The Honey Don't List is the 4th single title book I have read by the amazing duo that is Christina Lauren. When I requested this book, I thought I would get carried away by the story as had happened with the other books, unfortunately that did not happen. No disrespect to Christina Lauren but I could not get into the story at all.
The characters seemed interesting (the assistants and the married/home improvement couple). Story looked interesting enough from reading the summary provided.

Christina Lauren once again delivers a witty, engaging book that sucks you in and makes you keep turning the pages.

In The Honey-Don’t List we find Carey and James, Assistants to Melissa and Rusty Tripp. Home remodeling and design giants which are embarking on a book and promo tour of their upcoming show in Netflix. Melissa’s and Rusty’s relationship has started to spiral, and it’s up to Carey and James to make sure the public do not catch wind of their deteriorating marriage. So we are treated to the adventure of Carey trying to help these two people , that she has seen succeed from small beginnings and James trying to keep Rusty out of trouble, but hating being an assistant.

Slowly the sparks come out and these two gravitate to each other. It certainly is a bit more tame than what I am used to from these two writers, but the dialogue is so engaging and entertaining that you can’t help but keep going. There are some surprises along the way, some which makes you wonder why Carey would devote herself to Melissa and then you start to understand why Rusty has started to stray. You want to hate Melissa, but in many ways you can’t help to feel sorry for her.

It does not disappoint

The honey don’t list is a super cute fixer upper story. This story to me resembled a light and fun story sort of like their ever popular Unhoneymooners.

I did like the story. I liked the fact that the main character had dystonia and it brought awareness to what that is. I had heard of it but I never understood in detail what it was. I liked both the characters, I liked their chemistry. The married couple who hated each other reminded me of a couple that was on HGTV that got divorced recently.

What I didn’t like : the guy wasn’t appealing to me. I think I picture him as this cute nerdy guy but not someone I can see as this attractive man like Christina Lauren’s other stories. And he kind of reminded me of my ex bf (description wise) and that was just a turn off to me personally as a reader

I have read quite a few of the Cristina Lauren's books and I love them. They always turn out to be a cute and fun read with so steam on top. Carey is such a loveable character and you want her to win in all areas in the end. I would have to learned more about James and seen more of behind the marriage fallout with the Tripps. This book keep me wanting more.

Carey Duncan has devoted the last 10 years of her life to Comb+Honey and the Tripps. Her job since she was 16 has been keeping Melissa's life together and helping with Rusty when necessary. From the outside, it looks like a dream job, working with one of the most famous design couples on their show, on the inside, it's a nightmare. James McCann is trying to escape the scandal of his last job when he takes the engineering job with Comb+Honey, unfortunately for him, he's jumping from one train wreck to another.

I absolutely adore this story, and Christina Lauren's writing style, it's descriptive but not overly wordy, they get the point across beautifully without complication. Initially, it seemed as though the book was going to be about the Tripps and their crumbling marriage, but quickly I realized it was about James and Carey. I loved Carey, she's such a sweet relatable character, feeling stuck a job she no longer likes because of real-life issues, it was amazing to see her stand up for herself more and more throughout the book. When we first met James, I didn't care for him (he reminded me a little of Joshua Templeman from The Hating Game, who I also didn't like at first). He gradually grew on me with every chapter and act of kindness towards Carey. I'm so torn on my feelings for Rusty and Melly and their treatment of Carey, part of me wanted to see if their marriage made it, but the other part is just glad James and Carey got an hea (I was a little concerned at 96%). I also really enjoyed the excerpts of the police interviews and tweets from fans (which had me laughing). This is such a great book, funny, sweet and a good reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Highly recommend. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an ARC.

This was my first book by Christina Lauren and it definitely won't be my last! I've seen books by this duo everywhere recently, and the hype is definitely deserved. I really adored this romantic comedy.

I'm a Fixer Upper junkie, so I really loved the twist on the Jo and Chip Gaines dynamic. While I firmly believe in real life those two are nothing like the married couple in this book, I loved the darker, more twisted take on their fame and fortune. It made for an interesting side dynamic/story to read about while the love story between our two protagonists unfolded.

As far as the love story goes, I enjoyed the relationship between Carey and James! The hate-to-love aspect was fun in the beginning, and I loved their banter. But it's the later half of the story, when we learn more about their history, when I really fell for these two. James was so attentive, and Carey really came into her own, which was beautiful to see.

Fans of romantic comedies will love it! Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy :)

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. To start I should confess I am a huge fan of all of the work by Christina Lauren (or rather the authors that make up this pen name). I love everything I have ever read by them. The Honey-Don't List did not disappoint. The characters were well developed and the story kept me engaged until the very end of the story. Have you watched a reality television show and wondered how the people acted in real life once the cameras were off? This book gives you a glimpse of one possible scenario. Rusty and Melly hit it big as home renovation and decoration specialists. Their brand took off and they gained popularity super fast. The only problem is that during all the sudden growth in their brand they didn't focus on each other. Carey and James are tasked with keeping the image/brand popular without exposing the behind the scenes drama of the stars marriage woes to the fans. Carey and James have their hands full and what ensues is a lot of drama, theatrics and a lot of entertainment for the readers. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves chick lit, contemporary fiction or just wants a fun read.

The Honey-Don’t List, written by Christina Lauren, is another hit for me. Published by Gallery Books, this little gem will be released on March 20, 2020. The two authors behind the pen name have created another swooning romance that will steal your heart. After The Unhoneymooners and Twice in a Blue Moon, The Honey-Don’t List is my third book from them this year, and let me tell you one thing – once again, it does not disappoint.

Melissa and Russell Tripps are celebrities, the sweethearts of a famous home renovation show. On TV, this couple is perfection personified– a united front and a fun and stable couple, and they are respected and idolized by all their fans. They are the ultimate couple. Unfortunately for Carey and James, who work closely with them, the Tripps’ TV persona is nothing like reality. The couple can no longer stand each other.

As they all embark on the Tripps’ last book tour and the promotion of their new TV show, Carey and James’s sole goal is to make sure that nothing goes south. Unfortunately, the tension in the air grows thicker each day, especially when one of the Tripps becomes a lot less careful in public. The situation becomes unbearable for both Carey and James, but none of them can afford to quit. Carey needs the money for health insurance, and James needs this job for different, yet valid, reasons. As they team up to make this trip as smooth as possible, obstacles arise, but so does their chemistry. The sparks ignite a fire in each of them, pushing them to reconsider their path and making them wonder if in the end, it would all be worth it.

This book is simply amazing. The format of the book is engaging – a mix between the story, an interview transcript, and social media tweets. The characters are loveable for the most part, maybe not so much for the Tripps. Carey and James come from different worlds, but somehow, they find a way to complement each other. They truly care about one another, and with every interaction, they fix what’s wrong in each other’s lives.

The romance is sweet and hot at the same time. The characters are flawed, down to earth, and funny, which makes them relatable. I highly recommend this story. For me, the book definitely deserves a five-star rating.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Christina Lauren and have read many of their standalone books. Their last book, Twice in a Blue Moon, was the first book that left me unsatisfied and wanting more. I felt it was their weakest book. The Honey-Don't List isn't the greatest comeback from that book but it's a good start. After 25 years of marriage, Melissa and Rusty Tripp can't stand each other so Carey and James are referees of sorts to try and keep up with appearances. Seeing behind-the-scenes with these two as assistants to a remodeling and design married couple was fun, up to a point.
This book is a hard balance between a marriage that's falling apart with a potential relationship that blossoms halfway through the book. The hatred between Melissa and Rusty is so volatile that it's hard to enjoy because it felt a little too realistic. Christina Lauren do their best to give us happy and romantic times with James and Carey but it's not quite enough to get 4 stars from me. I wanted more of the book to be about the young couple getting closer and getting to know each other but instead we got so much of Melissa and Rusty absolutely loathing each other, their relationship falling apart, and James and Carey jumping in to try and save it. Melissa is honestly quite horrible to Carey a few too many times and those moments are not fun to read. Rusty is no better with his cheating habits and putting in no effort to try and help in any way.
On the plus side, I liked getting to know Carey and her history with the couple as well as why she needed to stay with them for so long. While I felt we could have used at least another chapter for the build-up between them before they got together, it still worked for me. There is classic Christina Lauren writing in the way both character ogle each other and begin to realize their feelings for each other.
Overall, this isn't the strongest book from Christina Lauren but it's not the worst either. It's still a fun read that you can get through in a few hours and you'll enjoy yourself for the most part. I still look forward to future releases from these two and hope it's a long time before they run out of ideas.

This was a very sweet story, and I loved the growth of Carey from start to finish. James obviously mattered, but this really was Carey's story.

The characters were well-developed, with depth for even Melissa and Rusty, Carey's surrogate parents (-ish), toxic bosses, and home-makeover tv stars. The issues that arise and resolve over the course of the story feel very genuine. Which is that much more impressive when you consider some of the more outlandish things that happen, and the comedy woven throughout (I mean, this book has a couple from a reality TV show, so... ).

I adored James, in all of his nerdy-engineer beta-ness. I am a sucker for exactly his type! He started out a bit prickly and stuffed-shirt-like, but warmed up rather quickly.

Overall, this was a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Christina Lauren.

Although clearly a play on the Gaines' success on HGTV, I liked this unique take on a modern topic. While I thought the protagonist and her love interest didn't have a ton of chemistry, I enjoyed the book overall. Thank for NetGalley for an ARC provided for review.

I very much enjoyed this story! 3.5 stars! Carey and James were adorable and I loved how James fell for her. I appreciated that he wanted to help her but didn’t take over for her.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Carey (a long-term employee and James (MIT graduate and engineering genius) are both working for Melissa and Rusty Tripp. They have been working hard to help the boss launch a new relationship book and a TV show. Carey and James are overworked, tired and at the end of their rope. Just when Carey and James thought they have a little break once the boss get on the road, they were told they needed to accompany them. Let the rollercoaster trip begins … Rusty was cheating on his wife Melissa and let just say they have a very dysfunctional relationship. Carey and James have a tough job of babysitting the bosses and keeping the peace. What I don’t like is the whole Melissa and Rusty living a lie and all the drama that comes with them being famous. What a hot mess! However, the romance between Carey and James was cute and sweet. Honestly, not my favorite of CL. The story drag a bit but if you are looking for a fun, lighthearted love story between co-workers – this is for you.

Co-workers-turn-lovers romance 3.5 stars

In The Honey-Don't List, Carey is the overworked personal assistant to Joanna Gaines - sorry, Melly Tripp, who runs a home renovation and design empire with her husband Rusty. Melly and Rusty are a mess behind the scenes, and Carey has been quietly propping them up for years. Rusty has a new assistant/show engineer, James, and he and Carey must work together to make sure the two stars don't go off the rails. I've read two Christina Lauren books prior to The Honey-Don't List, and I loved one and really did not like the other. This one fell a bit in the middle for me. I enjoyed most things about the book, but some of the details felt a little off. I really should not have gotten bogged down over the details of their Netflix deal, but I did. (It was weird that everyone was watching the show at the same time; I don't think in general that's how Netflix works. It would've made more sense for cable TV.) That's extremely unimportant, but did distract me. I also was not crazy about the Twitter threads embedded in the text. In theory I liked what they were there for (to show gossip about the Tripps), but Twitter is so stressful even in fictional form that it didn't work for me. Anyway, I really liked Carey - she was fantastic, and I initially really liked James as well. However, I felt that James (inexplicably) did something really awful and I didn't feel like he ever redeemed himself. It also felt out of character and more like a plot device than anything. I raced through this one, but in the end Carey deserved better.

The Honey Don’t List by the epic duo Christina Lauren is a fast, funny, witty, contemporary romance that is a breathe of fresh air.

I have to admit this is my first read from these authors, and it leaves me in search of more great books that they have written. (That is one of the ultimate compliments, by the way.)

I enjoyed the plot: the romance, the difficulties, the hurdles, the themes of love, friendship, the beginnings and ends of relationships, amongst many others.

I enjoyed Carey and James and I enjoyed their interactions and gradual interest turned romance path throughout the book. I did not enjoy Melissa by any means. She is snobby, superficial, judgmental, and honestly a bully. I do not think that we readers are supposed to like her though. I think that is one of the character points that was purposely added to give a larger contrast to the positive evolution of Carey and James’s relationship.

I thought the dialogue was witty, and at times I literally laughed out loud. I thought the plot and pacing was appropriate and appealing, and I also enjoyed the ending.

In the end, this book was exactly what I was hoping, and expecting it to be. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for this awesome ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

There is a bleakness about the heady mixture of social media and fame, and those swept aside in the pursuit thereof, that Christina Lauren has managed to capture with The Honey-Don't List. This book delivered everything I've come to expect from Christina Lauren--the darkness and the light paired together so well that it combusts, pops, and sizzles from all the chemistry. Of course, I'm talking about James and Carey and how their relationship evolves into something interesting and addictive.

Also of note: CL never lets me down with their gift for writing. Christina Lauren doesn't just tell us that Melly is a bully. They start off the book with unforgettable imagery and proceed to create a nuanced villain who is as mean as she is insecure and incapable of seeing her own faults. Carey's interactions with her show how tentative a relationship can be when one person has all the control and the other person all the talent. The setting illuminates these characters, making them difficult to forget.

Fun book along the lines of the author's other book The UnHoneymooners, in that this is a from hate to love romance. This will be a definite buy for my library collection as Christina Lauren checks out well at my library. Personally I felt the book maybe could have been a little longer just to focus on their romance more as everything happens quickly and then the book ends.

I don’t think I have found another set of writers whom I love more than Christina Lauren and The Honey-Don’t list is no exception. I LOVED it! I think Christina Lauren’s strength is writing the best book boyfriends ever created. Jim was sexy and smart but not an asshole and that is extremely refreshing. I loved the home improvement angle but I thought that area could have been a little more “fun”. Melly could be too much sometimes and I wished they would have shown some of her redeeming qualities in order to better justify why Carey would put up with her for so long. Overall, I read this in less than 24 hours and that’s how I tell a great book.

Will post Instagram post the week of publication.

I will always read every Christina Lauren book that comes out, but I have to say they don't usually blow me away. They're more light, easy breezy books perfect for the beach or for a break after a heavy read. I loved the premise behind The Honey-Don't List, but just didn't feel a connection to the characters as much as I wanted to.

Melissa and Rusty Tripp have a home renovation empire with everything from makeover shows to books to product lines. Without a doubt, you'll be reminded of Joanna and Chip Gaines (I absolutely could not get their images out of my head when I was reading this!). Carey has been Melissa's assistant for 10 years and is at the point of burnout. Melissa is demanding and not very nice and we'll learn that Carey actually does a lot of the work that Melissa gets credit for. James is, for all intents and purposes, Rusty's assistant, despite the fact that he was hired to be an engineer and has an MIT education. It turns out that Melissa and Rusty's relationship is falling apart and they're in danger of losing everything if they don't get it together... Carey and James's mission is to help them do this.

I don't want to spoil anything here, but I think my main issue with the book is that I never felt deeply invested in the characters or that I got to really know them. It all felt a little surface level to me and I wanted something deeper. Some of the relationships in the book also didn't feel super believable and it almost felt like something was missing. I did read the book pretty quickly and mostly enjoyed it, but I ended it feeling like I wanted so much more. But t be honest, I often feel that way with Christina Lauren books. I don't think they're meant to blow my mind with character depth and insight and are just meant to be light stories that entertain. And really, there's nothing at all wrong with that.

The title did not match the story. Also, the last couple of chapters felt rushed.
I think that Carey’s character deserved a little more back story than what we got. In the first part of the book, it was written as if she had a hard life but we did not really get a lot of detail.