The Honey-Don't List Published by Gallery Books by Christina Lauren
on March 24, 2020
Genres: Adult, Chick-Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: ARC, eBook
Also by this author: In a Holidaze
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
ISBN: 1982123915
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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.
I’m embarrassed to admit that this is my first read by Christina Lauren. I’ve read so many amazing reviews of her (their) books in the past and have just never picked one up.
At first, I had trouble getting into the book, as I felt the oppressiveness of conflict straight off. The reasoning is because this story is told with flashbacks interspersed, so I got a feel of the drama before connecting with any of the characters.
It didn’t take long, however, before I was able to sync with the book’s rhythm and start trusting the writers to tell me a roller coaster of a story. It almost happened the same way Carey and James got to know each other–one delicious peace of information at a time until you realize that what you’re looking at is engrossing! A little bit of a surprise.
I really enjoyed Carey’s character the most. She started out as a doormat of a character and on her own merit, manages to emerge a fully-capable, and sure of herself adult by the last chapter. Earlier, she has no idea what she wants or who she is. I’m glad to say her metamorphosis felt complete and organic.
I also enjoyed James’ character. It helped that we got alternating perspectives from the two of them. Because some of his actions may have been questionable if the reader hadn’t been able to see inside his mind. Without that, I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed the romance between him and Carey quite as much.
As for Melissa and Rusty… Well, I’m not going to parse out their characters too much. Let’s just say that I feel a bit conflicted about them both. But, I think that may have been the point.
The Honey-Don’t List was a calm ride with suddenly rapid waters towards the end, which served itself up, humorously and intelligently. I felt vindicated at the end and quite content with how things wrapped up.
