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. Carey Duncan has worked for home remodeling and design gurus Melissa and … 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.
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3.5 The Honey-Don’t List sadly wasn’t my favorite Christina Lauren book. It just didn’t really feel like one of their books to me. It felt more serious and intense than others with less humor, which bummed me out a little bit. I normally find their books very entertaining, but this one didn’t really have that quality. I liked both Carey and James and felt bad for them very quickly with everything they have to deal with, aka the Tripps. I really did not care for the Tripps. They were quite irritating and aggravating. They put a bit of a damper on the book with how much they mess with Carey and James’ lives. Like I said, I enjoyed both Carey and James. I found them interesting, I just wish there was a bit more of them, and less of the Tripps. I still love Christina and Lauren as writers, this one just wasn’t my favorite. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
“The Honey-Don’t List” by Christina Lauren
A fun contemporary love/hate story with some interesting plot twists. I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley with the request that an honest review would express my opinion(s). I did thoroughly enjoy my time with Carey & James, and Melly & Russ as they waded through their lives divining where they are, where they want to be, and the changes necessary to make their lives what they want them to be. Life can be rather difficult when you come up for air and discover where you are. Note: there is some spice in this story. Happy Reading ! !
This was my first book by Christina Lauren and it was great! From the beginning they kept me guessing until the end. It was informative, funny and also frustrating but also a great love story.
At times funny and other times heartfelt, The Honey Don’t List was nothing like what I expected. The book was more about the train-wreck DIY stars and less about the romance between their assistants. In other words, more “com than rom”.
I Loved the DIY TV stars/authors who typify so much of “reality TV”. Their perfection and talent are a sham. Assistants James and Carey have the hideous jobs of managing the details of the stars lives and trying to keep their duo’s failing marriage of the news.
Melissa (AKA Melly) is a diva I loved to hate. Hubby Russell is affable enough but not on the same page as Melly. She just wants him to get with the program, and he wants off the merry-go-round that Melly has created. Both James and Carey have their personal and professional issues that create a need (real or perceived) for them to endure life on the road with Melissa and Russell.
Perfect plot pace, but the story zenith is far-fetched. The story tension is delicious and since the plot covers a short period, trouble comes quickly to a boil. The plot points are mostly believable, but a few are over the top (as I mentioned, the zenith of the story is a bit crazy). The denouement is good; I got the HEA I wanted and it was fairly realistic. The use of Twitter feed and police interviews sprinkled throughout enhances the creativity of the storytelling.
3.5 – 4 stars
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.
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.
This is one of those books that wasn’t really what I was expecting. In fact, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the direction this was taking, until the next thing I know, my nose is buried in my kindle cause the drama became very fascinating.
What I wasn’t expecting, was for this book to feel more about Melissa and Russel’s drama, and less about Carey and James romance. Melissa and Russel were like a train wreck that you just can’t stop watching and I gotta say, I was riveted to it all.
While Carey and James didn’t really feel like a romance until almost the end, the authors still had me swooning all over them when it was all said and done. So all in all, I enjoyed it. It may not have been what I thought it was going to be, but the writing was fantastic and this author duo really knows how to capture your attention.
I loved The Unhoneymooners, so I went and read Twice in a Blue Moon, which I also loved, so when I heard this duo had a new book coming out, I requested it to review, and I’m glad I did. Carey works as an assistant for the very high maintenance (and frankly intolerable) Melissa Tripp and her milder, down to earth husband, Rusty. The couple runs a design business with several stores and their own show. James also works for Rusty, as an assistant, despite the fact they hired him as an engineer. He’s only been with them a mere few months to Carey’s 10 years, but he already knows what Melissa is like, and he wants to help Carey get more out of her job.
So the thing that held me back from giving this 5-stars was how intolerable Melissa was. Usually, when I dislike a character, I cheer on the author(s) for creating such a great, bad character, but for me, the sheer amount of her evil was too much. I know Carey has gotten used to it and needs this job, but she deserves so much better, and that’s where James comes into play. I loved these two together, and I think they do well, considering they’re both stuck in this job because of circumstances.
Poor Carey is insecure, and Melissa did her best at making sure Carey felt that way. When she finally starts talking to James in a more serious manner, she starts to see that she can have a life outside of work, that she can have good things in her life. While I would have liked to have a bit more of an emotional connection with the two, and less “all about Melissa” moments, I think when they did come together, it was done well. Overall an enjoyable read.
The Honey-Don’t List is the first book that I’ve read by the writing duo of Christina Lauren. I very much enjoyed this book.
Carey has worked for Melly and Rusty Tripp for the last ten years (think of the Tripps as being similar to a Chip and Joanna Gaines… but a bit dysfunctional), and isn’t going anywhere. James has recently started working for the Comb+Honey brand, as Rusty’s assistant/engineer. Due to some turmoil between Melly and Rusty, Carey and James are essentially tasked with babysitting these two while on their book tour. And it’s not an easy task! But Carey and James become closer because of their circumstances.
I really liked how real Carey and James seemed. Their back-and-forth banter kept the book going and enjoyable. I also really liked both Melly and Rusty, despite their dyfunctionality. I kept imagining their show to be similar to a Fixer-Upper, one of my favorite shows on TV.
I must say that this book had a few slow spots, and a few spots that moved too quickly for me. I also wished I had a little more at the end, but overall, I really enjoyed this!
Such a good book!
To be honest, I was a little hesitant because I hated their last book, but I’m a big Christina Lauren fan, so I wanted to give this one a shot. I’m so glad I did. They’re back on form, and the book is excellent. I loved everything about Carey and James and their relationship. It was great to get the sneak peeks into the entertainment industry. And I’d never heard of dystonia, so meeting a main character who had it was very interesting.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free review copy.
I grabbed this one because I love Christina Lauren books because of their humor. This was just was “heavy”. Melly and Rusty’s relationship with Carey in the beginning was of surrogate parents and a positive influence. For the majority of the book I hated Melly and Rusty. The way they treated people and Carey in particular was awful. Nothing light hearted or zany about it. Even the ending couldn’t redeem them in my eyes. Carey and James having sex to just have sex was another turn off for me. Overall everyone in the book was miserable for the majority of it, including me
The way the story is written makes the book intriguing. You don’t know what happened until near the end but you do know that something went wrong. And with the turn of every page the storm keeps brewing. The first thing you feel is sorry for these characters because their job is brutal and draining. James and Carey are under appreciated, over worked and over stressed but that causes them to trust and rely on each other. Partners in misery and all that. But I guess that is what makes their connection more special. Tough times help them develop a sense of respect and admiration for the other. And besides being intriguing, the story becomes a little sad by showing how ugly people can turn when they allow material things change them and their priorities.
This is a marvelous novel about one relationship imploding while another explodes. Meli and Rusty own a lucrative home renovation/TV show business built upon their charming marriage relationship. Long term changes have caused huge fissures in their marriage to form threatening to destroy everything. It is up to James and Carey to keep this out of the press. They find themselves drawn to each other and growing closer through the tumult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think I could have chosen a better book to start the new year (new DECADE) off with than this! As with everything Christina and Lauren do, this book is wonderfully written. There’s a real-life grittiness to the whole thing that I appreciated. Not a single character in this story was in any way perfect. They were all flawed human beings and I adored the realness of it all. Most romances seem to ignore reality and the ones that do try to include it often seem to miss the mark. It is refreshing to read something so grounded in genuine human experience.
I found the plot fairly unique while still being topical. Home improvement shows are trendy and reading this story felt like a sneaky peek behind the curtain. I felt like I was getting an exclusive look into that world. Everything fit and made sense and was executed brilliantly!
I loved Carey. She’s beautiful and self-conscience and has her own struggles and is a great person. Her character arc is lovely and I was incredibly appreciative of how real she remained throughout. I feel like it’s rare to find, especially in this genre.
My only complaint is how the whole thing started. It starts with a partial transcript of a police interview. I knew right away that something big had happened. Not too far into that transcript is mention of Laramie, Wyoming. Now I love when stories begin in medias res but this particular set of circumstances – police interview and Laramie, WY – put me in a certain state of mind because I know some of the recent history of Laramie. I immediately had an idea of what the story could be about. That idea was totally wrong; it could not have been further from the truth. And that was problematic for me because it took a while to a) figure out that my assumption had been wrong and b) correct my mood for the lighter plot it ended up being. But that’s my only issue and it was a fantastic story!
I would recommend this to anyone who:
– wants to read a wonderful romance
– likes a unique, relevant plot
– adores Christina Lauren!
I have read many of this duo’s books but when I started this one I realized that it was not like their usual books. I enjoyed it, don’y get me wrong but it was different than what I have come to expect – the humorous interactions, the more romantic story, the sometimes funny supporting characters. This story was written well and the characters were different but I felt that there could have been more to James’ character that the reader could have learned since we knew everything about Carey’s character. Their story moved along well and at times I felt bad for what they were having to deal with but I also felt that Carey was weak in all that she allowed to happen to her. I will say that the plot of this book made me wonder about the truth behind some of the shows that are produced on TV. Overall, I did enjoy this book as I have their other books
Thank you Netgalley and Gallery books for the ARC of The Honey Don’t List.
Carey Duncan And James McCain Both work for the remodeling home Gurus the Tripp’s.
Carey has worked for the Tripp’s for 10 years every since she walked in the the store at age 16 and got her first job. James started with the Tripp’s two months after his recent job went under for embezzlement.
The two act as assistants for the Tripp’s. On screen the Tripp’s are the couple everyone wants to be but off screen they are the shit storm we all want to avoid. Carey and James are both dragged on the book tour to help keep the peace and the image of the Tripp’s as if there are no problems in the lives of America’s favorite couple.
We all know of a couple aren’t meant to be theirs no helping the cause. Along the way Carey and James start to develop feeling for each other, but when career promotion and career choices get in the way the Tripp’s love for each other may not be the only relationship on thin ice.
Little disappointed when it came to this book. After reading the Unhoneymooners and laughing my way through the whole book I had high hopes that this book would have me rolling. I laughed at a few parts in the beginning but after that it was just straight seriousness.
The book was more about the relationship of the Tripp’s then the main characters Carey and James. I would like to have seen more love development through the story of the two characters.
Ease of reading: A
Memorable Characters: A
Originality: B
Read Other Books By This Author: Yes I would
Would I Read Again: Probably Not
The Honey-Don’t list is a fun story about how two people from two different worlds are forced to work together. I love Carey and James! They are the cutest together. Their slow build friendship is beautiful to watch blossom. I loved their banter and how they’re there for each other.
I loved the dialogue and how the story was written. I enjoyed that this was almost like a double story. Part of it is a hot mess and the other is endearing. As these couples tackle many hurdles, I was left wondering if anyone was coming on the positive side. There are many examples throughout this story that appearances can be deceiving. The fan tweets were cute, and the story is sweet and fun. It left me with a smile on my face.
Carey Duncan has devoted the last 10 years of her life to Comb+Honey and the Tripps. Her job since she was 16 has been keeping Melissa’s life together and helping with Rusty when necessary. From the outside, it looks like a dream job, working with one of the most famous design couples on their show, on the inside, it’s a nightmare. James McCann is trying to escape the scandal of his last job when he takes the engineering job with Comb+Honey, unfortunately for him, he’s jumping from one train wreck to another.
I absolutely adore this story, and Christina Lauren’s writing style, it’s descriptive but not overly wordy, they get the point across beautifully without complication. Initially, it seemed as though the book was going to be about the Tripps and their crumbling marriage, but quickly I realized it was about James and Carey. I loved Carey, she’s such a sweet relatable character, feeling stuck a job she no longer likes because of real-life issues, it was amazing to see her stand up for herself more and more throughout the book. When we first met James, I didn’t care for him (he reminded me a little of Joshua Templeman from The Hating Game, who I also didn’t like at first). He gradually grew on me with every chapter and act of kindness towards Carey. I’m so torn on my feelings for Rusty and Melly and their treatment of Carey, part of me wanted to see if their marriage made it, but the other part is just glad James and Carey got an hea (I was a little concerned at 96%). I also really enjoyed the excerpts of the police interviews and tweets from fans (which had me laughing). This is such a great book, funny, sweet and a good reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Highly recommend. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an ARC.
The Honey Don’t List by the epic duo Christina Lauren is a fast, funny, witty, contemporary romance that is a breathe of fresh air.
I have to admit this is my first read from these authors, and it leaves me in search of more great books that they have written. (That is one of the ultimate compliments, by the way.)
I enjoyed the plot: the romance, the difficulties, the hurdles, the themes of love, friendship, the beginnings and ends of relationships, amongst many others.
I enjoyed Carey and James and I enjoyed their interactions and gradual interest turned romance path throughout the book. I did not enjoy Melissa by any means. She is snobby, superficial, judgmental, and honestly a bully. I do not think that we readers are supposed to like her though. I think that is one of the character points that was purposely added to give a larger contrast to the positive evolution of Carey and James’s relationship.
I thought the dialogue was witty, and at times I literally laughed out loud. I thought the plot and pacing was appropriate and appealing, and I also enjoyed the ending.
In the end, this book was exactly what I was hoping, and expecting it to be. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
5/5 stars
The dynamic duo Christina Lauren has done it again with their latest hit, Honey Don’t list. The Tripp’s Melissa and Rusty, home remodeling and design firm that has taken off with a hit TV show and a book tour. Carey Douglas has worked for them since she was sixteen years old and grew into her current position one of assistant to Melly. Little does the world know that Carey is responsible for all of the designs that the couple tout as their own. Melly is overwhelming, abusive, and downright mean, trying to juggle all those lies and keep her husband on board with all their newfound fame and money. James McCann, MIT graduate, and engineering genius was hired by Melly as an engineer but is an overpaid assistant for Rusty. It turns out the Tripp’s marriage is dissolving while they become more famous by the minute. James uncovers the truth about Carey designing but sells out for a better opportunity. This story reminds me of the Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines.