RoomHate by Penelope Ward
From New York Times Bestselling Author, Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.
Sharing a summer house with a hot-as-hell roommate should be a dream come true, right?
Not when it’s Justin…the only person I’d ever loved…who now hates me.
When my grandmother died and left me half of the house on Aquidneck Island, there was a catch: the other half would go to the boy she helped raise.
The same boy who turned into the teenager whose heart I broke years ago.
The same teenager who’s now a man with a hard body and a hardass personality to match.
I hadn’t seen him in years, and now we’re living together because neither one of us is willing to give up the house.
The worst part? He didn’t come alone.
I’d soon realize there’s a thin line between love and hate. I could see through that smug smile. Beneath it all…the boy is still there. So is our connection.
The problem is…now that I can’t have Justin, I’ve never wanted him more.
Author's note – RoomHate is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
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REVIEW: 4.5 STARS
"Trying to hate you is exhausting."
<sigh> This is the third book of Penelope's that I have read and this one is my favorite so far....easily. I really connected effortlessly to the characters and was able to jump right into the story and enjoy it. I read only a tiny bit the first night, but then devoured it all the next day. This was one of those stories that you are pretty much sucked into and stuck in one place while you read it. I didn't want to put it down! I love the kinds of stories that you can get settled into and the outside world just disappears...this was that kind of book.
When we get to 'meet' Justin, he is a pure jerk. The situation Amelia and Justin were put in was pretty original and I really liked the way it all played out. I have to say, Penelope worked the angle so perfectly to make you want to keep reading and find out what was behind his hatred for Amelia, and it hooked me immediately. I will say that this book had me giggling and swooning for him by the end, though, which I thought was going to be a feat. I loved the point of view and the way it was told....seriously, this was my favorite of hers.
Justin has such a sarcastic but overly caring and emotional side that was amazing to discover I read the book. So well written...and the side that I loved the most (besides the sarcastic smartass) was the depth to Justin's character. Penelope added so much to his character that allowed us to explore the many layers that made up his personality. He was deep....and real.....and true. I loved him. He is most definitely Book Boyfriend Material. And by the way, he has a naughty naughty mouth.
This book was SO fun to read!!!! I'm still smiling thinking about it. The banter. The wittiness. The storyline. The true to life fears and actions were easily read and understood. Overall, this was a great read! Easily and happily recommended!!!
Go HERE for a chance to win a copy!!!
Go HERE for a chance to win a copy!!!
"All that time I spent mad at you...I could have been fucking you. What a dumbass."
~BEE
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Copyright © 2016 by Penelope Ward
ROOMHATE releases February 15th
My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. Watching this whole thing unfold had made me totally lose sense of reality. I felt like I’d been experiencing every movement, every feeling right along with him, except I wasn’t allowed to come. It was as if I’d seriously lost my mind in the process. That was the only thing that could possibly explain why my body decided to betray me, letting out an involuntary sigh….moan? I wasn’t sure and couldn’t even tell you what it was except to say whatever sound I made caused Justin to jump back. His head whipped toward me, and his shocked eyes met mine for a brief second before I ran back down the stairs.
Humiliated.
Mortified.
My heart felt like it was in my mouth. Escaping out the front door and down to the water, I continued to run aimlessly on the sand. At one point, about a mile down the beach, it became necessary to stop and catch my breath, even though I wanted to keep running. I’d gotten so wrapped up in Justin that I’d forgotten how sick I was this afternoon. It was all hitting me again as I stumbled over to the shoreline and vomited into the ocean.
I collapsed into the sand and must have sat there for over an hour. The sun was starting to go down, and the tide was coming in. It felt like everything was closing in on me. I knew I couldn’t avoid going home forever.
What if he told Jade what I’d done?
That I was watching him.
Oh God.
He was going to crucify me for this.
What excuse could I possibly give him that would explain why I was hiding behind his door, watching him ejaculate like it was a Fourth of July fireworks performance?
I decided that I needed to get home before Jade did. Maybe I could convince him not to say anything. Brushing the sand off my thighs, I made my way back over to the house.
My heart nearly stopped upon finding Justin standing in the kitchen, drinking out of a half-gallon of orange juice. I stood silently behind him and watched as he put the container back.
Justin turned around and finally noticed me standing there. His hair was wet, making it appear brown instead of blonde. He must have taken a shower to wash away the awkwardness of our encounter. Looking painfully handsome in a brown distressed t-shirt that fit his chest like a glove, he just stared me down.
Here it comes.
I braced myself for his humiliating words. My heart was beating out of my chest as he just continued to look at me blankly without saying anything. He slowly walked toward me, and all of the muscles in my body tightened. He was going to get in my face and do it.
Shit.
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~MEET PENELOPE WARD~
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.
~CONNECT WITH PENELOPE~
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