I appreciated The Honey-Don't List! It's not as light-hearted as most Christina Lauren books -- there's a bit of melancholy to the story. But the basic premise is delightful: two Chip-and-Joanna-Gaines-esque reality stars actually despise each other in real life, and their assistants must keep them together for the sake of the show. James and Carey, the assistants, were both nice, believable leads, and I'm happy they found their happy-ever-after.

Christina Lauren does it again with the Honey-Don't List that follows a celebrity couple as their marriage implodes, and their assistants who just might come together despite their differences and initial impressions of each other.

The book was cute and funny, and while the romance between Carey and James seemed to take a back seat to the drama that was happening on the book tour with their bosses, I thought it was an enjoyable read and definitely recommend fans of the author to check out the latest book for a fast and playful romance.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advance copy.

The Middle is Good

The Honey Don’t List is a romance about two personal assistants who find love while trying to keep their bosses’ marriage from imploding.

Carey has been working for Melissa (Melly) and Rusty Tripp since she was 16. Now Carey is 26 years old and works as Tripp's assistant. Carey has watched the Tripp's rise to fame for their home improvement ideas. The couple has their own HGTV shows, written best-selling books, and have a new show about to launch on Netflix. The only thing is their perfect marriage has turned into one giant sham. Carey takes care of all the work behind the scenes, including helping Melly and Rusty keep up the pretense of having the perfect marriage. When James joins the staff as an engineer, he finds that his job is more looking after Rusty than doing the work he desires. Carey and James’ relationship is prickly, but when the two accompany the Tripp’s on a book signing tour, the two find themselves becoming allies and then something more. Will their newly developing relationship survive the trip or will the demands of the Tripp’s ruin their relationship before it even gets off the ground?

I enjoyed The Honey-Don't List, but I didn’t love it. It’s a light and fluffy easy read, but the focus on The Tripp's and rushed romance between Carey and James annoyed me. The beginning was a little grueling, as it focuses mostly on the Tripp's. The ending was rushed and it didn’t feel like Carey and James’ relationship ever had a chance to properly develop. They spend two weeks together, fall in love, and then after a brief blip, it’s HEA. I loved the middle part of the book when Carey and James begin their romantic relationship, but there just wasn't enough time spent on them to make me root for them in the end.

The Honey-Don't List is a little different than previous CL novels, which was nice, but it's also missing the spark seen in their other books. It’s not full of snark or wit like in Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, nor is it filled with an intensity that is shown in Love and Other Words. I liked Carey’s character a lot and Jame’s character is decent, but he is underdeveloped. Overall, I wish there had been more time spent on James and Carey’s budding relationship vs the awful people they work for. While not a favorite, it served its purpose as an enjoyable escape read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved that this was about home remodeling and I wondered if Chip and Joanna Gaines were inspirational for this story. Carey and James were a believable couple and the chemistry felt real. Carey has a health condition and I love that more authors are making things like this part of romance novels.

Since she was sixteen, Carey Douglas, has worked for the designing duo of Melissa and Rusty Tripp. When she started working for them, at their small country store, Carey would design their windows and organize the store. A decade later, she’s still at it, but the world is not aware that the designs on their weekly TV home improvement show, are all hers. Carey hasn’t had a vacation since she began to work for them. The Tripp’s have written a book and will be embarking on a book tour, but there is a glitch, they can’t stand each other!

James McCann way hired by the Tripp’s as a structural engineer for their new show. What he wasn’t expecting was to be the assistant to Rusty, and now he and Carey have been thrown as babysitters on the book tour. They can’t allow them to be seen fighting out in public, or their adoring fans might not continue to watch their show, or purchase the new book. Think, Chip and Joanna Gaines hating each other, same thing. Both Carey and James are fed up with everything that has been thrown their way by the producers of the show. During the bus tour, Carey and James have gotten closer. Carey who has dealt with Melly’s meanness in the last few years, has had it. She wants out! When she finds out that James was offered lead engineer in the next show, as long as he can keep Rusty and Melly together, Carey feels betrayed. After everything they shared, she’s hurt that James would lie to her this way.

I’ve always been a big fan of Catherine Bybee, however, this book just didn’t click for me. I felt that Carey had no backbone and James was a bit of a wimp. The stronger characters were Rusty and Melissa. This is actually three and a half stars.

YES!!! This book is exactly what I needed and what I hoped for. This is the best of contemporary romance with drama, a clear villian, great banter, awesome chemistry/steam, and a HEA. Forced proximity is a favorite trope of mine and this one worked so well. Carey and James end up unwilling travelers on a tour bus and trying to dodge the verbal barbs and demands of their bosses. When the sparks finally flew? So good.

The Honey Don't List had me wondering time and again if this story could be what is happening off-screen with my personal favorite home decor reality stars (please, son't let it be so! No, can't be.). The tension was palpable and Melly, oh Melly, right on par with Miranda Priestly of The Devil Wears Prada fame.

This book has moved in to my top three faves of Christina Lauren!

This book was such a fun read. It was smart, funny, sexy, & sweet. The characters were extremely well-developed & made the story move along at a rapid pace. I didn't want to pull it down because I wanted to see where it was going next. Carey & James were such an unexpected pairing that develops because of a crazy work relationship. To see where they go & what happens with the famous couple they work for makes this well worth the read, Highly recommend reading this book!

I usually love Christina Lauren books, but this one fell a little short for me. I like the snark in previous books, but it was missing here. It also wasn't hot and steamy like some of their previous works. After reading this, I felt the same way I did after reading Twice In A Blue Moon: eh. It was a nice, light, easy read (a pallette cleanser, I call it), but there were some flaws.

The chemistry was missing between the two love interests. They knew each other and weren't attracted to each other and then magically they can't live without each other? In my rom-com books, I like more of a build-up so I can believe in the couple. That was missing here. Also, the conflict that is present in every Christina Lauren books was kind of brushed over here. I feel like they have a formula they they write from, and while it is a common one in rom-com books, it has lacked in their past two.

Fans of Christina Lauren may likely love this book, and I understand why. However, their previous works were stronger than this one, in my opinion.

2.5 stars, rounded up.

This book missed the mark for me. It read more like chick-lit instead of the fun romance I was looking for. The book follows Carey and James as they work as the assistants for celebrity duo Rusty and Melissa. They travel with them during their disastrous book tour and have a little romance along the way.

This book was written with alternating POV along with police report excerpts in-between. That made the story feel a little disjointed. The romance between Carey and James took the back burner in the story. I felt like the story primary focused on the Rusty/Melissa drama and I didn't care for it. I was hoping that the police report excerpts were leading up to an interesting twist but I was left disappointed.

Unfortunately I didn't love this Christina Lauren book, but that won't stop me from picking up their next book. Hopefully their next book will knock it out the park.

Huge thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. My opinions are all my own.

This was an entertaining read about two assistants, Carey and James, to a bigtime, famous home reno couple (much like Chip and Joanna Gaines). However, things aren't as they seem and this celebrity couple is falling apart and it's their assistants' jobs to keep that from happening, especially in the public eye.

With Carey and James working closely together, something is bound to happen, right?

This was a quick read. I was curious to see how everything played out. There were some interesting twists and I for sure was not feeling this famous couple.

Read this is you're looking for a quick contemporary romance and like t.v. production.

This was an easy and fun book to read that I blew through pretty quickly. It wasn't difficult to figure out what was going to happen but it was a charming story to read that I enjoyed.

Christina Lauren are two of my FAVE authors and I am so thankful to Netgalley and Gallery Books for sending this copy my way to read and review early :)

In true CoLo fashion, this book is the perfect Romance. It was light, quick and easy to read, and tugged at my heart. I absolutely flew through it!

The plot reminded me so much of a modern day Chip and Joanna Gaines. The two main characters (Melissa and Rusty) are HGTV superstars and everyone's favorite celebrity couple. Melissa's assistant, Carey, has worked for them for almost a decade and (more than anyone knows or expects) has helped the two of them build their empire. The only problem? The couple absolutely hates one another and their life is nothing like the TV depicts it is.

When Rusty gets a new assistant/engineer, James, everything starts to change. As Rusty starts to fall apart and risk everything they've built, James and Carey are forced to go on tour with the couple in order to try to keep their marriage, empire, and jobs in tact.

If you love CoLo, or if you're looking for a fun, romance read---look no further than The Honey Don't List!

This is one of those feel good romances that you sometimes need in your life. James and Carey are very likable, and the way their relationship progresses is very sweet. Mel, Carey's boss is a very believable antagonist, especially in today's world where success means managing your social media image as much as the actual work one does. This would be a great book club book.

The gist: Carey and James are the beleaguered assistants of Melissa and Rusty Tripp, a Gaines inspired Home Renovation superstar couple. Except the Tripp marriage is in shambles. *womp womp* Carey and James have to somehow keep the adoring fans from finding out that these two actually despise each other before the official launch of the couple’s new Netflix series.

I thought THDL was both clever and funny. Did it feel like the romance between Carey and James took a backseat to the Tripp family drama? Sure. But I didn’t mind it to much because I expected that to happen. And also…I’m morbidly fascinated with this phenomenon of making a living as a “personality” or by exposing your family…so watching the Tripp’s fake-life implode was perversely satisfyingly to me. It’s possible that I’m a jerk.

I’m glad that Carey and James each got their HEAs and the jobs they deserved. And this book made me laugh and helped me relax. So. Four stars from me. The Honey-Don’t List comes out next month. Thank you Netgalley and for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ever wonder about behind the scenes on the self help/diy reality show circuit? This fun and drama filled book takes us back stage, with a controlling diva and her worn out marriage and staff. Carey and James are the focus of the book, how they react and deal with the drama while finding their way to romance and ultimately a relationship. Excellent read. A TBR addition, for sure.

The Honey-Don’t List by writing duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (aka Christina Lauren) comes out on March 24, 2020. I’d read a handful of negative reviews before diving into this one so my expectations were metered….but I really, really liked this book! No, it isn’t a rom-com like Unhoneymooners (also by Christina Lauren) but it is a compelling story about characters that feel real, and flawed, and have hurdles to overcome just like the rest of us. Characters who don’t have it all together, and are still finding out who they really are and what they want out of life.

Carey Douglas has been the unsung hero supporting a celebrity home remodeling couple, whose marriage is now falling apart right as they are attempting to launch a book about their relationship. Carey is madly trying to keep everything together, while battling her own insecurities, loneliness, and struggles with a disorder that causes pain and issues in her hands.

Along comes James, who is hired as an engineer (and assistant) and despite initially disliking each other he’s thrown together with Carey and starts to appreciate how hard she works behind the scenes. Their shared experiences spark something more, and they begin to fall in love…amidst the chaos reining all around them.

I definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a real, and heartwarming romance that is light on the cheese.

I received and ARC provided through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
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.

James McCann, MIT graduate and engineering genius, was originally hired as a structural engineer, but the job isn’t all he thought it’d be. The last straw? Both he and Carey must go on book tour with the Tripps and keep the wheels from falling off the proverbial bus.

Unfortunately, neither of them is in any position to quit. Carey needs health insurance, and James has been promised the role of a lifetime if he can just keep the couple on track for a few more weeks. While road-tripping with the Tripps up the West Coast, Carey and James vow to work together to keep their bosses’ secrets hidden, and their own jobs secure. But if they stop playing along—and start playing for keeps—they may have the chance to build something beautiful together…

From the “hilariously zany and heartfelt” (Booklist) Christina Lauren comes a romantic comedy that proves if it’s broke, you might as well fix it.

From the New York Times bestselling author behind the “joyful, warm, touching” (Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author) The Unhoneymooners comes a delightfully charming love story about what happens when two assistants tasked with keeping a rocky relationship from explosion start to feel sparks of their own.

Review:
*heavy sigh* This will so disappoint me to leave as my review. Christina Lauren is at the top of my writing duo. I love the way they bounce off of each other and write the best possible stories. This one though, this one fell short. I couldn't even finish this one. I realized about a quarter of the way through that I had read the first quarter and had barely any recollection of what had even happened. Someone is treating their assistant badly, who has all the ideas. Then the hero is also kept unwillingly because of the same sort of situation on staff. It was obvious these two would eventually find their way towards each other. I was super excited to be issued this ARC, again, since I adore them. But, it was almost immediately that I was unhappy that this is the one I finally got to read. The romance between the couple seemed a bit rushed. There just wasn't that typical CLO spark that they have in nearly all of their books. However, all of that said, CLO is amazing duo and perhaps this book just wasn't for me. Perhaps, I was expecting a little too much in a different direction I was used to them writing. I think it could be more on me and my expectations than on the book itself.

I had a little trouble getting started on this one but whoa once I did. It’s Hgtv meets romance novel., I mean what’s not to love! Another great story by Christina Lauren... thank you netgalley

Well, the dynamic duo are back! (Cue the applause and cheers!)

After reading the last release Twice In A Blue Moon by this amazing writing team it seemed their magic was waning. Perish the thought! With this newest read they once again rise to the top of their game!

Do you watch HDTV? Those countless, mind-numbing renovation shows where a couple create someone’s dream home. Or perhaps flip a dive of a house into something beautiful? They’ve created an empire on their names, fame and creativity. Fair enough. But what happens when things start to go south?

Melly and Rusty are the latest king & queen of home-reno. Now it’s time to take the show on the road for the mandatory promotional tour. Guest appearances, autograph signing, etc. Except everything seems to be coming apart at the seams!

Enter the personal assistants!

Carey Douglas has been with team Melly and Rusty since they were a humble local storefront. The only job she has ever had!

James McCann is an engineer by training but due to a scandal with his previous employer, this is the only job he could get.That’s gotta’ hurt! A title of Engineer, but at the end of the day…Rustys’ errand boy.

Together, James and Carey have their hands full and must work together to keep their employers in line long enough to complete the tour.

A delightful, quick rom-com that I devoured so quickly I was shocked when reached the end! This may have lacked some of the previous biting, snarkiness, but was sweet, engaging and back to the clever humor that we’ve grown to love from this pair of writers. Joy!

Don’t miss out on the acknowledgement at the end! Gives you a true insight into the development of this book and their respect for each other. Fascinating! We could probably all take lessons from their working relationship!

A fabulous buddy read with Susanne that we both really enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Brenner at Gallery Books and Christina Lauren for an ARC to read and review.

Surely Christina Lauren wanted us to conjure up Chip and Joanna Gaines when we were reading about Melissa and Rusty, right? I mean sure the fictional versions were terrible to each other behind the cameras and only nice when they were in public, but isn't that what so many people suspect about the Gaines? That there is no way that they're as fun and sweet and loving as they appear to be?! The fictional version definitely opens up the fantastical possibilities of just how horrible reality tv stars can be. And while Melissa and Rusty weren't the main focus of this novel, they sure were an interesting side show to read about...and they definitely made me feel for their assistants, Carey and James.



This enemies to lovers, work place romance had the romantic comedy feel that we've come to associate with Christina Lauren. The mishaps and inner monologues of these characters provided many smiles but the thing that really stood out to me was Carey's storyline. Her history with Melissa and Rusty and why she stayed with them, despite their obvious willingness to take advantage of her was not what I expected at all.



The Honey-Don't List will make you smile while making you wonder what really does happen behind the scenes of those famous HGTV stars.