bookswithlauren's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have been making my way through as many Christina Lauren books as I can get my hands on and I have enjoyed every single one I have read so far, but this has been my least favourite of them.
The Honey-Don't List was a good story but it just felt average to me. There just wasn't a lot going on with the characters or the plot in comparison to the other Christina Lauren books I have read and enjoyed more. I did love the health representations explored with Carey, and I loved the home design angle to the story, but that is all that really stuck out for me.
The Honey-Don't List was a good story but it just felt average to me. There just wasn't a lot going on with the characters or the plot in comparison to the other Christina Lauren books I have read and enjoyed more. I did love the health representations explored with Carey, and I loved the home design angle to the story, but that is all that really stuck out for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Bullying, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love Christina Lauren’s books, and while this one wasn’t my favorite of theirs, I still enjoyed it.
The Honey-Do List is a light romcom with two main characters that I really adored, Carey and James—they were so compatible and sweet and actually cared about each other in a way that was thoughtfully communicated and executed. They both had their own real insecurities and reasons for their choices. I found that their love story felt very believable and natural.
In this way, I wished more of the book focused on their relationship and less on that of their insufferable bosses, home renovation’s ~darling~ it couple… who secretly hate each other. And everyone else, basically. They made me so angry with how they treated Carey and James! I could’ve done without their characters tbh, though they were the reason for the season, aka why Carey and James even met in the first place.
*Bonus points for the chronic pain representation and discussion, and honest conversations about therapy!*
A cute, easy read for fans of the movie Set It Up, the book The Hating Game, HGTV shows like “Fixer Upper” or “Flip or Flop” or “Home Town”, and the like.
The Honey-Do List is a light romcom with two main characters that I really adored, Carey and James—they were so compatible and sweet and actually cared about each other in a way that was thoughtfully communicated and executed. They both had their own real insecurities and reasons for their choices. I found that their love story felt very believable and natural.
In this way, I wished more of the book focused on their relationship and less on that of their insufferable bosses, home renovation’s ~darling~ it couple… who secretly hate each other. And everyone else, basically. They made me so angry with how they treated Carey and James! I could’ve done without their characters tbh, though they were the reason for the season, aka why Carey and James even met in the first place.
*Bonus points for the chronic pain representation and discussion, and honest conversations about therapy!*
A cute, easy read for fans of the movie Set It Up, the book The Hating Game, HGTV shows like “Fixer Upper” or “Flip or Flop” or “Home Town”, and the like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
Moderate: Classism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Addiction
chloelj27's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the characters and the banter especially between Carey and James. Melly and Rusty were written well in my opinion. Melly was meant to be the bitchy boss who always under appreciated Carey and Rusty was meant to be the laid back, “doesn’t care anymore” husband and that all came across.
I started off really liking James and Carey’s relationship and I still did at the end, but it felt rather rushed and overshadowed at times due to Melly and Rusty’s relationship and drama. Carey and James did have some very sweet scenes together though that made my heart melt. In terms of the passion between them both, I didn’t get it as much unfortunately.
I love the storyline and it reminded me of the movie, Set It Up - two assistants trying to keep their bosses happy and their relationship strong whilst forming a relationship of their own. I think the ending was rather rushed though and I really wish we got a bit more closure in terms of Melly and Carey’s relationship. I would have also like to know a bit more about Rusty and Carey’s relationship too as we weren’t shown much of that.
I started off really liking James and Carey’s relationship and I still did at the end, but it felt rather rushed and overshadowed at times due to Melly and Rusty’s relationship and drama. Carey and James did have some very sweet scenes together though that made my heart melt. In terms of the passion between them both, I didn’t get it as much unfortunately.
I love the storyline and it reminded me of the movie, Set It Up - two assistants trying to keep their bosses happy and their relationship strong whilst forming a relationship of their own. I think the ending was rather rushed though and I really wish we got a bit more closure in terms of Melly and Carey’s relationship. I would have also like to know a bit more about Rusty and Carey’s relationship too as we weren’t shown much of that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Cursing
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