Book Review: RoomHate by Penelope Ward

Title: RoomHate
Author: Penelope Ward @PenelopeAuthor
Reviewer: Tammy @tammyvoiced
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 Glorious Stars

From New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right?

Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.

When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.

The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.

The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.

I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.

The worst part? He didn’t come alone.

I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection.

The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.

Author’s note – RoomHate is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Have you ever got so involved with a book that you lost track of time, don’t remember blinking, take a quick shower so that you can get back to the story, ordered a pizza cause making dinner would be time away from the read and more scenarios that you avoid or make short because, you NEED to know what is going to happen next?

If yes, then this one is up your alley.
If no, then this one needs to be your alley.

I am a yes.

Wholly. Carp.

It was amazing!

So much power was involved in this story, from the character traits to the development of the scenes and to every emotion that can be felt. It was just plain and simply moving.

This was one heck of a second chance love story.

Amelia and Justin are left a house that was where their love story began.

Only now their story is fueled by hate.

They are forced to be roommates.

Hence RoomHate.

Add in a female counterpart to the scenario. Drama!. A little sauce to the mix.Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn. And to make it more annoying, she is nice! Ugh.

As the read flows on we see the past and present journey of Amelia and Justin told in alternating POVs. Which I love. Seeing both perspectives just makes the story better for me.

Justin was always Amelia’s champion and best friend. He guided her through awkwards situations as a teen.Which were funny and can be familiar to teens growing up. Starting your period in public is super embarrassing, well Amelia can relate

In return Amelia and her grandmother gave him a sense as family. Each had parents that were never a true part of their lives and they found comfort in each other with the backbone being Amelia’s grandmother. Such a sweet lady! A lady that had a plan with leaving both her house. Call it fate. Call it the stars lining up. Call it meant to be. This lady knew what she was doing.

The now roommates are in the same house and all the old feelings are flooding back to them. Justin might hate Amelia but you can sense the love and attraction that each still have for each other but there are a few obstacles in their way. Which adds gasoline to the already burning fire.

Justin’s swag and aggression was a super turn on not only for Amelia but will be for the readers as well. He can be mad at me any day just be hot and brooding! Meow!

As time goes on and we see changes happening with each is their own right and they actually grow together as well. They hate starts to dissipate and time and love starts to become on their side. There are some bumps on the way. Hold own to your handlebars.

“Sometimes the thing we fear more than anything, is really what our soul craves the most. This”

A huge change that happened after their first summer together was a baby. Not his baby but Amelia’s from a previous relationship. Her world changed completely when Beatrice arrived. This brought her back to Aquidneck Island. Surprise Justin is back! Let me tell you reading about how he grows to love Bea is so tear worthy. Then there is Justin’s music. Shew! Hot! Hot! Hot! A crooner and a passion for melodies. Let me sway side to side with hearts in my eyes.

“There is no music without you. Music is an expression of all of those things you live for…a reflection of the passion within your soul. I live for you. You’re my passion. You’re my music…you and Bea.”

Ok, I am giving a lot away.

There are definitely some more aspects to this story that I have not shared.

Moments of reminiscing.
Moments of growth.
Moments of truth.
Moments of hate.
Moments of tears.
Moments of strength.
Moments of bonding.
Moments of laughter.
Moments of coffee.
Moments of melody.
Moments of lust.
Moments of jealousy.
Moments of family.
Moments of love.

This story is in my all time Top 10 reads. Let me tell you why.
It brought joy to my soul.
It brought sadness to my heart.
It brought anger to my nerves.
It brought tears to my eyes.
It brought love to my being.

“This was always the way it was meant to Bea,”

– Tammy

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

AVAILABLE ON ALL RETAILERS:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1WmdZLK
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PysqdM
iBooks: http://apple.co/1PgsvE7
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1POvSnW
Nook: http://bit.ly/1PLGnSL

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.