Josh and Hazel!!! So honored to have been allowed to review this book as it is in my top favorites for the year. Christina Lauren are my favorite writing duo and they knock it out of the park 99% of the time. I *think* this might be my favorite book of theirs.

Hazel is so quirky and fun. She's a complete breath of fresh air with her awkward interactions, complete inability to filter herself and how hilarious she is (sometimes unintentionally). I just fell in love with her immediately. May authors write an awkward female but this book does awkward at it's best. Hazel is hard to keep up with sometimes but she has an amazing heart and I love the way she loves so fiercely. Once you're loved by Hazel, you can never get away which our hero, Josh, finds out pretty quick.

Josh is also amazing. He's kind of quiet, very responsible, and also a bit in denial over his relationship with his current long term girlfriend. I actually loved that he started off with a girlfriend because the friendship between he and Hazel is almost more beautiful than their love story. He's really the perfect calm to her storm. And together, they both teach each a lot about friendship and love.

So let's just give a round of applause for Christina Lauren who continue to churn out amazing work. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The writing is crispy, there is a fantastic balance of humor and sexiness, it's a light read and yet you still feel so much for the characters. Can't wait to see what these authors come up with next!

Actual rating... 4.5 stars.
Let's start by my saying... I love Christina Lauren... And this offering from the writing duo did not disappoint.
What I Loved: everything!! The characters (how can you not love Hazel?!?!), the setting, the storyline.... THE ENDING!!
What I liked: the journey the characters take
What I hated: can't say I hated anything!!
What to listen to while reading: Kasey Musgraves 'Biscuits'

Chirstina Lauren has knocked it out of the park with this novel. It is sweet, hilarious and downright swoony. One of their best romance novels yet.

This was my first Christina Lauren novel and they DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I am all giddy with feels and how much this book spoke to me. It was so refreshing to see a quirky girl being herself and NOT APOLOGIZING for being who she is. I love how real the characters were and how their problems are problems we see in real life. It helps you rationalize what each person was thinking. I want to see more the secondary characters and I hope there will be more of these wonderful people. The story line was intense in and out the bed room. I super loved this book.

While I love Christina Lauren's book... this one wasn't a huge hit for me. I struggled with Hazel's character. I know she was supposed to be quirky, but at times, I found her super annoying, She was a little too old to act like an immature teenager.

I know I am going against the grain with this review, but I didn't love this one as much as other Christian Lauren books, I am sad to report.

Let me begin with how sweet this book was and the so many laugh out loud moments were amazing. I really loved Hazel, she was wild and crazy and so dang lovable. Josh was adorable and lovable, he was also very sweet. This was a really good book and highly recommend it.

I laughed at Hazel's antics all the way thru the book. She really is a fun girl. Hazel and Josh met in college. Hazel was funny, silly and wild. Josh is serious, conservative and just doesn't know what to think about Hazel. After they both graduated from college, she becomes a grade school teacher and he is a Physical Therapist. Hazel is Emma's best friend, but Hazel does not know that Josh and Emma are brother and sister.. Tabitha is Josh 's cheating, no good girlfriend. Hazel encourages Josh to go and talk to Tabitha before they break up but it didn't work. They get to know each other and despite the differences, they become best friends, especially when Hazel's apartment floods and she needs a place to stay.. They don't date each other, but fix each other up on blind dates, disastrous blind dates Since they are best friends, this is how they try to find each other a date. After about seven dates and sleeping together, they worry about how it will affect their friendship. Hazel has no filter on her moth and says what she thinks. Can Josh love Hazel's strange but endearing behavior? What about the ex-boyfriend that Josh accidentally fixes Hazel up with? Once they figure out they love each other, it is a uphill battle with secrets and misunderstandings. Loved this book, much. I received this book from Gallery and Threshold Books for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. 5+

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was EPIC. A beautiful friendship turns into a burning romance, this is one of my favorite kind of tropes. I absolutely adored Hazel and Josh from the start and continued to love them until the very last word in this book. Both of them amazing in their own ways and perfect for each other! It was truly a beautiful love story that I think everyone should read. Christina Lauren know how to do it!

I've read several of Christina Lauren books and I can say with the utmost confidence that this is their best book to date. It's by far my favorite of theirs. There wasn't one thing I didn't love about it. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is the epitome of opposites attract. It's one of the best friends to lovers story I've ever read and I loved it so much!! I have no doubt it will be one of my favorite reads of 2018.

Hazel Bradford is a bit of a weirdo, and I mean that in the best way possible. She knows she can be a lot to take, she gets it. She's fun, loud, a little crazy and a lot of amazing. When she meets Josh Im in college, she's got a bit of a crush, but Josh seems to be right there in the middle of all her embarrassing moments. Josh is very much the opposite of Hazel. He's mellow, cool, calm, and collective.

Fast forward years after college and Hazel becomes besties with a girl named Emily. She soon finds out that Emily is Josh Im's sister. Josh and Hazel are back in each other's lives and Hazel is determined that they become best friends. Josh is at a place where he could use a best friend, so even as different as these two are, they end up spending all their free time together and this unlikely pair just clicks.

I loved reading about these two together. They were perfect. You could feel the attraction under the surface, the friendship, and the love. They had so many adventures and crazy (non)dates with others that just made me laugh out loud. I think what I loved the most is that Josh loved Hazel for who she was, crazy and all. He never wanted her to change or calm down, he just accepted her. It was a beautiful thing.

I laughed and smiled so much while reading this book and it gave me the best heartwarming feels. This story was everything. These types of books aren't usually my favorites, as I lean towards books that are more heavy and emotional, but this one hit the spot for me. It was exactly what I wanted and I loved every single second.

As you can probably tell from my raving review, I highly recommend this book. I could not have loved it more if I wanted to. Hazel and Josh were both such endearing and fantastic characters and I loved their connection and chemistry. If you're looking for a book that will give you a permanent smile, one that will make your heart so happy it could burst, and just a completely lovable friends to lovers book, pick this one up. You won't regret it!

Hazel is an off-the-wall uncensored 3rd grade teacher who re-connects with Josh at a BBQ given by her best friend. She and Josh agree to become best friends and find dates for each other. Many laughable moments, total enjoyable.

In JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING, Christina Lauren pairs a kooky, madcap heroine with no filter with a steadier, more reserved Korean-American dude. It excels as a friends-to-lovers romance, with Josh and Hazel going on a series of blind double dates that go from hilariously bad to worse.

I’d been waiting to see what Lauren would do with a Korean-American hero. While I wish they had made Josh the free spirit, it’s great to see a contemporary Asian guy treated as a thirst object. The details of his family life also ring true. (I’m half Japanese, not Korean, but there’s a lot that’s familiar, e.g. Asian-American moms bringing you food and farming off giant bags of rice on you.)

Then, there’s Hazel. I loved that she wasn’t going to change who she is for a guy. But even as Josh embraces her brand of crazy, I didn’t find it endearing. She moves through the world doing and saying more or less whatever she wants, assuming its lovable and that everything will work out for her, because apparently, it usually does. The twist, when it came toward the end, broke me.

As always, Christina Lauren delivers a fun, steamy read. I support and appreciate their efforts to bring greater inclusivity to romance. And while I didn’t love Hazel, I’ve already pre-ordered the book.

3.5 stars

“I’m an optimist; I always anticipated having a good life. But to have dreamed something like this would have felt enormously selfish.”
~Christina Lauren, Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

*I received this free ARC from NetGalley and Gallery books in exchage for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

I am OBSESSED with this book! I read it in one sitting last night and was laughing until I cried. Full of witty, smart humor and wonderful steamy moments, Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating has become one of my favorite books of the year!

Hazel is my spiritual animal. I’m not even kidding. She’s witty, fun, vivacious, quirky and she loves BIG. She’s exactly the type of person you would want as a best friend. And Josh. Oh, Josh. He’s so calm and steady, with a dry humor that’s addicting, and a heart of gold. I absolutely loved everything about their relationship: from their awkward start, to becoming best friends, and finally to falling in love.

This book is truly a joy to read. The plot was well paced and captivating, and you can’t help but fall in love with these characters. If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud and fall in love...look no further than Josh and Hazel. Thank you, Christina Lauren, for another incredible book!

I'm still a Christina Lauren newbie, as in this is only my second book of theirs. And I'm absolutely smitten by this writing duo. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was so fun and unique. The plotline was that of your traditional friends to lovers story. BUT the uniqueness came in to play with the characters. Josh was a Korean American and Hazel was extremely eccentric. I just found these two so refreshing and fun. Their story is one I'll be recommending over and over!

I absolutely love Christina Lauren's witty writing style and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was just another wonderful example of this. It was great to see a female character like Hazel get such a hot looking guy.

I love friends to lovers romance and just loved the dynamic and relationship between Hazel and Josh.

Hazel and Josh knew each other in college, she always had a crush on him but they haven't seen each other in years until she realizes that he is the brother of one of her good friends.

Hazel is a quirky and funny no-filter kinda girl and I just loved her character. Josh is the complete opposite—a neat freak, laid back, more quiet to her loud.

When Josh finds out that his girlfriend of two years is cheating on him, Hazel plants herself into his life as his best friend and does everything in her power to make him smile, to enjoy life, to not think of his ex but to have fun. With this comes a friendship like no other... setting each other on blind dates and getting to know each other on a level that they never expected.

I loved watching them fall... complete opposites who are really so darn perfect for one another. This is the perfect summer read for readers who love a quirky strong heroine who doesn't change but remains true to herself and the guy who realizes what has been in front of him this entire time.

I wish we had more time with them together but I LOVED LOVED LOVED the epilogue and the perfect life they created together. <3

The writing duo of Christina Lauren always puts a smile on my face and I always look forward to what they have in store for us next!

Hazel Bradford is unique.  At least that is one way to put it.  Hazel is a lot to take in and frankly most men just don't know what to do with her bag of crazy.  If her mouth doesn't scare them off then her love of animals and crazy antics surely will.  But what they don't stick around to find out, is that Hazel is kind, caring and has a heart of gold.  So Hazel does what Hazel does best.......have fun.

Josh Im is Hazel's best friend Katie's brother.  Also as Hazel describes him to be, her college crush.  But as luck would have it in college, all he knows her as is the girl who threw up on his shoes at a party, caught having sex with his room-mate and the girl who wrote him an email while on painkillers.  Yep Crazy Hazel.  So when ten years later they bump into each other, Hazel is determined to make him her best friend.  

When Josh is in a slump after finding out his girlfriend has been cheating on him, Hazel is determined to get him off the couch and out of his sweats.

"If my life were a movie, I would (1) be much better grounded, and (2) co-star in a montage of scenes in which Josh sits on the couch in his sweatpants and I dance around in front of him trying to get him to laugh."

So Hazel comes up with a crazy scheme for her and Josh to go on a series of double dates.  Not to find a serious relationship, but to have fun. 

"Seriously.  No games, no expectations.  Double blind date.  Just for a laugh."

But what happens when it becomes more? 

This is the second book by this duo set of authors that I have read, and it did not disappoint.  This book didn't only have enjoyable characters, but it had a very fun and energetic story line.   This book was hard to put down.  With its uniqueness and originality, this book is sure to impress you. 

Josh and Hazel are perfect for each other, even if they claim disinterest.  Their friendship is an unusual one at that.  Their romance is the perfect blend of humor and hot steaminess.  Oh la la! Right!?   

I haven't laughed this hard reading a book in quite a while.  I was laughing from the very beginning of this book, all the way up to the end.  I absolutely loved this story.  If I could give this book  a 10 I would.  A fun read no doubt.  So if you are looking for some fun, then this book is for you.  Follow along on Josh and Hazel's dating disasters....I mean adventures.  I bet you will enjoy every last page.

*ARC provided by NetGalley & Gallery Books

This is the second book I have read by Christina Lauren. And I really enjoyed it. It was definitely one of those slow burn romances, which is probably one of my favorites. Hazel and Josh have known each other since college and become reacquainted a number of years later. Josh has just went through a bad break up and they begin setting each other up on double dates. And then you can only assume what happens next.

I found Hazel and Josh to be interesting characters. Hazel was quirky and funny, without being too over done. And of course Josh was more serious, with a dry sense of humor. I enjoyed Hazel’s antics and watching their relationship develop.

I read this book in one day and give it 4 stars!

I was given a copy of this this by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating was a perfect summer read! It was hilarious, touching and completely relatable with a good amount of sizzle. I want to be friends with a real-life Hazel and Josh is so much like my own husband (how lucky am I?). This is one I’ll read again for the humor, romantic tension and all the happy feels

I admit to being a bit wary going in, wondering how this would stack up against my last, beloved Christina Lauren read, Love & Other Words. While completely different, I loved both books equally!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

One of the things that captures a readers interest is something that this writing team does very well. They give you a true to life snapshot into their characters life.

What do I mean by true to life? They have the ability to write in such a manner as you can feel the uncomfortableness, the shy weirdness that people sometimes exhibit. The quirks and running off at the mouth that just tends to happen when you’re nervous.

All of this describes Hazel. With her fumbling, bumbling personality, it’s hard not to see yourself in her, just a little bit.

Then we have Josh. A solid upright low-key person who balances all of Hazel’s uniqueness. Together we get a humorous story of “friends” who set each other up on double dates because they’re just not right for each other. Until they are....

Christina Lauren’s foray into this young adult story is delightful read. They have the unique ability to create live-out-loud characters in Josh and Hazel that just endear themselves right to your soul.

Josh + Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is a funny, quirky, sexy book that you just have to experience. This is one story you will definitely fall in love with.

This book easily made me fall in love with it. I expected it to be cute from the cover but I fell hard and fast for Josh and Hazel.

Hazel and Josh met in college and 10 years later they meet again when She becoming best friends with his sister Emily. Hazel is very out there and says whatever she wants, while Josh is very reserved. We all know that opposites make the best lovers in books and this was no different.

Hazel stole my heart from the very beginning. This girl is a hot mess and is 100% unapologetically herself. I spent so much of this book laughing at her and what she would do or say. My favorite thing about her was that she never once apologized for being herself. I loved that about her!

Josh was adorable! Reading about Hazel getting him to let loose had me tapping on my Kindle so I could read more. He was a gentleman and seeing him fall for Hazel left me smiling like an idiot! Also, did I mention he was Korean American? It was great to see a bit of culture here.

These two together warmed my heart! I have never seen two people who belonged together not see what was right in front of their face. Also, that epilogue killed me, in a good way of course!

I loved this and I highly recommend reading this one!