Synopsis:
Carey Douglas has worked for Melissa and Rusty Tripp, famous home remodeling and design team, for about ten years. The couple works together to create designs and has built up an empire of Netflix remodeling shows. They are beloved across the country, with only one problem, they don’t actually like each other. With Carey as Melissa’s assistant she is tasked with making the couple appear more than what they are.
James McCann is an MIT graduate that was hired by the Tripps to be a structural engineer. However, James soon realizes this job is not what he was anticipating.
Carey and James must accompany the Tripps on their book tour to keep the “happy couple” in line. They must work together to keep their bosses’ secrets and to secure their own jobs.
Review:
I have come to realize that I will most likely read anything that this duo puts out! I absolutely fell in love with their book, The Unhooneymooners, and felt overall happy with Twice in a Blue Moon and Roomies. This duo writes some amazing and witty rom-coms that have you up past your bedtime trying to finish. So when I saw that they were coming out with another one, you know your girl had to go hit up Netgalley to try and get an early release copy. Not only was I lucky enough to snag an ebook copy, so was Thi! Since we both received a copy, we decided to have ourselves a buddy read.
When we finished this book, we both found that we generally agreed on our star rating for the book, as well as our overall feelings. So with that being said, consider this review to be a joint endeavor!
From the outset I found Carey to be one of the most relate-able female leads in a story. Someone who has invested so much time and energy into a job and watching it succeed that it starts to consume your daily life. She puts her all into making sure that her boss Melissa is happy, that she hasn’t taken the time to see if she is happy. I enjoyed watching her grow into a strong independent female.
On the flip side, James was not like most male love interests in a rom-com. I am tired of reading about men that think that they always know what is best for the female in the story. That they are somehow entitled to be with that person for the mere fact that they exist. James from the start was passionate about what he wanted for himself out of life and his career, while also being understanding of other people. He was an excellent addition to this cast of characters and I don’t think he could have been written in any better.
The fun, witty banter that Christina Lauren writes is always a pleasure to read and they did not disappoint in this novel either. I loved the different types of relationships and dialogue between all the characters throughout this novel and I also think important topics of discussion were brought up that provided insights into unhealthy relationships and learning to value yourself.
I have been looking for the next good rom-com that I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone, and this one fits the bill! This book releases on March 24, 2020 and should be read by any and everybody who loves a fun, quick romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving us the chance to review this book in return for our honest review!
Book Details:
TITLE: THE HONEY-DON’T LIST
AUTHOR: CHRISTINA LAUREN
PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 24, 2020
PURCHASED/GIFT/LIBRARY/BORROW: e-ARC FROM NETGALLEY
GOODREADS: The Honey-Don’t List
A Court of Books and Brews 
This sounds like something I would love 💜! Great review.
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