The Honey-Don't List

Yes. Just yes. Everything I needed in a book right now. I could go on to describe how, but just read it. It’s amazing.

Omg what a great funny heart warming story!

I love Christina Lauren books; they’re funny, sexy and poignant. I read this entire book the very day it released and, as usual, enjoyed it as much as all the others. However, I felt that the title didn’t really “fit” the book’s plot line, and it certainly didn’t stop me from enjoying this latest treat from this prolific duo.

I was so excited to read a new Christina Lauren book in this quarantine but I just really did not think it lived up to some of their other books. Love and Other Words, Twice in a Blue Moon, and The Unhoneymooners are some of my absolute favorites by the duo and I found Honey-Don’t list a little boring and drab in comparison

The characters were annoying and was missing some of the witty dialogue of their other books. Fine for a quick read but nothing special.

I’m a huge Christina Lauren fan but this was hard to get through. Maybe the whole small town, country girl thing just isn’t my cup of tea, but this book, it’s characters, and the plot just weren’t very interesting. And the entire time all I kept envisioning was Chip and Joanna from Fixer Upper....

C-Lo’s Beautiful and Wild Seasons series are some of my most favorite books. The swoony character interactions and butterfly inducing tension keeps you going back for a re-read on slow days. Christina Lauren set the bar high, early on in their writing partnership, with these two series. If you haven’t read any of their early books, Honey Don’t List is probably a decent read. The book is well written, even if the burden of Melly and Rusty’s marital discord overshadows the development of Carey and James’ story. I would love to see C-Lo go back to their writing roots in some of their future works, and write more full-on steamy romances, because they are great at it!!!!

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren Romantic comedy mildly. Contemporary romance. Written from the viewpoints of both the hero and heroine in alternating, titled chapters. Carey and James work as assistants to the Tripps. It’s up tp the two of them to manage the details of the famous couple in their public personas. I really liked Carey and was rooting for her throughout. She “made” the company with her designs and organizational work. I really hated that Melly took such advantage and stomped all over Carey. James was more a question. He’s trying to build up his resume and doesn't want to be just an assistant and he can’t afford to just walk away from his job. I would have liked a bit more background on his prior job or why he couldn’t just start over. He’s only 26. But moving on...the middle of the book was the best with the couple getting to know each other. James was good about noticing the little things and paying attention. In the end it was enjoyable but not as good as other books by this author. 3.5 rounding up to 4 because it’s still a lovely romance happily ever after. I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.

This is almost an anti-romance of sorts. During this intense journey we are experiencing the implosion of a marriage that started strong but when fame came knocking, Melissa, got lost. Rusty, her husband, is frustrated that his wife can’t see what is truly happening to their marriage and lashes out in a hurtful way. Their team realizes that they will need chaperones on their book tour to make sure everything runs smoothly and that they will place nice wit each other. This forces Carey and James, their assistants to attend when they were both looking forward to a week of vacation. Carey has been working for the Tripp’s for 10 years and has become an integral part of their success. The sad part is that she allows Melissa to bulldoze her which just reinforces her low self-esteem. James is desperate to rebuild his career after the firm he worked for imploded from a scandal. He was hired to be the engineer on the projects but ends up as Rusty’s assistant. Now Carey and James start out rubbing each other the wrong way but as the volatile book tour continues, they find themselves needing each other to survive the avalanche that is Melissa and Rusty Tripp. This is the romance, Carey and James’ slow burn during the turbulent book tour on a bus. The quiet moments when they find common ground in their passion for building as well as the beauty in their differences. But Carey’s journey to finding her voice and standing up for what she wants and what she is truly worth provides a wonderful reminder to each of us to not be afraid to pursue your passion. Will James find a way to be a part of Carey’s future? Or will his own ambitions get in the way? I enjoyed this book though it took me a while to really get into the rhythm of the story and be fully invested in the characters journey.

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.