Cocktails and Books
Written on Aug 27, 2018
"Most men can't handle Hazel. With the energy of a toddler and the mouth of a sailor, they're often too timid to recognize her heart of gold. New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren (Roomies, Beautiful Bastard) tells the story of two people who are definitely not dating, no matter how often they end up in bed together. Hazel Camille Bradford knows she's a lot to take--and frankly, most men aren't up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don't send them running, her lack of filter means she'll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She's a good soul in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met--when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes--to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there's nothing between them...right?"--
"A "rom-com" standalone romance by writing duo Christina Lauren - Foul-mouthed, quirky, sharp-as-a-whip Hazel never thought she would win the heart of her gorgeous college TA, Josh. And, in fact, she didn't. But what a difference ten years can make. Well...ten years, and a lot of legwork"--
With the energy of a toddler and the mouth of a sailor Hazel Camille Bradford intimidates her dates, who can't recognize her heart of gold. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved incompatible with his mellow restraint. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. They set each other up on double blind dates-- but keep falling in bed with each other. They're just friends. Just friends. And if they repeat it enough, it'll be true, right? -- adapted from publisher info and back cover
- ISBN10 1501165852
- ISBN13 9781501165856
- Publish Date 4 September 2018
- Publish Status Active
- Publisher The Gallery Press
- Imprint Gallery Books
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 320
- Language English
Reviews
thebookdisciple
Written on Aug 27, 2018
I have finally read a Christina Lauren book!! Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was adorable and fun. If you are a fan of friends to lovers or awkward encounters, this is a perfect pick.
So Hazel's first few meetings with Josh are hilariously uncomfortable. Then several years later they meet again. Hazel's awkwardness continues of course because that is just who she is! What I liked is that Josh was accepting of it all. He is kind of like "Thats just Hazel". The book is a series of funny double 'dates' with other people, fun times as friends, and the slow burn of a love that builds over all this. Normally, NOT a fan of the slow burn books, but Josh and Hazel's adventures are so funny and enjoyable, I didn't mind!
Also, Hazel is a teacher! I love teacher characters (because teachers rock!). She is a perfect person for a 3rd grade teacher-weird, not afraid to embarrass herself, and fun! I imagined her as Zooey Deschanel's character from New Girl. The story really focuses on building these characters so that the reader is really just in love with them. I'm not always a fan of the rom-com because the situations can seem hokey or overly ridiculous, but CL writes the story perfectly. The situations felt realistic and true to the characters and helped build the story instead of being isolated, random, funny events. Overall, I am thrilled to have finally read a CL book and that my first one was Josh and Hazel! What a delightful read!
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: friends to lovers
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: no
- HEA: yes
The Allure of Julian Lefrey by RS Grey, Pucked by Helena Hunting (Violet is SO WEIRD!), Good Girl by Jana Aston (another quirky heroine!)...then you will probably like Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating!
See full review on The Book Disciple
Linda
Written on Aug 1, 2018
*I received a free copy of [title] from [publisher] via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is my favorite friends to lovers story ever! They are both golden, and I adore them!
Story:
Josh and Hazel had nothing much in common at first glance, on second glance, however, they were perfect for each other. After they knew each other in college, they lost sight of each other for ten years. Until Hazel's best friend had a welcome summer BBQ. And Josh was there - because he was Emily's sister. Little by little, Josh and Hazel became friends, and their friendship was strong. They are both very loyal, and only wanted the best for the other.
Because Josh left his girlfriend after they had known each other again only for a few weeks, they decided to go on blind double dates together. What could go wrong, right? These dates Josh and Hazel went on just cemented the fact that they were extremely attuned to each other. Paying attention to the little things, and always getting to know each other better. Little by little, it was clear that they both had strong feelings for each other. However, not wanting to muck up their friendship was important to both of them.
I just love a good friends to lovers story, and Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is the best I have ever read. My heart is all squishy, and I am in awe for Christina Lauren's writing. The characters are just so relatable. And the way they grew throughout the story made me so very happy.
There was also a lot of humor here, which I always enjoy. And when Josh and Hazel finally caved in to the temptation, it was both very hot and so tender my heart almost ached.
Characters:
Josh is one of my favorite book boyfriends. He's very mature, but still approachable. He's nice, strong, fairly happy, confident, and doesn't mind all of Hazel's craziness.
Hazel is the kind of woman we should all have as a friend. The light of a party, loyal, strong, but still thinking she might not measure up.
Emily was the best friend Hazel could have had. They always had each other's back.
Dave - Emily's husband was a smaller character, but still important. And I loved that he also accepted everybody just the way they were.
Hazel's mom was great, too, and I loved the mother-daughter relationship.
Writing style :
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is written in dual points of views, with chapters from both Josh's and Hazel's perspective. Present tense and great dialogues made everything flow very nicely. And I can't wait to read this again!
Feels :
Josh and Hazel brought out all the feels. I fell in love with both of them. And I cringed when Hazel thought she had chased Josh away with her strange ways. I laughed out loud in several places, and I melted when they finally got together.
Leigha
Written on Jun 11, 2018
Opposites attract in this cute, steamy adult romance.
Considering my hate for the Beautiful Bastards series, I'm shocked to admit Christina Lauren is now one of my auto buy authors. When I saw this book available on NetGalley, I snatched it up quickly.
This novel is the perfect blend of friendship and romance. Josh and Hazel are two very different people. Josh is quiet and reserved, while Hazel is zany and eccentric. When these two characters collide, they form a solid bond filled with support, laughter, and love. The evolution of their friendship to romance is sweet and earned. I am thrilled to read more novels where the friendship between the main characters is just as important as the romance. We can have both, people! The secondary characters, plot, and setting are just as cute as the romance. The ending took me by surprise, but in the best way possible.
tl;dr A novel with the perfect blend of friendship and romance between two unlikely characters.