This is the kind of read that, when you finish, makes you say, “WHY DID THIS BOOK HAVE TO END!?” I couldn’t get enough of Roomies! I knew, as soon as I heard what it was about (marriage! of! convenience!) that I HAD to get my hands on it. I don’t typically read the marriage of convenience trope if it’s not a historical romance, but I had to give Christina Lauren’s modern take of the trope a try – and it was FANTASTIC. It’s an all-consuming, delightful read that I literally couldn’t put down. If you love well-written, unique, adorable contemporary romances, READ ROOMIES!
Every week, Holland Bakker goes out of her way in New York City to go to a certain subway station to admire the street musician who plays captivating music on his guitar. She’s developed a crush over the past few months watching and listening to him, but she’s never actually gone up to him and talked to him. Until one day she’s being attacked by a homeless man and the musician saves her… but leaves before she gets to thank him.
Holland wants to find a way to show Calvin her gratitude (and totally not because he’s gorgeous and has an Irish accent), and coincidentally, her Broadway musical director uncle is in need of a brilliant musician. Calvin blows the theater away with his music, but unfortunately can’t take the job… because he’s been living in the U.S. illegally for four years. Holland, wanting to do everything possible for this opportunity to work, offers to marry Calvin and pretend to be in love to help him gain U.S. citizenship. Ignoring the fact that she’s got feelings for him and oh, they’re lying to the government, everything should work out, right?
I swear that I was smiling for 90% of Roomies, it’s THAT much fun to read. I got swept away in the story, NEEDING Calvin and Holland to make their fake marriage a real one, and hoping alongside these characters that Calvin gets to stay in the U.S. I adored all the characters in the story – Holland in all her awkwardness and slow self-discovery, Calvin and his growing devotion and adoration for Holland, Holland’s supportive uncles who are so in love and compliment each other so well. I love that Roomies is not just about the romance between Holland and Calvin (though that shines pretty freaking well all on its own) but also about music and developing self-worth and being content in who you are. This book is brilliant, though I didn’t expect any less from Christina Lauren. I didn’t want Roomies to end, and am already craving more of Calvin and Holland. I highly recommend this book!
Every week, Holland Bakker goes out of her way in New York City to go to a certain subway station to admire the street musician who plays captivating music on his guitar. She’s developed a crush over the past few months watching and listening to him, but she’s never actually gone up to him and talked to him. Until one day she’s being attacked by a homeless man and the musician saves her… but leaves before she gets to thank him.
Holland wants to find a way to show Calvin her gratitude (and totally not because he’s gorgeous and has an Irish accent), and coincidentally, her Broadway musical director uncle is in need of a brilliant musician. Calvin blows the theater away with his music, but unfortunately can’t take the job… because he’s been living in the U.S. illegally for four years. Holland, wanting to do everything possible for this opportunity to work, offers to marry Calvin and pretend to be in love to help him gain U.S. citizenship. Ignoring the fact that she’s got feelings for him and oh, they’re lying to the government, everything should work out, right?
I swear that I was smiling for 90% of Roomies, it’s THAT much fun to read. I got swept away in the story, NEEDING Calvin and Holland to make their fake marriage a real one, and hoping alongside these characters that Calvin gets to stay in the U.S. I adored all the characters in the story – Holland in all her awkwardness and slow self-discovery, Calvin and his growing devotion and adoration for Holland, Holland’s supportive uncles who are so in love and compliment each other so well. I love that Roomies is not just about the romance between Holland and Calvin (though that shines pretty freaking well all on its own) but also about music and developing self-worth and being content in who you are. This book is brilliant, though I didn’t expect any less from Christina Lauren. I didn’t want Roomies to end, and am already craving more of Calvin and Holland. I highly recommend this book!