I just finished this novel and I'm sitting here with a racing heart because I enjoyed it so much and didn't want it to end, as I'm berating myself for not having read more of their backlist. Reading Roomies reminded me of how much I get totally absorbed in their novels and how much I miss that feeling when I'm done.

Roomies had so much for me to love, including that it was written by these two, that within minutes I was maneuvering my plans for the weekend so that I could have maximum reading time. I mean Broadway, musician, writer, Irishman, angst, and love---what's not to love?! I honestly don't know. All I know is that I have extreme envy for those of you who are about to read this for the first time. It was one of those novels...ones you want that first time reading experience again and again and again. It's seriously time for me to return to their backlist--and I can't wait!

Gahhh. I don't know how to come off the buzz of reading Roomies except to dream up what happens with Holland and Calvin next (and try to wonder what circle of hell Brian belongs and to think of any way Lulu could ever be redeemed). I hate to see these characters go and can't help but wish I could have an epilogue or 20, but I guess I'll just sit here and daydream about this book for a little while longer (because that's what I'm reduced to at this moment).

Great read.

This book was so much fun to read. I picked it up last month because I was looking for something quick and romantic. I've been on a fantasy binge this year, so was hoping to break this up with something completely different. 

I came across Roomies on Netgalley, and it sounded super cute. The book follows Holland, a girl working at a Broadway theatre in New York, in a role created by her uncle, who's a musical director of a current best-selling show. Holland's talented and smart but she hasn't found her niche in life yet, so she's working the concession stand at the theatre, and doing the photography rounds. 

On her way home, she gets attacked by a drunk in the subway, and falls onto the tracks. Rescued by the subway's busker (who she's totally in love with - or at least his music), Holland returns the favour by introducing him to her uncle, who's looking for a replacement strings musician in his musical. Holland finds out that Calvin, her musician, is actually living in New York illegally, after his student visa expired. Going behind her uncle's backs, she decides to marry the guy, so he can stay in the country, and her uncle's production continues to find success.

Yes, it's all sorts of illegal but at the end of the day, it's a book and the whole situation was so much fun. Holland and Calvin's blossoming relationship and chemistry is pretty cliche, but sometimes you just need to read a lighthearted and cute story that makes you smile. 

I enjoyed all the characters in Roomies, from Holland and her lovable gay uncles, to Calvin who's this supposed Julliard graduate who can't find a job because he's too picky to leave New York. I loved the way their love grew despite the circumstances. 

The best thing about this book is how realistic all the relationships were. Holland may have been low-key stalking Calvin prior to their fake-marriage situation — and while this does have its consequences, it was resolved in a very realistic way. Her relationship with her toxic female friend (whose name is escaping me), also has its consequences, and I was very glad to see how it panned out in the end. 

I've never read a book by the duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings before, but I'm very impressed by their writing style. The story followed seamlessly — there was never a point where I felt like I was reading a book that was written by two people. Definitely keen to check out their other works now!

If you're looking for a fun summer beach read (or even something to curl up to during Christmas for those in the northern hemisphere!), give Roomies a go. 

An e-copy of the book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet story of love. It was such nice lighthearted read, I couldn’t wait to get back to reading after a stressful day at work. Absolutely enjoyable!

Sad to say, but I couldn't connect with this book. I only made it into the first few chapters before I stopped. It just wasn't for me.

A street musician will land the job of his dreams and in a fleeting moment be forced to make a decision that will affect the rest of his life.

Two strangers will need to convince everyone that they are in love and happily married. Will they pull it off without actually falling in love?

If you love a musician romance with tender moments, family drama, and a quest to uncover the truth of what matters in life - don't miss this story! Passion, adventure, and enough twists to keep you reading till the very last page!

I hope we see more from these characters in a future release.

Holy Crap!

This book was freaking amazing. GAH! Words actually fail me...

Before I jump into my review, I have to tell you that I am a music brat. What does that mean? I was surrounded by music my entire life. From traveling to DCI competitions since before I can remember to playing the violin from the 2nd grade to my high school graduation, music has always been a large part of my life. I absolutely love musicals and I even got to play in the orchestra my high school's annual musical my senior year. As much fun as that was... I still can't watch The Sound of Music without cringing. No told told me about the long ass rehearsals...

Why am I sharing this? Well, when I found out that Christina Lauren was going to sign at The Ripped Bodice this Sunday, I immediately went searching for a book to read. I remember hearing about Roomies around the blogosphere and once I read the synopsis I was all over it. Not going to lie, I struggled with it at the beginning. I was fighting off a reading slump because I had no desire to read. I fought through it. Kept going back to Holland and Calvin for the small amount of time my brain allowed me to read. Once it finally clicked and I was good to go, I finished 75% of it in a matter of hours. It was amazing!

As my first Christina Lauren book, Roomies knocked it out of the mother-effing ballpark. This book made me giggle-snort and bawl like a freaking baby. We're talking full on ugly cry from which there was no going back. Once we clicked, I didn't want Roomies to end. I was hooked. I loved watching Holland grow as an individual. She went from being comfortable in the shadows to a fully confident woman on the verge of tackling the publishing world. Calvin was no slouch, either. Through his moments of being absolutely oblivious, he too grew as a character who's dream is about to come true. Maybe not as much as Holland, but that doesn't minimize his progress at all. The only character I could not stand was Lulu... For obvious reasons...

Now that I've finally read a Christina Lauren book I need to pick up Beautiful Bastard. I don't know when, I just know it will happen. And hopefully soon.

Now I hope Roomies didn't sent me into a book hangover...

I loved the sound of this book when I read the description. The author duet were able to pull me in from the stat of the book and really bring a unique story that I was hooked on. Calvin and Holland were amazing characters that both had their reasons for the marriage and I felt the progression of the romance was at a good rate. This book felt different then the author’s other books, but I wasn’t disappointed. I look forward to seeing what CL writes next. 4 Stars #2OCCJD

Not my usual choice: contemporary romance. Main character really drew me in, and I stayed for the original storyline. Loved the Broadway setting, backdrop of theater made it more appealing to me. I also enjoyed the interaction between the uncles and their niece. Would recommend to any who are looking for something less predictable and stereotypical.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book for review. At this time I am not writing a review for it as I had a hard time staying connected to the characters and the storyline. I am more than happy to share the book and promote it on my blog though as I know that just because I didn't love it doesn't mean others won't.

Roomies was so delicious I devoured it in one sitting!  

I was so taken away with this story, my love affair with the characters, was trumped only by my love for the theater.  I found myself completely engrossed in the success of everyone in this story.  Christina Lauren in all their wisdom did something interesting with these characters.  I found myself feeling protective of Holland while disliking Calvin.  Only to have those roles completely reverse TWICE!  It was love, hate, love love love.  

I recently watched a show that discussed the pros and cons of arranged marriages.  A completely foreign concept to almost all Americans.  Yet many cultures still have them.  In the case of Holland and Calvin I was struck by their arrangement and the reasons behind it.  Yes Calvin's citizenship was important, however it was Holland's reasoning that caused me to pause.  The youngest of many siblings, I think 8 if I remember correctly, Holland almost comes across as an abandoned child.  Like she was forgotten in the mayhem of raising all those kids.  Her uncle and his partner for whatever reason scooped her up and practically raised her.  I'm not sure where the disconnect is but she definitely lacks self confidence and direction.  So reading her parts of the story were both aggravating and rewarding.

Calvin on the other hand is an enigma.  He's mysterious, fun loving, adorable to read, and yet he worried me.  We really didn't know much about Calvin and while on paper (no pun intended lol) he seems genuine, you can't help but be concerned.  Everything happens so quickly and no one really knows the other.  There is so much that can go wrong.  And what's a story without conflict right?

Christina Lauren are always surprising me with their light witty bantering, sexy characters that fly off the pages, stomping their feet to be seen and heard.  Roomies, for me, embodied the theater, it was dark, loud, emotional, fun, musical, sarcastic, loving, it was everything I wanted and then some.

* I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book *

I really enjoyed Calvin and Holland’s story. Getting to know each other after marriage was a struggle for them. It was a fun, emotional, sexy ride.

**4 Stars**
This book was full of entertainment from page 1. It had everything that I love in a book witty characters, fantastic banter and snark, along with amazing chemistry. The relationship between Holland and Calvin isn't a traditional one, but nonetheless I still loved it. As individual characters they were fascinating, add the couple dynamic to that and I didn't want their story to end.

REVIEW – ROOMIES BY CHRISTINA LAUREN

SYNOPSIS

From subway to Broadway to happily ever after. Modern love in all its thrill, hilarity, and uncertainty has never been so compulsively readable as in New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren’s (Beautiful Bastard, Dating You / Hating You) new romance.

Marriages of convenience are so…inconvenient.

For months Holland Bakker has invented excuses to descend into the subway station near her apartment, drawn to the captivating music performed by her street musician crush. Lacking the nerve to actually talk to the gorgeous stranger, fate steps in one night in the form of a drunken attacker. Calvin Mcloughlin rescues her, but quickly disappears when the police start asking questions.

Using the only resource she has to pay the brilliant musician back, Holland gets Calvin an audition with her uncle, Broadway’s hottest musical director. When the tryout goes better than even Holland could have imagined, Calvin is set for a great entry into Broadway—until his reason for disappearing earlier becomes clear: he’s in the country illegally, his student visa having expired years ago.

Seeing that her uncle needs Calvin as much as Calvin needs him, a wild idea takes hold of her. Impulsively, she marries the Irishman, her infatuation a secret only to him. As their relationship evolves and Calvin becomes the darling of Broadway—in the middle of the theatrics and the acting-not-acting—will Holland and Calvin to realize that they both stopped pretending a long time ago?

Purchase on Amazon




MY REVIEW

I love books set in New York City. As they say once a New Yorker is always a New Yorker and this city will always have a special place in my heart. Roomies highlights the essence of the city, the uniqueness, the atmosphere in this love story by Christina Lauren.

Holland and Calvin meet at the subway station <– you can’t get anymore New York than that.
Calvin is a street musician and Holland has a very serious crush on this very talented hottie. She sort of becomes his stalker and on one drunken night she makes a move. The story snowballs from there. Calvin is presented with a once of a life time opportunity on BROADWAY, for his dream to come true Holland offers him a shot of a green card. A fake marriage to secure the job he was meant to do.

Easy peasy right? I loved these two together. They had a chemistry from the start. A certain pull, they both treat this coupling as a platonic deal. It’s a marriage of convenience. Must fight the attraction. They both keep secrets, and we all know one thing about secrets, sooner or later they will come out at bite you in the butt.

The Broadway aspect of this story is really what made this book for me. I love love Broadway. It’s truly a one of a kind experience and a must when you visit NYC. I loved getting a sneak peak behind the production of a Broadway musical. There is a certain magic to it.

As Calvin becomes a rising star, Holland struggles with her identity. Mix feelings into the pot and you got yourself tangled up in a web of lust, attraction, love, betrayal and let’s not forget …immigration laws.

I adored Calvin, even with his star soaring high, he stayed humble and true to himself. I mean no one can resist a talented Irish accented dirty talker guitar player. You can certainly try, good luck with that 😍

Holland, Holland, Holland… This girl is such a giver. She is a people pleaser to a fault. Sometimes I just wanted to smack her and hug her at the same time. She is still finding her place in the world. Unsure of her worth she struggles with insecurities as she navigates her feelings. This story is truly her journey. I love her growth as a character.

“Sometimes when one thing falls apart, other things fall into place.”

Overall this was a fun, sweet read. A love letter to everything New York. I really wished for a little more at the ending. I’m a sucker for a good epilogue.

A marriage of convenience is one of the classic tropes of Regency romance, but in Roomies, by the duo who write as Christina Lauren, this familiar plot is set in modern-day Manhattan. 25-year-old Holland Bakker has a major crush a hot subway busker, a Juilliard-trained guitar player named Calvin. When her uncle, the composer for Broadway's hottest show, desperately needs a new lead musician, she knows just the guy. One problem — Calvin is Irish, in the country illegally and can't do the gig. Holland's brilliant idea: Fake marriage! She'll get to save the show for her favorite uncle and get Calvin the gig of a lifetime, all while admiring her hunky crush wandering around shirtless in her apartment. They hit it off and start really falling for each other — or is it just an act for the authorities? While I was annoyed that the heroine only seemed to have marriage to offer the plot, the great writing and well-turned plot twists kept me hooked. This contemporary romance doesn't disappoint: Holland's journey ultimately isn't so much about getting the guy, but becoming an interesting, independent and lovable person she can love (and Calvin, too, of course).

A modern writing on a green card romance. Fast paced and enjoyable.

This book receives 5 out of 5 AMAZING Stars! This was just what I needed to lighten up my mood! This book was absolutely hilarious, surprising, romantic, fun, open-minded and more! I loved escaping into this book! I loved Holland and Calvin! They were awesome seperately but even better after their "nuptials".

I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants! Okay, I know some of you are thinking "TMI, GROSS!" (Thank you motherhood!) Anyways back to this awesome book, I loved the romance and loved the family drama.

I also loved that there was an #LGBT+ couple in the mix. Holland was a hot mess but I just loved her! Calvin was completely a fiction husband to say the least! I mean who can go wrong with a sexy guitarist who is uber talented and uber awesome.

There's so much that goes down, but not too much. I am so thankful that I had the pleasure of reading this book and will definitely be checking out the authors' other works! Oh that's another thing, this book was written by two ladies and I had absolutely no idea and all I wanted was more!

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this one. I feel Christina Lauren redeemed themselves with this story versus the last one. I'm typically a huge fan of them and have loved all of their books, except the one before Roomies. However, Roomies resumes their fabulous writing, chemistry, gripping and interesting storyline, and extra serotonin when the two leads finally fall in love. Highly recommend.

I thought this was really great. I liked all the characters, especially the supportive uncles. I can see this being a very popular book with library patrons.

This was definitely a fun and unexpected read. Holland has been drifting through life for the last 2 years and had a crush on Calvin from afar for the last 6 months.
Several unexpected events come together and lead to them progressing from a brief meeting to a marriage of convenience within a span of weeks and that’s when the story take on a life of its own.
I liked both Calvin and Holland. I found them both to be entertaining and interesting characters. I especially appreciated how their time together spurred on Holland’s much needed period of self discovery. I think she came out of the experience a much stronger person than when she went in.
The strong supporting cast helped shape this well written book. If I didn’t know that a duo was behind the Ms. Lauren pen name, I never would have guessed. The partnership is seamless and I would love to see what the future holds for Calvin and Lauren.

Read a book by Christina Lauren is ALWAYS a treat and a guaranteed awesome read. Light, fun, touching, and with their signature humor, Roomies was no exception.

First things first. From here on out, I only want to be referred to as ‘“Mo stóirín.” Because Irish speaking musicians is my new favorite thing.

Roomies tells the story of Holland Bakker (told primarily in her POV), whom I would like to point out is hysterical. I lived for her dry humor. Holland works in theater thanks to her well known uncle. In fact, most things Holland has are in thanks to her uncles. She’s perhaps just a little spoiled, but NEVER unappreciative. So when the opportunity to help her uncle comes in the form of marrying a virtual stranger, she jumps at the chance because 1.) she’s a little bored with her life and 2.) it doesn’t hurt that she’s been pining for her soon to be husband from afar for months as she’s been listening to him perform street music.

Holland convinces Calvin to go along with a fake marriage (don’t want to give too many specifics as to why ;) ).

There’s something about the “marriage of convenience” trope I LOVE. And reading about Holland and Calvin go from trying to figure out how to navigate a fake marriage to falling in love while also trying to chase their own dreams was just so damn adorable.

I already pointed out how much I adored Holland. But Calvin..he was something else. Christina Lauren has written a range of heroes in the past: Asshole, player, comic book nerd, smooth talking lover. But Calvin was just …just a GOOD guy. A genuinely sweet, good, caring, patient amazing guy.

I loved Holland and Calvin together. Loved the humor. Loved the side characters. Roomies was a super fun and entertaining read and something fans of Christina Lauren will no doubt enjoy!