When Carrie arrived as a wide eyed freshman at Stanford University she thought she knew what to expect. After all, she was the golden girl, one in a long line of her family to attend the hallowed school. But no one could have prepared her for the monumental changes she would face when she met her new circle of friends. For once their lives intertwined with one another and became woven into the tapestry of the times, they would never the the same...
Jake handsome, charming and deadly. His past secrets left such deep scars around his heart that no one could ever get close, not even Carrie.
Megan Carrie's eccentric roommate. Always the actress, her one indiscretion would result in the tragedy that would eventually bring them all together again.
Stephen Carrie's brother. He would never set an example, but rather lean on his baby sister for emotional support at every turn.
Jake handsome, charming and deadly. His past secrets left such deep scars around his heart that no one could ever get close, not even Carrie.
Megan Carrie's eccentric roommate. Always the actress, her one indiscretion would result in the tragedy that would eventually bring them all together again.
Stephen Carrie's brother. He would never set an example, but rather lean on his baby sister for emotional support at every turn.
"When Carrie arrived as a wide-eyed freshman at Stanford, she thought she knew what to expect. After all, she was the golden girl, one in a long line of her family to attend the hallowed school. But no one could have prepared her for the monumental changes she would face when she met her new circle of friends. For once their lives intertwined with one another, they would never be the same....."
I enjoyed this book; keeps your interest.
I really enjoyed this book.
"He had made a vow [to her] that other time. I must leave her alone. She is too good, too precious.
But now he broke it. Because she kissed him back? Perhaps. And because, as they kissed, she made him feel good and precious, too. And because of his faraway dreams of joy, of home, of her."
Originally published in the 80s, Roommatesrecently revived and republishedis an enrapturing, gratifying journey that magnificently illustrates the soaring highs and gloomy lows of the college experience, and how it has the sheer power to change lives forever.
The story begins Carrie's freshman year, set at Stanford, and immediately picks up on the lives of her roommates, the phenomenal actress Megan, and the devastating beauty and brains, Beth, as well. Carrie's imminent "flaw"her tenacious and resilient loving, despite the occasional rejectionsets her up for a world of possibilities in college, as well as a whole new realm of heartbreak. However, Roommates is not just Carrie's story; it's Megan's, it's Beth's, it's her brother, Stephen's, and it's the mysterious and brooding Jake's. Their individual plots all overlap, and the relationships between these five Stanford students, are unmistakably laced togetherand forever will be. This makes for a very complicated, very intricate web of a story. I found it a little too soap opera-esque for my taste, but have to admit how well-concocted it isKatherine Stone is a flawless writer with such a compelling, lyrical voice.
I like how there's a bit of a thriller subplot that doesn't make the book solely about romance; it was refreshing and gripping, although nothing terribly exciting. As with most of Stone's novels, the depiction of love is cloyingly sweet, grandly optimistic, and rather chaste. If you don't like the guaranteed happily-ever-after story line and the inherently perfect cast of characters (seriously... all of them are attractive, nice, smart, generous, brave, etc. etc.), then you may want to stay away from this book. As for me, I do quite enjoy the spice in novels of today's time, but I still enjoyed Roommates's mellow, sentimental tone.
For a glittering narrative that spans not only the young adulthoods of five unforgettable characters, but also their creeping pasts and unpredictable later lives in 1970s America, definitely give Roommates a try.
Pros: Beautiful style // Well-explored, lovable characters // Evocative of the decade and the campus spirit of Stanford // Nice blend of romance, passion, and drama // Connections between characters satisfyingly elaborated upon and probed // Jake's difficult past and his emotional turmoil particularly resonated with me // Juicy plot twist I never saw coming
Cons: Every character (aside from the obvious villain) is good-natured through and through, which I found unusual // A bit too sugary sweet... but that's the appeal! // On the wordy side... not the kind of book you can read in one sitting
Love: "He had told her the truth, every truth, with no omissions. It was a factual recounting, without embellishment, the skeleton without the heart. But to the woman who was listening, and who was hearing his every word with a heart that loved him, the aching details, the ravaged emotions, were there."
Verdict: There's plenty of suspense and danger, as well as love, light, and laughter to go around in the hopelessly romanticand fabulously nostalgicRoommates. Days of Our Lives meets a tame, university-level Breakfast Club in an all-American story that flows like magic and is bound to captivate fans of conventional love stories. If you pine for a good ol' traditional romance, then Katherine Stone's 1987 novelwhich just happens to be the prolific author's firstis THE book for you.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Katherine!).
But now he broke it. Because she kissed him back? Perhaps. And because, as they kissed, she made him feel good and precious, too. And because of his faraway dreams of joy, of home, of her."
Originally published in the 80s, Roommatesrecently revived and republishedis an enrapturing, gratifying journey that magnificently illustrates the soaring highs and gloomy lows of the college experience, and how it has the sheer power to change lives forever.
The story begins Carrie's freshman year, set at Stanford, and immediately picks up on the lives of her roommates, the phenomenal actress Megan, and the devastating beauty and brains, Beth, as well. Carrie's imminent "flaw"her tenacious and resilient loving, despite the occasional rejectionsets her up for a world of possibilities in college, as well as a whole new realm of heartbreak. However, Roommates is not just Carrie's story; it's Megan's, it's Beth's, it's her brother, Stephen's, and it's the mysterious and brooding Jake's. Their individual plots all overlap, and the relationships between these five Stanford students, are unmistakably laced togetherand forever will be. This makes for a very complicated, very intricate web of a story. I found it a little too soap opera-esque for my taste, but have to admit how well-concocted it isKatherine Stone is a flawless writer with such a compelling, lyrical voice.
I like how there's a bit of a thriller subplot that doesn't make the book solely about romance; it was refreshing and gripping, although nothing terribly exciting. As with most of Stone's novels, the depiction of love is cloyingly sweet, grandly optimistic, and rather chaste. If you don't like the guaranteed happily-ever-after story line and the inherently perfect cast of characters (seriously... all of them are attractive, nice, smart, generous, brave, etc. etc.), then you may want to stay away from this book. As for me, I do quite enjoy the spice in novels of today's time, but I still enjoyed Roommates's mellow, sentimental tone.
For a glittering narrative that spans not only the young adulthoods of five unforgettable characters, but also their creeping pasts and unpredictable later lives in 1970s America, definitely give Roommates a try.
Pros: Beautiful style // Well-explored, lovable characters // Evocative of the decade and the campus spirit of Stanford // Nice blend of romance, passion, and drama // Connections between characters satisfyingly elaborated upon and probed // Jake's difficult past and his emotional turmoil particularly resonated with me // Juicy plot twist I never saw coming
Cons: Every character (aside from the obvious villain) is good-natured through and through, which I found unusual // A bit too sugary sweet... but that's the appeal! // On the wordy side... not the kind of book you can read in one sitting
Love: "He had told her the truth, every truth, with no omissions. It was a factual recounting, without embellishment, the skeleton without the heart. But to the woman who was listening, and who was hearing his every word with a heart that loved him, the aching details, the ravaged emotions, were there."
Verdict: There's plenty of suspense and danger, as well as love, light, and laughter to go around in the hopelessly romanticand fabulously nostalgicRoommates. Days of Our Lives meets a tame, university-level Breakfast Club in an all-American story that flows like magic and is bound to captivate fans of conventional love stories. If you pine for a good ol' traditional romance, then Katherine Stone's 1987 novelwhich just happens to be the prolific author's firstis THE book for you.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Katherine!).
