mflake's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
denasquirrel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
syndi3's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Honey- Don't List is a very interesting and smart rom com. In a way the assistants are taking the center stage. James and Carey are certainly loveable characters. I just wish James attraction to Carey can be explored deeper.
Even Rusty and Melly have their own atrraction. Melly the ice queen and Rusty the laid back guy who desperate to get out from the doom marriage.
Both authors done a great job portraying the drama and the politic behind the show business where image is everything. The Honey- Don't List is certainly a winner.
Even Rusty and Melly have their own atrraction. Melly the ice queen and Rusty the laid back guy who desperate to get out from the doom marriage.
Both authors done a great job portraying the drama and the politic behind the show business where image is everything. The Honey- Don't List is certainly a winner.
bmaurnes's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eseddon's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laceydbell's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5** This was cute, but nothing spectacular. It really needs something to spice it up a bit. But it was fun!
dorogayas's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sri_savita's review against another edition
4.0
The concept for this was fun, I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes media angle and I really liked how soft James was with Carey and how attentive/observant he was with Carey's work. I liked how they got to know each other gradually over time and there's still a lot they need to figure out together about their relationship and their careers, it felt real to me to have things they still need to do at the end of the book and off the page.
mhenry30's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sprinklesofspooky's review against another edition
3.0
The Honey-Don’t List is the newest novel from Christina Lauren, aka besties Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings.
Carey and James are assistants to Melissa and Rusty Tripp- the darling duo of HGTV. The workplace enemies are thrust into forced proximity on a tour bus. As they’re coming together, the Tripps are imploding, and keeping them together will be the hardest job of all.
I really enjoyed the aspect of Carey’s dystonia and Lauren’s explanation of why it’s important to be inclusive in romance, as well as what it means to her family personally.
What I didn’t enjoy- this felt like they straight up ripped off Chip and Joanna Gaines and asked what it would look like if they hated each other. When I explained to my 13 year old what I was reading, even she said it sounded like a play on Chip and Joanna. Rusty and Chip could be twins based on their descriptions, actions, and demeanor.
I think most HGTV fans will like this, but some may be fussy since it seems reminiscent of the network’s darlings.
I also didn’t enjoy that there wasn’t really a simmering. The romance between Carey and James was full of heat, but it went from cold as ice to flaming hot too quickly. It made it a little unbelievable, even with the explanation that they’ve known each other for months and their current situation was making them (mostly James) take more notice.
I also didn’t feel parental vibes between the Tripps and Carey (they stepped up for her when her own family couldn’t/wouldn’t), except for very small instances.
It was a fun, easy read that I’d easily give three stars to. This was my first novel by Christina Lauren, and I would be curious to read more and see if I liked them better.
**I was generously provided an ARC of this novel by NetGalley and the publishers. The opinions are my own.**
Carey and James are assistants to Melissa and Rusty Tripp- the darling duo of HGTV. The workplace enemies are thrust into forced proximity on a tour bus. As they’re coming together, the Tripps are imploding, and keeping them together will be the hardest job of all.
I really enjoyed the aspect of Carey’s dystonia and Lauren’s explanation of why it’s important to be inclusive in romance, as well as what it means to her family personally.
What I didn’t enjoy- this felt like they straight up ripped off Chip and Joanna Gaines and asked what it would look like if they hated each other. When I explained to my 13 year old what I was reading, even she said it sounded like a play on Chip and Joanna. Rusty and Chip could be twins based on their descriptions, actions, and demeanor.
I think most HGTV fans will like this, but some may be fussy since it seems reminiscent of the network’s darlings.
I also didn’t enjoy that there wasn’t really a simmering. The romance between Carey and James was full of heat, but it went from cold as ice to flaming hot too quickly. It made it a little unbelievable, even with the explanation that they’ve known each other for months and their current situation was making them (mostly James) take more notice.
I also didn’t feel parental vibes between the Tripps and Carey (they stepped up for her when her own family couldn’t/wouldn’t), except for very small instances.
It was a fun, easy read that I’d easily give three stars to. This was my first novel by Christina Lauren, and I would be curious to read more and see if I liked them better.
**I was generously provided an ARC of this novel by NetGalley and the publishers. The opinions are my own.**