Love love love CL duo! This book is a great addition from them! A workplace romance between two assistants forced to travel with their bosses!

Great read! Christina Lauren never disappoints and this was such a fun easy read! I loved the storyline and really related a lot to it!

The dynamic duo has done it again. They haven't written a thing I haven't at least liked. I love how they keep banging out these great books for me to fall in love with. Great characters and world-building. I wish I could say it was unique but this seems to be an up and coming trend. This one was exactly the RomCom they claim it is but all in all another great story.

I typically LOVE anything Christina Lauren writes. However, The Honey-Don;t List wasn't my favorite. Funny enough, neither was their last book, Twice In A Blue Moon, which makes me sad because they are typically automatic-buy authors for me. Their writing has just seemed to move in a different direction. While I enjoyed the characters and Melissa and Rusty 100% reminded me of Chip and Joanna Gaines (I mean they even reference them in the book haha), I just couldn't seem to connect with the characters. Also, some parts just felt rushed. Other parts I would have expected to have a lot of build up were just let downs honestly. Still a sweet romance, but not my favorite. Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for my review copy.

Once again, the dynamic duo that is Christina Lauren has entertained me in the most perfect way. This novel is centered around a magnetic couple who have made their fortune via a reality-style show on HGTV (ahem, no names but I’m sure you can guess who they might have been thinking of when writing this! ]; however, this fictitious couple has quite a few skeletons in their closet and their respective assistants, Carey and James, are often required to clean up their messes and hide the damage. ⁣
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The *real* story is about Carey and James, the way they support each other through the chaos, and build something wonderful that leads them to much greater plans than they could have previously imagined. ⁣
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Part “Fixer Upper,” part THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, this story was so much fun to read and just the kind of escape I needed! Those of you who are already fans of Christina Lauren will not be disappointed and everyone else should get busy reading!

A really fun read. The characters were interesting and grounded but I felt their love story happened very quickly. It wasn't a major problem it just took me out of the story a little.

I did not get the chance to read this ARC prior to the book's publication, but we did end up buying it for our library collection.

This book was so fun! I’ve read a couple of other books from this author and really enjoyed them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was just as good as those. I enjoyed the story and the characters were very well written.

Song/s the book brought to mind: Can’t Help Falling in Love by Haley Reinhart

I have to say that I am really surprised by the amount of people that didn't enjoy The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren as much as I did. Although granted this is only my second book by them, but I thought it was a quick, breezy read that had plenty of heart and a cute romance!

I didn't laugh out loud as much as I did during Twice in a Blue Moon, which is the other Christina Lauren book I've read, but I definitely laughed out loud and chuckled multiple times. There is just the teeny tiniest bit of steam, and I would probably give this a 1/5 on a steaminess scale (or less, honestly), but I really like books like that so that part was a win for me.

Carey was a frustrating character for me because I really wanted her to stand up for herself with her boss Melissa. But she did mostly redeem herself at the end which made me happy. I was really interested in her motor disorder, dystonia. The author's note was very informative, and I liked that they included something a lot of people probably know nothing about, I definitely had no idea it existed, and I thought it was nice to raise more awareness.

I love how this duo can write a book and make it feel like it's coming from one voice. Everything was so seamless, and I really enjoy their combined writing style, frankly I'm also just impressed with how fast they can write books! I read The Honey-Don't List in basically one sitting and finished it the same day I started. Overall it was a sweet, light read, and I loved the plot of being 'behind the scenes' of a TV show. I was actually thinking how much the show was relatable to Fixer Upper and towards the end a character does mention Joanna Gaines. I'm sure this was the whole point, but I still really liked that association since it's a show I've watched and loved.

I would recommend The Honey-Don't List to current fans of Christina Lauren and anyone looking for a lighter romance with lots of drama, that has very little steam. I noticed that this duo already has another book coming out this year and I can't wait to read it!

Thank you to the publisher for my advance review copy via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are my own

Great read from a new to me author. I could not put this book down. The story was great and the characters entertaining. I am now going for other books.

I have never read a book by Christina Lauren that I didn't love! Every time I see that they have a new book coming out, I can't wait to get my hands on it, because I know it will be great. This book is no different. Its hilarious, romantic, and just gives you all of the feels! It's a must read!

Another sweet CLo book. I’m living for these right now! Would love to know what happened after the infatuation stage— an epilogue would’ve been great!

Christina Lauren are definitely my favorite authors. They never disappoint. This book was magic. Can't wait to read more!!

Melissa and Rusty Tripp have a very lucrative and popular home design business. They have a public persona that they must display in order for an upcoming book launch. Sales would never get off the ground if the truth of their failing relationship was made public. As they prepare for this tour, they use two of their employees to travel with them in order to keep things looking as smooth as possible.

Carey Douglas has been with the company since she was sixteen while James McCann is relatively new, he soon finds out that his esteemed business degree from MIT might have as well have been tossed in the trash due to his current duties with the Tripps.

Neither Carey nor James appreciate the new duties and responsibilities that fall on their shoulders. They find it critical to keep the secrets of the Tripps failed marriage hidden, and this will allow them to hold on to their jobs. Meanwhile, it doesn't take very long for James and Carey to realize that their have mutual attraction between them.

Christina Lauren is the remarkable duo of two talented writers. They somehow manage to create likable and relatable characters. Writing characters that are supposed to be happily married who are anything but was done spot on. I loved the buildup of the romance between James and Carey and watching their story evolve was rather enjoyable.

I enjoy this pair of writers and have recently read another book of theirs, The Unhoneymooners, and look forward to reading much more by them in the future.

Many thanks to Gallery Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This was a really enjoyable, quick, easy, "fluffy" read...just what I needed to take my mind of the COVID-19 crisis. Nothing really new in the premise and I wouldn't say the writing was spectacular, but there was just something about the story that drew me in and held my attention. For that alone I give it a solid 3.5 and I will recommend it for purchase at the library.

I enjoyed this one with the focus being on Carey and James and their relationship. The drama around Rusty and Melissa was a lot, but I’m sure it is not far from reality in Hollywood. I understand it was additive to flesh out Carey and James’ relationship, but if we had a little less of them I would have been ok with that. Overall this was cute, and I enjoyed it as a light read after two thrillers. It is also a quick read that I got through via audio in just a few hours. The audio was really good as well for those that want to read it that way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ecopy to review.

What if Chip and Joanna Gaines secretly hated each other but were staying together for the sake of their business? And what if that conflict boiled over during a promotional tour to the point of actual mayhem requiring a police investigation? That’s basically the plot of this book, which is told from the point of view of the couple’s assistants, Carey and James, who are given the futile task of keeping the feuding husband and wife under control.

Carey has worked for Melly since she was a teenager, staying despite Melly’s increasingly abusive behavior because of loyalty and because she needs insurance to help with her chronic illness. In contrast, James hasn’t worked for Rusty long, but he really needs to build his resume after his previous employer shut down due to scandal. Although Carey and James initially don’t get along, being trapped on a tour bus with a couple behaving very, very badly leads them to forge a friendship under fire that turns to attraction and then romance.

So, that’s the novel in a nutshell. It’s a simple story, really, but James and Carey are both likeable, and I enjoyed escaping into their rom-com world. Fans of romantic comedies and HGTV will probably like this book, too.

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

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Oh, let me tell you, this is just what you need right now... a highly entertaining, cleverly romantic, based-around-a-celebrity-power-couple drama, funny adventure.

Be prepared to sink into this caper and not exit until you have got to the very last page. I loved how the story unfolds, how we know from the very beginning that something big goes down... we just have only our imaginations to think just how bad it was! Such a fun way to get the tension rising.

I can confirm that the writing is top notch. Both Carey and James are good people; and as we get the story from each of their viewpoints, we get their insights as the plot develops, and their emotions as they get to feel more for each other.

I really don't want to reveal more, just go, pick up a copy, and enjoy!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This is a cute afternoon read. Carey and James really don't get along at the beginning of the book. Carey thinks that James is a bit of a snob, believing that he thinks the job he has is beneath him. James is not sure what to think of Carey. She's Melly's right hand, but there's something about her that calls to him.

Both Carey and James' backstory are a bit complicated and each of them have a reason not to quit the jobs they have with the IT decorating couple of the moment. As Melly and Rusty's relationship crumbles, James and Carey's begins. They discover that despite their differences, they really do have a lot in common.

I enjoyed the book, the way the characters were written and how each person was allowed to get to know the other before taking their friendship to the next level.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This story starts out with Carey and James being questioned by the police. You wonder just what has happened and it makes you want to hurry through the book to find out.

Carey has worked for Melissa and Rusty Tripp for nearly a decade. They are America's favorite couple when it comes to home remodeling and designs. Carey started working with the Tripps when she was 16 and has helped them build their empire. But what the public would not believe is that the couple can't stand each other.

James McCann was originally hired as a structural engineer, but it turns out that he is Rusty's assistant. James catches himself watching Carey and he sees that she is a strong woman that puts up with a lot from Melissa.

With a book tour coming up and the couple almost showing the public their true feelings towards each other, Carey and James are sent on tour to keep Melissa and Rusty on track and not at each other’s throats.

Can Carey and James succeed with the book tour? Will Melissa and Rusty blow up before the tour is over? What will the public think when they learn the couple is not perfect or in love?
I liked the storyline but there just seemed to be something missing to me. I would have liked more of Carey and James, maybe a second book. Anyway, I love other books by this author duo and will be reading more from them.

I love everything Christina Lauren writes, and this one was no exception. Fun, flirty, and cute, with some "make you think" moments about grasping life and being an assertive woman vs someone who always does what she's told.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the early digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was more of a 3.25-3.5, but I don't typically use those ratings. I enjoyed this one more than the previous book this duo has written.

Let's start with what I enjoyed about this book:

- I love the writing. I think this is one of the main reasons why I keep reading their books. It's always so easy and witty.
- James is one of my new fictional boyfriends. He is such a great character if you love the very consensual type. He took great care of Carey through the whole book. He saw her potential and always fought for her and made sure that she knew her worth. He's the character that really pulled me through the book (along with the audiobook).

What I didn't enjoy about this book:

- I could have done without so much Melissa and Rusty. They got on my nerves. Rusty gets quite intense in how he felt about Melissa. I can agree that she's a total witch, but there were some unnecessary insults thrown around. It actually threw me off.

- The sexual tension between James and Carey was odd. Whatever the characters found sexy about the other was extremely unlikely, but then again I'm sure it exists. It just didn't do it for me.

It was a very average book for me, but I will continue reading the books that they write. They are very entertaining and USUALLY help get me through reading slumps. I just keep hoping the next one is better.