I read this entire book in one sitting. I always enjoy Christina Lauren books! This one was much more "tame" than their previous romance books and that surprised me. A longer review will be posted closer to publication.

In The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, As Olive Torres dutifully ticked lines off her twin sister Ami's mile long to-do list, she had no clue her unluckiness would rub off on the perpetually lucky bridezilla, er--bride-to-be. Everything about the wedding (which was mostly free thanks to Ami's winning streak with contests) was planned out to the Nth degree. Including the (free) seafood buffet. Which in hindsight might not have been a good idea, considering the food was unknowingly riddled with bacteria causing food poisoning of apocalyptic proportions. Well, to everyone present at the wedding except maid of honor Olive and best man, Ethan Thomas.

While the wedding party and guests all feel like they're knocking on death's door, the new bride and groom try to push Olive and Ethan into taking their prepaid honeymoon to Maui together, posing as newlyweds. Only there's one big problem: they can't stand to be in the same room at the same time, let alone spend ten sun-soaked days in each other's company pretending to be blissfully in love. But for a chance to take a dream vacation? Olive is willing to try if Ethan is. Surprisingly, after some bumps in the road, she has to admit that it's...tolerable spending time with her nemesis. And it has Olive wondering if maybe she's pegged Ethan wrong all this time.

Oh, the humor and oh, the heart! Christina Lauren put an entertaining spin on an enemies to lovers trope, set it (mostly) in a tropical paradise, and threw every awkward situation at our hero and heroine. The result? Pure unadulterated magic.

I do love me some CLo, especially their rom-coms which tickle me to no end. It always impresses me that this duo writes so seamlessly together. You would never know it's a pair of best friends and not a single author who creates these laughter-inducing characters and plots. But for as much as I giggle my way through their books--I just adore their sense of humor--I know CLo will also find a way to bring emotional depth to their characters, keeping the story grounded and relatable. That was certainly true for Olive and Ethan's wild ride to romance.

One of the things I most enjoyed--aside from the kickass bantering CLo is known for!--was that our main characters were both in their early to mid-thirties. That meant Ethan and Olive brought with them some baggage from previous relationships and had real life experiences to base their opinions on when it came to what they wanted. I loved laughing and sighing along as their views on each other changed drastically while on the b-e-a-utiful island of Maui. Let's just say that things weren't always what they seemed over the years since Olive and Ethan met, and it was a series of unfortunate events that led them to the sarcastic verbal battles everyone came to expect between them.

The sub-plot of Olive's twin sister Ami and her new husband Dane was also quite interesting. It was in the background of Ethan and Olive's journey which at times created some static between all four of them as one would expect with two siblings (Ethan and Dane) dating two siblings (Olive and Ami). There were a few moments I wanted to give some of them a good shake (lol) but overall I think things ended in a plausible way with HEAs all the way around in one way or another. And I think readers will get a huge kick out of Olive and Ami's Mexican-American family, who were all loud, loving, hilariously nosy, and wonderful people who only wanted the best for each other.

Witty, uproariously funny, and ridiculously sigh-worthy, The Unhoneymooners was Christina Lauren at their rom-com best. This standalone will be perfect for newbies to the duo's writing or for superfans. Either way, you'll be sure to have a fantabulous time.

It’s no surprise that I am writing a five star review for another Christina Lauren book. This story is going to be THE BOOK of the summer, I can already see it! It’s the perfect escape to get lost in while reading poolside or on that road trip across the state. Even though I read it in the dead of winter (while a polar vortex was happening up north), it left me feeling giddy for long, hot tropical days.

Olive & Ethan are every bit hilarious & sweet. Their sexy banter & irresistible chemistry kept the story moving right along. I loved the strong sense of sisterhood & familial bonds in this one. It cradled the story at just the right moments. Hawaii has always been on my bucket list, but now thanks to CLo I may need to look into a fake honeymoon to make it happen!

I really enjoyed this ARC from NetGalley! It made me laugh several times at the sarcasm and dry humor between Olive and Ethan! I love an enemies to lovers tale with a few side story surprises thrown in! I was hoping the sister’s story would get justice by the end, and I absolutely loved how it was handled! I would definitely suggest!

This book was so incredibly funny! The story will take you on a wild ride that you will enjoy every second of. The writing was so good. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

This was fine. By that I mean it was better than 90% of the contemporary romances I've encountered, but it's far from my favorite Christina Lauren book. I definitely appreciate a heroine who is imperfect (for example Rachel, the protagonist of my favorite contemporary romance ever, Something Borrowed), but the incident that sparked Olive's dislike of Ethan seemed like an obvious misunderstanding/a little contrived. The villain of the piece was obvious from the get-go. That said, the authors excel at creating appealing male love interests and the depiction of Olive's search for what she really wants to do with her life rang true. I also appreciated Olive and Ami's large family - often characters in romances seem to live in bubble devoid of other connections, and it's nice to read one where characters have connections beyond themselves.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5!

So there I was, feeling a bit of withdrawal since it had been more than two months since I'd read a Christina Lauren book (I read four of their books in 2018, and one in 2017). Then, like a bolt out of the blue, I saw that NetGalley was offering advance copies of their newest book, The Unhoneymooners, and I literally pulled my car over into the first parking lot I saw and submitted my request. (True story. And I kept to my no NetGalley requests while driving rule.)

Of course, I was granted access to the title, and one day later? I devoured the book and will (kind of) patiently wait for their next one. (A long, long time ago I went to a book signing of John Grisham's for The Pelican Brief. I told him how much I liked the book and he said, "Man, Larry, I just finished this one. Slow down!") But once again, Christina Lauren doesn't disappoint, but gives me all the feels and leaves me giddy.

Olive and Ami are identical twins. As far as Olive is concerned, Ami has always been the lucky one, while Olive has recently been laid off from her job and had to move back in with her family when her roommate moved out. Plus, Olive's biggest achievement is getting stuck in an arcade claw machine when she was younger.

Ami is also lucky in love—she's about to marry Dane, who may be a little too frat bro-y for Olive's taste, but Olive is happy that her sister is happy. Ami has been able to put on her entire wedding and reception through contests and drawings (which explains the ridiculous, Skittle-green bridesmaid's dresses), but she's given Olive a number of tasks on the big day, most of which include interacting with Ethan, Dane's older brother—and Olive's nemesis since their first meeting took an ugly turn a few years ago.

"Too tall, too fit, too classically pretty. Never friendly, never trustworthy, never any fun. He puts on an innocent smile—innocent on the surface: a flash of teeth, a dimple, but in his eyes, it's all black-souled."

When Ethan and Olive are virtually the only two people not to contract food poisoning at the reception, Ami and Dane have a free honeymoon in Maui that is use-it-or-lose-it. Olive is certainly not going to let Ethan enjoy Maui by himself, so she agrees to go. They both figure there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery—and lose the other. But when they realize they'll need to pretend to be giddy honeymooners for 10 days, it seems like a small price to pay for paradise, right?

When unexpected encounters with people from both of their lives force them to tear into their acting roles with greater passion, Olive starts to realize that she doesn't mind spending time with Ethan and pretending to be married to him. Maybe he's not as bad as she thought he was—and maybe she can't get enough of being with him. But what is real and what is an act? What will happen when they leave paradise and go home to Minnesota? Will they fall back into their antagonistic relationship?

The thing about Christina Lauren's books (other than terrific characters you root for, great emotions, humor, and hot sex) is that even though you probably can predict most of what will happen, you get so hooked on the story, and you're so charmed by it, that it doesn't really matter. Their books get me every time—like I said earlier, I get a little giddy, a little emotional, and I just want more.

If you're a fan of rom-coms, or just want a lighter book to divert you from brooding thrillers, Christina Lauren's books are just the ticket. Their book Love and Other Words made my list of the best books I read last year, while Roomies, My Favorite Half-Night Stand, and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating were not far behind. (Plus, Autoboyography, one of their few YA books, is utterly AMAZING.)

NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

I wasn't really sure about this book at first because I love dual POV's and this book was majority Olive's. However, the further I got into the book it didn't bother me. Ms. Lauren makes sure that Ethan has a voice even though we don't have his monologue until the end of the book.

Olive and Ethan are sworn enemies. Olive and Ethan met 3 years ago when Olive's twin sister, Ami and Ethan's brother Dane started dating. Olive was interested in Ethan when they first met at the fair. She walked off to get some cheese curds and when she came back Ethan was rude and not the nice guy she had met minutes early. So Olive gave him the same treatment back because she had no clue why he had the sudden change of attitude.

This is a great book with great supporting characters. Olive's family is a hoot and will keep you laughing with their no boundaries philosophy. Ethan is great with his kind of nerdy self. I really enjoyed this book. I read it pretty much nonstop until I finished it.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

Fun, laugh out loud story. Unusual story that made for a great read. I didn't want to put it down ! I will look for this author from now on !

It has been awhile since I have read a Christina Lauren book. I do want to praise the authors for adding diversity into this book. Although I am not Mexican, I do know their traditions and big extended families can be all up in your business. Murphy's Law really happened to Olive's identical twin sister's wedding. The only two people to come out of it unscathed, was Olive and Ethan, her new BIL's brother. Whom by the way she hates, or so she thinks. Her twin Ami and her new husband makes sure they honeymoon is not all lost, and sends Olive and Ethan on their behalf. Eventually hate turns into love. So many miscommunications regarding their first time meeting. Ethan turns out to be the sweetest.

Although very funny a certain times, I was going a little nuts with how Olive would immediately think the worse of Ethan without communicating, until well she eventually would. There was a lot of fade-to-black scenario which I don't necessarily mind, but if the authors are making this into a contemporary romance, I think some readers would expect some more heat, or maybe it's just me.

Overall, I was entertained and was upset for her twin towards then, but eventually things work out.

*An ARC was received via Net Galley for an honest review.

I will never be able to unravel how this amazing duo is able to write such funny, interesting, laugh out loud enjoyable, dynamic and entertaining novels together, but I cannot get enough of their mind-blowing mastery. They knock it out of the park every. single. time. Seriously, these quirky stories that dare to include relatable characters and the guts to throw in bukkake into their storyline—I mean come on! These two women write like we all wish we could bc they write with a realness that cannot be denied or faked. This story was charming and quirky and funny and sweet and infuriating at times, but it was amazing!

I have loved all the other books the dynamic duo Christina Lauren has created and this one certainly didn't disappoint. I honestly think that this one may have actually been my favorite so far! I loved the hate to love relationship in this novel and the hawaiian setting. CANNOT wait to see what they come up with next and am so thankful that I was allowed this arc for review.

Once again this awesome writing duo has be busting out laughing and majorly swooning. There is a reason they're some of my favs and on my must read list. To say I was a little excited about receiving this ARC for their new book is an understatement!!!

Right off the bat I was laughing out loud. I couldn't help but read parts to my husband because they were so much fun! I will never get tired of the Enemies to Lovers trope. They mentioned in the foreword that it had The Hating Game vibe and I could totally see that. But yet the plot was still so different.

Starting off at her sister's wedding was so fun to read. I've never been a huge believer in “luck” but I definitely enjoyed hearing how Olive consider herself unlucky…and I'll admit the poor girl has many reasons to think that!!

I loved the banter between Olive & Ethan. They played off each other so well and were both so funny!!! One of my favorite scenes was when they're on the airplane and the boat!! It definitely reminded me of the movie the Proposal!

I always wanted a twin growing up and this book reminded me why. I adored her relationship with her family especially her sister!! I'm more of an optimistic person but yet felt I could relate with Olive. I was frustrated for her at some parts too because it's annoying when people don't take your serious.

This was such a joy to read. When I get so swept up into a book and end up snort laughing in public I know it's a good one. I really wanna go on vacation now! I highly recommend this if you love a feel-good, funny, enemies to lovers read! It'd be perfect vacay read too!

*Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

4.5 stars
I loved, loved, loved this story! A romantic comedy is just what I needed and this one did not disappoint! It was funny and sweet and hysterical at times and sad at other times!!
Loved Olive and Ethan!!

➳Christina Lauren have brought another romance filled with enemies to lovers type of ambiance, that will sometimes have you questioning whether Olive and Ethan are meant to be...

➳When it comes down to anything that it written by Christina, there is no denying that I will do anything to get my hands on anything written by them. Maybe it's because the novel was hyped up, and also maybe because I am not the biggest fan of enemies to lovers kind of romance, but I was not the biggest fan of this novel. Which does indeed disappoint me because I wish I could have given it a five stars review. This review in general is still positive because the story in general is one that did catch my eye and did make me laugh every so often. Olive is yet again another character that has that quirky side to her that had me connected to her as an individual.

➳With Ethan however... I am not sure just yet how I feel about him. Listening to his brother to get the "best" of him? And deny the attraction he has towards Olive? Hmmm... I guess that makes the story a little bit better, but in reality I would have punched him in the face for denying his one true love, especially with someone such as Olive. I guess this makes the overall point of view and also change of plot in the story, but I don't like there being internal denial on a character. Ethan is described as a mysterious individual but I don't see him that way. Whatever way I think of him, I will keep it to myself because I still have not been able to grasp my true opinion.

➳This novel overall has it's potential of love and admiration. I give full pledge honors to Olive for that, because without her latina spark I would not have been able to thoroughly enjoy this novel. Thank you so much to Gallery Books for sending this beauty over, looking forward to reading more reviews on this novel.

It PHYSICALLY pains me to say that this is not in the running for one of my top favorite Christina Lauren books. You better believe that I had been stalking NetGalley for the last few weeks, hoping to see this cover pop up. I was SO excited to find out that I was approved on the first day in YEARS that I had a snow day, too. I loved Olive and Ethan and when I first read the synopsis about this being a hate-to-love featuring a pretend marriage...mmmm...I figured this would be a recipe for perfection.

........................unfortunately that wasn't exactly the case. Overall this book was still good and I still laughed out loud many, many times. I mean during a good chunk I was actually rocking my daughter, trying to get her down for a nap, and it was getting physically hard to hold in my laughter and not wake her up haha. The only part about this book that caused me to pause and knock off a star..maybe a star and a half, was purely a personal preference thing. It was a situation towards the end involving "the conflict" between Olive and Ethan..and even Olive's sister..that really rubbed me the wrong way. This similar type of situation bothers me in every romance though, so there's a good chance that it won't affect a lot of people's views on the book overall. Like I said, still a hilarious, sexy, finish-in-a-day because of the addictive writing kind of book...it just wasn't meant for me like most of their other ones!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC that was given in exchange for an honest review! ♥

Olive Torres wouldn't know good luck if it hit her smack dab in the face. She's used to not getting her way. As a twin, she's always been the one that loses, while her sister, Ami, is always winning. Contests, sweepstakes, free stuff--she's even managed to pull off a nearly free wedding to her dudebro fiancé, Dane.

And wouldn't you know it that this wedding, and the free seafood buffet it includes, is what sets everything into motion for this story. Olive finally finds a stroke of luck when her allergy to shellfish keeps her away from the bacteria laden—free—buffet. Because while every other guest has suddenly come down with a nasty bout of food poisoning—during her maid of honor speech, no less (including the bride and groom)—Olive manages to come out unscathed.

She’s not alone though. DudebroDane’s older brother, and Olive’s archnemesis, Ethan Thomas, also skipped the buffet.

Because buffets are gross.

In the aftermath (full of puke and sickness), Olive’s sister, Ami, is insistent that Olive take her and Dane’s free honeymoon to Maui. It can’t go to waste. While unbeknownst to Olive, Dane also insists that his brother take the trip. Which inevitably forces two people who’ve been at odds for the last three years—damn cheese curds—to be thrust into paradise together where romance is everywhere you turn. They’re even sharing the honeymoon suite—which only has one bed.

What follows is everything we’ve come to expect from Christina and Lauren’s books: hilarity, swoons, misunderstandings, sweet, sweet lovin’ and all the feels when things turn upside down over a misunderstanding. And it’s so freaking good. Who didn’t guess that though? Even though the enemies-to-lovers trope has been done and redone, these girls—I don’t know what it is about them, but they have gold in them thar brains--managed to make it their own. And no matter how many of their books I read, I am never disappointed by their characters or the amazing ability they possess to get me invested in two fictional lives.

I am so sad the book is over now, and the anticipation is gone, but I’m so thankful I got to read another one of their amazing tales and I’m most definitely looking forward to what’s next from them!!

<i>*ARC graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*</i>

LOVED this book! Another hit for CLo - the banter was so fun, and the emotions were real. I loved the MC's character development and the slow burn of their romance.

Will post review closer to publication date.

What to do on the 2nd of 3 cancelled school days? READ! This one is classic @christinalauren! It’s lighthearted, fun, flirty, has elements of surprise added in, and has characters with layers!! I anticipated much of the book would consist of the “unhoneymoon” and was pleasantly surprised when much of the drama unfolded after that. It’s funny how things aren’t always what they seem.....this was the underlying theme and I loved it! This one was on my TBR list for when it releases in May and I’m so glad to have to chance to read an early copy from @netgalley and @gallerybooks! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So, I stayed up until 2AM to read this, and I have zero regrets. This story had me laughing out loud, and I literally worried I was going to wake up my husband in the middle of night.

One of the amazing things about Christina Lauren’s stories is that they pack so much into them—it’s a love story filled with family, humor and situations where I can absolutely see myself in. The sibling relationship in this one is compelling and it seriously made me wish I had a twin.

I loved the two leads, particularly Olive who’s sense of humor brightened the entire story. Ethan was a sweet cinnamon roll and I loved getting to know him. If this story were a movie it’d be a romantic comedy—lots of laughs, banter and heart. I highly recommend this book!

These writers are an auto-buy from me and I can’t wait to read what’s next. Honestly if they wrote their next book on toilet paper, I’d buy it.