I loved the Honey Don't List! Christina Lauren are some of the best rom-com writers in the game, and they don't disappoint with this love story. There were scenes where I literally laughed out loud. I enjoyed that the burn wasn't too slow and that it wasn't a true "enemies to lovers" love story. Pick this up, you won't regret it!

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2021 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2021/02/2021-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

This thinly-veiled Magnolia send up wasn't my favorite (and neither are the obvious inspirations!), but it was a very fun romance.

This book is for anyone that watches home improvement shows and wonders what could be happening behind the scenes.

I loved it!!!
I loved everything about it!!!!!
I shouldn't be so satisfied because the Tripp's are beyond manipulative and self-absorbed....and it took me quite a bit to warm up to Jim.
Still. Carey's journey was sooooooooo worth the "trip."
I loved all it's angsty head gameyness (yup thats a word).

Shel: Surely Christina Lauren wanted us to conjure up Chip and Joanna Gaines when we were reading about Melissa and Rusty, right? I mean sure the fictional versions were terrible to each other behind the cameras and only nice when they were in public, but isn't that what so many people suspect about the Gaines? That there is no way that they're as fun and sweet and loving as they appear to be?! The fictional version definitely opens up the fantastical possibilities of just how horrible reality tv stars can be. And while Melissa and Rusty weren't the main focus of this novel, they sure were an interesting side show to read about...and they definitely made me feel for their assistants, Carey and James. Court: These types of stories do make you wonder, especially when some reality stars whose last name starts with K always ends up being true of the rumors, it is somewhat of a guilty pleasure of mine to read this trope due to that exact reason. And then...the author's ability to really make a manipulative bunch and whoa...I saw this train wreck going off the rails and what a ride it was.

Shel: This enemies to lovers, work place romance had the romantic comedy feel that we've come to associate with Christina Lauren. The mishaps and inner monologues of these characters provided many smiles but the thing that really stood out to me was Carey's storyline. Her history with Melissa and Rusty and why she stayed with them, despite their obvious willingness to take advantage of her was not what I expected at all. Court: Nope. Not me either. I really liked her story, and her character because she is still true to herself and really using all of the tools that we sometimes forget we have to be able to grow as a person. She got herself where she needed to be with therapy, and self affirmation, and just trying to grow up and take control and be assertive and I really like how that was all written.

Shel: The Honey-Don't List will make you smile while making you wonder what really does happen behind the scenes of those famous HGTV stars. Court: We really flew through this one and definitely don't miss any of Christina Lauren's releases these days so check this one out too!

Rom-Coms are my jam and anything by Christina Lauren is definitely on my list of books to read. Funny and entertaining, I couldn't put this book down.

*Received an early digital review copy for an honesty review*
2/5 stars

So I've read other Christina Lauren novels and have mostly enjoyed them so I was looking forward to reading this one, but sadly this fell flat to me. First the concept reminded me of the Netflix film Set It Up which I really love (and recommend watching if you like the assistant trope) but this novel felt more like the assistants being the nannies/ children of divorce parents and I just couldn't stand it and push through this read. At first I didn't really see the connection between the two assistants, Carey and James, it didn't feel like a true match to me and a bit forced because of proximity and situation. The two bosses Melissa and Rusty were just annoying and honestly a bit emotionally abusive and sometime physically violent which I felt was glossed over as just like regular "fighting married couple" and it just didn't sit well with me, especially when Melissa, the power hunger business woman, was just horrible didn't really change or didn't receive much consequences from her actions. (Also, don't really get how the title played into the story). Overall, this romance novel was just okay and the romance itself was just okay.

I have given Christina Lauren so many chances now and I just don't get it. I never find myself connecting with the characters in anyway that makes me root for them and their love story. This was just meh. It wasn't bad but I really didin't need to waste a couple hours of my life ready it. I have In a Holidaze on my TBR for this month and this will be the LAST CHANCE I give these authors.
I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very cute and charming romance, however the characters didn't have very much chemistry. I feel that this authors series are much better than their stand alones.

I love Christina Lauren! They create the best stories together. This is another hit for me and I can't wait for their next book already!

I have read a few books by CL and have adored them so much.
The premise is a couple starts from the bottom and works their way up, from small furniture store to now TV home stars. They have a book launching about how they can stay so happy and build a great marriage....shocker their marriage is falling apart. Each of their assistants is tasked with keeping up appearances until they cannot manage anymore and things spiral. The main story line is between the two assistants and how they fall in love during an awkward and stressful week. I really like the main characters and wish we had more time with them. A lot was focused on their bosses, who unfortunately seemed to be created after two big american TV home fixing stars. That connection made it really hard to pull me into the story. Also after the spiral things seems to just even out.....with not a lot of information on how things played out.

I will definitely read another by them and hope this is just a fluke read!

Carey’s life has revolved around Melissa and Rusty Tripp since she was sixteen. She started working with them in their first store, and has since, helped them build an empire. Fast forward ten years and they now having a TV show and a book coming out, which wouldn’t have been possible without her. James is an engineer, who’s life fell apart after a scandal at his company. He is now Rusty’s right hand man. Life is not as glamorous at the Tripp’s make it seem. It’s up to Carey and James to keep them together on their book tour.

This book was a fast and enjoyable read, but it was not one of my favorites by my favorite author duo. The book was more of a contemporary romance versus their usual romcoms. I loved both Carey and James and their relationship, though I wish there was more about them. It was told in dual POV from Carey and James, which I loved. I thought the book was good, it had drama, romance, and some LOL moments. If you’re a fan of design and fixer upper shows, I would recommend checking this book out!

This book was so satisfying on so many levels. A peek inside those HGTV power-couples (even if it is fictional) revealing that everything is definitely NOT as put together as it seems. The drama, the love, the setting - in my opinion, this is Christina Lauren at their juicy best!

This book had similar problems that a lot of Christina Lauren's stand alone titles have. The main characters didn't have a lot of chemistry, and they couldn't keep my interest. It is still a good basic romcom book, so I recommend it for a fun read, but it is not their best.

A charming HGTVish romance that brings all kinds of feel good moments between the main characters. Once again the dynamic duo that make up Christina Lauren bring a sexy, sweet, and swoony story to life. I enjoyed seeing/reading the love story between James and Carey unfold in all kinds of fun and quirky ways!

I am a sucker for anything written by Christina Lauren. Throw in an HGTV’esque backdrop for the story and I’m IN! And they delivered, yet again, with THE HONEY DON’T LIST. I LOL’d at Carey and James’ banter and their chemistry was off the charts. The plot itself reminded me a bit of the Netflix movie “Set it Up”, but 100 times funnier. A fun and quick read!

RECOMMENDED!

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an okay book for me, I finished it because I wanted to read something on the nights I couldn’t sleep. In reality this was a let down especially after Unhoneymooners. I felt like it could have been so much better but instead it was about drama more than romance. Not for me tbh.

This was an okay book. I am not the biggest fan of Christina Lauren, so I don't know why this is the third book of theirs that I've read, but they're usually so hyped up that I can't help myself. While this was set up differently, I was disappointed in the ending. I also find that the plots to their books are usually too far-fetched for my taste in contemporary, which is how I felt with this one, as well. So this was probably the last book I'll read by these authors but I can see the appeal, and would recommend it to fans of the authors.