SYNOPSIS:
Green Card meets Once in ROOMIES by New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Gallery Books; on sale December 5th); a tale of marriage convenience that is just so…inconvenient.
Rescued by Calvin McLoughlin from a would-be subway attacker, Holland Bakker pays the brilliant subway musician back by pulling some of her errand-girl strings and getting him an audition with a bigtime musical director.
When the tryout goes better than even Holland could have imagined, Calvin is set for a great entry into Broadway—until he admits his student visa has expired and he’s in the country illegally.
Holland impulsively offers to wed the Irishman to keep him in New York, her growing infatuation a secret only to him. As their relationship evolves from awkward roommates to besotted lovers, Calvin becomes the darling of Broadway. In the middle of the theatrics and the acting-not-acting, what will it take for Holland and Calvin to realize that they both stopped pretending a long time ago?
From subway to Broadway to happily ever after, modern love in all its thrill, hilarity, and uncertainty has never been so compulsively readable.
MY REVIEW:
4 – 4.5 Stars!!
Such a sweet, romantic and funny story! Sure to please all fans of the dynamic writing duo of Christina Lauren. In my opinion, ‘Roomies’ is definitely one of their best books to date.
I am usually not a huge fan of the fake marriage trope. But I was totally swept up into this heartwarming and humorous story. A hot Irish musician and the New York City setting? I’m all in!
Holland Bakker is a classic underachiever, a smart and very funny young woman with a writing degree basically working as a glorified assistant. But she is living her dream of living in the Big Apple and working in the theatre business. She is completely mesmerized by the street musician or busker who plays the guitar in the subway. He is brilliant!
I’ve never seen someone’s fingers move like that, as if he doesn’t even have to think about it. In some ways, it seems like he gives the guitar an actual human voice. He looks up as I drop a bill into his case, squinting at me, and gives me a quiet “Thanks very much.”
Holland has a huge crush on the sexy stranger who turns out to be a Juillard-trained musician from Ireland. She finally works up the courage one night to speak to the man whose she’s been thinking about for months.
Ugh. Crushes are the worst, but in hindsight a crush from afar seems so much easier than this. I should stick to making up stories in my head and watching from a distance like a reasonable creeper. Now I’ve broken the fourth wall and if he’s as friendly as his eyes tell me he is, he may notice me when I drop money in his case the next time, and I will be forced to interact smoothly or run the opposite direction.
Holland learns that Calvin also plays in a band, and has been living in New York on an expired student visa. Make that a VERY expired student visa. So when Calvin has a chance to star in a Broadway show, Holland comes to the rescue and offers to marry him in order to allow him to obtain a visa. Holland’s uncle is the producer of the show and because Holland has a unique ear for music, she just knows that Calvin will be absolutely perfect for the show.
Is he going to find this not just bizarre but outright immoral? He puts down his fork.
“Aye, why not. It’s only Holy Matrimony.” He tilts his head back and laughs delightedly.
“Surely you’re only joking?”
Oh God. Someone flush me out of this room right now. “No, actually.”
“You,” he says quietly, “want to marry me? For this?”
I have been a fan of Christina Lauren since ‘Beautiful Bastard’ was fan fiction. I am happy to say that this book really showcases their unique writing talents. ‘Roomies’ perfectly captures the slow-burn chemistry of the main characters with heart, wit and a little sexiness. Calvin treats Holland with respect and this book never felt rushed or forced. And I loved how New York City was perfect backdrop for their developing romance. I loved the whole marriage-of-convenience theme and Calvin and Holland’s sweetly sexy love story. Christina Lauren added just the right touch of humor to make this story actually believable!
“You all right?” he asks. Startling at the sound of his voice, I shift my attention to his face. His nose is pink, and adorable. Ugh. I’ve married him, and he has no idea I’ve been writing Holland/Hot Busker fic in my head for months. How is this a good idea?
Calvin and Holland were absolutely adorable together. Calvin was brilliant but also pushed Holland to fulfill her dreams, too. Holland always put everyone first and learns to make herself the star of her own story. These two started off as married and then fell in love! The whole fake-marriage theme just worked here. If you are looking for a sweet, sexy, fast-paced romance, you will love ‘Roomies.’ It is definitely one of my favorite Christina Lauren books.
“I think you might be the best girl there ever was.”
