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The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren [arc review]

The Honey-Don't List, Christina Lauren
I absolute love these ladies. Christina and Lauren are above and beyond talented and I am very happy to sit and read another title by them. The Honey-Don't List was sweet, charming, and it had its funny moments. 
Another day under quarantine, another fabulous read ;)


Blurb:

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.


The Review: 3.5 Stars

The Tripps... I could spend easily half of this review on the dysfunctional couple our main characters work for. Melissa and Rusty are a perfect example of what happens to a couple that lets money and fame get in between them. And Melissa specially is a horrible person too. It was difficult at times to understand why Carey was still with them.
It is hard not to feel for Carey though, she doesn't really know any better and it is hard to get out of a rut when you have been stuck there for so long. It can also be hard to see how much it is affecting your life in a negative way. If James had not came along and rustled her feathers a little I don't think she would have seen how badly things had became until it had caused permanent damage in her life. I liked Carey, she was loyal (to a fault), sweet, and kind. She just needed to push in the right direction.

James is trapped in this job. After his previous company went down finding a job anywhere is hard. Working for the Tripps as an assistant to Rusty is not what he signed up for, but until they give him the job they promised he doesn't have much of a choice. And since him and Carey are now stuck together trying to keep the Tripps from killing each other, it was just natural they would get to know each other better. And once they did, they liked what they saw. 

And here lies problem 1- did that last bit sounded romantic to you? The book lacked chemistry. Christina and Lauren have written some awesomely hot and passion charged stories, this was not one of them. Their romance was sweet, but their intimate moments were so *exciting* (I fought not to just skip over it and be done. 

I am not sure how I feel about the ending. Was it meant to be insightful? Was it meant to be funny? Neither? it was just odd. It sounded like (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that James and Carey were now the new Tripps. To me that is just wrong since we know exactly how the Tripps end up. 

Oh well. It WAS a good book and I will happily and gladly recommend it. Their best work? not for me. But it might be for you :) 

Find the book at: Inklings Bookshop

In support to indie stores who are struggling right now no Amazon link will be added. The indie store above IS offering free shipping at this time! Give them a helping hand! Thanks :)

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