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.

Rusty and Melissa Tripp have created a home renovation empire (think Chip and Joanna Gaines). Behind the scenes, their relationship is crumbling and everything they've built is on the verge of being ruined. They are on a cross-country tour to promote their new book and their latest reality TV show. It is up to their two reliable assistants, James and Carey, to keep the peace and make sure the facade does not crack.

Being an HGTV fan, I loved the premise of this. As with all Christina Lauren books, this one is well written and the plot is well thought out. There is a lot of detail and you get sucked into the stories of both the primary and secondary characters.

Here is where I struggled with the book. The story is supposed to focus around the two assistants, James and Carey. They start off wary of each other but then are forced together as they work to deal with the drama of their bosses on the bus tour. The way the book is written, James and Carey almost fall to secondary characters. There is much more emphasis on Rusty and Melissa. I felt torn by this book. Readers are supposed to be invested in James and Carey but they really are overshadowed by Rusty and Melissa.

I am a huge Christina Lauren fan, and will read anything and everything the dynamic duo publishes! I was super excited to get my hands on this advanced copy, and it did not disappoint!

Melissa and Rusty Tripp are the top celebrities in home renovation and design. With a home décor show wrapping up, an upcoming book tour, and a new solo spin-off show appearing on Netflix, the loving couple appears to have everything! Except for the small fact that they actually can’t stand each other!
Enter Carey and James, personal assistants to Rusty and Melly. Both are put in charge of keeping the Tripp's from killing each other and making it through their book tour without the public becoming aware of how much the couple actual dislikes each other.
While on the road together, the chemistry between James and Carey is undeniable. As the sparks fly, they both start thinking about themselves for a change, and what their future together could hold.

I really enjoyed this one! It has all the sweet romance and steam one would expect from Christina Lauren, as well as a great plot! I didn’t find it as funny as some of their previous books, but still good all the same!

I really enjoyed the characters, even high strung, ill-tempered Melly. One thing I enjoy about the characters in Christina Lauren novels, is that they feel like real people. Not the perfect and flawless heroines of some romance novels. And I love that Carey is flawed but grows and learns to assert herself with Melly as the story progresses.

The Honey-Don’t List is a great read, and I highly recommend it! Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Netgalley for this advanced copy, and the opportunity to offer a review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

I may have stayed up past midnight to finish this in one sitting. I loved The Honey-Don't List! I'm a big HGTV fan and recently stopped by all things Magnolia so this book was so much fun to read!

When the 2 assistants (/lead engineer) of a famous couple are made to go with them on a marriage book tour (as their marriage may be falling apart) this lovely romantic comedy shows some of the not so glam parts of being an assistant.

The characters were fun (loved Rusty) and I just couldn't put the book down!

Such a fun book! This one stayed with me for a few days after reading. This book really dives into the world of home improvement shows and combines that world with an interesting romance. I really enjoyed Carey and how devoted she was to her work and how she continued to live the only life she'd ever known. I connected with her character and enjoyed seeing her learn to think independently and change her thoughts and patterns. Christina Lauren rarely disappoint and this is another one to add to my favorites list!

The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren is a fun romance novel that dives into the fun (and not so fun) parts of being on television and working as a celebrity. The dialogue is great, and the characters are pretty developed. There are a couple that I almost love to hate, and then there is the blossoming romance between Carey, the amazing and talented assistant and James, another assistant/engineer on the show. The feelings switched from dislike to romance fast between these two, while sparks of another kid are going off between the beloved television couple that the assistants work for.

Now the four of them are on a tour together and anything could happen (and does!) I really love how the author, Christina Lauren introduces the reader to Carey's medical condition. Matter of fact and sensitive at the same time, it opens up this reader's understanding to special challenges Carey faces and why insurance is such a huge deal to her. Well done!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery, Pocket Books publishing for this digital advanced reader copy for me to read and enjoy! As always, my opinions are my own!

Loved this title! In the Pinterest/HGTV DIY world we live in, it is easier to see this as lore fact than fiction. It was a rollicking good time, introduction to a condition I was not familiar with, and in trademark Christina Lauren fashion, dialogue and chemistry that cannot be beaten!

Honey Don't List is the first book I've read by Christina Lauren, who I discovered are actually friends who write together. Anyone who watches any of the make over shows on HG-TV will enjoy this story, which at times seems like a behind the scenes peek at what really goes on. Funny and romantic, Honey Don't List is an enjoyable read. I want to thank Net Galley and Gallery Books for an early copy to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have read several Christina Lauren books, and while I enjoyed the quirky romance that developed, this story fell a little flat for me. It is a take on Chip and Joanna Gaines but with a failing marriage, and every time I would get really interested in the budding love story of Cary and James, the story would take the reader right back into the negative relationship. Overall it is a quick easy read that’s enjoyable.

I had a feeling that I was going to love this book just by the description, and you better believe I did. It was the perfect level of unbelievably crazy, yet real enough that you could feel Carey’s pain (physical and emotional) in your bones. It was raw and real and genuine and I loved every second of that.

I don't usually read romance, but I need to reset my brain sometimes and then I pick it up.


This was a very cute meet-cute story of a co-worker to lovers along with a healthy amount of TV show drama and some light sex.

I wanted it to end in revenge or murder, but alas it's too cute for that.

The Honey-Don't List is a sweet romantic comedy that had me hooked from the very start. Cary is the long-term, messy but detail-oriented assistant to a Joanna-Chip Gaines-esque home decor duo. James has just started and the story unfolds along the doomed press tour for the Melly and Rusty's new book about their "perfect" marriage. I thought that the story was fresh and unexpected. The writing was descriptive and humorous, and left me wanting more from the character's ending.

🥀Book Review🥀
The Honey-Don’t List
Sass-o-meter 4/5💜s
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Quote: "I want to make her life better by being the best thing in it.”
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What this book is about:
Carey Douglas has worked for home remodeling and design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp for nearly a decade. A country girl at heart, Carey started in their first store at sixteen, and—more than anyone would suspect—has helped them build an empire. With a new show and a book about to launch, the Tripps are on the verge of superstardom. There’s only one problem: America’s favorite couple can’t stand each other.
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My thoughts:
Anyone else Joanna & Chip Gaines fans? Well, I love their show. I imagine like most couples they fight or have words off-screen we do not see.

Well, this book took a look at what if a famous HGTV couple lost their shit and their show because of the lies of their so-called life.

Kinda like Christina and Tarq… remember their show? Something Flip.

Anywho. I really liked this first CL book. Breezy and easy read. I adored the banter and love between Carey and James. But Rusty stole the oneliner show for me with all the references to Jim- AKA James.

Sassiest character - Rusty
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Qotd: Do you watch any reality TV? What are your favs?

Special thanks to NetGalley and Galley Books for an ARC COPY in exchange my honest review