Hey there and happy Friday, bibliophiles! I hope you’re all well and snuggled in for the weekend with a healthy stack of novels at your sides! Personally, I’m my usual, tired self, and I’m still getting back into the swing of things with my reading schedule and bringing you guys reviews, but.. it’s all going! Just gotta keep on trucking, right?
Also, I’ve been really toying with the idea of developing a book club of sorts. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for awhile, but I’m thoroughly convinced that no one else would be interested, so if you are, let me know, and I’ll see what I can organize!
It’s been a bit since I brought you guys a review, and the last one I did was a bit of a Debbie Downer of a recap because it’s a book I just didn’t mesh with, but tonight will be different. As I said in my last review post; I don’t relish in bringing you guys bad reviews, and it’s not often I do, but not only can I not be expected to love every book I read, but I also don’t do justice to an author or other readers if I don’t tell my truth of my experience with a story. I digress.
Tonight, before I jump into my next review request, I’m going to sort of go into the vault. Since I got a fair amount of submissions from all kinds of authors around the New Year to review books, in order to stay on track for those requests, I’ve put my own TBR on the back burner. Since I have a couple of days until my next review will go up, I thought I’d go back in time to New Year’s Eve, and the time I spent with Holland and Calvin in Roomies by writing duo, Christina Lauren.
If you’ve been following this blog a bit, you know that I’m a massive fan of their romances. They are one of my tried-and-true authors I know I can always purchase, and I have to admit that I got extra butterflies when I attended my local Barnes and Noble to do some Christmas shopping, and when I couldn’t find this book, an employee brought me a pristine copy from the back room. What a wonderful memory!
Meet Holland Bakker, resident of New York, and working for her well-known, Broadway-producer uncle while she tries to get a hold of her life. Seemingly disenchanted with the majority of her life at the moment, there is one ray of life in the city that never sleeps, and that’s subway busker Calvin McLoughlin. While she’s created a whole romantic narrative for the two of them in the recesses of her imagination, she has yet to actually talk to him. Instead, she keeps her distance, and finds herself swooning repeatedly over his beautiful music.
When fate intercedes and Holland finds herself in immediate danger, Calvin comes to the rescue. Holland’s terrifying experience becomes an icebreaker for the pair, and her fantasy reaches a new level.
Not only is Mr. McLoughlin wonderfully talented and charming, but he comes with a lovely Irish accent as well. Realizing an opportunity for the both of them, Holland arranges an audition for Calvin to really showcase his gift. When it turns out that her uncle wants him for his show, she also finds out there is a catch. Calvin’s visa has run out a long time ago and he can’t accept an offer to achieve his dream.
After trying to strategize and coming to numerous dead ends, Holland knows no one can take the role being offered but Calvin. Doing something completely out of character from anything she’s done before, Holland offers the only viable solution to their situation… get married.
Needless to say, a monsoon of emotions ensued, games were played, and feelings happen. I adored and devoured every single word of this book. This story was fun, flirty, sexy, dramatic, and quirky all mixed and mingled together perfectly. Running around New York in the dead of winter with Holland and Calvin gave magic and sparkle to a city I’m thankful to say I know well. I loved the romance of wandering snowy city streets, the excitement of Broadway, and the fast-paced nature of not only their relationship, but the true New York minute. I felt the vibrancy of these words in my bones as their story built and tensions increased and they excited me to no end.
Not only was there an overall ambiance I felt while reading this story, but I also related to Holland so well that it was scary. I felt like she was my shadow just coming through the pages to give me a message about my own life. She’s a smart girl, she’s talented, funny, accomplished, and selfless, but she somehow still finds herself in a routine.. stuck in a rut. She seems lost among her own existence as well as the crazy flow of the city. Being with Calvin changes that. He challenges her, inspires her, and cheers for her to find her passion, pin it down, and give it hell.
Roomies had such a wonderfully bohemian and fun feel to it and I didn’t want my time with Calvin and Holland to end. I felt alive and free as I wandered through their tale with them, and I really wished I could emulate aspects of their characters as well as be their friend in order to get more time with them.
If you’re looking for a fresh, funny, and steamy romance that kind of brings you out of the box, then you need to go meet these two… quickly! I loved every minute and I’m only sorry that it took me about three months to get this review to you. Until next time!
My Final Rating: five out of five stars
Read This Book:
