A ridiculous premise saved by a main character who becomes more likable as the story goes on and a very swoon worthy male lead. The many misunderstandings get old towards the end (it's one of those books you spend a lot of time yelling "just talk to each other already!") but still a fun, quick romantic comedy in book form.

I love Christina Lauren. That being said...I did not love Roomies. Don't get me wrong, I did like it. I liked Holland. I liked Calvin. I think that was maybe my problem with Roomies. It didn't wow me. It actually took me trying to start this book several times for me to even actually get into it enough to continue reading. Maybe it was just that I wasn't in the mood to read this particular book at that particular time. Maybe I was too distracted. Either way, it impacted my enjoyment of the book.
Regardless it was very lighthearted, full of subtle humor, and just all around sweet and very heartwarming. Calvins a charming character.***Spoilers ahead*** Holland was slightly impulsive (I mean, marrying a stanger to save your unlces musical is slightly drastic and for sure implusive lets be real here no matter how long you've had some creepy crush on him you still don't know him from Adam) ((also can we just talk about how marrying and moving in a stranger could potentially not be the safest of ideas?)) and while some can get passed the impulsiveness I am still just mindblown. Other than that she was sweet, cute, and funny. While I liked both characters I have big beef with a few things. Calvin, (*****MORE SPOILERS****) why so scared to tell Mommy that youre not married to a girl named Amanda? I get not wanting them to worry but grow a pair and you slimply just don't ask a woman to pretend to be someone she isn't to your parent/family. That's a no-no. A pretend wife to take moms worries away is a tough lie to pull off my dude. Just don't lie to your Mom bro. Just don't. Also, Holland not telling a guy you've totally been crushing on him before you marry him is a lot less creepy then just letting him find out later.
***End of spoilers***

In conclusion, while it took me a lot of effort to get into this book it was sweet and cute. So it lands at a solid 3 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it for a light read.

I wasn’t expecting much from Roomies. To be honest, based on the first couple of chapters that I read last year, it didn’t feel like the usual Christina Lauren book that I expected. Fast-forward to last month and I was broken!

I picked up the audiobook last month and I was able to get through the first few chapters! Before I knew it, I was hooked, even though Roomies read like women’s fiction than a contemporary romance. Not that there is anything wrong with women’s fiction, it’s just not a genre that I prefer to read.

This book changed all that! In fact, this was the book that made me pick up Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely! Nope, I do not regret anything!

Roomies is a sweet story and I loved it because of the story and not the romance. This is highly unusual for those of you who know my reading tastes. Holland’s character arc and development throughout the book was spot on and actually made me root for her!

Yes, I admit, the first half of the book had me hating Holland so much because she was basically acting like a doormat. I couldn’t believe that she was so selfless as to marry a guy (that she had a crush on, true) who was practically a stranger, who could have been an ax murder, without getting anything in return. I mean, come on! Again, I hated her – until she changed!

I’m not saying that Roomies wasn’t a good romance. I was, but it’s not what I’m used to with Christina Lauren’s books. This wasn’t sizzling at all but the chemistry between Holland and Calvin jumped off the page! But it did leave me wanting more of the signature CL sexy times!

This is probably one of those books that drew me for the story and characters rather than the romance. By the time I got to the last quarter of the book, I was emotionally drained! When Holland did a 180 and changed, I was sold! It was heartbreaking and I could not help but love how her character arc went.

What struck me as unique in Roomies is that it made me feel like I was in New York City! I have been to NYC once and I loved the energy! I felt NYC in this book! Christina Lauren is really good at making a reader feel like they are actually in the city the book is set (see Sweet Filthy Boy).

I have recommended Roomies to my besties and they loved it, too!

Christina Lauren is an amazing writing duo. They can pull you in and keep you entertained for hours! I swear their words are liquid gold.

The characters were amazingly well written. Holland, Calvin, and the side characters were all hilarious in their own way. I laughed out loud a lot in this book.

The plot itself was creative, witty, and endearing. It kept me on my toes while also giving me that "feel good" vibe that I expect with each new Christina Lauren book. I also loved how the duo described the city itself. It was a great tribute to it, and even though I've never been there it kind of felt like home while reading Roomies.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable for me. I laughed, swooned, and never wanted it to end.

5 ‘Hilarious’ Stars!

This may have been one of the funniest Christina Lauren books that I’ve read! It was a twist on the classic “marriage of convenience” trope and it was executed perfectly.

The theme of music for Holland and Calvin’s story was magical. After hearing Calvin’s music in the subway she becomes mesmerized by him and his music, almost to the point of obsession.

Holland is super close with her uncle and when a pet opens in his show she knows Calvin is perfect. She finds out that he is in the US illegally, so she offers to marry him (like it’s a chore or something?!)

This book was the epitome of a romantic comedy. The funny banter and situations the main characters get into are so original and fun. It took a while for them to see that they were made for each other and when they did...*swoon*

Another amazing book for Christina Lauren! I loved these two characters so much.

Some of the most vibrant romances I’ve ever read happen to be set in New York City—a city of dreams and limitless possibilities—and Christina Lauren’s latest offering is a ravishing salute to the city itself and its musical theatre scene. Set amidst the shimmering lights of Broadway, this is a story of two people who did everything backwards on their way to falling in love—a sham marriage coming even before their first kiss—but it’s also a story of new beginnings, of altruism, of family, and of finding love in the most unlikely of places. A novel to read and re-read, told in Christina Lauren’s confident and engaging voice, this is the kind of book that one devours in a single sitting, and then goes right back to the beginning to make sure they haven’t missed anything.

Read full review here » https://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2017/12/02/review-roomies-by-christina-lauren/

I have yet to read a Christina Lauren book I haven't liked. And Roomies was no different.

The story was just so adorable and good. And pulled me in from the first page.

I loved Holland and Calvin and just thought the two had so much chemistry between them.
Plus I can appreciate how their relationship and story grew. They meet in such an unorthodox way. And then the steps to getting them closer just made me grin. I loved the spunk Holland had.

Overall there was so much about this book I liked. The complexity and dimension of the characters. The plain well written story line and plot development.

It all just worked so well.
And I found myself unable to put this one down for an extended amount of time. And boy did I have to do a lot of multitasking to keep reading while doing things like work and school haha

I have to give this one 5 stars though!

Very cute and well written. Felt like the guy in the book was a little bit full of himself and the main girl was a bit of a damsel in distress.

The best part about this book was the chemistry between the main characters. You could feel the tension coming off the page every time they were together. I loved that they were able to communicate when then had issues and work through them.

Plot wise the book was a little boring. I found myself disinterested in the scenes at the theater. And for a book about trying to skirt the immigration system, the stakes were rather low.

Overall this was a solid romance!

Was barely able to finish it. I liked the authors' other works but the doormat heroine and relentlessly inconsiderate hero in this one completely ruined the story for me.

This was such a fun, entertaining read. From Holland’s quirky self to Calvin's sweetness, and the bits of drama and angst mixed in, I thought this was a really great story and I totally enjoyed it!

I liked Holland a lot and really enjoyed her journey of figuring out who she was in the midst of this crazy situation. Calvin was wonderful and I loved his sweet looks and the building chemistry between them. I loved the fun and flirty, and the ease between them. There were a lot of fun scenes that had me laughing and some emotional ones too. There was a nice amount of drama at the end stressing me out. It was filled with angst and I couldn't wait for them to get to their HEA.

I really liked the writing. It took me until about 20% for everything to click for me and then I was all in. This was first person, single POV and I thought it was done really well. I thought Holland had a great voice, I understood the struggle she was going through trying to find herself. I also felt like I really got to know Calvin even though I wasn't in his head. The story flowed nicely and I enjoyed the details and descriptions.

I was just so entertained and had a good time losing myself in the story. There were some stressful moments for sure but but between the fun and the angst it was well balanced. All in all this was a great, entertaining read with just a touch of heat and a bit of drama!

I enjoyed the story and would love to read more by this duo! The story was cute and funny. Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this.

Marriages of convenience are so…inconvenient.

Rescued by Calvin McLoughlin from a would-be subway attacker, Holland Bakker pays the brilliant musician back by pulling some of her errand-girl strings and getting him an audition with a big-time musical director. When the tryout goes better than even Holland could have imagined, Calvin is set for a great entry into Broadway—until he admits his student visa has expired and he’s in the country illegally.

Holland impulsively offers to wed the Irishman to keep him in New York, her growing infatuation a secret only to him. As their relationship evolves from awkward roommates to besotted lovers, Calvin becomes the darling of Broadway. In the middle of the theatrics and the acting-not-acting, what will it take for Holland and Calvin to realise that they both stopped pretending a long time ago?

***********************************************************************************************

Holland could BE what you call a stalker if we wanted to be technical...I'm just saying!! She hears Calvin playing music and then obsessively seeks him out and then goes further by offering to marry him to keep him in the US. Yep, all of us women out there see a sexy Irishman and wants to make him our muse in the bedroom...I mean, in the atrium for his music. The thing I love about this author is that she's really good at making you laugh and telling a really good story at the same time.

Roomies has been on my kindle for months and I could kick myself for not reading sooner! I am a little glad that I waited though, because I really, really needed a good book right now and I definitely got that with this one. It was fun and wonderful and I had such a good time being in Calvin and Holland’s world!

I can’t decide who I liked the best between Calvin and Holland. They both have their flaws that make you shake your head and roll your eyes a bit, but there’s so much to love about both of them. Holland is quirky, funny, and somewhat sarcastic and Calvin is so fun and playful — he’s just the type of guy you would have an awesome time with. They’re both cute on their own together and when you’re reading, it’s easy to see how they just fit together and how right it is between them. I loved Calvin and Holland on their own, but especially as a couple.

Roomies was exactly the book I needed at the moment. It was funny and light and put so many smiles on my face. It’s not all smooth sailing though, it did make my heart ache and make it race. I couldn’t get enough and I couldn’t tear myself away from Roomies. It was sweet and beautiful and I absolutely, positively loved it!

Roomies is a standalone and it’s told from Holland’s POV, and she and Calvin do get their HEA.

~ A Hopeless Romantic’s Booklandia, 5 Stars

Christina Lauren took a topic of green card marriage and music to make a fantastic story. Holland has been drooling over Calvin her subway street musician for months. She has the chance to have her uncle who in charge of the hottest musical on Broadway hear him, and he wants Calvin to be in his musical. Can two people who marry quickly for Calvin to stay in the US, really find love.

Christina Lauren can write emotional depth character with a great story.

First, this is a review of the book, “Roomies” by Christina Lauren and not the upcoming movie based on the book starring Jenna Dewan. That said, I am so happy that Hollywood noticed this book. It’s great material for a romantic comedy (remember “Green Card” (1990) starring Andie Macdowell and Gerard Depardieu). And of course, with the current political climate, this story is of-the-moment and ripped from the headlines.

Subway commuters in New York City are so used to buskers that they are part of the landscape (or should I say subwayscape?). Some of them are so good that people stop to listen or even wait for the next train so that they can listen longer. And even in an age of Apple Pay and credit cards, people drop dollar bills (sometimes 5 or higher) or lots of quarters.

That these buskers are good is a given. Hence, the fictional Calvin Mcloughlin acing a Broadway show audition is very possible. And, as “Roomies” went, the rest is romance and happily ever after.

Christina Lauren penned this book perfectly. The Manhattan lifestyle and attitude. Lots of laugh out loud funny moments. Best of all, New York City is not just the setting. It is also a “character” in the story.

If you love New York City and Broadway, this book is for you. If you are a romantic and believe that true love comes from the most unexpected place, this book is for you. And even if you just want to escape for a few hours for some feel-good moments, “Roomies” will do it for you.

Roomies is Rated T for Teens.

This was my first Christina Lauren book but definitely won't be my last! I enjoyed the characters and their development and was rooting for both Calvin and Holland. While this book had some of the typical romance tropes; makes ups, break ups, real/fake marriage with a few twists thrown in, I still really enjoyed it and will be recommending it to New Adult and contemporary romance readers alike.

Roomies is another hit by Christina Lauren.

Holland is in NYC basically just getting by, even leaning on her uncles for financial support. She has an MFA in Creative Writing but ever since she graduated she’s been stuck. Words haven’t come to her and she feels a bit lost in the background of everything else going on. In her life she’s always played the side character, never the lead role. Life isn't exactly miserable for her but it’s just not full of actual life either. So she finds the little things in life that complete her, like the mysterious and captivating busker she passes every morning in the subway. The melodious sounds from his guitar have her completely enchanted and she’s finding herself maybe only slightly obsessed. Ok fine, she’s totally obsessed! The day comes when her Uncle’s award winning show is down a star musician and she just knows her mysterious busker has the perfect sound for it. Unsurprising to Holland, Calvin the busker blows everyone away with his audition and he’s offered the job. Except there’s one huge problem...he isn’t in the US legally and there’s little to no chance of him getting a Work Visa. Holland offers to marry Calvin so he can stay in the U.S., giving him a chance at his dream job, giving her Uncle a new star for his show, and giving her life a little excitement.

“Maybe the reason I can’t write about fictional life is because I haven’t actually lived. I think that’s why it’s appealing. It feels like a crazy thing to do, and I need a little more crazy.”

Having to pass an marriage interview with the immigration office forces them to immediately live in close quarters and get to really know each other in just a few short weeks. The relationship that develops between Holland and Calvin is easy and natural. Their personalities complement each other and their love and appreciation for music melds them together.

Of course in any relationship problems arise but for Holland she’s not sure if Calvin’s feelings are real. Constantly she’s wondering if he’s just putting on a show and making her few good simply because it’s his way to show his gratitude for what she’s done. While she’s enjoying his success, it’s also causing her to struggle with her own worth and position in life.

“What the heIl am I going to do with my life? I only get one shot at this, and right now, I’m finding my value only in being valuable to others. How do I find value for me?”

Reading Holland and Calvin’s story was easy and enjoyable. Seeing their growth as a couple and as individuals had you rooting for them the whole time. Relatable main characters, fluid writing, a solid story and a great supporting cast all combined to make another great hit by this writing duo.

I believe this is the first marriage of convenience book I read and the dynamic duo Christina Lauren did not disappointment. Calvin is an unknown musician, playing stunning music only in the subway. Holland was attacked and saved by Calvin. When Holland found out the man who rescued her is none other than the gorgeous musician, she wanted to help him. Holland got Calvin an audition – a chance of a life time with a musical director in Broadway. Before Calvin even started his dream job he had to come clean that he has been living illegally in this country. Holland offered to marry Calvin so he can stay in New York. Turns out these two aren’t really good at acting – fake marriage turns complicated quick. Will Holland and Calvin finally admit that they are not very good at pretending when it comes to love?
Roomies definitely caught my interest right away with the marriage of convenience theme. I love the hero and heroine. They are both likable characters, real, honest, relatable – even with their talents they have insecurities like all of us. I love the slow burn, sexy, passionate romance. Roomies was charming, fun, swoony. As expected - Beautifully written!!!

A super charming romantic comedy/women’s fiction novel

Finally, we have a modern marriage of convenience tale in which the authors completely thought out all of the possible repercussions, including immigration interviews. I am so glad that that the details are realistic!
I found the novel to be highly entertaining, uplifting, funny, charming, hot, and adorable. It is a hybrid of a romantic comedy and women’s fiction. It is partly a romantic comedy because it is funny, romantic, and the choice of literary perspective. It is all in the first person past tense perspective of only one person: the heroine, Holland. We have the flow of Holland’s internal monologue in between her interactions with other people and what is happening around her. The novel is also partly women’s fiction because Holland grows as a person and slowly empowers herself. She has lots of self-doubt and is disappointed that she is not working as a writer after she graduated with her master’s degree. She impulsively marries the phenomenally talented guitarist on whom she has a huge crush so that he can work for her beloved uncle. Calvin is from Ireland and has an expired visa. Holland’s uncle has a hit musical play on Broadway but desperately needs a replacement musician. Therefore, Holland marries Calvin and gets to hear the gorgeous man play guitar in her living room instead of the subway. FYI, the love scenes are steamy.
I love getting the true flavor of living in Manhattan and working on Broadway. I really love Holland and Calvin; they are good people with some flaws. There was so much to love about this book. However, there were a couple of things that bothered me. First, Holland’s way of getting nervous at the drop of a hat was somewhat irritating in the first half. Why do we need to hear every time she holds her breath and every time her heart races? Second, I got a little emotionally exhausted toward the end because there were way more emotional highs and lows than any romance book that I can remember (and I have read hundreds). Other than that, I am highly pleased with the novel, and I plan to try more of Christina Lauren's books in the future. I recommend this book to everyone who loves romantic comedies and steamy romance.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the publisher via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.