This is a great, romantic comedy! Another home run for Christina Lauren. This book was laugh out loud funny. It also handled the subject of dystonia with respect. Highly recommend.

Cute slow burn story that makes one doubt the happiness of any of the HGTV designers. Carey is the woman who has provided the designs for a husband/wife duo who are seemingly modeled after a particularly famous couple based in TX. But this duo is a mess and it’s beginning to be public knowledge.

James is an assistant/engineer for the duo. He slowly realizes his attraction to Carey, who is slowly realizing that he may the right guy for her.

The ending didn’t exactly tie up all the loose ends, like I like to have in my books, but it’s still a good ending. Who knows, maybe we will be seeing the duo again in an upcoming book.

Christina Lauren is a favorite for cute rom coms and this one did not disappoint. Carey has been working for now design and home remodeling gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp since she was 16 back when they only had one store. While working at the store, she starts working on their display and is eventually designing furnitures and sets but with only the title of an assistant. James, an MIT graduate has been recently hired as an Engineer but is also doing assistant work. Carey and him don't really get along at first and they have to deal with Melissa and Rusty who are a PR nightmare. They have a book about marriage coming out and are going on tour with Carey and James in tow to keep them in line. Carey is overworked, frustrated and tired but soon enough James is a nice distraction. This was such a fun read and I was rooting for Carey the entire time.

If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted quick read, look no further than “The Honey-Don’t List”! Christina Lauren is back, this time with Carey Duncan, longtime
assistant to home renovation superstars Melissa and Rusty Tripp. The trio embark on a cross country bus tour for their new book, along with their new assistant, James McCann. However, behind the scenes, the couple’s marriage is falling apart. It’s up to Carey and James to keep up the happy facade as they complete the media tour. If you’ve read any of Christina Lauren’s previous books, you’re sure the enjoy this one too as it follows their signature style of humor, romance, and just an overall “feel good” read!

The authors have taken a unique situation and managed to turn into a light comedy farce. In most cases a book would follow the two big stars to tell the story. However, in this case the story turns around a long suffering assistant and a recently hired assistant. The two are thrown together, with their lives becoming intertwined, after accidentally witnessing a sexual encounter by one of the principals. The big question then becomes can they keep their growing attraction secret while preventing a melt down by the stars during the course of a week's road trip.

I enjoyed the light comedy provided by this book and have rated it 4 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review

Yes, yes, yes! I will read anything and everything published by Christina Lauren and I really loved this. I was worried because I typically don't love an "enemies fall in love" storyline, but I appreciated that the antagonism was brief and not overdone or drawn out. This is absolutely going on my summer reading guide.

I’m embarrassed to admit that this is my first read by Christina Lauren. I’ve read so many amazing reviews of her (their) books in the past and have just never picked one up.

At first, I had trouble getting into the book, as I felt the oppressiveness of conflict straight off. The reasoning is because this story is told with flashbacks interspersed, so I got a feel of the drama before connecting with any of the characters.

It didn’t take long, however, before I was able to sync with the book’s rhythm and start trusting the writers to tell me a roller coaster of a story. It almost happened the same way Carey and James got to know each other–one delicious peace of information at a time until you realize that what you’re looking at is engrossing! A little bit of a surprise.

I really enjoyed Carey’s character the most. She started out as a doormat of a character and on her own merit, manages to emerge a fully-capable, and sure of herself adult by the last chapter. Earlier, she has no idea what she wants or who she is. I’m glad to say her metamorphosis felt complete and organic.

I also enjoyed James’ character. It helped that we got alternating perspectives from the two of them. Because some of his actions may have been questionable if the reader hadn’t been able to see inside his mind. Without that, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed the romance between him and Carey quite as much.

As for Melissa and Rusty… Well, I’m not going to parse out their characters too much. Let’s just say that I feel a bit conflicted about them both. But, I think that may have been the point.

The Honey-Don’t List was a calm ride with suddenly rapid waters towards the end, which served itself up, humorously and intelligently. I felt vindicated at the end and quite content with how things wrapped up.

The Honey-Don’t List has a different vibe from any Christina Lauren books I’ve read before (and I’ve read almost all, if not all of them. I think what stumped me is I couldn’t immediately identify a primary romantic trope—I felt a bit untethered! 😆

The book features a Chip and Joanna like couple—Rusty and Melissa Tripp—who have built a HGTV empire around home renovation and design. But unlike Chip and Jojo, their marriage is like a reno project at the end of demo day—which is a bad time to be releasing a book of marriage advice.

The main romance is between their assistants—James and Carey. And although there’s definitely the typical breakdown of communication drama toward the end, they get their happy ending and all is well. There’s obviously more to it than this—it’s acquaintances to friends to lovers.

If you’re looking for a realistic, believable plot, this probably isn’t your top choice—but to be fair, we don’t typically read romance novels for their believability.

I don’t normally enjoy books that feature someone cheating on his or her spouse, but I appreciated how the affair wasn’t glorified or used for humor but rather as am indicator of the state of the Tripp’s marriage.

I gave it 3.5 stars in my own personal book journal, but I rounded it up to 4 on here and Goodreads. It’s an easy, fast read. And nothing C&Lo write is bad. This just wasn’t my favorite.

I received a complimentary copy of The Honey-Don’t List from Netgalley and Simon and Schuster in exchange for my honest review.

I love everything Christina Lauren writes, but I was especially excited for this! And ugh, I was not wrong. If you loved Set It Up on Netflix and anything on HGTV, this is a book you need to pick up. Loved everything about it.

Christina and Lauren did it again : The Honey-Don't List is a really enjoyable book, the perfect mix of hilarious with a sprinkle of sweet and touching.
The story follows Carey, the perfect workaholic-against-her-will assistant of Melly Tripp, and James, the overly-educated for the assistant position of one Rusty Tripp, second half of the decorating world power couple.
I like the chemistry and the banter between the main characters, the pace is good - though I found the ending too abrupt, but the writing makes it really easy to get into the book.
All in all, it is a quick and entertaining read that I'd definitely recommend!

I was delighted to have the opportunity to review another of Christina Lauren's books. They have so quickly become my favorite writing team. This was a quick, fun read. I very much enjoyed their banter and found their growing romance both believable and enjoyable. Another winner!

The Honey-Don't List was a charming love story about two assistants working for a Chip and Joanna Gaines like couple. The only difference is the couple in the novel absolutely hate one another. It was an easy to read romance novel, however I did struggle to buy into the chemistry between the two leads James and Carey. It will keep you entertained and I liked the different points of views throughout the book.

This was a quick and easy read, I finished it in a matter of hours. The storyline moves fast and doesn’t lag. However, it’s such a blatant and cheap knock-off of Chip and Joanna Gaines. It really left me feeling sour about the experience, particularly all of the negativity with that couple in the storyline. This was a fine read but I’m disappointed in the authors and their use of public figures in this manner. This was not original or unique. Thank you to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review. 2.5 ⭐️

This is a fun, fast-paced romance with a likable main character, Carey, and her dashing love interest, James. The two are employed by a much less likable couple, whose business and marriage are on the rocks.

I mostly enjoyed this book and found it a quick, entertaining escape. However, for me there were a couple drawbacks: the development of all the characters fell short so I wasn’t very attached to any of them, and the romance resolution at the end was too abrupt.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy. The Honey Don't List is not your typical Christina Lauren book - it’s more. It’s a feel good story about real people with what looks like great jobs but aren’t. Carey and James have a story that grows on you like good wine. I thought about this story more after I finished it replaying how James is the best boyfriend, how a bad job can teach you lots of things and how to live with a disease and make the most of it.

I think this might be my last Christina Lauren book for a while. The Honey-Don’t List was a definite miss for me. I was intrigued by the storyline as a fan of HGTV, and the Tripp’s sounded like a dead ringer for the Gaines’ of Fixer Upper fame with a little more scandal. Unfortunately, the story fell completely flat for me. I wasn’t very interested in reading about Cary and James, The Tripp’s respective assistants, keep a less than reputable company afloat and free of scandal. The Melissa and Rusty Tripp aren’t likable so you’re never rooting for them to keep their secrets hidden from the press. Also, Melissa’s treatment of Carey is pretty abhorrent, and she never really seems truly apologetic about it even in the end. Carey and James were also pretty boring, and their relationship seemed a bit too much like instalove for me. Overall, I would pass on this one.

I always enjoy Christina Lauren, at least of the few I've read. This was no exception. There were tears and laughs just like you'd expect from these two. I really liked both Carey and James. Their diverse backgrounds make them so unlikely a match but they work so well together. He's just the positive influence she needs since no one in her life has been good and pointing out her talents. Not even the very people who are rich and famous based on her talent. Carey is every bit as smart as James even without the prestigious education. I so wanted for her to get the recognition she deserved and see her shine.

Even Mel and Rusty Tripp aren't completely unsympathetic. They can be both horrible and kind though not in equal doses. It's an excellent, albeit fictional, look behind the perfect facade of the celebrities we think we know.

As a Wyoming native it was fun to visit Jackson and Laramie!

I recommend this book.

Thank you @netgalley for my copy for review, I was giddy right when I set my sites on the cover!
Carey has a love hate relationship with her job as a personal assistant to Melissa Tripp. Melissa and her husband are TV icons of the design world, and are about to be catapulted into stardom with a new show and book deal. Not only is it Carey’s job to keep Melissa’s schedule running smoothly, but she also works overtime to hide the fact Melissa and Rusty despise each other. The couple is about to set off on a multi state book tour to promote a book about how to have a happy marriage. If people find out the truth they’ll be ruined. Babysitting this couple is the worst, until Carey hits it off with Rusty’s assistant James. The two bond over their terrible jobs and become closer with each bookstore stop. ❤️
I read this book in one sitting, it’s that good. Fans of Christina Lauren will not be disappointed! I can’t wait for you guys to read it so we can discuss it! While reading it I kept thinking Melissa and Rusty reminded me of Chip and Joanne Gains. ( without the fighting, drinking, cheating) pre-order your copy, The Honey-Dont list comes out March 24th

Loved it! Christina Lauren books are so much fun. They are consistently amazing with the witty banter.

I was so excited to receive an early copy of one of Christina Lauren’s books! I really enjoyed this book, it was a cute romance set against the backdrop of a total disaster. It was a fun contrast, and I looked forward to the romantic elements as much as I looked forward to finding out what happened that led to the main characters being interviewed in a police station. I always enjoy Christina Lauren’s books and this one was no different! Quick fun read, perfect for a snowy day!