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Blackwood Cellars #1
Blue Hawaiian
The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding? No mistakes.
The second rule? No drama.
For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.
A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.
When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules.
Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.
What could possibly go wrong?
The second rule? No drama.
For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.
A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.
When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules.
Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.
What could possibly go wrong?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2021
846 people are currently reading
4990 people want to read
About the author
Carla Luna
22 books165 followersCarla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories.
When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.
When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 513 reviews
June 4, 2023
*dnf 35%*
There’s no way I can sit to an entire book of Jess.
Connor seems nice enough now, but has also been a douchebag for the last 5 years sooo.. no thank you.
This is basically the Unhoneymooners gone wrong and I didn’t even really like that book.
There’s no way I can sit to an entire book of Jess.
Connor seems nice enough now, but has also been a douchebag for the last 5 years sooo.. no thank you.
This is basically the Unhoneymooners gone wrong and I didn’t even really like that book.
February 10, 2023
Book 9/100 for the 2023 Goodreads Challenge.
Ooooookay I totally loved this sweet little e-book! 💝
the enemies/exes to lovers trope was super fun to get into and I found the MC so freaking relatable (token drunk friend anyone ? 🙋🏼♀️) The setting and scene was beautifully described and I absolutely understand why people go there for vacay.
The family dynamics on both the wife and groom’s side were realistic and I feel like this accurately portrayed a semi-everyday wedding scenario (other than groom’s super rich family lol). Families can have so many secrets and it’s unfortunate that more people aren’t kinder to others, especially their family members.
The sex was hot and spicy 🌶️ LOVED IT. Can I plz have a hot guy in a hotel room in Hawaii asap? THANK YOU. My life would be complete 😉
3.5 stars rounded up!!! Totally recommend this fun, quick read.
Ooooookay I totally loved this sweet little e-book! 💝
the enemies/exes to lovers trope was super fun to get into and I found the MC so freaking relatable (token drunk friend anyone ? 🙋🏼♀️) The setting and scene was beautifully described and I absolutely understand why people go there for vacay.
The family dynamics on both the wife and groom’s side were realistic and I feel like this accurately portrayed a semi-everyday wedding scenario (other than groom’s super rich family lol). Families can have so many secrets and it’s unfortunate that more people aren’t kinder to others, especially their family members.
The sex was hot and spicy 🌶️ LOVED IT. Can I plz have a hot guy in a hotel room in Hawaii asap? THANK YOU. My life would be complete 😉
3.5 stars rounded up!!! Totally recommend this fun, quick read.
June 20, 2021
I really liked this sweet yet steamy book. It felt like a guilty pleasure! It was an easy read to get comfortable with and I liked the nature of the plot.
Following Jess and Connor, it is clear from the beginning that their swift relationship from five years’ previous has never left their minds. There is an instant spark between them and, despite the bride and groom giving strict instructions to not get involved with one another, the two cannot resist. What follows is Jess and Connor learning to love and to trust one another again, with the caveat that once the wedding is over, so is their liaison. However, with all the secrecy and sneaking around, readers know that someone is going to get hurt when the truth comes out.
Jess and Connor are nice characters. I think the writer could have showed Connor’s redemptive personality a bit more in the story as he claims he is better than the Connor that Jess knew five years ago. In other words, Connor claims he is no longer living under the dominance of his father and no longer the womaniser that his reputation dictates. Whilst Luna does show this, I think there could have possibly been a bit more chivalry from Connor.
On the other hand, Jess was also rather sweet but in a bit of a pickle about how reserved with the truth she is with those around her. It was never going to end well! I wanted to see Jess have more courage and self-esteem about her life choices; to believe that things are going to improve and not hide behind shame. Therefore, as the novel progresses, it was good to see her grow in strength, especially when it came to standing up to her sister, Bride-zilla!
All the supporting characters add further interest to the story. I liked watching the relationship between Connor and his sister, Victoria, especially when adding the dynamics with Connor’s over-bearing father. This is the first of a series and I can’t wait to see what happens next with this story.
Set in Hawaii, undoubtedly this gives the book a summer holiday vibe. Exploring the island against the backdrop of rekindled relationships and a lavish wedding, this read certainly provided much-needed escapism. There was nothing to dislike about this story and, whilst I appreciate the sweet nature of the book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, this definitely was a ‘no strings attached’ read that I lost myself to very quickly.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2022
this story had promise, but i found the writing a bit juvenile. the characters are pretty one-dimensional - the main character is a screw up, the love interest is womanizer-turned-good-guy, the sister is a control freak - the list goes on. dialogue drives this story but doesn’t tell us much about the characters. i could never picture how they were reacting, because there’s no descriptors around the dialogue. certain plot points, that i thought would be important, were breezed through.
for a romance novel, the “sexy banter” was cringy, considering these characters are meant to be in their mid-20s. the few steamy scenes in this book left me disappointed. if i had to read dialogue that included the words “fantasies” one more time i was going to throw up - who talks like that?
unfortunately this contemporary romance fell flat for me, probably won’t be reading the other books in this collection either.
for a romance novel, the “sexy banter” was cringy, considering these characters are meant to be in their mid-20s. the few steamy scenes in this book left me disappointed. if i had to read dialogue that included the words “fantasies” one more time i was going to throw up - who talks like that?
unfortunately this contemporary romance fell flat for me, probably won’t be reading the other books in this collection either.
June 16, 2021
The author of this book is one of my favorite writer friends—someone for whom I was happy to be an early reader for both the first and second novels in her Blackwood Cellars collection.
And with "Blue Hawaiian," Carla has created a page-turning romance complete with a compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline that's set against the backdrop of a destination wedding on the alluring island of Maui.
I really enjoyed the tension and the heat that she creates between her main characters, Jess and Connor, but I also really loved how much I fell for several of the secondary characters, including Brody, Connor's cousin, who, heartbroken over a recent breakup, ends up making a fool of himself in a pretty big way while at the wedding of Gabi (Jess's sister) and Marc (Connor's brother).
Overall, this book made me love "love" all the more (and what more could you want from a romance)? Oh wait, I know .... a book that also makes you want to add Hawaii to your bucketlist (as if it wasn't already on it), attend a luau while you're there and then catch the sunrise from the top of a volcano.
A perfect book for your next poolside afternoon or trip out of town! Bravo, Carla—so proud of you for persevering and seeing your publishing dreams come true!
And with "Blue Hawaiian," Carla has created a page-turning romance complete with a compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline that's set against the backdrop of a destination wedding on the alluring island of Maui.
I really enjoyed the tension and the heat that she creates between her main characters, Jess and Connor, but I also really loved how much I fell for several of the secondary characters, including Brody, Connor's cousin, who, heartbroken over a recent breakup, ends up making a fool of himself in a pretty big way while at the wedding of Gabi (Jess's sister) and Marc (Connor's brother).
Overall, this book made me love "love" all the more (and what more could you want from a romance)? Oh wait, I know .... a book that also makes you want to add Hawaii to your bucketlist (as if it wasn't already on it), attend a luau while you're there and then catch the sunrise from the top of a volcano.
A perfect book for your next poolside afternoon or trip out of town! Bravo, Carla—so proud of you for persevering and seeing your publishing dreams come true!
July 26, 2024
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blue Hawaiian
Carla Luna
Romance
Not sure why this series is not talked about more! I was feeling a reading slump coming on and this was the perfect fix for it. Jess is the maid of honor in her sister’s wedding. A week long trip in Maui pre wedding with the entire wedding party is supposed to be fun but not really when she has to be the perfect bridesmaid for her sister. Connor is her ex boyfriend. He is also one of the groomsman and she runs into him first thing upon arriving in Maui. What starts with sharing a ride to the hotel, and ends with them occupying hotel rooms that are next to each other… it seems her plans to steer clear of Connor are not really working out. This book was funny, fast paced, and had a dash of spice. I love reading books based in Hawaii since I live here myself. I found myself laughing most o( the time while I was reading. I really enjoyed all of these characters and I’m stoked there are two more books in this series! Hoping to meet Carla at Steamy Lit next week!
Blue Hawaiian
Carla Luna
Romance
Not sure why this series is not talked about more! I was feeling a reading slump coming on and this was the perfect fix for it. Jess is the maid of honor in her sister’s wedding. A week long trip in Maui pre wedding with the entire wedding party is supposed to be fun but not really when she has to be the perfect bridesmaid for her sister. Connor is her ex boyfriend. He is also one of the groomsman and she runs into him first thing upon arriving in Maui. What starts with sharing a ride to the hotel, and ends with them occupying hotel rooms that are next to each other… it seems her plans to steer clear of Connor are not really working out. This book was funny, fast paced, and had a dash of spice. I love reading books based in Hawaii since I live here myself. I found myself laughing most o( the time while I was reading. I really enjoyed all of these characters and I’m stoked there are two more books in this series! Hoping to meet Carla at Steamy Lit next week!
June 19, 2021
I loved this book so much! I wondered as I read, without paying attention to what series number it was, if there were more before it. Like maybe Jess’s sister Gabi, whose wedding is the setting for this story. But alas, this seems to be the author’s first book. But I can tell you that it will not be the last book I want to read from her! The banter was so good in this. All the things that happened to the characters, and all the great development of each of the main characters as well as the side characters, left me completely satisfied with the story, but also wanting more!
The setting of Hawaii for the wedding was a fun one. Now I’d just finished another book before this one that also took place in a tropical setting, so once in awhile my brain would mix up some details, but it didn’t matter, because this book stood out on its own. I loved how Jess dealt with the things in her life. It was so real. Trying not to do anything to take attention away from her sister on her big day, but also feeling like she rarely got any attention that her sister was the golden child. I feel that way myself sometimes. And Connor, I did adore Connor. While I feel like he might have overreacted a bit at the little revelation that Brody let loose at the end, I can understand.
I like how even when our characters got their HEA, it didn’t come all perfectly wrapped up neat with a bow. There were still obstacles and it wasn’t sudden or immediate. It was all perfect though! Seriously, I really loved this book and can’t wait for the next one! I think the little extra at the end said it was Brody’s story. I didn’t read the preview, because I’ll just wait to read it all when it is available. I really never read the previews, because I just want the whole thing!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
The setting of Hawaii for the wedding was a fun one. Now I’d just finished another book before this one that also took place in a tropical setting, so once in awhile my brain would mix up some details, but it didn’t matter, because this book stood out on its own. I loved how Jess dealt with the things in her life. It was so real. Trying not to do anything to take attention away from her sister on her big day, but also feeling like she rarely got any attention that her sister was the golden child. I feel that way myself sometimes. And Connor, I did adore Connor. While I feel like he might have overreacted a bit at the little revelation that Brody let loose at the end, I can understand.
I like how even when our characters got their HEA, it didn’t come all perfectly wrapped up neat with a bow. There were still obstacles and it wasn’t sudden or immediate. It was all perfect though! Seriously, I really loved this book and can’t wait for the next one! I think the little extra at the end said it was Brody’s story. I didn’t read the preview, because I’ll just wait to read it all when it is available. I really never read the previews, because I just want the whole thing!
Review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.
March 13, 2024
I don't leave written reviews on books often, but I have strong feelings about this one. Spoilers ahead.
I'll start off by saying I did actually enjoy this book. I found myself wanting to stay up late to read it, which is always a good sign for me. However, I was deeply bothered by the lack of resolution between Gabi and Jess in the end.
Gabi was so unjustified in trying to control Jess' actions on the trip. She didn't want her to drink, be with Connor, or cause any other "drama," but she constantly put her in situations where those things could happen. Gabi made it so that Jess couldn't talk about her feelings, job issues, or anything else by demanding she not make the weekend about her. It's Gabi's wedding, sure, but she created the problems here by forcing Jess into silence.
And in the end, she didn't apologize for any of that. Even though the sisters did fight and makeup, they never discussed this specific issue. I'm not sure if the author did this intentionally, but it kind of killed the end of the book for me. I kept waiting for Jess to call Gabi out or for Gabi to offer an apology, so when it never came, I was deeply unsatisfied.
Jess is an adult. She did not have to feel guilty about anything, and Gabi shouldn't have put her in that position - or at the very least, she should have apologized.
Anyways, rant over. It was a cute quick book that felt pretty similar to the recently released rom-com "Anyone But You." 3/5 stars
I'll start off by saying I did actually enjoy this book. I found myself wanting to stay up late to read it, which is always a good sign for me. However, I was deeply bothered by the lack of resolution between Gabi and Jess in the end.
Gabi was so unjustified in trying to control Jess' actions on the trip. She didn't want her to drink, be with Connor, or cause any other "drama," but she constantly put her in situations where those things could happen. Gabi made it so that Jess couldn't talk about her feelings, job issues, or anything else by demanding she not make the weekend about her. It's Gabi's wedding, sure, but she created the problems here by forcing Jess into silence.
And in the end, she didn't apologize for any of that. Even though the sisters did fight and makeup, they never discussed this specific issue. I'm not sure if the author did this intentionally, but it kind of killed the end of the book for me. I kept waiting for Jess to call Gabi out or for Gabi to offer an apology, so when it never came, I was deeply unsatisfied.
Jess is an adult. She did not have to feel guilty about anything, and Gabi shouldn't have put her in that position - or at the very least, she should have apologized.
Anyways, rant over. It was a cute quick book that felt pretty similar to the recently released rom-com "Anyone But You." 3/5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2021
Thanks so much to the author, publisher and Rachel’s
Random Resources for the ARC of this book.
I was actually so pleasantly surprised by this book and I ended up reading it in one day and really enjoyed it.
It also probably helped that I was sat in the sun all day reading about a romance in Hawaii. It’s the perfect summertime read!
Pros:
1) super sweet romance
2) I liked the book got straight into the story
3) felt even though there was definitely times it lacked, there was a lot of great communication examples in this book
4) super quick read, and not super long
5) a little steamy whilst still being modest about it and it fit the story well
6) shows it’s okay when life isn’t perfect and that was nice to read about
7) all the food sounded AMAZING (do not read without snacks or on an empty stomach 😂)
Cons:
1) I really did not like Gabi’s character (the MC’s sister) and felt she had not done enough to redeem herself by the end
2) there were a few contradictory lines but mostly minor
Steam rating: 15 uk movie rating
TWs:
Infidelity
Random Resources for the ARC of this book.
I was actually so pleasantly surprised by this book and I ended up reading it in one day and really enjoyed it.
It also probably helped that I was sat in the sun all day reading about a romance in Hawaii. It’s the perfect summertime read!
Pros:
1) super sweet romance
2) I liked the book got straight into the story
3) felt even though there was definitely times it lacked, there was a lot of great communication examples in this book
4) super quick read, and not super long
5) a little steamy whilst still being modest about it and it fit the story well
6) shows it’s okay when life isn’t perfect and that was nice to read about
7) all the food sounded AMAZING (do not read without snacks or on an empty stomach 😂)
Cons:
1) I really did not like Gabi’s character (the MC’s sister) and felt she had not done enough to redeem herself by the end
2) there were a few contradictory lines but mostly minor
Steam rating: 15 uk movie rating
TWs:
Infidelity
July 3, 2023
2.5⭐️
April 27, 2024
such a cute summer romance, kann man bestimmt richtig schön im urlaub lesen ☀️🏝️
July 21, 2022
Kick off your summer reading with Blue Hawaiian by Carla Luna.
Spending time in Maui, Hawaii with Jess and Connor in Blue Hawaiian has been one of my best book vacations. What a treat! This book is a delightful rom com with lots of laughter, sexy romps, and plenty of Hawaiian sunshine.
It’s a reader’s tropical paradise. I received an arc for an honest review, and I can’t stop thinking about palm trees, beaches, and romantic ocean views. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series because Jess and Connor had me cheering them on from the first page.
Jessica Chavez is determined to be the perfect maid of honor for her sister Gabi. But as soon as she sees the groom’s cousin, Connor Blackwood at the Maui airport, her resolve gets tripped up.
Since their last and disastrous encounter five years earlier, Jess and Connor have nothing to talk about and Jess would like to keep her broken heart in the past and away from Connor. He doesn’t need to crush it again. Except now they’ll have to navigate around one another at a destination wedding on an island in the Pacific Ocean. How hard can it be? There’s a lot to do in Hawaii. And this time, Jess and Connor are older and wiser. They’ve grown up. So, bring on the tropical cocktails, sunset cruises, extravagant wedding activities and beach parties. They can handle it.
Sort of. Maybe?
I couldn’t put my copy of Blue Hawaiian down. Jess and Connor are so engaging as they discover the depth of their friendship, learn the power of family, and find the strength of love.
Grab this book on June 15th and treat yourself to a great summer read!
Spending time in Maui, Hawaii with Jess and Connor in Blue Hawaiian has been one of my best book vacations. What a treat! This book is a delightful rom com with lots of laughter, sexy romps, and plenty of Hawaiian sunshine.
It’s a reader’s tropical paradise. I received an arc for an honest review, and I can’t stop thinking about palm trees, beaches, and romantic ocean views. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series because Jess and Connor had me cheering them on from the first page.
Jessica Chavez is determined to be the perfect maid of honor for her sister Gabi. But as soon as she sees the groom’s cousin, Connor Blackwood at the Maui airport, her resolve gets tripped up.
Since their last and disastrous encounter five years earlier, Jess and Connor have nothing to talk about and Jess would like to keep her broken heart in the past and away from Connor. He doesn’t need to crush it again. Except now they’ll have to navigate around one another at a destination wedding on an island in the Pacific Ocean. How hard can it be? There’s a lot to do in Hawaii. And this time, Jess and Connor are older and wiser. They’ve grown up. So, bring on the tropical cocktails, sunset cruises, extravagant wedding activities and beach parties. They can handle it.
Sort of. Maybe?
I couldn’t put my copy of Blue Hawaiian down. Jess and Connor are so engaging as they discover the depth of their friendship, learn the power of family, and find the strength of love.
Grab this book on June 15th and treat yourself to a great summer read!
May 3, 2021
Carla Luna’s Blue Hawaiian is the first in what will undoubtedly be my latest favorite contemporary romance series. Story Summary: Connor Blackwood was Jessica Chavez’s first love, but he broke her heart when she was only eighteen. Five years later, Jess and Connor are thrown together as part of a destination wedding party. Connor is still devastatingly handsome, and Jess is completely over him, sort of. But have they both matured enough to handle a brief, no strings, tropical romance? The next six days of wedding chaos could prove to be a romantic paradise, a smorgasbord of steamy encounters, a volcanic family disaster, or all of the above. I love Carla Luna’s characters. They are drawn to perfection. We know these people. We have spent time in their shoes. They make us laugh and cry. And I’m so happy I will meet them again in future novels. Put this one on the top of your To-Be-Read pile. I received an advance readers copy but I'm going to buy this one for my shelf when is it released June 15th.
July 16, 2023
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, hear me out.
This isn't by any means the most ground breaking romance novel, but it was just what I needed, right when I needed it. It's super cute, and summer is the PERFECT time to be reading it. The tropical island setting was so much fun and every time food was described in this book I wanted to be eating it. All of the delicious fruit, please. The writing was really good too, up to par with all my favourite romance authors, which is always hit and miss when I find things on Kindle.
Ultimately, if you like contemporary romance, I totally recommend. I got this one for free on Stuff Your Kindle day but I'll 100% be buying the rest of the books by this author.
Okay, hear me out.
This isn't by any means the most ground breaking romance novel, but it was just what I needed, right when I needed it. It's super cute, and summer is the PERFECT time to be reading it. The tropical island setting was so much fun and every time food was described in this book I wanted to be eating it. All of the delicious fruit, please. The writing was really good too, up to par with all my favourite romance authors, which is always hit and miss when I find things on Kindle.
Ultimately, if you like contemporary romance, I totally recommend. I got this one for free on Stuff Your Kindle day but I'll 100% be buying the rest of the books by this author.
July 11, 2023
Oouf, this was bad.
Generic plot, 2D characters, forced chemistry, and don’t get me started on the sex scenes and dirty talk *cringe*.
Generic plot, 2D characters, forced chemistry, and don’t get me started on the sex scenes and dirty talk *cringe*.
October 10, 2023
I’m going to be nice and give it a 2.5 but those sex scenes were 😖 “her folds”… I can’t.
August 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is a good romance to read during the summer. Easy to follow.
It’s about Jess and Connor. Jess recently lost her boyfriend, apartment and job in Chicago and therefore must go back to live with her mother. Connor comes from a wealthy family who owns wine cellars. But he wants to start his own winery and therefore has is in the middle of a falling out with his father.
The story takes place in Maui, where they have a wedding of Jess’ sister and Connor’s cousin.
They share a long history of childhood memories. They all share these memories actually, as they went to Big Bear every summer.
Jess and Connor had a fling 5 years prior the wedding. But it ended heartbreakingly and they had no contact or whatsoever for those past 5 years, until the wedding.
They cannot avoid one another, as they are both very involved in the wedding and they help each other out as a lot of things go wrong with the preparation of the wedding.
One thing leads to another and they make a pact to just mess around, no strings attached, for the entire time they are on Maui. No feelings, just sex.
Obviously, there are feelings.
I liked the story and the setting. The place the story takes place, the wedding, the family drama, the romance etc. But I just got really annoyed with some of the characters, mainly the sisters. They really are kind of winey instead of just talking about things and taking a deep breath. Gabi for example, just blames everything on everyone else, while she isn’t even a good human being herself. This could be due to the wedding stress, but come on. She was just acting a bit horrible to Jess and the (pregnant?!?!?) bridesmaid
Again, if you’re looking for a quick summer romance, read this book (or the series :))
This is a good romance to read during the summer. Easy to follow.
It’s about Jess and Connor. Jess recently lost her boyfriend, apartment and job in Chicago and therefore must go back to live with her mother. Connor comes from a wealthy family who owns wine cellars. But he wants to start his own winery and therefore has is in the middle of a falling out with his father.
The story takes place in Maui, where they have a wedding of Jess’ sister and Connor’s cousin.
They share a long history of childhood memories. They all share these memories actually, as they went to Big Bear every summer.
Jess and Connor had a fling 5 years prior the wedding. But it ended heartbreakingly and they had no contact or whatsoever for those past 5 years, until the wedding.
They cannot avoid one another, as they are both very involved in the wedding and they help each other out as a lot of things go wrong with the preparation of the wedding.
One thing leads to another and they make a pact to just mess around, no strings attached, for the entire time they are on Maui. No feelings, just sex.
Obviously, there are feelings.
I liked the story and the setting. The place the story takes place, the wedding, the family drama, the romance etc. But I just got really annoyed with some of the characters, mainly the sisters. They really are kind of winey instead of just talking about things and taking a deep breath. Gabi for example, just blames everything on everyone else, while she isn’t even a good human being herself. This could be due to the wedding stress, but come on. She was just acting a bit horrible to Jess and the (pregnant?!?!?) bridesmaid
Again, if you’re looking for a quick summer romance, read this book (or the series :))
October 8, 2022
If you want a delightfully spicy book that will surprise you, this is the one to read!
I received a free copy during some promotion on Kindle and just figured this would be the next run of the mill rom com wedding romance in Hawaii. Boy, was I wrong! And happily so!
The characters were so interesting and intricate. Each one felt real and thought out, and every move they made felt real and honest to that character. Everyone from the main characters of Jess and Connor, to Brody, Gabi, Marc, and even Mrs. Chavez, were unique. And had their own way of thinking and talking and even walking.
The theme of perfection not being possible, and your imperfections making you perfect to your partner was so relatable (as was Jess and Connor's feelings of being the lesser sibling or not living up to familial expectations). The theme didn't hit you over the head too hard, nor did it feel unoriginal. Almost everyone I know feels like they have to put all this pressure on themselves to be "perfect." Whatever that means. And the way the author sprinkled it within a wedding was amazing.
I also loved that Gabi had her destination wedding dream even though her family didn't all approve. The wedding is for the people getting married to do whatever their wishes are. Everyone else can choose what they want for their own weddings. Don't make the couple upset by their choices.
I received a free copy during some promotion on Kindle and just figured this would be the next run of the mill rom com wedding romance in Hawaii. Boy, was I wrong! And happily so!
The characters were so interesting and intricate. Each one felt real and thought out, and every move they made felt real and honest to that character. Everyone from the main characters of Jess and Connor, to Brody, Gabi, Marc, and even Mrs. Chavez, were unique. And had their own way of thinking and talking and even walking.
The theme of perfection not being possible, and your imperfections making you perfect to your partner was so relatable (as was Jess and Connor's feelings of being the lesser sibling or not living up to familial expectations). The theme didn't hit you over the head too hard, nor did it feel unoriginal. Almost everyone I know feels like they have to put all this pressure on themselves to be "perfect." Whatever that means. And the way the author sprinkled it within a wedding was amazing.
I also loved that Gabi had her destination wedding dream even though her family didn't all approve. The wedding is for the people getting married to do whatever their wishes are. Everyone else can choose what they want for their own weddings. Don't make the couple upset by their choices.
October 2, 2023
I normally am ok reading a typical romance. Especially when the characters have great dialogue and fantastic chemistry. But this didn't have those details and it was just too one dimensional.
Jess is in Hawaii acting as the Maid of Honor for her sister Gabby. She is a fill-in because the true MOH couldn't make it. Which immediately goes to show that Gabby is exactly what you would expect from a secondary character/bride in a romance novel- a narcissistic perfectionist - since she couldn't even allow her mistake-laden sister to take on the role. And if you didn't guess that from reading this, then you will right from the start of the story. Gabby, however, is the only character with any range. Luna can definitely write a character that you just absolutely can't stand and she literally made me cringe.
Connor is the man from Jess' history, who just so happens to be a guest at the wedding as well. They have a nasty past and they have to figure out how to be together in the same room. The whole story is whether they can push past their awkwardness and finally admit their true feelings for each other. Too predictable for my tastes and not enough side stories to help boost it.
Jess is in Hawaii acting as the Maid of Honor for her sister Gabby. She is a fill-in because the true MOH couldn't make it. Which immediately goes to show that Gabby is exactly what you would expect from a secondary character/bride in a romance novel- a narcissistic perfectionist - since she couldn't even allow her mistake-laden sister to take on the role. And if you didn't guess that from reading this, then you will right from the start of the story. Gabby, however, is the only character with any range. Luna can definitely write a character that you just absolutely can't stand and she literally made me cringe.
Connor is the man from Jess' history, who just so happens to be a guest at the wedding as well. They have a nasty past and they have to figure out how to be together in the same room. The whole story is whether they can push past their awkwardness and finally admit their true feelings for each other. Too predictable for my tastes and not enough side stories to help boost it.
July 13, 2023
Blue Hawaiian je taká únikovka na Havaj na svadbu sestry hlavnej postavy. Sledujeme nedokonalú Jess, ktorá túži splniť očakávania iných a tají rodine svoje životné patálie. Na Havaj letí aj jej bývalá detská láska Connor, s ktorým mala románik, lenže to obaja nezvládli a skončilo to nepekným rozchodom. Tentoraz zasa na seba natrafia a dopadne to veľmi prívetivo, aj keď vybudovať dôveru nanovo nie je jednoduché.
Bol to taký lepší priemer, pomerne dosť postáv, ktoré autorka aj zvládla, no celkovo ma veľmi dlho štvala panovačná sestra Gabi, ktorá musela mať svoju dokonalú premotivovanú svadbu a ostatní len pri nej tíško trpeli.
Myšlienka knihy ale bola pekná - nové šance, nezvdať sa, dôverovať si, ospravedlniť sa, keď treba...
No na môj vkús málo Havaja, čo by som ocenila trošku viac.
Je to o niečo slabšie ako Spanish love deception, ale zasa o čosi lepšie než bežný romantický priemer. Dám si od autorky aj iné diely, zasa nie je to nezaujímavé :)
Bol to taký lepší priemer, pomerne dosť postáv, ktoré autorka aj zvládla, no celkovo ma veľmi dlho štvala panovačná sestra Gabi, ktorá musela mať svoju dokonalú premotivovanú svadbu a ostatní len pri nej tíško trpeli.
Myšlienka knihy ale bola pekná - nové šance, nezvdať sa, dôverovať si, ospravedlniť sa, keď treba...
No na môj vkús málo Havaja, čo by som ocenila trošku viac.
Je to o niečo slabšie ako Spanish love deception, ale zasa o čosi lepšie než bežný romantický priemer. Dám si od autorky aj iné diely, zasa nie je to nezaujímavé :)
December 15, 2023
A solid indie debut that sees two former flames forced to work together as they are both on the same island to help with a destination wedding. There are lots of wedding prep antics, family drama and steamy on page spice. I enjoyed this a lot especially on audio. Looking forward to reading more in this series!
October 5, 2023
Just what i needed. A light hearted read that was funny and just romantic enough. I will say, a lower rating due to lots of miscommunication, my least favorite trips but glad things ended the way they did.
April 25, 2024
So cute!!
June 17, 2021
I don’t read a lot of romance focused on the American market. Their tastes in love stories tend to towards the saccharine, which doesn’t always appeal to the more cynical British sensibilities, and I normally prefer something a little more realistic (I know some people will argue that UK-focused romance books are also unrealistic, that’s a debate for a different post!). However, Blue Hawaiian, is a different type of book, and one I enjoyed much more than the sugar-sweet options.
The story is told from the perspectives of two protagonists, Jess and Connor, who have known each other since they were children. The couple have a chequered romantic history, so being thrown together at a tense family wedding was always going to be stressful, never mind that they are both the black sheep of their respective families who have the burden of trying to show they are being responsible to their relatives for different reasons.
So far, so great. We have troubled romantic history, a wedding, family tensions and the beautiful setting of Hawaii to satisfy the armchair traveller in me. Jess and Connor are both young and attractive, and the sexual tension between them crackles off the page, so all the elements for a great romance are there.
The author has done a fantastic job in this book of drawing some wonderful characters. I absolutely loved Jess, who is ballsy and strong and independent, yet still riddled with flaws and doubts and behaves imperfectly. Connor is sexy and flawed, but fundamentally a good person, and they are obviously meant to be together, so watching them bumble about getting it wrong is frustrating and entertaining in the way all great romances are. I identified strongly with Jess’s stressed, perfectionist older sister Gabi, absolutely adored Brody, and thought the family relationships were drawn very honestly. The book had plenty of action and tension throughout, so it kept rolling along at an entertaining pace, with no flaccid periods.
The book is quite raunchy in places, so don’t be expecting a sweet romance and people who don’y like steamy scenes will need to avoid those. I personally enjoyed it and thought like it was an honest portrayal of how young people feel and behave. The whole book was a refreshing change for me, because it is obviously not a romance written by a British writer, but was not the overly-cute American love story that you often find. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Fresh, sparky and sexy, a very entertaining read.
The story is told from the perspectives of two protagonists, Jess and Connor, who have known each other since they were children. The couple have a chequered romantic history, so being thrown together at a tense family wedding was always going to be stressful, never mind that they are both the black sheep of their respective families who have the burden of trying to show they are being responsible to their relatives for different reasons.
So far, so great. We have troubled romantic history, a wedding, family tensions and the beautiful setting of Hawaii to satisfy the armchair traveller in me. Jess and Connor are both young and attractive, and the sexual tension between them crackles off the page, so all the elements for a great romance are there.
The author has done a fantastic job in this book of drawing some wonderful characters. I absolutely loved Jess, who is ballsy and strong and independent, yet still riddled with flaws and doubts and behaves imperfectly. Connor is sexy and flawed, but fundamentally a good person, and they are obviously meant to be together, so watching them bumble about getting it wrong is frustrating and entertaining in the way all great romances are. I identified strongly with Jess’s stressed, perfectionist older sister Gabi, absolutely adored Brody, and thought the family relationships were drawn very honestly. The book had plenty of action and tension throughout, so it kept rolling along at an entertaining pace, with no flaccid periods.
The book is quite raunchy in places, so don’t be expecting a sweet romance and people who don’y like steamy scenes will need to avoid those. I personally enjoyed it and thought like it was an honest portrayal of how young people feel and behave. The whole book was a refreshing change for me, because it is obviously not a romance written by a British writer, but was not the overly-cute American love story that you often find. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Fresh, sparky and sexy, a very entertaining read.
September 21, 2023
I am participating in the 23 for 23 challenge and while I knew I wouldn't have any problems finding diverse authors to complete this challenge, I wanted to make sure I was seeking out new to me authors. I had owned this one for a while, and thought what better time to get to it. I've seen this one described as having Unhoneymooer vibes, and I could see where they are coming from. I was pretty hooked on this one from the start, right away you can see that Jess is holding on to a grudge and some past hurt from Conner, but you could also very quickly see that she was still very drawn to him. And he was also still very drawn to her. They had such great and funny banter, their chemistry was amazing and I really enjoyed them together. The premise was so fun, I loved the meddling family, the setting and the wedding chaos all the drama. I loved that there was such character growth not only between the MC but also a few of the side characters (Jess' sister was a pill... and so many other people who doubted her). This book is the first in a series and I am really looking forward to finishing it soon.
June 12, 2021
At her sister’s destination wedding in Maui, Jessica Chavez hooks up with Connor Blackwood, the same man who broke her heart 5 years ago.
This beachside romance has plenty of humor and family drama. A self-described “second-string maid of honor,” Jessica feels like she can’t please of her sister Gabi, the bride-to-be. Gabi warns Jess to stay away from Connor and avoid ruining the wedding. But the temptation is too strong, and besides, Jess feels she can guard her heart now, and enjoy a sizzling, secret vacation fling.
Jessica is also hiding the fact that in the weeks prior to the wedding, she lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment. But as tensions simmer between the middle-class Chavez family and wealthy Blackwood family, Jessica’s plan to shield family members from her problems backfires spectacularly, distracting them from her sister’s wedding.
Carla Luna’s debut novel sparkles with humor and passion. It’s the first in the Blackwood Cellars series—I can’t wait to read more!
This beachside romance has plenty of humor and family drama. A self-described “second-string maid of honor,” Jessica feels like she can’t please of her sister Gabi, the bride-to-be. Gabi warns Jess to stay away from Connor and avoid ruining the wedding. But the temptation is too strong, and besides, Jess feels she can guard her heart now, and enjoy a sizzling, secret vacation fling.
Jessica is also hiding the fact that in the weeks prior to the wedding, she lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment. But as tensions simmer between the middle-class Chavez family and wealthy Blackwood family, Jessica’s plan to shield family members from her problems backfires spectacularly, distracting them from her sister’s wedding.
Carla Luna’s debut novel sparkles with humor and passion. It’s the first in the Blackwood Cellars series—I can’t wait to read more!
March 28, 2023
2.5⭐️ I wanted to like this book, but the FMC was a little annoying and she apologized too much. The sister was a bratty bridezilla and I could not stand the voice inflections for other characters. (I listened to the audiobook). Then the ending left me unsatisfied.
September 10, 2024
I stuck it out because the second book is on my fall tbr, but to be honest, I’m not sure I’ll even read book two.
Blue Hawaiian was very interesting. Unlikeable characters that never changed, immature “adult” characters, and honestly very cringey attempts at making this book spicy. If I have to read another mention of Jess just really wanting a “quick romp” I’ll probably expire.
I probably should have dnfed.
Blue Hawaiian was very interesting. Unlikeable characters that never changed, immature “adult” characters, and honestly very cringey attempts at making this book spicy. If I have to read another mention of Jess just really wanting a “quick romp” I’ll probably expire.
I probably should have dnfed.
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