Rosie Danan has done it again! I didn't think I could love any couple more than Josh and Clara, but Naomi and Ethan have melted my heart - and Kindle! (You know what scenes I'm talking about...) Ethan is that perfect mix of strong and sweet and the way Naomi slowly gives in to her feelings for him will give you all the feels. On paper, they are such an unlikely match but actually, they are pretty much perfect for each other and that is all down to Rosie's exquisite writing. Powerful stuff wrapped in a perfect romance. I cannot wait for what she writes next!

I did not enjoy this book as much as the previous one written by the author - The Roommate. The whole tory felt a little too far fetched and the whole romance a little too perfect. The writing was great and the descriptive prose excellent, just the subject matter didn't really do it for me. A Jewish Rabbi and a porn star? Inventive, but a little silly...

Would read the next offering from Rosie Danan but sadly only rate this one a three star.

A sex worker and a rabbi walk into a bar…

No, that’s not a joke. Just Naomi Grant‘s life, apparently. When Rabbi Ethan Cohen approaches Naomi with a proposal to teach modern intimacy at his synagogue, it seems like a perfect plan, since Naomi wants to teach and no university is hiring her, and Ethan needs fresh ideas to attract new congregants.

As Naomi and Ethan join forces, the seminar seems like the perfect solution to both of their problems - until they discover a new one: their growing attraction to each other. They've built the syllabus for love's latest experiment, but neither of them expected they'd be the ones putting it to the test…

—

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙌🏻 /5

“The Intimacy Experiment” is the follow-up to “The Roommate”, and it builds on some concepts from the first book. In “The Roommate”, the focus was on the fact that sex should be ShameLess, tand hat women have just the same right as men to experience pleasure and even demand it from their partners. In this book, we take one step further and explore the idea of Intimacy.

What is intimacy nowadays? That’s the question that acts as a premise to Naomi’s seminars, but it’s also the undercurrent in the history of Naomi and Ethan’s romance.
Is sex intimacy? Does intimacy exist only within of the sexual setting, or also outside of it? Can intimacy ever be more than sex? The answer is a complex yes - intimacy goes beyond anything physical, but being physical is a stepping stone to true intimacy. Really, at best, the two are intertwined.

It’s potent to see this revelation in Naomi - that there is more to her than sex.
That’s one of the core themes of the book, discovering and reconciling our identities-what we were, what we are and what we would like to be.
Naomi has made a point of defining herself through sex. But as her feelings for Ethan deepen, she starts gradually opening up. The moment she discovers her own tenderness, and she feels safe in the knowledge that it’s okay to be soft, is one of the most precious scenes I’ve ever read.

There’s also a discussion on faith, heritage, and modernity. At first glance, Ethan and Naomi could not be more different, and Ethan being a Rabbi poses a challenge to the relationship. And yet, they connect on a deeper level, and that is what brings Naomi to uncover another new part of herself, and to get in touch with her roots, even find new communities where she feels welcome. In turn, Ethan widens his views as well.

I had stupidly thought that nothing could ever outdo “The Roommate,” but I stand corrected. “The Intimacy Experiment” is wholesome, deep, raw. it’s a balm to the soul. It will make you smile, it will make you tear up (I know I did).
Honestly, I’m still basking in the afterglow of reading the book as I write this review.

GO BUY THIS BOOK. You don’t want to miss it.

I honestly didn't think I could love a book more than The Roommate but The Intimacy Experiment topped it! And if I was able to give it a higher rating than five stars, I would. Noami and Ethan are complete opposites in so many ways, she is an ex porn star turned business woman and Ethan is a Rabbi, need I say anything else? But they have an instant attraction to each other and I adored their relationship progression throughout the book. This is a companion book to The Roommate but you could definitely read it as a standalone. I would still recommend reading The Roommate first as it will enhance your reading experience of this one as you get to see the previous characters a few times throughout the book.

Ethan and Naomi have such incredible chemistry (and one of the steamiest first dates, ever) and I loved everything about it. They were so head over heels for each other and it was everything of the sort. Naomi is one of my favourite book characters I have ever read, she has fantastic character growth throughout the book. I loved and appreciated that while she is a complete badass with everything she does, she is learning to accept that it's okay to be vulnerable.

Whenever I read, I will usually read an entire book in one sitting and that was the case with this. But I kept trying to slow down as I didn't want it to end as I was loving it so much. There is something really special about Rosie's writing style, she has become one of my all time favourite authors and I just need all the books already. I loved that this was a fresh idea for a romance, I can't say I have ever read a romance with an ex porn star and a Rabbi before and it was incredible and it worked! While this book is super steamy, it also has some really funny and heartwarming moments too. I really enjoyed the plot outside of their romance with Naomi's business, Shameless, and with Ethan's family and following him try to turn things around with his synagogue. I don't follow a religion however I really liked how it was written throughout this without it overpowering any other element of the book. I could have honestly read more about it.

This was such a fun read! I enjoyed The Roommate but this was much better!

We met Naomi in book 1 and I’m pleased that she got her own book. She’s such a strong, badass, business woman but it was good to see all of her insecurities and to get to understand her more.

Ethan, the Rabbi, was a great character and I’m pleased this book was dual POV. He’s dealing with his own past while trying to be a good Rabbi and entice more millennials to the congregation at his synagogue.

This story is less ‘surface level’ than The Roommate. The chemistry between Naomi and Ethan is great and I especially enjoyed the conversations about faith and reformed Judaism (a religion I’m less familiar with). This is a slower burn and you have to wait longer for any steam than with The Roommate but that could suit some readers. It does get a little bit steamy though.

I read the synopsis for this book and was pleased to be accepted for an advanced copy. I read the authors previous book and absolutely loved Clara and Josh’s story. It took me a few pages to realise that Naomi was ‘Naomi from the roommate’ (insert rolling eyes emoji haha).

I wasn’t a fan of Naomis character in the previous book, and didn’t connect with her in this book, unfortunately. However, I loved the chemistry between her and Ethan.

The romance between Naomi and Ethan developed quickly and seemed to blossom without me feeling involved as a reader.

The sex scenes were steamy and really well written.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. However, I preferred the previous book for character description and engagement.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Since reading The Roommate, I have been eagerly waiting for Rosie Danan's next book - possibly my most anticipated read of 2021. The Intimacy Experiment was a brilliant story which I dropped everything to read straight away.

The story was well crafted and followed Naomi, a former porn star turned sex educator and Ethan, a rabbi for a struggling synagogue. They meet and decide to have Naomi put on a series of seminars titled Modern Intimacy to try and entice a different/younger crowd to his synagogue, and throughout this they grow closer.

The relationship between the characters was so good - the steamy scenes were so well written and amazing, but not gratuitous, and the development of their relationship was woven beautifully in with the structure of the Modern Intimacy seminars.

I was provided an ARC of this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars (rounded up)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for offering me the chance to read this in advance, in exchange for my honest review.

The Intimacy Experiment follows Naomi Grant, ex porn star turned sex educator as she tries to take her online lessons to a real life classroom. When no one will take her seriously, Naomi heads to a lecture and meets Ethan Cohen - ex high school physics teacher turned rabbi. He wants her to give seminars on intimacy to bring people back to the fold of his synagogue. But can Naomi concentrate with Ethan around? Because, you see, he's not just a rabbi, he's a young, good looking, smart rabbi.

I really enjoyed the writing of this story, even if at times I felt like I knew exactly where the story was headed. Naomi was a fun character, and I love the sex-positivity within the book. The traumas that both characters have had to face before we are introduced to them aren't overdone, and you can understand why both Ethan and Naomi are the way they are now.

Although I hadn't read The Roommate before picking this up, I don't think it was written in a way that meant you'd have to read it in order (although I would assume there are spoilers for the first book). Eveyrhting is explained in a way that makes it read like a standalone in its' own right.

Definitely a chilled, funny read that really put a smile on my face!

The Intimacy Experiment focuses on Naomi who is a former porn actress, who has now started a sex-positive platform and Ethan who is a rabbi. His synagogue is in dire straits and is at risk of closure, so the board is looking for him to turn things around. Ethan hires Naomi at his synagogue to talk about Modern Intimacy, in the bid to attract more people from a younger audience. When Naomi and Ethan build on a growing attraction building between them, maybe things aren’t so easy as they seem.

This is one of my favourite romances that I have read recently. The main characters are both amazing, and they are amazing together. The book doesn’t solely focus on the romance, which is important to me as sometimes I need a bit more than just that. There is a lot of discussion about sex, dating, consent, break ups and it was all handled really well, and it really resonated with me. I am an atheist, but I really enjoyed the aspect of Judaism and thought that it really brought something to the overall story. Naomi is strong, but she has been through a lot of shit so inside she is actually really vulnerable. Ethan was kind and wasn’t afraid of expressing his feelings. It included the way people can be opposed and hateful towards you because of your religion or previous work and this was handled sensitively. The speeches that Naomi did on both sex and breakups really made the book for me, she was just a phenomenal woman.

I really really enjoyed this one, I haven’t even read The Roommate by the author and I just went straight in with this one as it sounded more up my street. However, now I am definitely going to check that one out and will read whatever Danan writes in the future.

I recommend this one to all romance lovers, as it’s a good one.

Personally I enjoyed this book more than the first part. Intimacy Experiment was also partly steamy, partly fun, but also partly extremely heartbreaking read.
Here we follow two main characters:
- Naomi Grant, who is a former star of the adult entertainment films and now is an educator and specialist in the field of intimacy and sex
- Ethan Cohen, rabbi at the synagogue and hot bachelor at the same time.
Seeing their attraction growing, you feel this tensity and just want to shout to them "Please, tell about your feelings to each other and go on a date!"
I sympathized both characters while reading this book and nearly cried at the end.
Overall, it was enjoyable read and I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the arc copy in exchange for honest review.

Wow, Loved this book. I read the roommate, Rosie Danan's previous book about Clara and Josh, just before getting to this one and I'm so glad I did. Definitely recommend reading that one first even though they can both be read as standalones, Learning more about Naomi's life was so interesting, I was rooting for her throughout. It was also nice to know the next part of Clara and Josh' s story as so often when books end you're just left to wonder how the characters get on in life. Definitely recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read an advanced copy.
Will be released 6th April

Wow, where do I start. Hooked me from the first page. Intrigued and interested I could devor this book in one sitting. The background is unconventional but a brilliant new life into a man of faith and a woman of hurt and notorious past. I really hope this is the start of a series and the supporting characters stories are brought to life on the pages of further books.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

 

I was so excited when I was approved for this arc as I adored The Roommate, it’s one of my favourite romances because I loved the BLANK positivity and Clara and Josh were wonderful.

 

I loved Naomi in The Roommate, a bad ass woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to take it (both in her career and BLANK, yes please). And I continued to love her in The Intimacy Experiment, the premise felt so unusual and new. The seminars felt like I was actually learning something about relationships and I am thoroughly enjoying these themes being represented in romance, creating more functional and healthy romance relations between characters and also providing something for the reader more than enjoyment.

 

While I am not Jewish and therefore cannot comment on the presentation of the Jewish faith I did find it refreshing to see how it was possible for Naomi to reconnect with her faith without compromising on who she was and making changes to conform. As someone who has gone through something similar in her life with a different religion I could draw parallels and it was wonderful.

 

Obviously the steamy scenes were *chefs kiss*, Rosie Danan knows how to write a good BLANK scene, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. The video scene honestly made me swoon a little bit, 10/10 think this should be a new trope.

 

Overall, I can’t recommend this enough – it was a thoroughly modern romance and yet another winner for Rosie Danan.

I started this without realising it was book 2 of a series, but by the time I realised I was already a few chapters in and enjoying what I was reading. It did spoil the first book for me, but I'm not mad about it because I liked Naomi and Ethan too much to care.
This was a wholesome read and it gave me the warm fuzzies. I loved how soft Ethan was and how take charge Naomi was and how together they complemented each other. It was cute and I liked it a lot.

I enjoyed reading this novel as the you don’t expect the actually relationship that is unfolding in the story. Loved it all

I'm not sure I can say more about this book other than that it was absolute perfection. The Roommate was such a big hit last year, and it's often hard to follow a fantastic debut - but, if anything, this was even better. Deeper and richer and more heartfelt. Rosie Danan is the queen of close, intimate, sexual tension and this book was absolutely thrumming with it, whilst also giving us a beautiful meditation on identity and grief and faith and love. I adored it.

Naomi Grant, former sex worker, now runs a sex education service. Ethan Cohen, a young rabbi, recruits Naomi to run a class on intimacy in his struggling synagogue in hopes to boost attendance.

Gotta be honest, I didn't expect a romance novel to give me the kick I needed to reconnect with my spirituality. Ethan's storyline regarding his faith really moved and connected with me, it was emotional in a very understated way. The romance between Naomi and Ethan is very sweet - and different to what I read in most mainstream romance novels. I did think their connection at the start was a little too rushed but as a whole I loved the development as they learned to communicate with one another.

When Noami, an ex porn star who now runs a very popular sex education website, is approached by Rabbi Ethan with a proposal to hold some seminars on modern intimacy at the local synagogue, neither were prepared for what laid ahead. As a reader, neither was I!

The sexual tension between these two characters was brilliantly written making me want to keep reading. I was emotionally invested from the first few chapters.

A saucy and steamy rom com, which hit the spot perfectly! Highly recommended for an easy read and a bit of a giggle!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I’m definitely going to read her debut. I will also be keeping my eye out for any new work in the future. An absolute delight.

I enjoyed The Roommate, but this felt bigger somehow.
Naomi desperately wants the opportunity to teach in person. Unfortunately, as an ex adult performer, every institution she tries to work at vetoes her. Prejudice and assumptions run deep. When she attends a conference and is propositioned by Rabbi Ethan Cohen she doesn’t know what to say. His synagogue needs attendees and he is willing to offer her the opportunity to lecture in the hopes it will rejuvenate his congregation.
The unlikely pairing could have been played for laughs. Yet I found myself increasingly moved by the way these two challenge the deeply held views of those they come up against. They encourage the participants in the course to bond, to share their experiences and to develop a sense of community. Naomi explores her own attitudes to faith and Ethan has to consider the role his religion plays in his life.
It helped hugely that these two characters are charismatic, clearly interested in each other and that they display a vulnerability that you can’t help but admire. Sometimes the biggest barrier to happiness is the individual, and the barriers they erect for themselves.
The Intimacy Experiment was witty, hugely entertaining and frothing with energy. The sexual chemistry between our two characters was apparent from the outset, and you couldn’t help but root for them to overcome the obstacles seemingly preventing them from finding happiness.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for granting me access to this prior to publication in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It was easy to read and wasn't a typical romantic story but was still a nice easy read which left me wanting to know what happened next.

The two main characters are so likeable. I was literally routing for them both as a couple that's how much I liked them. This book was unlike any other romance books I have read and I liked how the story was different to others in this genre type.

I will deffo be looking to read more of Rosie's books as this was the first one I had read.