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kimalah's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Her Unexpected Roommate is the final book in the Cider Bar Sisters series. Rose has treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. Her mother also had it, and eventually committed suicide. Cal is a very easy-going guy who likes Rose for who she is, depression and all. As someone who has lived with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, Rose means a lot to me. The mental health representation is excellent. Rose’s thought processes and internal struggles are true to my experience. She knows and understands herself and her issues, and has developed coping strategies and self-care.
While the book is honest in its depiction of depression and anxiety, Rose also believes that she deserves a full life including love. In Cal, she finds someone who accepts her for who she is. In return, she does the same. It is a kind and nurturing relationship after they get past their initial stumbles.
There are some potentially triggering subjects in the story. Jackie Lau wrote a very affecting note at the front of the book. I recommend reading it and paying attention to her subject warnings.
Her Unexpected Roommate is a lovely ending to this series. It will stick with me for a long time.
While the book is honest in its depiction of depression and anxiety, Rose also believes that she deserves a full life including love. In Cal, she finds someone who accepts her for who she is. In return, she does the same. It is a kind and nurturing relationship after they get past their initial stumbles.
There are some potentially triggering subjects in the story. Jackie Lau wrote a very affecting note at the front of the book. I recommend reading it and paying attention to her subject warnings.
Her Unexpected Roommate is a lovely ending to this series. It will stick with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Misogyny, and Suicide
heydebigale's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was PERFECT. I was nervous to read it because of Jackie Lau’s very thoughtful author’s note at the beginning, but Lau took absolute care of her reader with this one. In the author’s note, Lau talks about this book is heavier than all of the other books in the series since the MC Rose deals with suicidal ideation and also lost her mother to suicide.
This book still made me laugh out loud multiple times!!
The depression representation in this book is A+ imho. I love that Lau showed a woman who was working on herself but was still not well.
Cal was the sweetest & most affirming MC. Loved him so much!!
Highly highly recommend this book!!!
Notes: Takes place in Toronto, Canada. Cal is white and struggles with dyscalculia. Rose is Canadian of East Asian descent and is also a fat woman who struggles with chronic depression.
This book still made me laugh out loud multiple times!!
The depression representation in this book is A+ imho. I love that Lau showed a woman who was working on herself but was still not well.
Cal was the sweetest & most affirming MC. Loved him so much!!
Highly highly recommend this book!!!
Notes: Takes place in Toronto, Canada. Cal is white and struggles with dyscalculia. Rose is Canadian of East Asian descent and is also a fat woman who struggles with chronic depression.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
the_vegan_bookworm's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was my favourite book of the series, because I really liked Rose and Cal. As someone who also struggles with depression like Rose, it was just very heartwarming to see a dynamic where she is just accepted and loved as she is. The romance itself is also so wholesome and heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Ableism, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide
cakt1991's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Her Unexpected Roommate is the fifth and final book in the Cider Bar Sisters series. It can be read as a stand-alone, however the prior books I have read are fantastic as well and well worth reading.
This book represents a tonal shift for Jackie Lau in comparison to much of her previous work. While she has included real-life issues in her work before, this is the first time they’ve so heavily dominated the narrative and character arc. As such, it has a much darker tone than she typically writes. However, she also writes from a very authentic place, as she discusses in the introductory Author’s Note, and that allowed her to tackle the issues of depression and suicide with the compassion it deserved.
I see a lot of myself in Rose. I haven’t lost a parent, to suicide or otherwise, but both myself and some members of my family are impacted by depression. I love Rose’s candidness about her needs, and while her experience is not completely identical to mine, she does provide another great example of what it’s like to live with it from day to day.
I also love the little quirk that she has an Instagram account for her stuffed alpaca, and there’s all these little exchanges between the alpaca and other stuffed animals. Coming from a stuffed animal loving family myself, it’s incredibly heartwarming to read stuff like that.
Caleb is absolutely the sweetest. He happily accepts Rose as she is and on whatever terms she’s willing to offer. While they do have a bit of a rocky start, he soon proves himself to be dependable and the sort of stable force she needs in her life.
And while it does differ in tone and themes, Lau’s signature love for the Toronto culinary scene remains present. Always have some food handy when you’re about to pick up a Jackie Lau book!
This was one of the best books I’ve read from Jackie Lau, and would recommend it to current readers and new readers who enjoy multicultural romance with a lot of heart.
Her Unexpected Roommate is the fifth and final book in the Cider Bar Sisters series. It can be read as a stand-alone, however the prior books I have read are fantastic as well and well worth reading.
This book represents a tonal shift for Jackie Lau in comparison to much of her previous work. While she has included real-life issues in her work before, this is the first time they’ve so heavily dominated the narrative and character arc. As such, it has a much darker tone than she typically writes. However, she also writes from a very authentic place, as she discusses in the introductory Author’s Note, and that allowed her to tackle the issues of depression and suicide with the compassion it deserved.
I see a lot of myself in Rose. I haven’t lost a parent, to suicide or otherwise, but both myself and some members of my family are impacted by depression. I love Rose’s candidness about her needs, and while her experience is not completely identical to mine, she does provide another great example of what it’s like to live with it from day to day.
I also love the little quirk that she has an Instagram account for her stuffed alpaca, and there’s all these little exchanges between the alpaca and other stuffed animals. Coming from a stuffed animal loving family myself, it’s incredibly heartwarming to read stuff like that.
Caleb is absolutely the sweetest. He happily accepts Rose as she is and on whatever terms she’s willing to offer. While they do have a bit of a rocky start, he soon proves himself to be dependable and the sort of stable force she needs in her life.
And while it does differ in tone and themes, Lau’s signature love for the Toronto culinary scene remains present. Always have some food handy when you’re about to pick up a Jackie Lau book!
This was one of the best books I’ve read from Jackie Lau, and would recommend it to current readers and new readers who enjoy multicultural romance with a lot of heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Suicide
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