THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews * Publishers Weekly * Library Journal Named a “Must-Read” by TODAY, Us Weekly, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, Southern Living, Book Riot, Woman’s Day, The Toronto Star, and more! For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime–maybe even love–in … Toronto Star, and more!
For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime–maybe even love–in this romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling authors of Roomies.
Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion…she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.
Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.
Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is…Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.
With Christina Lauren’s “uniquely hilarious and touching voice” (Entertainment Weekly), The Unhoneymooners is a romance for anyone who has ever felt unlucky in love.
more
Great fun! Read it on a plane and wanted to ask the pilot to circle for a few minutes so I could finish. Suggest you follow Christina Lauren. <3
Witty and downright hilarious, with just the right amount of heart, The Unhoneymooners is a perfect feel-good romantic comedy. Prepare to laugh and smile from cover to cover.
The magic is in the voice.
Olive and Ami are twins. Ami is the twin who gets all the luck (Olive’s bad luck stories are hilarious) , and is about to get married. Olive doesn’t really care for her soon-to-be bro-in-law Dane, but hey, he’s who Ami picked, and anyway, that lukewarm feeling is nothing to the black hole of hatred Olive feels for Dane’s handsome, successful elder brother Ethan.
It’s clear from the gitgo that Ami works hard to make her luck—she enters every sweepstakes and contest there is, and so she ends up with a fabulous wedding with a buffet dinner for the zillion guests and only pays a fraction for it.
Unfortunately the prize-winning bridesmaid gowns are a hideous green, which Ethan comments on when he and Olive are forced to meet . . . but that little problem gets shoved by the wayside when, in the middle of Olive’s maid of honor speech, the entire guest list, including bride and groom, get the volcanic two-step.
So who is going on the fabulous honeymoon trip that can’t be postponed or refunded? Ami begs Olive to go; Olive feels too guilty leaving her sister until she finds out that Ethan is going. Is she going to let that villain of doom have all the fun? Noooo!
And so the fun is on, made a whole lot more of a rollercoaster when bosses and exes turn up at the same hotel and the two have to cope, which has unexpected results for them both.
Olive’s family is wonderful. I really like the way the authors developed the brothers, one from a distance over time. Ethan’s errors are subtly indicated in a way I totally bought (without making it an issue, the authors make it clear he’s a bit on the OCD spectrum), and the evolution of the relationship was deftly, humorously, and yet insightfully done.
Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, but it’s not bulletproof. Some readers love the bicker-then-hate-sex trajectory, which is not my cup of tea. I like what the authors do here, which is so much harder to write, the steps the two take to reach a truce, then understanding, with attraction coming right along. Done with the champagne-sparkling humor and flair their fans, including myself, love so much.
Well, The Unhoneymooners definitely fell in the oh-my-gosh-I-completely-adored-this-story-I-have-such-a-book-hangover category!
Odessa and Elijah (inside joke) are such fun, adorable characters. Their banter is off the charts and their exploits so witty I sometimes found myself guffawing uncontrollably (Bathroom of Doom!! Still chuckling here.)
I also loved that this is one of her (their?!) books with almost no sex scenes. I prefer to get emotionally committed to a love story and this one just swept me off my feet. Ethan is such a piece of man-cake, but also fun, romantic, irresistible, swoon-worthy, and just book-husband material. (I know I just made that up!)
I also loved Olive’s big family. I’m an only child with only 2 first cousins, so reading about such a numerous, close family was great. I always live the lives I don’t have through books. Also, the fact that I’m writing a story where my heroine has a twin probably made me connect to this book even more.
In short, The Unhoneymooners wrestled me out of the longest reading slump, I feel saved, cured, re-energized. This is my favorite book of the year so far!
This was a fun take on love-gone-wrong. Or more accurately, loathe-gone-wrong. Clever and original, it is my first book by Christina Lauren and will definitely have me seeking out others!
***3.5 STARS***
Ethan Thomas hates Olivia Torres. Opps—I mean Olive. But, it’s okay. She, too, hates him…
Olive is everything I love in a heroine! All wit and sass, eccentric, a latina wildfire, and so dramatic this girl needs her own crown. Olive is also the epitome of unlucky. It’s as if she was jinxed as a child while Ami, her identical twin has had nothing but good fortune. Well, until Ami gets married to Dane.
Buffet poisoning, or as Ethan would say ciguatera toxin spares only two at Ami and Dane’s wedding reception: Olive due to her shellfish allergy and Ethan due to his avoidance of all buffets. Now it seems, luck has finally found Olive Torres.
Written from Olive’s point of view (except the epilogue) makes for a very comical read; however, it leaves room for a disconnect with Ethan which I found myself experiencing. Especially since he was such a naive and unsuspecting character in comparison to Olive. The best man and big brother to Dane, Ethan is also a character that is completely normal but who is often misread and misunderstood. He’s a hero with insecurities and vulnerabilities of his own. So of course, Ethan had his moments where my heart would skip a beat. I just wish there was more of those heart skipping moments from him.
Though I wish the intimate moments were not faded into the background, Christina Lauren still managed to build an intimacy between the characters that did not necessarily need to be detailed in order to be felt.
Lighthearted, highly entertaining, and a banterful treat, The Unhoneymooners is one priceless moment after priceless moment from start to finish!
I read this book years ago but recently listened to it again. It’s such a fun story! Olive and Ethan are charming and real. They have flaws and things that frustrate, but they journey toward each other is a fun one. The plot-heavy book still develops smart, engaging characters, and though enemies-to-lovers is something I find difficult to stomach in contemporary romance, Christina Lauren sets it up really well. If you’re an enemies to lovers fan, or you just need a tropical getaway, this one’s for you! Some steam and language like all of Christina Lauren’s recent work.
This was my first book by these BFF authors — whose first names form their pen name Christina (Hobbs) Lauren (Billings) – and I’ve already ordered another. Olive and Ethan, siblings – and Maid of Honor and Best Man – of the bride and bridegroom, are barely on speaking terms. But when they are the only two people not affected by food poisoning at the wedding, they are headed to Maui on their siblings’ honeymoon. No huge surprises as to the outcome, but some nice twists that added to the depth and momentum. If you’re looking for a fun, engaging escape, this book will satisfy!
I laughed a lot reading this book! Maybe I just needed something lighthearted and was easily amused but I was actually laughing out loud, trying to stay quiet because my husband was sleeping while I was reading. Olive & Ethan are both witty and have great banter and some hilarious incidents occur in Maui. Speaking of Maui, I enjoyed the references to the beautiful island. My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in Maui and so I felt connected to some of their island adventures. The romance is sweet and sexy, but not over the top steamy. I loved the big extended family and that her mom calls her mija. Although this is a romance, the story also explores family bonds and loyalty. The Unhoneymooners was a fun rom-com, perfect for summer.
I reread this book recently after rereading for the first time years ago and enjoyed it more the second time around; perhaps because I knew exactly what I was getting into and was in the mood for what the book delivered. It was the perfect light read that I was craving for a nice summer day. Slightly cliché enemies-to-lovers romance where a maid of honor and best man who hate each other end up going on the honeymoon together due to unfortunate circumstances. Despite it’s predictability, the writing is excellent, the story is fun, and there are definitely some surprises is along the way. And who doesn’t love a good enemies-to-lovers story, anyway? Would definitely recommend as a summer read and a book worth purchasing to reread.
I’ve never read a Christina Lauren book before this one, but I will definitely read more. This was the most entertaining book I’ve read all year! I loved Olive, loved her voice and her sarcasm. And I loved the banter between her and Ethan. I laughed out loud several times while I was reading. You will be entertained, and you’ll be rooting for Olive and Ethan while they take their unhoneymoon in Hawaii!
I very much enjoyed this latest release from CL, but once again, this seems to be another case of a “women’s fiction” book where the heroine was treated somewhat unfairly by her family as part of her path to “personal growth” (although in this case, it certainly wasn’t horrible like it is in some WF books I’ve read lately). I’ll admit, this drives me batty – not everyone has to survive an emotionally/verbally abusive spouse or douchey family members to make a significant change in their life and I wish that more books didn’t fall back on that as a plot device.
That being said, I do love a good enemies-to-lovers story and this is certainly one. There’s a ton of delicious sexual tension but not a ton of “sexytimes” (if that’s something you’re looking for/not looking for). I liked the Olive and Ethan and I thought it was interesting to see how their perceptions clouded their relationship before they were able to get out of their own way. All-in-all, another solid offering by CL.
4.5 Delightful Stars!
I absolutely loved this hilarious, heartfelt enemies-to-lovers romance! This slow burn, rom-com is filled with witty banter, awkward and hilarious situations, and a sweet and sexy storyline with lots of heart. Olive and Ethan meet when Olive’s twin sister begins dating Ethan’s brother. They have a misunderstanding that leads to several years of them not getting along. Now they are on a free, dream vacation when their sister and brother, along with the rest of the wedding party, falls ill. Their trip starts off rocky, but I loved how Olive and Ethan slowly begin to reconcile their flawed history. When they get home, their close knit and quirky family cause more hilarity, complications, and drama that had me laughing out loud, swooning, and cheering for Olive and Ethan’s HEA. I am a huge fan of a great grand gesture and I loved this one so much! This is the first time I’ve read this duo’s work, and I can’t wait to read more from them!
What a joyful, warm, touching book! I laughed so hard I cried more than once, I felt the embrace of Olive’s huge, loving, complicated, hilarious family, and my heart soared at the ending. This is the book to read if you want to smile so hard your face hurts.
Another hilarious romantic comedy from the dynamic duo that is Christina Lauren, this one in the form of an enemies to lovers story that is anything but typical. Olive and Ethan are firmly in the love to hate you category, but it’s impossible for them to avoid each other when his brother is marrying her sister. While I felt like the story was a bit longer than it needed to be, the quips and banter between this pair, plus the crazy situations they find themselves in, keep the momentum going at a steady pace. The chemistry between Ethan and Olive is crazy good even when they’re still hating on each other, and I love how the romance kind of sneaks up on them. There is a bit of angst, but overall, the story is just what a good romantic comedy should be – lighthearted and loads of fun.
I always know I’m going to enjoy a light and funny read when I crack open a Christina Lauren book. Romcom is my favorite genre to read solely because it takes me away from the stress of real life. I’ve learned that this author can deliver every time.
This is an enemies to lovers trope that took me by surprise with how they became enemies. I was baffled for the first half of the book by what truly caused Ethan to switch his emotions like he did. Once we learned the true reason, I wasn’t expecting it. I liked the twist in the story even if it is a bit angsty, and I love when a typical trope can surprise me.
Due to Ethan’s snub of Olive, I had a slow burn love for his character. I loved Olive immediately but you also get to know her better as the story progresses. When they are forced together on their siblings honeymoon, you really get to see more depth to both of their characters. They were fun when they were full of enemy snark and they were adorable when they become an actual couple.
They are flawed characters and I liked that about them. This also had some fun side characters. If you want something fun with a bit of angsty twist to the plot, I highly recommend The Unhoneymooners.
Christina Lauren nailed it with their rude banter. You know what I’m saying, there is something about that way love-to-hate-you relationships play out when the insults are just perfect? I laughed out loud quite a bit with this read and that’s just not something I easily do.
The overall antics were a tad over the top for my liking and that’s what really held it back from a solid five star read for me. But fans of romantic comedy will surely love this one, regardless.
Super fun read and Olive is the BEST!
If you are looking for a book that will crack you up with a dash of a love story on the side, this book is for you! Olive and Ethan’s story is so hysterical! At points I was laughing so hard laying in bed, I was shaking the whole thing!
Olive could be me with the amount of luck she has. I can sympathize! I honestly didn’t like Ethan in age beginning but he quickly won me over.
The Unhoneymooners is quirky, playful, and downright fun!
I was so hesitant to read this one, since I’m not a huge fan of enemies to lovers books. But I should have known Christina Lauren would deliver perfectly! It’s so fun, so madcap, so sexy, and so funny! Love Love Love!
Olive and Ethan – the brother of the groom and sister of the bride. They don’t like one another but end up taking the honeymoon trip for their siblings.
Some of the story is a little cliche, but it is filled out with great humor, entertaining banter, sweet romance and an unfortunate set of circumstances pitting the couple against each other and on the sides of their sibling.
I decided to read the book because it was on several lists of good books to read. I concur with that assessment.