Roomies

I really liked the middle of this book. The beginning and end, not so much. I thought it started out a little slow but once I got into it, it was great up until the last 20% or so. I wasn't crazy about Holland as a character but I ended up loving Calvin. He was sweet and really seemed all in when it came to marrying Holland, whereas she was constantly questioning his motives even though she was the one to suggest marriage in the first place. Most of their drama stemmed from a lack of communication and Holland's refusal to listen to any explanation, which was frustrating.

After coming off a re-read of Mariana Zapata's Wall of Winnipeg, I was excited to read another marriage of convenience romance but unfortunately Roomies didn't meet my expectations. 3 Stars because I didn't dislike it.

This was my first Christina Lauren book and after rereading it I am reminded of why I love their writing so much. This book was so sweet and I love the focus in the end on Holland herself and her development. There were a few moments that gave me pause, for example, I really disliked that the only female musician that was spoken of was disparaged. It was especially disappointing because I know Christina Lauren identify as feminists. Anyways, small moments like that in books always irritate me but I'm trying hard nowadays not to let them ruin the whole book for me.

It's not a secret that I love Christina Lauren books. This book was equal parts frustrating and swoony. I LOVE Calvin. He's too good to be true and I'm not even mad about it. Holland on the other hand was frustrating. I understood her insecurity, but her assumptions and lack of willingness to talk out her misunderstandings dragged out the third act break up to where it took up the entire last 100 pages of the book. I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy this book, but I really did. Lol. I loved the descriptions of music and how into his guitar Calvin was. I loved the tension and the building of love between Calvin and Holland. Marriage of convenience is just such a great trope. I was so happy that Holland dropped Lulu, but I wish we could have gotten the dialogue where Holland tells Lulu that the friendship is for real over. I have like 4 other Christina Lauren books lined up for this year and it makes me happy.

This was the first book I've read from the duo Christina Lauren, and the one who ultimately made me start reading contemporary romance.

The book follows the story of Holland who works as an assistant in Broadway and has a crush on a subway music player.
Despite not having the courage to meet her dream guy, destiny interferes, and he saves her from an attacker.
Holland gets Calvin an audition with her uncle for a Broadway play and after he was chosen, discovers he's an illegal immigrant in the US.
She decides to help him, and they arrange a marriage of convenience which will allow Calvin to stay and reach his dream job.

Despite not being a truly original concept, the book is well written, and the writers have an incredible ability to grab your attention to the story. I became immediately engaged with the book characters and invested in their happy ending.

Fun, sweet, propulsive. I gobbled it up. I never heard Calvin‰ЫЄs Irish accent in the dialogue so it was weird to be reminded of it every time he said think/tink. I loved the fleeting parts where Holland talks about the music. Some of the dramatic bits didn‰ЫЄt make much sense, but who cares! A fake marriage is always a fun situation to maneuver two characters into in order to develop a relationship.