Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

THE UNHONEYMOONERS 
Christina Lauren
Publication date: May 14, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery and NetGalley



GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.

Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is . . . Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Enemies-to-lovers and fake relationships are not usually my jam. But leave it to Christina Lauren to not only make it work, but make me love it.

CHARACTERS.

It was easy to fall for both Olive and Ethan. I could relate to Olive having a sister who was “the golden one” and her being “the other one”, and loving and supporting her sister without being resentful. Olive was quite the pessimist but also managed to not be bitter. Ethan came across as so cold and dismissive at first and I had the biggest smile on my face as he slowly thawed and I was able to see the kind of guy he really was. The subtle changes as they started to realize there was something more happening between them were so well done that it was impossible not to pull hard for these two.

PLOT.

Like I mentioned, hate-to-love just isn’t my favorite trope. And I almost always steer clear of fake relationships. But, y’know, it was Christina Lauren and I can’t say no. The reasoning behind the “hate” part seemed reasonable and I totally understood Olive’s feelings toward Ethan. Their time in Hawaii while on the “honeymoon” was so hilarious. I adore good banter and this delivered big time. Olive and Ethan’s heckling and teasing was so on point and I was living for it. The pacing was perfection because by the time they returned home and the plot took a more serious tone, I was completely invested.

FAMILY.

Olive’s family was the best! I loved this big, messy, dynamic group who were so in each other’s lives and so crazy supportive. (Can I pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top have a book about cousin Diego?)

GRAND GESTURE.

I admit it, I’m a sucker for a grand gesture. Yes, I think real life should be just like the movies with impromptu musical numbers and grand gestures that make you swoon. And Christina Lauren totally brought it with the grand gesture. Sweet, adorable, swoony. Boom. *mic drop* I wanted to stand up and cheer.

OVERALL.

Simply put, The Unhoneymooners has it all. Sweet, funny, sexy, endearing, heartwarming, emotional… this was feel-good romance at its finest.

4.5/5 STARS

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

Review: My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

MY FAVORITE HALF-NIGHT STAND 
Christina Lauren
Publication date: December 4, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Format: Trade Paperback
Source: Purchased


GOODREADS  *  AMAZON

S Y N O P S I S

Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single.

So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Millie and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. There’s only one hitch: after making the pact, Millie and one of the guys, Reid Campbell, secretly spend the sexiest half-night of their lives together, but mutually decide the friendship would be better off strictly platonic.

But online dating isn’t for the faint of heart. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine”—Millie’s fictional profile persona, in whose make-believe shoes she can be more vulnerable than she’s ever been in person. Soon “Catherine” and Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship...but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, Millie will have to face her worst fear—intimacy—or risk losing her best friend, forever.

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Christina Lauren have become go-to authors over the last year or so and they consistently deliver swoony romances full of humor and heart. And while this wasn’t my favorite from the writing duo, it was still an enjoyable read.

Millie and her four best guy pals are all single and in need of plus-ones for a formal work event. They all agree to try a dating app, with varying degrees of success. In the midst of this, Millie and Reid hook up and have a fantastic (half) night together. But instead of taking a moment and seeing where this might go, they agree to put it behind them and remain just friends. Best friends. But going back to the way things were is easier said than done. And when Millie changes her dating app profile and is matched with Reid… things really get interesting.

I know a lot of readers took issue with the “catfishing” aspect but that wasn’t really a stumbling block for me. What I struggled with was Millie herself. I just couldn’t connect with her and I found her closed-off nature so frustrating. She was aware of it, her friends were aware of, they called her out on it… and yet she continued to keep everyone (including BFF Reid) at arm’s length.

Beyond that I really enjoyed the friend group, in all their hilarious nerdiness. I’d love to be friends with those guys. And Reid was a total sweetheart. Despite my (lack of) feelings for Millie, I still pulled for her and Reid – because I’m a sucker for romance and can’t help myself. 

3.5/5 STARS

Have you read My Favorite Half-Night Stand?

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

We all have them. Those tropes or keywords or settings that make us all the more likely to pick up a particular book. Some are popular (boarding school settings seems to be one that many people love) and some are a lot more unique and individual. Here are my picks along with some of my favorite examples of each.

SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE

Yeah, this one is more broad in spectrum and less specific, but even so - I'm a sucker for a good second-chance romance. I like the thought of true love never really going away and that two people who are meant to be together will find a way.

    

LETTERS/EMAILS

I don't know why, but I really enjoy a story that is told either in part, or fully, through letters and/or emails. Maybe it's the romantic in me that gets a little swoony at the thought of someone taking the time to write a letter and put their feelings down on paper. 

  

YOUNG PERSON WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILTY/

MATURE FOR AGE

I find this comes into play more with a male character than a female character, but having a main character who is carrying a lot of responsibility on his shoulders at a young age is like an instant win for me. Whether he is handling the responsibility well, or buckling under the pressure, doesn't matter. I am so behind a character who takes on great responsibility either by choice or by circumstance. Same for a character who shows maturity beyond his years. Katie McGarry is a master at writing these types of characters.

    

MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS

This one is pretty self explanatory but my interest always kicks up a notch when I hear that a story features a morally gray character. I mean, few people are all good or all bad. So when a book explores that I'm intrigued. My favorite is when a villain does something completely out of character or shows kindness.

    

FRIENDS TO LOVERS

It seems like most romance readers are all about the hate-to-love trope. But not me. Nope, I'm all about the best friends to lovers. I like seeing a couple who are already friends take their relationships to the next level. They already know they get along and that they're compatible. And when they realize that they now have feelings that go beyond friendship... I love it. :)

    

TRAPPED TOGETHER

Another favorite is when the couple in question find themselves trapped somewhere together. That forced togetherness is a big check mark for me.

    

FORBIDDEN/TABOO RELATIONSHIP

There are a lot of aspects that could make a relationship fall into the forbidden/taboo category. A boss/employee dynamic, a sketchy background (criminal history), one or both people are not single/available, etc. The forbidden aspect is definitely a draw (in fiction, not real life).

    

BAD BOY + GOOD GIRL

I know, I know. This is one trope that has been done to death. Clear back to Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. It's overused and played out. But I'm still trash for it. 

    

AGE DIFFERENCE

This one sometimes gets lumped in with the forbidden relationship trope, but I'm not talking creepy under-age age differences here. These are legal, of age, consenting adults - but with an age gap. Maybe my personal experience plays into my love of this one (there is a 14 year age gap between my husband and me) but romances with an age difference are among my favorites.

    

SWEET, CINNAMON ROLL GUYS

Sure, I love a good alpha now and then, but I also have a soft spot for the sweet, cinnamon rolls. They guys who are kind. Who are listeners. Who aren't cocky or snarky or broody. But sweet and generous and give their hearts willingly. All together now... awww!

    

What makes you pick up a book?
Do we share any favorites?

WWW Wednesday #43 | March 6, 2019

WWW Wednesdays is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.

Just answer three questions and share what you're reading.

All my moaning about the serious lack of winter this year worked! LOL We seem to be getting a last blast of winter with unseasonably cold temps. It's dipped into the 30's the last few nights and temps are staying in the 50's during the day. Go ahead and laugh, my northern friends (I know you are! LOL) but that's cold for Florida in March! I'm loving it, though. It'll be way too hot, way too soon so I'll take the cold for as long as it lasts! :)

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

    

A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) - Sarah J. Maas

I've heard time and time again that people were disappointed in this one, that nothing of importance happens, that it can be skipped... but guess what? I don't care. :) It's been almost two years since A Court of Wings and Ruin and I miss these characters. I love revisiting them, I love the different points of view, I love the peek into their lives since the war with Hybern. I'm eating this one up with a spoon and enjoying every bite. ♥ 

Watching You - Lisa Jewell

I started the audio version of Watching You on Sunday and I'm slowly getting pulled in. Lisa Jewell has a way of doling out information bit by bit that is seemingly innocuous but as it starts to pile up you can just feel something looming on the horizon. 

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating - Christina Lauren

This book! Oh my goodness, I have so much love for Josh and Hazel and their story. Never have two people belonged together more. They were so precious and their story did my heart good. Plus, this one was riotously funny and I laughed my way through page after page. And an epilogue that gave me all the feels. Another big, big hit from CLo! 

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?

      

       

        

Plenty of options of what to read next. I have Gentleman Sinner from the library. I've never read anything by Malpas but the synopsis of this one caught my eye. Restore Me is high on the list. I want to get caught up with the Shatter Me series, especially since a new novella (Shadow Me) just released yesterday and Defy Me comes out in April. I'm dying to read Daisy Jones and The Six. I predict that it will be one of my favorites of the year. And then there's What the Wind Knows, Be The Girl and I Want You Back also in the mix.

What are you currently reading?
I wanna know! :)

Top Ten Tuesday: The Books I Meant to Read in 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 

The Books I Meant to Read in 2018

Oh, the list goes on and on. All the should've's, meant to's and wanted to's. Picking ten was no problem and I could have just as easily picked 20 (or 30... or more). I'd like to say that all ten of these are going to take top priority and will be read immediately but why lie? They will get read... eventually.

The Great Alone | Kristin Hannah

Restore Me | Tahereh Mafi

Watching You | Lisa Jewell

A Court of Frost and Starlight | Sarah J. Maas

Punk 57 | Penelope Douglas

9 Days & 9 Nights | Katie Cotugno

Leah on the Offbeat | Becky Albertalli

The Smallest Part | Amy Harmon

Roomies | Christina Lauren

Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating | Christina Lauren

Have you read any of these?
What book did you really mean to read in 2018?

Top Five Books I've Read This Quarter | Jan/Feb/Mar 2018

I love books.

I love lists.

And combing the two? 

Well, my nerdy little heart can barely stand it.

I was just perusing my GoodReads shelf, looking over the books I've read this year, and there have been some real stand-outs. And I thought to myself, "Self? Seeing as how we just wrapped up the first quarter of the year, why not share your favorites? What a perfect excuse to make a list!" And then I congratulated myself mightily on having such a stellar idea. (I'm all about boosting the ol' ego, don't you know.) I'm not sure if I'll continue this with other Top Five lists (sounds fun now but who needs the commitment, amiright?) so for now let's just start with this.

top five books I read this quarter

January-February-March 2018

the cruel prince by holly black

read in january

It's rare that I feel led to pick up a fantasy novel, but the synopsis of The Cruel Prince caught my eye. I got the book from my library and when it was slow to start I thought I'd made mistake and was ready to run back to my stack of contemporary romance. But I decided to switch to the audio version and *bam* - that did the trick. The story came to life and the plot was off and running. I was hooked from that point on and completely caught up in the political intrigue and the realm of the Fae. And the twist at the end left me with total grabby hands for book two.

royally matched by emma chase
read in january
I feel like I talk about this series *a lot* but there's a reason for that: it's just that good. What I thought would be a light-hearted romance series full of laughs turned out to be so much more. And Royally Matched was no exception. It's hard to choose a favorite from the series but this one might just be it. I loved Henry and Sarah's story. Their opposites-attract relationship developed slowly and started as a friendship. Their banter was utterly priceless but was balanced perfectly with more serious issues. There was real growth in both characters and some turns at the end that added such depth and emotion. Yeah, I'll admit it... I shed a few tears.

autoboyography by christina lauren
read in february
Prepare for much gushing because seriously... this book is just everything. I'm reading less and less YA these days but this one is such a stand-out. There were so many elements that I loved: realistic characters that felt 100% genuine, great dialogue that felt true to life (never clunky or stilted), a wonderful, supportive family, friendships, romance, and above all, two main characters that were totally precious. I am ridiculously stingy with five star ratings but this one easily got those five stars and became an instant favorite of my heart.

the seven husbands of evelyn hugo by taylor jenkins reid
read in february
I read my first book by TJR last year and was so moved and impressed that I was immediately determined to read everything she has written. But for some reason, when The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was released I wasn't exactly jumping on the bandwagon. I wasn't sure I wanted to read the story of a Hollywood starlet-turned-legend. Then I saw the audio version available on Overdrive, started listening, and was hooked. Evelyn is an unforgettable character and I was totally wrapped up in the story of her life. 

love and other words by christina lauren
read in march
Love and Other Words is another one that I feel like I've been talking about a lot lately - with good reason. It's no coincidence that two books on this list are from writing duo Christina Lauren. These ladies know how to create characters that feel like walking-talking human beings - ones that I can imagine out there in the world living their lives. Their motivations, their actions, their dialogue - all of it feels so realistic and it lends a believability factor that makes for an amazing reading experience. I totally fell for Macy and Elliot and their story - both past and present - captured my heart.

What book have you read so far this year that stands out above all the others?