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A review by booksandstrokes
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Imagine, you get your dream vacation, an all-expense-paid trip to the destination of your choice.... the catch your companion is the one person you just CANNOT get along with!
When the entire bridal party at her twin Ami's wedding comes down with food poisoning, Olive Torres gets an opportunity to go on her sister's pre-booked free Maui honeymoon. So what, if she has to put up with her brother-in-law's annoying brother Ethan for ten days, she's going to have the best trip of her life. But can this not-so-cordial arrangement survive romantic couple massages, an ex who has popped up out of nowhere, and most importantly, the inherent attraction between the two of them?
Disclaimer romance is not my go-to genre, and I read them only when I'm convinced the story is a rom-com, because who isn't a sucker for those?
The Unhoneymooners ticked all those boxes for me, with its squabbling cause we don't know how to express our attraction leads, the hilarity of the shenanigans that come with the fake dating trope, and aww so sweet, I'll die single romantic gestures. Despite my doubts, I found myself rooting for Olive and Ethan! Also, seeing the Torres family being close-knit and not allowing one of their own to feel alone at any point during their misery was so heart-warming!
The second half, however, felt a bit rushed and uneven, with too much happening too fast. The plotline about Olive's career came out of nowhere and its progression did not feel very natural. As for the Main Conflict, though the lead-up was unsatisfactory, it does depict very accurately, how men get away with a LOT of inappropriate behavior, especially when a woman points it out, simply because the woman is "a pessimist who sees the worst in everyone". What irked me, however, was how Ami and Ethan, the two people who are supposed to be the closest to Olive, are the ones who doubt her statements. Despite the convenience of the setup, it was really fun to see the douche get what he deserved, in the most dramatic, humiliating way possible!
In one sentence: A light, fluffy read filled with laughter, fun, romance, and familial love!
When the entire bridal party at her twin Ami's wedding comes down with food poisoning, Olive Torres gets an opportunity to go on her sister's pre-booked free Maui honeymoon. So what, if she has to put up with her brother-in-law's annoying brother Ethan for ten days, she's going to have the best trip of her life. But can this not-so-cordial arrangement survive romantic couple massages, an ex who has popped up out of nowhere, and most importantly, the inherent attraction between the two of them?
Disclaimer romance is not my go-to genre, and I read them only when I'm convinced the story is a rom-com, because who isn't a sucker for those?
The Unhoneymooners ticked all those boxes for me, with its squabbling cause we don't know how to express our attraction leads, the hilarity of the shenanigans that come with the fake dating trope, and aww so sweet, I'll die single romantic gestures. Despite my doubts, I found myself rooting for Olive and Ethan! Also, seeing the Torres family being close-knit and not allowing one of their own to feel alone at any point during their misery was so heart-warming!
The second half, however, felt a bit rushed and uneven, with too much happening too fast. The plotline about Olive's career came out of nowhere and its progression did not feel very natural. As for the Main Conflict, though the lead-up was unsatisfactory, it does depict very accurately, how men get away with a LOT of inappropriate behavior, especially when a woman points it out, simply because the woman is "a pessimist who sees the worst in everyone". What irked me, however, was how Ami and Ethan, the two people who are supposed to be the closest to Olive, are the ones who doubt her statements. Despite the convenience of the setup, it was really fun to see the douche get what he deserved, in the most dramatic, humiliating way possible!
In one sentence: A light, fluffy read filled with laughter, fun, romance, and familial love!