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The Roommate Study
An innocent way to get a free movie ticket suddenly turns into something much more exciting for Ares Michel and his smoking hot roommate Phoenix Sasaki.
Ares has had a crush on his half-Irish, half-Japanese roommate Phoenix since the very first day they met. But with his almond-shaped emerald green eyes and tall, model-like figure, all the girls on campus (and plenty of the boys too) admire Phoenix and want him for themselves.
Trying to save some money, Ares hears about a study on campus that is looking for roommates. The compensation is a movie voucher but he’ll take what he can get. Phoenix agrees to help out but when it comes time to fill out the questionnaire, Ares is surprised by how personal—and intimate—the questions are.
In his most embarrassing moment yet, Ares realizes that he’s dragged Phoenix not into a roommate study but a boyfriend study!
Quickly realizing his mistake, Ares tries to put a stop to the whole thing.
But Phoenix, with his dazzling smile and mischievous eyes, has other plans.
He wants to play along.
The Roommate Study is 60,000+ words and intended for mature 18+ audiences only due to language and sexual situations. It is a stand-alone HEA with no cliffhangers.
Ares has had a crush on his half-Irish, half-Japanese roommate Phoenix since the very first day they met. But with his almond-shaped emerald green eyes and tall, model-like figure, all the girls on campus (and plenty of the boys too) admire Phoenix and want him for themselves.
Trying to save some money, Ares hears about a study on campus that is looking for roommates. The compensation is a movie voucher but he’ll take what he can get. Phoenix agrees to help out but when it comes time to fill out the questionnaire, Ares is surprised by how personal—and intimate—the questions are.
In his most embarrassing moment yet, Ares realizes that he’s dragged Phoenix not into a roommate study but a boyfriend study!
Quickly realizing his mistake, Ares tries to put a stop to the whole thing.
But Phoenix, with his dazzling smile and mischievous eyes, has other plans.
He wants to play along.
The Roommate Study is 60,000+ words and intended for mature 18+ audiences only due to language and sexual situations. It is a stand-alone HEA with no cliffhangers.
165 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2016
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63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 26, 2018
In spite of the 'boring as milk toast' cover, the moment that I read the blurb for this story, I knew that I had to read this one, so I grabbed it and off I went.
Except there I was, just reading along thinking, "Hmmm, there are some parts of this book that should be bugging the living crap out of me, so I should be a wee bit annoyed, right?"
Well... that's pretty much what did not happen between myself and this story, not even once, but I can't tell you precisely why that was.
First, at 18, never-been-kissed Ares was just a bit too naive for words throughout most of the story. He was in love with his college roommate, so he blushed and blushed and blushed. Then he blushed some more.
(The word 'blush' made an appearance 78 times. Trust me, I counted.)
Second, Anglo-Asian mix Phoenix was beautiful. But not just beautiful. Oh, no. From the first to the last words of the book, Phoenix was beauty personified. No one could resist staring at and being captivated by his perfect beauty. Not even the straight men. Because, evidently, even straight men are dick-mo-tized by other very beautiful men.
It's 'a thing' now. Consider the memo delivered. ;- )
See??? That should have made me nuts. Yet, it never did. Did I roll my eyes on several occasions? Oh, fuck yes. But it never really drove me crazy. Not even a little bit, really.
The book was just so sweet and cute, with a lot of subtle humor, that I found myself simply rolling with the punches and waiting to see what was about to happen next.
Ares and Phoenix did come off as a bit young, at times, but they're college freshmen, so 18 and stupid, like all new adults that I've ever encountered. We've all been there, so I gave them a break.
The slow burn and buildup really worked for me here. Then once the kissing and touching started, those parts were pretty steamy. Not scorching hot, but there was definitely a good bit of fog on the mirrors by the time that the clothes came off.
The story was well-paced and wasn't bogged down with unnecessary theatrics, so there were no drama llama's peeking out from behind every available tree.
The main conflict within the story came down to neither MC feeling worthy of the other, but by the end of the story, the roommates had moved into a solid HFN relationship. They're only 18 and no one actually spoke the word 'forever,' hence the HFN vs. HEA in my opinion.
Overall, this one rated 4.5 stars, but I'm rounding up, mainly because of how many times the book made me genuinely smile.
Happy, happy, joy, joy, bring it on!
So if you're looking for a light, fun, fluffy read, this would probably be a very good candidate.
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January 25, 2019
~3.5~
This is a cute, happy story about two roommates: one an innocent virgin, the other a self-proclaimed "man whore."
Ares (his parents are obsessed with their Greek heritage) asks Phoenix to participate in a roommate study with him. Instead, they are inadvertently directed toward the boyfriend study, and Phoenix talks Ares into lying on the survey to receive the monetary compensation.
What follows is Ares crushing on Phoenix (Phoenix knows and sort of takes advantage) and Phoenix deciding he's not good enough for Ares. These guys are 18 and college freshman. Their communication skills leave much to be desired, but I could forgive that because they are so young!
There is some steam toward the end and a HFN (understandable considering the age of the MCs). I really liked Ares' family!
The Roommate Study is an easy, breezy read. My rating simply reflects my preference for more mature MCs.
This is a cute, happy story about two roommates: one an innocent virgin, the other a self-proclaimed "man whore."
Ares (his parents are obsessed with their Greek heritage) asks Phoenix to participate in a roommate study with him. Instead, they are inadvertently directed toward the boyfriend study, and Phoenix talks Ares into lying on the survey to receive the monetary compensation.
What follows is Ares crushing on Phoenix (Phoenix knows and sort of takes advantage) and Phoenix deciding he's not good enough for Ares. These guys are 18 and college freshman. Their communication skills leave much to be desired, but I could forgive that because they are so young!
There is some steam toward the end and a HFN (understandable considering the age of the MCs). I really liked Ares' family!
The Roommate Study is an easy, breezy read. My rating simply reflects my preference for more mature MCs.
January 12, 2017
This book is adorable!! Don’t pay attention to the ugly cover though.
Phoenix and Ares are college roommates. (Oh God, I LOVE those names!)
Ares is the sweet shy virgin and has a major crush on Phoenix. Phoenix is the beautiful popular guy, who everyone wants.
Ares asks Phoenix to enter a roommate study with him and since Phoenix doesn’t have anything better to do, he agrees. When they fill out the question forms it is clear some of those questions are very personal. They find out they have entered the wrong study. But since they will be getting $100 per meeting, Phoenix says they should just continue.
Phoenix is aware Ares has a crush on him, but he knows Ares is innocent and inexperienced. Not really what Phoenix is looking for.
Of course with the two of them pretending to be boyfriends during the meetings of the couples project, Phoenix starts to get to know Ares better. It’s not long before Phoenix realizes Ares is different from everyone else. The two are starting to fall in love.
But Ares cannot believe Phoenix really cares for him, since Phoenix has always been kind of a manwhore and flirt with everyone and everything.
Now Phoenix has to convince Ares his feelings are true..
I loved these guys. They were just adorable together. There were two things that bothered me though. One was that Phoenix was perfect and EVERYONE thought so. I mean, strangers constantly wanted to take his picture because he was just so beautiful. And even straight guys complimented him on his looks… Uhh…. no, just no…
And I was really disappointed in Ares at some point (don’t want to spoil too much) for not believing in Phoenix. I’m not a big fan of this kind of angst. Luckily it was resolved rather quickly.
Overall I really liked this. This was an adorable college romance story with two amazing guys.
Phoenix and Ares are college roommates. (Oh God, I LOVE those names!)
Ares is the sweet shy virgin and has a major crush on Phoenix. Phoenix is the beautiful popular guy, who everyone wants.
Ares asks Phoenix to enter a roommate study with him and since Phoenix doesn’t have anything better to do, he agrees. When they fill out the question forms it is clear some of those questions are very personal. They find out they have entered the wrong study. But since they will be getting $100 per meeting, Phoenix says they should just continue.
Phoenix is aware Ares has a crush on him, but he knows Ares is innocent and inexperienced. Not really what Phoenix is looking for.
Of course with the two of them pretending to be boyfriends during the meetings of the couples project, Phoenix starts to get to know Ares better. It’s not long before Phoenix realizes Ares is different from everyone else. The two are starting to fall in love.
But Ares cannot believe Phoenix really cares for him, since Phoenix has always been kind of a manwhore and flirt with everyone and everything.
Now Phoenix has to convince Ares his feelings are true..
I loved these guys. They were just adorable together. There were two things that bothered me though. One was that Phoenix was perfect and EVERYONE thought so. I mean, strangers constantly wanted to take his picture because he was just so beautiful. And even straight guys complimented him on his looks… Uhh…. no, just no…
And I was really disappointed in Ares at some point (don’t want to spoil too much) for not believing in Phoenix. I’m not a big fan of this kind of angst. Luckily it was resolved rather quickly.
Overall I really liked this. This was an adorable college romance story with two amazing guys.
January 26, 2019
💜
3.5 stars
Roommates who fake a relationship for some cash related to a study.
One roommate has a massive crush on the other.
During the course of the study feelings change and so does their relationship.
I enjoyed it.
3.5 stars
Roommates who fake a relationship for some cash related to a study.
One roommate has a massive crush on the other.
During the course of the study feelings change and so does their relationship.
I enjoyed it.
April 12, 2017
3.5* cute and quirky read. The rhythm of the story seemed a bit off. The description of the MCs activities at Ares' parents house was completely unrealistic. The actions of and reactions to Phoenix seemed OTT. But still an enjoyable, sweet read.
May 25, 2016
This started off interesting enough. I liked the characters and the story stayed cute through the whole thing. I just think that I am far too cynical for this particular book. After about 60%, the amount of times I had to hear about Phoenix's physical perfection jumped from OTT to "OMG SHUT UP".
The basis of the study ended up being what bugged me the most about the book. Thankfully, this niggle didn't occur until the very end so it didn't ruin the rest of the story for me.
Overall, the MCs where beyond sweet together, although they read so very young that I couldn't relate to them at all and it was a very nice HFN ending.
The basis of the study ended up being what bugged me the most about the book. Thankfully, this niggle didn't occur until the very end so it didn't ruin the rest of the story for me.
Overall, the MCs where beyond sweet together, although they read so very young that I couldn't relate to them at all and it was a very nice HFN ending.
May 24, 2016
I don't know if this is going to be a popular opinion but I found this book so refreshing and hilarious. There are so many things about this book that will probably drive some people crazy. There is a lot of emphasis on Phoenix's appearance. It is repeated throughout the book how ridiculously good looking he is, so much so that anyone, man, woman, gay, straight, pan, whatever would agree he is like the most beautiful person in the world. That was kind of the most annoying thing about this book to me and that at times the behavior is childish however, they are 18 years olds so whatever.
This is such a sweet book. It has so many sweet moments and so many great little things in it. First time love, virgin, first relationship, sweet nerd and the popular kid hooking up. I really, really enjoyed it. I wasn't so sure going in but a couple of pages in I knew it was going to be super cute so I stuck with it and I'm glad I did.
This is such a sweet book. It has so many sweet moments and so many great little things in it. First time love, virgin, first relationship, sweet nerd and the popular kid hooking up. I really, really enjoyed it. I wasn't so sure going in but a couple of pages in I knew it was going to be super cute so I stuck with it and I'm glad I did.
November 30, 2018
Reads a bit like fanfic; cute, but didn't feel polished.
April 21, 2016
Solid but superficial Fluffy McFluffiness
I think this book seriously needs a different cover to fit the mood of the story.
First time read from the author and it was quite entertaining and amusing like Todd said in his review. I bought this for the fluff he promised in his review and fluff it delivered!
I enjoyed Are's innocence and his secret wit that he kept well hidden from most people. I enjoy reading about people with introvert personality. Phoenix didn't grow on me until the last 30% of the story.
The Truth or Dare games were seriously hilarious (and hot), also the story arch that went around the scientific study was cool. But the ending notes with the study were kind of odd to me. It didn't open to me at all. Also, I was left wondering, if Phoenix ever revealed to Ares what he had to do in his part of the study.
I didn't enjoy the focus on appearances and the author herself wrote she googled male model images to get inspiration for the story. Fine that, we all like watching gorgeous people. I am just personally bored reading about too beutiful people. Gimme more ordinary and flawed people and I'm hooked.
One thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Why did Phoenix have to be mixed race? Not that I don't think mixed race people to be interesting and beutiful. Wasn't simply a Japanese person gorgeous enough without white washing him with "Irish features". Also I seriously thought the emerald almond shaped eyes (Phoenix's) and melted chocolate eyes (Ares') were a joke at first, but after a while it wasn't funny. The focus on appearances just gave the otherwise fun and solid new adult story an annoyingly superficial aftertaste.
If you enjoy the fake boyfriend trope and gay boy taking his first sexual steps after slow burn roommates to lovers trope this is a worth to give a go.
I think this book seriously needs a different cover to fit the mood of the story.
First time read from the author and it was quite entertaining and amusing like Todd said in his review. I bought this for the fluff he promised in his review and fluff it delivered!
I enjoyed Are's innocence and his secret wit that he kept well hidden from most people. I enjoy reading about people with introvert personality. Phoenix didn't grow on me until the last 30% of the story.
The Truth or Dare games were seriously hilarious (and hot), also the story arch that went around the scientific study was cool. But the ending notes with the study were kind of odd to me. It didn't open to me at all. Also, I was left wondering, if Phoenix ever revealed to Ares what he had to do in his part of the study.
I didn't enjoy the focus on appearances and the author herself wrote she googled male model images to get inspiration for the story. Fine that, we all like watching gorgeous people. I am just personally bored reading about too beutiful people. Gimme more ordinary and flawed people and I'm hooked.
One thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Why did Phoenix have to be mixed race? Not that I don't think mixed race people to be interesting and beutiful. Wasn't simply a Japanese person gorgeous enough without white washing him with "Irish features". Also I seriously thought the emerald almond shaped eyes (Phoenix's) and melted chocolate eyes (Ares') were a joke at first, but after a while it wasn't funny. The focus on appearances just gave the otherwise fun and solid new adult story an annoyingly superficial aftertaste.
If you enjoy the fake boyfriend trope and gay boy taking his first sexual steps after slow burn roommates to lovers trope this is a worth to give a go.
April 11, 2016
This reads very young, but I think that is to be expected since the MCs are both 18.
Phoenix is a little too perfect to be believable. (Think Mary Calmes's Jory or Weber)
I'd recommend this book to a much younger crowd than my general GR friends. It would be good for readers looking for a sweet and nearly angst free read.
Phoenix is a little too perfect to be believable. (Think Mary Calmes's Jory or Weber)
I'd recommend this book to a much younger crowd than my general GR friends. It would be good for readers looking for a sweet and nearly angst free read.
April 23, 2016
Cute, sweet and mostly painless!
Pretty much just fluffy and sappy, it definitely left me smiling.
Ah, the first love~
Pretty much just fluffy and sappy, it definitely left me smiling.
Ah, the first love~
April 18, 2016
Loved it!
Well written. Sweet characters. Touching plot. Just enough sexy times. A touch of humor. I will definitely be looking for other books by this author.
Well written. Sweet characters. Touching plot. Just enough sexy times. A touch of humor. I will definitely be looking for other books by this author.
April 23, 2016
this was super adorable.
January 14, 2022
Saccharine sweet... so sweet it made me wonder how old the author was when she wrote this. She seems very young, specially with the Japanese Phoenix with green eyes 🤣 (Japanese but actually inspired on a Korean guy... double proof) and all about his appearance and mixed race and whatever. Characters had no personality and I didn't like any of them and their romance was uninspired :(
At first it seemed like a sweeter version of the novel "Utsukushii Kare" but unfortunately it wasn't, and sorry Ares, I don't see a future with Phoenix (supposedly the most beautiful man on earth, hahahahaha, it was just too much... random people kept staring at him and even taking pics with him, since he was younger -????-). I even skipped their first time **shrugs**
Not too bad to deserve a public 1star rating, but maybe so deep down in my heart.
At first it seemed like a sweeter version of the novel "Utsukushii Kare" but unfortunately it wasn't, and sorry Ares, I don't see a future with Phoenix (supposedly the most beautiful man on earth, hahahahaha, it was just too much... random people kept staring at him and even taking pics with him, since he was younger -????-). I even skipped their first time **shrugs**
Not too bad to deserve a public 1star rating, but maybe so deep down in my heart.
June 22, 2019
Such a sweet read of two guy sharing a room in college ..
Ares crushed on Phoenix ..
They enter a roommate study with others to gain cash but most are already boyfriends and there are rules to consider..
Phoenix is beautiful everyone is drawn towards him but in the end he see's Ares ...
A lot went into this book I needed to finish in one go as the characters drew me in.
Very well written it is a gorgeous read.
Ares crushed on Phoenix ..
They enter a roommate study with others to gain cash but most are already boyfriends and there are rules to consider..
Phoenix is beautiful everyone is drawn towards him but in the end he see's Ares ...
A lot went into this book I needed to finish in one go as the characters drew me in.
Very well written it is a gorgeous read.
November 30, 2018
It's really sweet and adorable which is just what I wanted. But towards the end, there is too much exposition and that took away some of the enjoyment.
Read
April 25, 2016DNF at 25%
I'm tempted to read on to see if there's an explanation for why roommate is spelled wrong in the title to this book ... but, there's something about the characters (maybe too immature?) and the story that's just not working for me.
I'm tempted to read on to see if there's an explanation for why roommate is spelled wrong in the title to this book ... but, there's something about the characters (maybe too immature?) and the story that's just not working for me.
April 23, 2016
just crap. crap stereotypes, crap dialogue, and it was more like 15 yr olds talking.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews