The Roommate Experiment is a roommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, STEMinist rom-com perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Sarah Adams, and Abby Jimenez.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Cute Ending Can’t Save a Frustrating Start

The Roommate Experiment had all the makings of a sweet rom-com, and to its credit, the ending delivered. I finished the book with a big, goofy smile thanks to a heartfelt epilogue that hit all the right notes.

But... getting there wasn’t easy. Most of the “romantic tension” came while he was still technically dating his unhinged (and wildly inappropriate) girlfriend. Yes, he tried to end things a few times. Yes, it wasn’t a serious relationship. But the fact that he was clearly falling for Hunter while still entangled with someone else made it feel just a little too close to cheating 😬.

The story finally started to click after that breakup. The chemistry became more believable, the banter sharpened, and the characters actually opened up to one another. Even with a bit of secondhand embarrassment, the back half was fun and charming. No third-act breakup drama, which I appreciated 🙌.

Camilla Isley’s writing is easy to enjoy, and the premise had a lot of promise. I just wish the emotional payoff hadn’t taken so long to arrive. In the end, while the final chapters were adorable, they couldn’t quite make up for the uneven pacing and early frustration.

A strong finish, but overall, just an okay read.

Tropes featured in this book:
🏠 Forced proximity
☀️🌧️ Reverse grumpy-sunshine
💕 Friends to lovers (with a complicated twist)
😬 Slow burn
🫢 No third-act breakup (thankfully!)

Thank NetGalley for the ARC and this was my honest opinion.

they do not kiss until 90% into the book.

i also did not enjoy the writing style of this one. it felt very immature somehow and there were so many scenes that made me want to physically gag because it was so cringey.

i would maybe recommend this book to a high school kid whose just being introduced to romance. there's mentions of sex, but the scenes are closed door and only happen once.

This is a highly entertaining read which returns to a group of friends that readers of Camilla Isley's books will have met before. In this story, we are introduced to Hunter a career woman who has hidden her feelings about a friend's brother since she was a teenager. Now they are out together into the same flat as Dylan becomes her new roommate after her two close friends have moved out. As the story alternated between Hunter and Dylan's point of view, you see how feelings develop. Friendship is an important element of the story and they are both afraid of affecting their wider friendship group.

For a large part of the story, Hunter has to watch as Dylan has a girlfriend. He in turn spends an awful long time trying to do what he feels is the right thing. At times, you wish that he would be firmer but he does emerge as a likable and kind person. There are plenty of amusing moments in the story and a good variety of characters.

In short: friends to lovers

Thanks for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. I loved this book, it was such a fun lighthearted read. Perfect book for the summer, to read by the pool or beach. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress. Highly recommend.

It felt too long for what it was. I struggled to get to the half way point. It's sad for multiple reasons, I have enjoyed the author's previous works and this trope is one of my favourites.

Another beautifully written sweet and humorous romance story by Camilla Isley. I really enjoyed reading Hunter and Dylan's story and the characters themselves were endearingly written and I really liked them. I loved how they slowly grew closer and became more open with each other. Overall, it was a fun read!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a fun lighthearted romance. Dylan and Hunter were cute together. I enjoyed their sweet moments and their playful moments. This is definitely a slow burn but I enjoyed the chemistry between the two of them. The ending felt a little bit rushed to me. They finally got together and then the story was over. I really enjoyed the epilogue as it brought a nice conclusion to all three couples from the series. Overall this is an entertaining, sweet and funny read

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Roommate Experiment!

This swoony, slow-burn rom-com delivers all the fan-favorite tropes: roommates-to-lovers, forced proximity, unrequited (or is it?) crush, and a delicious dash of brother’s best friend tension. Camilla Isley brings the laughs, the longing, and just the right amount of steam to keep you flipping pages with a grin.

Hunter is relatable and easy to root for, balancing her vulnerability and inner monologue with comedic flair. Dylan is charming, infuriating, and unexpectedly soft underneath all that oblivious big brother energy. Their dynamic is equal parts hilarious and heart-tugging, especially as the story dives into themes of timing, communication, and growing into the people we’re meant to be.

Fans of Ali Hazelwood, Lynn Painter, and the classic "he bakes cookies and doesn’t realize he’s perfect" hero will absolutely eat this one up. The Roommate Experiment is sweet, sassy, and the perfect summer binge.

I have to say I’m yet to be disappointed by one of Camilla Isley’s books and The Roommate Experiment does not disappoint!

In this book we get to find out more about Hunter and Dylan and their will they won’t they romance.

I liked Hunter as a strong main female character and the blunders that happened whenever her and Dylan were together were so funny.

A laugh out loud romantic comedy which you cannot miss if you are a romance reader.

I really have to start checking if things are part of series before I accept the eARC.... THE THIRD BOOK in the series, this was actually a great to read as a standalone. The Roommate experiment did not feel like I missed anything, did not have any plot holes from the previous (2) novels. I absolutely love slow burns... But this may have been tooo slow of a burn. Forced proximity. Short chapters, no spice. I loved it and its perfect for my 12- almost 13 year old read when she wants a romance! (Not condoning it if you haven't read it yourself)

The Roommate Experiment is a charming, slow-burn, roommates-to-lovers romance that follows Hunter and Dylan—two long-time friends thrown into intimate living quarters. With delicious domestic tension, cheeky banter, and emotional vulnerability, the story builds up a satisfying payoff for fans of forced-proximity romance. A cozy, feel-good read for fans of slow-burn, character-driven romantic comedies. Perfect if you enjoy playful tension that gradually builds to a sweet, swoony payoff.

I didn't realise this was part of a series, but it works well as a standalone too. Very slow burn, but a cute and easy read. I'm looking forward to going back and reading the previous books from this series and more from Camilla Isley in general.

I stopped reading after the first chapter. The repetitive focus on the protagonist's attempts to win someone’s affection with thoughts like, “He loves this, so I’ll do that to make him love me,” combined with her frequent fantasies about them being intimate, didn’t appeal to me. After checking some reviews here, I’m confident I made the right choice to drop this book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC!

A rom com full of laughter, angst and fun tension! Several tropes wrapped into one, starting with close proximity, secret crush, sister's best friend and more. The book also deals with real world subjects such as dyslexia and women maneuvering through male dominant careers. This is the 3rd book in the series and it is the perfect addition! I love how each book overlaps the previous book, so events and characters are interwoven through all 3 books. I do recommend that you read the series in order for maximum enjoyment. This will also help you get to know the characters even better and you'll get different perspectives to events that happen as you read through each book which is fun. Fantastic characters who are realistic and fun, wonderful interpersonal interactions between the characters. The friendships that are exhibited in these books are inspiring and ones to aspire to find in your own life. Let's face it, we're all here for the rom and the com, trust me, you won't be disappointed! You'll giggle your way through the book to a fun happily ever after!

I had no idea when I started this book that it was part of a series but it still worked perfectly for me as a standalone book. A slightly predictable romance book, yes, but I enjoyed the character development and mostly the last 25% of the book (I always wish this was longer and we see more of the happiness ahaha). I'm a big fan of Camilla Isley's books so will definitely look out for future titles!

Camilla Isley does it again with “The Roommate Experiment”, the third installment in her Funny Feelings series. This time, we follow Hunter, an engineering consultant, and Dylan, her best friend’s older brother, who she’s quietly loved for over a decade.

After a chain of events involving best friends, roommates, and a bit of bad timing, Dylan ends up moving in with Hunter. It just so happens that she used to share that apartment with her best friend, who also happens to be Dylan’s sister. So yes, it’s a bit of a complicated setup, especially since Dylan is dating someone new. And she’s not just anyone, she’s polished, put-together, and feels completely out of Hunter’s league. But as Dylan and Hunter spend more time together, he begins to see her in a whole new light and staying away becomes impossible.

What I love about Camilla’s writing is how she consistently features strong, smart women, especially in STEM careers. Hunter isn’t just a woman with feelings for her best friend’s brother, she’s a successful professional who owns her ambition and her independence. Camilla has a way of showing that women who slay their own demons and ride their own dragons can absolutely find their happily-ever-afters, too.

This series has really grown on me, especially because of the close-knit friendship between Nina, Rowena, and Hunter. Their bond adds so much warmth to the story. And of course, I can’t forget Tristan, “The Prince of Darkness” and Dylan, who complete this little group. Their shared relationships and friendships make the series feel like coming home to people you love. Also, book two, “If the Ring Fits”, remains my all-time favorite Camilla Isley book… so far!

Another fun tidbit? Camilla’s a Swiftie, just like me! I love how she weaves Taylor Swift references into her books. You can practically create a playlist for her characters based on the situations they go through, and it makes reading her stories even more fun.

In “The Roommate Experiment”, she also touches on important topics like dyslexia, PCOS, and endometriosis. While these aren’t the central themes, simply bringing them into the narrative raises awareness and that matters.

As for the romance, Hunter and Dylan’s slow burn is full of longing and tenderness, but I have to admit, the first half of the book was a bit slow for me. Dylan’s tendency to put everyone else's needs before his own, especially his girlfriend’s, even as his feelings for Hunter grew, started to feel repetitive. It also made it hard for me to warm up to Olivia, even though I’m a fellow dog lover.

Though “The Roommate Experiment” might be my least favorite in the series, it’s still a solid slow-burn romance that takes you from acquaintances to friends to roommates to something more. If you’re looking for a fun, heartfelt summer read with lovable characters, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.

🌸 Impossible to read without smiling, laughing and simply enjoying this story!

🌸 Hunter and Dylan have known each other for years. Hunter has secretly crushed on him; Dylan has never seen her as more than a friend. Hunter’s crush has not disappeared and Dylan has a girlfriend. Clearly, the only solution is to begin dating again. Cue some very laughable experiences!

🌸 Dylan realizes his relationship with Olivia might not be the one he is looking for. Hunter is suddenly occupying more of his head space. He finds himself enjoying coming home to her and the small moments they share.

🌸 Both have a secret they never share. Once Hunter and Dylan discover they might have a chance together, well, let the taunting and flirting begin!

Gotta love brothers best friend , close proximity, friends to lovers. This book was cute , easy read. If you love all that this book is for you.

Very slow burn, Dylan ends up having a girlfriend , and Hunter has had a crush on him for years. It’s cute the way these two try to maneuver around the apartment together and try to figure each other out and their feelings.



Thank you Boldwood books and NetGalley for the ARC read !

Slow burn, forced proximity + friends to lovers makes for a good read! This was a fun, sweet romance with likeable characters, enjoyable banter and just the right amount of longing to keep you invested in Hunter and Dylan’s outcome!

The epilogue was just 🥰

This can be read as a standalone (which I did) but there are other books by the same author going into the stories of the MCs friend group and I am looking forward to getting into those next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC!