Another great read from Christina Lauren! While this wasn’t one of my favorites, I still enjoyed the more unique storyline and the relationship between the 4 main characters. I thought that the story itself mirrored real life HGTV too closely though. It was hard to picture Melissa and Rusty as their own unique characters instead of comparing them directly to some of HGTV’s best known power couples. The relationship between James and Carey also seemed to develop seemingly out of nowhere, but I liked the fact that there was open communication between the two, as well as following along with Carey’s journey to self empowerment. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm so happy to say that I could totally see Christina Lauren working their magic in this new upcoming novel! The sparks were flying between Carey and James, the two main characters. I really liked their personalities and how good they were at helping each other out.
The storyline was also quite interesting and pretty unique: it's not everyday that you read about the failing long marriage of two home renovators and their two assistants trying to fix it.
The book definitely explored some themes that aren't usually found in romances, such as abusive employers, employer-employee dynamics and also dystonia, a motor disorder.
As always, I cannot wait to read more by this amazing writing duo!

The Honey-Don’t List is the newest novel from Christina Lauren, aka besties Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings.

Carey and James are assistants to Melissa and Rusty Tripp- the darling duo of HGTV. The workplace enemies are thrust into forced proximity on a tour bus. As they’re coming together, the Tripps are imploding, and keeping them together will be the hardest job of all.

I really enjoyed the aspect of Carey’s dystonia and Lauren’s explanation of why it’s important to be inclusive in romance, as well as what it means to her family personally.

What I didn’t enjoy- this felt like they straight up ripped off Chip and Joanna Gaines and asked what it would look like if they hated each other. When I explained to my 13 year old what I was reading, even she said it sounded like a play on Chip and Joanna. Rusty and Chip could be twins based on their descriptions, actions, and demeanor.

I think most HGTV fans will like this, but some may be fussy since it seems reminiscent of the network’s darlings.

I also didn’t enjoy that there wasn’t really a simmering. The romance between Carey and James was full of heat, but it went from cold as ice to flaming hot too quickly. It made it a little unbelievable, even with the explanation that they’ve known each other for months and their current situation was making them (mostly James) take more notice.

I also didn’t feel parental vibes between the Tripps and Carey (they stepped up for her when her own family couldn’t/wouldn’t), except for very small instances.

It was a fun, easy read that I’d easily give three stars to. This was my first novel by Christina Lauren, and I would be curious to read more and see if I liked them better.

**I was generously provided an ARC of this novel by NetGalley and the publishers. The opinions are my own.**

Such a fun and entertaining read! I'm always a sucker for CL books and this one was no exception. I definitely didn't get quiet as sucked in as usual and the characters weren't quite as loveable as I'm used to, but it was still a lot of fun. It isn't the best from CL but I still would definitely recommend it if you're a fan of their books. Thank you to Gallery and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for am honest review.

Christina Lauren does it again with their fun romance flair married with hilarious scenarios. If you are fan of binge watching HGTV like me, you will definitely enjoy the shenanigans of the behind the scenes look at what it takes to pull a show like that together. We are treated to dual POV's of Carey and James who are struggling to keep their bosses' "America's Sweethearts" together while on a book tour of their home design book. The dynamic of the two reminded me of the beloved 'Hating Game'' - opposites attracting which I love!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of Christina Lauren’s newest novel, The Honey Don’t List. Just as I anticipated, The Honey Don’t List is funny, engaging, complicated and entertaining all wrapped up into a novel. Main character, Carey Douglas, has been an assistant to the famous home design, now celebrity couple Melissa and Rusty Tripp. She finds herself aboard a bus bound to cross the US for book signings, along with Rusty’s new assistant/engineer James McCann, a man that she cannot seem to get along with. Their cramped quarters feel even smaller as the Tripp’s marriage begins to crumble; surrounded by infidelity, aggression, general tension and distaste both Carey and James are forced to take on roles they never imagined. In a desperate attempt to keep the Tripp’s marriage intact, at least for the twitter followers and book sales, Carey and James find themselves discovering each other’s strengths. In typical fashion Christina Lauren fashion, this book is both witty and lovely. Even long after I turned the last page, Melissa, Rusty, James and Carey continue to be on my mind!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A truly disappointing read, especially after Twice in a Blue Moon.

This book had all of the makings of one of my favorite reads of 2020 - Fixer Upper vibes and romantic tension between co-workers who don't like each other very much. So why can't I even remember the names of the romantic leads of this "romance"?

I was more interested in the implosion of Melly and Rusty's marriage behind the scenes of their carefully-crafted social media life. The story was really more focused on the much telegraphed self-destruction of their relationship than anything that the MC's were doing.

There was no sexual tension between the main love interests and their closed door sex scene didn't help things. I have no idea why they end up together especially after the stunt he pulled with her freaking livelihood.

Where has the passion from Josh & Hazel gone? Are the authors now writing Women's Fiction with unsatisfying and barely explored romantic relationships that miss the mark?

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery books for the ARC of The Honey Don’t List.

Carey Duncan And James McCain Both work for the remodeling home Gurus the Tripp’s.
Carey has worked for the Tripp’s for 10 years every since she walked in the the store at age 16 and got her first job. James started with the Tripp’s two months after his recent job went under for embezzlement.
The two act as assistants for the Tripp’s. On screen the Tripp’s are the couple everyone wants to be but off screen they are the shit storm we all want to avoid. Carey and James are both dragged on the book tour to help keep the peace and the image of the Tripp’s as if there are no problems in the lives of America’s favorite couple.
We all know of a couple aren’t meant to be theirs no helping the cause. Along the way Carey and James start to develop feeling for each other, but when career promotion and career choices get in the way the Tripp’s love for each other may not be the only relationship on thin ice.

Little disappointed when it came to this book. After reading the Unhoneymooners and laughing my way through the whole book I had high hopes that this book would have me rolling. I laughed at a few parts in the beginning but after that it was just straight seriousness.

The book was more about the relationship of the Tripp’s then the main characters Carey and James. I would like to have seen more love development through the story of the two characters.


Ease of reading: A
Memorable Characters: A
Originality: B
Read Other Books By This Author: Yes I would
Would I Read Again: Probably Not

This was a fun book to read. It felt like I was getting a behind the scenes look at a home renovation shows. Do they do all their work and design? Do they really have such a solid marriage? It was a interesting look at what fame can do. However in among all that was a budding romance. I loved Carey and James. I liked their banter at first and later I loved the way James took care of Carey. I enjoyed that there was some accident that happened and you got tidbits as you were reading. The Twitter comments were fun. I like that you were seeing how social media played a part of what was going on with Melissa and Rusty.

I really enjoyed the end of this book. I thought for sure there was going to a different outcome but was very happy with how it came about.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Galley Pocket Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

loved this steamy, engaging, cheeky, and entertaining novel! I really enjoy Christina Lauren's books, and this one does not disappoint. Inspired by HGTV show power-couples, told from the angle of the right-hand assistant to the star, woven in with an awesome love story. Much drama and conflict, very believable and hard to put down. Thank you NetGalley, publisher and author for the early reader copy. All opinions are my own.

this was my first Christina Lauren book, but definitely not my last. Based on a fictional developer/designer couple and their two assistants, it’s a fun frothy read that offers more depth than you’d expect.

Like all Christina Lauren books, this was a fun adorable read. I loved the characters - James is a total swoon worthy sweetheart and Carey is a heroine you can't help but root for. The Tripps give me major Chip and Joanna Gaines vibes (if they were totally different behind the scenes and who knows maybe they are). I felt the pace of the book was good. It's well written with well developed characters. It was funny and charming.

Carey has worked for Melissa and Rusty since she was 16, managing, assisting, and more importantly, doing a lot of the actual home improvement layouts and drawing technical things. James, a college graduate, comes on the scene, ostensibly hired as an engineer, but, in reality, he is a babysitter for Rusty. James and Carey work together to keep the lid on two immature, out-of-control bosses. They fall into like, and then into bed. James is offered a gigantic promotion within the company, which causes Carey, rightfully so, to shun James. The whole story reminded me of some of the home remodeling series on television. Funny in places, but other places not so much. There was a lot of the book that was spent dealing with the immature bosses; both James and Carey are determined to not rock the boat.

I usually enjoy books by these ladies, but something just didn't work well for me on this one.
I liked the assistants but was hoping for more on them that the Tripps....
but still you're a huge Christian Lauren fan give this a try! Just because it wasn't my favorite doesn't mean it won't be yours!!!

3 stars from me
*Recv'd a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This was my second Christina Lauren, after reading Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating in 2019. I'm relatively new to reading any romance books, so I figured trying another from an author I enjoyed would be a good way to continue easing in.

The story takes place from the alternating points of view of Carey and James. They are the respective assistants of a wife and husband home re-design team that has gotten famous over the years from a television show. However, behind the scenes, the husband and wife actually hate each other. This set-up felt fresh and unique, though whether it's actually interesting would probably be up to the individual reader. Personally, I found the overarching story more compelling than the developing romance between Carey and James. I enjoyed the book, but the romance felt a little rushed.

The Honey-Don't List is such a fun book. This is the second book I have read by these writers and this one did not disappoint. The story follows Carey and James who are assistants to home remodeling celebrities who have let fame and fortune get in the way of their former happy life. The heart-warming, fun book is easy to read and will not by my last by Christina Lauren.

I love Christina Lauren's books and have read every one faithfully. However, these last two missed the mark a bit in developing character nuances and relationships. Don't get me wrong, this book was great; I finished the entire thing in a weekend, and it kept me entertained, but I don't feel like their voices and humor shine through as much. This a good book and we already have it on order.

Christina Lauren have done it again ... this book was such a fun read . Behind the scenes of a fixer upper kind of show including a couple ala Chip and Joanna Gaines and their assistants. This book was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Carey and James are adorable and this new book by Christina Lauren is exactly how I wanted to start my new year! Fun, flirty, romantic with heart.... I know what I will get when I grab the latest story by this duo. In this particular story, Carey and James work for the Tripp's who are America's new favorite home improvement duo. Unfortunily, they have started to fall apart and it becomes James and Carey's job to keep them in line on their new marriage success book tour. This was a fun read and I will continue to pick up anything by this creative duo!
Thanks netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this romance, built around the idea of a fictional Chip and Joanna Gaines. Was it is as heart-wrenching and unpredictable as some of their other novels? Not quite. But was it still a fun, engaging, quick read, with a unique storyline? For sure! I will absolutely look forward to reading everything else they continue to write.