Review: The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

A lovely, spicy journey from besties, to FWB, to happily ever after

Rereading this book helped me get out of a reading slump. I don’t really know if it was because I was picking books that I didn’t vibe with, or if reading in general just wasn’t doing it for me, but when I saw Talia’s IG announcement about The Roommate Risk being available on Kindle Unlimited, I thought it’d be perfect for getting me out of my slump and, like usual, I was right.

There’s just something about Talia’s writing that really does it for me. And I’m determined to figure out just what that something special is…so much so that I’ve decided to do re-reads of all of her books, take copious notes, and report back with my finds.

Now on to my review of The Roommate Risk. (I think it’s important to note that this book was previously published in 2018 with the title Wanna Bet? The book got a new title and cover in 2021.)

The cover only shows Rahul holding his glasses instead of wearing them and I wish he’d been wearing them. I would have absolutely swooned over that image.

Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Spice level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

FMC annoyance level: 🙄

MMC annoyance level: 0

Tropes: Friends-to-lovers, slow burn, he falls first, forced proximity, cinnamon roll MMC

Favorite quote:

She captivated him at completely inappropriate moments, for no reason he could discern—not necessarily when she was prettiest. Just when she was completely herself.

Main story: Rahul (MMC) is secretly in love with Jasmine (FMC), his best friend of seven years, but he’s determined to remain friends. And Rahul’s feelings only seem to be a secret to Jasmine—to everyone else it’s painfully clear how Rahul feels about her. But when a housing emergency turns Jasmine into Rahul’s roommate for a few weeks, the relationship takes a heated turn into something more. Now the pair must decide if love is worth risking their friendship for.

Time it took to be hooked: Considering this is my second read I‘ve been hooked since 2021. 🤣 (And page 1.)

Favorite part of the book: Ugh this is so hard…I’m going to go with the arcade “not-date” and concurrent alley scene. 😈

Some notes: Through most of the story I kept “yelling” at Jasmine to get therapy. (Hence why she received one eye-roll emoji in the annoyance rating.) I also felt incredibly sad for her at times because of how her mother leaving her and her dad at a young age affected her. It was clear she had some unhealthy habits and tendencies that she acknowledged, but never took any action towards fixing. I’m a strong proponent of therapy. For everyone. Even if things are going great in your life, it’s nice to have an impartial 3rd party available to just talk to.

But on the flip side, I barely noticed how Rahul was affected by his feelings for Jasmine until it became painfully clear after the third-act breakup. And obviously he could’ve benefited from a little therapy, too.

***SLIGHT SPOILERS COMING :

I was so busy thinking how cute it was that Rahul would do anything for Jasmine that I didn’t even consider how that was detrimental for him. And I think that’s how some folks get themselves into unhealthy relationship situations where they end up giving so much of themselves to the other person until there’s nothing left.

I’m glad that during the breakup both characters took some time to work on their on shit before reuniting.***

Final thoughts: I’m so glad I decided to give this book a reread. Its sassy heroine, hopelessly in love MMC, and their spicy journey to happily ever after were just what I needed to get back into reading.

Talia Hibbert is my favorite author—do you have a favorite? What makes their writing speak to you?