*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.