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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
I didn't find this one sucked me in as much as some of Christina Lauren's other books. It was an enjoyable, easy read but I didn't love the characters, particularly the supporting characters, and I just didn't find the storyline as interesting as I usually do. For the past couple of releases, it feels like the authors are just churning out as many books as possible without really making each one special.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Christina Lauren and have read many of their standalone books. Their last book, Twice in a Blue Moon, was the first book that left me unsatisfied and wanting more. I felt it was their weakest book. The Honey-Don't List isn't the greatest comeback from that book but it's a good start. After 25 years of marriage, Melissa and Rusty Tripp can't stand each other so Carey and James are referees of sorts to try and keep up with appearances. Seeing behind-the-scenes with these two as assistants to a remodeling and design married couple was fun, up to a point.
On the plus side, I liked getting to know Carey and her history with the couple as well as why she needed to stay with them for so long. While I felt we could have used at least another chapter for the build-up between them before they got together, it still worked for me. There is classic Christina Lauren writing in the way both character ogle each other and begin to realize their feelings for each other.
Overall, this isn't the strongest book from Christina Lauren but it's not the worst either. It's still a fun read that you can get through in a few hours and you'll enjoy yourself for the most part. I still look forward to future releases from these two and hope it's a long time before they run out of ideas.
I love Christina Lauren and have read many of their standalone books. Their last book, Twice in a Blue Moon, was the first book that left me unsatisfied and wanting more. I felt it was their weakest book. The Honey-Don't List isn't the greatest comeback from that book but it's a good start. After 25 years of marriage, Melissa and Rusty Tripp can't stand each other so Carey and James are referees of sorts to try and keep up with appearances. Seeing behind-the-scenes with these two as assistants to a remodeling and design married couple was fun, up to a point.
Spoiler
This book is a hard balance between a marriage that's falling apart with a potential relationship that blossoms halfway through the book. The hatred between Melissa and Rusty is so volatile that it's hard to enjoy because it felt a little too realistic. Christina Lauren do their best to give us happy and romantic times with James and Carey but it's not quite enough to get 4 stars from me. I wanted more of the book to be about the young couple getting closer and getting to know each other but instead we got so much of Melissa and Rusty absolutely loathing each other, their relationship falling apart, and James and Carey jumping in to try and save it. Melissa is honestly quite horrible to Carey a few too many times and those moments are not fun to read. Rusty is no better with his cheating habits and putting in no effort to try and help in any way.On the plus side, I liked getting to know Carey and her history with the couple as well as why she needed to stay with them for so long. While I felt we could have used at least another chapter for the build-up between them before they got together, it still worked for me. There is classic Christina Lauren writing in the way both character ogle each other and begin to realize their feelings for each other.
Overall, this isn't the strongest book from Christina Lauren but it's not the worst either. It's still a fun read that you can get through in a few hours and you'll enjoy yourself for the most part. I still look forward to future releases from these two and hope it's a long time before they run out of ideas.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wasn't thrilled with Twice in a Blue Moon when it came out a few months ago. It just didn't have the same spark that Christina Lauren books normally do, so I was a little worried when The Honey-Don't List followed so quickly on its heels. I shouldn't have worried. The Honey-Don't List is just as much fun as The Honeymooners and Love and Other Words. The characters are well-developed and fun, and made me read the book much faster than I intended.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the book.
So disappointed :( I’m sorry to say I had a really hard time making it to the end of this one.
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
I listened to this book and absolutely loved the voice actors. The story was really cute, but the love story moved quicker than felt realistic. Had the tension been built a little better, this would have been a 5 star read.
This was a very cute one from Christina Lauren. It's a little difficult to rate because I love so many of the scenes individually even though the overall plot of the book seemed a little drawn out and predictable. The characters were cute and had good growth and I really liked the romantic relationship. This definitely seemed more cutesy than some of their other books but it was an enjoyable read.
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