After reading Rosie Danan's surprisingly delightful debut, The Roommate, I was excited to see where'd take Naomi Grant, who very much stood out from the moment she was introduced, in The Intimacy Experiment. And this shouldn't come as a shock but her second novel was just as good! Danan continued to perfectly blend steamy and humorous moments with important themes regarding faith, accepting one's self, and sex positivity. These aren't easy elements to mix together but she makes it work and I just loved Naomi and Ethan's story so much.
Naomi is still the co-founder of the sex-positive start-up with Clara and Josh, but she wants to try her hand at live lecturing. Unfortunately, higher ed isn't willing to hire her. This is where Ethan Cohen comes in. He's become a (young) rabbi of his own synagogue but its numbers are dwindling fast and if he doesn't turn things around soon, they'll have to close. To attract a younger crowd, he hires Naomi and together they host a seminar series on Modern Intimacy. Not only do people connect with their lectures but naturally, Naomi and Ethan grow closer and soon their attraction to one another is hard to ignore.
I very much shipped these two! On the surface, they seem like complete opposites who wouldn't work. But we really get to see their relationship grow plus how and why they connect. The development of their closeness felt so believable. But it wasn't just the relationship. We also see how they grow as individuals and how their pasts and faith play a role in that too. Like this relationship, the book at the surface level may seem like just sexy, fun times (which were certainly there!), but there's so much more than that. I found the discussions about faith very thought-provoking and like its predecessor, appreciated all the positive themes on sexuality and love.
Do I recommend? I do! If you enjoyed The Roommate, you won't be disappointed with this! And if you haven't read either book, you definitely should.
Here are some non-bookish articles I really liked this past month and my latest loves.
Do you have any links or loves to share?
Would love to hear about them!
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- Becoming by Michelle Obama (⭐⭐⭐⭐): Listened to the audiobook and I love Michelle Obama even more now.
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (⭐⭐⭐): Liked it but Murder on the Orient Express is still my favorite from her.
- The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): I reread this for the first time since 2012 and not only did it hold up, I think it hit me even harder this time.
- The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd (⭐⭐⭐⭐): I super enjoyed this Biblical fiction told from the perspective of the wife of Jesus, who historically doesn't exist.
- A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns & Roses, #4) by Sarah J. Maas (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐): I absolutely loved Nesta and Cassian's story and it's currently my favorite book in the series.
- The Darkest Night (Lord of the Underworld, #1) by Gena Showalter (⭐⭐): This was beyond disappointing with its lackluster romance, uninteresting protagonists, and bad dialogue.
- Chain of Iron (Last Hours, #2) by Cassandra Clare (⭐⭐): Unpopular opinion but that ending made me feel like I had completely wasted my time on this book and I won't be continuing the series (unless Alexa tells me to).
- Sanctuary Island by Lily Everett (⭐⭐⭐⭐): Feels like an older book than it actually is but genuinely enjoyed this horse romance a lot.
- Under the Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi (⭐⭐⭐): I reread the whole series for the first time since 2012-2013 and while I still was entertained by it, I definitely don't love it as much as I used to.

Hi, I’m Rachel! New Yorker at heart, Francophile in spirit, and forever wanderlusting. I’m passionate about books, ice cream, photography and finding creativity in my every day life.
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