The Honey-Don't List

The writing duo behind the pen name Christina Lauren are known for their witty, light romances that have great banter and steamy bedroom scenes. I was drawn to this book because of its premise of two assistants who find love while working for TV hosts whose on-air sweetness doesn't match their less-than-blissful home life.

When we're introduced to the TV celebs, Melly and Rusty, it's hard not to picture Chip and Joanna Gaines, the HGTV power couple, who make me envision shiplap at the mere mention of their names.

Note the shiplap in the background!

But as the story progresses, and we see Melly and Rusty's true colours which are caricatures - mean, selfish she-boss and her goofy husband who's just there to get a guffaw from the audience. At this point, the image I had of Melly morphed from Joanna to Bellamy Young who plays another sassy, don't mess with me Melly from the TV show Scandal.

Notice my review hasn't focused on assistants James and Carey? That's because the focus isn't on the young couple in love but on the dysfunctional relationship and behind-the-scenes look at Melly and Rusty's lives. This will work for some readers and perhaps not for others. It didn't work for me. The romance between James and Carey was in the background, felt forced and wasn't given enough time to develop. There are also odd additions of police interviews that give the story a confusing and unsatisfying mystery feel.

I applaud the authors for trying something a bit different but with this book's focus on secondary characters, forced romance and predictable story line, I'm sad to say it missed the mark for me. This was a sweet, slow burn kind of romance but I missed the amazing banter and chemistry between the main characters that I've come to expect from these authors.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Christina Lauren

Genre: Romance, Light Read

Type: e-Book

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada

First Published: March 24, 2020

Book Description from GoodReads: 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.