I'll be honest, I was expecting a whole lot more from this novel. I've been getting into CLo's books lately and I've been enjoying them a lot! But this book fell a little short for me, sadly.

Olive's sister and Ethan's brother are celebrating their wedding when at one point everybody who ate from the free seafood buffet at the wedding start getting sick, except Olive and Ethan, who had special food made for them. Olive's sister insists she goes on the honeymoon to not waste it because it was non-refundable. Olive is very hesitant because she hates Ethan with a passion, but she's definitely up for some vacation time.

I actually enjoyed this book quite a lot. It's a little bit funny here and there (mostly, I was just smiling, not really laughing). I expected more on the enemies-to-lovers front. There wasn't a real hate behind all the bickering. Olive's reason for hating Ethan is so childish. It's like a "he hates me, so I'll hate him" type of thing. And Ethan doesn't even hate her, he just likes bickering with her, which was what added to the fun, thankfully.

One of the things I loved the most was the family/friendship dynamic. Olive's family, especially her mom and her friend Diego, were the highlight for me in the story. They are both so fun! I wish Diego gets his own book because I'd totally be into it.

The story itself is delightful to read. There are just some inconsistencies, and it can get kinda boring at times and repetitive. This is definitely not my fave from the duo, but it's good, nonetheless. If you're looking for something to read super quick and escape to Maui for a while, then you might just like this book.

Book review:

I finished The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren and I cannot think of a better summer read. Olive and Ami are twin sisters but have very different personalities. Ami, the bride, never seems to run out of luck. Olive, the pessimist, is used to Ami having the spotlight. Olive is also jobless, single, and cannot stand the best man (who happens to be Ami’s new husband’s brother, Ethan).

During the reception, almost the entire wedding party comes down with a horrible case of food poisoning, except Olive and Ethan of course. They are then stuck with a decision to either use their siblings’ honeymoon package to Hawaii or let it go to waste. While the idea of going with Ethan, her worst enemy, is torture to think about, Olive doesn’t have much to lose. What could possibly go wrong?

While the scenario is definitely silly, it totally made for a perfect rom com. I loved the chemistry between Olive and Ethan, and the hilarious banter throughout the book had me literally laughing out loud. There are some very funny scenarios that come up and also a few back stories that kept the book going. The vacation vibe was a really fun aspect too!

I’ve read a fair amount of rom coms and I’d have to say this is a new favorite! I don’t think I’ve laughed that much while reading a book in a long time! I totally recommend for any rom com lover or even someone new to the genre. If you haven’t read it yet, go get it now!

Thank you netgalley and Gallery books for the arc. .
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Christina Lauren books tend to be a hit or miss with me, but this was definitely a hit! I loved the unique setting, the fast paced and fun plot, and enjoyed the characters and their quick-witted banter.❤️ I didn’t like part of the story closer to the ending, but I think it wrapped up really nicely. The setting made me want to be somewhere tropical with a drink in my hand!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

It's official - Christina Lauren own me! It's just been a hit parade for me, when it comes to their books, and the hits keep coming with The Unhoneymooners.

Olive was the unlucky twin. She lost her job and her roommate in the span of one day, but her luck seemed to be improving, when she passed on the buffet and ended up being one of only two people, who evaded food poisoning. The other person was Ethan, the groom's brother and Olive's sort-of nemesis. As the only two in good health, they were gifted their siblings' honeymoon. Both were dreading the time together, but were surprised that this island adventure looked like it could lead to something they never anticipated - love.

Let me tell you, when people say this is a rom-com, they are talking capital C, O, M. As always, these ladies brought the funny. There was a lot of slapstick and laugh out loud moments, in addition to tons of fun and flirty banter. The boat, the massage, the mini road trip, paintball -- all the outings were fun filled and hilarious.

It wasn't just the situations that delighted me, I also adored both Ethan and Olive. Olive was a science loving, curvy woman with a sharp wit, who amused me to no end. The bulk of the book was told from her perspective , and I think it was the right choice. This was a rom-com, but it also was a personal journey for Olive. By being with Ethan, she was started seeing herself and her situations in a different light, and through this experience she grows a great deal. She came to some important realizations, made some big decisions, and I was ecstatic with the path she chose for herself. Ethan didn't need to grow as much as Olive, but he took some time to examine some of his relationships - romantic and otherwise, and this was an important step for him.

I am always up for a good enemies to lovers book, and CLo delivered it in spades. The barbs these two were throwing at each other had me grinning like a fool. But, then the author's sweetened the pot by putting them in a fake marriage and having them move beyond the banter to real communication. It's always a breath of fresh air to see a hero and heroine talking the time to build their relationship in a meaningful way, and I loved getting to opportunity to see beyond the surface with these two.

This book had a great setup, fantastic characters, and fabulous banter. It was funny, flirty, and even quite touching. I had a stupendous time with Olive and Ethan, and wish I could have spent more time with them.

I love weddings in books. I love fake relationships in books. I love love/hate relationships in books. Clearly, this book was a must read for me. Quirky characters, swoony heroes, and laugh out loud moments are what makes this author duo's stories easy and enjoyable to read. The Honeymooners had all of this and more. I appreciated the diversity that was portrayed,

Yes, there were a few gaps, a few things that could have been explained more, a slightly rushed ending, and it was a little slow on the sexy times. However, it was still a super fun read.

This was the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and the characters were well thought out.

Did you enjoy the crazy big family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding? I totally did, I thought they were hilarious. Olive has a family like that, always together in each other’s lives meddling helping you when you really need it. Olive also has a twin sister who has always seemed to be the lucky one of the family, while Olive is the practical, logical and unlucky one if she is being honest with herself. Except when she is trapped on a fake honeymoon with Ethan, the brother of her brand-new brother in law, a man she is pretty sure she hates (well at least her mind, her treacherous body is another story), who Olives is pretty sure hates her she might become luckier than she ever dreamed.

This is totally chic flick material at it’s best. Olive is smart, funny and makes great pop culture references. I mean a girl that can say ’I will be hunched over and resigned, Skeksis-like.’ is already winning me over. I’m not the only lover of the Dark Crystal, am I? Plus she is a curvy girl and owns it. Yes, Please! I want more characters that are fine with their bodies and curve and own them. Especially when they wear science shirts
“She was wearing a T-shirt that said Particle Collisions Give Me a Hadron, and I thought any woman who understands a physics pun is someone I need to know.”

Ethan comes off a little uptight, he is particular about how he likes things and he definitely does not like the bacterial breeding ground that is a buffet, which is smart for this book. They’ve never really gotten along and now because the bride and groom are down for the count with food poisoning, they are about to take their honeymoon together. Let the hilarity ensue.

Since this is fiction they are thrown into some silly scenarios. It doesn’t help that Ami won the honeymoon for free and so to keep up the rouse Ethan and Olive will have to pretend to be newlyweds on multiple occasions. Sometimes that fake it til you make it stuff makes you see a person in a different light and Olive realizes that maybe Ethan isn’t the son of darkness she has always assumed him to be. Running into future bosses and ex-almostmyfiances totally helps both individuals find some common ground with each other. Also, drinks, drinks totally help too.
”Doesn’t the idea of a few drinks sound fun?”
I hesitate. “It sounds dangerous.”
This makes him laugh. “Dangerous, like we’d end up either naked or dead?”

But even after they figure out they like each other on the Island, they still have to figure out how that is going to work out in the real world with family and there newly married siblings. Which has problems all its own.

The book takes on a less fluffy and more serious tone once they get back from the un-honeymoon. For good reason, it makes sense and I really liked how everything eventually resolved itself. But after some very flirty and fun times it was a big shift and I didn’t enjoy that part of the book nearly as much but it made the end totally worth it. Still this is when the family really steps in and I loved how Olive’s family totally surrounded and tried to take care of her.

Overall a solid romance that was witty and fun, with a decent twist.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This is no way impacts my opinion or the review of the product.

I really enjoyed this book! Olive feels she is just plain unlucky but when everyone but her and her nemesis Ethan become ill at her sisters wedding, she ends up going on the honeymoon trip to Maui. The banter between her and Ethan are hilarious and witty. I laughed out loud many times. You have a lot of adventures, encounters with an ex and a boss that shake things up and throw them together.

While they touch down back home the news of them being seen together not fighting throws off her whole family and drama follows. Finding their way back together will be a ride worth taking.

Well this book was delightful. My very favorite trope in movies is the fake relationship. I love it. This book was a delightful rom com. I laughed loudly so many times while reading this book. It’s ridiculous and fun and I really loved the characters.

**4.5 Stars**

The Unhoneymooners was as charmingly funny as it was wonderfully sexy. Between the great banter and the slow, sensuous fall into crossing the forbidden line, this story was unputdownable. The love-hate connection between Olive and Ethan felt fresh and vibrant from the beginning and as the story took shape around them, I was already fully enraptured in their journey together.

Christina Lauren remains one of the few authors to physically pull laughter from me while reading and again succeeded in maintaining that streak. Olive was a lively character with full-figured personality that perfectly straddled the line of a reader wanting to be her and being able to fall into and become her. Every beat and situation of the story progressed the story in some way and gave it depth and fervor. I adored the tension that consistently grabbed Olive and Ethan and pushed and pulled them into this constant state of irritability or sexual frustration. It created a great buildup that paid off and there's no complaint possible at that point.

The Unhoneymooners was another hit from a fabulous writing duo that continues to shine and out-write themselves. I inhaled this book and cannot wait for their next one.

I liked Unhoneymooners. It’s light and funny, but I don’t think I enjoyed this one as much as the other Christina Lauren book, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, that I read. There’s wasn’t anything terribly unlikeable about Olive or Ethan, but I just didn’t fall in love with them either. They are a bit similar to Josh and Hazel, but I enjoyed Josh and Hazel so much more. The premise is cute if not predictable: two people that hate each go on a fake honeymoon together and romance ensues. There’s some fun parts along the way, but the story fell a bit flat for me with the big drama that unfolds after the fake honeymoon. I wasn’t really Ethan fan after that. I also loved the Minnesota references as a fellow Minnesotan myself. Nice touch. Overall, a solid if not predictable romance read.

4.5 stars
This was a delightful read that I could not put down and stayed up way too late finishing.

Olive Torres considers herself the unlucky twin. While her twin sister always seems to win everything and is the eternal optimist, Olive seems to be jinxed. She is shy, cautious, wary, and a glass-is-half-empty type of girl. But she has her reasons and the latest changes in her life seem to be living up to her lackluster expectations.

Ethan Thomas is her soon to be brother-in-law and she considers him her nemesis. He has seemed like a rude, judgmental, fussy, jerk to her. They clash or avoid when forced together. But now they have to share bridal party duties at their sibling's wedding.

But when the worst thing happens at the wedding (to everyone else but Olive and Ethan), maybe it is a stroke of good luck. Now there is a Hawaiian Honeymoon reservation open and they are just the two people that can fill it. If they do not kill each other...and can manage to avoid obstacles in their way of pulling it off.

I loved their witty, antagonistic banter, but I also really liked seeing their walls start to come down and their mindsets challenged. Sometimes things are not always like they seem. They had often misinterpreted situations or mispoke causing insecurity or doubt. But soon these two enemies are starting to appreciate the other.

Hate. Fake. Like. Lust. Feelings. They were actually so fun and adorable together and have more in common than expected. They are both kind of nerdy, loners, who like to be homebodies. But Ethan could throw out the charm, while Olive could get easily tongue-tied.

This is a feisty, fun, sweet, somewhat angsty, enemies-to-lovers rom com. It is told in Olive's point of view except the epilogue. The themes of being positive versus negative, and if luck really exists are weaved through the story. The characters show growth separately and together. At times it comes down to giving the other person the benefit of the doubt versus seeing the worst in them. But when conditioned to see things a certain way, sometimes it is hard to see the view from another side.

These two are great at challenging, teasing, and getting a rise out of each other. Sometimes they are awkward, and sometimes hot and romantic. I adored Ethan. He is not the typical alpha male. He is a germaphobe and very particular, but he is also introspective, loyal, romantic, charming, and funny. And Olive might be a bit of a Negative Nelly, but she also has spunk and sass. I really loved them together and felt they were a good fit.

Their families add more drama and craziness to their lives. There were a few things closer to the end that I either did not think were necessary or appropriate, or could have been flushed out a bit more during some of the drama. But I still felt this book was really entertaining and seemed more like some of the older Christina Lauren books that made me a fan in the first place.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

***NOTE: Blog and social media links go Live on May 14, 2019 at 6:45 am cst

This is the first Christina Lauren book that didn't bore me at some point. The fake relationship trope and masterful banter throughout won me over entirely. Thanks to this book I will continue to give this duo a chance.
I really appreciate the fine layer of angst that built up despite the hero and heroine being emotionally mature. Olive and Ethan behave like adults and are believable, relatable characters.
I have one hang up about the book because it relies so heavily on a misunderstanding. I think too many books do this while failing to convince me there was no other way to interpret or communicate the thing being misunderstood. I would have preferred it if Ethan actually resented Olive because he harbored a forbidden attraction to her, instead of Olive misreading his feelings all along, i.e. "I didn't hate you, you hated me!"
Overall, I enjoyed this book a great deal and read through it very quickly.

A laugh out loud romantic comedy that will leave you wanting more.

The fun plot and characters made this book one of the best I have read this season. I literally laughed out loud while reading it. Olive’s life is filled with bad luck, while her twin sister, Ami, always wins every contest she enters. So, when Ami’s dream wedding becomes a disaster and everyone except Olive and the groom’s brother Ethan, end up with food poisoning from the buffet at the reception, Olive finally gets on the winning end of something. Olive and Ethan are given the tickets to the honeymoon in Maui that Ami had won. The only stipulation is they have to pretend to be the newlywed couple. The problem is Olive and Ethan can’t stand each other. What could go wrong?

This book was filled with hilarious scenes. There were many times when I thought Olive and Ethan’s secret would be blown, but the author quickly changed things up and continued with the adventure. I was so happy to finally see Olive and Ethan become the happy couple they deserved to be. I could relate to Olive and how she felt as I always see so many people on social media with the perfect life and winning lots of great prizes. So, I was excited to see Olive’s luck finally change and for her to have a little joy in her life. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Come on this was like the cutest RomCom!
I loved Olive! I love when authors don’t make the heroine all whiney and annoying!
Read this book people!

Mare~Slitsread

Another winner from Christina Lauren! A fun rom-com that I could easily see being made into a movie with great locations and fun characters. Even though the reader has an idea of how the characters will end up, the journey is worth it and there always unexpected twists along the way.

The book is well-written and funny and I read it in one sitting.

I highly recommend you read this book if you like an afternoon of light escapist fiction. Thanks to Gallery, Pocket Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

This book was hot and hilarious.

The duo that makes up Christina Lauren always does such a good job of writing relationships that have a great balance of banter, tension, intimacy, and in this case, maybe a little bit of hate. Aside from featuring such a well-rounded relationship, there were scenes in this book that actually made me laugh out loud. (There's one that includes the back of a packed bus and an inhuman shriek... I still can't think about it and not laugh.) I got sucked into Olive and Ethan's story right from the beginning, and even though I just finished, I kind of already want to re-read it...

This book would make the perfect rom-com.

Many thanks to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the eARC! This review will be posted on Goodreads, and to Amazon's and Barnes and Noble's websites at the date of publication.

Like always, Christina Lauren created a fun and entertaining romance. With characters, you can't help but love and fresh and unique plot lines. The Unhoneymooners was a feel-good, cheer for the characters, couldn't put down the book. I couldn't read the book fast enough, yet sad when I was at the end.

I love this book! Olive believes Ethan hates her guts and Ethan just thinks Olive is mean. The story certainly has us believing they are both correct, although personally I understood Olive was mean as a self-protection mechanism. That doesn't mean she didn't carry it too far sometimes. Ethan could really be a jerk as told from Olive's perspective and my only bobble in an otherwise great book is I didn't feel his reactions were explained properly or to my satisfaction, but anyway. They are brought together again when Olive's twin, Ami marries Ethan's brother. Now she is the maid of honor with a seventy-four item to-do list from non-bridezilla Ami and learns she has to stand up with Ethan, the best man. The perfect wedding turns into the perfect horror story due to a seafood buffet. Now, two enemies are headed on a honeymoon. This is where it gets really funny, especially the name game. OMG! That cracked me up the way it was delivered. Its not all paradise though as the authors really make you work for the HEA.

Ever since I finally jumped on the Christina Lauren train in the second half of 2018, I've been obsessed with their stand along romance novels. They're always sure to be full of witty banter, fun premises, and hilarious side characters. The Unhoneymooners checked all of those boxes, with the added bonus of being the first wedding-themed read by them that I've encountered, which is always perfect material for a romantic comedy.Initially set in snowy Minneapolis, the story opens with protagonist Olive (love her name!) serving as the maid of honor in her twin sister's got-everything-for-free wedding. While the idea of "free wedding" seems pretty great, her usually lucky sister's luck runs out when the "free" seafood buffet ends up making everyone in attendance violently ill, with the exception of Olive and best man and brother of the groom Ethan (one of the many, many reasons I do not eat seafood). Unified only in their health (as they generally have a strong aversion to each other), Olive's sister Ami insists that she and Ethan take their free honeymoon and pose as the newlyweds, because why waste an all expenses paid for trip to Hawaii when you can totally pose as your identical twin sister? 100% logic that I can get on board with.As expected, the romance unfolds across the course of the ten day vacation in paradise with Olive and Ethan initially wanting to throw each other off the balcony but eventually coming to a begrudging tolerance and then eventual desire (as is the case in most hate to love stories). I really enjoyed seeing how Ethan and Olive slowly untangled the threads at the root of their animosity toward each other over time, realizing a revising of history was in order as both had huge misconceptions of the other's perception of them. It was also fun to see this happen across the course of various vacation activities, from spa appointments to boat rides to paint balling (although to be honest they were much more adventurous in their vacation extracurriculars, when I'm in Hawaii I spend about 95% of my time on the beach with a book).The story doesn't end in paradise, however, and the last 20-25% of the book takes place back home which I appreciated as it didn't have a neat "happily ever after" feel as Olive and Ethan had to deal with the repercussions of their newfound relationship back on the mainland as well as address some deep family drama that had come to light during their Hawaiian vacation. I actually found that this was one of my favorite parts of the book, getting to check in with Olive's overwhelming yet well meaning Latinx family that readers only spend a few moments with at the beginning of the story. Though they were very much periphery characters, I loved how they were always in Olive's business for better and for worse, from letting themselves into her apartment and cooking dinner unannounced to conjuring up jobs at the family restaurants whenever a relative fell on hard times. I feel like in romantic comedy stories it's rare to see such a big family system (usually it's just the snarky mom or cynical sister, etc) so it was super fun to read about this loud, loving family.Though I loved Olive, I didn't fall for the romance as much as I have in the past for Christina Lauren's couples. Ethan never felt fully fleshed out to me the way their other male protagonists have, and I didn't like how he handled the major plot conflict at the end of the book (and which felt explained away/forgiven by Olive a little too easily). I also had trouble feeling like his and Olive's relationship had achieved a depth to it before the end of the novel. Despite these concerns though I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about their courtship (especially how they purposefully would call each other by the wrong name for the first half of the book, something about that was just so perfectly petty and hilarious to me).Overall: Christina Lauren delivers exactly what I want every time I pick up a romance novel: a fun, quick read with a protagonist I want to root for and a touch of depth to make me fully invested even if the outcome may be predictable.