I've read several of Christina Lauren books and I can say with the utmost confidence that this is their best book to date. It's by far my favorite of theirs. There wasn't one thing I didn't love about it. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is the epitome of opposites attract. It's one of the best friends to lovers story I've ever read and I loved it so much!! I have no doubt it will be one of my favorite reads of 2018.

Hazel Bradford is a bit of a weirdo, and I mean that in the best way possible. She knows she can be a lot to take, she gets it. She's fun, loud, a little crazy and a lot of amazing. When she meets Josh Im in college, she's got a bit of a crush, but Josh seems to be right there in the middle of all her embarrassing moments. Josh is very much the opposite of Hazel. He's mellow, cool, calm, and collective.

Fast forward years after college and Hazel becomes besties with a girl named Emily. She soon finds out that Emily is Josh Im's sister. Josh and Hazel are back in each other's lives and Hazel is determined that they become best friends. Josh is at a place where he could use a best friend, so even as different as these two are, they end up spending all their free time together and this unlikely pair just clicks.

I loved reading about these two together. They were perfect. You could feel the attraction under the surface, the friendship, and the love. They had so many adventures and crazy (non)dates with others that just made me laugh out loud. I think what I loved the most is that Josh loved Hazel for who she was, crazy and all. He never wanted her to change or calm down, he just accepted her. It was a beautiful thing.

I laughed and smiled so much while reading this book and it gave me the best heartwarming feels. This story was everything. These types of books aren't usually my favorites, as I lean towards books that are more heavy and emotional, but this one hit the spot for me. It was exactly what I wanted and I loved every single second.

As you can probably tell from my raving review, I highly recommend this book. I could not have loved it more if I wanted to. Hazel and Josh were both such endearing and fantastic characters and I loved their connection and chemistry. If you're looking for a book that will give you a permanent smile, one that will make your heart so happy it could burst, and just a completely lovable friends to lovers book, pick this one up. You won't regret it!

Hazel is an off-the-wall uncensored 3rd grade teacher who re-connects with Josh at a BBQ given by her best friend. She and Josh agree to become best friends and find dates for each other. Many laughable moments, total enjoyable.

In JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING, Christina Lauren pairs a kooky, madcap heroine with no filter with a steadier, more reserved Korean-American dude. It excels as a friends-to-lovers romance, with Josh and Hazel going on a series of blind double dates that go from hilariously bad to worse.

I’d been waiting to see what Lauren would do with a Korean-American hero. While I wish they had made Josh the free spirit, it’s great to see a contemporary Asian guy treated as a thirst object. The details of his family life also ring true. (I’m half Japanese, not Korean, but there’s a lot that’s familiar, e.g. Asian-American moms bringing you food and farming off giant bags of rice on you.)

Then, there’s Hazel. I loved that she wasn’t going to change who she is for a guy. But even as Josh embraces her brand of crazy, I didn’t find it endearing. She moves through the world doing and saying more or less whatever she wants, assuming its lovable and that everything will work out for her, because apparently, it usually does. The twist, when it came toward the end, broke me.

As always, Christina Lauren delivers a fun, steamy read. I support and appreciate their efforts to bring greater inclusivity to romance. And while I didn’t love Hazel, I’ve already pre-ordered the book.

3.5 stars

“I’m an optimist; I always anticipated having a good life. But to have dreamed something like this would have felt enormously selfish.”
~Christina Lauren, Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

*I received this free ARC from NetGalley and Gallery books in exchage for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

I am OBSESSED with this book! I read it in one sitting last night and was laughing until I cried. Full of witty, smart humor and wonderful steamy moments, Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating has become one of my favorite books of the year!

Hazel is my spiritual animal. I’m not even kidding. She’s witty, fun, vivacious, quirky and she loves BIG. She’s exactly the type of person you would want as a best friend. And Josh. Oh, Josh. He’s so calm and steady, with a dry humor that’s addicting, and a heart of gold. I absolutely loved everything about their relationship: from their awkward start, to becoming best friends, and finally to falling in love.

This book is truly a joy to read. The plot was well paced and captivating, and you can’t help but fall in love with these characters. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud and fall in love...look no further than Josh and Hazel. Thank you, Christina Lauren, for another incredible book!

I'm still a Christina Lauren newbie, as in this is only my second book of theirs. And I'm absolutely smitten by this writing duo. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was so fun and unique. The plotline was that of your traditional friends to lovers story. BUT the uniqueness came in to play with the characters. Josh was a Korean American and Hazel was extremely eccentric. I just found these two so refreshing and fun. Their story is one I'll be recommending over and over!

I absolutely love Christina Lauren's witty writing style and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was just another wonderful example of this. It was great to see a female character like Hazel get such a hot looking guy.

I love friends to lovers romance and just loved the dynamic and relationship between Hazel and Josh.

Hazel and Josh knew each other in college, she always had a crush on him but they haven't seen each other in years until she realizes that he is the brother of one of her good friends.

Hazel is a quirky and funny no-filter kinda girl and I just loved her character. Josh is the complete opposite—a neat freak, laid back, more quiet to her loud.

When Josh finds out that his girlfriend of two years is cheating on him, Hazel plants herself into his life as his best friend and does everything in her power to make him smile, to enjoy life, to not think of his ex but to have fun. With this comes a friendship like no other... setting each other on blind dates and getting to know each other on a level that they never expected.

I loved watching them fall... complete opposites who are really so darn perfect for one another. This is the perfect summer read for readers who love a quirky strong heroine who doesn't change but remains true to herself and the guy who realizes what has been in front of him this entire time.

I wish we had more time with them together but I LOVED LOVED LOVED the epilogue and the perfect life they created together. <3

The writing duo of Christina Lauren always puts a smile on my face and I always look forward to what they have in store for us next!

Hazel Bradford is unique.  At least that is one way to put it.  Hazel is a lot to take in and frankly most men just don't know what to do with her bag of crazy.  If her mouth doesn't scare them off then her love of animals and crazy antics surely will.  But what they don't stick around to find out, is that Hazel is kind, caring and has a heart of gold.  So Hazel does what Hazel does best.......have fun.

Josh Im is Hazel's best friend Katie's brother.  Also as Hazel describes him to be, her college crush.  But as luck would have it in college, all he knows her as is the girl who threw up on his shoes at a party, caught having sex with his room-mate and the girl who wrote him an email while on painkillers.  Yep Crazy Hazel.  So when ten years later they bump into each other, Hazel is determined to make him her best friend.  

When Josh is in a slump after finding out his girlfriend has been cheating on him, Hazel is determined to get him off the couch and out of his sweats.

"If my life were a movie, I would (1) be much better grounded, and (2) co-star in a montage of scenes in which Josh sits on the couch in his sweatpants and I dance around in front of him trying to get him to laugh."

So Hazel comes up with a crazy scheme for her and Josh to go on a series of double dates.  Not to find a serious relationship, but to have fun. 

"Seriously.  No games, no expectations.  Double blind date.  Just for a laugh."

But what happens when it becomes more? 

This is the second book by this duo set of authors that I have read, and it did not disappoint.  This book didn't only have enjoyable characters, but it had a very fun and energetic story line.   This book was hard to put down.  With its uniqueness and originality, this book is sure to impress you. 

Josh and Hazel are perfect for each other, even if they claim disinterest.  Their friendship is an unusual one at that.  Their romance is the perfect blend of humor and hot steaminess.  Oh la la! Right!?   

I haven't laughed this hard reading a book in quite a while.  I was laughing from the very beginning of this book, all the way up to the end.  I absolutely loved this story.  If I could give this book  a 10 I would.  A fun read no doubt.  So if you are looking for some fun, then this book is for you.  Follow along on Josh and Hazel's dating disasters....I mean adventures.  I bet you will enjoy every last page.

*ARC provided by NetGalley & Gallery Books

This is the second book I have read by Christina Lauren. And I really enjoyed it. It was definitely one of those slow burn romances, which is probably one of my favorites. Hazel and Josh have known each other since college and become reacquainted a number of years later. Josh has just went through a bad break up and they begin setting each other up on double dates. And then you can only assume what happens next.

I found Hazel and Josh to be interesting characters. Hazel was quirky and funny, without being too over done. And of course Josh was more serious, with a dry sense of humor. I enjoyed Hazel’s antics and watching their relationship develop.

I read this book in one day and give it 4 stars!

I was given a copy of this this by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating was a perfect summer read! It was hilarious, touching and completely relatable with a good amount of sizzle. I want to be friends with a real-life Hazel and Josh is so much like my own husband (how lucky am I?). This is one I’ll read again for the humor, romantic tension and all the happy feels

I admit to being a bit wary going in, wondering how this would stack up against my last, beloved Christina Lauren read, Love & Other Words. While completely different, I loved both books equally!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

One of the things that captures a readers interest is something that this writing team does very well. They give you a true to life snapshot into their characters life.

What do I mean by true to life? They have the ability to write in such a manner as you can feel the uncomfortableness, the shy weirdness that people sometimes exhibit. The quirks and running off at the mouth that just tends to happen when you’re nervous.

All of this describes Hazel. With her fumbling, bumbling personality, it’s hard not to see yourself in her, just a little bit.

Then we have Josh. A solid upright low-key person who balances all of Hazel’s uniqueness. Together we get a humorous story of “friends” who set each other up on double dates because they’re just not right for each other. Until they are....

Christina Lauren’s foray into this young adult story is delightful read. They have the unique ability to create live-out-loud characters in Josh and Hazel that just endear themselves right to your soul.

Josh + Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is a funny, quirky, sexy book that you just have to experience. This is one story you will definitely fall in love with.

This book easily made me fall in love with it. I expected it to be cute from the cover but I fell hard and fast for Josh and Hazel.

Hazel and Josh met in college and 10 years later they meet again when She becoming best friends with his sister Emily. Hazel is very out there and says whatever she wants, while Josh is very reserved. We all know that opposites make the best lovers in books and this was no different.

Hazel stole my heart from the very beginning. This girl is a hot mess and is 100% unapologetically herself. I spent so much of this book laughing at her and what she would do or say. My favorite thing about her was that she never once apologized for being herself. I loved that about her!

Josh was adorable! Reading about Hazel getting him to let loose had me tapping on my Kindle so I could read more. He was a gentleman and seeing him fall for Hazel left me smiling like an idiot! Also, did I mention he was Korean American? It was great to see a bit of culture here.

These two together warmed my heart! I have never seen two people who belonged together not see what was right in front of their face. Also, that epilogue killed me, in a good way of course!

I loved this and I highly recommend reading this one!

I had a hard time finishing this book because I didn't like either of the main characters. Having said that, the plot was solid, the ending positive. But not my fav Christina Lauren by a long shot.

"Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating" by Christina Lauren
What a fun read ! I wasn't sure I should have accepted the ARC gift from the publisher.. but boy oh boy am I glad I did ! I had such a good read spending time with Josh and Hazel.. as they stumbled about like toddlers learning some truths about themselves and each other. Just to let you know there is some heat in this story... not too intense but if it is more than you care to read... you can easily skim over those few bits of prose. Can you tell that I found this a real page-turner? I hope you find this as fun to read as I did.

This is by far my favvvvvorite Christina Lauren book!!!! I think this is their best yet!!!! I Looove Josh and Hazel!

The quirkiness, fun, no apologies of her personality, take her as she is, sweet and loves to see the best in people. Her character is soooo loveable, she's perfect. She meets hot, blueprint for perfect Josh in college. Every meeting is awkward, embarrassing and Josh never really taking her seriously.

Seven years later, they meet again, and they are a work in progress to become best friends. Josh needs more fun in his life, and who else could show him the way, but Hazel. They set each other up on dates and go on double dates. I love the dual POVs . Josh accepting all of her for who she is, the progression of their friendship, their progression into their feelings for each other. I love the way Josh's sister and him argue over who Hazel's best friend is. I love that they love having her in their lives that they fight over her.

This is definitely one of my favorites in 2018!!! I've already reread it again!!!! Loovvved it!!!

This was a fun rom com book. The sex scenes were a little too detailed for me and made me roll my eyes but I LOVED Hazel! What a terrific character. She was so funny and I loved her style and personality. I enjoyed this book.

JANEANE

I have yet to meet a word of Christina Lauren's that I haven't adored - and this is still true after reading Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating.

It is a rom-com, but it isn't really a rom-com if that makes sense? It is so much more than that.

Josh and Hazel aren't even dating... each other. I did laugh at some of the "double blind dates" they set each other up on, though even as they are on dates with others, you could fell the attraction between our lovelies. You can't help but want - no need - them to be together.

No better way to start a romance than by being best friends, right?

I absolutely adored Hazel and all her quirks. My heart hurt for her as she feel her quirks are against her. Be yourself girl! Forget what anyone else says!

I gotta say, I think that Dave and Emily - Josh's sister and her hubby - were some of my favourite secondary characters I have read in a long time. I could picture them sitting on the sidelines, eating popcorn and watching Josh and Hazel dance around each other, knowing where things would end up.

This book was just cuteness personified. It was funny, it was sad, it was just lovely.

I can't wait for what this duo brings us next.

** WILL GO LIVE ON BLOG AND AMAZON AT RELEASE TIME **

A more feminist take on the manic pixie girl, Hazel owns who she is. Josh, the seemingly more brooding type, can certainly use a friend like Hazel after a relationship ends due to a cheating girlfriend.

I love me some stories with UST and this does not disappoint!

Expect a ton of fun banter and descriptions, laughs, silly scenarios and a smile on your face. I was a little annoyed at the last 10% of the book, but I think that was my personal bias.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2427885841?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

This book was an ARC I requested simply because I liked the set-up of a woman with no filter having an uptight male best friend. I was totally prepared to hate the female protagonist because she’s someone who gets drunk too often and says things even she knows she shouldn’t even when she’s not drunk. But I wanted to see how the author pulled it off. And she really does make it work, I think because she portrays a protagonist who has a huge heart and is completely herself and unwilling to let anyone change her. I’m so tired of reading women’s fiction about women who spend their lives counting calories, buying high heel shoes, and trying to please friends, family, and employers that Hazel is an entire hurricane of fresh air.
Hazel Bradford has known Josh Im since college, where she thought him a total hottie, then threw up on his shoes. His patience and understanding impressed her, even though there wasn’t any other connection. Some years later, they meet again through Hazel’s best friend, who turns out to be Josh’s sister. So Josh is pressed into service when Hazel needs help, and when Josh’s girlfriend turns out to be a real loser, Hazel decides to help him as a return favor. Because she has a heart as big as her mouth, Hazel refuses to let Josh hurt over someone who never deserved him, so she goads him into double-dating, with each of them picking dates for each other.
The results are often funny, poignant, and the relationship builds beautifully. Josh’s sensitivity is almost too much to believe, except he’s from a family that expects the oldest son to take care of his those he loves and has trained him to look after others. It may be a little over the top, but I enjoyed every moment that they tortured each other, then pulled together against the world. A keeper!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40189670-josh-and-hazel-s-guide-to-not-dating

I haven’t read many books by Christina Lauren, but this is my absolute favorite! I haven’t laughed this much while reading in a longtime.






Let me paint you a picture of these characters, Hazel: an extremely loving tornado with no filter. Josh: sexy AF, loving but very structured.



After Josh breaks up with his long-time girlfriend, Hazel can’t stand to see her roommate (roommate you ask? Why yes, you’d never guess how that happened) mope around being depressed all the time. She makes it her personal mission to set Josh up and this ladies and gentlemen is where the fun begins!





If you are looking for a fun and different friends-to --lovers book this is it!