choices, never forced her to do anything she didn't want to even at his own detriment, which is invaluable, as there were so many people in her life giving her their unwanted opinions and putting her in awkward situations.
- I was soo vex with Caleb and yet my heart went out to him, at the end of book two / beginning of book 3, when his 'situation' with Melissa put Ari in the sort of firing line when she was signed up to be sent off to Singapore. Such a shitty position as Caleb was going through denial/grief for the SA by Melissa at the end of 'Complicated' which meant exposing all of that or going along with Melissa's plan, especially when Ari was so excited to be given the promotion, not realising that she was stuck in the middle of a unknown feud/war between Caleb and Mel. What made it even more bittersweet is that Mel would have hired Ari as well KNOWING she was well equipped to fulfill the role but that that would have been clouded over if Ari knew why she had been offered it in the first place (which was another reason Caleb didn't want to say anything). I'm so glad Ari bossed that role right until the end, showing she is more qualified than all of them (including higher) as she held her head up high and did what was best for the company and its/her staff, despite her heart breaking when everything came to a head at the end. Caleb was in such a bad situation and sadly he didn't have a Hugh of his own to guide him from the start.
- I really LOVED his friendship with Jasper that developed throughout the book! It was the friendship neither one knew they needed and it was so wholesome. They really showed up for each other and showed their growing maturity as men and their own personal growth towards the end of the book - and their mutual love of Ariella, albeit in different forms.
- Caleb was definitely saved by women the whole way through this book - Ms Pat (on so many levels!), Melissa (at the end), Lara (the whole way through), Honey, Dahlia, and even his own friends!

Dahlia
- THE mother in law of dreams!! So much character, sass and charm, with a massive heart and a 'dont fck with my family' attitude, I love that Dahlia knows when to show up for everybody and never abandoned Caleb, despite whatever was going on between him and Ariella. She has so much insight and wisdom but knows how to have harmless (most of the time) fun!

Hugh
- The father we all need! Very protective, and although appears standoffish has a big heart. He really compliments Dahlia and the fact their personalities come across so different, the fact they are married and for so long speaks volumes, especially when it is perceived that 'back in their day' interracial marriages were not common and Hugh and Dahlia had to go through a lot to be together, shows their love can span across times.
- Hugh really annoyed me at times with his relentless badgering off forcing Ari and Jasper together and for giving Caleb such a hard time but from a parental perspective Jasper would appear to have his life together more than Caleb, who came across as fun loving and a rogue and not exactly husband material but Ari showed that it takes more than stability to woe the heart and im so glad that in the end, Caleb proved he was willing to do anything to show Hugh just how much Ari meant to him and how far he is willing to go to protect that love.

Jasper
- Super annoying at times but definitely grew on me by the end of Endgame (probably saved by his budding friendship to Caleb!).
- I think it was difficult as the way Ari left him was so dramatic but also Jasper couldn't see how controlling he had been. Jasper had been so entwined in Ari's life, as family, from such a young age, and knew he was a firm favourite of Hugh's so became incredibly complacent and took Ari for granted, which ultimately led to losing her as a partner (although firm friends for life!).
- Im so glad that they were able to save their friendship in the end (thanks to Sophia's blessing/understanding) as I do believe Jasper does have a deep love for her and cares for her but not in a romantic way.

Sophia
- I felt so sorry for Sophia, she was annoying to begin with but in an understandable way. Jasper did not manage the situation well and she probably felt like the rebound from Ariella, which she kind of was, and Jasper was always dropping her to run to Ariella's rescue, which frankly took the P!
- Understandably she was P'd off about Ariellas presence but ultimately Jasper was in the wrong and should have taken control of that situation but difficult place to be in all round, especially with Jasper and Caleb becoming friendly and the extreme circumstances surrounding Ariella / Caleb relationship – should have been kinder to Sophia in the process
- Love that Sophia was at the surprise baby table talk at the end for Ariella and that they were both able to make peace with each other and be friends

Dom
- Budget Jasper! haha, I hated Dom right from the start! He was so sleazy and I couldn't believe Ariella kept gravitating back to him so many times! It was so obvious he was manipulating and using her to get to Caleb, and he was so controlling, showing up at her work, his side comments behind her back to Caleb, just general meddling. I was not surprised that he was caught up in all the BS at the end, and although Melissa 'handled him' I hope he went down hard and fast!!
- What I hated about Dom family is that after the racial abuse the his brother Max said, his family was still asking Ari whats wrong / were perplexed that she was upset, especially when she said she wants to leave…erm??and still trying to tell her to stay and not make a big deal about it
- Although the dad did stand up and made a point of kicking out Max and his family from the estate for what was said and felt he was doing his part of standing up / being respectful, he was still taking away Ariella’s choice by TELLING her she was staying, when he should have kicked out Max and then apologised and told Ariella she is WELCOME to stay but no hard feelings if she feels uncomfortable and wants to leave
- Hate / love that Ariella is so graceful, despite her own distress/upset and that she took it all in her stride – she shouldn’t have to, racism is disgusting and you shouldn’t have to be so used to it that you just accept it is part of everyday life.

Lara
- Love that Lara was the ride or die friend for Ariella and that she was able to help Caleb along the way with his horrific relationship handling skills!
- I thought that her blossoming friendship / romance with Honey (the ending though!!!!) was so cute especially as Lara puts on such a loud, IDGAF attitude and yet was sooo hung up on Honey right from the start and was such a kitten around her haha! I love that her and Honey got a happy ever after.

Melissa
- Eugh, Melissa was such marmite for me. It was nice to see the other side of Melissa at the end and highlights the importance (to a degree) of being kind to everyone, even people that have hurt you / come across as a*holes / bullies, as you never know their back story – and you shouldn't reduce your own integrity and stoop to that level in retaliation.
- Although melissa was shady AF, she was going through hell herself and put herself on the line quite a bit to protect Caleb, she was aware of her wrongdoings and although heinous I do believe she did care for Caleb (not that it excuses behaviour but some type of closure to allow him to heal)
- I was pleased that in the end Caleb did the right thing and stood his ground to not go to see Mel and that in the end she respected that/him and ‘sorted’ out his issue with Dom.
- I did feel sorry for her and felt she had had such a rough ride and hope that she managed to come out on top despite everything, as she also deserves happiness.


Trigger warnings / difficult topics:

Racism / cultural understanding
- As someone with mixed race children (caucasian / nigerian) and a nigerian husband, there were a lot of triggering and/or difficult topics discussed which were executed perfectly. There is no 'easy' way to discuss racism, as it is not a subject to be taken lightly however the way in which Ola wrote about it wasn't overbearing and had such a deep, profound meaning to take away, if one is of the right mind to learn/understand the lessons explained.
- The whole 'you can't marry my daughter' conversation betweeen Hugh and Caleb was so profound - especially as Hugh has been there back in the day with Dahlia, in Caleb's shoes - however the meaning by the conversation is not untrue. He points out things to Caleb that Caleb hadn't even thought about, in terms of being in an interracial relationship and opened his eyes up to the role he would have to take on as the man in the relationship and being aware that Ariella will face (unnecessary but sadly true) racial challenges due to being a black woman, and Caleb needs to be ready to step up and have her back and his eyes open (and although Caleb's heart is in the right place he was grateful for the wake up call from Hugh on topics Caleb hadn't even thought about).


Sexual assault
- The trilogy touched on difficult topics including sexual abuse however I (personally) didn’t find it was written in a triggering way (I have a background of SA) and felt it was well written but carried enough emotion with the situation that it was written diplomatically highlighting the way it can affect people in different ways (grief/trauma cycle with Caleb) and highlights importance of communication but also from Melissa’s side as she acknowledged her wrong doing and did apologise (not that it changes what she did) but also explains in this book that she was also going through her own trauma (not an excuse for her own actions) but tied the story in with understanding.

Neurodivergence / mental health
- I love that this book highlights Ari's anxiety and her challenges navigating, her difficulties processing/coping with heightened emotions but also her ability (and others understanding - Caleb) of ways to try and manage her symptoms and 'cope', like her 'therapy showers', resorting to logical/rational thinking, showing that everybody, no matter how they think/behave can find ways to survive / cope in every day, which I feel is a really valuable lesson and in part normalises daily struggles.
- I loved the subtle neurodiversity input, with Ari's brother Zachary, being autistic / on the spectrum, and is shown in a normalised but subtle way and is evidenced in his reactions to situations and his own coping mechanisms.

Epilogue
- LOVED seeing the fast forward at the end with everyone together with their babies, and no hostility and that Gracie is going to adore her Daddy!
- Loved that Lara / Honey were starting a family and that Jack met Ophelia and had babies after his appalling treatment from Lou!

[Gia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm the only one to blame. I should've Dnfed this book when I started to see the red flags but I was convinced things would get better and there was something bigger(better?) that was in store. However, that turned out to be wrong.


6/18/2025 Updated:

Endgame is the final book in the Roommates Series by Ola Tundun. I have not read the previous two books and I just picked this book up on a whim. Endgame picks up after the aftermath of Ariella and Caleb's breakup over secrets and a misunderstanding (presumably). Ariella, a biracial British woman with a successful professional career. And Caleb a white British man who works (worked) at the same company as her in Singapore.

While writing this review, I don't know yet if I want to read the other two books in this series to gain a better understanding of their history. I went into Endgame blind and I was curious about their relationship. However, my tolerance for both Ariella and Caleb quickly diminished when I realized their personalities didn't really change as the story progressed. I liked Ariella's best friend, Lauren (?) and her parents, though.

Another bit that annoyed me in this was most details in scenes were swept over and blended with the characters thoughts and assumptions. I felt like I was being popped in and out of the details and scenes the author preferred us (readers) to focus on. And if that was the case, why include the extra information or scenes at all?

Like it's breeze over this and breeze over that and then suddenly bring the reader back into some dramatic event. Just to go back to breezing past details. I truly felt like this book was filled with a lot of filler just to make it longer. Because like I mentioned, the character development sees the MCs at the same point they're at in the beginning of the book as they are at the 55% mark.

And I didn't feel like I cared for any part of their relationship. If anything, this book highlights how toxic Ariella and Caleb are in any relationship. I was trying to believe their "love" to overlook the slowness of the pace and the secondary character plot(s). But it just wasn't there for me. Ariella is allowed to have friends whenever she wants, but to ignore clear advances of someone else and down play it as friendship was dumb.

Despite every single word Caleb says and all the changes he claims to be making for his do-over with Ariella, I didn't see any of those changes reflected in his actions. Even if they had a conversation and she asked him to not be angry or jealous, he reverted back to his original self. He always sees Ariella as "his". The same can be said about Dom; Ariella was not a prize to be won, but a prize to be claimed. (God even her childhood best friend was like this)

The two needed therapy and time away from each other. They danced around one another with the company re-vamp and the weddings. Did I feel they were drawn back together from love? No. Horniness? Yes. And for them to have been together for as long as they were, still aware that they had so many issues in their relationship (that they never fully address) only for their relationship status to be decided for them with an unexpected pregnancy? Horrible.

I was so disappointed; all the antidotes and comments brought up in the book about race, work life balance, trust, communication and self worth were, what? Red Herring? Because they were tossed out the window in favor of unprofessional, rich man baby and jealous, obsessive and clingy blockhead who develops a pregnancy kink in the last few chapters.

We lost Ariella's voice in the end and I hated it. In no universe do I see these two being in a lasting, successful relationship after the ending of this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

📙: Endgame -Roommates Book #3

✍🏾 By: Ola Tundun-I read Roommates and Complicated and gave 3/4 ✨

📃:  Page Count: 358

📅:  Publication Date: 9-20-24 | Read: 9-19-24 

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC 🧡! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Women's Fic, AA Interests, Adult Fic, Romance

🌎 Setting: London+ Singapore

Tropes:
✓ love triangle
✓slow burn
✓forced proximity
✓he falls first
✓H/h fights attraction
✓surprise pregnancy
✓interracial relationships

⚠️ TW: racism, cheating, SA-H, mental health-h  

POV:  dual ,1st person 

💭 Summary:
Ariella and Caleb are no longer together because of his betrayal. Ariella is getting closer to her client turned friend Dominic Miller who owns 1/3 of Ivory Bow. Things get complicated when Caleb is called on to review applicants for a new position at Ivory Bow. He sees Dominic's attraction and warns Ariella that he will do whatever he can to get her back.
 
🚺 Heroine: Ariella "Aari" Mason - from Singapore, AA British, a workaholic trying to prove herself. Works for a company (Ivory Bow) that delivers DMVI's engagement programs across Asia.

🚹 Hero: Caleb-white, lives in London, betrayed Aari, jealous of Dom. Fired from Ivory Bow UK

🎭Side cast: 

Jasper-white, Ariella's ex, getting married to Sophia-pregnant

Melissa-previous owner of Ivory Bow, Caleb's psycho ex- gf

Dominic Miller VI- client turned friend, CEO of DMVI, divorced. Likes Aari but she's still in love w/ Caleb

Maximilian-Dom's brother, married Dom's ex Mackenzie, racist

Selene + Dominic Miller V-Dom's parents

Mackenzie Miller- Dom's ex-wife, slept w/ his brother and had twins.

Lara Scott-gay, Ariella's BFF

Zachary-getting married, Ariella's older brother

Gigi/Grace-Ariella grandmother + closest confidant

Ariella's parents: Dahlia and Hugh Mason

🤔 My Thoughts: Things got a little toxic between Ariella, Caleb, and Dominic. Ariella was attracted to Dom but still in love w/ Caleb. Caleb had to atone for lying to Ariella about Melissa, and Dom pushed Ariella towards him. There were a lot of people involved in that relationship from exes, coworkers, friends, and family. The mental health rep was realistic with Ariella getting help from her BFF and boyfriend. I'm glad of their HEA and loved the epilogue!

Range of emotions: 
🌶️ : Spice 3/5
😭 : Emotion 4/5
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 : Couple 3/5
✨ ️: Rating 3.5/5

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy to finally get the conclusion to Aari and Caleb’s story.

First of all, I need to stress that you need to read the first two books of this series. I cannot believe the number of reviews that I am seeing for both this book and book 2 where people didn’t read the previous books in the series. These are not standalone books. All 3 books follow Aari and Caleb’s story. And y’all, their love story is winding and difficult and MESSY. I don’t know how it would be possible to connect to or root for them if you don’t have the foundation that is set in Roommates (which is still my favorite of the 3 books!) - the foundation that Aari and Caleb build in roommates is what carries you through all the hard and messy parts of their relationship. Aari and Caleb love each other, but neither of them knows how to be in a relationship. All 3 books follow them as they cling desperately to the love they have while also confronting the many areas that they need to address and grow in, both individually and together, in order to have a healthy relationship. So if you haven’t read the other books yet, don’t start here, go read Roommates!

Endgame is where we finally get the resolutions we’ve been waiting for. As we’ve come to expect with Aari and Caleb, it isn’t smooth sailing. They are still working through major issues through the majority of this book. Ola Tundun isn’t afraid to write flawed characters. Every single character in this book is spectacularly human. Sometimes you want to shake some sense into them. But one thing I love is that the characters aren’t afraid to call each other out. We all need friends that can tell us the truth, that can point out when we are being awful and can encourage us to make it right. And Aari and Caleb definitely have those types of friends.

Ngl, I NEEDED that epilogue. Haha. It was so nice to see a fast forward, where we got to see the reward for everything that the characters had fought so hard for.

This series is gritty and emotional and a bit of a roller coaster. It has some heavy themes. It’s the type of book that makes you question and feel things. It has realistic and flawed characters, and a messy, beautiful love story.

Thank you to Ola Tundun for sending me an eARC of this book. My review is voluntary and my honest opinion

[Cassandra Bivens · Rating 4 out of 5]

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🎲✨ **Endgame** by Ola Tundun ✨🕵️‍♀️

*A gripping tale of betrayal, power, and high-stakes decisions where every move could be your last.*

🌟✨ **Review:** ✨🌟

Ola Tundun’s *Endgame* pulls readers into a fast-paced world of intrigue and strategy, where the characters find themselves entangled in a web of deception and manipulation. This is a thrilling narrative that centers on power dynamics, ambition, and the consequences of the choices we make.

The author masterfully builds tension throughout the novel, with each chapter adding layers of complexity to both the characters and the plot. The protagonist’s journey is compelling, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on their toes. The stakes feel real, and as the story progresses, it becomes evident that there is no clear path to victory—only a calculated endgame.

One of the strengths of *Endgame* is its well-drawn characters. Each has their own motivations and flaws, making them feel human and relatable, even when their actions are morally ambiguous. While the pacing is quick and the story is engaging, there are moments where the narrative slows down, but the suspense remains ever-present, urging the reader to keep turning the pages.

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🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **Complex Characters**: The protagonists and antagonists are layered, and their moral complexities drive the story.
- **High-Stakes Plot**: Every decision made feels like it could shift the balance of power, adding a sense of urgency.
- **Unexpected Twists**: Surprises abound, making this a gripping and unpredictable read.

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💬 **Favorite Quote:**
*"In the end, every move we make is part of a greater game, and the only thing that matters is how we play it."* - A powerful reflection on the themes of power and strategy that permeate the novel.

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🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

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*Endgame* is an electrifying read for fans of suspenseful, high-stakes drama with complex characters and unpredictable twists. Ola Tundun skillfully weaves a tale of power and ambition, where no one is truly safe, and every decision counts.

See more reviews at:
Casla Reads

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*I received this book through NetGalley as an ARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book.*

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[Julie Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to Caleb and Aari’s story—this book is the third in a trilogy, and you need to read them in order to get the full effect.

Basically, in Roommates, Aari moves into the spare bedroom in Caleb’s flat and their relationship begins. In Complicated, everything does indeed get complicated as Aari accepts a position in Singapore, and another man enters the picture. Here, in Endgame, the complications continue and it is frustrating and infuriating but I needed to know how the story would end!

The book, as with the first two, alternates between Caleb’s and Aari’s POV, and not gonna lie, I do prefer the Caleb chapters a lot more. Aari just frustrates me to no end, with her indecisiveness and the fact that she felt the need to bring up her feelings for Dominic when talking to Caleb on multiple occasions. Can you not just stop hurting the guy??? Honestly, when Caleb said he needed to grow up and Aari said she did too, I was rolling my eyes because she definitely needed it more than he did.

The first 50% or so of the book was really slow and I found myself struggling with motivation. Around the halfway point things got more exciting, and I read the rest in one sitting and the story was definitely on track to reach 4⭐️ which is what I rated the first two books (although I thought Roommates was better than Complicated, which I guess I would’ve rated 3.5 if half stars were possible). However, the accidental pregnancy trope spoiled it a little for me, as kids wasn’t something they had ever discussed and it seemed a bit like a shortcut to solving their problems.

The drama Dom added to the story was good, and I really enjoyed seeing Caleb with Tim and Jack and how they dealt with Jack’s relationship ending. Lara is also a fun side-character.

All in all, this series is a women’s fiction with a romance plot, which starts off really strong, but as the story goes on, I feel like the writing and plot just takes a dip. I’d give the series an average of 3.5⭐️ and it’s not bad—I just think certain parts of it wasn’t for me, and it did feel like it dragged on a bit.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the on IG ads and I was so confused because I'd never seen books in ads on IG stories! Then I realised that this was a series?! About just one couple?! I read it just because! With no guarantee that I would read the full 3 books, but you know what?! bless Jesus, I chose to read it!

I REALLY ENJOYED THE RIDE!!

We have character development! Meaningful dialogue! It's not boring! Even the happy, fluffy parts aren't an absolute copy in different clothes!

We have enemies to best friends, we have the slow burn, we have the pregnancy, the conversations, the random walks, they REALLY try to understand each other because they want to be together and they want each other more than anything!? yes! mhm I know that's right!

I really think that Arriela's breakdown was also due to her coming to terms with the mistakes she had made with Dominic (and maybe Jasper) in this search for friends and trying to keep what she was so committed to at all costs! It made sense when she says that its different for Caleb who makes friends so easily but she doesnt, and that was scary for her! I really stand at the podium when the conversion is ‘friends are the most important thing’, they are the family we choose and sometimes we are not the most rational about them! which is fine! but it's good to realise that!

But let this not be reasoning from Dominic's actions, bloody man! GODDDD! At some point, after someone says they don't want to be with you for a whole year, you have to get it and leave them the fuck alone! not buy a whole fucking company to try your chance??? are you actually mad????????????

and epilogue?? I COULD CRY!! BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL THING?? UNCLE CALEB??? ALFIE WORKING???? THE ROMANCE BETWEENT THEIR CHILDREEN??????????????????????? YES GOD!

AND MISSS OLAAA imma need the Nigerian weeding spin of FASTTT!

[Diandra Knutson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Roommate series is one of my favorite series that I have discovered this year. Ola Tundun has been able to create a story that is mature in a way other contemporary romances have not achieved. The story of Aari and Caleb feels so relatable that you would think your friend is telling you about their life! This is the third and final book in the series and man, have we come a long way.

What I truly love about these books is the journey of both characters. Aari came off shy and quiet in the beginning of the series to becoming confident and a woman that stands her ground. Caleb went from this playboy jokester to a mature and caring businessman. I would say Caleb definitely had a more fulfilling journey for me as with his growth, he did not fall back on bad or old habits (I even sided with him during his altercation with Dominic). And when the ending came for the book, I was so happy for him because he truly deserved it.

I will say that I wish the book had a tad bit more descriptions of locations and people. There is a lot of dialogue, but I felt some “scenes” weren’t built and moments were flown through. And because these moments/scenes were a bit short, their surroundings or characters weren’t described, I found it a bit hard to visualize the story sometimes. The book almost feels like a diary in a way. In diaries, you kind of get straight to the point (she said this, he said this, she did this, he did this), and it’s both my favorite thing about this book and also my con. But I think that’s why I feel that this series is so realistic!

I love this series so much! And I think Ola Tundun has done an amazing job in the contemporary romance/women’s fiction genre! I can not wait to see her growth with her future publications. She is such a refreshing author in a literary world where everything is so much alike. I can definitely see her being up there one day with Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, and Kennedy Ryan, as the way they present and write about life, struggles, and romance is so relatable and very easy to believe. Highly recommend Ola Tundun and this book!

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was thankful to have recieved an ARC of this book from the publisher. It sounded just up my alley from the description so I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. There was a slight downside however and that this book was number three of a series I have never heard of before so not only was I going into this series at a disadvantage I also had to books of information that I didn't know prior to reading this. That did not stop me from powering through this book however I do feel that reading the first few would have just give me a leg up on some things that I had to learn that hard way. While I do suggest reading the first ones and I think it would have made things a lot clearer and a lot more enjoyable I did enjoy the characters. I found this book to be a little hard to grasp at times the characters were a little all over the place and it didn't have the typical contemporary romance feel that I was expecting from the description. This book is all about main characters Ariel and Caleb who had a romantic past however that is now long gone and everyone has moved on. When the two are suddenly forced to work close together for a work thing the sparks start to fly again. But can this really work out? And do they even want it to? Can old wounds really heal over time? I really liked how the author showed how Ariel's mind was going in many different directions regarding her feelings towards Caleb. Nice strong characters that I loved to root for. Really good read that was nice and simple not to complex but a perfect palet cleanser. This book was a perfect ending and I can't wait to go back and reread this one from the start.

[Michelle Eruenah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a reminder of the review you wrote:
⭐️ 5/5. I loved these books, when I decided to dive into romance genre for summer 24 I never knew I will land these gems as read. I loved the fact that the books has 2 point of view: Ariella and Caleb’s this gave me a sense of belonging while reading, it was like I had a front seat row as each chapter unveils (magical powers). The story started with two people that live on opposite ends of London, England have to share an apartment. She’s quiet and shy, but he’s a playboy. It’s starts the way you think but you’re gonna have to strap in for the journey and it was a wonderful journey from the first book to the third. After reading book 2 and I discovered I had to wait till 20th of September for book 3, I almost fainted that a long waited but thanks to the publishers @storm for sending me an ARC and within a day I finished the book and hoping it didn’t have to end because how am I going to cope without my favorite fictional besties. These books covers a lot of modern hot button topics in such a cool way, the characters, the real relationships, the tension, drama and authentic people made it worthwhile. This is not your average rom-com fiction book. @olatundunx take all your flowers and I can’t wait for your next fictional exploits till then remember you just got a new fan.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third and final novel in Ola Tundun’s Roommates trilogy, readers join Ariella and Caleb as their love story continues to unravel as their careers and pasts catch up to them. With her job on the line and both Ariella and Caleb forced together to handle the company’s issues, they must confront their feelings for each other, while Ariella has to decide if she can trust and forgive Caleb -- and if that is something she truly wants. In this rewarding and emotionally fulfilling final book, readers once again dive into the emotional, steamy mess that is Ariella and Caleb’s romance in this book which challenges readers to face their pasts straight on and find their homes. The characters are once again the star of the novel, and Ariella and Caleb’s growth over the trilogy is absolutely wonderful to see, especially in this satisfying conclusion. With new stakes and obstacles trying to get in the way of their relationship, overcoming these challenges with them entrenches the readers in the novel. With so much at stake, this novel is charming, steamy, and fun, and fans of the series will definitely be happy with Tundun’s latest release and its happily ever after.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy.

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Endgame by Ola Tundun is the third and last in the Roommates series and unfortunately for me, it felt the weakest one. It kind of felt like I lost the Ariella, Caleb and Jasper vibe as technically Jasper was replaced with Dominic and I absolutely could not stand this character.

Compared with the first two books this was more business-orientated and on the side, annoying dramas were happening. I felt I struggled to connect with this one on the same level as the first two.
For me this one felt a bit all over the place, sadly I started to lose my interest around the middle of the book and was desperately waiting for the end.

In the whole series, my favourite character became Caleb. His growth and progression were unbelievable! Yes, there were plenty of dull moments but kind of understandable as he is technically in a completely different world! I loved the development between Caleb and Jasper!
I loved the strong family ethic from Ariella's side!

I loved the ending! It felt like a complete wrap-up and felt finally positive and grown up so this probably helped to wrap up from 3.5 ⭐ to 4 ⭐

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endgame by Ola Tundun
I encountered this author with the first book in the series, Roommates. I have been totally invested in the complex storyline and wanted to see how the main characters and their friends and even their enemies fared. Endgame is the third book in the series and picks up soon after the dizzying events at the end of Complicated. But life does not get any simpler for Caleb and Ariella. Going into Endgame, I wasn’t sure if the resolution I WANTED was going to be the resolution I received😊. For me, Caleb demonstrated the most growth of the pair and his angst and feelings of hopelessness are heart-breaking. Ariella made some questionable choices, especially with Dom, but she is such a pure heart and loved with forgiveness and passion. Ms. Tundun has created a book with many moving parts, and she layers her story elegantly. I especially appreciated the detailed epilogue with the glimpse of life down the line. Excellent!
Thank you so much to Storm Publishing for providing me with this ARC.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/endgam...

[Kelsi Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endgame is the third and final book in the Roommate series and it was the perfect ending to Ariella and Caleb’s love story. More than just romance, these two characters find love within themselves and the friendships surrounding them.

In the beginning of Endgame, I questioned whether Ari and Caleb truly belonged together and whether their relationship was strong enough to progress, but as I continued to read, the growth of these characters, not only from book one to now, but also from the beginning of Endgame to the last page, was heartfelt and inspiring to read.

Aside from Ari and Caleb’s complex dynamic, what makes this series special are the supporting characters who seamlessly weave their way through each book. They each provided more depth to Ari and Caleb‘s storyline and allow the reader to see themselves in multiple ways and stages.

The epilogue tied the entire story together in such a complete way, leaving the readers hopeful for love!

[Emmanuella]

I got through about 15% of Endgame before I had to stop reading. Honestly, I was just so confused 😵. The story jumps around so much between different characters and places that I couldn’t figure out what was going on. There were way too many things happening at once, and it was hard to keep up 😫.
On top of that, the author uses apostrophes instead of regular quotation marks for dialogue, which made it even harder to tell when someone was talking. It just made everything more confusing 🤯.
And then there’s the whole love triangle thing. I didn’t know this book had that, and it’s definitely not my thing 🙄.
Overall, Endgame just wasn’t for me. It was too confusing, and the love triangle didn’t help. If you like stories with lots of drama and complicated relationships, you might like it, but if you want something easier to follow, this probably isn’t it 😬.
Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC of the book. I really appreciate the opportunity! 🙏

[PrfctlyMismtchd Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endgame is the perfect ending to Ola Tundun's tumultuous Roommates trilogy!

In Endgame, Aari and Caleb take you through the wringer at every turn, battling their demons, trying to protect each other, and balancing the high-octane influencer lifestyles their jobs require. Long-held secrets about Caleb's success and relationship with Melissa are finally revealed. We learn just how insidious their world's true power players are. Aari is confronted with racism that has influenced so much of her mother's life and Caleb is given a hard lesson on what it means to love a black woman truly. And when you think they've finally found their HEA you realize the book isn't nearly over.....

As said expect these two to wring out every emotion before the trilogy ends.

4/5 stars
3/5 spice.


overall series rating 5/5 stars!

TW/CW: discussion of sexual assault/rape , rascism, violence, manipulation, legal troubles

[Winona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author Ola Tundun for this eARC.

When I got this eARC I did not realize it was the third book in a series where each book isn't also a standalone as is in my experience mostly the case in the romance genre. So when I saw that book 1 & 2 are on KU I decided to read all three, so this is not just a review for this book, but the whole Roommates series.

From the very beginning I did not like any of the characters. Everyone was super self-centered, selfish, thoughtless, impulsive and immature. Not one of the characters seemed to have even a shred of normal human decendy or morals and this did not change as the series went on.

The relationship between Aari & Caleb was toxic and lacked communication and there was just SO much (unnecessary) drama!
There was no character developement for either of our MCs in this book yet we're supposed to believe that magically now their relationship is going to work out?! Nope, nope, nope
2.5 stars

[Camilla Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to read this fully, as it’s filled with drama and twists throughout it. But don’t be fooled, it’s a part of who Ariella and Caleb are. Disclaimer: I have not read the two first books, and I will advise you to do so to better understand the history. They are on my TBR now since I am curious about the start of this story.

But I will say that this is a good book! She is chaos, her feelings for both Caleb and Dominic are messy from the start. I found myself struggling for the first part of the book (I think it’s because there are so many characters that are known to others who have read the previous two books). But that changed throughout the book as I got to know them better, and I was SO rooting for Caleb and Ariella to figure it out and get their HEA! I loved the end of the book and the epilogue!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book. All opinions are my own.

[Tracy Eyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Endgame by Ola Tundun is the final installment of Ariella and Caleb‘s love story. They started out as roommates and their relationship blossomed into young love. After all the turmoil that Caleb caused once he moved to Singapore, Ariella found it in her heart to forgive him. However, this last novel, highlighted all the differences between the two of them. It nicely wrapped up the way they could set aside those differences and move past them to find their way forward into building a life together. Dominic, quite frankly, is the epitome of a self absorbed man who believes money can buy him happiness. He finds out the hard way that this old adage is far from the truth. I was pleasantly surprised at how this novel turned out and absolutely loved the compassion Hugh Mason had for his daughter. Overall, a novel I would recommend to others who love romantic comedies.

[kdierks14]

I had high hopes for this book based on the cover and description, but only made it through 27% of this book before I decided not to continue. The writing was weak and lackluster, and I found the characters to be underdeveloped (I recognize that it is the third in the series, and wonder if having read the first two books may have changed my opinion). After reading multiple chapters from each perspective, I was not invested enough to want to know how it ends.

Goodreads describes it as a "descriptive and gripping women's fiction novel," but I could not disagree more; I was not invested in any of the characters or their stories. Perhaps my opinion may be different had I read the prequels, but as of now, this book is not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing. I have been waiting for the conclusion of Ariella and Caleb since forEVA and let me tell you Mrs. Tundun did not disappoint. This series has felt so raw and so real to me since book 1 and I found myself crying out of the blue in some parts. Im not gonna say because spoilers. You definitely do have to read the 2 prev books in order to understand. But this triangle with Dom, Arie, and Caleb was giving chokeholds. Of course we cant forget about all the other side characters who made this book that much better and funnier. This book is a rollercoaster I found myself screaming at my phone plenty of times especially in chapter 34 IFYKYK I was in a transe just saying Why, Why, Why!!! This book does not disappoint check them all out starting with Roommates, Complicated, and of course Endgame.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

===========ARC=========Review============

This is the first book I read by the author Ola and I must says, she didn't disappoint. This is a interracial and second chance romance novel that will keep you engaged from start to finish. W hat I enjoyed the most is the banter and the unexpected plot twists. We follow Arriella and Caleb , who previously were involved , they work for the same company and keep the same friends. They aren't sure ,whether they can see passed their mistakes and hurt and rekindle their relationship. Arriella unintentionally entertains a love interest , who is her boss (Dominic) who also has alot of baggage he needs to deal with. Caleb can't stand this dude and wants to win this battle for Arriella's Heart. This is book 3 in the Roommates Series , So I do suggest, you read the first 2 books to enjoy this journey to the fullest.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. I did not know that this was part of a trilogy and a continuation of a previous storyline; despite that, one does not really need to read the earlier books to understand the characters and storyline. The story follows the history between Ariella and Caleb, two opposites who re-connect when Ariella's company is in trouble and Caleb appears to be the only one able to help. Ariella develops an issue that is hard for her: who can she really trust and what path must she take? Does she want to move forward with Caleb, or maintain her current path? Does she return to the past? Can she bring her past into her present and move forward from there? I think I would like to read the first two books, so I have a broader sense of this couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the story from book 2 "Complicated" the relationships between Ariella and Caleb is complicated as ever.
Again this isn't the type of book that I normally read, dealing with very complicated, intertwining storylines with the type of high powered people I never interact with. Saying that, if that's the type of book that you enjoy you will love this one. There is a great sporting cast of characters, I liked Lara and Ms Pat is a force to be reckoned with. Friendships are made and broken and there are more than one characters that I'd love to see fail, but you'll have to read the book to find out whether you agree.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Eva Rangel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one started off pretty...backwards with a lot of racial comments...I was a bit thrown off.

The FMC & MMC are honestly both pretty toxic and would both benefit on walking away from each other and seeking therapy.

Jack really needed to walk away from his relationship. Jasper was honestly kinda a dick overall with Ariella and with his new relationship.

For me Melissa did not redeem herself - her trying to make herself look like the hero by marrying her fiance bc of Caleb was the biggest BS. Her still contacting Caleb after what she did to him what absolutely BS - I don't understand why she keeps contacting him.

The HEA was nice, but honestly this was a very long and complicated - toxic journey.