Review | Roomies

For the next installment in our 2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge we chose Roomies as our "book with a wedding" and boy did this deliver.

The Book: Roomies by Christina Lauren

Date Published: December 5, 2017

Dates Read: February 20-25, 2019

Current Goodreads Rating: 3.90/5

In a surprising turn of events I did not hate this book even though I definitely tried. I've never really been one for Chick-Lit. Even though they're supposedly the main characters, I've found that the women in those kinds of books are rarely well developed and only really exist as a way to entice and then change a man for "the better."

This book doesn't exactly break that stereotype, but has enough interesting moments that kept me entertained.

Roomies is the story of a young woman named Holland trying to find her place in New York City. She also has a crazy intense crush on a subway busker she's affectionately named Jack. Turns out his name is Calvin and he is a Julliard graduate (or maybe a drop out? Regardless, the dude is talented) and he is in the country illegally trying to make it big in the Big Apple. In order to take part in Holland's uncle's famous musical (yes, I know), Holland must make the ultimate sacrifice and marry the dude to get him a green card. Lots of hijinks and accidental sex scenes later and you can probably guess where this book is going.

Pictured: an unrealistic goal for a barely employed 25-year old

So, why did I try to hate it? Well, first off, Holland as a character is insufferable for at least the first 100 pages. First of all, she goes to Yale to get a MFA in Creative Writing and then spends a majority of the book lamenting the fact that she has a "pointless degree." So, strike one for me. Secondly, at least a chapter, if not two, is dedicated to talking about Holland's job and living situation. Basically, because she is floating listless through life her very successful gay uncles created an archivist job at the theatre the show performs at and they pay for her to live in a small, but, let's be honest here, beautiful one bedroom apartment in Manhattan.

So that's why I tried to hate it.

Why didn't I? Frankly, the saving grace was the writing. Holland was whiny and annoying, but the rest of Christina Lauren's characters were actually really endearing (except Lulu. Lulu was a terrible friend. I hope she waits tables forever). Calvin is an Irish sweetheart that has some pretty great one-liners, both Holland's uncles Robert and Jeff are supportive without being irritatingly so (even though they are basically paying for everything in Holland's life).

Even Holland had some moments of saving grace. A lot of her one-liners had me rolling. For example:

"I catch a flash of bare ass and find religion."

Does it further the story in any way except to ogle a naked, attractive man? Absolutely not. Was it probably one of the main reasons why I kept reading this book? Yes. Definitely.

I wanted to hate this book so much, but I found myself rooting for Holland and Calvin. I will admit, the snags they hit were not snags I saw coming. Once they overcame one obstacle another was in their way and I don't really feel like many romance novels have several things that try to pull a couple apart.

Also, this book has some more profound quotes in it as well. Towards the beginning, Calvin and Holland invite Holland's close friends and family to her house to play some weird Holland trivia game in order to help the couple prepare for the upcoming government interview. When asked what Holland's biggest flaw is, her uncle replies with a quote that has honestly stuck with me more than I thought anything in this book would.

"'What I said before was true,' he says quietly, as if he's speaking only to me, "about how Holland tries to see herself clearly and seems to end up in a pretty good place. But I also think she sees herself as a supporting character even in her own life story.'"

If that isn't a punch to the gut and a reminder to be the hero in your own story I don't know what is. While some of Holland is irritating, I also can't deny that I identify somewhat with her. I've been a book reader and English major for pretty much all of my life. I've wanted to write or create books in some way for at least half of that life. I should, we all should, stop being supporting roles in our own life stories and do what we want to do dammit.

Holland's story and experience with this sham-turned-real relationship with a strange Irishman gives her that needed kick in the butt to do what she really and truly wants to do, write. Even though she mortally offended me by claiming her English degree was worthless, she actually does grow throughout this book and becomes a better person and a better writer because of it. I want to hate her, but I identify with her a just a little too much (you know, minus the green card marriage with an Irish guitar player).

Fun Fact: I found out that Christina Lauren is actually a pseudonym for Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, two women who have been friends and written romance novels for years. I like to think that I have become more in touch and comfortable with my sexuality, but the idea of writing a romance novel with several (admittedly not very graphic) sex scenes just makes me cringe with secondhand embarrassment. I mean they did a great job, but like man. How did that planning session go? Were they talking about the different ways Holland and Calvin were going to do it while drinking coffee in their favorite coffee shop in New York? Yikes.

Long story short:

• Guess Chick-Lit novels inspire me to make life choices

• Have you ever seen a butt and found religion?

• I guess sometimes there are attractive guys in the subway, not just mole people.

My Rating: 4/5

Up Next: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (just a slight 180 from where we currently are)