The Honey-Don't List is a contemporary romance about two characters finding a connection while working for two of the biggest home and design stars. Although I did enjoy reading the book, it's something new from the duo.

I always get so excited when Christina Lauren comes out with a book, so I was so excited to read it. As I began reading, I didn't feel a connection with the story. That is something I am not used to with this duo. The story follows assistant Carey Douglass and structural engineer James McCann as they work for Melissa and Rusty Tripp. They aren't the easiest people to work for because they are portrayed as the perfect couple yet in real life they hate each other.

Carey and James don't have the luxury of leaving the job and so they stick it out. But they start realizing that they make a great pair both personally and professionally.

I felt like the plot had the potential to be really good but again I didn't feel a connection or captivated by the story. As much as I hoped, this did not have the signature Christina Lauren charm.

I give The Honey-Don't List 3 stars. I feel like any Christina Lauren fan will enjoy the book but will miss their signature writing style. I really wanted to like this one more!

Let me start by saying how much I love how these authors write. I think because of the other books I've read by them, expectations of a funnier, rom-com type feel was expected and instead we get something a little bit more serious, which I was totally fine with. This was still an easy, binge read!


Oh boy.. the Tripps… ugh. Just ugh. I did not like this couple at all, but you're not supposed to. They epitomize that couple that grew quickly within their field and then became entitled pricks because of it. I did like the characters of Carey and James but their relationship seemed very rushed. Like with all contemporary romance type novels, we see instaloves a lot but these two worked together just for a couple of months and then when forced to be in the same vicinity for two weeks, it's a roller coaster of things turned into... well, that escalated quickly, let me tell you! I wish there had just been a little bit more development here. The same formula is at work here so we know what's going to happen.


I do appreciate how the authors incorporated dystonia disorder and showcased how botox can be used for something other than repressing the emotions on your face. ;) But seriously, this is a disorder I didn't know about before and reading about it in the acknowledgments portion made me appreciate this within the book itself. Big props for this education.


While this may not have been my favorite by this duo, it's still a well done and entertaining read. It's not quite as comical and doesn't give you the belly laughs some of their prior works have but it still holds that Christina Lauren touch that we do love...

Christina Lauren prove that they're once again the best dynamic duo when it comes to contemporary chick lit! Loved this newest addition. I found myself laughing hysterically, then crying, then laughing again. This is a must have for any Christina Lauren fan, but also anybody who loves interesting characters, crazy situations, and just good fun!

As someone who had never heard of Christina Lauren until relatively recently, and then having seen this writing duo being recommended all over the place, I was intrigued to jump into this, looking for a fun read to escape from the real world for a little while. And this proved to provide just that - a quick, charming read that warms the heart.

Carey and James are assistants to the Tripps, hosts of a home makeover show whose apparently perfect marriage is falling apart. The book focuses on Carey and James' developing relationship as they try to stop everything imploding. With plenty of laughs, likeable characters in Carey and James, a gently unfolding romance and some clever additions such as police interviews and social media comments scattered throughout the book, it left me with a much-needed smile on my face. I will certainly be picking up more from this talented writing duo.

There are a few things I always tell people I LOVE about Christina Lauren books - that they write some witty, fun, and intelligent women, and that I always end up laughing out loud. The Honey-Don't List did not disappoint! I really enjoyed this story,

James and Carey were a fun couple to read. There were a couple of times that I wished we got even more of them just being them and less of the Tripps, but the relationship building was still fantastic and felt real. I also really loved the slight mystery going on with the police interviews. I really had no idea what to expect from this one! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light romance with some unique storylines.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read this one!

Recently Christina Lauren books seem to have taken a turn from predominantly romance focused stories to stories focused more on the career and self-exploration of their 20-something protagonists- and I am here for it! I still love their original stand-alone romance stories (Roomies, Love and Other Words, etc) however there’s something refreshing and original about their new perspective, and I truly enjoyed The Honey Don’t List, zipping through it in just a few days when my previous read had left me in a little bit of a slump!

The Honey Don’t List plays on the popularity of home renovation shows and follows Carey and James, assistants to a popular celebrity home-improvement couple (Melly & Rusty) who are honestly like a twisted, darker version of the beloved Chip & Joanna. It was so intriguing to take a premise that is so relevant to today’s entertainment for millennials and explore what it would be like behind the scenes if dysfunction was at the core of the relationship. Of course, Carey and James are rivals who can’t stand each other (which gave me vibes from The Hating Game) and yet are forced to work together to keep their bosses marriage from falling apart right as they launch a Netflix show and (ironically enough) publish a book on marital advice.

I really liked Carey as a protagonist. She was quiet yet resilient, and had a less than traditional background and her own reasons for staying loyal to Rusty and Melly despite their exploiting behavior of her (including medical ones). When James enters the picture and can’t fathom why Carey puts up with her crazy job, the story does a good job showcasing a situation where someone can’t just walk away from an employer despite some pitfalls. There was some juxtaposition of privilege between Carey and James that was refreshing to see, and it was nice to see how they both came to understand the unique predicaments they were each in when it came to their careers, financial situations, and personal lives.

One of the elements of the story that most intrigued me was the relationship between Melly (the wife of the home improvement duo and the main driver between the couple’s success) and Carey (her assistant). James ruminates several times about how their relationship is toxic and abusive, which isn’t something I’ve seen many novels tackle, the imbalance between boss and employer, mentor and mentee. Some of the scenes between Melly and Carey were hard to read, from the ones when Melly was freaking out when something went wrong and attributing blame to Carey for things she could not control, to the scenes where she would step in and check on Carey, one of the only ones privy to her medical condition. It was heartbreaking to see how Carey was so dependent yet so belittled by one of the only people who truly knew her, and I feel this was an important area of the novel to explore. The story really focused on how Melly and Rusty had changed over the years and how it had impacted their relationships that they had before, with those such as Carey, juxtaposed against their relationships with those they met after their success, such as James.

Obviously a Christina Lauren story wouldn’t be complete without a romance, and Carey and James make a fine pair. I didn’t dislike their romance, it just took a backseat to me in comparison to the other, larger themes and more important relationships that this story chose to focus on (at least in my eyes). It was a nice addition but not totally necessary- I really think Carey’s story could have been successful no matter the outcome of her romantic involvement with James!

Overall: A more serious Christina Lauren novel about finding yourself stuck in a career in your mid/late 20s and questioning the overlap of your working and personal relationships, this story really scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed in adult fiction!

Another fun book by this writing duo. This wasn't my favorite book by them, but it definitely help my interest and had me rooting for these two unfortunate people. Unfortunate meaning they just couldn't get a break in their careers, and their employers were holding them back from being everything they could be. I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve to what it did and was just biting my nails when it came to THAT point. The book started a bit slower to me than some of the others but once I was invested I couldn't put it down.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a blossoming romance between two HGTV characters. I liked Carey and James from the very beginning and was rooting for them. I was unsure how things were going to turn out, but liked the twists and turns along the way. I didn’t feel like Melissa or Rusty were super likable but feel as though this was intentional Overall great, quick read. Looking forward to their next book!

3.5 stars
The Honey-Don't List jumps on the increasingly popular home improvement train, which is certain to draw the HGTV fans. It is a fun idea, and there are some great moments of wit and humor as I've come to expect from the duo that is Christina Lauren. That said, it has a different feel than what I expect to find when I pick up a CL book. It leans more toward women's fiction or chick lit than the RomCom I was looking for. That's not to say that this one isn't a good read - it really is, and I did enjoy the story. We do get the wonderfully developed characters that this duo does so well. They're rich and colorful, and they bring out all the emotions that pull you in and before you know it, you're invested in the story. I would've liked a bit more on the romance side of things, but the Tripp's stole the show here, leaving Carey and James to be almost secondary characters. I realize that all of this sounds like I didn't care for this one, but that really isn't the case. In the end, this one wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but it was still very worth the read, and I'll be watching for whatever Christina Lauren does next.

I liked this book a lot but it is a bit different from types of books this author duo has written in the past. For one thing, with the dual focus on both James and Carey, our main couple, as well as on the Russ and Melly, the home improvement gurus that they worked for, there was less of a focus on the romance. I wouldn't call this Chick Lit, but one major theme of the book is Carey's journey toward taking control of her life. I'm an HDTV junkie, and I enjoyed both storylines, but I do think the book could have been a bit longer. That would have allowed more page time to be devoted to James and Carey's romance. Carey was a bit of a doormat initially, but given her background, I could see why she made the choices she did, and she finally stands up for herself in the end. She works as assistant to a married couple (Russ and Melly) who are famous co-hosts on a popular home improvement show and who've just written a book on how to have a successful marriage. Only problem is that they are actually barely able to tolerate each other. Carey, and James, a structural engineered who has been drafted into the role of minding Russ, are strong-armed by the network into being Russ and Melly's minders on a book tour to promote the couple's marriage advice book. Needless to say, the book tour doesn't go well. Carey is loyal to a fault and has no self-confidence because she feels Russ and Melly rescued her from poverty and are like her surrogate parents, but as the tour continues and she gets involved with James, she finally finds her backbone and starts to stand up for what she actually wants and needs in her life. She also comes to realize that the amount of stress she's been under for years has probably exacerbated a chronic illness that she has. James also has his reasons for putting up with the situation but although the book is written half from his POV, we don't get inside his head that much and don't get to know him other than seeing his attraction to Carey grow as he gets to know her. I guess my main objection is that the book was too short to do justice to all of the storylines, but in overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

In The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren, A vacation has been first and foremost on Carey's mind considering it's been full steam ahead for the past decade. Working for Rusty and Melissa (Melly) Tripp since she was in her teens, she's followed the mega-couple through every phase of their career in remodeling and design. And Carey knows they're on the brink of getting everything they've ever wanted. But at what cost? Because the once blissfully happy couple of Russ and Melly is now at the verge of going their separate ways. The ironic part is that their new series and book puts the focus on their relationship on an even bigger scale now. And as Melly's assistant, Carey is expected to keep the unhappy couple on task--no matter what.

James isn't really sure how he went from getting a structural engineering job on the Tripps' home improvement show to become Rusty's assistant. But if things pan out the way they're supposed to, then he'll be able to put his MIT degree to good use soon. He hopes. Those hopes are dashed again when James is forced to take the show on the road, literally, tasked by the bigwigs to keep Rusty out of trouble or it will cost him his future. And that puts him in close proximity to Melly's assistant, Carey. James didn't realize just how beautiful Carey truly is. Or how smart, talented, and humble she also is. Their attraction threatens to take their attention away from keeping the Tripps on the straight and narrow. But it's a distraction that the normally hyper-focused James doesn't mind at all.

A feel-good romance from the awesome writing duo of Christina Lauren who are known for their hilarious dialogue, smexy love scenes, and relatable characters, The Honey-Don't List cranked the hi-jinx up a notch and dialed back the level of heat. All which was perfectly fitting for the story.

As a long-time fan of CLo's books, I couldn't wait to read The Honey-Don't List. I mean, an office romance *and* a forced proximity trope all in one story? Count me in. And I did have a blast getting to know Carey, James, Melly, and Rusty while they went on their wild and wacky journey up and down the Western United States in a gigantic tour bus. Comical situations ensued as you would expect, but it was how sweet and sigh-worthy the romance was between Carey and James that truly swept me away.

The work environment James and Carey found themselves in was chaotic and rather toxic, thanks to married couple Rusty and Melly Tripp's imploding relationship. So you can see why they turned to each other during the tour. Basically for a sense of normalcy in all the craziness the Tripps brought to the table. I so enjoyed watching workaholic Carey become bolder, both in her professional and personal relationships, as she figured out her own self-worth. The position she was in--doing way more than was ever acknowledged by the Tripps--is one I think readers will empathize with. It was a wee bit more over the top than most of us have probably dealt with, but still relatable.

James was exactly what I hope for out of a CLo hero. He was actually closer to a beta hero than an alpha, with his geek-chic appearance and wicked intelligence. Thoughtful, protective, caring, and sexy, James was the perfect match up for Carey's compassionate nature and her seemingly limitless energy and creativity. They formed a bond while trying to corral the Tripps and keep them from making a public spectacle of themselves. (Which didn't always work...) Carey and James were absolutely adorable together. Both a little bit shy in some ways, but being that they were in their mid-to-late twenties, they knew what they wanted in a romance. And I applauded the way James and Carey took advantage of the time they had together.

You can always count on a Christina Lauren book to make you laugh and swoon, and The Honey-Don't List definitely delivered on that. Genuine, tender, and oh so cute, this was a love story that I hope fans will enjoy as much as I did.

***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***

I loved this story. I laughed. I raged. I wanted to cry. I had warm fuzzies one minute and the some characters drove me crazy the next. This was the perfect book to read whilst away on a winter vacation and one I'll be recommending to all my fellow wordaholics. 

Melly & Rusty Tripp are the country's poster-child couple. The two started a store called Comb+Honey and rose to fame from there. The first thing I thought of when I started reading this was Chip and Joanna Gaines (think: Magnolia Table vibes). Carey Douglas has been with the Tripps since they started and over the years became Melly's assistant. The Tripps are family to Carey. Rusty was there for her in the absence of her own father and the couple took a chance on her and helped her grow into the woman she is today.

James McCann was hired to be the engineer for the Tripp's new show, but has ended up fulfilling the role of assistant and handler to Rusty. He's a non-nonsense guy, doesn't want to deal with any drama, and seems pretty strait-laced and put together. He hates being cast off as an assistant and makes this known. 

The Tripps are preparing to embark on a multi-state promotional tour for their newest book, which is all about the success of their marriage and how others can have that success too. Oddly enough, the Tripps marriage has been falling apart for years and when things come to a breaking point, Carey and James are thrust into the middle of everything and forced to work together to keep up appearances and make sure the Tripps image stays sparkly and clean.  

There were a few storylines going on in this book. Carey's journey is really the focal point. What started out as a wonderful relationship with the Tripps has slowly turned into something toxic. Melly constantly takes advantage of Carey and Carey is forced to deal with it because she needs the healthcare coverage that comes with the job. She also has to worry about Melly destroying her reputation if Carey chooses to leave. My heart went out to her and this aspect of the story made her more relatable. She's perfectly flawed and Christina Lauren bring readers alongside Carey's journey of self-discovery and growth, which takes place over the course of the book. 

Romance lingers throughout the story. The more time Carey and James spend together the closer the two get, and it's clear by about 1/3 of the way into the book that these two have chemistry and there are underlying sparks. It's a slow burn and it's not an overnight, easy going kind of romance. I liked how things flowed between these two. 

I won't spoil this but there is angst in this book. Things take a turn that I wasn't expecting and I was devouring each page so fast by the time I near the end of the story. I appreciate how Christina Lauren wrapped things up and the ending they gave us was perfect. 

Four stars to this novel!

I enjoyed reading this romantic comedy...I was ready for a light-hearted read! Right from the start I liked Carey and her personality...which evolved with her character development. Introducing James into the dynamic originally was off-putting as he seemed like such a “stick-in-the-mud”. However, as the story proceeds we see a different side of James and the relationship between James and Carey takes off! They both work for a couple who are “design-stars” and have a reputation to uphold in the public eye. However, Rusty & Melinda’s relationship is very troubled and Carey & James are tasked with the seemingly impossible job of keeping them in line while out in the public which is difficult as they are currently on a public tour. Following the ups and downs of both relationships is a whirlwind. The chemistry between Carey and James is fun to watch and adds some romantic sizzle to the story. It all comes together as the story comes to a conclusion that had a couple of surprises in it. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in return for an honest review, which this has a been. #NetGalley #GalleryBooks

Would you be shocked if I were to say that these two knocked it out the park yet again? Probably not, but they did!
The Honey-Don't List is what I imagine goes on behind the scenes of HGTV's Flip or Flop. Ya know, messy Christina and Tarek, but yeah movin' on. This was so goddamn amusing. Christina Lauren just blend humor and sex so effortlessly in all their work.
Love the slow burn romance between James and Carey and yes I saw the conflict coming but I didn't expect it to unfold how it did, so pleasantly surprised on that. Melissa and Rusty are a fucking TRIP.
JAYSUS.
A+ read.

From the outset I found Carey to be one of the most relate-able female leads in a story. Someone who has invested so much time and energy into a job and watching it succeed that it starts to consume your daily life. She puts her all into making sure that her boss Melissa is happy, that she hasn’t taken the time to see if she is happy. I enjoyed watching her grow into a strong independent female.

On the flip side, James was not like most male love interests in a rom-com. I am tired of reading about men that think that they always know what is best for the female in the story. That they are somehow entitled to be with that person for the mere fact that they exist. James from the start was passionate about what he wanted for himself out of life and his career, while also being understanding of other people. He was an excellent addition to this cast of characters and I don’t think he could have been written in any better.

The fun, witty banter that Christina Lauren writes is always a pleasure to read and they did not disappoint in this novel either. I loved the different types of relationships and dialogue between all the characters throughout this novel and I also think important topics of discussion were brought up that provided insights into unhealthy relationships and learning to value yourself.

I have been looking for the next good rom-com that I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone, and this one fits the bill! This book releases on March 24, 2020 and should be read by any and everybody who loves a fun, quick romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving us the chance to review this book in return for our honest review!

I give this book 3.5 Stars, which I will round up to a 4 with Netgalley..

The aspects of the book was fun and flirty. I love Christina Lauren and their books. The Honey-Don't List was a book I truly enjoyed.

My favorites: The story line and how it takes a new unique style. I love a fixer upper! I enjoyed the characters who had me smiling from time to time. I have not read book like this one and that was a breathe of fresh air for me.

The stumble I had with the story, the chemistry was on the low side for me. I honestly like James and Carey. I was hoping for just a little more "Sweeps you off your feet" factor.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book. It was nice to have for a weekend read and forget the world for a little while.

The Honey Don’t List is the latest novel by Christina Lauren, the combined pen name of author duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. This story paints the picture of a forty-something home decor couple who should be riding the high of the completion of a successful series, the release of a new book on marriage, and the launch of a brand new series. The reality is that she is controlling and he is straying, and their home restoration brand is on a nosedive.

Carey McCann has been working for Melissa and Russell Tripp since she was 16. Now 26, Carey had hoped to be further along and at least being given credit for the designs and ideas that are hers alone, but is the hardworking, always on call assistant to Melissa Tripp. James McCann is an engineer who was offered an engineering job but wound up in the role of assistant to Rusty Tripp. And once the Tripps embarked on their book tour, Carey and James are in the awful position of keeping them under control so they don’t ruin everything for all the others in their employ.

In a 21st century rom-com, the exploits of James and Carey as they try to protect their bosses from their own actions while finding they just might have more in common than not, is a window into reality tv and young relationships. You will laugh, gasp, and wonder how on Earth they will make it through this never ending week. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

Thanks to netgalley for an advanced reader copy. I absolutely love Christina Lauren books, and this didn’t disappoint. I felt like it was a fictional take on the whole Chip and Joanna Gaines dynamic, which was different and interesting. I found myself rooting for James and Carey from the beginning. They had great chemistry. This was a great, solid, chick lit read. I read it quickly because I wanted to know what would happen next. I can’t wait for the next CL book!

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

Romantic comedy mildly. Contemporary romance. Written from the viewpoints of both the hero and heroine in alternating, titled chapters.

Carey and James work as assistants to the Tripps. It’s up tp the two of them to manage the details of the famous couple in their public personas.

I really liked Carey and was rooting for her throughout. She “made” the company with her designs and organizational work. I really hated that Melly took such advantage and stomped all over Carey. James was more a question. He’s trying to build up his resume and doesn't want to be just an assistant and he can’t afford to just walk away from his job. I would have liked a bit more background on his prior job or why he couldn’t just start over. He’s only 26.
But moving on...the middle of the book was the best with the couple getting to know each other. James was good about noticing the little things and paying attention.

In the end it was enjoyable but not as good as other books by this author.
3.5 rounding up to 4 because it’s still a lovely romance happily ever after.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.

I've always gravitated towards Christina Lauren books because they write fun romance with a rich story. Lately, it seems they have changed to fiction with a touch of romance (more chick lit type stories). While I love the themes around changing interpersonal relationships and questioning if you're where you're supposed to be in life, I guess it's just not the book I was looking for. There is a deep dive into real topics that I think many readers will love. The whole home renovations theme is fun, and Melly & Rusty are crazy pants. When it comes to fiction, I am a romance reader all the way, and this just wasn't what I was expecting. That being said, if you like to read these types of books, I would definitely recommend this book!