The Roommate Subtext
by Elia Winters

RITA Award-winning author Elia Winters is back: The Roommate Subtext is a seriously spicy roommates-to-lovers romance with a unique, kinky twist!

Scarlet Pimpernel:
Are you propositioning me?
Curious Rose: What if I am?

Freelance journalist Maggie St. Claire likes her hot, nerdy roommate Blake and his absurd collection of houseplants. But when she’s hired to write an exposé about an enigmatic online kinkster known as The Scarlet Pimpernel, she can’t exactly sit next to wholesome Blake while researching her current topic!

Botanist Blake Peabody isn’t the type of guy people expect to be kinky. His double life writing erotica online allows him to satisfy his Dom impulses while protecting his public image. Until the mysterious ‘Rose’ texts him to explore some new desires. As their chats grow more intimate, his feelings develop for the Sub, even as he grows closer to Maggie.

By day, they navigate their evolving friendship; by night, their alter-egos come out to play. Will the surprise of who they truly are be a welcome one—or more shocking than their darkest fantasy?

Tropes:

· Spicy!
· Roommate romance
· Friends to lovers
· Secret identity
· Erotic/kinky alter-ego
· Fake dating
· Guaranteed HEA

This deliciously steamy spin on Baroness Orczy’s classic The Scarlet Pimpernel is perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey, Rosie Danan, and Allison Ashley.

Reviews

“Readers will be equally delighted by the endearingly relatable characters and the electric sexual chemistry . . . [a] deftly written contemporary romance”

Booklist on Hairpin Curves

“[Winters] puts the focus on female friendships—and female love—in this feel-good, F/F road-trip romance . . . a fun holiday or beach read”

Library Journal on Hairpin Curves

“An insightful second-chance romance”

Publishers Weekly on Hairpin Curves

“Hot and heartwarming”

Library Journal on Single Player

“Highly recommended for fans of light erotica”

Library Journal Starred Review of Tied Score

“Gaming junkies and readers who are fans of Winters’s (Playing Knotty) other novels will enjoy this first book in the “Slices of Pi” series, anticipating more erotic game play in the next installments”

Library Journal on Three-Way Split

“Fans of both romance and light erotica will eagerly devour every moment of this slow-burn love story”

Library Journal Starred Review of Playing Knotty

Elia Winters

Elia Winters is a fat, tattooed, whimsical bisexual who loves petting cats and fighting the patriarchy. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and teaches at a small rural high school, where she also runs the drama club. In her spare time, she is equally likely to be found playing tabletop games, kicking at Taekwondo, crocheting, or binge-watching Ted Lasso. A sex educator and kink-positive feminist, Elia reviews sex toys, speaks at kink conventions, and writes geeky, kinky, cozy erotic romance. She currently lives in western Massachusetts with her loving husband and their weird cat.

View author page

Editions

The Roommate Subtext by Elia Winters is available in the following formats

Hardback97814483217421st September 2026144 X 222mm288$29.99
Hardback97814483217421st September 2026144 X 222mm288£21.99
Ebook97814483217591st September 2026N/A288£12.99
Ebook97814483217591st September 2026N/A288£12.99
FormatISBNPublication DateDimensionsPagesPrice