Roommate by Sarina Bowen Review Tour

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Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.

I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.

Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.

I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.

A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...

Source: advance ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

It genuinely feels like a long-awaited homecoming reading a book that’s set in Sarina Bowen’s True North universe. It was fun to be reacquainted with the Shipleys and branch out to the extended members of the family.  

Roommate is such a tender story of two people finding in the other what’s been missing in their lives. For Kieran who has remained in the small Vermont town of Colebury all his life, it’s the chance to finally explore his sexuality and curiosity. For Roderick, he learns what a healthy relationship should be. His return to Vermont has been anything but happy. He abruptly left an abusive relationship on the other side of the country, drove all the way back home only to be turned away by his parents because they can't accept that he's gay. Roderick may be broke, jobless and homeless but has enough self-worth to refuse to renounce who he is. Luckily, he lands a job at the Busy Bean, Audrey Shipley's and Zara's cafe, where his baking skills will come in handy. At least one thing is looking up for him. Kieran sees it differently, though.

Kieran recognizes Roderick as soon as he shows up. Roderick was out in high school which fascinated the quiet, man-of-few words. He's not exactly comfortable knowing that Roderick will be working alongside him at the Busy Bean, not because he's gay, but because his presence brings back forgotten memories and confusing thoughts. Roderick mistakes Kieran's quietness for dislike which is the opposite of what Kieran feels. Anyway, events transpire in such as way that they end up as roommates which leads to the kind of intimacy that's long been simmering.  Kieran's hardly dated in the last couple of years because he hasn't been interested. Around Roderick, however, his imagination comes to life, and as much as it's a bad idea to get sidetracked from his goals, that pull is just too strong.

Same goes for Roderick who's desperately trying to establish new habits so he won't find himself in the kind of mess that landed him back in Vermont. But Kieran is irresistible. His steadiness, his calmness, his reliability, the way he treats Roderick so respectfully, speaks to him. The sexual tension that's been steadily building leads to the inevitable. What becomes tricky from here on is that Kieran is still new to all this and hasn't come out. He's not ashamed just private. Roderick knowing this is slightly hesitant to let his heart get deeper into whatever it is they have but he's never been one to make the wise, selfless decisions. He's a goner, for sure.

The best quote to describe their respective journeys comes from Roderick - “We’re walking different parts of the same path.” It's such a wise and sympathetic perspective to have, and recognize how much Kieran's struggling with coming out because of his complicated family dynamics. It's also a universal truth that people ultimately arrive at their place of acceptance and contentment in their own way. Yeah, that line made me feel all sorts of sappy, in a good way, of course.

Reading Roommate was easy. Bowen has a smooth way of conveying earnest stories that get to the center of you. Revisiting with the Shipleys and absorbing their joyful vibes is like the best medicine. The family gatherings are always comforting. Bowen also adds a vital piece of detail to Kieran's backstory towards the end that upends all the years of secrecy and lack of communication, and hopefully leads to reconciliation. Kieran and Roderick's story is everything I love about her stories in the True North world - family, hope and new beginnings. Fans will definitely not be disappointed.

~ Bel

Click here to read an excerpt from Roommate! 

Fireworks (True North #6) by Sarina Bowen

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Skye Copeland is on paid leave from her broadcasting job after accidentally drawing a pecker on the traffic map.

Let that sink in. Like it’s her fault the traffic pattern created a perfect schlong? 

Skye isn’t laughing. She needs this job. And that’s the only reason she’s willing to chase down a story in her least favorite place—that hell on earth known as Vermont.

A quick trip. In and out. Much like - never mind. She can sneak into the town that once tried to break her, get the story and slide back into the good graces of her producer. Easy peasy.

But things go sideways the moment she steps over the county line. Her stepsister is running from a violent drug dealer. And the cop on the case is none other than Benito Rossi, the man who broke Skye’s teenage heart.

His dark brown eyes still tear her apart. And even as she steels herself to finally tell him off after twelve years, the old fireworks are still there.

Things are about to go boom.

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


I love how Sarina Bowen continues to interconnect all the True North stories. It's like returning home - a scenic, gorgeous landscape of home. What makes me look forward to each book in this series is the characters and their pursuits. There's always something happening, something new to learn and ultimately, someone new to love.

Skylar aka Skye has returned home unwillingly as a favour to her step-sister. Unfortunately, Skye learns that she was lured home under false pretenses and finds herself abandoned in this town that she's tried desperately to erase from her psyche. The bad memories of her creepy, abusive stepfather come flooding back but her worry for her stepsister at the moment currently outweighs her urge to get the hell out of dodge. Then Benito finds out she's in town and past and present go collide. Benito and Skye have unfinished business which is included in flashback chapters. They've never gotten over each other so this second chance coming out of the blue is great though also bad timing. Benito is investigating a drug ring that involves her stepfather and maybe her stepsister. Talk about conflict of interest!

As you can see there's quite a bit happening including Skye's dreaded face down with her former high school tormentor: Benito's sister, Zara. Skye learns that much has changed and also sees the way in which she has changed. This inspires her to reconsider her career choice and what she's willing to put up with as a woman in broadcasting. Her biggest challenge is overcoming Benito's betrayal from years ago. They're clearly still in love with each other and he's doing everything he can to assure her that he's in it for the long haul if she's willing. And as she wrestles with her demons of the past and present, she'll hopefully be making room for their future.

I'm sure you'll be shocked to read that I love Fireworks. I fell in love with Benito and Skye whose chemistry just sizzled off the pages (or my Kindle, to be accurate). I admire when a character pays attention to the little details about another, and I swooned every time Benito made an effort just for Skye, doing specific things to make her feel comfortable and safe. Fireworks is about facing down demons and putting the past to rest. And for those who believe in a second chance at love, there's also that.

~ Bel

Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen

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No last names. No life stories. Those were the rules.

Once upon a time a cocky, copper-haired tourist sauntered into Zara’s bar. And even though she knew better, Zara indulged in a cure for the small-town blues. It was supposed to be an uncomplicated fling—a few sizzling weeks before he went back to his life, and she moved on.

Until an accidental pregnancy changed her life.

Two years later, she’s made peace with the notion that Dave No-Last-Name will never be found. Until one summer day when he walks into her coffee shop, leveling her with the same hot smile that always renders her defenseless.

Dave Beringer has never forgotten the intense month he spent with prickly Zara. Their nights together were the first true intimacy he’d ever experienced. But the discovery of his child is the shock of a lifetime, and his ugly past puts relationships and family out of reach.

Or does it? Vermont’s countryside has a way of nurturing even tortured souls. The fields and the orchards—and hard won love—are Bountiful. 

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


You latch on to a series and by the fourth book wonder what the author can do differently to keep you tuned in. In Bountiful, Bowen expands the True North universe she's created by introducing a crossover from her hockey romance series, Brooklyn Bruisers. It's exciting to see how she melds these two different worlds in this lovers-to-friends-to-lovers story.

Zara agrees to a one-night stand with Dave that winds up lasting a few weeks long because, why not? There's really nothing else going on at the moment. She's an adult and Dave brings something refreshing to the mix. They agree not to share personal information so that it'll be easier to make a clean breakaway once their arrangement ends and he returns to wherever he came from. That plan blows up when Zara discovers she's pregnant shortly after Dave's left and she has no way to contact him. A couple of years later, he returns to the area with his teammates for a vacation. He's all but given up on finding Zara when he finally runs into her. It's more of a scary fright than a happy reunion at first and that's before she drops the bomb that he's her baby daddy. Saying that's the last thing he expected is an understatement.

I have to give props here because I like that the story isn't mired in sex the entire time. There is plenty of magic time but I feel the bulk of it is spent with Zara and Dave getting to know each other for real this time and establishing how to move forward now that the truth is out. Neither of them have memories of perfect childhoods themselves so they don't have good examples to fall back on which fills Dave with dread. Overcoming their insecurities as adults and doubts of their parenting abilities, along with what aspects of their lives are negotiable to them is the overall essence of Bountiful.

Bowen brings back familiar characters as well as introduces new ones through Zara's family that I'm hoping will make appearances in subsequent books if she plans on having any. I've said this repeatedly: Bowen is my go-to, autobuy author. I admire her way with words and the how her stories always flow so easily. Once I start one of her books, I can't stop. I'm in it until it's over, and then I'm sad that it's over but also content that I got to experience what I've read and will be happy to re-read again!

~ Bel

Bittersweet (True North #1) by Sarina Bowen & Interview

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Source: advance e-galley provided by the author

The new series is set in Vermont. True North is populated by the tough, outdoorsy mountain men that populate the Green Mountain State. They raise cows and they grow apples. They chop a lot of wood, especially when they need to blow off steam. (Beards are optional but encouraged.)

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the orchard.

The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.

Source: advance e-galley provided by the author

Firstly, I want to thank Sarina Bowen for getting me out of my reading funk. I’d picked up three other books in the last three weeks and haven’t been able to concentrate on any of them until I started Bittersweet. Secondly, holy hell is Bittersweet not one of the sexiest reads I’ve read lately! I mean, wow! I’m so eloquent, aren’t I?

The True North series is a departure from Bowen's sports-centric novels, and it’s a breath of fresh air. Set in a very picturesque Vermont, Bittersweet focuses on Griff a former football player drafted by the NFL who gives it all up to run his family’s farm after his father unexpectedly passes away. Not once did I get a sense of bitterness from his perspective as he seemed genuinely content with his lot in life. Let me rephrase. He finds joy and purpose in running the farm but does stress about maintaining it and supporting his family and employees. Audrey, on the contrary, who has dreams of becoming a chef and owning her own restaurant, is slaving away for some restaurant corporation that doesn’t utilize her amazing culinary skills. Instead, they send her on an assignment to negotiate food supply prices with farmers in the Vermont area. This is how she and Griff, two people with a brief history, meet again.

Normally, instant physical attraction is a tricky thing to write and make believable. In this scenario, since they already share a past, it’s easy to accept that Audrey and Griff gravitate towards each other instantly. And oh boy is it hot! I also like how different and similar the two of them are. They have this effortless connection between them that makes it fun to see where they’re headed. With regards to their communication, this is more grown up fare than that of the Ivy League series. This couple is slightly older, out in the world working diligently because so much is dependent on them being successful at their chosen vocation. Griff at this point is on steadier ground. What Audrey goes through as she finds her footing is a struggle that most of us can understand. There’s also much more at play here other their incredible chemistry. It’s also about family and what true support system means. The warm fuzzies I got from them is another reason why I enjoyed this book. Surrounded by his welcoming family and farmhands, Audrey yearns to have something akin to that for herself.

Bowen is a talented writer. The story flows effortlessly and her stories in general are simply enjoyable to read. That's why she's one of those writers where I don't even think twice about grabbing her books. If you ever wanted to have an idea about farming, Bowen has done the research for you. From milking cows, to picking apples to creating cider, every day is interesting and productive. It definitely gave me better perspective on what a farmer’s typical day might be. Bigger than that, with all the talk of cider-making and what seemed like the endless varieties of apples, Bowen had me craving apples! She also made me want to give up bacon briefly (about five minutes – let’s not get crazy here). Anyway, I think Bittersweet, featuring the gorgeous East Coast region, is an inspiring start to her brand new series. I’m ready for more!

~ Bel

INTERVIEW WITH SARINA BOWEN

Sarina is such a sweetheart and made some time to answer a few questions for us, about Bittersweet and other random topics. Read on!

1. With the True North series, you're shifting away from a focus on sports to a focus on a different kind of culture in Vermont. How did the idea come to you and what was it like to make that shift?

I love athletes, but I'm surrounded by the coolest, hippest innovative farmers, and I thought it would be fantastic to explore their world. You know what? I think I love guys who work with their hands. And Griff is an ex-football player, because I couldn't help myself.

2. What fun things did you discover as you researched about running a farm and brewing cider?

That making cider is so much fun! Cidermakers use some really crazy apples, ones that you wouldn't want to eat straight. They taste so bad they're called "spitters" because people spit them out. Also? Making hard cider is harder than making beer, but takes less energy. So it's both tasty and eco friendly.

3. You're working on a few series concurrently - True North, Brooklyn Bruisers, Him (with Elle Kennedy) - so how do you manage your time and keep track of multiple plots? And how does that work when you're writing with another author?

Elle and I have to work together in schedule gaps. It isn't easy. We're both horribly over-scheduled right now and hoping that changes next year.

4. In the Ivy League series, all your female characters are strong and there's always a theme of personal empowerment. You continue that in Bittersweet with Audrey, a character who's struggling but has grit. How much did you enjoy writing her?

She was fun and wonderfully imperfect. But she never lost her true sense of self, and she refused to compromise. I loved her.

Now here's the part of the interview where we like to have fun. Our motto at Bibliojunkies is "books, boys, pie". With that being said ...

5. Do you remember the book that completely blew you away as a kid? 

A Wrinkle in Time

6. What's your absolute favourite dessert and with which male celebrity would you share it? 

Huh. Okay. Sour cherry pie. Jaromir Jagr. Because I'm so impressed that this 44-year-old is still killing it in hockey. He's interesting and he totally deserves pie.