Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Honey Don't List by Christina Lauren Narrator: Patti Murin, Jon Root
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on March 24, 2020
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 7 hours, 29 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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…
I have enjoyed pretty much everything I have read by this author. I’ve read all the recent books on audio. So I requested The Honey Don’t List without even reading the blurb. The story fits with the title but was not what I expected at all.
The eventual couple works for Melissa and Rusty Tripp who are home improvement show stars who also have a store. Melissa and Rusty have problems. Carey and James try to hold things together so they can hang on to their jobs. It is a nearly impossible feat. A big load falls to Carey who has been with them for 10 years, since the start, and I love the way James tries to help her.
I really liked Carey and James. It feels a little like enemies to lovers initially with them teasing each other over their perceived flaws. Once they begin to know each other, the reality has some huge differences from the surface and the pair end up admiring each other as they both struggle with their daily situation. The development of their relationship felt authentic and I loved it.
The very beginning had me a little confused. The story wasn’t much like a romance for quite awhile. The Honey Don’t List also had a bit less humor compared to other works by the author. However, I enjoyed it quite a lot and I would recommend it to others.
Narration:
I have not listened to either of these narrators before. The chapters alternated between the female and male in the couple, and between the female and male narrator in a dual narration. I thought both narrators did a great job with the opposite sex characters in their chapters. The narration definitely added to my pleasure in the book. I was able to listen comfortably at 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
About Christina Lauren
Yes, there are two of us! Lauren (on the left) and Christina (on the right).
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced fourteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in September, followed by a contemporary romance, Roomies in December, and their first Women’s Fiction, Love and Other Words in April.
Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.
Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you can find her at her desk, writing or watching BTS videos. She grew up in Utah and is absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 17 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
You mentioned that it didn’t feel like a romance at first – and for me it never really did. I saw a friend saw that it kind of felt more like women’s fiction than romance and I agree. I really did like Carey and seeing the growth in her over the story. I was just left wishing more time had been spent on her and James instead of the Tripp’s.
I agree with you. I found the Tripps kind of boring and they took up too much emotional energy of well, everyone.
Glad you enjoyed this one….good to know it takes a while before we see the romance ….I always like to prepare myself for that or I feel too disappointed
I actually enjoyed the slow build of it but it’s not a typical romance story.
I’m listening to this right now and loving it! Glad you enjoyed it, Anne, even if it was a bit different from what you expected.
I did really enjoy it. I’m glad you are also.
the title does make me curious
It’s a tie in to the home improvement show and perhaps what not to do in a relationship.
Hmm, a romance that doesn’t feel like a romance? Probably not for me which is too bad as the blurb is appealing. I’ve never read this and maybe I shouldn’t start with this one.
I’d probably start with a different one to sample this author. I really enjoyed the book but focus is not the romance. It’s got more of a life fiction focus and too much is about the Tripps who are a train wreck.
I really don’t remember much in the way of humor? I wish it had been humorous. I’m glad you liked it though!
Yup. There is usually humor and this one didn’t have so much. It’s more like life fiction than a romance.
I am very curious about this one now. Thanks for sharing!
It’s different than their other recent work but I enjoyed it.
I’ve heard that this one is a lot different than Christina Lauren’s other books. Glad you mostly enjoyed it!
Yes it is. Different can be good.
I haven’t listened to either of these narrators before either. I am glad to hear that you liked them. I have only read one of their books but do hope to read more in the future. I might pick up one of their more popular books before trying this one though.
Sounds good to me. I’ve been reading current stuff for a year or two but haven’t had enough time to get to much of the back list.
I’ve enjoyed this duo before. Glad you enjoyed this one Anne.
I did enjoy it but it is a bit different in style than normal.
I read this one and loved it! I’m sad I didn’t get to experience the narration though!
I did really enjoy the narration but I also enjoy reading books. I choose audio for certain books or genre based on a favored narrator or type of story or sometimes where I can access a review copy. I didn’t know these narrators but really liked them.
I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I passed on it. I haven’t really enjoyed the last few. But I hope to get back to the authors again someday.
Well this was more life fiction than contemporary romance, so not like the last few books. I enjoy their books as a lighter genre than some things I read.
I’ve enjoyed a few of their books so I downloaded a copy of this, too. But after seeing some of the reviews come back I’m not as excited to pick it up. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Anne!
It’s a different style than some of their other recent works but I really enjoyed it. I wish there had been slightly less time on the Tripps rather than the couple. But I did really appreciate all the character development with a very slow burn relationship.