If you’re in the mood for a hilarious romantic comedy with a side of enemies-to-lovers drama, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren is a perfect choice. This light-hearted, witty novel combines the charm of a classic rom-com with fresh, relatable humor. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Maui, it takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of misadventures, misunderstandings, and unexpected romance. Let’s dive into what makes this book a delightful read.

Author Bio: Christina Lauren

Christina Lauren is the pen name for the dynamic writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Best friends and creative partners, they’ve authored more than a dozen New York Times bestselling novels. Known for their humorous and heartfelt stories, the pair met online through a fan fiction community, and since then, they’ve been crafting stories that feature quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartwarming romance. Their novels, including The Unhoneymooners, often feature strong, relatable heroines, a dash of humor, and a healthy dose of swoon-worthy romance.

Synopsis of The Unhoneymooners

The Unhoneymooners follows the unlucky but lovable Olive Torres, who is having a bad day — again. At her twin sister Ami’s wedding, Olive is stuck in a hideous bridesmaid dress, and to make things worse, she’s forced to spend time with Ethan, the groom’s brother and her arch-nemesis. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from a dodgy seafood buffet, except for Olive and Ethan, an unexpected opportunity presents itself. Ami insists Olive take her place on the all-expenses-paid honeymoon to Maui — with one catch: Ethan must join her.

Determined to enjoy the vacation despite her company, Olive braces herself for ten days in paradise with her enemy. However, as they pretend to be a happily married couple to keep up appearances, Olive begins to see a different side of Ethan. What starts as a reluctant truce quickly turns into something more as the line between hate and love blurs. But with reality looming at the end of their vacation, Olive must decide if her feelings for Ethan are genuine or just a product of their tropical adventure.

Themes in The Unhoneymooners

Fate and Luck: Olive’s life is a series of unlucky events, but this story playfully questions whether there is such a thing as luck or if we create our destiny through the choices we make.

Enemies to Lovers: At the heart of The Unhoneymooners is the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with tension, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry. The story explores how our perceptions of others can change when we’re forced to see them in a new light.

Family and Relationships: The book delves into the complexities of familial bonds, the highs and lows of sibling rivalry, and the importance of trust and communication in romantic relationships.

Review

“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.” (Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Proposal )

“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.” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test )

“Heartfelt and funny, this enemies-to-lovers romance shows that the best things in life are all-inclusive and nontransferable as well as free.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

“Lauren brilliantly wields familiar rom-com tropes—enemies to lovers, fake marriage, even height differences—to craft a delightful romance that will have readers hanging on every word.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Sassy and appealing, writing duo Lauren’s (My Latest Half-Night Stand) latest endeavor is sure to please. A perfect read for beach or poolside, this is one hot summer story not to miss!” (Library Journal (starred review))

“Lauren’s (after Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, 2018) latest is a sexy, hilarious rom-com that offers a look into the bonds of a large Mexican-American family and between twin sisters as well as at whether blood is thicker than water. Readers will laugh out loud… Perfect for fans of Jasmine Guillory and Sally Thorne.” (Booklist)

“Lighthearted, laugh-out-loud funny and all too accessible (as the many Torres aunts and cousins keep butting into Ami’s and Olive’s lives), The Unhoneymooners is delightful. Olive’s initial dislike of Ethan, tempered by her slow realization of his good qualities, makes for a charming and enjoyable romance.” (Shelf Awareness)

Similar Books to The Unhoneymooners

If you enjoyed The Unhoneymooners, here are some similar books that will keep you entertained:

1. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – A classic enemies-to-lovers tale with plenty of office tension, humor, and romance. Lucy and Joshua are rivals for the same job promotion, but as their animosity grows, so does an unexpected attraction.
2. Beach Read by Emily Henry – A story of two writers, January and Gus, who find themselves living next to each other for the summer. As they challenge each other to step outside their comfort zones, they realize that they may have more in common than they initially thought.
3. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry – A story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who take one vacation together every year. But after a falling out, they haven’t spoken in two years. Will one last trip help them find their way back to each other?
4. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary – Tiffy and Leon share a flat, but they’ve never met. As they start leaving notes for each other, they slowly form a connection that leads to unexpected romance.
5. You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle – A couple engaged to be married but secretly hating each other must out-prank each other to get out of the wedding without paying a hefty bill, leading to hilarious mischief and, eventually, rediscovering their love.
6. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – Stella, a successful econometrician with Asperger’s, hires an escort to teach her how to be in a relationship, only to find herself falling for him.
7. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas – Catalina needs a date to her sister’s wedding in Spain, and her colleague Aaron volunteers to go. Forced to pretend they’re a couple, they discover hidden feelings during the trip.
8. Well Met by Jen DeLuca – Emily volunteers at a Renaissance Faire and clashes with Simon, a stern teacher who takes his role very seriously. As they continue to bicker, sparks fly, leading to unexpected romance.
9. The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa – Lina, a wedding planner, is left at the altar and has to team up with the man who ruined her wedding. Tensions run high, but so does the chemistry.
10. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert – Eve accidentally hits a bed and breakfast owner with her car and ends up working there. Despite their opposite personalities, they slowly start to fall for each other.

Final Thoughts

The Unhoneymooners is a delightful read that brings humor, romance, and a tropical twist to the enemies-to-lovers trope. With Christina Lauren’s signature wit and charm, this book offers a fun escape and a heartwarming message about finding love in the most unexpected places. Whether you’re on vacation or just need a feel-good book to cozy up with, The Unhoneymooners is sure to leave you smiling.