ARC Review: “The Honey Don’t List” by Christina Lauren

“The Honey Don’t List” by Christina Lauren

Publishing Date: March 24, 2020

Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

Page Length: 320 pages (electronic review edtion)

Synopsis:

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… (description from Goodreads)

Review:

Yay for another fun book by Christina Lauren! This book follows the story of Melissa and Rusty Tripp who is a giant power couple in the world of interior design. We follow the viewpoints of their assistants, Carey and James, who know that the Tripps’ relationship is far from the perfect picture they put on in the public. The couple constantly bickers and are controlling in almost all aspects of their lives. It’s a stressful job for their team to say the least.

Carey has been working for the Tripps most of her life, but she’s ready to leave her job. She feels vulnerable as this is the only job that she’s ever known. James, on the other hand, is stuck at this job due to financial scandal at his previous employment and needs to build up his resume. Both are polar opposites as Carey is more carefree while James is more uptight and by the book. Will the two survive this chaotic bus book tour?

This novel is a fast read and it has the quick-witted humor and entertainment factors that o enjoy in Christina Lauren’s Rom-Com novels. I like how they poke fun at the HGTV style show tropes and how they incorporate it into the plot. Its lighthearted for the most part and deals with some more serious issues as well. I liked the progression of James and Carey relationship. They try to make the best of their situation and by learning more about each other they start to develop romantic feelings. I did feel that things happen a bit faster (as far as the romance goes), but I felt it’s to be expected since they’re confined to the same space (stuck on a tour bus) together. I enjoyed the couple’s quiet moments. They do the best to keep a calm head even though their jobs are quite chaotic.

This was such a cute book! It was a bit predictable at some parts, but an overall fun read. Props to Carey for being a trooper for putting up with Melissa all those years. I don’t think I could have handled it.

Final Verdict: