Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren Book Review
A sweet, funny & heartwarming story about two college friends who couldn't be more opposite. Years later, they are both in Portland (YAY!) & start to hang out. But no dating, no way. (wink!)

Vulnerability Hangover
Hazel Bradford is the very definition of what a vulnerability hangover could be. Have you heard that expression? One of my favorites, Brene Brown, talks about it in many of her books. Have you ever overshared at a party? Have you crept out on a limb only to regret it later? I feel like this after I leave most social situations. I say, "Damn, Sarah - why did you say that?" This my friends is a vulnerability hangover.

But, we’re all supposed to be vulnerable right? People now equate vulnerability with strength. When we're open and honest about our true feelings and who we truly are, it makes us stronger, right?

Hazel is a Butterfly
Well, in that case, Hazel is one of the strongest people out there. But unlike most of us, Hazel has no chill. I mean, none whatsoever. No vulnerability hangover here. Hazel is Hazel & that's it. Take her or leave her, she will be Hazel ALL DAY. That’s one of the things I really love about her character. She is zany as hell. She's also honest, kind & follows her heart. I really love her wild nature & free spirit. That being said, I know she can be a lot to deal with.

Can We Talk About Josh?
Let’s talk about Josh. Josh is a gem. Quickly, Hazel re-enters his life and takes over in all regards. There’s not much air left in the room when Hazel is here. But, oh, Josh! (Insert heart eye emoji here!) Josh is patient & so sweet & thoughtful. Remember, he’s nursing his own broken heart. This is a time where he can be selfish and really just focus on himself. Instead, he welcomes Hazel into his life (as friends, duh!) with open arms.

Josh is so freaking sweet. We all need a Josh. This man will search through the couch cushions to find a remote. That's love if I ever heard it. He also can read Hazel. And when another person is super rude, Josh quickly comes in & tells them to f*ck off. Josh is intuitive & he is a listener. Maybe he & wild child Hazel are meant to be together after all?

THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Y'all already know after reading The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang that I’m super into romance novels. I love, love, love this one. Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating has just enough sex to make it a bit steamy, several laughs & lots of tender moments. Immediately, I want to read everything by Christina Lauren. So my question is do you have any favorites by Christina Lauren? If not, give me some more sweet romances, please!

Special thanks to Christina Lauren, Gallery Books & NetGalley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

This book made me laugh! Like, a lot.

The story is told from the perspective of the two main characters, Hazel and Josh, and Hazel is a riot. She’s one of those people who many of us would probably find exhausting in real life—a free spirit who isn’t afraid to be herself (fine) but whose behavior is sometimes extreme (hmmm) and who can’t control what comes out of her mouth (uh-oh). Hazel is too much for a lot of people, and she’s afraid she would be too much for Josh, aka Mr. Perfect, the brother of her best friend and a very normal guy. So, she resolves that they should be best friends, ignoring any attraction she feels for him. But the more time Josh spends with Hazel, the less sure he is that he only wants to be friends . . .

I liked the way the romance between Hazel and Josh developed, with the two of them spending a lot of time together as friends first. That friendship involves things like meeting each other’s families and going on a series of spectacularly unsuccessful blind double dates, which allows their relationship to develop very naturally into more. The story does get bogged down a bit in the very common romance trope of them not being willing to be honest about what they feel, but thankfully that doesn’t drag out too long.

Readers looking for a laugh-out-loud contemporary romance should definitely pick this one up.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

I found a new favorite author to stalk! Ok two, because Christina Lauren is actually a writing duo, and I’m so serious when I say I’m obsessed with this book. I’m ordering their backlist and devouring them first chance I have. If someone doesn’t make this into a rom com movie it’s a big mistake. HUGE. Because this was one of the most witty, cute, charming and hilarious books I’ve read in ages.


This is told from both Josh and Hazel’s point of view and while Josh is my new book boyfriend (you guys I usually don’t even do the whole book BF thing, I broke my own rule for him, swoon worthy fictional man) I’m totally in love with Hazel as well. She is a quirky, big hearted and incredibly endearing woman and he is basically her polar opposite. The best part of their pairing was that Josh just gets Hazel, he doesn’t get embarrassed when she’s the only one dancing like a maniac at a concert, in fact he embraces her exactly as she is and I just seriously can’t get enough of that attitude. This world needs more of that type of acceptance and total lack of judgement.

The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites, I love the mounting tension and heightened chemistry that is evident between two people claiming to be just friends when clearly they are so much more than friends. Christina Lauren blends the perfect combination of sweet, sexy and funny and I loved watching Josh and Hazel fall in love. And that final chapter? Don’t know if I’ve ever read anything more perfect in my life, turned me into a total mush ball. Must read for romance fans!!

Josh and Hazel in three words: Spicy, Adorable and Endearing.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Seriously adorable. Friends to lovers troupe.
Hilarious one liners and repartee. Hazel is quirky and pretty. Josh is handsome and serious. Together, they are best friends. And then more.
Alternating chapters between Hazel and Josh.
A bit sexy. A bit sentimental. A bit quality family values.
A full romantic romp.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and then purchased a copy to share.

OK, Christina Lauren is my new favorite romance author. Like...she just hits me right in the heart and makes me feel all the feels. Hazel is amazing and strong and I just immediately connected with her (because what woman has not gotten a little tipsy and done something that embarrassed someone she was with? mine might have involved leading a casino shuttle in a round of "Copacabana") and the way she talked about Josh, and then reading his own thoughts... I mean, who doesn't love him? This book was so well paced, the characters so well written, I just loved every minute of reading it. More, please.

I loved this book! The humor is off the charts and the characters memorable to say the least. Hazel is a force to be reckoned with and her relationship with Josh is priceless. Hazel says whatever comes to mind and most people can't handle it but those few who understand her joyful take on life are constantly amazed. Laugh out loud funny and hard to put down - this book is a must read!

4.5 stars

Deemed undateable early on, two people reunite in friendship and bad dates to find an unexpected connection.

Hazel Bradford is a woman who lives her life to the beat of her own drum. Quirky, impulsive, awkward and spewer of word vomit, she knows her faults, but refuses to change for anyone. As such, she's happily single and aware that her goofy ways keep her from a long-term relationship.

Josh Im is the opposite of everything Hazel represents. He is the brother of Hazel's BFF, Emily, and all too fondly remembers how he came to know Hazel in college, involving a series of unfortunate incidents. When the two cross paths at a barbecue, Hazel reinserts herself into his life as things begin to fall apart for him.

"I feel like I have a lot to apologize for," I admit, "but I can't be sure I won't be constantly exasperating you, so maybe I'll just wait until we're elderly."

While she suffers from "food in mouth" syndrome, I loved Hazel's confidence in who she was and how she worked to please others. As Josh's moods begin to spiral downward, she forces him to get back into the field, with a series of double blind dates. The dates themselves are epically bad, with each one worse than the next, but Hazel and Josh seem to relish the time together, often joyfully recounting bad memories of each date.

As much as the two address how opposite they are and unfit to date one another, it is clear how well they work together. So, it was surprising that the biggest obstacle for them, is actually Hazel herself.

"We both know Hazel is a butterfly. I think you have the power to take the dust from her wings."

How their relationship evolves is far from normal. Like Hazel, it is impulsive and a bit awkward. As both are desperate to maintain their friendship, neither shares how their feelings are changing. There are rocky parts, as new people come into their little bubble, but this thankfully isn't drawn out, so the angst is minimal. And I loved how Josh handles Hazel's surprise - it was unexpected and really sweet.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers story. It had the perfect mix of humor, sweet moments and a little heat. If you are looking for a light and fun read, check this out!

5 stars!!

“The world seems full of men who are initially infatuated by our eccentricities, but who ultimately expect them to be temporary.”

Josh and Hazel have known each other since college when she vomited on his shoes. Hazel was the wild child and Josh always liked her but thought she was a bit too much.

Now years later the two of them meet up again and become the best of friends. Knowing they are both undate-able for each other, they set out on a series of double dates each more unfortunate than the last. But they might be having more fun with each other than anyone else….

“When I meet someone I love, I become an octopus and wind my tentacles around their heart.”

It took me until the end of chapter 1 to realize I had been smiling the entire time I had been reading. Throughout reading this book I would continue to find myself smiling and laughing out loud. Sometimes I was laughing so hard I had to put the book down before diving right back in. To say I loved this book is an understatement, and it came into my life exactly when I needed it.

Christina Lauren is an author duo who only get better with every new release. How is that even possible? Most authors tend to go downhill, get boring or deliver the same book with a new cover. Not these two!!! They’ve cemented themselves into a favorite author spot for me, and I know they are automatic one click authors.

Josh and Hazel are characters I loved equally, but for very different reasons. I loved Hazel’s bright inner light, her eccentricities, and how she was aware she was different from everyone else but was unwilling to change for anyone. I loved how Josh got Hazel and accepted her, never wanting to change her. He’s more a stoic type, but the kind that will quietly be beside you through everything.

This book is going into my best of the year list! I LOVED IT! It’s a special story and I really do hope reader’s everywhere will pick it up and enjoy it even half as much as I did.

“He doesn’t need me to change or pretend to be someone else. He’s my person. He’s my best friend.”

ARC provided by the publisher via netgalley. All/any quotes in this review came from an advance unedited copy and may be subject to change in the final product.

My review will post on my blog (www.bugbugbooks.com) and Amazon on September 4. Thank you for the ARC!

Josh Im is cool, calm, and collected. Hazel Bradford is zany, erratic, and fun (if you like 'em wild). The two meet in college where it becomes abundantly clear that, despite Hazel's immediate attraction to Josh the Adonis, they are simply incompatible. Fast forward a decade, and they run into each other again at the house of Josh's sister, who happens to also be Hazel's new best friend. They begin building a friendship and over time discover they're more compatible than they originally thought.

 *   *   *   *   *

This book is basically When Harry Met Sally but with hotter sex. It's totally predictable and the ending was a little lazy, but holy smokes it was fun to read. Hazel is your typical manic-pixie-dream-girl, and Josh is the reserved-and-withholding-but-secretly-wounded stony soul who just needs the "right girl" to open his eyes to true love. There's not much new here, honestly. But the characters are still lovable and relatable, and the story is entertaining and zips along. And the sex scenes are perfect! Just the right amount of over-the-top-ness to make you laugh...but also secretly make you a little randy, too. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is just a fun novel that made me smile and feel light for a day. I loved it.

Honestly, one of the best books I read in a while -- since maybe The Hating Game. This is the authors' best book to-date IMO. I'm ready to read it all over again.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is another witty, hilarious and sexy read from this duo!

Hazel and Josh are such opposites, but for some reason, their dynamic worked. Hazel Camille Bradford is quirky, eccentric and a funny character. She is free-spirited and does what she wants to do, even though some may view her as being "weird." Whereas Josh Im, is more reserved and likes to do things by the book.

Hazel and Josh begin an unusual friendship. When she met Josh in college, Hazel had a crush on him, but her quirkiness and embarrassing moments were all witnessed by Josh. So she was convinced, she was never going to be a fit to his calm and reserved personalty. And jump to years later, Josh and Hazel are back into each other lives and Hazel is determined to be Josh's best friend.

These two form a friendship by setting each other up with blind dates. But the more these two spend time with each other with other dates, they realize that their attraction is more than friendship. But how they tell each other they want more than friendship? It takes many bad dates before these two figure it out. And getting there is the best part of their story!

What I love about this book is the Korean culture and lifestyle that is brought into the characters of this book. Being Asian-American myself, it's rare to get a glimpse of interracial couples in romance books that I can sort of relate to with my family. So it was refreshing with the diverse story line. And again, these two authors always hit it out of the park with their storytelling! And looking forward to more new reads from them!

There is no one quite like Hazel Bradford. She’s fearless, dresses however she wants and has been hopelessly in love with Josh Im ever since her college days.

Coming face to face with her forever crush after all this time has made her realize that maybe they both need to find that special someone and she devises a plan that will help them do it - together.

“At the outset, this should explain how I have successfully never dated Josh Im: I have made myself entirely undatable in his presence.
For instance, the first time we met, I was eighteen and he was twenty and I vomited on his shoes.”

Josh Im always knew that Hazel was one-of-a-kind. Unlike her, he always seemed to gravitate toward safety and commitment. Somehow she’s managed to convince him to jump back into the dating pool after his current girlfriend shatters his heart.

Enduring one disastrous double date after another brings them closer than they ever expected. But when complete opposites collide, they either fade away or burn brighter. And it’s a risk that they are going to have to take.

"While Cali and Adam are listening to the rules, Hazel leans across the table. “You have to be on my team.”
“In case you haven’t noticed,” I reminded her, “we’re supposed to be on dates, With other people. Play with Adam.” I straighten, but she reaches out, grabbing my shirt.
“I want that cruise, Josh, and you’re smarter.”
“Why do you think I’m smarter?”
“I saw Adam flexing in the windows outside the car. Call it a hunch.”
“Hazel, a normal cruise is bad enough. You really want an all-you-can-eat buffet on a budget cruise?”
“It’s free.”
“Diarrhea is never free.”"

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is everything that a modern romantic comedy should be! It’s wickedly smart, hysterically funny and so swoony that it can’t possibly be measured with modern technology.

Christina Lauren really have perfected their own brand of magic that make their characters truly shine. Josh is perfection incarnate but it’s Hazel in all of her quirky glory that absolutely makes this book so unforgettable.

So dance like no one is watching, Hazel. And if they are, they are secretly wishing they were as free and as beautiful as you…

*happy sigh* Okay, seriously. I should know better. Why don't I gobble up every single book that Christina and Lauren write? I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face right now. Was it perfect? No. But then again, is love perfect? No. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, without a doubt. What this writing duo have mastered, other than a style, grace and writing that is so smooth it reads like silk, is a key ingredient...they make you care about their characters. You want to know what happens to them, you become invested in them as people. Hazel, the quirky, third-grade teacher is someone that you would be friends with. And Josh, the quiet, physical therapist, is someone that you respect and want to have his respect and friendship in return. And the secondary characters... I just adored it all. This book, for me, threw off a distinctive "Beautiful Player" vibe, which is one of my top ten books ever. It wasn't a copycat, or even anything blatant; I just felt that same pull, you know?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It should come as no surprise after reading this review. 5 stars.

I was excited about Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating from the very minute I first saw the cover and read the blurb. I always love Christina Lauren's books. There's a reason the duo is one of my go-to authors. When I had the chance to read it in advance of release, I was over the moon. I quickly jumped in and read it in a mere matter of a few hours. I fell 1000% in love with it, too. In fact, I loved it so much that I read it twice before release. Josh and Hazel definitely found a way into my heart and I know I'll be rereading this book for a long time to come. It was just that good.

Often I've found quirky characters in books come off as if they're trying too hard. That wasn't the case with Hazel at all. She was just ... Hazel. I loved her because of it, too. She made me laugh and smile and basically want to hug her and be her friend. She's undoubtedly one of the most quirky characters I've ever met in a book and, truthfully, she was a breath of fresh air. Where she fun and spirited, Josh was more steadfast and reserved. They complemented each other perfectly. I loved how they brought out each other's personalities without ever seeking to change the other. They totally accepted each other as they were, which made their friendship and what came next all the more authentic. Their story has a bit of a slow burn — as you might expect as they're going on double dates (with the wrong people) through a large portion of the book. But, really, it was pretty obvious from the start — to everyone but them apparently — this pair was meant to be a thing. I couldn't have shipped them harder if I tried.

Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was utterly swoony and adorable and I loved every single thing about it. It's one of those books I read with a giant, swoony smile on my face. And yes, I did hug my iPad when I finished reading. Both times. In addition to the swoons and laughs, Josh & Hazel also brought the sexy. Whew. I was definitely fanning myself. There was also a plot point that hit VERY close to home and could've been disastrous for me emotionally, but it wasn't. All it did was make me relate to Hazel — and love her — that much more. I don't like to play favorites when it comes to my favorite authors and their books, but I can't help but say THIS BOOK is my new favorite CL story. It had literally everything I wanted in a book.

FAVORITE QUOTES
The way Emily describes it: when I meet someone I love, I become an octopus and wind my tentacles around their heart, tight and tighter until they can't deny they love me just the same.

"I tend to be too chatty, too silly, too exuberant, too random, too eager. Too Hazel-y."

I should be glad that she's the same Hazel she was when she woke up yesterday. But I'm not the same Josh.

"I'm sorry for ending things, and making you feel that you weren't worth my time long term. I'm sorry I couldn't let you move on afterward. I'm sorry I used you as an escape whenever things got hard in other areas of my life."

<b>The way Emily describes it: when I meet someone I love, I become an octopus and wind my tentacles around their heart, tighter and tighter until they can’t deny they love me just the same.</b>

AHHHHHH I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. Seriously by now I have come to the conclusion that these two literally cannot write a book that I will not like. They just keep getting better and better and at this very moment I can’t decide which one is my favorite between this and <a href=“http://starcrossedbookblog.com/2018/04/book-review-love-and-other-words-by-christina-lauren/”>Love and Other Words</a>. Either way it doesn’t really matter. You really should go out and read every single one of their books because I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

<b><i>But at the end of the day,”</i> she says, and puts her hand outside the open window, letting the wind pass through her fingers, <i>“being myself is enough. I’m enough.”</i></b>

I think I’ve actually figured out why I love their books so much, too. It’s because no matter how different and diverse the characters are, you will ALWAYS be able to find something relatable in each book. In this book is was a few little things. The first is that Hazel has a dog named Winnie that she treats like her baby. I ALSO have a dog named Winnie who is my first baby and I love her with all of my soul, lol. It just made me happy to see that someone else (even a fictional character) loves their Winnie as much as I love mine. The second thing is how Hazel knew and accepted that she could be a lot to handle, and also knew that she was never going to settle with being with someone who couldn’t handle that, or would want to change her. Now, I’m much more of an introvert but my ~thing~ or ~quirk~ is that I am obsessed with reading. Duh. I know most of you can related but seriously, if I find a book (especially a series) with a story and characters that I love, I go all in. I follow the author on every social media platform possible. I endlessly scroll GR, Twitter, and Tumblr trying to find related posts. I talk about them…A LOT. In previous relationships my boyfriend’s basically just didn’t care. I get that a lot of people just don’t like to read but they wouldn’t even really listen to me blabber on about my fandoms. My husband though has always been a different story. He may technically not care about the books either, but he cares about my interests. He cares that I care so deeply about these books and these characters and he listens to me when I just have to tell him about how I am basically over here pulling my hair out, waiting for the next Sarah J Maas book to come out. That turned into a pretty long winded paragraph but what I wanted to get across is that the characters in all of these books are so real and relatable and they make you feel like you’re home when you’re reading about them. I love it.

<b><i>“But I was right?”</i> She’s breathless, hair wild and face flushed and how has nobody seen how crazy and fucking amazing she is?
I decide right there to make sure somebody does.
<i>“Yeah, Haze. You were.”</i></b>

Another thing I loved about this book was Josh in general but also the tidbits we get about his Korean heritage. I don’t know much about it myself but I enjoyed seeing their Korean names and reading about all of the yummy food they were eating—it really made me want to visit the one Korean restaurant where I love. Seriously though, I thought the progression of Josh and Hazel’s relationship was great. From their awkward run-ins in college, to their budding best friendship to falling in love, ugh I got all of feels. AND the best part is obviously that even though Josh knew that Hazel could be a little crazy, a little wild, he never once wanted her to change. I loved how even when they started their double dates they would look over at one another when weird stuff happened and just know what the other was thinking. It was magical.

<b>Drunk giggly Josh is my favorite, but drunk confident Josh is my new religion.</b>

Somehow, too, even though this books was full of typical romantic tropes, it seemed different to me. We saw them go from friends to lovers, we saw them drunkenly have (super hot) drunken sex and then try to pretend that it didn’t change their relationship, we saw them trying to set each other up while remaining “friends” and finally we saw them both falling in love with each other while not being sure if the other one felt the same way. It didn’t matter though. At all. That’s how you know you’re reading a damn good story.


<b>He smiles, but it’s not a smile I’ve ever seen before. It’s a dangerous smile; he’s a movie villain, the seductive one, the one who robs you but fucks you real good first.</b>

By now this has turned into a super long review and I don’t even care. I have read so many romances by now that it’s so refreshing when I find that that makes me feel this way. The ending too is just pure magic. Part of it is actually a well-used trope too but I didn’t want to give it away. Usually I don’t like when books go there either but in this one I loved it. GAHH. Believe me, you do not want to miss out on Josh and Hazel.

<b><i>“Are you listening?”
“Barely.”
“You are perfect for me.”</i>
A star is born inside my rib cage. <i> “I am?”</i>
He nods, pinning me with his attention. <i>“You are.”</i></b>

A super fast, sexy, hilarious romp!

This was my first Christina Lauren book and it was just what I needed - some good old fashioned humor to brighten up my day. I haven’t laughed out loud at a book this hard for a long time. I absolutely flew through this book - there’s nothing like a good romcom to break up all the heavier reads.

Hazel, a highly eccentric and oh-so-funny woman, is going down as one of my favorite characters of all time. I couldn’t get enough of her and her over the top personality and she was the perfect compliment to the laid back Josh. I loved these two and their relationship and their dialogue had people looking at my funny because I kept laughing out loud!

Recommend to readers who like a good laugh and don’t mind some steamy romance!

Thank you to Gallery Books for my advance copy.

I haven't read very many books by Christina Lauren but the books that I did read, I enjoyed. I didn't love them but they were solid contemporary romances that brought the goods. The time has come where they wrote a book that I absolutely adored.

Josh and Hazel went to college together and while they weren't friends there, they were in each other's orbits because Hazel was a hurricane of a young girl and Josh was a TA for one of Hazel's classes. They're complete opposites and even though Hazel has always a bit of a crush on Josh, she knows it's not going to happen because she won't ever change who she is for anyone, she settles for being Josh's friend. They don't become friends until after they run into each other 7 years after college but friends they become.

Josh is reserved and he's careful and when he finds out that his long-distance girlfriend is cheating on him, he becomes single and his sister puts Hazel into his path to make sure that he has fun. He needs to have more fun in his life and there is nobody more fun than Hazel Bradford.

Hazel is a third-grade teacher who loves life. She's eccentric, she's bold, she's loud and she knows that she's a lot to take on so she's not at all surprised that she's single. She respects that she's a lot to handle and doesn't let that stop her from being her. She's not for everybody and deep down, she hopes to find her person. Her person will be someone who accepts and loves her the way that she is. She sees the good in people and she doesn't waste a lot of energy on negative shit so she's just a ray of sunshine.

When Josh and Hazel become friends, we see their relationship form. For Josh, Hazel goes from being the loud and inappropriate young woman to the caring, will do anything for him best friend that he appreciates more and more with each passing day. She's a lot of things, but she's also one of the very best people that he knows. In an effort to help him move on from his cheating ex, Hazel starts setting him up on blind dates that Josh drags her along on with a blind date of her own. They choose dates for each other and then they go on these dates together and each date cracked me up.

I read this book in one sitting and throughout most of the book, I was laughing. I had a clear picture of both Josh and Hazel in my head (Jung from Kims Convenience for Josh and Jessica Day from New Girl for Hazel) so I could see each scene play out perfectly. Christina Lauren wrote a fabulous romantic comedy with a friendship that I was jealous of and a love that charmed the socks right off of me. Josh and Hazel made no sense and yet they were perfect for each other. I loved that Hazel could bring Josh out of his funk and I adored that Josh accepted and loved Hazel as she was. Their romance completely worked for me and I definitely recommend this book. This book isn't being as well received by other readers but for me? I loved it all.

<strong>Grade: 5 out of 5</strong>

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was my first book to read by author Christina Lauren and I have one word to describe this ADORABLE. It was such a great read and the characters for so fun to root for. I can't wait to read other books by Christina. GREAT BOOK and a must read.

Josh + Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is the newest work from the dynamic writing duo known as Christina Lauren - and if I'm making it seem like they're some kind of literary super heroes, well, yeah, they are. They are more powerful than a locomotive, able leap genres in a single bound, rescue jaded readers...ok, ok, you get the idea ;-)

I'm always looking forward to a new book from Christina and Lauren, and Josh and Hazel lived up to every expectation I had after reading the synopsis.  It was fun. It was flirty.  It had emotion and was filled with a cast of characters who were endearing all in their own ways.

Hazel is this ball of quirky, always outside the box, never stuck in the norm fun. She's cute and sassy and had me wanted to be her BFF from the very first chapter.  She's also not had very good luck in finding a guy who will appreciate all the color and vibrancy she is, and it broke my heart for her.

Josh is exactly her opposite in almost every way.  He's calm and controlled.  Loves things organized and steady.  He's also got a heart of gold and is steadfast and loyal to his family and friends. He's a great catch and is 100% thee type of guy you'd want to marry.

After being reunited by a stroke of fate, they spend more and more time together.  Just not necessarily in the way you'd think. They end up trying to set one another up with blind dates and turn those dates into double dates.  The mishaps and hilarity that ensues is priceless...and it also draws both Hazel and Josh into realizing maybe they don't need the blind dates.  Maybe the person they're supposed to be with is right in front of them.  Sure, they're opposites in almost every facet of their personalities, but you know how the saying goes...opposites attract.  And that, right there, is why I loved these two so darn much.

I won't go into too much more detail because I don't want to spoil anything for you but I will say that you can always count on some of the best happily ever afters out there from Christina and Lauren and you won't be disappointed :-D

Whether you've been with these authors from their Beautiful Series or this is the first of their work you pick up, I know you'll love Josh and Hazel as much as I did.

This is my favorite Christina Lauren story so far. I so fell in love with everything about this book. It was sweet. It was fun. It made me smile and I loved the messages it presented. I would definitely love to read more of these characters and can't wait to see what Christina Lauren has in store for us next.