I’ve been a fan of the Christina Lauren duo’s writing for many years and looked forward to reading their latest joint venture. It did not disappoint.
Carey is the assistant to Melissa, part of the celebrity home decorating couple who has risen to fame over the decade that Carey has worked for them. The job is not easy, particularly since Melissa’s fame has gone to her head. But the job is important to Carey for its health benefits - something she very much needs. James is an engineer who lost his previous job due to scandal. When he is hired to work with Rusty, the other member of the famous couple, he soon sees that his job isn’t what he felt it would be. He also sees how badly Carey is being treated. Carey and James begin working together to try and control the couple from publicity disaster, and develop a relationship along the way.
I enjoyed this book, and the moments of humour found in the authors’ work. Their writing style is always easy to read with great flow and character development. It simply is a joy to read. The book is perfect for those that love romantic comedies.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

I received an ARC through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 / 5 stars

Carey has worked for Melissa & Rusty Tripp for 10 long years. In that time, the Tripp's small store Comb + Honey has become a design powerhouse with TV shows, multiple stories, books, hungry paparazzi and more.

James has only worked for Melissa & Rusty for several months. A engineer shoehorned into the role of Rusty's assistant, James is using Comb + Honey as a stepping stone to a better job. Then Rusty is caught screwing another woman just days before going on the road to promote the Tripp's new book on marriage, and James and Carey are forced to come along and watch the Tripp's.

As the cracks in Melissa & Rusty's marriage continue to splinter and break, James and Carey are finding an attraction to each other building. This juxtaposition is quickly apparent to both couples.

This was not my favourite read from Christina Lauren. Melissa & Rusty's relationship and the attitudes they had were actually unpleasant to read. I quickly disliked Melissa and her manipulation. As for Rusty, I felt equal parts sadness, pity, and disgust.

Because so many of the scenes in the book include Melissa & Rusty, I didn't feel like I could get a proper read on James & Carey. Their relationship felt rushed and I didn't feel the connection between them.

I know Christina Lauren are good authors, so I will continue to read their books. Hopefully the next book will be a 5 star read for me.

Carey and James work for the Tripps (essentially a fictional version of Joanna and Chip Gains if their marriage was about to go off the rails behind the scenes). Carey and James are tasked with travelling with them on their book tour to try to keep the wheels on the bus from falling off very publicly. While the wheels on the bus are going round and round, Carey and James find themselves involved in more than just the Tripps’ romantic relationship.

This was my first @christinalauren and I had heard wonderful things about the authors before jumping in. My expectations were high. Sadly, I didn’t love it and can’t quite put my finger on why. Maybe I thought the romance would have more of a front-row seat instead of salted throughout. Maybe it’s because I felt that the romance part was somewhat rushed and wasn’t developed enough before the book was over. I’m still not sure.

Either way, it was still enjoyable and for a few hours I was able to think about something other than being isolated in the house with my three kids and husband (I should send @christinalauren an edible arrangement for that feat alone).

A great rom-com with some angst, sarcasm, and a heroine who is smitten by an engineer nerd. I love rom-com’s with nerds and if you do, too, you’d like this one.

This book is 10x lighter than a lot of the Christina Lauren books, which is fine coz we all need such nice stories.

Thanks to Netgalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.

The Good
-Carey’s backstory, how she ended up working for the Tripps and her actual job duties
-Really enjoyed the events that happened around 80%-90% of the book

The Not-So-Good
-Almost zero chemistry between Carey and James. They had some moments but not enough to make me feel convinced that they’re meant for each other
-Too focused on Melissa and Rusty Tripp which would have been fine if it’s their story but it’s not. So, it felt like everyone – Carey, James, Melissa, Rusty – are all main characters that are also side characters. That’s a confusing sentence and honestly, that’s how it felt like reading this book
-I love happy endings but this one has too much of a happy ending that didn’t really match up with the events that happened in the book
-The mystery. When it was revealed, all I had to say was: that’s it? You built it up and...that's it?

Overall

If you’ve never read a Christina Lauren book before, I strongly suggest you don’t start from this one. While they still managed to keep it light, fluffy, and easily likable, it was not as enjoyable as I expected it to be.

I can't see there ever being a day where I don't absolutely love a Christina Lauren book. The writing duo have such a way with words that you're instantly hooked and root for the characters.

With that being said, I do think that the relationship between Carey and Josh developed way too quickly. It was nice that both of the characters acknowledged that it was rushed, but I still would have liked more build up.

I also wish there was a bit more backstory to Josh. We don't ever really learn much about him.

Some of the scenes jumped ahead without a smooth transition, and I wish we had seen more of Melly and Rusty at the end.

The interview inserts added a touch of mystery to the story and definitely kept me wanting to find out more.

Overall, this was another fantastic story from my favourite writing duo and I can't wait to see what they come out with next!

During these uncertain times where it feels like a total apocalypse is taking place, I appreciated the positive vibes that Christina Lauren (by the way, that’s two authors’ names amalgamated to make one. I had no idea!) so skillfully generates.

However, I would like to add that, recently having read the Unhoneymooners, my expectations were high, and this book just wasn’t as good. The main reason I felt this way was that the humor I enjoyed in the Unhoneymooners was completely missing from the Honey Don’t List. The male protagonist, James, didn’t do it for me. I was waiting for him to win me over with his corny jokes and lighten up Carey’s serious, constantly focused attitude, but it never happened.

It was a good story overall, with what seems like the usual Christina Lauren theme of finding love in an expected place, but I definitely wasn’t cheering for them to be together. I still think it’s an enjoyable read for fans of these writers. If you’ve been reading along so far, you don’t want to skip this one. It comes out March 24th, 2020. Thanks to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have very mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I enjoyed it. I really liked Carey and reading about her struggles of trying to reach for the top when she doesn't have the conventional credentials to do so. James was alright. I liked the nerdy and soft side of him, but at the same time he felt a little...boring. I also liked the drama that came with the Tripps and the craziness that ensued, until it got to be too much. I must say that I really did not like the Tripps. Melly was toxic and Rusty was awful. That being said, the romance was lacking for this to be a romcom. The building of the relationship was minimal and the tension was light. There wasn't a moment where I was super excited for them to be together. I just felt very distant from their whole relationship. I wasn't fully buying it. The miscommunication comes again to ruin things and I had to hold in several eye rolls. And the Tripp drama overshadowed almost everything and there was no satisfactory resolution for that.

It was funny, but I was always too far away to truly like it. Not a bad read, just not exciting enough for me.

Yet another fabulous read by the AMAZING Christina Lauren! These ladies are a no think, one click for me and this books is no different. A wonderful story about Carey dealing with real life problems. Not all pretty and not all solvable. But I loved being a part of her world for a little while and seeing her navigate her life, waking up and taking control.....and who wouldn't fall in love with James. And Rusty a little too. I would love to see where they all are in 5 or 10 years!

“James McCann: assistant, engineer, and infatuated boyfriend, at your service.”

And James is in fact, delicious. As is this book. I was drawn to the idea of two people working behind the scenes of a home improvement show (still miss Income Property) and I really enjoyed Christina Lauren's last book, Twice in a Blue Moon so I asked for an ARC. (Thank you, NetGalley!) Really glad I did.

Not only are our H/h really interesting people who need to overcome their prejudices and first impression of each other, but the couple they work for are also fascinating characters I was just as interested in. Their tensions drive the action and watching their lives spiral out of control while our couple try to keep it together was a lot of fun.

The heroine, Carey Duncan, is someone you can't help but root for. She has a lot on her plate and as it all gets revealed I found myself wanting to take care of her as much as James did. The narrative switches between each of them in first person and as I love first-person narration, it really made the book work for me.

What I enjoyed the most was the setup of the book. It opens with a police transcript in which our hero is questioned about an event that we don't see until near the end of the book. Every once and a while the police transcripts show up, heightening the big climax. It felt like a wonderful. piece of stagecraft to me. The humour sprinkled throughout also made this a fast and delightful read.

I would have liked an epilogue to find out what career decisions the two of them made but it wasn't enough to dampen my love of the book. If you love a well-written contemporary romance with great character arcs, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Three and a half stars. I love Christina Lauren books but this one didn't hit the nail on the head for me. This book was lacking the continuous spark that I always feel when I read their books. I found that the back and forth between everything going on and the night of the issue with the house which lands them at the police station was confusing.
I also feel that it focused too much on Melissa and Rustys relationship drama and over all drama from them.I

The romance between Carey and James was a slow burn which I am ok with, but should have had more time spent on it.
I did love when James "let down his wall" and started to let Carey in more.For 2 characters that were to be the main ones,it felt like they didn't spend enough time with Carey and James and too much time with Melissa.

Overall, definitely a decent read and I would recommend it. Just not my favourite Christina Lauren book.
#TheHoneyt #NetGalley #Simon&SchusterCanada

A cute, funny love story about two assistants tasked with keeping their bosses marriage from blowing up and exposing their truth to the public eye.

Carey has devoted her life to her bosses, making sure that their lives run smoothly, from their personal life to their home renovation empire. When the Tripps’ seemingly perfect facade starts to crumble, Carey and fellow assistant James have to team up to help their bosses keep up appearances. Carey and James are complete opposites and can barely tolerate each other. Being in close quarters definitely gets interesting for the both of them!

This was an enjoyable read but not my favourite Christina Lauren. It had their signature wit but the love story itself could have used more oomph. It took me a few tries to get into since the writing style was a bit different from their previous books but once I pushed through the first little bit, I did really enjoy it. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good enemies to lovers trope!

I was over the moon when I got the ARC for this book. I devour every Christina Lauren book I can get my hands on and when I heard this book is about people who work for a home renovation show, I jumped on this ARC so fast.

I loved both the main characters and watching them fall for each other while also managing their respective difficult bosses was super fun. They are trying to manage a PR nightmare (a famous couple who want to break up when their brand is their love life) while on a book tour. I liked seeing the disability rep in Carey's character, who has a disability involving pain in her hands and witnessing her character arc in the story was inspiring. I also liked James, who is doing a job he is overqualified for (which is #relatable for a lot of millennials).

If you loved the Netflix movie Set It Up as much as I do, you will love The Honey-Don't List. If you are an obsessive watcher of those home reno shows, you will definitely love this book. Honestly, this is one of my new favourite Christina Lauren books so I would highly recommend if you love their work already or are just looking for something fun. This is the rom-com you need in 2020.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This is a solid 3 star read. I can't say I enjoyed it as much as The Unhoneymooners (which I thought was a cute summer read), HOWEVER, if, like me, you were slightly disappointed by Twice in a Blue Moon - then I think you'll enjoy this one.

What I liked:
1. our two protagonists. I liked them both individually, and then when they started to grow closer, I honestly wanted to cheer them on.

And honestly - since their budding love story (and self-growth) make up 75% of the storyline - you gotta be cheering them on to enjoy this story.

2. The jump back and forth between "the event" and the storyline. It reminded me slightly of Big Little Lies, but it worked.

I'd say this is a good little romantic read - nothing to offend anyone, but not necessarily a book I'm going to need to recommend to everyone I know. Readers of Christina Lauren will be happy, but I don't know that it will be as big a hit as last summer's "The Unhoneymooners" - which was my first foray into Christina Lauren's books, and had me picking up some of their older stories.

That said. Enjoyable (the beginning is a little slow, but then it paces well) read for a little escapism. Also, likely to be a big hit for lovers of HGTV.

Bookstagram's favourite writing duo, Christina Lauren, has another book coming out this month (March 24—yay!) and I was very lucky to receive yet another advanced copy to review before it was released to the masses. It was just a few months ago that they released Twice in a Blue Moon, which, admittedly, was not my favourite of their novels, but I was excited regardless. The synopsis was really giving me Chip and Joanna Gaines vibes (though clearly to a dysfunctional extreme), and as a fan of HGTV (especially on a quiet weekend), I was all in.

This book read a bit different to me than other Christina Lauren books. While reading the acknowledgements, the duo did admit that they struggled a bit getting where they wanted to with this story, and I feel like they didn’t quite get where they needed to go. It focused more on the Tripps than I wanted—give me more James!—and they were just downright unbearable as people…I couldn’t understand why Carey would put up with them for so long, despite her history.

That being said, I loved the dynamic between Carey and James. They weren’t at quite at the level of The Unhoneymooners‘s Olive and Ethan in terms of enemies to lovers, but these two had a working relationship where they clearly misunderstood the other, and it took a road trip with their crazy bosses to get to know each other properly. James is the hot nerd of every book lover’s dreams, and Carey is the smart, talented twenty-something that just needs to believe in herself to reach her full potential. They were well-developed characters, and their dynamic was believable.

An extra tidbit that I did like was that Carey had focal dystonia (which is a disease I had to look up). It definitely drove home for me that people everywhere live with invisible disabilities (or at least not obvious ones) and have their own struggles that we never know about. I’m liking that books are giving us more and more realistically diverse characters in their stories—I’m learning so much from it.

Despite my tepid review, I still really enjoyed the story in a way that I always do with Christina Lauren novels. Fans of theirs will love this one, too!

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Book and Simon & Schuster Canada for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Honey-Don’t List feels like an incomplete novel. Readers are thrust into the story with little background or context despite the need for that information.

The Honey-Don’t List follows Carey, an assistant to one of the biggest home renovation couples. But things go from bad to worse when the couple’s marriage seems to be falling apart and a new assistant is hired.

As far as home renovation books go, The Honey-Don’t List is not great. Though the focus is not on home renovations, it feels like an odd choice to center the novel around this industry. A large portion of the book feels like it’s missing, there are portions that are out of place, and it ends abruptly.

Almost every chapter begins with a portion of a police interrogation transcript. These transcripts are vague, but give readers a sense that something big happened. These conversations are slowly dragged out throughout the novel until the big event actually happens. Ultimately, they amount to nothing and are completely useless.

The reason I rated the novel two stars instead of three was because the sex scenes are hot and the emphasis on sex positivity. Carey and James’ chemistry is electric, but only when they’re engaging physically. There is no angst or lead up to their relationship, it just sort of happens.

The Honey-Don’t List ends abruptly and everything is wrapped up too nicely.

Overall, The Honey-Don’t List feels like an incomplete novel but succeeds in its sex positive portrayal.

Carey Douglas has worked for the Tripps since she was 16, and ever since she has helped the duo rise from owning their first store to the empire they now own. James McCann is a new hire with a spotty employment background, but he is an MIT grad and brilliant at what he does. However the job he thought he was going to do when he was hired and what he is actually doing in the company now are quite different.

While the Tripps look like the perfect couple who have their own tv show launching (a spin off from the one they use to be on) renovating homes. They are also launching their next book about their PERFECT marriage. Nothing is as perfect as it seems, the perfect couple actually can not stand each other. With the duo set to go off on tour for their book things get a little messy and Carey and James are assigned the task to keep everything on track, and since neither of them can quit they have no way of saying no, so they head of on the road with Tripps to do what may be the impossible.

I have read a number of Christina Lauren's novels now and this one wasn't my favourite but it also didn't disappoint. Like most of their books their characters are built so well and I kept help but feel like I actually know these people as I am reading the book. It also isn't just the main characters that make me feel this way, it is the side characters as well, they are never left out. Christina Lauren are champs at character development which is part of the reason their books are must reads for me when they bring out new ones. While this book didn't quite have the unputdownable feeling that some of their other books have had for me, I did find they worked in their comedic effects that had me laughing out loud as I read which was amazing. I enjoy a book that has some comic relief even in tense moments.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Christina Lauren's books in the past. As well as to those who enjoy contemporary romances. This book would make a great beach read or by the pool side. This is also a great book for those who like a bit of a sexy read that is a fade to black and doesn't go into the nitty gritty details of everything happening.

Trigger Warnings:<spoiler> Cheating, Work Place Abuse</spoiler>

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the eArc. All opinions and reviews were my own.

The writing duo behind the pen name Christina Lauren are known for their witty, light romances that have great banter and steamy bedroom scenes. I was drawn to this book because of its premise of two assistants who find love while working for TV hosts whose on-air sweetness doesn't match their less-than-blissful home life.

When we're introduced to the TV celebs, Melly and Rusty, it's hard not to picture Chip and Joanna Gaines, the HGTV power couple, who make me envision shiplap at the mere mention of their names. But as the story progresses, and we see Melly and Rusty's true colours which are caricatures - mean, selfish she-boss and her goofy husband who's just there to get a guffaw from the audience. At this point, the image I had of Melly morphed from Joanna to Bellamy Young who plays another sassy, don't mess with me Melly from the TV show Scandal.

Notice my review hasn't focused on assistants James and Carey? That's because the focus isn't on the young couple in love but on the dysfunctional relationship and behind-the-scenes look at Melly and Rusty's lives. This will work for some readers and perhaps not for others. It didn't work for me. The romance between James and Carey was in the background, felt forced and wasn't given enough time to develop. There are also odd additions of police interviews that give the story a confusing and unsatisfying mystery feel.

I applaud the authors for trying something a bit different but with this book's focus on secondary characters, forced romance and predictable story line, I'm sad to say it missed the mark for me. This was a sweet, slow burn kind of romance but I missed the amazing banter and chemistry between the main characters that I've come to expect from these authors.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

4 Stars for this opposites attract romance!

Carey has been Melly’s assistant for 10 years ... but assistant doesn’t really cover all she does for Melissa and Rusty in their home improvement empire. Two months ago James was hired as a structured engineer ... but he’s really there to babysit Rusty while they go on a book tour. Rusty and Melissa are on the brink of divorce and if that happens all their worlds will come tumbling down, so Carey and James have their hands full.

I laughed so hard at Carey and James ... what a hoot! They are so totally opposite but you just knew that there was chemistry between them. As for Rusty and Melly ... well I just wanted to give them both a swift kick! This is a cute, funny, sexy, opposites attract romance that will have you laughing out loud.

I received an early copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster Canada through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The Honey-Don’t List Review

This book was exactly what I needed. It was funny and romantic and sexy. I like to take a break from thrillers/true crime sometimes to remember there is good in the world and it’s not all bad. I completely fell for James, he was such a great character and I found him
honest and so loveable. Carey was also fantastic. The Honey-Don’t list was so entertaining and a great rom-com. Christina Lauren once again of course doesn’t disappoint.

Carey Douglas has worked for home remodeling and design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp for nearly a decade. A country girl at heart, Carey started in their first store at sixteen, and—more than anyone would suspect—has helped them build an empire. With a new show and a book about to launch, the Tripps are on the verge of superstardom. There’s only one problem: America’s favorite couple can’t stand each other.

James McCann, MIT graduate and engineering genius, was originally hired as a structural engineer, but the job isn’t all he thought it’d be. The last straw? Both he and Carey must go on book tour with the Tripps and keep the wheels from falling off the proverbial bus.

Unfortunately, neither of them is in any position to quit. Carey needs health insurance, and James has been promised the role of a lifetime if he can just keep the couple on track for a few more weeks. While road-tripping with the Tripps up the West Coast, Carey and James vow to work together to keep their bosses’ secrets hidden, and their own jobs secure. But if they stop playing along—and start playing for keeps—they may have the chance to build something beautiful together…