A friend recommended this book. I tried it and after a couple chapters … I was worried. Did I change my mind about Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating?
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren. Published on September 2018 by Gallery Books.
Synopsis: Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. Their loss. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met, 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?
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Review: Hazel and Josh’s Guide to Not Dating
I love characters (and people) who are unique and authentic. But I have to be honest: Hazel worried me at first. I’m a fairly low-key person and larger-than-life people can be overwhelming to me. Also, in a book or movie, there’s the Manic Pixie Dream Girl pitfall.
Happily, as I got to know Hazel better, I liked her. And I found this friends to lovers story extremely sweet. Josh and Hazel have known each other since college. Josh breaks up with his girlfriend and becomes depressed. He and Hazel start setting each other up and going on double dates. Humor ensues and they start wondering … could they actually be perfect for each other?
The book does use one trope I’m not super-crazy about (don’t want to say because it’s a spoiler but if you’re curious check out my Goodreads review) but overall I was quite charmed by this one! The double dates were really funny and the chemistry between friends Josh and Hazel ended up being way steamier than I was expecting.
Have you read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating? Tell me what you thought in comments.
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I adored Josh and Hazel, but I 100% agree about the trope that wasn’t named. I would have loved the book even more had that not been a thing.
Agree! Something like that seems like it needs WHOLE new story to me. I don’t like it just thrown in the end of a story like, hey, what about this? But I still really enjoyed this book!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed Josh and Hazel overall. It was a really fun read for me. Agree about that trope though.
It was really fun and I can overlook that one thing that bothered me!
OMG the friggin ending to this book pissed me off SO MUCH. It was so great up until then, and then it was like the whole mood was ruined. I’m still mad about this.
I agree. Everything was just great and that was just not necessary!
Josh & Hazel is one of my favorites by Christina Lauren. The two of them together were so adorable. I agree that the twist/trope at the end wasn’t really necessary, but it also didn’t bother me.
I wasn’t that bothered that I didn’t enjoy the book. I think with Christina Lauren there is always one thing that bothers me lol
I had such a good time reading this book. I love quirky characters, and the way Hazel just let her freak flag fly made me love her. I didn’t think the trope was necessary for the story, though it did create some real drama, and shoot! That ending was great.
It was definitely a fun book!
This sounds like such an entertaining read! I have The Unhoneymooners on my list but this definitely had to be added too.
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
YES!!! If you liked that, definitely read Josh and Hazel!
I am glad that this one was a bit better than you expected! I am sorry it used a trope you didn’t like though. This is one I intend to try at some point as well because it has been recommended to me time and time again.
Definitely try it! Such a cute story!
SPOILER:
i legit can not sleep because i can’t remember the name of their daughter at the end and i just returned the book and really need someone to tell me!!
Daughter is Jia and son is Miles 🙂