Hello, self-quarantine. It’s another month, so you might need another book to keep yourself occupied. Well, internet neighbor, let me tell you about the book I read recently, Christina Lauren‘s The Honey-Don’t List.
Funny writing duo, Christina Lauren, has brought us The Honey-Don’t List and told us the tale of Carey and James, assistant extraordinaires to home reno royalties, Melissa and Rusty Tripp. In this fictional world, the story begins at the end.
AND SO IT BEGINS
It’s the evening of the official wrap party for the ultra-popular home renovation show, New Spaces, and the Tripps begin to say their goodbyes to the cast and crew. But instead of a touching and uplifting speech, Melissa Tripp discusses accomplishments and successes that highlight her own self. But wait, there’s more! A compromising situation, a level-10 blow out, and the biggest social marketing nightmare one publicist can take, it catapults our main characters, Carey and James into the forefront. AKA fiasco!
INTRODUCING, THE ONE, THE ONLY
Sixty-five episodes, three holiday specials, countless promo clips, and one very large going-away party. We couldn’t have done any of this without each and every one of you.
The Honey-Don’t List, Christina Lauren
Carey Douglas is Melissa Tripps right hand woman. She was practically raised by The Tripps, ever since the early days of the Tripps’ first storefront, Comb+Honey. She knows the ins and outs of their branding, the design aesthetic, and can anticipate anything that Melissa may need. She’s invaluable, but at best, she’s probably not valued as well as she needs to be.
James McCann is a MIT graduate, and would prefer that you call him the director of engineering rather than Rusty Tripp’s assistant. But it is what it is, isn’t it James? Carey considers him to be “tall, lanky, always exuding superiority.” But superior over what? Late night beer runs, sports events ticket getter, and other things that he may need to do as an assistant.
THEY DID WHAT NOW?
I don’t know. Whenever I see some celebrity couple on every magazine, my first thought is that they’re in damage control mode.
The Honey-Don’t List, Christina Lauren
After the night of the fiasco, the powers-to-be send Carey and James on the road with the Tripps on book tour for their book about marriage and love. But as you can already tell, the tour doesn’t go as planned, and everything that you think happens will happen. This includes a lot of yelling, some diva-like breakdowns, and a disappearance or two.
And as a result all of the chaos and PR nightmare that Carey and James have to deal with, a camaraderie develops into something more. That is the beauty of romance. It sparks when least expected, and under unforseen circumstances. For instance: Googly eyes in the PR trailer? Yup. Slight hand touching as you walk towards the press area before an event? *sigh* yes. Hotel trysts? You bet. The Honey-Don’t List has this and so much more.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
I feel visible for the first time in maybe forever- but it isn’t scary. Being with James is like standing in the softest, most flattering spotlight.
The Honey-Don’t List, Christina Lauren
Above all the romance and chaos happening in this story, there is a message of self-love and value of one’s self. It’s important, and that message is clear in The Honey-Don’t List.
The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren, is published by Gallery Books, an is available wherever you choose to purchase or borrow your books or audiobooks.
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: March 24, 2020
ISBN13: 9781982123918
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