A fun, solid romance! Two assistants are tasked with maintaining the image of their married employers - but there is definitely trouble in paradise. The two main characters are believable, and their chemistry feels natural. While it's not a standout hit, it is definitely a solid entry into the genre.

(Reviewed for Shelf Awareness, review runs shortly after publication date, summary below is not final review)

The Honey-Don't List follows two relationships, one imploding rather spectacularly and the other forming amidst the wreckage. It's an unusual format which may not work for all readers but worked brilliantly for me. At the start of the novel, we're teased with a few transcripts from police interviews - something bad happened and we don't know what, but our young love interests were not responsible. The narrative then backs up to set the stage: two assistants--one with the celebrity couple for over a decade and the other barely two months in--are tasked with not only making sure the book tour and show launch go smoothly, but also managing a couple who've been bitterly fighting, cheating, and generally hating each other for a long time.
The romance grows slowly, with more focus on the characters' career and life arcs than in many romance novels, but definitely impacting both character arcs in a significant way. Especially when contrasted with their bosses, Carey and James are protagonists to root for.

Side note: Carey has a disability called dystonia, which impacts her ability to maintain control of her hands and causes her pain. Her relationship with her boss, Melly, is affected by her need for flexibility regarding medical care and insurance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.

As per usual, Christina Lauren wrote a fun and heartfelt romance novel that I couldn't put down. The chemistry between Carey and James was electric and I loved how James helped Carey realize she needed to stand up for herself against her bosses.

I adore Christina Lauren. Every single one of their books sucks me in and I can't put them down. Every time. "The Honey-Don't List" was no exception. The romance sizzled, James was the cutest nerd there ever was, Carey was so relatable and interesting, and the HGTV nightmare couple they worked for just added fantastic drama that was believable and necessary for the characters' development, alone and together. I only wish I could have seen more of what James and Carey were able to do together, but I know it's always a little better to keep the reader wanting more. :) I miss this book already and I can't wait for the next Christina Lauren novel!

I was super pumped for “The Honey-Don’t List” when I received an ARC back in October! I was going in with great expectations, even though I wasn’t a fan of their last book, but I still had major hopes and then ...

This story is centers around home makeover couple, Melissa and Rusty Tripp and their two assistants, Carey and James. With a massive empire, a new TV show and book about marriage being released this power couple seem to have it all, except one minor problem they absolutely hate each other. Their assistants have the awful task of keeping these “love birds” from killing each other all while making sure the public thinks they are America’s power couple.

This story has a very Joanna and Chip Gaines vibe. I actually didn’t hate that - I felt it was an interested approach to maybe not everything is what it seems. However, I felt this book was just very anti-climatic for me. While there were steamy scenes, I felt it was poorly placed in the story to rush the plot along.

The four main characters were okay, but I felt their character development had nothing unique about it. I also found myself not loving or hating any of the characters.

Overall- this is super fast-paced book and at one point I saw I was at 95% and I couldn’t understand why the story was over already. I felt the plot was a great idea, but just extremely rushed. Unfortunately, overall this was a miss for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pub: 3.24.20

This was adorable! Major Fixer Upper vibes from The Honey Don’t List, with lots of characters you want to root for and some you’re more than happy to root against. Christina Lauren is definitely a must-read author

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

4.5 Stars

Guys. Guys! GUYS!!! This is my favorite book but this duo yet! It's funny, sweet, and even had a moment where I teared up because of how everything went down. Plus, the heroine shares my name, how could I not love her? I also liked James even though he's not my 'normal' type of book boyfriend.

The writing is great as always, flows fast and makes you never want to put the book down. It's also cool that interview/book snippets/twitter stuff are in the book. That's a cool little bit that usually made me laugh and smile but also kept me wondering... just what the heck is going on? I won't go into spoilers so I'll leave that there. You'll see when you read.

This is so much better than Twice in a Blue Moon which I know some people didn't like but I did like. There are sex scenes in here but they're glossed over pretty quickly. I'm just glad it was there, if I read an adult romance, I expect adult content. Otherwise, I'd just read a YA or something.

The tension is strong with this one. Not the sexual tension but between the couple that our MCs have to babysit. You just never know what is going to happen next.

I do have two small nitpicks... parts of the ending just kind of didn't work for me. When things are starting to wrap up with the couple that Carey has spent ten years with... I just wanted more personally. Other than that, I loved this novel so much! It's so cute!


Wil go live on my blog: 2/26/2020

This is one of those books that wasn't really what I was expecting. In fact, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the direction this was taking, until the next thing I know, my nose is buried in my kindle cause the drama became very fascinating.

What I wasn't expecting, was for this book to feel more about Melissa and Russel's drama, and less about Carey and James romance. Melissa and Russel were like a train wreck that you just can't stop watching and I gotta say, I was riveted to it all.

While Carey and James didn't really feel like a romance until almost the end, the authors still had me swooning all over them when it was all said and done. So all in all, I enjoyed it. It may not have been what I thought it was going to be, but the writing was fantastic and this author duo really knows how to capture your attention.

I'm always excited to read a Christina Lauren book, but I have to say I was a little disappointed in this one. The premise was good--think Chip and Joanna Gaines but they can't stand each other and their marriage is just for show, so they need their assistants to make sure they don't kill each other--but the story itself was just ok. I found myself more interested in Rusty and Christina's relationship and marriage than I was with James and Casey's budding romance. This book didn't pack the same punch I'm used to getting in a Christina Lauren rom-com.

The pros: I will never not love a Christina Lauren book. "The Honey-Don't List" was no different, and it still had that classic Christina Lauren feel.

The cons: This one was missing something for me. I love romance novels, especially when I'm feeling particularly stressed out or bummed out and my brain can't focus on anything "serious" -- and Christina Lauren is a go-to. But something about it didn't quite land. Maybe it's because I'll compare every Christina Lauren book I ever read to "The Unhoneymooners," or maybe I just couldn't connect with the characters. I really loved the two leads, but the ancillary characters didn't really do it for me.

★★★ (3.5/5)⁣⁣
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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘵 by Christina Lauren⁣⁣
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Another ChLo installment proves to be cute, fast paced, and entertaining! ⁣⁣
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James (an engineer/assistant) and Carey (assistant of 10 years) are both working for the mega design and TV stars Rusty and Melly Tripp, world renowned for their rock solid, playful marriage and stellar home makeovers. When news gets out that the marital bliss isn't as dreamy as it seems, it falls on the assistants to ensure they stay together and land a second season of their show. ⁣⁣
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Although this was my least favorite of their books so far, it is worth a read if you are a fan. The plot outside of the romance was interesting and the conclusion was so satisfying. ⁣⁣
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BUT, the romance (which should be the shining star in a ChLo book) seemed forced, pushy, and way too rushed. I was a little disappointed! ⁣⁣
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It is nothing like 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, but I had a good time reading it! ⁣⁣
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I really wanted to love this book. I've enjoyed many of Christina Lauren's other books - the characters, the chemistry, the story, etc. but this one lacked a connection with any of those. I felt like it took awhile to get in to the story, and I never felt any connection to the characters. For me, it didn't feel like there was any depth to them and I really didn't feel the chemistry between them like I usually do with this duo authors characters. Sadly, I'm disappointed this one fell short for me. I will still happily read the next book though... because not every book can be an all-star.

I was so excited to get a copy of this book, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. I struggled to get through most of it and I just didn't connect with the characters.

Try as I might, I didn't connect with this book as much as I'd hoped I would. It was a bit too light and fluffy for me. I guess I'm just not a chick-lit romance novel fan--although I know that many readers are and there are lots of people who will enjoy this, I prefer my romances dramatic and sexy and grounded in reality. But I appreciate the hard work that the writers put into this and wish them all the best!

As a big fan of both Christina Lauren's books and of HGTV, I was definitely here for this book. I enjoyed all the different dynamics within the book and was always eager to dive back into the story.

3 STARS

I am such a fan of CLo, and so I was so excited to be approved to read an early copy of this new one from the dynamic duo. Unfortunately, this one just fell a little flat for me.

The book started off so interesting, a little bit of mystery/intrigue and being told from 2 POV's plus some other fun rid-bits thrown in throughout. I really enjoyed reading the chapters from Carey's perspective. I thought her character was very well done, complex, and intriguing. I related to her quite a bit. I also really enjoyed the banter and snark between Carey and James, and I did enjoy their part in the story.

That being said, I found that the mystery that pulls you in at the beginning of the book falls quite flat and the build up seemed to be all for nothing. I also wasn't a huge fan of James' character. I felt that he just wasn't quite developed as well as Carey and you could tell. Both of these things really made the story pretty 'me' to me. The last 30% of this book really felt like a let down, and wasn't as developed or there wasn't as much depth to the ending as I would have expected. I kept waiting for it to WOW me, and it just never came.

Overall it was an easy read with some funny and romantic moments, but it just fell a bit short for me in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and Christina Lauren for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Just what the doctor ordered, with my mind needing some space from my dark thrilling reads, and definitely did not let me down! Had so much in it, important things, love things, fun things, and it made it quick and fun to read! Well written, character development exactly where it should have been, laughs, cries, and other emotional turmoil I was able to garner through this great book! Love the authors work, and look forward to more!
Will make sure I buzz it up around the different platforms!

This book had EVERYTHING: a terrible boss with a complicated working relationship, an attractive coworker that also gets under your skin, chronic illness awareness, steam and of course home renovation which all comes together in a story that has you turning the pages.

Christina Lauren creates such dynamic characters with real character development that you care about.

I enjoyed the pacing of the book and how it kept switching point of views. It was also a nice touch with how it starts of with a police report but then goes backwards to fill in the gaps.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the references to Disney World that made me smile.

Incredible book- it’s my first 5 star read of 2020! Would recommend for anyone who enjoys a good contemporary romance- I’m sure this will be on everyone’s bookshelf!

I am a huge fan of all Christina Lauren books. As a fan of HGTV, I was particularly excited for this one. I actually found the story of the main character and her relationship to her employers more compelling than the romance in this book. I loved it all though!

I liked this novel! I enjoyed the writing style, although there seem to be an abundance of words for everything. And the author is did a good job of making sure the reader knows who the antagonists are, and showing their denial and desperation. The beginning was a little slow, and I felt like this book was more Russel and Melly’s story than James and Carey’s. I also feel as though the author antagonized then too much, no character is truly evil and the author almost makes Nelly this way. The ending was okay, I would have preferred an epilogue as always, but I also felt as though it was rushed. Finally, I wish the title had tied it a little together more, there really could have been a moment where the author mentioned that James was on Carey's honey- don't list, but it just didn't happen.