I'll never be able to look at Chip and Joanna Gaines the same way after reading The Honey-Don't List. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I read this book in one sitting.

A full review for AtTheCoolTable.com is imminent. I will update this review when it publishes.

This book satisfies all of my HGTV behind the scenes vibes! I was struggling at the 60% point to push through to the end but I am so glad I did! This is Christina Lauren at their finest.

I love Christina Lauren, so I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book from Netgalley. I'm happy to report it was really good! I was pulled in to the story from the very beginning. The main character, Carey, is likeable, smart and funny. She has her hands full dealing with an impossible boss, Melly Tripp, who happens to be a TV personality alongside her husband, Rusty Tripp. Melly is a controlling diva and Rusty is a goofball with a wandering eye. The happy marriage the Tripps once had is long gone and the two can't stand to be near each other, which doesn't bode well for their business or all those who work for them. So, when a disastrous situation presents itself on the eve of the Tripps' latest book tour, Carey is forced to give up the time off she'd been looking forward to in order to accompany the Tripps alongside James, the engineering guy hired to work on their show but who is now serving as Rusty's assistant (much to James' dismay). The four of them set out for a weeklong trip on a tour bus, and while Carey and James aren't very fond of each other, they quickly realize they need to work together to get through the week, as it's one disaster after another. A close friendship and admiration for one another develops as they try to keep the Tripps out of the tabloids due to their excessive fighting and tantrums. This is not an easy feat. Through all the chaos, James and Carey learn a lot about themselves and each other. He's not as nerdy and uptight as she once thought, and she's not as simple and plain as he'd pegged her initially. While one relationship is spiraling to an end, another is just beginning. I really enjoyed this one. I just wish there was an epilogue. I'd love to see how things turn out for everyone further into the future. It might even be worth having a second book. I know I would read it. :)

Thanks again to Netgalley and to Christina Lauren for the Advanced Readers Copy. Happy girl right here.

I'm just going to keep this review short and sweet. The Honey-Don't List is a book that you're either going to love or you're going to hate. For me, it was just an ok read. I thought the idea of the story was fun and different. I love home remodeling shows and would be perfectly happy lounging around the house, watching HGTV. I was excited to see where this writing duo would take this story.

What I liked: As I previously stated, the plot was unique. I found the characters to be likable and loved the humorous moments. 

What I didn't like: For me, this book didn't read as a contemporary romance or even romantic comedy. Yes, it had both of those elements, but the romance between the two main characters really took the back burner in this story. I felt like the main focus of the story was the Tripps, when it really should have been on the budding relationship between James & Carey. So, while I found the characters likable, I was left wanting and needing more. I wanted to know why these characters were together? Why should I be rooting for the two of them? In the end, I just felt like there was something missing. 

Overall, this book was an ok read. While there were some aspects that I liked, I just found the story to be lacking and wanted more. So, while this book isn't a 100% hit for me, I'm still glad I checked it and gave it a chance. I adore this writing duo and will be looking forward to see what they release next.

If you’re looking for an adorable hero & a smart, feisty heroine who is just learning to find her voice— this is the book for you. Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of the back story (home renovation gone wild), I did latch on to Carey & James & their charmingly steamy romance. CLo writes emotion so well & this book proves it once again.

Disappointing. I felt like I spent as much time reading about Melly and Rusty fighting as I did about the actual romance. This and the previous Christina Lauren book we’re both duds for me. I really enjoyed previous books, but I think two bleh reads is enough for me to pass on any future books by this author.

Carey has been working for the Tripp family for a decade. It's been a whirlwind, and Carey's life, work life and love life, is about to get turned upside down. Enter James, a buttoned up engineer with some hidden cooking, and kissing - skills. James and Carey form a bond over their somewhat erratic boss, Melissa. Melissa and her husband Rusty, have a empire of decorating and furniture building. The novel starts with police interviews, and ends with a vista view of the Wyoming Mountains. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the Hollywood of Decorating.

James and Carey are glorified assistants to two of the biggest home designers and tv stars in the country. When they find themselves having to babysit the arguing couple on their marriage book tour to protect their public image, they spend a lot of time in close proximity and things blossom from there.

I had a very hard time with Melissa and Rusty’s fake relationship. They were trying to portray to the public they were happily married when behind closed doors they were miserable and always fighting. I didn’t enjoy them at all and they weren’t likable in any way which made it impossible for me to like Carey and James. I felt so uncomfortable during most of the book that when it came time to enjoy some romance there was absolutely no room for it. Unfortunately this fell majorly flat for me. There weren’t many good things I could say about it. A couple of pages had me hopeful but overall just didn’t work and I didn’t enjoy it.

Wow this was really different than what I expected! This is not my favorite CL book, but it was still fun. It sort of had thriller vibes, with the police interviews spread throughout, and I would’ve liked more focus on the actual romance.

“Relationships are a lot like houses: without a good foundation, they’ll crumble.”
•
Cary has worked for design gurus Melissa and Rusty for nearly a decade. With a new book and show to launch they’re on the verge of superstardom. The only problem, they can’t stand each other.
James is hired as an structural engineer but the job isn’t all he thought it’d be.
James and Carey end up on the book tour with the Tripps and they vow to keep their bosse’s secrets hidden. And maybe they can start to build something beautiful together.
•
I don’t know where to start, so far I loved everything I read from this duo, but this book just felt short for me.
At first it wasn’t clear which were the main characters in the story because the attention was focused on Melissa and Rusty. Once the relationship between Carey and James started I got more invested in it.
Overall I did enjoyed the book. I don’t think this duo could writte anything bad. It was funny and it was sweet but I kept expecting more.
•
Thank you Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
•
“I think sometimes we see what we want to see.”
•
“I’ll build anything you need. I’d do anything for you.”

This is not my first book by these two lovely authors. This was different from there usual books. I'm guessing that's why the reviews were so low. Their books are usually very steamy or erotic this one wasn't that. Eventhough it was different doesn't mean it wasn't good. Yes at times I was reading about a bootlegged Johanna and Chip Gaines. Overall I will give this book 3.5 stars.

Carey have worked for Melissa and Rusty for 10 years. It's a job that she works for 24/7 as a personal assistant. She rarely can get a day off because Melissa depends on her so much. Carey does everything even designing for Melissa and doesn't get credit for it. James applied for engineering but ended up working for Rusty as his assistant. Carey and James ended up having to spend alot of time together. Their attraction increased and they learned to lean on eachother.

Arc received by Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author duo and I absolutely loved it.

The story of Melly and Rusty was the primary storyline, but I was very invested in Carey and James more so than Melly and Rusty. James, the hunky nerdy engineer forced to take a job much below what he's trained for and Carey, the girl Friday that turns out to be so talented.

Anyone who has watched any of the "reality TV" shows hosted by couples must at times wonder what is true about the face they show the public. I know I do and could name several couples that put on a happy face during the show until the public finds out they can't stand each other.

If you've ever wondered, like I do / did, this will be a great read for you. I even wondered at times if this was a thinly veiled jab at another renovating couple we've all seen on TV.

The story moved along quickly, had great characters and held my interest to the end. Of course now I want a sequel so there's that. I doubt there will be one, but I'd certainly purchase one immediately. *hint to the authors*

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and authors for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own and happily given because I loved this book.

Carey has worked for a famous home improvement couple for over a decade. The couple has always been portrayed as the "perfect" couple. When they start to have marital problems right before the release of a new book on marriage and a new series, Carey and the newly hired engineer (James) are tasked to babysit them to prevent scandal. Carey and James develop a relationship while dodging bullets from the relationship of their bosses. Cute book. Reminds me of a famous couple in Waco, TX, only with marital issues! #netgalley #honeydontlist

As the long time personal assistant to Melissa Tripp, one half of a TV home renovation power couple, Carey knows and has seen it all. James, on the other hand, was hired for an engineering role that never quite came to be and now functions as Rusty Tripp's assistant. In this borderline high-drama tale, Carey and James try to figure out how to build a relationship while simultaneously trying to keep Melissa and Rusty's relationship from completely falling apart. With likable, relatable characters, this workplace romance is an enjoyable read.

I'm somewhere between a 3 star & a 3.5 star. What 100%, unequivocally worked for me in this book are the characters & character dynamics. They felt real, and I think there's a lot of care taken to set up the relationships in a way that felt believable. I think what holds this book back are 2 elements: 1) there is not enough page count (which a rare thing for me to say) so we just don't get enough time to be sold on these characters going from like to love, and 2) you know at about the 30-40% mark exactly what's going to happen in the rest of the book. Once there's a mini "reveal" about Casey's position within the organization, you can guess exactly how the story is going to unfold, and I wish there had been more elements introduced to hold interest.
Still, the writing, as ever, is charming and I had a nice time in this book. It just didn't have an extra "wow" factor

✨⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
5 totally adorable stars!
So glad I could finish & write this review on Valentine's Day 💜💋
What a perfect love story - one couple falling out and another couple falling in love! We have the bittersweet dynamics of both the ending and begining of relationships.
Along with the quite interesting setting of a popular home improvement empire, started by people with humble beginings, we have the snappy dialogue between characters that has become a trademark of the Christina Lauren writing team. What's not to love?
There is drama and heartache, but best of all, a satisfying happy ending!!

This book was a hit for me! There was a little bit of a scandal, some steam, a strong female with a disability and some funny moments. The beginning starts with a transcript from an interview with an officer and some of Russ and Melly’s employees. I was hooked from the start because I had to know what they were investigating. I loved how Carey was able to break James down and not have him be so uptight. I wish there was a little more resolution between Melly and Russ but I am happy with Carey’s ending. Of course I would have loved more of her story as well though.

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved that the couple started out as enemies, as enemies to lovers stories are my favorite. I also thought the fact that the main characters worked on for an HGTV couple/show was really interesting and fun. The romance aspects were steamy, although it could have used a bit more romantic scenes. This is one I definitely recommend!

THE HONEY-DON’T LIST • Christina Lauren • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Melissa and Rusty Tripp are America’s favorite design gurus. With a new TV show and a new book on marital advice coming out, this couple seems to have it all. The only problem? They cannot stand each other. Enter Melissa’s assistant Carey Douglas, the behind-the-scenes backbone to the Tripp’s entire brand. With help from Rusty’s new “assistant” James McCann, it has become Carey’s job to keep up the charade that the Tripps are the loving couple America thinks they are. If Carey and James fail? Both of their careers are at-stake. But if they stop playing along—and start playing for keeps—they may have the chance to build something beautiful together...

Let me preface this review by saying I do not like romance novels. I typically will not even read them, but I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and give a romance novel a shot this February. I had heard a lot of positive things about CLO too so when I saw this book on NetGalley a few weeks ago, it seemed like the perfect book to try.



Much to my surprise, I ADORED THIS BOOK. I have little to compare it to since I think that last “romance” book I read was “Fifty Shades of Grey” like 16 years ago, but still. This is a huge deal for me! Normally romance books are too corny for me. The characters are usually lame, the plot is predictable and/or stupid, and the sex scenes make me cringe.

“The Honey-Don’t List” on the other hand won my heart from the start. Carey and James had real personalities, and the plot was actually believable as well as endearing! I pictured Melissa and Rusty Tripp as Chip and Joanna Gaines because Rusty was described as the same goofy, lovable guy as Chip. Also, the Gaines’ come off as the most adorable couple ever so if I heard that it was all a lie, I would be SHOOK.

Other things I liked? The pacing was good instead of being painfully drawn out or way too quick. The drama kept me interested without being as extra as this season of “The Bachelor.” Even the sex scenes were bearable! Sure, the words 'growl' and 'hunger' were overused (or maybe I am the weird one because I don't think a guy has ever growled at me...), but that is a small price to pay for not having to suffer through the normal words utilized to describe sex scenes in romance novels.

Overall, this book was a quick, cute, light read. While I cannot compare this book to CLO’s other books, I can say that even if you do not typically like this genre, you may enjoy this book! I think the biggest compliment I could give is saying that I actually plan on seeking out other books published by CLO. That’s right — “The Honey-Don’t List” has made me WANT to read other romance books. Who would have thought!?

This story of two over-worked employees trying to keep up the illusion of someone else's marriage made me laugh out loud. The themes of emotional manipulation and abuse were handled well; the main character was accepting of behavior that from an outsider's perspective seems completely out of line, but you can easily understand how she found herself in that position and it became normal for her. I appreciated that the love interest didn't try to save her from herself, but functioned almost as the reader did - as a new observer, trying to understand an unhealthy work relationship. Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read.