This was the story of the dynamic relationship between Ethan and Olive. Began when all the wedding guests including the bride and groom were afflicted with food poisoning except for the maid of honor and the best man (Olive and Ethan are siblings of the bride and groom who believed the other hates the other for reasons unknown to them, so they concluded to just hate each other in return). Because the honeymoon trip was a lottery prize it could not be postponed so both the bride and groom forced Olive and Ethan, to just use it and enjoy themselves. When they arrived at the resort, because the resort expected their married siblings to be the ones to arrive, they had to impersonate their married siblings and pretend to be married. This is the onset of many hilarious and mortifying situations they keep finding themselves in and the least expected people they run into during their vacation !! Hilarious and a page-turner. I understand now why it’s popular in BookTok. ( )

2.5 ( )

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was funny and it kept me entertained throughout. ( )

4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this read! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was skeptical at first..I'm not one for chick-lit in general, but this one tickled my fancy, so why not give it a try? What I appreciated the most about this is the fact that main character [Olive], isn't your typical chick. She's genuine from her personality to her physical description. I also appreciated the pacing of this book; it was a quick and easy read, but it didn't feel too long or too short. My one little criticism about this book is that the end felt somewhat rushed in the sense that it was somewhat a bandaid fix. I appreciated that author tried to go somewhere with it, but more could have been explored or it could have been done a little differently to honor the main character. I wish that the author had done the change in perspective throughout the book. However, that being said, it wasn't a horrible ending. If you're into chick-lit, cheesy romance, or just a quick fun read...this is for you. ( )

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Read: February 2023

I really loved this one. It's was quite refreshing after listening to some darker stories.

I really enjoyed the adventure and love Ami and Ethan developed throughout. I also loved Ami's family dynamics. ( )

You could have knocked me over with a feather when my mum suggested that I go to the drugstore and pick up a romantic novel to tide me through the depression from which I'm currently suffering. My mother loves Literature with a capital L, and I am honestly surprised that she knew about paperback romances. So off I went, but came home empty-handed as I didn't like anything there. Amazon, however, offered up this book, which I enjoyed quite a bit. It was engaging (I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. to finish it), and it was a nice story. It was also predictable and rather unsatisfying. I'm glad I bought it. It took the pain away for several hours. Read it if you need something engrossing and light. ( )

Oh no they didn’t!!! How could the 2 most important people in her life not believe her? ( )

Fun! This book is up my alley - it's an unusual take on love and relationships - and not exactly what I would call a total HEA; part of it is, part of it wasn't. And with it being a bit messy, it feels more realistic, which is what I tend to lean toward.

Twins Ami and Olive find themselves at Ami's wedding, where Ami and the entire group of wedding guests get ill from the reception food, except the two who didn't eat it - the brother of the groom and Olive. Of course, these two despise each other. But, as the honeymoon is set and unchangeable, the brother, Ethan, and Olive take off to fill in for Ami and her new husband in Maui.

The story gets a bit predictable here, but it was done with a lot of fun, and easy to put the predictability in the corner because of the banter and antics. Of course, Ethan and Olive fall for each other until they get home, and all hell breaks loose. But, you will have to read it to see how it ends (you will thank me later).

I was surprised to learn that two people authored this, Christina AND Lauren (so very cool!). Ladies, you have done an excellent job, and I will look for more of your work. ( )

I really love this book, but I'm not giving it a glowing review because Ethan annoyed me so much. He refused to believe Olive even when the signs against his a-hole brother is clear. Olive shouldn't have taken him back. I'm craving for unhappy ending for this book ( )

Interesting turns and developments. A good love story with some doses of realism. ( )

This was OK.

I tend to really enjoy books by this author and the tropes of hating you/loving you and a fake relationship turning real usually push all my brain candy rom-com buttons but this one...felt a little phoned in. Which is funny because I go into this sort of book knowing it’s like a cookie cutter format and will be utterly predictable but it still fell a bit flat and I didn’t warn up to the characters quite enough to care.

I read in a different review of a different book that what makes a romance great is when you fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other and that just didn’t happen here.

It was fine, it’s worth a library check out, it’s a solid vacation book but it’s nothing special. ( )

The Harry Potter references were so fun. I read this while on vacation in Hawaii and it was perfect. ( )

It was ok, typical chick lit, nothing particularly stand out to me ( )

4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this read! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was skeptical at first..I'm not one for chick-lit in general, but this one tickled my fancy, so why not give it a try? What I appreciated the most about this is the fact that main character [Olive], isn't your typical chick. She's genuine from her personality to her physical description. I also appreciated the pacing of this book; it was a quick and easy read, but it didn't feel too long or too short. My one little criticism about this book is that the end felt somewhat rushed in the sense that it was somewhat a bandaid fix. I appreciated that author tried to go somewhere with it, but more could have been explored or it could have been done a little differently to honor the main character. I wish that the author had done the change in perspective throughout the book. However, that being said, it wasn't a horrible ending. If you're into chick-lit, cheesy romance, or just a quick fun read...this is for you. ( )

The first half of this book was absolutely hilarious. I LOVE sarcasm, dry wit, and witty banter. 5 stars for the first half of the book!

The second half of the book was more rom-com/drama, and I found myself frustrated and wanting to yell at the characters.

Great read overall, highly recommend!! ( )

I was ca 15% in and it's one of those "MC continuously talks herself into deeper and deeper trouble" but in a funny way.
I suffer from severe external shame and can't enjoy stories like this even while being amused by the humor.
I guess you could say it's a case of "it's not you, it's me".

I laughed out loud at this one and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked nearly every minute. ( )

This was really cute but there were also a few major decisions made that fell flat for me. ( )

This was really cute but there were also a few major decisions made that fell flat for me. ( )

Rounded up to 4 stars just because I enjoyed it more than a 3-star. Lately I've been reading a lot of intense books which required my complete attention and I wanted something light and easy. Several YouTube bloggers recommended The Unhoneymooners so I decided to give it a shot. It was just what I was looking for to relax my brain while recovering from eye surgery. The banter between the two main characters was the highlight. Every once in a while you just need lighthearted and silly. Now I've gotten that out of my system and I can go back to my regular genres. Switched back and forth between audio and ebook but the audio version was more fun.
SPOILER ALERT ******SPOILER ALERT********SPOILER ALERT
Didn't like the over-staged restaurant scene for Ethan to get back on Olive's good side. Pretty risky (and dumb) to have her whole family there when who knows how the girl was going to react. A fair chance that she would throw a drink in his face. And why were the Hamilton's coincidentally there? Overkill!
Hated the epilogue. Olive was quirky throughout the book but kinda in a cute way. I felt like a lot of her oddness was because she was actually looking for her person and her place. Once she found those (Ethan and a job with purpose) she should have mellowed out. Her obnoxious comments ruined Ethan's lovingly planned proposal. Felt really bad for him. He deserved better. ( )

This delightful novel is a romantic comedy at heart - Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas don't like each other, but when they're the only two not sickened by food poisoning at the wedding of Olive's sister and Ethan's brother, the two end up on a honeymoon in Maui. As the two are forced to spend time together (away from meddling family members), they start to learn that perhaps they don't hate each all that much at all. A fun read - perfect for vacation! ( )

»Books are life, they are brain food, they bring joy, and relief, and connection.«
(From the Ackowledgements)

Finally, a good one again! This novel was much more fun than I had expected and it had two brilliant protagonists.

Olive and Ethan hate each other - until they don’t. (Or maybe they never hated each other but who wants to be a spoil-sport?). On the tropical island of Maui they try hard not to fall for each other but fail miserably. The good thing is: They do so by actually communicating (mostly) intelligently and honestly with each other. They start to trust each other. They support and encourage each other. They grow with each other.

Before that happens, though, I really enjoyed their banter:

»“I am totally out of my depth here.”
“That’s been my general impression so far. Be more specific.”«

(Is that great art? No, but it’s highly entertaining.)

Or…

»“Your sister told me,” he says. “I believe her exact words were, ‘Worst prize ever.’ ”«

(Olive is the prize and Ami is her twin sister…)

Trust needs a deeper level, though, than just amusing, silly banter. Don’t get me wrong: The “tropical island”, “holiday”, “summer beach read” vibes are strong in this one and that’s wonderful and hilarious.
That Christina Lauren is able to deliver on more serious aspects, surprised and delighted me:

»Soon, Ethan and I are swimming completely in sync, our feet kicking lazily behind us. He points to things he sees; I do the same. There are no words, no verbal jabs. There is no desire to smack him or poke his eyes out—there is only the confusing truth that holding his hand down here isn’t just tolerable, it’s nice.«

There’s an amazing and refreshing balance between the humour and the emotion in the book. There were moments of laughter and fun, but also moments of vulnerability and honesty. The tropical island setting was also a nice backdrop for Olive and Ethan romance, as it gave them a chance to relax and explore.

It’s nice and, yes, romantic; wholesome even. Maybe I’ve become soft but I like that and I like it when our heroine simply decides to go for honesty “under duress”...

»Honesty has always seemed to work best for us: “I’m freaking out a little that you suggested we spend the day together, just us, and it doesn’t make me want to rappel down the balcony.”«

There are still a few scenes during which I would have liked to grab them and force them to talk straight but mostly they simply do just that and it’s so satisfying! I think they both showed a lot of maturity and respect for each other, which made me root for them even more.

When at home, Olive and Ethan even get their priorities right:

»“Garlic chicken first, sex second.”«

(Speaking of that second “course”: It could have been a bit more spicy and detailed. The sex scenes were a bit too vague and fade-to-black for my taste. I would have liked to see more of their passion and intimacy, especially after all the build-up and tension. It’s a funny, clever, warm, nice novel with a brilliant Olive and Ethan so I’d argue we deserve better!)

As mentioned, Olive and Ethan are wisely using their time to build trust… Until they don’t; in the third-act breakup - but even that feels plausible: Thomas believes his brother and not his partner. Olive is understandably extremely annoyed and disappointed by that and pretty much walks out on Ethan whereas he formally ends their relationship. And, at the time, it made a whole lot of sense.

»I know now that it’s a waste of my time looking for reasons, or fate, or luck. But I’ve definitely come to embrace choices in the past month or so, and I’m going to have to figure out which one I’ll make where Ethan is concerned—do I forgive him, or do I walk away?«

It even helps Olive along because she fully recognises her feelings for Ethan - and for herself:

»I feel more myself with him than without, and that happened so fast, it’s dizzying.«

Even while pining for Ethan, Olive remains strong and self-reliant:

»“I don’t have to do anything where Ethan Thomas is concerned.”«

And, ultimately, Olive’s final conflict - trust him again or leave him for good? - also plays out plausibly: She knows very well her trust might be misplaced and that it might be a good idea to leave him - but she doesn’t want to leave and trusts herself (and partly him). She prioritises love while seeing its risks and it is entirely her clear-headed decision. That is courageous and, in my book, admirable.

I liked how Olive didn’t let Ethan or anyone else define her or make decisions for her. She had her own goals and dreams, and she pursued them with determination and confidence. She also had a lot of self-awareness and self-respect, and she didn’t settle for less than she deserved. I applaud that.

For this much mutual honesty and fun, courage and thoughtfulness; for this fresh breeze of self-reliance and respect - how could I award anything less than five out of five stars?

»“Ethan,” I whisper, and dart my eyes around, feeling the pressure of everyone’s attention on us, still. This moment is starting to feel like a reconciliation, and as much as my heart and lungs and lady parts are on board for that, I don’t want to roll over the deeper issue here, which is that what he did by ignoring my truth wasn’t okay. “You really hurt me. We had this rare, awesome honesty, and so when you thought I was lying, it was really hard.”«

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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam ( )

I didn't think I'd love this book this much. I'll admit, the first half wasn't as captivating, but the second half really had me invested. I was reading this book every chance I got so that I could find out what happened next.

This book made me realise my love for the enemies to lovers trope, and I'm so happy it had the "two years later" happy ending because that's apparently something I love in romance books, too.

The Unhoneymooners was a light, easy read, perfect for in between heavier books (if you read multiple books at once). Also, I loved that this main character actually had a loving, supportive relationship with her (extended) family.

Definitely worth a read! ( )

This is an enemy to lover’s trope, which will have you laughing throughout. When Olive and Ethan are thrown together to go on Olive’s identical twin sisters honeymoon that she won and was not transferable, due to all but them getting food poisoning at Ami’s wedding it was like a disaster waiting to happen, they hated each other. Spending 10 days of “wedded bliss” in the honeymoon suite, But they had to play newlyweds.
This is definitely a will they, won’t they get together book, when you think it is going to happen something will throw a spanner in the works.

I am not normally a fan of romances, there is not much guess work involved in them, However, with the humour and the fast pace of this I was totally engaged and found myself getting annoyed at Ethan for not believing Olive, after cheering them on for so long.

It’s first book by Christina Lauren I’ve read but if the others are as good as this I will be reading them all! ( )

Cute. Not my typical read, but it was easy breezy. Quick uplifting chick lit book. ( )