JOSH + HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING
by Christina Lauren
Gallery Books | Paperback | On-sale September 4, 2018 | 320 pages | ISBN: 9781501165856, $16.00
eBook: 9781501165863, $8.99
About the Book:
From New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Christina Lauren comes a new romantic comedy about two friends who
are definitely, for sure, in no way dating…maybe
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. JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING 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?
My first thoughts: fun, sexy and warm! I have always been a huge Christina Lauren fan and this adorable and funny story is another winner.
Hazel is quirky and just a fun heroine. She was never embarrassed by her personality and has the perfect job: an elementary school teacher. Josh and Hazel have known each other since college but become best friends when Hazel finds out that Josh’s sister is actually her friend Emily!
In summary, I am superb at making an ass out of myself. At the outset, this should explain how I have successfully never dated Josh Im: I have made myself entirely undatable in his presence.
Josh and Hazel, being the best friends that they are, set each other up on terrible blind dates that of course go hilariously wrong. Can’t these two see they are perfect for each other?!
“You like animals, huh?”
“I like babying things. I swear I want, like, seventeen kids.”
I freeze, unsure whether she’s being serious. Her mouth curves up in a thrilled arc.
“See?” Her index finger aims at her chest. “Undatable. I like to drop that one on the first date. Not that this is a date. I don’t really want seventeen kids. Maybe three. If I can support them.”
I loved that Josh is Korean American and the authors don’t simply drop that in as a plot device. His traditions are woven into the plot seamlessly. This is a character-driven novel, and there are not a ton a burning hot scenes but the chemistry that Josh and Hazel have is quite electric. Josh is smart, sexy and caring, and slowly comes around to the fact that he actually is very attracted to his best friend Hazel.
My head is a mess. I slide my phone onto my nightstand and collapse back on the bed. Hazel sounds fine today. Which is good. I should be glad that she’s the same Hazel she was when she woke up yesterday. But I’m not the same Josh.
This author duo are a powerhouse and they are excellent writers. So there are no plot cliches here, just some very smart characters and a wonderful romantic comedy that is a fun, quick and very satisfying read. I love a good Epilogue and this one was amazing! If you love an “opposites attract” romance, then you will fall in love with Josh and Hazel.
(With thank to the publisher for a review copy.)
About the Authors:
Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of longtime writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. They are New York Times, USA Today, and #1 international bestselling authors of the Beautiful and Wild Seasons series, Sublime, The House, Dating You/Hating You and the critically acclaimed Autoboyography. Roomies (released December 2017), has been optioned for film by Jenna Dewan’s company Everheart Productions, with Christina and Lauren set to write the screenplay.
Find Them Online:
Website: www.christinalaurenbooks.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ChristinaLaurenBooks
Twitter: @ChristinaLauren
Instagram: @ChristinaLauren