Enjoyable read! This book was a lot of fun. Hazel's quirky nature and Josh's calm, sweetness were a great match. It's pretty low conflict and there's a tropey twist near the end, but a fast, entertaining read overall.

On Monday I saw Christina Lauren post about this book on Instagram and asked if there were ARCs. That same day I requested it on Netgally, got the eARC, and then proceeded to stay up until 6 a.m. reading it. Yeah, it was that good. And I have a problem, but that’s neither here nor there.

Anyway, this novel is told in the dual POVs of Josh and Hazel, and I love them both but I might love Hazel just a tiny bit more. She was hilarious. I literally laugh out loud at so many points because of the things she did and said. I also shook my head a few times and said, “Oh Hazel,” but with the same kind of fondness Josh had for her. Hazel’s just the best.

Then we have Josh and my God he definitely tops the book boyfriend list. As Hazel likes to say he’s “the blueprint for Perfect.” First of all, I love that he’s Korean and that his culture was explored in this book. We got to see his Umma (mom) who was constantly cooking food for Josh and his sister, Emily, and then of course also Hazel, who’s also Emily’s best friend. (Side note: All the food descriptions made me hungry and want Korean BBQ) Christina Lauren did a good job exploring Josh’s culture and traditions and I loved getting to see that in this book.

Now, Josh and Hazel together. They were so cute and funny, and I loved that they spent the majority of this book setting each other up on pretty awful double blind dates. The number of times I wanted to jump into the book and yell at them, “Why are you wasting your time? The love of your life is right there!” was a lot. That said, I love a good slow burn and this book totally gave me that and while I always expect a happy ending from Christina Lauren this book still managed to surprise me.

Thus, I must highly recommend this book and I’m truly mad you have to wait until September to read it because ALL I WANT TO DO IS TALK ABOUT IT. Alas, that’s just how this goes. But preorder it so you can get it immediately and we can gush about Josh and Hazel as soon as the book comes out. K, thanks!

I LOVED this book! I love anything Christina Lauren writes. I laughed, I cried, my glasses steamed up! I would recommend this to friends, family and everyone else. I am such a Hazel!

Oh, I loved it!! Hazel was a fantastic character, and I didn't want to put the book down!! Christina Lauren are a great team!

LOVED IT (per Christina Lauren usual). Josh and Hazel's relationship tugged on my heart strings and had me reading at every possible minute until I finished this. They were lovable, funny and meant to be. Anxiously waiting for my next Christina Lauren book now....

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I think the authors did an awesome job creating a character that was unlike any other that I have known but also making her relatable, kind and completely one of a kind. I really like Josh I love the fact that he comes to love all of Hazel's eccentricities and differences. I also enjoyed the fact that Hazel completely loved who she was as a human. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was a cute, fun summer read. I loved Hazel! She’s likely one of my favorite book characters ever.

I liked this a lot! Contemporary romance is probably the genre I grade most harshly, and this book is really successful! The characters are fun and likable, the chemistry is real, but the obstacles keeping them apart don't feel excessively manufactured or unrealistic. I loved the conceit of two platonic friends setting each other up on blind double dates. Hazel was a little too manic-pixie-dream-girl for me at times but I liked some of the insight into that trope. The idea that calling her embarrassing Is the worst sin, because she likes herself - you can be embarrassed but she won't be and it's on you not on her, is really thoughtful. And I loved that Josh was a superhot Asian dude. I just saw a preview showing of the Crazy Rich Asians movie and superhot Asian dudes definitely exist and don't get much portrayal in mainstream romance, so I appreciated that.

Fantastic! Hazel is a lot to take. She is fun, quirky, a huge personality. Josh is definitely more reserved. They had several unfortunate encounters in college where Hazel definitely made an impression on Josh. Fast forward several years and they meet again at Hazel's best friend's and Josh's sister's house. Their budding friendship is laugh out loud funny.
Thoroughly enjoyable.

3.5 stars

Josh + Hazel’s Guide To Not Dating is a fun and entertaining read. Perfect for the beach. But I will be honest and say it didn’t WOW me.

Overall I truly enjoyed the storyline and the characters the authors gave us. I just thought the pace of the story was slightly on the slow side and there was an aspect of the storyline that I didn’t particularly like. I didn’t think it needed to be in the story. But I am sure I am in the minority here and many others will LOVE this book.

Josh + Hazel’s Guide To Not Dating is a standalone romantic comedy. It’s a friends to lovers story told in Dual POV.

What I absolutely LOVED about this book was the heroine Hazel. I love her name to start, but she was a fun and quirky heroine. She didn’t care what others thought of her and she didn’t believe in using a filter for what she had to say. I laughed out loud so many times all because of Hazel. Even though Josh was her complete opposite, I thought they were the perfect match. Josh was the stable to Hazel’s wild side.

Josh + Hazel’s story starts out in College where they met and Josh got to see Hazel’s quirky side. Hazel was smitten with Josh in College but since she was labeled undatable nothing ever came about it. Fast forward several years and they end up bumping into each other at Hazel’s friend Emily’s BBQ. Not knowing that Josh is Emily’s brother. What we get over the course of the rest of the book is the building of a beautiful and unexpected friendship that eventually turns into so much more.

If you are a fan of RomComs and friends to lovers stories, then you should pick this book up. I think many will enjoy this book.

4.25 stars

(loved it more than Roomies)

I truly enjoyed this book. Since the beginning of 2018 I have now read Christina Lauren's latest four book releases and I have honestly enjoyed them all. And after Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating the author couple is on my auto-buy list.

This book was wonderfully entertaining. Not a rom-com per se, but funny nevertheless. Hazel had me cracking up non-stop. Her incapability to filter her words and thoughts always resulted in lol moments. She definitely knew how to break the ice. Alone she was a lovable hazard, but Hazel combined with Josh - together they were BEAUTIFUL. Even though they were different, they somehow clicked. They made sense. And most of all there was nothing fake about Hazel and Josh. Their friendship and chemistry felt genuine.

I always say I love quirky characters the most. And Hazel confirmed that tenfold. There is NOTHING better than a story with a quirky and unique character that changes the status quo and delivers a unique and fresh personality that will stay with you for a long time.

Now Josh was the dependable one, and his quiet and solid personality was in an understated way decisively HOT. When he spoke I smiled. I don't know why, but the quite types are the ones that do it for me more than any other. And he got Hazel in a way only a few ever did. I should also mention that he made my heart go all soft and gooey - what can I say he was swoony. He also was of American-Korean decent and his family including his sister were incredibly lovable characters. Authentic Korean lifestyle and culture was weaved throughout the story, which delivered a rich and diverse background and added to the overall vibrant and entertaining story.

The story in it's entirety was fresh and wonderfully satisfying. At the end there was a side plot I wasn't all too enamored with and could have done without, but all in all I adored this book.

What a genuinely pleasant story about friends turned lovers! Hazel is by her own words, quirky, and Josh is much more reserved (though he doesn't hold back for long!) - but you put these two together and sparks are obvious. The two of them leading blind double dates were hilarious and great fodder for banter. The romance is nicely paced and well written. It's obvious from page one what the ending is going to be, but that doesn't make the journey any less exciting.

I've only read one YA novel by this author duo but I loved it so much and was very excited to receive this eARC. If their adult romances are as fun as this book, I really have to go back and read all their other titles.

Hazel is the definition of quirky, has no filter on her mouth and we can never guess what she will do when she gets drunk. This obviously puts a damper on her dating life because all guys seem to like her eccentricities initially but eventually want her to tame down. Despite seeming wild, she is actually a wonderful person, a true friend with a heart of gold and very strong in her convictions that she doesn't need to change herself for any man.

Josh is the calm to her storm, very put together, stable with a cool head, a traditional family man in every way. But he is also devastated after finding about his cheating ex-girlfriend and is low on confidence about putting himself out there and loving again.

I loved how Hazel just decided to force herself on Josh as his new friend to get him out of his post breakup funk. They form a tentative friendship which quickly turns into easy companionship due to their proximity as "temporary roommates". They also decide to set each other up because they can't date each other. Their double dates are hilarious, always ending in unexpected disasters but it's so obvious that their solid friendship is a strong foundation for something more. Their falling in love feels so inevitable because they are perfect for each other - she brings fun and light to his ordered life and he truly admires her, eccentricities and all.

The side characters are so wonderful and loving. Josh's sister Emily who also happens to be Hazel's best friend is a slightly pushy sibling but an excellent confidant to both, wanting best for them but never taking anyone's side. Her husband Dave is very funny and I loved the dinner parties and conversations at their house. Both Josh and Hazel's mothers are so adorable, just wanting their kids to settle down but also find someone truly worth their love. It was great to see such beautiful family dynamics.

The ending is actually quite predictable and I would have liked something a little different. But on the whole, this is a very entertaining rom-com with extrememly endearing characters who will make you laugh out loud many times. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read a feel good friends to lovers romance.

I review new books and authors not necessarily for their content but rather how their storytelling and popularity speaks to current pop culture trends. I have always been a fan of Christina Lauren's books as they have proven to elevate the romance genre. The romance novel is starting to break away from its former stigma and Christina Lauren is at the forefront of this change. I'm thrilled their recent book, Roomies, has been optioned and have no doubt Josh and Hazel with their ethnic inclusiveness will be appetizing to studios capitalizing on people's need to see more diverse stories, especially in romance, being told and brought to screen. Highly recommend this novel and their authors to any outlet interested in seeing how new romance is changing the game.

What a cute story. I loved how their romance developed. She was pretty funny! I liked both of the main characters. His mother was cute also!

Very good read! I definitely enjoyed this book! It was really funny!! It's Josh and Hazel book, hazel is best friends with Josh sister but she decides she wants to be best friends with Josh too! They hook each other up with a bunch of crazy dates with some of their acquaintances, that takes you on the ride of this book, and what a crazy ride! Hazel is so freaking funny and quirky some of the stuff she does and the stuff that comes out of her mouth is so funny!! I definitely enjoyed this light read! No major problems happen it's just a hot, crazy, funny enjoyable read! Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for sharing this book with me! It's well worth the read!

This book was so much fun it made me want to do cartwheels! Josh and Hazel are adorable and they have such a relaxed and fun friendship you can’t help but want them to get together while on all these horrible double dates. I started thinking they were subconsciously sabotaging each other by setting the other one up with someone not quite a good match for them. This was definitely a fun beach read and can’t wait to read it again!

OMG!! This story is fantastic. I loved everything about it. Hazel is Quirky AF, and I loved her for it. The awkward run-ins had me laughing out loud. This story is real, honest and did I mention freaking fantastic. I have a weakness for funny, playful banter and without a doubt Christina Lauren delivered. This is saying a lot, but it needs to be said, it's one of their BEST yet. There's a thing or two that people should be staying away from in reviews. I will end by saying that I loved it and highly recommend. I really can't wait to get my hands on the paperback copy. I love this cover so much.

**ARC received for an honest review**

Guys. Read this book.

<b>”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.”</b>

Hazel has a huge crush on Josh in college. She’s a spark plug, and he’s Mr Cool. Hazel does some embarrassing things in front of Josh that mostly guarantee she’s stuck in the friend-zone. When they bump into one another’s lives years later Josh is still Hazel’s ideal and Hazel is still Hazel. But maybe Josh needs a little more firecracker in his world.

This was a fun, funny, sweet, read-in-one-sitting book that had me smiling from page one. I couldn’t get enough of Hazel. I loved that Josh was calm and sexy (and Korean American!) Their friends. Their lives. Their easy friendship so clearly meant to be more. And I thoroughly enjoyed being along on their little journey.

I cannot recommend this enough as the perfect easy pick-me-up when every other book seems like crap.

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Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is pure romantic comedy genius!

I am a newbie still when it comes to reading Christina Lauren, in fact, I have only read one other book by the duo and that was Roomies. Roomies had some serious undertones throughout the story, but that is not what I got from Josh and Hazel.

(Side note, Josh and Michael from The Kiss Quotient, I am digging these Korean heroes!)

Hazel may have more wild quirks than any other heroine I have ever read and she fully one hundred percent owns her crazy and that is what I couldn't get enough of. I woman that owns who she is so powerful and is truly a force to be reckoned with. She is the yin to Michael's chill yang. They are the epitome of opposites attract, except they aren't dating.

I have gushed over fun and interesting dating concepts, but I think that Josh and Hazel 'not dating' has taken the cake. They go on the most fun blind double dates and I'm not going to lie... I kind of want to try this myself. I mean, what could go wrong?

A lot actually, read Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating and you can see for yourself just how wrong it could. You will laugh your butt off, want to bang heads together and then fan your face from the heat!

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating will be your go-to romantic comedy from here on out! It will be like an octopus and wind it's tentacles around your heart!