This was fine. Light and breezy story with a dash of romance. Seemed more focused on the couple breaking up than the one falling in love. ( )

I thought this was a super fun fast pace read. I liked this this book dealt with more topics then just romance. The romance was a small part of what this book was really about. I really liked that this book was duel POV and focused on the beyond the scenes of couple on book tour but their realtionship was a mess. I also found this book fun in regards to following the assistants. I also really enjoyed the behind the scenes parts of the book we got, because it show how the pubic saw this couple. I thought the end was a tad rushed but still higher on my fav read list from them. ( )

I thought this was a super fun fast pace read. I liked this this book dealt with more topics then just romance. The romance was a small part of what this book was really about. I really liked that this book was duel POV and focused on the beyond the scenes of couple on book tour but their realtionship was a mess. I also found this book fun in regards to following the assistants. I also really enjoyed the behind the scenes parts of the book we got, because it show how the pubic saw this couple. I thought the end was a tad rushed but still higher on my fav read list from them. ( )

There is nothing like starting a book with a police investigation to get you to sit up straight and pay attention! A huge fan of The Unhoneymooners and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, I couldn't wait to dive into the The Honey Don't List. To be honest, I was slightly disappointed. While the start of the story had my curiosity peaked, the overall pace was exceptionally slow. In fact, if the story had started any other way, I am not sure I would have finished it but knowing something/someone was being investigated is what kept my attention until it resolved. In either case, The Honey Don't List is a reminder to not believe everything you see on TV, the brightest smiles may be hiding the darkest secrets.

Take everything you know about Joanna and Chip Gaines, flip it on its lid, and you have the “Anti-Gaines” - Melissa and Rusty Tripp: Decorator and Carpenter from a small town who have hit it big and have lost their minds! At the helm, trying the rein them in with their dear lives are Carey Duncan and James McCann. Carey has been with Melly and Rusty since she was 16 years old. For 10 years, they have been like family to her. She helps Melly design for the show and Rusty brings those designs to life. Through it all, she has never questioned their intent or loyalty to her and she has been blindly devoted to all things Comb + Honey. She would do anything for them, even attempt to cover up a secret she accidentally discovers when James, Rusty’s Structure Engineer (read personal assistant) recruits her to help locate him the night of their launch party. One loose thread from unraveling everything the Tripp’s have worked for and the remarkable future that is just about to kick off, James and Carey are forced to be placed on babysitting duty. They have one job and one job only, keep the Tripps from killing each other on a multi-city book tour and convince the world they are as loving to each other as they appear to be on TV. Stuck together for what seems like an impossible task with no way out, James and Carey find themselves growing closer and closer. It is true, misery really does love company.

This was an unexpectedly cute story. The entire time I read it, I kept pictures Rusty as Chip Gaines - mainly because my knowledge of HGTV hosts is limited but when they do make a reference of Joanna, it confirmed that they were trying to paint a picture of a couple who would have the same personalities on the outside but be polar opposites behind close doors. I enjoyed the antics of the trip and the overall absurdness of the situation. Again, I would have thought the story was slow but starting out with James and Carey having to do police interviews, I was hooked immediately and wanted to know what finally got so bad that the police had to be involved!

The verbal and nonverbal communication between James and Carey were the bread and butter of this story. Two people who hardly ever talked to each other, were never in the same room, but were aware of how much they loathed each other were able to put all of that aside just by taking the time to actually have a conversation. It is amazing how impactful first impressions or assumptions can be. When they let down their guards and understood they either would survive together or drown apart, they realized in more ways than one that they were perfect for each other and more alike than they initially assumed.

As for the spice factor, the few times Carey and James got together were pretty steamy. While brief in description, the heated moments impacted the overall story - not only allowing the characters to let loose and blow off steam, but allow Carey and James to see a side of each other no one else knew.

Overall, the book was a nice reminder to find your voice, stand your ground, and never let someone believe you have no other options when stuck in an impossible situation. While this book wouldn't be on the tip of my tongue if asked for a recommendation, I invite those who enjoy a nice HGTV-type farce to dive in and hang out with this over-worked, over stressed bunch. ( )

Carey Duncan has worked as Melissa Tripp's assistant for years, even though she does most of the design work for her and her husband Rusty on their interior design show on HGTV. Recently Rusty hired an MIT engineer cum assistant, James McCann. James is frustrated with the hole that he has been plugged into, and Carey is just trying to keep a lid on the fact that America's darling couple can't stand each other. As the Tripps are about to embark on a new show and an appearance tour for their new book, filled with tips on what makes a good marriage, Carey and James get closer, while they try to find a way to make a disastrous marriage look like sweethearts in love.

The Honey-Don't List takes the current popularity of HGTV television shows and develops a story about the pressures of success and what that can do to a marriage. Unfortunately, Carey and James almost feel like supporting characters in a story that is supposed to be about them, but they aren't nearly as compelling as Melissa and Rusty Tripp, who steal the show with their wildly dramatic lifestyles and angst filled relationship. Also, James does something to Carey in this story that seems almost unforgivable and doesn't grovel nearly enough before being allowed back into Carey's life. Overall, The Honey-Don't List offers some enjoyable aspects but lacks enough in the execution to make it a winner. ( )