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taciturn_sprocket's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jkatiemarks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
- cishet asian woman with depression and anxiety x cishet white man with dyscalculia, previous one-night stand to roommates to lovers
- listen. i love them and i love this book and i love rose and i just! i highlighted so much!
- read the author’s note at the beginning. this story is, and feels, very personal. i certainly resonated with a lot, though it will not be for everybody
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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