Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this arc. I've heard so many good things about this so was excited to stuck. This follows Olive, whose twin sister is getting married. Olive can't stand her sister's brother-in-law, Ethan. The two have been off the wrong foot since they first met. Olive has been unlucky in life, love and work whereas her sister has always been lucky, things always go well for her. Well on her wedding day their lucks change when everyone ends up with food poisoning except for Olive and Ethan. As the honeymoon can't be postponed as it was discounted and practically free her sister decides that Olive should use so it doesn't go to waste and Ethan goes along with her. The duo spend much of their time bickering until they bump into Ethan's ex and Olive's boss and pretend to be a couple...
This had potential. I loved the premise and the writing was fast with witty dialogues. However I felt the plot was too easy and convenient (you have to really suspend your disbelief) and the main couple lacked chemistry. Half the time the writing talks about how great their bodies are, and for people who claim to be enemies they don't hesitate getting it on. I wish there had been more friction and depth to these characters who like felt romantic cliches. On the whole if you want something light, fluffy and easy to read you'll enjoy this. Its 3/5.

I really enjoyed this book! I have read quite a lot of chick-flick romances, but I feel that this book was able to set apart from the others.
The relationship and banter between the two main characters was fresh and page turning. I also like that there was not any additional background sap story for the main characters, but it was written realistically. Plus, Olive is hilarious, so it was an easy read - I did so in one sitting.
One negative, in my opinion, was that I felt like Ethan was so negatively portrayed in the beginning that once the story was unravelled and the reasons were given, it felt forced and didn't fully justify his behaviour.
Overall, this book was enjoyable, if you want to read something light and comical give it a try. <3

I was given a copy by Netgalley for an HONEST review. Thank you very much!

You know those books that feel like a delight from beginning to end? and you find yourself turning the page effortlessly? The Unhoneymooners was one of those books for me. Prior to reading it for myself, I heard so much hype about it and a lot of my friends and people I follow on Book Twitter and Goodreads were raving about this book so I had high expectations. And they were totally met! This is exactly the type of light and fun read I needed and I think many readers will enjoy Christina Lauren’s addictive and humorous writing style.

The romance or ‘enemies to lovers’ trope takes centre stage here and I think this is so fun to read and the development of Olive and Ethan’s relationship was enjoyable. While the reason why they are ‘enemies’ is based on a classic rom com misunderstanding – as you can kind of expect – this again just adds to the whole deal. They have such funny banter and the humour in the book overall was great, I always appreciate some pop culture references which feel natural and this delivered. The romance itself has it’s swoon-worthy moments and is built up slowly and had the perfect balance of sweet and sexy for me. There are quite a few lines where I was just giggling to myself because of what was happening, the hot massage scene in particular…for reasons.

While it is on the lighter side of the romance genre, the novel also portrays some real life issues and I especially liked how this was done through Olive’s journey and growth as a character. At the beginning of the book Olive is sort of lost – she has just lost her job which has defined her life for so long, and she’s at a loose end. Plus her whole life she’s had ‘bad luck’ seriously think superstitious Friday the 13th type stories, and that’s Olives whole life. However, as the story progresses and she falls for Ethan and experiences more, she has an epiphany and realises what she really wants out of life and that she can make her own luck. I think this storyline will be relatable to many readers who may currently be in the same situation or have been in the past. There is so much importance placed on jobs and working in society but I think it’s also okay to acknowledge that there’s other ways for someone to be successful and have a fulfilling life. And that life doesn’t just happen to us, we’re in control and can seek what we want too.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Unhoneymooners and while this was my first Christina Lauren book, I’m sure it won’t be my last. If you’re looking for a light hearted read and just want to escape into an entertaining story, then I’d definitely recommend this book.

3.5 stars. This was exactly what I needed right now.

Following a mass outbreak of food poisoning at her twin sister Ami’s wedding reception, the only ones who aren’t affected are our protagonist Olive and the grooms brother (and Olive’s nemesis) Ethan. Due to Ami winning the honeymoon to Maui in a sweepstake, and it being non-refundable, she offers up the trip to Olive and Ethan. Prepare for sun, sea and shouting. And a lot of sexual tension. Olive has always thought that Ethan has hated her since their very first meeting, but could pessimistic Olive have got him all wrong? Add in an ex-girlfriend and a new boss (who think the pair are married) to this seemingly idyllic landscape, and you have a recipe for lies and disaster.

The strongest element to this is definitely the two main characters. There’s a lot of bickering and bantering between the two which adds to the tension between them. They bounce off each other well, and their personalities gel well together. Olive in particular is a great protagonist. She’s a bit clumsy, internally very self-deprecating and seems to think she runs on bad luck. She’s got a sarcastic quip for anything Ethan has to say, and she’s never afraid to say it. Ethan seems to take all of this in his stride, enjoying the push and pull between them while Olive slowly works down this icy exterior he has. Neither are particularly original characters, but together I thought they created enough of an interesting pairing and had enough funny interactions for me to enjoy the story and the developing feelings between them. I liked the slow build of a friendship developing into fun and more besides. I will say that this doesn’t really feel like a true ‘enemies to lovers’. It’s more a story of miscommunication when the pair first meet, with Olive believing something of Ethan that turns out to not be true. All of their interactions up until their trip to Hawaii have been icy because of this, but neither has been willing to talk about why they seemingly don’t like each other.

I also did think that at times you really have to suspend your belief in terms of the plot. Again, it’s not particularly original and a bit ‘trope’, with Olive and Ethan both running into people they’ve known from home (making the story feel very much like a ‘small world’) forcing them into pretending to be a couple. At times I did feel let down by these plot devices, as it felt as though the writers didn’t really put any effort into making the plot believable or giving any real thought into something more credible and original. It’s very ‘rom com’, light and fluffy. Which is fine – but I felt this could have been so much more. Also, there was no smut. At all.

That said, I really enjoyed the latter half of this more than I thought I would. Following their return from vacation, the pair must face some difficult life decisions and a harsh brush with reality. We see more of Olive and Ami’s large extended family (who I love), and the warmth and character they bring to the story really helped propel this beyond just a simple ‘beach read’ romance. They add another dimension, and bring a bit of life into a second half that could have otherwise become very stale and predictable very quickly. There was one questionable scene between Olive and her older relatives relating to lesbians that I thought missed the mark and made me feel a little ‘off’, but otherwise I think this was well paced and well developed. The ending is also super cheesy, but you know what? I actually thought it was done perfectly.

A super-fast read, with a colourful cast of likeable characters. This is escapism at its best, and will not fail to bring a smile to your face. One of the better romances I’ve read in a long while.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish and couldn’t put it down. It was a light and entertaining rom-com. A new favourite. It was the perfect book to lift my spirits at the present time. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed The Unhoneymooners. It is a rom-com predominantly about two people that hate each other and are pushed together through a trip to Maui. I loved the two main characters and the relationship all the way through the story. A lovely warm piece of paradise when you don't have it! Christina Lauren have written an interesting and flowing story.

Thank you NetGally. I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Loved this one! Light, warm, and funny novel to lose myself in! Loved the characters, and the drama neatly woven with funny scenes! There was a problem with the formatting of the text conversations which was disappointing but I'm still happy to give it 5 stars! Thanks netgalley!

In the Unhoneymooners we meet Olive and Ethan, in the eve of their siblings wedding, Oliver's twin sister is marrying Ethan's younger brother. At the reception all the wedding guests get sick because of the food, the only people who aren't affected are Olive and Ethan since they didn't eat from the buffet.

This means that the married couple can't go to their Honeymoon which is already paid for and they can't get a refund. Her sister encouraged her to go at the trip herself, it will be the perfect break while she is still looking for a job.

Ethan is in need of a vacation, since no one else will go to Hawaii it would be a pity to lose this all paid for trip.

That's how two people who don't stand each other end up at Hawaii for two weeks in the place of the couple.

Olive and Ethan hated each other since their first meeting, now that they have to spend two weeks together they will have to actually talk to each other without arguing every minute. Their banter was so much fun to read, they have the best sense of humor. I loved the way their relationship changed from to hate to something else. This book was full of beautiful scenes and pictures. A must read for all the those who love the hate to love trope.

*I received an arc from Little, Brown Book Group through Netgalley.

I've been wanting to read this since it was FIRST ANNOUNCED and now I finally have..

AND IT WAS SO GOOD!

It really was the ultimate haters to lovers story, and it was absolutely what I needed right now. I laughed out loud, teared up and damn, these characters are BADASSES!!
There were so many hilarious parts (that had me choking with laughter or cringing on their behalf), and Olive's internal monologues completely added to these situations.

Christina Lauren are the ultimate writing duo 👌
(Anddd now on to their next book!)


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars please read this book, it has my heart

Thank you so much Netgalley and Little Brown Group for providing the ALC in return for an honest review!

Honestly, this would be the perfect beach/summer read. Unfortunately I have neither of those available to me right now, but the power of Christina Lauren’s writing very nearly makes me think I do. Although it took me a while to get in to the book and like Ethan and Olive, and it took as long for me to like them as it did for them to like each other, the payoff was amazing! I haven’t read much ‘fake dating’ romance, but it seems the plot is usually driven by tension between the two main characters, and it’s super refreshing that that wasn’t the case here!
Thank you to NetGalley and Piatkus for the ARC!

I loved this! Yes, you can predict where this is going to go and the twists and turns that are going to happen along the way but the characters are likeable, the conversations are funny and it’s almost guaranteed to lift your spirits!

Read this book and read it now! I’d heard so much about it and was excited to receive an advance copy.
This is the perfect book to lose yourself in and give you all the feels. Loved it

This book has been on my radar for a while. I love enemies to lovers romance plot lines and I’ve heard so many good things about Christina Lauren books.
Anyway, I devoured this in a DAY. Page to page. I could not tear myself away from Olive and Ethan. To start with I was a bit put off. I thought these two hate each other SO bad how can this ever be turned to love in a believable way but my god did they manage it.
I felt every emotion, every inside joke. It had me laughing, crying, giddy with joy. It was such an uplifting positive book. I loved everything about it.

A haters to lovers story for Olive and Ethan

Olive's twin, Ami, has just married Ethan's younger brother Dane. After a case of food poisoning at the wedding, Olive and Ethan end up going on the honeymoon together.

As they spend more time together and get to know each other, it seems that maybe their first impressions of each other were wrong, but throw in some secrets that Dane has been keeping, a new boss and an ex girlfriend and everything gets more complicated. Can it be more than a holiday fling and what will happen when they get home to the real world.

A great read, and I espeically liked that the epilogue is told from Ethan's point of view.

I am speechless. This book was so perfect I devoured it in 5 hours! I already want to reread it and it has replaced my favourite romance! The Unhoneymooners in my opinion is flawless and I can't wait to read more from Christina Lauren!

A perfect romance novel with just the right blend of sweet and absolutely hilarious. This was the book I needed to read right now and I know it’s one I’ll definitely be coming back to again and again!

If you are looking for a fun read that will make you smile and make you laugh, put this on the list! It tells the story of Olive, who ends up going on what should have been on her twin sister's honeymoon when the rest of the wedding party fall ill. The trouble is that she has to go with her sister's brother in law - Olive and Ethan have never got on, or so it seemed. Is it a tad cliched? Enemies to lovers, set against a beautiful tropical background - well yes, but the characters are fun and well drawn, the banter between them keeps coming, and the story gallops along as their relationship develops. An easy read, and perfect if you need to escape and immerse yourself in a real feel-good book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book by this author that I read and I loved it! The story of enemies to lovers isn't new but I got attached to the characters and I loved the banter between them. Chick flicks are usually written from the woman's POV, this one is too, but it would have been great if we could have had some chapters with his view/version of the events.

All in all a very enjoyable, light-hearted and easy read, perfect for summer/vacation or this pandemic time.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 <b> Wedding Bells for the wrong sister </b> Stars
I loved christina lauren what feels like soooo long ago with their beautiful bastard series. I have read quite the backlist of 9 bookswavering from 3-5 stars. This book was an enemy to .lovers story that was so well done I fell back in love with the trope. It was quirky, natural and fun. It is the perfect summer read/vacation read. It is also quite a long book over 400 pages which I typically don’t get into but I think it was worth it and I am glad I didn’t judge a book by its wordcount. For such a simple trope it was well done and more plot twists occurred thatn you would imagine. The book also provides you with characters you can love and those you can hate and it doesn’t take away from the story.
Quote:

"When I signed up for this honeymoon, I had no idea it would involve so much nudity."

The Unhoneymooners is an enemies to lovers story about two in-laws who hate each other, but end up on their siblings' honeymoon together.

The characters are fairly generic, but the banter (and selection of names they call each other) is inspired. Hilariously funny, the antics get better and better.

This book delivers a sweet, fun and engaging romance that I would definitely recommend for brightening up an afternoon!

This review has been posted to Goodreads and will be submitted to Amazon after release.