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.

3.85 Stars

Nothing in Life Comes Easy - and that Includes Love, especially When Your Career is on the Line!

Carey Douglas’ life has revolved around Melissa and Rusty Tripp since she was Sixteen-Years old. What was once just a small store in Wyoming has become a TV empire and a book deal for the Tripps about their happy marriage and none of it would be possible without Carey, now Twenty-Six.

James is an Engineer, whose life fell apart after his former company was involved in a major scandal. Now, he’s been hired to be the Engineer on Home Sweet Home, the Tripps Netflix series, which basically amounts to being Rusty’s right hand.

Life seems uber glamorous for the Tripps, who are social media darlings, until the sh&t hits the fan. Life is not a box of chocolates for this power couple who are about to embark on a Book Tour. It turns out that the couple’s marriage is a sham. Now it’s up to Carey and James to save the day.

“The Honey Don’t List” isn’t exactly your typical rom com and it isn’t what we fans of Christina Lauren might have been waiting for after the likes of: “Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating,” “Roomies,” “Dating You Hating You” and “My Favorite Half Night Stand” to name just a few. There aren’t any laugh out loud sarcastic, snarky back and forth repartees or any sexy funny comments that will make you roll on the floor laughing - which we’ve come to expect from Christina Lauren’s other novels. I am still holding out hope that they will start writing those types of novels for us once again!

This novel would fall more into the genre of women’s fiction, which is a genre I have grown to like. I truly enjoyed the storyline and the characters of Carey and James and liked how this novel progressed.

Admittedly, I wanted a little something more at the end and felt a tiny little bit let down (hence the reason for the 3.85 star rating v a 4 star rating), but overall I quite enjoyed “The Honey Don’t List” and hope that other readers can separate what they were hoping this novel would be and read and enjoy it for what it is.

Another buddy read with Ms. Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jessica Roth and Rachel Brenner at Gallery Books, and Christina Lauren for the arc.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 2.2.20.

This book was much weaker than recent releases by Christina Lauren. The female protagonist was not someone who created a feeling of sympathy in me as a reader, which made her storyline hard to engage in and made the overall story fall flat. It was a a lot of tropes wrapped in a watered down HGTV setting.

I had a hard time getting through this. The two main characters, Carey and James, are interesting enough and I liked their story line. But Rusty and Melissa were so unlikeable that I dreaded their scenes. I understand WHY the dynamic was in place, but they had no redeeming qualities. After reading the author’s past books, my expectations were set really high. I just feel like this one fell short.

I wanted to love this. It was mostly fine. I thought the sorry was kinda forced, but I liked the main characters, Carey and James. And, truth be told, it could have used more/steamier sex. Ha!

I loved The Unhoneymooners, so I went and read Twice in a Blue Moon, which I also loved, so when I heard this duo had a new book coming out, I requested it to review, and I'm glad I did. Carey works as an assistant for the very high maintenance (and frankly intolerable) Melissa Tripp and her milder, down to earth husband, Rusty. The couple runs a design business with several stores and their own show. James also works for Rusty, as an assistant, despite the fact they hired him as an engineer. He's only been with them a mere few months to Carey's 10 years, but he already knows what Melissa is like, and he wants to help Carey get more out of her job.

So the thing that held me back from giving this 5-stars was how intolerable Melissa was. Usually, when I dislike a character, I cheer on the author(s) for creating such a great, bad character, but for me, the sheer amount of her evil was too much. I know Carey has gotten used to it and needs this job, but she deserves so much better, and that's where James comes into play. I loved these two together, and I think they do well, considering they're both stuck in this job because of circumstances.

Poor Carey is insecure, and Melissa did her best at making sure Carey felt that way. When she finally starts talking to James in a more serious manner, she starts to see that she can have a life outside of work, that she can have good things in her life. While I would have liked to have a bit more of an emotional connection with the two, and less "all about Melissa" moments, I think when they did come together, it was done well. Overall an enjoyable read. Thank you Gallery Books for sending this along!

I love Christina Lauren books but I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I hoped. It was very slow and I almost wasn’t able to finish it. Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read and review for my honest opinion.

I have read a few other books by this author and they were either funny or chick flick romantic with good stories. This book was none of those and I felt the Tripps were annoying and off-putting. Plus there was a police investigation in the book which makes the reader think this is a murder mystery/thriller, which it is also not. This book was all over the place for me and it was not up to par with Lauren's other fiction books.

2.75 rounded to 3 for a few likeable characters that had humorous moments and kept the story going. Hope her next book is good like the ones previously written and not a disappointment like this one was.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for anARC in exchange for an honest review.