"The world seems full of men who are initially infatuated by our eccentricities, but who ultimately expect them to be temporary. These men eventually grow bewildered that we don't settle down into calm, potential-wifey girlfriends."

What a cute book! This is my third book by Christina Lauren and, wow, I really do like that duo. One of my favorite things about their books is their humor. I feel like I could be friends with them in real life because I love the banter and jokes they write. This book was fun to read and I read it SO quickly, so I can say I recommend this for sure.

This book stands out to me more than their other books because you can tell that they really, really tried to expand their stories by including more diversity. And I loved Josh, the love interest who is Korean American, and I really liked his sister and family. I say this every time I review a book that does this well, but I looooove when authors include families in romance. It makes me happy.

The heroine of the story, Hazel, is a blast. She is totally Jess from New Girl but, dare I say, better. She is weird and quirky and unapologetic about it. I found myself actually laughing out loud at her just, like, doing life and the things she says. She's really fun and full of heart and has way more energy than I'll ever have in my life and I adored her as a character. I aDORED her plotline of not changing who she is for a guy. It was really refreshing to see a character like her. You really don't get heroines like Hazel very often. Josh and Hazel balance out each other very well. When you put over-the-top Hazel and way more chill Josh together, it gets super adorable. If you're looking for a cute friends-to-lovers book, then you should probably pick this one because it's full of angst and has some pretty hot scenes, just saying.

While I did mostly enjoy the book, I found a certain plot point to be very... strange. I can't say anything specifically because of spoilers, but just know that that is part of the reason why I'm not rating this book higher. Because of this Choice they did in the book, everything after felt incredibly rushed and all of a sudden, the ending is here and you're like... wait, what?! I don't know. I just personally felt like all of that should have been more drawn out. Another thing that was a weird choice was actually including a homophobic slur in there, without really calling it out. The person who says it is making a point of someone else saying it and how they're uncool, but why did that character repeat it? It just rubbed me the wrong way. I didn't like seeing that word typed out. It was just pointless. I don't think Christina Lauren was really thinking that one through. Agh. Okay. Glad to get that out of the way.

All in all, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a lighthearted, entertaining read. Perfect for summer, especially.

Hazey Crazy. Every guy she has dated has so much fun with this vivacious, funny, endearing character until a few weeks in - when they are utterly exhausted by her antics and suddenly feel embarrassed by any unwarranted attention. Hazel is beautiful, sexy with a heart as big as Portland but she definitely beats to her own drum. And she is okay with that. Hazel happily teaches third grade and the kids are her salve to a world where many people just don’t get her. Her mom does. Her new friend Emily does. Emily and her husband Dave have a BBQ and Hazel bumps into Josh Im, the blueprint for Perfect. The guy was her TA in college but had never taken her seriously and seen her in some compromising situations. Seven years later, they are reunited. He is Emily’s brother and down in the dumps after a recent breakup. Hazel cannot resist the challenge to cheer Josh up and become his new best friend. They are complete opposites but somehow really get each other. Her playful personality is exactly what this serious guy needs to turn his life upside down. This adorable love story of friendship reminds us all that the key to real happiness is to always be true to yourself. Highly recommend this easy and enjoyable read, surely another bestseller from the wonderful writing duo Christina Lauren.

5 Stars - This is my favorite Christina Lauren book to date. I absolutely loved Hazel and Josh. Their friendship and later chemistry was so good. I loved that they were quirky, I loved their friend and family dynamics. I am so glad that this book features a POC as one of the main characters, and appreciated the depth that it added to this novel. I particularly loved Josh's family dynamics and how his heritage shaped his character. As always with their books I laughed out loud so many times, but I also was fairly emotional about it, which is rare for me with a romance. I loved the epilogue. I loved the whole thing. Highly recommend.

This story of an unlikely friendship grabbed my heart and I did not want it to end. . Josh is steady and reliable and Hazel is uniquely Hazel. Hazel meets Josh in college in very memorable fashion, In fact all the times they meet Hazel leaves an impression. They meet again years later and discover that Josh's sister is Hazel's close friend and colleague. Hazel is determined to become Josh's best friend and so they embark on a series of friendventures. A story of friendship and being true to yourself..

The writing duo that is Christina Lauren stands near the top of my list of favorite authors. They’re such a powerhouse of unstoppable success – every book consistently great. And Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating falls perfectly in line.

My one and only gripe, if you can even call it that, was Hazel. I really loved Hazel. She’s a non-traditional heroine with a lot of quirks and I loved that she was unapologetic about who she was. However, I did feel from time to time like they were trying too hard to make it clear just how “odd” she was. I’m just used to their characters feeling a bit more organic. But I wouldn’t even really consider this a detractor, per se. It was just something that I noticed.

But like I said, I loved Hazel. I love when a heroine is comfortable in her own skin and doesn’t doubt herself. I envy those traits myself. She knew that she was eccentric and wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but she was willing to be patient enough to find the people who she would be right for. Both in friendship and romantic relationships.

And then there’s Josh. Wonderful, kind, funny, sweet, sexy Josh. I love a good friends-to-lovers story, and this one was kind of the ultimate. They were best friends and I loved seeing them sort of fall in love with each other in that way that best friends do first. Friends are so special, especially those few that are once-in-a-lifetime kind of friendships, and so even getting to experience that with them was wonderful.

And then I did all kinds of swooning. I loved this book – it was sweet, cute, fun, and sexy. I definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a little joy, and of course recommend it to anyone who is already a Christina Lauren fan. There’s nuggets in there of all the things you come to love and expect out of a great Christina Lauren novel, and there’s some individual specialness to it as well. Definitely pick up this adorable book.

If I had known how much this book was going to make me smile, I’d have done some face exercises or something to prepare. Because, seriously – SO. MUCH. SMILING. My face hurts! In the VERY best way.

Even writing this review, I can’t seem to turn the wattage down on this grin. GAH! This book was freaking adorable. I loved every single minute and that is not an exaggeration. The romance here is perfection. It’s an effortless, slow-burning friends-to lovers story with the most easy to love hero and heroine I’ve read in a very long time.

I adored them. I can’t say enough good things about how their relationship evolved. I can’t even decide who I loved more. For most of the book it was Hazel. Hazel is my spirit animal. Quirky and weird in a way that caught me completely by surprise, it was impossible not to love her. I want a Hazel. I mean, if I’m being honest – I might (definitely) have a little (giant puppy dog) crush on her.

But then -- Josh. Lord. Josh was a fantastic hero in his own right. He was perfect complement to Hazel’s occasionally over-the-top personality. I had this fondness for him for most of the book that just exploded into this teary, breathless adoration by the very end. And now? I'm just completely crazy about both of them. One of my favorite book couples of 2018, easily.

Good gravy you guys. This is just so brilliantly written that my heart was on overdrive the whole way through. Josh and Hazel hit all of my sweet spots, dead on. It's sweet and sexy. I laughed out loud (a lot). My heart clenched and ached and burned while these two took their sweet time finding their way to each other. And…did I mention the smiling?

SO. MUCH. SMILING.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is easily one of my favorite reads this year. It didn’t shock me or pull me out of my comfort zone, but anything that makes me smile like this cannot be ignored as a top contender. This is a feel-good book from start to finish and so if giggles and heart eyeballs and that delicious “falling-in-love” feeling is what you’re after? Josh and Hazel are here for you. GET. THIS. BOOK.

Not what I was expecting from the author. I've read most of Christina's books. My library is likely to purchase a copy of this book.

4.5

It's been a while since I've read an adult romance, and this book showed me that I really need to do so more often. This was absolutely adorable! Our female protagonist, Hazel, is this eccentric, quirky girl that's worried no one will want to subscribe to her brand of weird for the longterm. Now hold on, if the idea of a ~quirky girl that's just too weird to love is a turn off due to the way this "trope" is often handled, a-la manic pixie dream girl/a guy "fixes" her kind of thing, be assured that this book doesn't go down that route at all. Hazel is different, yes, but she is so naturally and realistically different. She really reminded me SO much of Jess from New Girl (she's even from Oregon and a teacher!!) with a dash of Lorelai Gilmore. Her dialogue was genuinely funny, never cheesy or cringe-worthy, which is often how books written with this kind of character go down. Christina and Lauren did such a good job fleshing Hazel out and making her a real person.

Our other protagonist/main love interest, Josh, is the first character that I've read about in a while that really made me think, damn I want a boyfriend. He's so sweet and really approaches his relationship with Hazel thinking of what's best for her. He's also Korean, and there's a lot of discussion on his Korean culture. Obviously, I can't speak on whether it's good representation. It seemed to be from my very limited knowledge, but lookout for some own-voices reviews that will hopefully pop up and be able to speak on it! His relationship with Hazel, however, was just so wonderfully tender. You couldn't ask for a better love interest.

There are a few things that kept this from being a full five stars. They're mostly little things that might not even bother someone else. Two of them I can't talk about due to spoilers, but when you read this, you'll see there's a plot point that comes up at the end that I personally feel wasn't well explained and felt very sudden. It would of gone over better, I feel, if it happened earlier in the novel, just so that it could have been given more attention and not feel like it had been thrown in at the end.

The other thing is absolutely so minor it's almost silly to talk about, but the music lover in me just has to. At one point, the characters go to a music festival. From the way this reads, it doesn't sound like Christina and Lauren have been to a lot of these. The music festival starts at 10 am, a little early (most start at noon) but okay, sure. What was completely unrealistic to me was that METALLICA was the opening artist. What?! I don't know if there's some kooky music festival where something like this actually happens, but never, ever, ever would a band that is so obviously the biggest act listed not be the headliner, let alone the opening act at 10 am. Also, two of the characters "go down to the pit" to enjoy seeing Metallica. There isn't really a pit at music festivals, there's just this giant ass crowd, and unless you get there at the crack of dawn, if not the night before, to line up, you're not anywhere near what would be considered "the pit" at any concert. Ya girl has been to a music festival where Metallica was one of the headliners (shout out Lolla 2015) so I know what I'm talking about.

But like I said, that was an incredibly minor detail that wouldn't irk anyone besides music fanatics, so don't take my little ranty paragraph there too seriously.

Overall, this was refreshingly adorable and will probably end up as a favorite of the year!

I love Hazel! I love when the heroine of a story is different or quirky and unapologetic about it. Hazel and Josh had several non flattering run ins during college and then meet again several years later. The result is a tight friendship and many awkward double dates. This was a pretty quick read that kept my attention and kept me entertained! #JoshAndHazelsGuideToNotDating #NetGalley

This is my favorite guide to not dating written to date. It's laugh out loud funny great one liners but also talks Received this book from Netgalley. By far this is my favorite not dating guide to date. It's laugh out loud funny great one liners but also speaks of acceptance. Acceptance of different cultures, personalities and of self. It's written in the Christina Lauren style we all love and look forward to reading.

New favorite Christina Lauren book? YOU BET!

This story had me laughing one minute at the hysterical Hazel, always being so unpredictable, yet so addictive to witness. While the next minute, I was swooning for Josh & how caring & open his heart learns to be for this wildly beautiful Hazel.

It’s a story about best friends, yes. But it’s also a deeper story about being ok with who you are & surrounding yourself with good people that love every aspect of who you are, too.

In true CLo fashion, the steamy scenes are OFF THE THERMOMETER. This might just be the hottest book they’ve written yet. I love these characters & their story.

This was a sweet story about two best friends and their path to romance. The characters were easy to fall for, and their dynamic was so fun to read!

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating was phenomenal! I absolutely loved every hilarious, eccentric part of it!!

❝I swear my mouth and my brain are siblings who hate each other and give each other wedgies in the form of mortifying moments like this.❞


Josh and Hazel haven’t seen each other since college where it was one awkward encounter after another. The two weren’t exactly friends, I mean throwing up on someone’s shoes isn’t exactly a friendly maneuver. Now, years later, Hazel is a teacher at Josh’s sister’s school and is standing in her backyard. When Hazel’s apartment floods and she needs a place to stay, Josh’s sister volunteers his home. It’s only temporary and what could possibly go wrong?

When Josh breaks up with his long-time girlfriend, Hazel cannot stand watching him mope around his house. She’s on summer vacation and wants to have fun. When she challenges Josh to get back into the dating game he returns the challenge and the result is each other setting the other up on blind dates — terrible blind dates — double blind dates — but they are just roommates and there’s nothing between them…right?

You guys, Hazel is the best! She’s a fun, (and hilarious) carefree woman who loves herself and life. She isn’t willing to change who she is for anyone, including or especially a man. I love that these authors celebrated her eccentric behavior. Characters like Hazel are usually the “weird best friend” that no one wants to spend much time with or no one understands except the best friend. They aren’t main characters.

Josh was sexy, funny and charming. His quiet reserve was the perfect balance to the wild, quirky and funny Hazel. He was at times reticent and guarded, but when he loved, he loved without reservations. He was all in.

I can’t recommend this book enough! It was quirky, charming, sexy, funny, and so well written! Not only were there laugh-out-loud moments, there were moments that made me pause, and had my chin quivering. Seriously, if you’re looking for a feel good, laugh-out-loud book this summer, grab ‘Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren’!

I loved this one!
Fresh, fun, and yet, meaningful.
Such a different approach to friends to lovers, and it was perfect!

~4.5 stars~

This book was a delight to read. The two main characters, Hazel and Josh, are incredibly entertaining. I was so upset when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer last night--that is how hard it was to put this book down. It’s one of the most fun, light, cute reads I’ve read thus far in 2018. If you're a fan of humor, love, friendship, and fantastic characters then you should check out this book. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a rom-com in book form. Netflix needs to get on it and make this a movie because it would be a HUGE success.

Characters:
Hazel is by far the most original, unique, and authentic character I have ever come across. She is so authentically herself every single second of every day. I love how vibrant she is, you simply can’t resist falling in love with her. She was the perfect heroine. I aspire to be like her.

Josh is such a sweet guy. He definitely never expected to become friends with Hazel let alone best friends with her which is what makes this book so much fun. Josh thinks Hazel is a hot mess, which she definitely can be, but he soon learns that he actually likes how crazy she can be. Josh is the opposite of Hazel; he’s extremely organized, quiet, and guarded. So, you can only imagine how entertaining their encounters are with each other.

Plot:
Hazel has always seen Josh Im as the blueprint of a perfect specimen. So, naturally, she embarrasses herself in front of him several times in college to the point where he thinks she is crazy. Fast forward 7 years and these two meet again. But, this time Hazel is determined to make Josh her best friend.

After many many terrible double-blind dates, Hazel and Josh start to wonder if they like each other as more than friends. Josh is scared to open his heart up again while Hazel is scared of Josh realizing she is too much and embarrassing one day. Will they overcome their fears and profess their love? Will love conquer all? I don’t know ;) you’ll have to find out for yourself.

Overall:
This book was such a fun, summer read. I enjoyed every single second! I haven’t laughed this much while reading a book in a long time!! My only complaint would be the ending felt a tad rushed. I think there should have been one more chapter before the epilogue. I was honestly shocked when I finished the last chapter and flipped the page to see the word epilogue. Other than that, I adored this book and definitely definitely recommend it.

I fell in love with Christina Lauren's book Love and Other Words earlier this year. When I was approved for Netgalley, I inhaled it. I am at a point in my reading life where I want to read what I want when I want....and yesterday. I wanted to read Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating. I’m not sorry. I am sorry that I choose to finish it on a Tuesday night with work on Wednesday...but whatev.
I enjoyed this book. Hazel was fun and quirky. Josh was good-looking and serious. I adored them both. It wasn’t a shocking novel. It was a little steamy and lovely. Christina Lauren invents great characters....that's what stands out for me. They are an auto buy author and with JAHGTND....that remains the case.
I gave it four stars and highly recommend if you want a fun read. Do not read this book thinking it will be like Love and Other Words....it's not. But it is still delightful and a light romance read.

Christina Lauren know how to write the most amazing romances. They have depth, they're creative even when there are tropes, and without fail they make you swoon.

I love, love, love Hazel. She's incredibly relatable to me as a quite peculiar girl myself. Her peculiarness wasn't forced or unrealistic - she felt entirely authentic. And this story reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend once. I told her I was surprised a guy "tolerated" me because I'm so weird. And to that, she said, "for every weird gal there has to be a weird guy out there somewhere." Which is a sentiment I'd like to have cross stitched to hang above my (fictional) fireplace.

And it's sort of the basis of this story (minus the fact that Josh is not particularly weird). Hazel knew that she didn't want to change for anyone, and in the end, she found someone who didn't want her to change at all. If that's not true love than I don't know what is.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a pulse. It's Christina Lauren so, of course, it's one of my favorite books of the year.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this one. By far my favorite Christina Lauren book they've ever written. The only thing I didn't love was that it ended and its a stand alone book.

In exchange for an honest review I received an advanced reader copy of this book.

Very enjoyable. Fun story, loved the characters, loved the environments. Quirky people, lots of animals, Portland? Yes please. Sign me up for the sequel!

I also quite enjoyed that the book finished, and you knew what happened years later. Stand alone books, what a novel idea these days.

Definitely recommend to a friend for a fun and light read.

This was my first Christina Lauren book and I will absolutely read more. The characters were relatable and realistic. The plot was entertaining and the ending satisfying.