SYNOPSIS

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?

*****Dee’s Review*****

FIVE +++++++ WONDERFUL STARS

Reading a Christina Lauren book to me is like eating a gigantic candy bar; delicious, satisfying, but without the guilt from the calories. And reading Josh and Hazel’s story was every bit as amazing as I was expecting it to be, and of course, just like when I eat my candy, I devoured this book in only one day. I’m so greedy when it comes to the good things in life.

Hazel and Josh met when they were both attending college. From the moment Hazel saw him she was smitten by Josh’s natural charms and kind personality. But Hazel is a very special kind of girl, some say she’s too much to handle, and so she thought she would spare Josh, and she only ever aspired for his friendship. They lost contact after college, but years later it turns out that Hazel’s new best girlfriend is Josh’s sister, and they re-connect again.

Now they are both adults but still, Hazel is the same non-filtered, crazy, quirky girl and Josh is still gorgeous and laid back. It’s effortless for them to fall back into the easy and fun friendship they used to have. When Josh finds out that his girlfriend of two years has been cheating on him, he is shaken and disappointed, but his new best friend Hazel comes to the rescue. Her plan; to go on a series of double-blind dates to get them both back into the dating game. The thing is, Josh and Hazel while complete opposites are perfect for each other, but when they get a little taste of how good they are together, they are both fearful of whether it will work between them or will it simply end their precious friendship.

I adored every single moment in this novel. Such a charming and adorable plot, and characters. This is one of those books that you read and it leaves a permanent smile on your face for days. Another winner from this wonderful duo, I really hope these two NEVER stop writing together.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

I know I’m drunk, and I know it’s Josh Im—the blueprint for Perfect, who should never want Hazel Bradford—but when it’s done, and he goes still over me, breathing heavily into my neck, I choose to melt into that sublime blur of pleasure, the way I used to think it might feel to live in a cloud.

Christina Lauren have once again, created a story that I have fallen head over heels in love with! JOSH & HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING is a hilariously funny, silly and sweet ”friends-to-lovers”, romantic comedy. The plot and the characters were simply
OUTSTANDING! This is the first time I’ve read a book where the Hero is Korean and being half Korean myself, I got a kick out of all the terminology and references to the customs of my heritage.

While I loved this story and super sexy Josh Im, I fell hopelessly in love with the Heroine, Hazel Bradford. She’s a goofball, light-hearted, and marches to the beat of her own drum. You can’t help but root for her to find that special someone who will embrace all of her quirks and just love her for the woman that she is. Right away, you know the guy that wins her heart will have to be extraordinary because Hazel is one of a kind. A shining star!

Josh and Hazel met in college and let’s just say her infatuation with him led to some very odd and highly embarrassing encounters. They only had a handful of moments together before Josh graduated and then it would be seven years later that they cross paths at Hazel’s best friend, Emily’s, backyard barbeque. Turns out, Josh is Emily’s older brother. Josh and Hazel fall into an easy friendship and when Josh ends up in the middle of a messy breakup, Hazel makes it her mission to help him get out of the funk he’s been in. They agree to go on double dates with the people they set each other up with. The two go on a series of disastrous dates with many laugh out loud moments. What becomes abundantly clear is that these two are perfect for each other. They’re true soul mates.

Hazel has always been painfully aware of her oddball personality and how most people are embarrassed by her special brand of goofiness. She’s been in love with Josh for what seems like an eternity. He is her idea of perfection and in her mind, she believes she’s not worthy enough to be with him. Josh has been burned by love in the past and is cautious about putting his heart on the line again.

Will Josh and Hazel risk their friendship for the possibility of something far beyond their wildest dreams?

Here are my overall ratings:

Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Plot: 5
Angst: 3.5
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5

JOSH AND HAZEL’S GUIDE TO NOT DATING releases tomorrow! Make sure to one-click!!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2uYS3l7