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.

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

A great spoof of sorts on the behind the scenes lives of famous home remodeling duos. It's almost a cross between Fixer Upper and the Devil wears Prada. We have an extremely dysfunctional couple who are stars of a home remodeling empire through tv, books, and media. Along with them, 2 assistants who are desperately trying to hide the crazy from the public to keep the brand alive. Pretty hilarious at times, and a fun story to delve into. The narration begins with police interviewing the assistants, so something has gone down that propels the story. Fun read!

This book reminded me too much of a Netflix movie to really enjoy it. It was too quick with some scenes. I just didn't feel the real building of a relationship. 3 stars for me.

The Honey-Don’t list is a fun story about how two people from two different worlds are forced to work together. I love Carey and James! They are the cutest together. Their slow build friendship is beautiful to watch blossom. I loved their banter and how they’re there for each other.

I loved the dialogue and how the story was written. I enjoyed that this was almost like a double story. Part of it is a hot mess and the other is endearing. As these couples tackle many hurdles, I was left wondering if anyone was coming on the positive side. There are many examples throughout this story that appearances can be deceiving. The fan tweets were cute, and the story is sweet and fun. It left me with a smile on my face.

I hate to say this but this was a disappointing read. The romance felt like an after thought. To be honest I was rooting for Rusty and Mellie. I don't even remember the H/h names. This book was more women's fiction with just one scene of steam.

Christina Lauren is one my auto-buy authors so .I will continue reading their books. I just hope this is just one small miss in their career.

The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren

I read this book in just about one sitting. It was fast paced and true to form, very fun and quirky. Carey and James are the assistants for Melissa and Rusty, who are are like a Joanna and Chip Gaines with their own reality home renovation show.

However, Melly and Rusty actually despise each other and are on tour for a book written on having a perfect marriage. I have read all of Christina Lauren's standalone books and this one was just ok for me. There didn't seem to be a ton happening or developing outside of what was already outlined in the cover synopsis.

Thank you for my advanced copy!

As someone who has spent far too much time watching design shows on HGTV-- I was really excited to read this book! The Honey-Don't List was another entertaining and fun read from the duo of Christina Lauren. The dysfunctional marriage of the design show power-couple, Melly and Rusty was hilarious. Their assistants, Carey and James are thrown into the middle of their imploding marriage and there is no shortage of entertaining drama. The love-hate relationship between Carey and James offers the perfect amount of banter. Carey's struggles with dystonia was an interesting addition to the plot line and I was glad the connection between her condition and author Lauren's family was explained in the acknowledgements. And adding in the interrogation transcripts, social media posts, book reviews, etc. throughout the book were a great addition too. Carey is definitely a character I could relate to--feeling stuck in a job, but too scared to take the leap and leave a job where she isn't appreciated. It was frustrating at times to witness everything she dealt with--I wanted her to stand up for herself more and maybe not be as forgiving. But The Honey-Don't List was a really great read. Definitely recommend!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the advance copy!

My blurb:
A dysfunctional version of Chip and Joanna Gaines go on tour and need to be managed by two employees who think they're better than each other.

2/5 stars
  4-5 / 5 steam level
[this rating is mainly for speech used rather than action]

This book was a hard one for me. It wasn't particularly funny by any means and the characters that you're supposed to be rooting for didn't really have much of a love story.  The first few chapters set the groundwork for the reader to understand the empire that Carey and James are working for.  This was tough for me because I thought it was pretty easy to grasp that the Tripps were indeed the Gaines' but with a crappy marriage.  I tried to push through that part assuming that the Gaines' don't exist in the world that Christina Lauren created- but alas, at the end of the book Mrs. Tripp makes a reference to Chip and Jo!  So that theory went out the window...
The formatting is a bit like Big Little Lies (the show... because I still haven't read the book!) where they're being interviewed by the police about something secretive and you don't find out what it is until the end. I would've been really into this storytelling technique if it paid off. I didn't think it paid off. 
Around 31% into the book I made a note that I was ready to start skimming.  Instead I put the book down and read a different book and came back to this one.
I think what I struggled with the most is not rooting for Carey and James.  They were more like side characters than the main characters of the novel.  Carey lacked a lot of gumption and I really dislike that in a character.  There was a communication issue that could have been easily avoided but was maybe necessary for the climax of the book (only if you thought of James and Carey as the main characters... which I did not and therefore didn't find the drama necessary). 
I would be wrong to not acknowledge that there is a weirdly abusive (verbal and emotional?) relationship in this book that is completely unhealthy and doesn't resolve in a way that was pleasing for me.
Remember that awesome movie Set It Up on Netflix? This was kind of like a take on that movie but not done as well. 
I will say also that as much as I wasn't wrapped up in the love story of the book, I did like James quite a bit.

So overall this book wasn't for me.  There will definitely be readers that love this book and like the variation from other CL books.  The good news is that this is the exception to the rule from me with CL books and I will happily still pick up their next book without thinking twice about it!

thank you netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Carey and James are assistants to the world's favorite home-improvement couple, and they can't stand each other. Christina Lauren always do an amazing job creating characters in both unique and relatable circumstances. We've all been in a job where we felt we needed to but couldn't leave. As we learn more about the reasons Carey and James got in their positions and why they need to leave we watch them become a team. It was such an interesting dynamic to watch them find themselves and realize their feelings for each other.

The home improvement duo sounded like it could have been any couple on HGTV and was probably influenced by all of them. Christina Lauren did another amazing job with this book. It's perfect for HGTV addicts, friends to enemies lovers, and anyone who needs a reminder that their job might not be as bad as it seems.