Enjoyed this book very much. A story of Carey who dedicated her early work years to two selfish people who did design and a tv show so casing their “ so called designs” Carey tried to keep things under control for her sake and the star couple Melly and Rusty. Their marriage has been in trouble for years but the tv world doesn’t know this.
Carey tries to keep them from killing each other but it takes a tole on her own health, love life and her own inspirations.

The Honey-Don’t List is the ninth (!) novel I’ve read by Christina Lauren. This novel has a premise straight out of a romantic comedy: two assistants (Carey and James) are set to the task of making sure the couple they work for (Melissa and Rusty Tripp, who happen to be famous for remodeling homes and furniture design) act like they’re still happily in love in public, even if their relationship has deteriorated to antagonism behind the scenes. Much like any romantic comedy, The Honey-Don’t List is liberally sprinkled with funny shenanigans, those standout dramatic moments, heartbreaking confrontations and plenty of romantic tension. But, in the end, it was our main couple, Carey and James, that solidified my overall enjoyment of this story. Carey is immediately likable, a small-town girl who is extremely capable, emotionally bonded with her bosses (they’re like family to her) and who stays in her job for personal reasons. James is also easy to like, an engineering nerd whose former job circumstances resulted in him having to accept this position (though he thought he would be an engineer, and not a PA). Their chemistry grows gradually and authentically, and I appreciated that development happening alongside the way they both challenge the other’s perspective in their encounters. Though it does get a bit over-the-top in the drama department at times and the resolution feels a touch rushed, I still thought The Honey-Don’t List was a fun addition to the Christina Lauren collection.

Carey and James work for home renovation moguls, Melly and Rusty Tripp. Managing these two is demanding and stressful so what better environment for a bond and an attraction to bloom?

Much of the first 40% of this book was used to set up the story, so I finally felt my interest pique about that point. I really liked Carey and James together but felt irritated and distracted by the rest of the story. Melly and Rusty (but especially Melly) were not at all likable characters and, unfortunately, their anger at each other distracted me from the heartfelt spark between Carey and James. I did like the ending but not enough to raise it another star.

3.5 stars (4 for the steamy love story and 3 for the rest of it)

Location: Jackson, Wyoming

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was as "charming" as "shiplap" and sweet as "Magnolias"! Modeled after a couple of America's sweethearts, this book takes you on the adventure of what happens when things get to be just too much. While I certainly do not hope that this type of breakdown is going on behind the scenes in real-life, it was interesting to consider the what-if. And to follow the lives of two people who want nothing more than to selflessly support the imploding couple... nothing short of entertaining. This is the kind of book that I love to relax with after a long day. Somewhat predictable, but light and charming... something that you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! Loved it!

The world behind the scenes at a home makeover show is just what you would imagine in The Honey-Don't list. Watching the delightfully flawed lives of the show's hosts and creators unravel from the point of view of the assistant who quietly makes things happen is very satisfying, especially if you enjoy a bit of righteous indignation and I-told-you-so's along with a side of Christina and Lauren's satisfying trademark steamy romantic entanglements.
I usually dive into their delightful collaborations headfirst and finish with a strong 5-star review. With this advance review copy, however, I felt like the main characters weren't quite as fleshed-out or compelling. If you're new to Christina Lauren's books, they're a collaboration between two best friends who do a magical job of challenging each other as they take turns weaving their stories. Pick up one of their other's first (The Unhoneymooners comes to mind as does My Favorite Half-Night Stand as two of my super-favorites) and then read this one as a sorbet or dessert once you've been fully introduced...

I’m officially OBSESSED with the “fixer-upper” type shows – but only the couples ones. With the ‘designer’ wife who is artistic and has a specific design aesthetic, the goofy but talented and hard working husband, and the many different ways they look at these houses. Less interesting but more fun (if for the arguments and whinging over budgets) are the ‘prep the house to stay or sell’ shows – they just make me wonder just how difficult the ‘stars’ are. And Christina Lauren took their powers of two and dove in. Carey has worked for Melissa and Rusty Tripp since the beginning, and done every job. Now she’s an integral part of the ‘team’ and spends most of her time calming the storm that is Melissa, while trying to manage her own issues with a muscular-skeletal disorder, which is worsened by stress and lack of sleep – two key components of her job. Perhaps the real twist for Carey here is that the salary and the health insurance she gets is stellar, and as Melly and Rusty know of her issues – they allow her the time to go to the doctors for treatment – but she can’t leave because of the insurance.

James is a structural engineer – hired on the spot by Melly after his firm went into the headlines in spectacularly bad fashion, and he’s set to ‘wrangle’ Rusty, with vague promises of engineering work to come. He bristles at the jibes that Carey throws his way about being an assistant – his education and background are suited for so much more. But he’s sharp and clever, and soon is bristling at the way Melly treats Carey, the frequent kerfuffles he has to drag Rusty out of, and finally, trying to help the two maintain the appearance of a happy marriage when it is anything but – AND they are on a book tour to promote their book on marriage.

A bit different from the other books from this duo that I’ve read, the reveals were a bit predictable where Carey was concerned, but having James be the one who is crushing on Carey, and her pushing him away is a twist that I didn’t see coming, even as she will admit that he calms her and sees her for who she is – despite her trying to always stay in the background. With some epic “uh-oh” moments that the two of them are involved in, and a police interrogation, it’s going to take some spectacular fireworks for Carey to find her own two feet, and for James to take a stand. There’s plenty going on here, and Carey’s medical condition and struggles with it, and subsequently her self-esteem, are cleverly portrayed and depicted, and there really couldn’t have been a better ending for this light, quick read that provides a lot of laughs – if for the ridiculous imagery brought up in the moments of utter tension and marital strife.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aE2 /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I had a hard time reading this book without envisioning a certain HGTV power couple at the center of the drama. Christina Lauren's latest romance involves the power couple's long-time assistant and their newest employee who are tasked to keep the home renovation superstars' marriage troubles under wraps and find love in the process. While the premise was fun, this story lacked the magic of earlier Christina Lauren books like Twice in a Blue Moon and the Unhoneymooners. It's still worth a read, but maybe go in with lowered expectations if you're familiar with their other work.

I am such a Christina Lauren fan and this book is just another brick on the scale of why- funny and heartwarming, every page was a pleasure!!!

I appreciated The Honey-Don't List! It's not as light-hearted as most Christina Lauren books -- there's a bit of melancholy to the story. But the basic premise is delightful: two Chip-and-Joanna-Gaines-esque reality stars actually despise each other in real life, and their assistants must keep them together for the sake of the show. James and Carey, the assistants, were both nice, believable leads, and I'm happy they found their happy-ever-after.

Christina Lauren does it again with the Honey-Don't List that follows a celebrity couple as their marriage implodes, and their assistants who just might come together despite their differences and initial impressions of each other.

The book was cute and funny, and while the romance between Carey and James seemed to take a back seat to the drama that was happening on the book tour with their bosses, I thought it was an enjoyable read and definitely recommend fans of the author to check out the latest book for a fast and playful romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advance copy.

The Middle is Good

The Honey Don’t List is a romance about two personal assistants who find love while trying to keep their bosses’ marriage from imploding.

Carey has been working for Melissa (Melly) and Rusty Tripp since she was 16. Now Carey is 26 years old and works as Tripp's assistant. Carey has watched the Tripp's rise to fame for their home improvement ideas. The couple has their own HGTV shows, written best-selling books, and have a new show about to launch on Netflix. The only thing is their perfect marriage has turned into one giant sham. Carey takes care of all the work behind the scenes, including helping Melly and Rusty keep up the pretense of having the perfect marriage. When James joins the staff as an engineer, he finds that his job is more looking after Rusty than doing the work he desires. Carey and James’ relationship is prickly, but when the two accompany the Tripp’s on a book signing tour, the two find themselves becoming allies and then something more. Will their newly developing relationship survive the trip or will the demands of the Tripp’s ruin their relationship before it even gets off the ground?

I enjoyed The Honey-Don't List, but I didn’t love it. It’s a light and fluffy easy read, but the focus on The Tripp's and rushed romance between Carey and James annoyed me. The beginning was a little grueling, as it focuses mostly on the Tripp's. The ending was rushed and it didn’t feel like Carey and James’ relationship ever had a chance to properly develop. They spend two weeks together, fall in love, and then after a brief blip, it’s HEA. I loved the middle part of the book when Carey and James begin their romantic relationship, but there just wasn't enough time spent on them to make me root for them in the end.

The Honey-Don't List is a little different than previous CL novels, which was nice, but it's also missing the spark seen in their other books. It’s not full of snark or wit like in Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, nor is it filled with an intensity that is shown in Love and Other Words. I liked Carey’s character a lot and Jame’s character is decent, but he is underdeveloped. Overall, I wish there had been more time spent on James and Carey’s budding relationship vs the awful people they work for. While not a favorite, it served its purpose as an enjoyable escape read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved that this was about home remodeling and I wondered if Chip and Joanna Gaines were inspirational for this story. Carey and James were a believable couple and the chemistry felt real. Carey has a health condition and I love that more authors are making things like this part of romance novels.

Since she was sixteen, Carey Douglas, has worked for the designing duo of Melissa and Rusty Tripp. When she started working for them, at their small country store, Carey would design their windows and organize the store. A decade later, she’s still at it, but the world is not aware that the designs on their weekly TV home improvement show, are all hers. Carey hasn’t had a vacation since she began to work for them. The Tripp’s have written a book and will be embarking on a book tour, but there is a glitch, they can’t stand each other!

James McCann way hired by the Tripp’s as a structural engineer for their new show. What he wasn’t expecting was to be the assistant to Rusty, and now he and Carey have been thrown as babysitters on the book tour. They can’t allow them to be seen fighting out in public, or their adoring fans might not continue to watch their show, or purchase the new book. Think, Chip and Joanna Gaines hating each other, same thing. Both Carey and James are fed up with everything that has been thrown their way by the producers of the show. During the bus tour, Carey and James have gotten closer. Carey who has dealt with Melly’s meanness in the last few years, has had it. She wants out! When she finds out that James was offered lead engineer in the next show, as long as he can keep Rusty and Melly together, Carey feels betrayed. After everything they shared, she’s hurt that James would lie to her this way.

I’ve always been a big fan of Catherine Bybee, however, this book just didn’t click for me. I felt that Carey had no backbone and James was a bit of a wimp. The stronger characters were Rusty and Melissa. This is actually three and a half stars.

YES!!! This book is exactly what I needed and what I hoped for. This is the best of contemporary romance with drama, a clear villian, great banter, awesome chemistry/steam, and a HEA. Forced proximity is a favorite trope of mine and this one worked so well. Carey and James end up unwilling travelers on a tour bus and trying to dodge the verbal barbs and demands of their bosses. When the sparks finally flew? So good.

The Honey Don't List had me wondering time and again if this story could be what is happening off-screen with my personal favorite home decor reality stars (please, son't let it be so! No, can't be.). The tension was palpable and Melly, oh Melly, right on par with Miranda Priestly of The Devil Wears Prada fame.

This book has moved in to my top three faves of Christina Lauren!

This book was such a fun read. It was smart, funny, sexy, & sweet. The characters were extremely well-developed & made the story move along at a rapid pace. I didn't want to pull it down because I wanted to see where it was going next. Carey & James were such an unexpected pairing that develops because of a crazy work relationship. To see where they go & what happens with the famous couple they work for makes this well worth the read, Highly recommend reading this book!

I usually love Christina Lauren books, but this one fell a little short for me. I like the snark in previous books, but it was missing here. It also wasn't hot and steamy like some of their previous works. After reading this, I felt the same way I did after reading Twice In A Blue Moon: eh. It was a nice, light, easy read (a pallette cleanser, I call it), but there were some flaws.

The chemistry was missing between the two love interests. They knew each other and weren't attracted to each other and then magically they can't live without each other? In my rom-com books, I like more of a build-up so I can believe in the couple. That was missing here. Also, the conflict that is present in every Christina Lauren books was kind of brushed over here. I feel like they have a formula they they write from, and while it is a common one in rom-com books, it has lacked in their past two.

Fans of Christina Lauren may likely love this book, and I understand why. However, their previous works were stronger than this one, in my opinion.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

This book missed the mark for me. It read more like chick-lit instead of the fun romance I was looking for. The book follows Carey and James as they work as the assistants for celebrity duo Rusty and Melissa. They travel with them during their disastrous book tour and have a little romance along the way.

This book was written with alternating POV along with police report excerpts in-between. That made the story feel a little disjointed. The romance between Carey and James took the back burner in the story. I felt like the story primary focused on the Rusty/Melissa drama and I didn't care for it. I was hoping that the police report excerpts were leading up to an interesting twist but I was left disappointed.

Unfortunately I didn't love this Christina Lauren book, but that won't stop me from picking up their next book. Hopefully their next book will knock it out the park.

Huge thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. My opinions are all my own.

This was an entertaining read about two assistants, Carey and James, to a bigtime, famous home reno couple (much like Chip and Joanna Gaines). However, things aren't as they seem and this celebrity couple is falling apart and it's their assistants' jobs to keep that from happening, especially in the public eye.

With Carey and James working closely together, something is bound to happen, right?

This was a quick read. I was curious to see how everything played out. There were some interesting twists and I for sure was not feeling this famous couple.

Read this is you're looking for a quick contemporary romance and like t.v. production.

This was an easy and fun book to read that I blew through pretty quickly. It wasn't difficult to figure out what was going to happen but it was a charming story to read that I enjoyed.

Christina Lauren are two of my FAVE authors and I am so thankful to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sending this copy my way to read and review early :)

In true CoLo fashion, this book is the perfect Romance. It was light, quick and easy to read, and tugged at my heart. I absolutely flew through it!

The plot reminded me so much of a modern day Chip and Joanna Gaines. The two main characters (Melissa and Rusty) are HGTV superstars and everyone's favorite celebrity couple. Melissa's assistant, Carey, has worked for them for almost a decade and (more than anyone knows or expects) has helped the two of them build their empire. The only problem? The couple absolutely hates one another and their life is nothing like the TV depicts it is.

When Rusty gets a new assistant/engineer, James, everything starts to change. As Rusty starts to fall apart and risk everything they've built, James and Carey are forced to go on tour with the couple in order to try to keep their marriage, empire, and jobs in tact.

If you love CoLo, or if you're looking for a fun, romance read---look no further than The Honey Don't List!