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danidoll91's Reviews (1.47k)
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. They are the authors of 20 plus books and I first stumbled upon them though their ‘Beautiful’ novels. A series of romance books. I normally like these authors because they are a fun, no brainer summer read with a hint of romance and humour that makes them easy to digest.
Roomies is a standalone novel about Holland Bakker an aspiring writer with no direction and no ideas, but who does have a monumental crush on a subway musician named Calvin McLoughlin. She has such a crush that she takes the subway everyday for months when she doesn’t need to in order to hear him play which borders on stalking. Holland works for her uncle’s broadway theatre company and when the show loses it’s lead musician she suggests her uncle listen to Calvin play. Her Uncle tries to hire Calvin, but he’s in America illegally and wouldn’t be able to qualify for a visa. Calvin and Holland’s uncle are both disappointed but don’t see any options that would allow Calvin to perform. In order to save the dreams of both her Uncle and Calvin, Holland offers to marry Calvin os he can stay in the country. It’s this marriage of convenience that precipitates the story and really starts the book.
“Ugh. Crushes are the worst, but in hindsight a crush from afar seems so much easier than this.”
― Christina Lauren, Roomies
This novel has a bit of a slow start. Calvin and Holland don’t interact with one another for the first quarter, in fact the reader doesn’t even know his name and Holland calls him Jack when referring to him. Once the characters meet the banter and chemistry between the two is believable and humorous. This book leans on the sweet side of romance rather than the sexy and offers up thoughts on passion, talent, and the drive and bravery to chase ones dreams. Holland is the lost soul with no direction, who is saved by a fake marriage to a man who has both the talent and passion for music. Through her support of him she learns about herself which was a bit cliche but Calvin’s character is so likeable that it became almost endearing.
Predictably, throughout the book the main quandary of the characters is determining whether the other likes them for real or is faking their emotions for the sake of the fake marriage and the benefits it offers them. This causes massive misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and doubt as to whether the two characters who are obviously in love will finally realize it. Spoiler alert (but not really because you know this is a romance right?) they do. In the end both Holland and Calvin find each other and themselves and their marriage of convenience becomes one of love.
“But this…writing about how it feels to listen to music, to have found him–it almost feels like I’m writing a description of how my organs work together, what keeps me breathing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this before. ”
― Christina Lauren, Roomies
Overall, I felt that Roomies wasn’t the best book by Christina Lauren that I have read. It’s predictable, slow in some spots, and lacks the steamy loves scenes you can find in the Beautiful series. However, it is a cute and sweet summer beach read that you might not remember next month, but you won’t regret reading in the moment.
Rating 2.5/5
If you want to see more of my reviews check out my blog at somethingaboutbooks (dot) com !
Roomies is a standalone novel about Holland Bakker an aspiring writer with no direction and no ideas, but who does have a monumental crush on a subway musician named Calvin McLoughlin. She has such a crush that she takes the subway everyday for months when she doesn’t need to in order to hear him play which borders on stalking. Holland works for her uncle’s broadway theatre company and when the show loses it’s lead musician she suggests her uncle listen to Calvin play. Her Uncle tries to hire Calvin, but he’s in America illegally and wouldn’t be able to qualify for a visa. Calvin and Holland’s uncle are both disappointed but don’t see any options that would allow Calvin to perform. In order to save the dreams of both her Uncle and Calvin, Holland offers to marry Calvin os he can stay in the country. It’s this marriage of convenience that precipitates the story and really starts the book.
“Ugh. Crushes are the worst, but in hindsight a crush from afar seems so much easier than this.”
― Christina Lauren, Roomies
This novel has a bit of a slow start. Calvin and Holland don’t interact with one another for the first quarter, in fact the reader doesn’t even know his name and Holland calls him Jack when referring to him. Once the characters meet the banter and chemistry between the two is believable and humorous. This book leans on the sweet side of romance rather than the sexy and offers up thoughts on passion, talent, and the drive and bravery to chase ones dreams. Holland is the lost soul with no direction, who is saved by a fake marriage to a man who has both the talent and passion for music. Through her support of him she learns about herself which was a bit cliche but Calvin’s character is so likeable that it became almost endearing.
Predictably, throughout the book the main quandary of the characters is determining whether the other likes them for real or is faking their emotions for the sake of the fake marriage and the benefits it offers them. This causes massive misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and doubt as to whether the two characters who are obviously in love will finally realize it. Spoiler alert (but not really because you know this is a romance right?) they do. In the end both Holland and Calvin find each other and themselves and their marriage of convenience becomes one of love.
“But this…writing about how it feels to listen to music, to have found him–it almost feels like I’m writing a description of how my organs work together, what keeps me breathing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this before. ”
― Christina Lauren, Roomies
Overall, I felt that Roomies wasn’t the best book by Christina Lauren that I have read. It’s predictable, slow in some spots, and lacks the steamy loves scenes you can find in the Beautiful series. However, it is a cute and sweet summer beach read that you might not remember next month, but you won’t regret reading in the moment.
Rating 2.5/5
If you want to see more of my reviews check out my blog at somethingaboutbooks (dot) com !
