Loads of books feature parties of some kind so this what an easy prompt to slot in with whatever I had been reading at some point during the year. I’ve chosen The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren which is a popular best seller and a great summer read.

What it’s about?

Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.

Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.

Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of… lucky.

What I think:

This is a  perfect summer holiday reading- great characters, fizzy dialogue and a fun spin on the enemies to lovers trope.

Ami has organised the perfect wedding – a beautiful day shared with family and friends and most of it was free. She is queen of coupon and competition entries, she negotiates deals and promotes products for local companies. Everyone is excited about her wedding.

Except Olive. Ami’s twin sister is the opposite. While Ami is lucky, organised and focused, Olive is endlessly unlucky and lacks direction after losing her job. She’s also Ami’s maid of honour forced to wear a horrific green dress and given a massive to do list.

Which includes coordinating with best man Ethan, someone she has never got along with. While she is happy for her sister this day is definitely a chore.

All is going well until the reception. With Olive allergic, and Ethan refusing to eat buffet everyone tucks into a luxury seafood buffet with disastrous consequences. With most of the guests, including the bride and groom, recovering from food poisoning, Olive and Ethan head off on a use-it-or-lose-it luxury honeymoon in Hawaii.

There is lots of snark and banter between Olive and Ethan. They are both warm-hearted, clever, and witty. It’s clear that they both find each other physically attractive, they just need to get over their loathing for each other. With two weeks of couple activities in a stunning location will Hawaii work it’s magic? Well of course it will. Thisnis never a question of if, just how, will lots of fun along the way.

There’s also lots of complications along way – Ethan’s ex-girlfriend, Olive’s new boss and revelations and secrets being revealed.

Olive and Ethan may be the Unhoneymooners but they are a perfect match.

This is such a fun read – definitely recommended as perfect sunshine reading.