What do you think?
Rate this book
Afterglow Books Afterglow Never Date A Roommate.
A hilarious, heartwarming romance from celebrated Brazilian author Paula Ottoni about finding happiness in unexpected places - maybe even in your very own apartment...
To find true happiness, they'll have to fake it first.
Sol Carvalho desperately wants to get ahead in her career - and where better to do that than Copenhagen, the happiest city on earth? But there's more to this place than cozy sweaters and hot cocoa; there's a rich, vibrant culture the Brazilian game developer is eager to drink in. Especially since her boss wants to hand a promotion to someone who's ready to put down roots in Denmark - which means having a steady place to live and an even steadier significant other. And Sol, unfortunately, has neither.
Unless she can convince Viking look-alike Erik Storm to be her roommate...and maybe even her fake boyfriend?
But Erik lost everything the last time he got involved with a roommate, including the app he'd developed. Convincing him to take a risk on her is a big ask, but Sol is up for the challenge. As long as she can ignore how he fills a room with that broad chest and somehow makes stoic brooding look sexy.
Instead, she'll win him over with the end her promotion will bring down their mutual tech nemesis. Before long, though, the lines between what's fake and what's real blur. And when their ruse reaches its boiling point, they'll both have to Should they trust their hearts to a roommate this time?
To find true happiness, they'll have to fake it first.
Sol Carvalho desperately wants to get ahead in her career - and where better to do that than Copenhagen, the happiest city on earth? But there's more to this place than cozy sweaters and hot cocoa; there's a rich, vibrant culture the Brazilian game developer is eager to drink in. Especially since her boss wants to hand a promotion to someone who's ready to put down roots in Denmark - which means having a steady place to live and an even steadier significant other. And Sol, unfortunately, has neither.
Unless she can convince Viking look-alike Erik Storm to be her roommate...and maybe even her fake boyfriend?
But Erik lost everything the last time he got involved with a roommate, including the app he'd developed. Convincing him to take a risk on her is a big ask, but Sol is up for the challenge. As long as she can ignore how he fills a room with that broad chest and somehow makes stoic brooding look sexy.
Instead, she'll win him over with the end her promotion will bring down their mutual tech nemesis. Before long, though, the lines between what's fake and what's real blur. And when their ruse reaches its boiling point, they'll both have to Should they trust their hearts to a roommate this time?
288 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2024
59 people are currently reading
6499 people want to read
About the author
Paula Ottoni
15 books64 followersPaula Ottoni was born and raised in Brazil and moved to Denmark in 2016. Today she is married to a Dane and has two children. She completed a master’s in video game design at the IT University of Copenhagen and works as a game writer and narrative designer. She is learning to be a Viking, but winter swimming remains a locked achievement.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
September 3, 2024
oh i cannot wait to tear this to shreds at book club next week
August 18, 2025
This was an exceptionally cute and cosy fake-dating roommates-to-lovers romcom with a stunning slowburn that will have you giggling and kicking your feet.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
Marisol “Sol” Carvalho is a Brazilian game developer who moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to escape her stifling family more than eager for her to return home. After six months at the prestigious Scorpio Games, she’s a frontrunner for a dream promotion to game director – a new project set to start next year. The only thing standing in her way is her know-it-all nemesis, Martin Olesen. But Sol’s dreams will be crushed, as her apartment lease expires in ten days.
Her solution comes in the form of Erik Storm, a 31-year-old, Thor-lookalike gamer who is now unemployed. Erik, who has a mysterious past with Scorpio Games and his own betrayal story, agrees to rent Sol his spare room. The terms are simple: they must maintain strict boundaries and never get romantically involved.
Determined to impress her boss, Lars Holm, and secure the promotion, Sol begins lying about her life to appear more committed to settling in Denmark. She asks Erik to pretend to be her boyfriend, offering to help him get revenge on the man who betrayed him – the same Martin who is now her rival for the promotion.
Not only do they struggle to keep their feelings for each other in check, but Martin steals Erik’s app idea and threatens to expose Sol’s lies to Lars. Now, Sol and Erik must work together to publish his app before it’s too late. But as they navigate these challenges, their fake relationship begins to feel real, which makes them wonder: what will happen when their ruse reaches its boiling point?
This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Sol.
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is a rather late review: I got the ALC ages ago but didn’t have the time to tune in (except for the first chapter) until recently. I apologise for the delay.
ㅤ🏡🎮 danish delights 🎮🏡
This could not come at a better time for me, as I was in a reading slump and this caught my attention. As a former student at university who studied computing with friends who did computer gaming, some of this hit close to home. It is easy to lose a passion for coding when doing it repetitively so I could understand where Sol was coming from.
I liked the idea of the dating app Cinder with the Cinderella-like vibes where you have a glass slipper. Coincidentally, I also made a Tinder-like app (though less to do with dating and more to do with artwork) so I vibed with their app Love Birds. It really is such an inventive way of having people get to know one-another which is something I myself resent about dating apps.
ㅤ🎧🗣️ a hygge-ly satisfying audiobook 🗣️🎧
The audiobook itself was excellent. As my first ALC, it was a great place to start due to the story’s simplicity. It was something quick to listen to, which I occasionally read along to as well (it’s about 250 pages).
Gabriela Tola narrates the story in such a beautiful and profound way. Her authentic accent made it feel as though I was truly hearing the story from the intended narrator’s point of view without it being difficult to understand. Tola did all the narration and voices of characters in the book, making each individual sound a little different, which cannot be easy to do.
ㅤ🏡🎮 writing style and pacing 🎮🏡
The descriptions throughout the book are fairly simplistic and at times repetitive (Sol’s fixation on Erik’s blue eyes, for example, is mentioned constantly) so it reads like a young adult book, yet it contains adult content, which felt jarring. I would consider going all out or not at all in the future. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed too, which left me wanting more from the resolution.
I could really feel the vivid vibes of the locations and eating places when Erik takes Sol on a tour, which was where the story was the most immersive.
I learned a new word: hygge.
ㅤ🏡🎮 to conclude 🎮🏡
Overall, to use Sol’s random scoring game, “twenty points for” Ottoni for her efforts in making her first English-language adult romance debut. This is a delightful story – and it included not one but TWO LOTR references! I’m always a sucker for them in books. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to up my own score here.
<< Positives >>
🠚 I learned a lot about the pronunciation of Danish words thanks to the audiobook
🠚 There aren’t a lot of stories I’ve read where it’s set in Denmark so this made a refreshing change
🠚 Sol and Erik’s banter and chemistry were lovely!
🠚 Some great character backstories
🠚 Love the Cinder concept
🠚 I like the significance of the name of the gaming company, Scorpio Games. Scorpio is Latin for Scorpion, fitting for the toxicity of the place.
🠚 Larissa and Sol’s friendship is lovely.
🠚 Sol realising that her parents want the best for her rather than want her to come back is a great character development.
🠚 The LOTR photoshopped pic of Boromir saying “one does not simply let a man like that go”
<< Negatives >>
🠚 Sometimes it was not clear where the narration stopped and Sol’s dialogue began.
🠚 The ending felt rushed.
🠚 Erik’s character felt too 2-dimensional than he should, and I think it’s because he disappears quite a few times. He only really lets Sol in on his previous issues rather than his current ones.
🠚 The phrase “moves his eyebrows up and down to illustrate his smartness” is a bit clunky, with “smartness” feeling especially unnatural. The wording could be better. Suggestion: “He theatrically wiggles his eyebrows, smugly pleased with his idea”
🠚 “Come in already,” – such a strange phrasing for *that* deed and it took me out of the moment. Firstly, not sexy. Secondly, coming is more used for the orgasm, not the penetration.
🠚 Do not know Sol’s age (not so important).
🠚 The idea that Sol pitches at the start of the book (but is shut down by Martin) is “detailed” but we don’t get given any information on this. I think this is a missed opportunity, especially since it is something she has been thinking about for weeks.
🠚 I think it would have been better to have her phone conversation in Chapter 2 with Erik just happen, rather than have Sol relay this to her friend Larissa.
🠚 There is a plot hole with the fact it was a phone conversation and not, say, a text because Erik surely SURELY should have recognised her voice when he met her since her accent will be more distinct.
🠚 I understood Sol’s desperation, but why does she have a singular fixation on getting Erik’s apartment in particular? As Larissa says, someone else taking it happens frequently, so there’s no clear reasoning for her to have her heart set on it. It would have made more sense if there had been a prior connection between the two characters or something.
🠚 Erik gets unemployment benefits – but spends it on an expensive frying pan? That rather contradicts the reality of living on a limited income.
🠚 Sol’s reveal during the date that she was the one enquiring about the spare room felt too quick.
🠚 Sol touching Erik’s arm felt too soon.
🠚 Their first kiss was in front of other people. I would have preferred if it was when they were on their own, not for a performance.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Sol꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I relate to Sol a bit. I too thought Vikings weren’t my type and Prince Charming was haha. When it says she “stays quiet unless I’m positive people won't think I’m the odd one out”, I felt that. She gets anxious when she doesn’t hear from Erik, and I’m the exact same. I totally get why she is so scared of feeling suffocated at home too. It must be annoying as well to have people mispronounce your name. I like that she doesn’t want to swear! Her confidence when she wants Erik on his back dayum!
-ˋˏ ꒰ Erik꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ He is so fine! Understandable that he gets so caught up in work that he pushes people away and shuts people out. Of course, the Viking’s favourite game is God of War (excellent choice tbh). The way he knows everything about her already because he has quietly observed her in the apartment ahh! The fact he LEARNS to dance the forró for Sol!!
FAV QUOTES
• I look up at his face—he must be at least six foot two while I’m five-four—caught off guard by his rough beauty. I’m used to seeing blue eyes everywhere by now, but his are especially bright. It looks as though he was sculpted by Odin himself.
• Whatever act of kindness he might do will be strictly for his benefit. In this case, so I don’t have to—*God forbid*, he’d think—sleep on his couch.
• He straightens his posture and looks at me again. The soft glow of the streetlamp outside makes his features discernible—even in the middle of the night. It’s as if the dark can reveal what he hides in daylight. I can see what is behind his ocean-blue eyes. There is defeat, hurt confidence, low self-esteem, and a bunch of other harmful feelings.
• I’ve experienced hygge—or I think I have—a few times since I arrived in Copenhagen. But this moment, right here and now, is the one I’m sure is hygge.
• “We were there earlier today,” he says to the others with a smile, taking my hand and locking his fingers between mine. It’s such an intimate touch I lose my breath, attacked by the butterflies in my stomach. “It was a wonderful day.” I can’t tell if he means this for real, but it is true for me.
• I help people. I don’t abandon them when they need me most. And if there is someone who needs me now, it is Erik Storm. Just as much as I need him.
• Sometimes, it takes a while. I can sit at this table for many minutes, or hours, totally immersed in the work before they hit me. The shivers. The butterflies. The fireworks. The whole darn circus. It’s usually triggered when he leans too close, his breath tickling my skin. When his laugh chimes like Christmas bells next to my ear. When his smile grows until he shows his white teeth, and a little dimple appears on his cheek.
• He interlocks his fingers with mine, brings our united hands to his lips, and kisses the back of my hand. I try to make it look like this is something he does all the time, but my insides are pulsing with the power of ten overworked speakers, a song of temptation and enticement blasting in my brain.
• We are no longer Team Sol & Storm. We are Sol and Erik again, living in their own routines. A room away. A world away.
• I’ve trusted Erik. I *do* trust him. I realize I’d go to the end of the world with him.
• I can’t ruin it all. Better to have fake-boyfriend-roommate-friend Erik than to not have him at all.
• Erik kisses me like he means it, the symphony through the hidden speakers orchestrating the rhythm of our lips. Our intimate dance of colorful desire.
• I’ve never desired a man so much in my life, and I’ve never been so afraid to have him. I’m afraid of what comes after. I dread what I might become once he claims me and changes me irreparably. Because there is no way that having Erik Storm won’t fuck me up.
• “Your bed or mine?” | “Yours. We built it together. Now let’s destroy it.”
• My hand is resting on his face. Erik covers it with his own and drives it toward his lips so he can kiss my palm. “We should give ourselves a chance,” he says, and the words sound like magic to my ears. They sparkle and twinkle. They open my tight chest, making me able to breathe at last. “I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. But I won’t back away.”
• The familiar Erik Storm fire is awakening in him. And I like that. A lot. The wild, determined Viking is back.
• “Love is a dance, Sol, and your partner can guide you, but you can’t let him carry you all the way. You need to be in control too. And you should know your moves so well you can always dance without him.”
• He touches his forehead to mine, and we smile at each other, silent for a couple of precious seconds, in which we tell each other everything we want to say without uttering a single word.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Paula Ottoni, HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
His moans and sighs are music to my ears. His skin is my haven. I’ve never felt so much a part of someone else.
We are one. He completes me.
He’s my best friend, my home, my work, my lover. He is part of everything that makes me who I am in Denmark. It’s frightening to need someone so much. It’s terrifying to know that, without him, nothing makes sense.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
Marisol “Sol” Carvalho is a Brazilian game developer who moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to escape her stifling family more than eager for her to return home. After six months at the prestigious Scorpio Games, she’s a frontrunner for a dream promotion to game director – a new project set to start next year. The only thing standing in her way is her know-it-all nemesis, Martin Olesen. But Sol’s dreams will be crushed, as her apartment lease expires in ten days.
Her solution comes in the form of Erik Storm, a 31-year-old, Thor-lookalike gamer who is now unemployed. Erik, who has a mysterious past with Scorpio Games and his own betrayal story, agrees to rent Sol his spare room. The terms are simple: they must maintain strict boundaries and never get romantically involved.
Determined to impress her boss, Lars Holm, and secure the promotion, Sol begins lying about her life to appear more committed to settling in Denmark. She asks Erik to pretend to be her boyfriend, offering to help him get revenge on the man who betrayed him – the same Martin who is now her rival for the promotion.
Not only do they struggle to keep their feelings for each other in check, but Martin steals Erik’s app idea and threatens to expose Sol’s lies to Lars. Now, Sol and Erik must work together to publish his app before it’s too late. But as they navigate these challenges, their fake relationship begins to feel real, which makes them wonder: what will happen when their ruse reaches its boiling point?
He looks relaxed, comfortable. He is in the moment, immersed in his role. When Erik is playing my boyfriend, he is confident and cheerful. He is lightning, not thunder. His deception is beautiful.
But it can’t be *so* deceptive. He is starting to act like that when we are alone too. When it’s just us working on the project, making some quick dinner, or cleaning the apartment to the sound of Scarlet Pleasure. His light shines through the clouds.
This is told from the first-person present-tense POV of Sol.
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is a rather late review: I got the ALC ages ago but didn’t have the time to tune in (except for the first chapter) until recently. I apologise for the delay.
ㅤ🏡🎮 danish delights 🎮🏡
This could not come at a better time for me, as I was in a reading slump and this caught my attention. As a former student at university who studied computing with friends who did computer gaming, some of this hit close to home. It is easy to lose a passion for coding when doing it repetitively so I could understand where Sol was coming from.
I liked the idea of the dating app Cinder with the Cinderella-like vibes where you have a glass slipper. Coincidentally, I also made a Tinder-like app (though less to do with dating and more to do with artwork) so I vibed with their app Love Birds. It really is such an inventive way of having people get to know one-another which is something I myself resent about dating apps.
ㅤ🎧🗣️ a hygge-ly satisfying audiobook 🗣️🎧
The audiobook itself was excellent. As my first ALC, it was a great place to start due to the story’s simplicity. It was something quick to listen to, which I occasionally read along to as well (it’s about 250 pages).
Gabriela Tola narrates the story in such a beautiful and profound way. Her authentic accent made it feel as though I was truly hearing the story from the intended narrator’s point of view without it being difficult to understand. Tola did all the narration and voices of characters in the book, making each individual sound a little different, which cannot be easy to do.
ㅤ🏡🎮 writing style and pacing 🎮🏡
The descriptions throughout the book are fairly simplistic and at times repetitive (Sol’s fixation on Erik’s blue eyes, for example, is mentioned constantly) so it reads like a young adult book, yet it contains adult content, which felt jarring. I would consider going all out or not at all in the future. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed too, which left me wanting more from the resolution.
I could really feel the vivid vibes of the locations and eating places when Erik takes Sol on a tour, which was where the story was the most immersive.
I learned a new word: hygge.
“Cozy and coziness are translations people attempt, but they don’t fully convey the meaning of hygge. It describes a state of being.” He keeps his eyes on mine as we walk. “It’s a feeling of satisfaction and well-being you experience when you’re at peace with yourself and the world at that moment.” He smiles at the reflection of the sun on the water. “And it usually happens when you’re with people you like or love.”
He looks down now, as if embarrassed. What for? Implying that *we* can have hygge together?
ㅤ🏡🎮 to conclude 🎮🏡
Overall, to use Sol’s random scoring game, “twenty points for” Ottoni for her efforts in making her first English-language adult romance debut. This is a delightful story – and it included not one but TWO LOTR references! I’m always a sucker for them in books. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to up my own score here.
<< Positives >>
🠚 I learned a lot about the pronunciation of Danish words thanks to the audiobook
🠚 There aren’t a lot of stories I’ve read where it’s set in Denmark so this made a refreshing change
🠚 Sol and Erik’s banter and chemistry were lovely!
🠚 Some great character backstories
🠚 Love the Cinder concept
🠚 I like the significance of the name of the gaming company, Scorpio Games. Scorpio is Latin for Scorpion, fitting for the toxicity of the place.
🠚 Larissa and Sol’s friendship is lovely.
🠚 Sol realising that her parents want the best for her rather than want her to come back is a great character development.
🠚 The LOTR photoshopped pic of Boromir saying “one does not simply let a man like that go”
<< Negatives >>
🠚 Sometimes it was not clear where the narration stopped and Sol’s dialogue began.
🠚 The ending felt rushed.
🠚 Erik’s character felt too 2-dimensional than he should, and I think it’s because he disappears quite a few times. He only really lets Sol in on his previous issues rather than his current ones.
🠚 The phrase “moves his eyebrows up and down to illustrate his smartness” is a bit clunky, with “smartness” feeling especially unnatural. The wording could be better. Suggestion: “He theatrically wiggles his eyebrows, smugly pleased with his idea”
🠚 “Come in already,” – such a strange phrasing for *that* deed and it took me out of the moment. Firstly, not sexy. Secondly, coming is more used for the orgasm, not the penetration.
🠚 Do not know Sol’s age (not so important).
🠚 The idea that Sol pitches at the start of the book (but is shut down by Martin) is “detailed” but we don’t get given any information on this. I think this is a missed opportunity, especially since it is something she has been thinking about for weeks.
🠚 I think it would have been better to have her phone conversation in Chapter 2 with Erik just happen, rather than have Sol relay this to her friend Larissa.
🠚 There is a plot hole with the fact it was a phone conversation and not, say, a text because Erik surely SURELY should have recognised her voice when he met her since her accent will be more distinct.
🠚 I understood Sol’s desperation, but why does she have a singular fixation on getting Erik’s apartment in particular? As Larissa says, someone else taking it happens frequently, so there’s no clear reasoning for her to have her heart set on it. It would have made more sense if there had been a prior connection between the two characters or something.
🠚 Erik gets unemployment benefits – but spends it on an expensive frying pan? That rather contradicts the reality of living on a limited income.
🠚 Sol’s reveal during the date that she was the one enquiring about the spare room felt too quick.
🠚 Sol touching Erik’s arm felt too soon.
🠚 Their first kiss was in front of other people. I would have preferred if it was when they were on their own, not for a performance.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Sol꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I relate to Sol a bit. I too thought Vikings weren’t my type and Prince Charming was haha. When it says she “stays quiet unless I’m positive people won't think I’m the odd one out”, I felt that. She gets anxious when she doesn’t hear from Erik, and I’m the exact same. I totally get why she is so scared of feeling suffocated at home too. It must be annoying as well to have people mispronounce your name. I like that she doesn’t want to swear! Her confidence when she wants Erik on his back dayum!
-ˋˏ ꒰ Erik꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ He is so fine! Understandable that he gets so caught up in work that he pushes people away and shuts people out. Of course, the Viking’s favourite game is God of War (excellent choice tbh). The way he knows everything about her already because he has quietly observed her in the apartment ahh! The fact he LEARNS to dance the forró for Sol!!
FAV QUOTES
• I look up at his face—he must be at least six foot two while I’m five-four—caught off guard by his rough beauty. I’m used to seeing blue eyes everywhere by now, but his are especially bright. It looks as though he was sculpted by Odin himself.
• Whatever act of kindness he might do will be strictly for his benefit. In this case, so I don’t have to—*God forbid*, he’d think—sleep on his couch.
• He straightens his posture and looks at me again. The soft glow of the streetlamp outside makes his features discernible—even in the middle of the night. It’s as if the dark can reveal what he hides in daylight. I can see what is behind his ocean-blue eyes. There is defeat, hurt confidence, low self-esteem, and a bunch of other harmful feelings.
• I’ve experienced hygge—or I think I have—a few times since I arrived in Copenhagen. But this moment, right here and now, is the one I’m sure is hygge.
• “We were there earlier today,” he says to the others with a smile, taking my hand and locking his fingers between mine. It’s such an intimate touch I lose my breath, attacked by the butterflies in my stomach. “It was a wonderful day.” I can’t tell if he means this for real, but it is true for me.
• I help people. I don’t abandon them when they need me most. And if there is someone who needs me now, it is Erik Storm. Just as much as I need him.
• Sometimes, it takes a while. I can sit at this table for many minutes, or hours, totally immersed in the work before they hit me. The shivers. The butterflies. The fireworks. The whole darn circus. It’s usually triggered when he leans too close, his breath tickling my skin. When his laugh chimes like Christmas bells next to my ear. When his smile grows until he shows his white teeth, and a little dimple appears on his cheek.
• He interlocks his fingers with mine, brings our united hands to his lips, and kisses the back of my hand. I try to make it look like this is something he does all the time, but my insides are pulsing with the power of ten overworked speakers, a song of temptation and enticement blasting in my brain.
• We are no longer Team Sol & Storm. We are Sol and Erik again, living in their own routines. A room away. A world away.
• I’ve trusted Erik. I *do* trust him. I realize I’d go to the end of the world with him.
• I can’t ruin it all. Better to have fake-boyfriend-roommate-friend Erik than to not have him at all.
• Erik kisses me like he means it, the symphony through the hidden speakers orchestrating the rhythm of our lips. Our intimate dance of colorful desire.
• I’ve never desired a man so much in my life, and I’ve never been so afraid to have him. I’m afraid of what comes after. I dread what I might become once he claims me and changes me irreparably. Because there is no way that having Erik Storm won’t fuck me up.
• “Your bed or mine?” | “Yours. We built it together. Now let’s destroy it.”
• My hand is resting on his face. Erik covers it with his own and drives it toward his lips so he can kiss my palm. “We should give ourselves a chance,” he says, and the words sound like magic to my ears. They sparkle and twinkle. They open my tight chest, making me able to breathe at last. “I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. But I won’t back away.”
• The familiar Erik Storm fire is awakening in him. And I like that. A lot. The wild, determined Viking is back.
• “Love is a dance, Sol, and your partner can guide you, but you can’t let him carry you all the way. You need to be in control too. And you should know your moves so well you can always dance without him.”
• He touches his forehead to mine, and we smile at each other, silent for a couple of precious seconds, in which we tell each other everything we want to say without uttering a single word.
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Paula Ottoni, HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
May 3, 2024
“Never Date a Roommate” by Paula Ottoni is her debut English-language adult romance. It’s a delightful journey through the cozy streets of Copenhagen, where love blooms unexpectedly in the most mundane of places, like your very own apartment.
Meet Sol Carvalho. She’s a Brazilian game developer, dreams of advancing her career in the happiest city on earth: Copenhagen. But beneath the city's charming facade of cozy sweaters and hot cocoa lies a vibrant culture waiting to be explored. Sol's boss dangles a promotion, but there's a catch: she needs a steady place to live and a significant other. Unfortunately, Sol has neither. That is until she hatches a plan: convince Viking look-alike Erik Storm to be her roommate and, perhaps, her fake boyfriend.
Meet Erik. He is scarred by a past roommate disaster, is wary. He lost everything: the app he developed, his job, and his peace of mind. Yet, Sol's proposition intrigues him. As long as he can ignore her captivating presence and the way she fills a room with her broad chest and stoic brooding, he might just agree. After all, their mutual tech nemesis awaits defeat.
But lines blur, and their ruse becomes more than just a game. As Sol and Erik navigate their fake relationship, they discover that sometimes the heart doesn't follow the rules. Can they trust their feelings this time, or will history repeat itself?
“Never Date a Roommate” is a heartwarming tale that balances humour, chemistry, and vulnerability. Ottoni's writing is fresh and engaging, capturing the essence of Copenhagen's streets and the quirky dynamics of shared living spaces. Here's why this book deserves a resounding five stars:
Sol and Erik leap off the pages with their distinct personalities. Sol's determination and wit are irresistible, while Erik's brooding exterior hides a tender heart. Their banter crackles, and their chemistry sizzles. The fake relationship trope is executed brilliantly. Sol and Erik's interactions create a delightful tension. Their emotional journey feels authentic and relatable.
Amid the laughter, there are poignant moments that tug at your heartstrings. Sol's vulnerability and Erik's hidden scars make them endearing. You'll root for their happily-ever-after. The subplot involving their mutual tech nemesis adds intrigue. As Sol and Erik work together, the stakes rise, and the lines between fake and real blur. Ottoni weaves this thread seamlessly into the romance.
Copenhagen comes alive in Ottoni's prose. From cobblestone streets to cozy cafes, readers will yearn to explore this enchanting city. The blend of Brazilian and Danish cultures adds depth to the narrative.
In “Never Date a Roommate”, Ottoni crafts a romance that warms your soul and leaves you smiling. Whether you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, or quirky roommates, this book delivers. So grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle into your favourite sweater, and immerse yourself in Sol and Erik's charming world. Mark your calendars, fellow romantics, because this is a love story worth experiencing. You won't regret it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Romance, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Meet Sol Carvalho. She’s a Brazilian game developer, dreams of advancing her career in the happiest city on earth: Copenhagen. But beneath the city's charming facade of cozy sweaters and hot cocoa lies a vibrant culture waiting to be explored. Sol's boss dangles a promotion, but there's a catch: she needs a steady place to live and a significant other. Unfortunately, Sol has neither. That is until she hatches a plan: convince Viking look-alike Erik Storm to be her roommate and, perhaps, her fake boyfriend.
Meet Erik. He is scarred by a past roommate disaster, is wary. He lost everything: the app he developed, his job, and his peace of mind. Yet, Sol's proposition intrigues him. As long as he can ignore her captivating presence and the way she fills a room with her broad chest and stoic brooding, he might just agree. After all, their mutual tech nemesis awaits defeat.
But lines blur, and their ruse becomes more than just a game. As Sol and Erik navigate their fake relationship, they discover that sometimes the heart doesn't follow the rules. Can they trust their feelings this time, or will history repeat itself?
“Never Date a Roommate” is a heartwarming tale that balances humour, chemistry, and vulnerability. Ottoni's writing is fresh and engaging, capturing the essence of Copenhagen's streets and the quirky dynamics of shared living spaces. Here's why this book deserves a resounding five stars:
Sol and Erik leap off the pages with their distinct personalities. Sol's determination and wit are irresistible, while Erik's brooding exterior hides a tender heart. Their banter crackles, and their chemistry sizzles. The fake relationship trope is executed brilliantly. Sol and Erik's interactions create a delightful tension. Their emotional journey feels authentic and relatable.
Amid the laughter, there are poignant moments that tug at your heartstrings. Sol's vulnerability and Erik's hidden scars make them endearing. You'll root for their happily-ever-after. The subplot involving their mutual tech nemesis adds intrigue. As Sol and Erik work together, the stakes rise, and the lines between fake and real blur. Ottoni weaves this thread seamlessly into the romance.
Copenhagen comes alive in Ottoni's prose. From cobblestone streets to cozy cafes, readers will yearn to explore this enchanting city. The blend of Brazilian and Danish cultures adds depth to the narrative.
In “Never Date a Roommate”, Ottoni crafts a romance that warms your soul and leaves you smiling. Whether you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, or quirky roommates, this book delivers. So grab a cup of cocoa, snuggle into your favourite sweater, and immerse yourself in Sol and Erik's charming world. Mark your calendars, fellow romantics, because this is a love story worth experiencing. You won't regret it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Romance, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2025
This was just kinda meh. It was cute yes and I love reading about women in stem and I love the representation, but something about it wasn’t really captivating for me and it just felt flat. I liked the ending though that was cute and as a Swede I loved reading about the setting in Denmark and when Sweden was mentioned. It took a LONG time for me to read but that was mostly because of my depression.
September 11, 2024
3 ⭐️ it was cute but fell flat and the ending felt rushed. I don’t think the conflict and resolution were what I expected and I didn’t like it but the concept was cute.
January 29, 2025
Dnf 49%
I HATE dnf’ing books. I only do it to books I simply can’t stand to read, and this was just about my last straw.
The author doesn’t understand ‘show not tell’.
“Did he want me to want him to go? No… he’s just normal moody Erik.”
Girl please. Like genuinely Jesus Christ this was a flaming hot pile of shit.
The plot’s so cute. I was genuinely looking forward to this, the close proximity and fake dating. Sign me the fuck up. The writing just wasn’t it for me.
I HATE dnf’ing books. I only do it to books I simply can’t stand to read, and this was just about my last straw.
The author doesn’t understand ‘show not tell’.
“Did he want me to want him to go? No… he’s just normal moody Erik.”
Girl please. Like genuinely Jesus Christ this was a flaming hot pile of shit.
The plot’s so cute. I was genuinely looking forward to this, the close proximity and fake dating. Sign me the fuck up. The writing just wasn’t it for me.
July 22, 2024
Never Date a Roommate-a standalone
By: Paula Ottoni-new to me author
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐
Publication: 7-23-24 Read 7-21-24
Format: e-book, 264 pgs.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance/Afterglow Books by Harlequin for this ARC 🩷! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️ Rom-Com
✔️ Adult/Women's Fic
✔️ enemies to friends to lovers
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ fake dating
✔️ multicultural romance
✔️roommates
✔️slow burn romance
Summary: In order for Marisol "Sol" Carvalho to get her promotion, she must move to Copenhagen, find a place, and get into a serious relationship. She has to show her dedication and willingness to put down roots. She's a game developer and meets Erik who is also a tech guy. Sol convinces him to let her move in with him as her fake boyfriend. Erik is weary of Sol because he hasn't had the best luck with roommates. He lost his stable job to create his own app taken by his old roommate. Will they maintain the fake relationship or will their real feelings take over?
🤔My Thoughts: Other than exploring their different cultures Sol and Erik didn't have "that thing" to make me root for them. They were in a fake relationship and they just happened to do the same job. Erik had some past drama to confront and Sol became his person to lean on.
By: Paula Ottoni-new to me author
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐
Publication: 7-23-24 Read 7-21-24
Format: e-book, 264 pgs.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance/Afterglow Books by Harlequin for this ARC 🩷! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️ Rom-Com
✔️ Adult/Women's Fic
✔️ enemies to friends to lovers
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ fake dating
✔️ multicultural romance
✔️roommates
✔️slow burn romance
Summary: In order for Marisol "Sol" Carvalho to get her promotion, she must move to Copenhagen, find a place, and get into a serious relationship. She has to show her dedication and willingness to put down roots. She's a game developer and meets Erik who is also a tech guy. Sol convinces him to let her move in with him as her fake boyfriend. Erik is weary of Sol because he hasn't had the best luck with roommates. He lost his stable job to create his own app taken by his old roommate. Will they maintain the fake relationship or will their real feelings take over?
🤔My Thoughts: Other than exploring their different cultures Sol and Erik didn't have "that thing" to make me root for them. They were in a fake relationship and they just happened to do the same job. Erik had some past drama to confront and Sol became his person to lean on.
December 25, 2024
2.5⭐
البداية حلوة لكن بعدين صار ممل و نص الشخصيات كانت معصبتني و النهاية مخيسة 👎🏼
Edit: نزيد تقييم بنص نجمة بس لأن بطلة تلعب the sims
البداية حلوة لكن بعدين صار ممل و نص الشخصيات كانت معصبتني و النهاية مخيسة 👎🏼
Edit: نزيد تقييم بنص نجمة بس لأن بطلة تلعب the sims
July 16, 2024
Every now and then you just need a quick, sweet spicy romance to recharge and give you a pep in your step and that's exactly what this book is!
Sol is a Brazilian game designer who wants to stay in Denmark but is struggling to find somewhere to live...until she ends up finding a room with Erik, a good looking 'viking' who is adamant that they will never be more than just roommates.
I will be honest and say at the start I struggled to get into the plot but Paula manages to cleverly intertwine the fake dating dynamic into the story in a way which suddenly had me hooked! This book is the perfect blend of cute quirky romance mixed with a slow burn sort of enemies to lovers dynamic that had me kicking my feet and giggling! For me this book had the perfect amount of spice and I'm an absolute sucker for a story where the man pretends he is unaffected and then you find out he's down bad absolutely obsessed with her!
My only criticism of the book would be it was quite fast paced at times and because of that some of the resolutions seemed quite fast and underwhelming. On top of that Sols personality seemed quite inconsistent and I wish we had more time getting to know the two main characters.
However, I really enjoyed all the insights into both Brazilian and Danish culture and ultimately it was a cute, fun and solid read. Oh, and the slow burn spice pay off was excellent 😏
*Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review*
Sol is a Brazilian game designer who wants to stay in Denmark but is struggling to find somewhere to live...until she ends up finding a room with Erik, a good looking 'viking' who is adamant that they will never be more than just roommates.
I will be honest and say at the start I struggled to get into the plot but Paula manages to cleverly intertwine the fake dating dynamic into the story in a way which suddenly had me hooked! This book is the perfect blend of cute quirky romance mixed with a slow burn sort of enemies to lovers dynamic that had me kicking my feet and giggling! For me this book had the perfect amount of spice and I'm an absolute sucker for a story where the man pretends he is unaffected and then you find out he's down bad absolutely obsessed with her!
My only criticism of the book would be it was quite fast paced at times and because of that some of the resolutions seemed quite fast and underwhelming. On top of that Sols personality seemed quite inconsistent and I wish we had more time getting to know the two main characters.
However, I really enjoyed all the insights into both Brazilian and Danish culture and ultimately it was a cute, fun and solid read. Oh, and the slow burn spice pay off was excellent 😏
*Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review*
August 5, 2024
This book is for the girls that fell in love with Thor over Prince Charming!
I cannot express how unique of a romance this book was and I ate it up! I went in blind to this besides knowing it was about a roommate situation and with forced proximity being one of my favourite tropes I knew I’d enjoy this.
Sol is a Brazilian game developer working and living in Denmark, when she tries to go for a promotion that requires her to have ‘roots’ in Denmark she approaches her new roommate with a deal. I loved how unique in setting and culture this story was, with the combination of the calm and friendly environment of Denmark in contrast with Sol’s naturally confident and boisterous personality was everything I could want in this book.
I also really loved how unique their careers were considering I’ve never really read any sort of romance about computer based careers! And I loved how it played into Sol and Erik’s relationships!
Paula Ottoni’s writing is just so refreshing and such a good way to get out of a slump, I recommend this to anyone who wants an easy summer read! ✨
I cannot express how unique of a romance this book was and I ate it up! I went in blind to this besides knowing it was about a roommate situation and with forced proximity being one of my favourite tropes I knew I’d enjoy this.
Sol is a Brazilian game developer working and living in Denmark, when she tries to go for a promotion that requires her to have ‘roots’ in Denmark she approaches her new roommate with a deal. I loved how unique in setting and culture this story was, with the combination of the calm and friendly environment of Denmark in contrast with Sol’s naturally confident and boisterous personality was everything I could want in this book.
I also really loved how unique their careers were considering I’ve never really read any sort of romance about computer based careers! And I loved how it played into Sol and Erik’s relationships!
Paula Ottoni’s writing is just so refreshing and such a good way to get out of a slump, I recommend this to anyone who wants an easy summer read! ✨
January 8, 2025
The book was cute and easy to read but i was bored.
I wasn't fond of the characters, it just didn't click with my personality.
I'm sure others could enjoy it more it just wasn't for me...
I wasn't fond of the characters, it just didn't click with my personality.
I'm sure others could enjoy it more it just wasn't for me...
March 6, 2025
I really need to start learning that it’s *okay* to DNF a book.
October 8, 2024
Never Date A Roommate се оказа доста обсебваща книга! Поне за мен. Използвах всяка свободна минута да съм с героите. През нощта се будех, жадна да прочета още една глава, да видя до къде стигаме. Доста неща държаха вниманието и любопитството ми. Действието се развива в Копенхаген. Марисол идва от Бразилия и притежава типичния ярък и жив стил на южноамериканка. Ерик е датчанин - такъв, какъвто винаги си представяме викитгите: снажен, русокос и синеок мъж. Онова, което знам за Дания, се потвърждава многократно в книгата. Стремежът на датчаните да не изпъкват над останалите, да са по - обрани и в поведението и в интересите си, както и в облеклото и храната си. Сякаш северните ширини и ниските температури подтискат импулсивността и експресивността им. Марисол идва от обляна в слънце и топлина Бразилия, място на екзотични плажове, карнавали и разнообразна храна. Тоест, тя е пълната противоположност на Ерик с маслинената си кожа, заразителния си смях, жизнеността и ярките си дрехи. Но тя работи и живее в Копенхаген и мястото й харесва ( е, без студа, липсата на слънце, което топли и задължителното каране на велосипед дори в дъждовни дни). Тя иска да остане в този град и да изпита прословутата скандинавска Хюга с всичките й екстри - топли пуловери, чай, ароматни свещи, кожи по пода, пускането на огъня в печката... Иска да стане датчанка. Но не иска да бъде сама.
Екзотика на тропиците среща скандинавския манталитет. Различни характери с различен багаж и нагласи , Марисол и Ерик се впускат в една игра, която трябва да покаже на нея, че може да се впише в Копенхаген и да сбъдне мечтата си, а на него - че старите разочарования не трябва да се помнят цял живот. Просто в един момент съдбата предоставя шанс и възможност за приключение. А оттам и за щастие.
" The success of a family, even
one made of only two people, depends on professional realization.
: “Love doesn’t put food on the table.”
. “I guess you always want what you can’t have.”
Екзотика на тропиците среща скандинавския манталитет. Различни характери с различен багаж и нагласи , Марисол и Ерик се впускат в една игра, която трябва да покаже на нея, че може да се впише в Копенхаген и да сбъдне мечтата си, а на него - че старите разочарования не трябва да се помнят цял живот. Просто в един момент съдбата предоставя шанс и възможност за приключение. А оттам и за щастие.
" The success of a family, even
one made of only two people, depends on professional realization.
: “Love doesn’t put food on the table.”
. “I guess you always want what you can’t have.”
July 8, 2024
Never Date a Roommate by Paula Ottoni was a sweet and funny multicultural story following two gaming professionals as they navigate the world of love and game development! Marisol is an ambitious woman who traveled all the way from Brazil to get her dream job. She is doing everything in her power to make all of her dreams come true and stay in Copenhagen. Erik is a down on his luck game developer who quit his stable game development job to work on a passion project, only for it to go so, so wrong. He's got a lot of baggage. Together they form an alliance. She needs a place to live so she can pursue her dreams and he needs a roommate to afford his bills.
Overall, I was enchanted deeply by this story. I think the way the characters talk, both in their own accented English, and in their own languages was really enduring and sweet. I loved exploring Copenhagen through the main character's eyes and seeing her be so headstrong about accomplishing all of her dreams. It's very "American Dream" esque, and I really admired it. Erik's character was a bit of a glacier, but it was sweet watching him melt, especially for Marisol! The family dynamics and expectations and involvement was so sweet. I was swooning and laughing over some of the phone calls and face times between characters! I think this is a great book for anyone who wants to explore narratives outside of the United States or Canada. It's refreshing and exciting to read about different cultures!
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Overall, I was enchanted deeply by this story. I think the way the characters talk, both in their own accented English, and in their own languages was really enduring and sweet. I loved exploring Copenhagen through the main character's eyes and seeing her be so headstrong about accomplishing all of her dreams. It's very "American Dream" esque, and I really admired it. Erik's character was a bit of a glacier, but it was sweet watching him melt, especially for Marisol! The family dynamics and expectations and involvement was so sweet. I was swooning and laughing over some of the phone calls and face times between characters! I think this is a great book for anyone who wants to explore narratives outside of the United States or Canada. It's refreshing and exciting to read about different cultures!
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Sol and Erik become roommates when Sol is offered her dream job but is struggling to find somewhere to live. Sol is from Brazil and Erik is danish. Erik doesn’t want a female roommate because he has had a bad experience with the last one. He’s very no nonsense and wants their relationship to be kind of professional etc. Erik is struggling with a start up business and Sol is struggling as the only single one at her firm. In order for both characters to be validated, they decide to ‘play the game’ (no pun intended, iykyk) and stretch the truth a little. However, this leads to distractions and attractions…
✨
The novel is set in beautiful Copenhagen and the writer frequently explores the setting and danish traditions which I loved. I adored the nod to her Brazilian roots. I think with most romances, this was entirely predictable, but good. It was a lovely easy and fast paced read and I really liked how they shared their cultures with one another. I also enjoyed learning a bit about the private sector, as I am in the public sector as well as being self employed. I really enjoyed this novel. I wish we got to know a bit more about Erik though, and his family. There was a plot hole left open and the ending felt a teeny bit rushed, which is why I have not rated 4+. Despite being entirely predictable, this was a really nice wholesome read and was just what I needed after an intense thriller. I do recommend this.
Sol and Erik become roommates when Sol is offered her dream job but is struggling to find somewhere to live. Sol is from Brazil and Erik is danish. Erik doesn’t want a female roommate because he has had a bad experience with the last one. He’s very no nonsense and wants their relationship to be kind of professional etc. Erik is struggling with a start up business and Sol is struggling as the only single one at her firm. In order for both characters to be validated, they decide to ‘play the game’ (no pun intended, iykyk) and stretch the truth a little. However, this leads to distractions and attractions…
✨
The novel is set in beautiful Copenhagen and the writer frequently explores the setting and danish traditions which I loved. I adored the nod to her Brazilian roots. I think with most romances, this was entirely predictable, but good. It was a lovely easy and fast paced read and I really liked how they shared their cultures with one another. I also enjoyed learning a bit about the private sector, as I am in the public sector as well as being self employed. I really enjoyed this novel. I wish we got to know a bit more about Erik though, and his family. There was a plot hole left open and the ending felt a teeny bit rushed, which is why I have not rated 4+. Despite being entirely predictable, this was a really nice wholesome read and was just what I needed after an intense thriller. I do recommend this.
August 6, 2024
Roommates to lovers is always a fun trope for me and this was a super fun twist on it! I haven't read many books set in Denmark and it was really interesting. The pressure to have a family and work life balance was cracking me up. It's so the opposite of the American work culture.
I thought Sol and Erik were a great couple. I liked how well they worked together both as partners in fake dating and on creating games. I liked that Erik loved Sol for who she was and didn't want her to change to fit in with Danish society better.
If you want to read a romance set somewhere other than America or the UK this is a great choice! It's also perfect for fans of roommates to lovers and fake dating! I did find the end was a bit slow paced for me but I still enjoyed the story as a whole!
I listened to the audiobook version of this title and really enjoyed it. Gabriela Tola did the narration and did a great job with the different accents. This is one that I think is better as single narrator because dual narrators would inevitably do the accents differently.
Thanks to Afterglow and Harlequin Audio for providing me with an eARC and an ALC. All opinions are my own.
I thought Sol and Erik were a great couple. I liked how well they worked together both as partners in fake dating and on creating games. I liked that Erik loved Sol for who she was and didn't want her to change to fit in with Danish society better.
If you want to read a romance set somewhere other than America or the UK this is a great choice! It's also perfect for fans of roommates to lovers and fake dating! I did find the end was a bit slow paced for me but I still enjoyed the story as a whole!
I listened to the audiobook version of this title and really enjoyed it. Gabriela Tola did the narration and did a great job with the different accents. This is one that I think is better as single narrator because dual narrators would inevitably do the accents differently.
Thanks to Afterglow and Harlequin Audio for providing me with an eARC and an ALC. All opinions are my own.
August 13, 2025
3,5✨️
Um romance com bastante tensão que se vai desenvolvendo ao longo do livro!
A escrita da autora é bastante fluída
Um romance com bastante tensão que se vai desenvolvendo ao longo do livro!
A escrita da autora é bastante fluída
July 5, 2025
Okay but underwhelmed
June 25, 2024
3.5 stars
RTC
RTC
July 7, 2024
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Chasing her dreams to become a game designer, Sol Carvalho made the leap from her native Brazil to the chilly Copenhagen for a job at the successful Scorpio games. And while the job isn't exactly what she pictured (making new levels for their most popular matching game every day isn't exactly riveting work), and her social life hasn't taken off yet (it's hard to meet people in a new country, especially when you don't speak the language yet!), and the threat of becoming homeless looms ever closer after her landlord didn't renew her lease-- at least she's doing something adjacent to what she loves. But when her boss reveals Sol is in the running for her dream job, she has to prove that's she's putting down roots and dedicated to her new Danish home. The only problem? Sol doesn't have any roots to put down, so she makes some up.
Enter her fake boyfriend (and new roommate) Erik Storm. Sure he's the sexiest man she's ever met, and yes maybe she starts to catch feelings for him, and absolutely the lines between what's real and what's fake begin to blur-- but surely Sol won't get in over her head... right?
NEVER DATE A ROOMMATE had such promise for me. I loved the buildup-- Sol was such a fun character with so much vibrancy. As a person not in tech, the idea of game development as a career was interesting, and her story as an immigrant finding her place was really moving. However, at about the 55% mark the story felt too rushed and all over the place. I think this book would have benefited from a slower second half and a focus on character consistency/development.
Overall, I am always up for trying out a romance not set in America or Britain-- and while NEVER DATE YOUR ROOMMATE was a fine read, and the potential was there, it wasn't my favorite this time.
Chasing her dreams to become a game designer, Sol Carvalho made the leap from her native Brazil to the chilly Copenhagen for a job at the successful Scorpio games. And while the job isn't exactly what she pictured (making new levels for their most popular matching game every day isn't exactly riveting work), and her social life hasn't taken off yet (it's hard to meet people in a new country, especially when you don't speak the language yet!), and the threat of becoming homeless looms ever closer after her landlord didn't renew her lease-- at least she's doing something adjacent to what she loves. But when her boss reveals Sol is in the running for her dream job, she has to prove that's she's putting down roots and dedicated to her new Danish home. The only problem? Sol doesn't have any roots to put down, so she makes some up.
Enter her fake boyfriend (and new roommate) Erik Storm. Sure he's the sexiest man she's ever met, and yes maybe she starts to catch feelings for him, and absolutely the lines between what's real and what's fake begin to blur-- but surely Sol won't get in over her head... right?
NEVER DATE A ROOMMATE had such promise for me. I loved the buildup-- Sol was such a fun character with so much vibrancy. As a person not in tech, the idea of game development as a career was interesting, and her story as an immigrant finding her place was really moving. However, at about the 55% mark the story felt too rushed and all over the place. I think this book would have benefited from a slower second half and a focus on character consistency/development.
Overall, I am always up for trying out a romance not set in America or Britain-- and while NEVER DATE YOUR ROOMMATE was a fine read, and the potential was there, it wasn't my favorite this time.
April 1, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Rating- 3.75
Never Date a Roommate follows Sol, a game designer from Brazil currently chasing her career dreams in Denmark. However, when she is forced to find a new apartment in the incredibly competitive housing market of Copenhagen, she finds herself matching with the very guy who could solve all of her problems on a dating app. After convincing him to let her stay in his place, only under his strict rules of nothing romantic EVER happening between them (so obviously that means nothing), she begins to battle her way towards a promotion.
But then she is forced to again ask Erik, her sexy roommate, for another favor, in the form of being her fake boyfriend. And thus begins a mashup of some of my all time favorite tropes, and while it was a quick and fun read, I found myself wanting for more.
The book is fairly short, and because of that, some of it feels rushed. Sol and Erik, for example... I felt like their relationship so rapidly changed from 'we can never be more than roommates' to 'damn I want to jump your bones', and that made it seem inorganic. There were many moments that I loved between them, but I think that the author, if she had chosen to make the book just a touch longer, could have given us more from those interactions. I wanted to know more about Erik's family and his ex- honestly, I just wanted to know him a bit more. He had a lot of swoony moments, to be sure, but again, I felt like there were times that we could have gotten more out of his character and his interactions with Sol.
In addition to their love being a bit quick, I felt like the reconciliation was the same. Their conflict, honestly, didn't make enough sense for me to truly feel invested in their struggles and angst. I was just frustrated at them both, but I can recognize how that is an effective way to play on the emotions of readers... however, here, it just didn't fit as well as it could have.
I did like the side characters, but again, I wish we got a little more of them. It was nice to see Sol find her place and her friends in this new city, so far from what she knows, and while I know that the author wanted to represent some of the struggle that comes with finding your place, I thought that the friendships she had outside of Erik could have really shown that.
The spice was written really well and those moments had a lot of chemistry, but I don't know how I feel about the expression 'come in' during sexy time... to each their own, though.
Overall, this was a quick, steamy, low-stakes read that could definitely fill that need for a fun romance! If you're into hot Viking men and a few hours of escapism, I would pick this one up! Despite the things that I didn't like, I did enjoy myself and am curious to see more by the author!
Rating- 3.75
Never Date a Roommate follows Sol, a game designer from Brazil currently chasing her career dreams in Denmark. However, when she is forced to find a new apartment in the incredibly competitive housing market of Copenhagen, she finds herself matching with the very guy who could solve all of her problems on a dating app. After convincing him to let her stay in his place, only under his strict rules of nothing romantic EVER happening between them (so obviously that means nothing), she begins to battle her way towards a promotion.
But then she is forced to again ask Erik, her sexy roommate, for another favor, in the form of being her fake boyfriend. And thus begins a mashup of some of my all time favorite tropes, and while it was a quick and fun read, I found myself wanting for more.
The book is fairly short, and because of that, some of it feels rushed. Sol and Erik, for example... I felt like their relationship so rapidly changed from 'we can never be more than roommates' to 'damn I want to jump your bones', and that made it seem inorganic. There were many moments that I loved between them, but I think that the author, if she had chosen to make the book just a touch longer, could have given us more from those interactions. I wanted to know more about Erik's family and his ex- honestly, I just wanted to know him a bit more. He had a lot of swoony moments, to be sure, but again, I felt like there were times that we could have gotten more out of his character and his interactions with Sol.
In addition to their love being a bit quick, I felt like the reconciliation was the same. Their conflict, honestly, didn't make enough sense for me to truly feel invested in their struggles and angst. I was just frustrated at them both, but I can recognize how that is an effective way to play on the emotions of readers... however, here, it just didn't fit as well as it could have.
I did like the side characters, but again, I wish we got a little more of them. It was nice to see Sol find her place and her friends in this new city, so far from what she knows, and while I know that the author wanted to represent some of the struggle that comes with finding your place, I thought that the friendships she had outside of Erik could have really shown that.
The spice was written really well and those moments had a lot of chemistry, but I don't know how I feel about the expression 'come in' during sexy time... to each their own, though.
Overall, this was a quick, steamy, low-stakes read that could definitely fill that need for a fun romance! If you're into hot Viking men and a few hours of escapism, I would pick this one up! Despite the things that I didn't like, I did enjoy myself and am curious to see more by the author!
July 14, 2024
Sol has relocated from Brazil to Denmark with her dreams and thanks to her career, allowing her this opportunity. When she arrives, she doesn't know anyone and meets Erik, a man who had developed a dating app. Sol begins a friendship with him as he assists her in settling in to her new home.
Sol then finds a room to let, which is where she moves in with Erik to as a room mate in an apt in Copenhagen. They build a friendship with Erik being sarcastic bringing humour to Sols life whilst she communicates with family and friends on calls and video calls who are a full on family wanting to know every single detail of her life when they realise she is living with a man they immediately assume she is dating him and not only a platonic room mate.
Sol then agrees with Erik he will be her pretend boyfriend to meet up with Martin the co-founder of the dating site, however she then goes on a date with Thomas where she discovers he knows of Erik because of the dating app he had developed she doesn't actually want Erik to know as she realises she has feelings for him.
Sol and Erik eventually get together as they both surrender to their real feelings for each other. Sol knows she loves him and wonders about his feelings she has some uncertainty of his feelings, so she decides not to reveal her feelings initially.
"Went from friends to married in a day" was how Sol described the change in their relationship.
This story had so much potential however for me personally it felt a little drawn out and didn't really get to the main point till about 3/4 way through when they actually got together properly it was like alot of story without really drawing me in to get to there was just too long imo. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The narration was authentic with the way in which Sol was perceived. The family dynamics she had, etc, were well executed in the knowledge I have of this culture. It was an easy listen and easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley & Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to review this book.
Sol then finds a room to let, which is where she moves in with Erik to as a room mate in an apt in Copenhagen. They build a friendship with Erik being sarcastic bringing humour to Sols life whilst she communicates with family and friends on calls and video calls who are a full on family wanting to know every single detail of her life when they realise she is living with a man they immediately assume she is dating him and not only a platonic room mate.
Sol then agrees with Erik he will be her pretend boyfriend to meet up with Martin the co-founder of the dating site, however she then goes on a date with Thomas where she discovers he knows of Erik because of the dating app he had developed she doesn't actually want Erik to know as she realises she has feelings for him.
Sol and Erik eventually get together as they both surrender to their real feelings for each other. Sol knows she loves him and wonders about his feelings she has some uncertainty of his feelings, so she decides not to reveal her feelings initially.
"Went from friends to married in a day" was how Sol described the change in their relationship.
This story had so much potential however for me personally it felt a little drawn out and didn't really get to the main point till about 3/4 way through when they actually got together properly it was like alot of story without really drawing me in to get to there was just too long imo. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The narration was authentic with the way in which Sol was perceived. The family dynamics she had, etc, were well executed in the knowledge I have of this culture. It was an easy listen and easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley & Harper Collins UK Audio for the opportunity to review this book.
July 3, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Sol, is looking for a change. She moved from Brazil to Denmark in search of happiness. But unless the Brazilian game designer can find an apartment, she’ll be moving back to Brazil and back to her overly involved family.
Just as her boss has started hinting that she is being considered for a big promotion.
Erik Storm is her last hope. The broody Viking look alike has a room to rent, but he’s going to take some convincing to be Sol’s new roommate… let alone her fake boyfriend to try to impress her boss.
Never Date a Roommate is a Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, slow burn, GrumpyxSunshine novel, loosely based on the authors life!
This was a cute story and was a quick read. I loved that the author and Sol had so much in common (both game designers, both from Brazil, both moved to Denmark to pursue their dreams).
At first it felt very YA, and I didn’t mind it at all! But then the spicy scenes hit 🫣
Overall it was cute! I enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the chance to review!
Sol, is looking for a change. She moved from Brazil to Denmark in search of happiness. But unless the Brazilian game designer can find an apartment, she’ll be moving back to Brazil and back to her overly involved family.
Just as her boss has started hinting that she is being considered for a big promotion.
Erik Storm is her last hope. The broody Viking look alike has a room to rent, but he’s going to take some convincing to be Sol’s new roommate… let alone her fake boyfriend to try to impress her boss.
Never Date a Roommate is a Fake Dating, Forced Proximity, slow burn, GrumpyxSunshine novel, loosely based on the authors life!
This was a cute story and was a quick read. I loved that the author and Sol had so much in common (both game designers, both from Brazil, both moved to Denmark to pursue their dreams).
At first it felt very YA, and I didn’t mind it at all! But then the spicy scenes hit 🫣
Overall it was cute! I enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the chance to review!
July 28, 2024
This book had its winning points, and then there were things that did not work.
What worked
. The plotline was decently creative
. The location was brilliant. Loved the Scandinavian backdrop
. Description of the activities for happiness / coziness was cute
. The narrators accents were quite good, especially when you consider it's quite disparate. Brazilian and then Scandinavian.
What I disliked
There could have been 2 points of view
. Sol could have discussed her issues with Erik, too.
. A little bit more solid emotional buildup
Overall, it was an okay fast read with an interesting cultural slant.
#netgalley #neverdatearoommate
What worked
. The plotline was decently creative
. The location was brilliant. Loved the Scandinavian backdrop
. Description of the activities for happiness / coziness was cute
. The narrators accents were quite good, especially when you consider it's quite disparate. Brazilian and then Scandinavian.
What I disliked
There could have been 2 points of view
. Sol could have discussed her issues with Erik, too.
. A little bit more solid emotional buildup
Overall, it was an okay fast read with an interesting cultural slant.
#netgalley #neverdatearoommate
September 21, 2025
this is literally a nice, easy & quick, cosy-ish read. everything i wanted really. i’m glad i gave this book a chance and enjoyed using it as a “filler” during my trip. it was a good book and the concept was very good, i was surprised the game was mentioned as much as it was because often the subplot is lost in other books. i enjoyed the cultural mentions and learning a bit more about denmark, the information was really well written.
May 1, 2025
idk im adding sol & erik to my list of people that break up after the book, as sol rightly thinks, it feels like they went from “friends to “married” in a day” and i just don’t see them lasting, i’ve not been convinced that their relationship is built on any strong foundations
i do appreciate the scene setting though, i knew exactly which path in the rosenborg castle gardens they were talking about, ditto for the bridge in tivoli!
i do appreciate the scene setting though, i knew exactly which path in the rosenborg castle gardens they were talking about, ditto for the bridge in tivoli!
November 17, 2024
As a person who lived abroad for a long time, I understand how easy it is to lose yourself in a quest for assimilation. Even so, I found it disappointing how long it took Sol to realize that she didn't have to completely disregard her roots and cultural perspective in order to enjoy her life in Denmark. By the end, she still held Denmark and Erik on a pedestal and it made me kind of sad for her.
August 6, 2024
It was a lovely story and I AM HAPPY THAT I READ THISSSS
February 16, 2025
Nothing groundbreaking, but a cute fast-paced romance that pulled me out of my fantasy slump.
Recommend if you need something easy to read after fantasy/sci-fi world building books.
Recommend if you need something easy to read after fantasy/sci-fi world building books.
April 27, 2025
Absolutely loved it, binged it in hours! I was expecting cliches but they didn't happen which meant I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what happened next
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews