4.75 Stars

I love this book. So, so dearly. It's really a relief for me because after enjoying other Christina Lauren books in the past, I truly did not like Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating. Since I was in the vast minority with that opinion, I was nervous that this book would be the same situation again. I am so happy to report that not only did I love this, and not only is it my new favorite Christina Lauren book, it's one of my new favorite adult romances and books of this year.

I love Olive and Ethan as characters, both separately and also their dynamic as a couple. Their relationship went from dislike to playful bickering to genuinely caring about the other person in a way that felt really organic. I love the fact that even after they've come to terms with the fact that they enjoy each other's company, it doesn't change them ribbing one another. It honestly reminded me a lot of the way my husband and I interact with one another. We've been friends far longer than we've been a romantic couple, and I think it shows in the way we are able to poke fun at the other person and not get all upset about it. They are honest with each other, sometimes to a fault, which I really appreciated.

The side characters that make up Olive's family are great. I think anyone who has a big, nosy, loving family would be able to relate to this entirely. Also,

I need Ami's story written, PLEASE!! I know that she ends up happy with someone, but I want to know how it happens!!

The one reason why this isn't a full five stars for me (even though I rounded up on GR...because I CAN.) is because there is definitely a suspension of disbelief with some of the plot. Olive and Ethan are on Maui at one of the HUNDREDS of hotels on the island, and they end up running into not only Olive's new boss, but also Ethan's ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend...staying at the same resort they are. It's just contrived. I've been to Hawaii several times and never once ran into anyone that I knew, much less two people, much less two people staying at the SAME HOTEL as me.

But, I don't care. I allowed myself to suspend disbelief and just enjoy this book.

I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy adult romances with great characters, smart dialog, and a dash of zaniness to the plot. I would love to see this as a movie. PLEEEEEEEASE?!