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…

The Honey-Don’t List was just what I needed to push me through my reading slump. I was a little worried when I saw some fellow readers’ early reviews, but I really enjoyed Christina Lauren’s latest–and highly anticipated book. The problem is, they set the bar so high with The Unhoneymooners, readers keep expecting something similar. But do you really want something similar?? Just reread The Unhoneymooners! 😉

Here’s what I liked about The Honey-Don’t List:

It’s a very “current” premise for a book, that I don’t believe has been done yet. I live in Texas where a very popular home improvement couple reside. I’m not one of those obsessed fans, though. I’ve only seen a handful of shows and never visited their Texas-size store. But I do browse their latest items at the local Target store. While I’m pretty sure they have a happy marriage (but like any of us could ever really KNOW), the idea of having to keep up appearances for your adoring public makes the perfect rom-com material. I would love to see this one as a movie.

But this story isn’t even really about the famous duo–it’s just the fuse that lights the match. Carey and James are the “assistants” given the impossible task of keeping the quarreling couple in line while they are on a book tour to promote the couple’s latest book–on how to have a happy marriage. I thought the characters of Carey and James were refreshing and unexpected. I enjoyed their backstories and what brought them to their current circumstances. Plus, James is a perfect book-boyfriend.

Something else unexpected–this book is basically a road trip book! And I love road trip books!

Pick this one up not expecting another The Unhoneymooners, but expecting something delightfully different!