Christina Lauren does it again! This dynamic duo has written a truly compelling romantic comedy. The Honey-Don't List is a smart, witty commentary on an odd facet of modern society: our obsession with home decor, everyday designers becoming overnight sensations and the powerful influence of fame on a marriage.
This novel holds such a clever premise--reigning lifestyle gurus who appear to adore one another yet their lives beyond the spotlight paint a much different picture. The role of the celebrity couple's personal assistants adds another layer of entertainment to this already enjoyable novel. These two characters are the hero and heroine of the novel, tasked with keeping the superstars on track during their whirlwind book tour, while making sure the adoring fans never find out the truth. Of course that's an impossible task given every human carries a recording device and the most unfortunate situations trend on social media in a hot minute.
I thought the dialog was well-written, the characters either appropriately deplorable or easy to love, and the pace kept me turning pages quickly. Fans of Christina Lauren will gobble this one up.

Content warning: I'd characterize the heat level as medium with occasional open-door scenes.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions shared here are my own.

4.5 Stars

Carey and James are both in a bind. They can’t get out from under the famous duo of Melissa and Rusty Tripp. Carey has worked for the couple for ten years and has no education to help her move on in her design career if things blow up. James thought working for the Tripps as an engineer was a godsend after his last employer got caught breaking the law. Neither can leave the couple’s employ and are desperate to keep them together just a little bit longer.

The duo of Christina Lauren has another best-seller on their hands. The story of James and Carey desperately trying to save their employer’s marriage and careers is told with several twists and turns. We get so much story in this novel from several different places. We get a peek into the minds of Carey and James with chapters written from their point-of-view. What I also found wonderfully refreshing is the way the ladies dropped in police interview transcripts from both Carey and James, as well as Twitter feeds and other entertainment news. These all together told a fun and vibrant story of opposites falling head over heels in love. From a bargain hotel to a luxury tour bus, Carey and James have plenty of shenanigans to keep readers entertained throughout.

I received The Honey-Don't List for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I don't know if Christina Lauren is capable of writing a bad book. Everything I've read of theirs is fantastic!

Carey and James are each assistant to half of a home-renovation power couple, Melissa and Rusty Tripp. Carey has been working in her job for 10 years, and cares for the Tripps like family. James is new to the whole assistant gig, and is not a fan. The Tripps are on a nonstop roll, with one reno show ending, a book being published, and a new Netflix-exclusive show coming out. The pace is exhausting, and taking a toll on everyone. As Carey and James work together to try to keep the Tripp's marriage from publicly imploding, they begin to grow closer.

If you read and liked The Unhoneymooners, you'll like this book. The romance isn't as slow to develop as in the former, but it's also not as hot and heavy. It seems sweet and genuine, and the author gave the female protagonist a medical affliction I had never heard of, so it was interesting to learn more about that. You know right from the start that SOMETHING happened in the book, as it opens with James and Carey giving vague police statements. As you read, you start to hope that it wasn't a murder, but that's not the kind of writer we're working with here!

Carey has been a personal assistant and surrogate daughter to Melissa and Rusty Tripp for 10 years but is undervalued and often verbally abused. Her job is to keep the Tripp's happy as they become the "It" couple of home improvement reality TV shows. Somewhere over the years, their marriage has imploded so it's up to Carey and Jim, Rusty's new personal assistant, to make their latest book tour work. If social media finds out how they really feel about each other, their how-to-have-a-great-marriage self help book is doomed, not to mention season 2 of their hit TV series. Humorous, but sometimes painful, this is an enjoyable story of relationships and finding one's self. Recommended.

What a fun read! Of course it made me think of a certain Texas couple who does home remodel :) I really enjoyed the writing and the characters and thought it was a fun insight into this world.

This was such a fun read! I've never read a Christina Lauren book before but I'll definitely be picking up more from this duo after reading The Honey Don't List. The characters were super fun, and as someone who is obsessed with all things home renovation, I found the subject matter to be super entertaining. The only thing I would've liked better was if Carey and James had more buildup, and wouldn't have gone from 'you annoy the crap out of me' to 'I love you' within the course of a week. Other than that though, this was gold!

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!