The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Summary

The Unhoneymooners follows Olive Torres, an unlucky woman forced to attend her twin sister's wedding with her sworn enemy, Ethan Thomas. When the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from bad shellfish, only Olive and Ethan remain unaffected. They reluctantly agree to take the all-expenses-paid honeymoon to Hawaii, pretending to be newlyweds. As they fake their relationship in paradise, their mutual hatred transforms into unexpected romance.

Christina Lauren is the pen name for writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, New York Times bestselling authors known for contemporary romance novels. They've written numerous popular books including Roomies, Dating You / Hating You, and The Soulmate Equation. Their signature style combines witty banter, emotional depth, and heartwarming romance. The Unhoneymooners, published in 2019, became one of their most successful titles, earning starred reviews and widespread acclaim.

The Unhoneymooners is perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted contemporary romance with enemies-to-lovers dynamics and fake relationship tropes. It appeals to fans of rom-coms, beach reads, and romantic comedies with humor and heart. The book suits adult readers looking for escapist fiction with witty dialogue, Hawaiian escapades, and feel-good storytelling. Anyone who has felt unlucky in love or career will relate to Olive's journey toward embracing positivity.

The Unhoneymooners earned starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal, and was named a Must-Read by TODAY, Entertainment Weekly, and Bustle. Readers praise its entertaining premise, humorous writing, and engaging enemies-to-lovers chemistry. While some critics note predictable plot elements and underdeveloped conflict reasoning, most agree it delivers exactly what rom-com fans want: escapism, laughs, and heartwarming romance. It's an ideal vacation or palate-cleanser read.

Olive and Ethan have despised each other for two and a half years, trading barbs at family gatherings. Their animosity stems from Ethan's initial judgment of Olive's body and behavior, influenced by his brother Dane's negative comments. Forced proximity during the Hawaiian honeymoon breaks down their walls, revealing Ethan never truly hated Olive—he was actually interested in her from the start. The fake newlywed act accelerates their emotional connection, transforming antagonism into genuine attraction.

In Hawaii, Olive and Ethan discover only one bed in their resort room, forcing awkward intimacy. When Olive encounters her future boss, she claims she's on her honeymoon, requiring Ethan's cooperation. Similarly, Ethan runs into his ex-girlfriend Sophie and maintains the charade. They bond through outdoor excursions, paintball, and sightseeing. A near-naked collision in a tiny boat bathroom and Ethan's drunken confession about his true feelings for Olive mark pivotal moments in their evolving relationship.

The Unhoneymooners explores luck versus unluck, with Olive believing she's cursed while her twin Ami wins everything. Central themes include embracing positivity instead of dwelling on negativity, learning to trust when good things happen, and breaking free from self-limiting beliefs. The fake relationship trope examines authenticity—Olive discovers that pretending to be happy actually makes her feel lucky. The novel emphasizes personal growth, self-protection versus vulnerability, and choosing optimism over pessimism.

Olive begins as a self-described unlucky scientist who focuses obsessively on life's negatives and protects herself from disappointment. Throughout the Hawaiian trip, she undergoes significant transformation, learning to embrace life rather than brace for disaster. She becomes less bristly and more open to vulnerability, discovering that her "bad luck" was partly self-fulfilling prophecy. By the end, Olive recognizes she can choose optimism and trust in good fortune, culminating in her confidence to propose to Ethan herself.

The Unhoneymooners is marketed as adult contemporary romance and contains some mature content including sexual tension, romantic scenes, and adult themes. Content warnings include vomit (from food poisoning), references to cheating, and body shaming comments. The book features adult situations and relationship dynamics more suitable for mature readers. While some teens may enjoy the lighthearted rom-com elements, parents should review content warnings. The humor and romance are sophisticated rather than young adult-focused.

Christina Lauren's "uniquely hilarious and touching voice" (Entertainment Weekly) shines through witty banter between Olive and Ethan. The absurd premise—enemies forced on a honeymoon after mass food poisoning—creates inherently comedic situations. Olive's sarcastic internal monologue, the awkwardness of maintaining the newlywed charade, and physical comedy moments like the boat bathroom collision provide consistent humor. The Hawaiian setting adds escapist fun, while the food poisoning disaster and contest-won wedding offer quirky, memorable plot points.

Some readers criticize The Unhoneymooners for lacking chemistry between the leads and having a boring, lame relationship that "never feels like romance." The two-and-a-half-year hatred is considered poorly justified or based on "stupid" reasoning. Critics note the story isn't consistently funny despite a few good jokes, and some find the characters cartoonish rather than three-dimensional. The predictable enemies-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes may feel formulaic to readers seeking more original romantic comedy storytelling.

The Unhoneymooners shares Christina Lauren's signature blend of witty dialogue, emotional depth, and contemporary romance found in books like Roomies and The Soulmate Equation. However, it leans heavier into pure romantic comedy territory with its lighthearted tone and vacation setting. Unlike some of their more emotionally complex works, The Unhoneymooners prioritizes fun and escapism over deep drama. The enemies-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes are more prominent here, making it ideal for readers wanting classic rom-com conventions executed with Christina Lauren's entertaining voice.