Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is another terrific read by the queens of rom com, authors Christina Lauren. I laughed out loud and was moved by this story and it’s quirky, eclectic cast of characters. Especially Hazel and her self-deprecating humor.

Authors Christina Lauren use such vivid and descriptive language when creating their amazing characters and their world. josh and Hazel are no exception. The situations they got themselves into were hysterical, sweet, and sexy AF.

Hazel is simply adorable. I wanted to die for her when she shares her college mishaps. Oh the embarrassment! But she never let it get her down. She is a sassy character who not only marches to the beat of her own drum, but she creates her own symphony. She could be frustrating and even a little annoying but I could forgive those times because she made up for it with her caring heart and hysterical antics.

Josh needed hazel in his life and I loved watching him realize it.

Their attraction is off the charts. The banter is funny, sarcastic and filled with innuendo. They just couldn’t get out of their own way.

The alternating POV is my favorite. I love being in the characters’ heads.

This book is another hit for the dynamic duo of rom com. Definitely recommend. Cannot wait to see what’s next from authors Christina Lauren.

~4.5 stars~

This book was a delight to read. The two main characters, Hazel and Josh, are incredibly entertaining. I was so upset when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer last night--that is how hard it was to put this book down. It’s one of the most fun, light, cute reads I’ve read thus far in 2018. If you're a fan of humor, love, friendship, and fantastic characters then you should check out this book. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a rom-com in book form. Netflix needs to get on it and make this a movie because it would be a HUGE success.

Characters:
Hazel is by far the most original, unique, and authentic character I have ever come across. She is so authentically herself every single second of every day. I love how vibrant she is, you simply can’t resist falling in love with her. She was the perfect heroine. I aspire to be like her.

Josh is such a sweet guy. He definitely never expected to become friends with Hazel let alone best friends with her which is what makes this book so much fun. Josh thinks Hazel is a hot mess, which she definitely can be, but he soon learns that he actually likes how crazy she can be. Josh is the opposite of Hazel; he’s extremely organized, quiet, and guarded. So, you can only imagine how entertaining their encounters are with each other.

Plot:
Hazel has always seen Josh Im as the blueprint of a perfect specimen. So, naturally, she embarrasses herself in front of him several times in college to the point where he thinks she is crazy. Fast forward 7 years and these two meet again. But, this time Hazel is determined to make Josh her best friend.

After many many terrible double-blind dates, Hazel and Josh start to wonder if they like each other as more than friends. Josh is scared to open his heart up again while Hazel is scared of Josh realizing she is too much and embarrassing one day. Will they overcome their fears and profess their love? Will love conquer all? I don’t know ;) you’ll have to find out for yourself.

Overall:
This book was such a fun, summer read. I enjoyed every single second! I haven’t laughed this much while reading a book in a long time!! My only complaint would be the ending felt a tad rushed. I think there should have been one more chapter before the epilogue. I was honestly shocked when I finished the last chapter and flipped the page to see the word epilogue. Other than that, I adored this book and definitely definitely recommend it.

This book easily made me fall in love with it. I expected it to be cute from the cover but I fell hard and fast for Josh and Hazel.

Hazel and Josh met in college and 10 years later they meet again when She becoming best friends with his sister Emily. Hazel is very out there and says whatever she wants, while Josh is very reserved. We all know that opposites make the best lovers in books and this was no different.

Hazel stole my heart from the very beginning. This girl is a hot mess and is 100% unapologetically herself. I spent so much of this book laughing at her and what she would do or say. My favorite thing about her was that she never once apologized for being herself. I loved that about her!

Josh was adorable! Reading about Hazel getting him to let loose had me tapping on my Kindle so I could read more. He was a gentleman and seeing him fall for Hazel left me smiling like an idiot! Also, did I mention he was Korean American? It was great to see a bit of culture here.

These two together warmed my heart! I have never seen two people who belonged together not see what was right in front of their face. Also, that epilogue killed me, in a good way of course!

I loved this and I highly recommend reading this one!

oh, well now this was just freaking adorable. i kept hearing about it, only good things of course! that it was hilarious, adorable and their sexiest book yet.. now i haven't read all of CL's books, but i've read a few. and sometimes my humour doesn't fit with other peoples, so i was a bit worried about that but had nothing to fear. it WAS freaking hilarious. the word that comes to mind with this book is delightful. Hazel was a freaking delight. I adored her. So many times, the weird quirky girl in books comes across pretentious or vain, but not Hazel. She was so realistic and wonderful and I adored her. I also liked Josh, of course, but I love how he liked and accepted her. Seriously, freaking delightful. It was funny, I laughed so many times, I covered my face in secondhand embarrassment a couple of times, I felt the dagger-through-the-heart feelings a couple of times, I felt all the things. it was steamy as all get out and i loved it. You really felt their friendship grow and then develop into more. And that epilogue? My heart. It's dead. Killed. So freaking adorable I might have gotten a bit teary. Maybe. Okay, definitely.

Highly, highly, highly recommend. I don't keep ARCs, so I'll be buying this one for sure so I can re-read it one day.

Josh Im is cool, calm, and collected. Hazel Bradford is zany, erratic, and fun (if you like ’em wild). The two meet in college where it becomes abundantly clear that, despite Hazel’s immediate attraction to Josh the Adonis, they are simply incompatible. Fast forward a decade, and they run into each other again at the house of Josh’s sister, who happens to also be Hazel’s new best friend. They begin building a friendship and over time discover they’re more compatible than they originally thought.

* * * * *

This book is basically When Harry Met Sally but with hotter sex. It’s totally predictable and the ending was a little lazy, but holy smokes it was fun to read. Hazel is your typical manic-pixie-dream-girl, and Josh is the reserved-and-withholding-but-secretly-wounded stony soul who just needs the “right girl” to open his eyes to true love. There’s not much new here, honestly. But the characters are still lovable and relatable, and the story is entertaining and zips along. And the sex scenes are perfect! Just the right amount of over-the-top-ness to make you laugh…but also secretly make you a little randy, too. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is just a fun novel that made me smile and feel light for a day. I loved it.

Hazel is a handful. She's a bit eccentric, and says whatever pops into her head. Josh is more conventional and steady. Hazel met Josh in college, where she left a lasting impression. Josh has always thought of Hazel as the quirky girl that says, and does, weird things. When they run into each other years after college, they start up a friendship. They agree they are not at all compatible for each other, so their new friendship involves setting each other up on dates.

Told from alternating viewpoints, Hazel and Josh both share perspectives of their relationship. Two great characters. Hazel is hilarious with her no filter personality, but she is also kind and caring. Josh is charming, lovable, and has a clever dry humor.

Enjoyable, positive characters. I especially liked that family was important in their lives. A fun story of friendship, a parade of bad dates, and, just maybe, finding love. The only thing that felt a bit off was the ending. Still, it was a fun and highly entertaining read.

A hilarious contemporary romance. Humorous, upbeat, and sexy.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Christina Lauren's writing, they always create memorable stories. Josh and Hazels Guide to Not Dating is one I won't forget anytime soon.

There are so many words to describe Hazel. Wild, fun, caring, out-going, quirky, the list could go on for ever and I would love to have a friend like her! Not every one would feel the same way and that's why she's hesitant when it comes to expecting a long term relationship with a guy. Josh is pretty much her opposite in every way but for some reason they become best friends fast. They mesh in the best way possible.

Together as friends they go on double-blind dates that go from bad to worse. Hazel helps Josh out of his funk after his girlfriend cheats on him, and he helps her out when she needs a place to stay. Somewhere along the lines their feelings change. Hazel thinks she's not good enough for Josh. Josh just wants Hazel to be happy. Neither of them wants to ruin the amazing friendship between them.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a brilliant best friends to lovers contemporary romance that will leave you with a smile on your face. It's a heart-warming and fun story that everyone should read !

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. 

I had just recently read my first book with this author in July and LOVED it so I was excited when this book became available for review. And I'm so glad that I got to read it, I ended up loving this book too. Hazel as a character was hilariously funny. She was sweet and precocious and just utterly charming. I was infatuated with her from the start and she really drew me in through the rest of the book. I really liked Josh too, but my favorite thing about him was how much he loved and accepted Hazel just for being who she was. The plot was somewhat predictable, friends turn to lovers and fall in love, but the authors imprint such emotion into the story that its astounding. And the characters were all wonderfully developed and like-able - Hazel is probably one of my favorite characters of all time. I didn't want to put this book down, and while the last book I read by this author duo was poignant and touching, this one was lighthearted and fun. Reading this book just made me feel so happy and light and I wish I could read 100 more like it. I'd highly recommend this one.

Imagine an updated When Harry Met Sally, but with more quirks. More effervescence. More buoyancy. Then you have something like Christina Lauren’s Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.

The female lead of Josh and Hazel’s is an eccentric dazzler named Hazel Camille Bradford who dances like no one is watching at very public concerts and “can always be counted on to do or say the worst possible thing in a delicate moment.” She attracts people like a butterfly but her personality repels some of those same people soon after, particularly the boyfriends who expect her to tone down her eccentricities after they’re together.

Our male lead is a kind, hot man named Josh Im who is most definitely not looking for a new best friend, especially not Hazel Bradford, who has embarrassed them both in a series of (naked and otherwise) incidents over the years. Hazel believes these incidents have made her “entirely undatable” to him, which in turn, she argues, can help them be opposite-sex best friends.

And before Josh knows it, they are. They’re both attracted to what they see in the other, even as they continue to set the other up on disastrous double dates that only make them wonder if they’ve already found who they’re looking for.

Will Josh and Hazel continue not dating, or will the things bringing them together be too much to ignore? And maybe more important for this dynamic duo: would the differences between their personalities make them stronger, or drive them apart?

Watching Josh and Hazel become best friends gave me the same endorphin rush I get when I avoid a work-out or hear a montage of The Cranberries while wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt on a fall day. It’s that good.

Part of what makes it so beautiful is how unapologetically weird Hazel is, and how Josh loves her for who she is even though he is absolutely nothing like her. She’s not a source of embarrassment or curiosity to him, even though he definitely marvels at who she is.

Hazel’s a character that I think a lot of women can relate to; how many of us have been told that we aren’t enough, or in Hazel’s case, are too much?

With every book, Christina Lauren, a writing duo, reveals something new about their writing talents. I was/am a big fan of their Beautiful series, and then Love and Other Words (2018) wrung my heart out and then left me smiling. I’m still thinking about that book. Then Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating came along. I smiled; I laughed; I fell in love. I recognized bits of myself on the pages and resolved that I am good the way that I am but that it also wouldn't hurt to be braver.

Such a wonderful book!

*happy sigh* Okay, seriously. I should know better. Why don't I gobble up every single book that Christina and Lauren write? I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face right now. Was it perfect? No. But then again, is love perfect? No. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, without a doubt. What this writing duo have mastered, other than a style, grace and writing that is so smooth it reads like silk, is a key ingredient...they make you care about their characters. You want to know what happens to them, you become invested in them as people. Hazel, the quirky, third-grade teacher is someone that you would be friends with. And Josh, the quiet, physical therapist, is someone that you respect and want to have his respect and friendship in return. And the secondary characters... I just adored it all. This book, for me, threw off a distinctive "Beautiful Player" vibe, which is one of my top ten books ever. It wasn't a copycat, or even anything blatant; I just felt that same pull, you know?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It should come as no surprise after reading this review. 5 stars.

Is there anything better than a Christina Lauren novel? Maybe but the truth of the matter is, when you open one up all thoughts of anything better are long gone because you just know that whatever is written inside, is going to be a real treat and far better than anything else you could have planned for the day.

I have to say, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating just might be my favorite Christina Lauren book to date.

It was so much fun, Hazel, was just so much fun. And I'm pretty sure I need someone like her in my life.

Josh and Hazel's budding friendship was just...perfect. I loved every single second of the relationship they built with each other. From the quirky blind dates to the just hanging out watching TV. These two were so much fun to see and be able to get inside their heads. I truly read this in one sitting in a couple of hours and was so sad when it was over.

I wish I would have prolonged it a little bit longer and made it last but I couldn't help it, I just adored these two and couldn't get enough of them.

Truly an outstanding read that I loved every single page of.

I am such a huge fan of this dynamic duo Christina Lauren. These ladies sure know how to tell a story and pull you in. I was consumed with this book from start to finish. I loved this book from its cover to the amazing story.

Hazel and Josh met when they were in college. Hazel is fun, says what’s on her mind and isn’t going to change who she is to make someone like her. She is a breath of fresh air and I loved her character so much. Josh is serious and has a good job. Him and a friend starting up their own business. Josh and Hazel haven’t seen each other in ten years. When they meet again at a backyard party they are both surprised.

Josh and Hazel end up becoming good friends and decide to help each other find the perfect match. Only their double dates don’t go as planned and they end up talking more the entire dates. They had the best non-dates with each other that had me laughing. These two were both trying to fight what was happening between them.

Words can’t express how much I loved this book! I laughed so much and just really enjoyed the story and the characters. I highly recommend this book!

‘Josh and Hazel's Guide To Not Dating’ is a fabulous page turner... I adore romantic comedies and this book was a laugh-out-loud roller coaster ride. Christina Lauren is a writing duo that never disappoints with their savviness, emotional highs, and passion for the written word.

Third grade teacher Hazel Bradford has been a bit weird all of her life, a very good friend, has five distinct pets, and typically says whatever is on her mind. As a result, her dating life suffers because after a few dates, her unconventional behaviour tends to be a turn off.

Josh is a successful physical therapist. He and Hazel met back in college, and at the time Josh found her to be a tad annoying. Josh is a workaholic, when Hazel blows back into his life, he is powerless to resist her love of life. Despite their completely opposite personalities, Josh and Hazel click - She makes him laugh - She loves his sister & his family. She makes his boring routine exciting...

If you're looking for your next great read look no further! So sexy, and a lovely slow burn. 4.5 Stars...
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA

Christina Lauren has ruined me for other authors! It is very rare for me to give another author's work 5 stars, because most of the other books I read can't live up to the wonderful stories written by these two ladies.
That being said, I only gave Josh and Hazel four stars. It is a best friends to lovers romance, which I love. It's very funny and witty and clever, which is true of all of their books. I loved the zaniness of Hazel, and the way she adores her best friend, the straight-laced Josh. I liked the premise, where they want to help the other find their "person," so they each choose someone they think the other would like, and go on double dates together. Of course, things do not go as planned, and with each disastrous date, we readers just want to shout at them, "Can't you see you're falling in love with each other?!?!" While I did enjoy this book, it lacked the emotional punch of Roomies, Beautiful Player, or my very favorite, Love and Other Words, (a book I still haven't written a review for because it left me so emotionally drained!)


Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren is the best contemporary fiction novel I have read in a long time. At first, looking at the cover, I thought it was be okay. But it proved me wrong on so many levels. The novel was out of this world good. Stunning, engaging, heartfelt, and well-written...It was super easy to get lost within Hazel's and Josh's world. Both were so interesting, that I couldn't stop reading. I had to know more about both of them. Hazel is the typical ordinary girl who felt like a loser due to her lack of trouble. She is always having some kind of embarrassing thing happen to her. I felt a deep connection to Hazel. She's full of life. Funny, real, and entertaining to be around...while Josh was kind, clever, and charming. Two completely opposite people coming together in unexpected ways. I loved following their story. Overall, I would recommend it to readers worldwide.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

Christina Lauren did it again. Hilarious, entertaining, adorable, and sexy, this is a book you don't want to miss. Hazel is delightfully quirky and absolutely unique. She's smart, genuine, big-hearted, and at home with the third graders she teaches. She has no filter whatsoever and she babbles when nervous. Josh is smart, handsome, not afraid of commitment, and a devoted son and brother. They met in college and Hazel made quite the impression. Years later they meet again and Hazel quickly adopts Josh as her new best friend. They banter and feel so at ease with each other. Hazel and her lovable menagerie worm their way into Josh's life and changes him. What starts as a much needed friendship grows into more as they bond and set each other up on double blind dates. They are pretty much opposites yet they are drawn to each other more with each of their non-dates. Great chemistry with anticipation that just builds throughout.

This story has EVERyTHING! I cannot count the times I LAUGHED OUT LOUD!

The story just flows there was never a dull moment. This was exactly what I needed at the moment. I was in a major book funk, and Christina Lauren has pulled me out!

These two characters work so well together, their banter is perfection. They are both strong characters, funny characters, and deeply loving characters! Hazel is the BOMB! Everyone needs a Hazel in their lives, someone who makes you enjoy life, live life, and feel life. I completely loved her character. Josh is the perfect best friend. Always there when you need him, comforting, supporting, just an all around great guy. The side kicks Emily and Dave, are great counter parts for them as well.

I haven't read a CL story since, BB series, now I'm thinking I need to go back and revisit their other books.

Great story, just the perfect ROMCOM!!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

3.5 Stars

If you don’t know, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is about Hazel Bradford and Josh Im, who originally met in college when Hazel threw up on his shoes. A great first impression, obviously. But honestly, that’s at the bottom of the list of Hazel Stories™ that are out there. Hazel feels like she’s undateable long term because of her quirkiness, and so when she reconnects with Josh years later she decides to put aside his good looks and make him her best friend. And being best friends means you want to see them happy, so a series of double dates occur and hilarity ensues.

I have feelings about this book. I had such a fun time reading this, and honestly was reading it whenever I had the chance. This was one of those books where I’d promise myself just 1 chapter as a break from the work I have due, and then a half hour later I’d remember how aptly this blog was named and curse myself for falling into the trap of procrastinating by reading once again. This reading year has gone pretty terribly for me and the books I end up reading fall into 2 categories. It either takes me 2-6 months to finish a book, or I finish it in 3 days, there is rarely any in between. As I mentioned, this was one of the latter and I had to hold myself back from staying up until 3 AM to finish it.

What made this book so great and readable were the relationships in it. I normally get frustrated by slow-burn romances because I don’t like all the build-up that goes nowhere until halfway through the book. I didn’t have this issue here because of how cutesy Josh and Hazel were even before they dated. They were each other’s best friend (even though Josh wouldn’t admit it for way too long) and were always hanging out and thinking of one another. I honestly liked that they didn’t get together too early because it gave the characters time to work through their issues and to be in the right places to officially start dating.

However, even though I adored the relationships, I had a bit of an issue with the characters. I feel as though Hazel’s only characteristic was as someone zany and different. She was well developed, but in terms of her defining characteristic, it was beaten over the head that she did not conform to society IN ANY WAY. Over the course of the book there are countless stories told of Hazel’s wild escapades, but to me such antics were unbelievable to the extent that they were mentioned. Along with that comes my inability to understand how Josh and Hazel ever became friends. Once they were solidly friends I had no problem, but the initial process of going from meeting each other once after 10 years to hanging out every day, just didn’t work for me. I was surprised at how well Josh put up with her antics before they had actually become friends. While I eventually got over this, that stumbling block really bothered me for the first half of the book.

Despite all that, the relationships (friendships too!) and the eventual romance totally won me over and I have to sing this book’s praises as well. I enjoyed reading it and would love to read another story comparable to this one. I’ve been hit or miss with Christina Lauren, but for me this was definitely a hit!

TL;DR: Awesome book. Super cute relationship. Set a day aside to read it.

“I always thought I caught you in…a phase. Apparently you’re just like this.”

OMG, you guys! I freaking ADORED this book! So funny! So cute! So charming! I couldn’t get enough of Josh and Hazel’s quirky relationship! This friends-to-lovers romance is one of the best I’ve read ALL YEAR! The dynamic of this unique, awkward, cute, and undeniable couple just had me in stitches all day long! Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren doesn’t fit into a particular box for me in this genre. Yes, it’s a friends-to-lovers trope, but it’s not as simple as that. It’s unique, refreshing, and completely original. I LOVED these characters from the very beginning and as their relationship grew, I fell more and more in love.

Fun, lighthearted, sexy, and completely entertaining…Christina Lauren took it to the NEXT LEVEL with this unforgettable romance!

*ARC provided by the publisher

First of all let me say that this might be my favorite Christina Lauren story... I abso-freakin-lutely LOVED this book!!! Hazel is a nut, I want to be her BFF so bad. And good LAWD, Josh is the BEST Asian book boyfriend that I've ever read! As an Asian American, this kind of representation in a genre and community that rarely writes stories that include people of color like me or mixed race relationships, a book like this means a lot to me on a personal level. Christina & Lauren NAILED his character. He was broody, sexy, intelligent, respectful and just basically all around swoon worthy! ? I might have peed myself a little in the scene where Hazel's ring tone of Khai's "My Neck, My Back" started playing... LOL, DEAD! This story is not only smokin hot, sweet and funny but for those of us with dating woes, it's 100% relatable, Go. Run. Click. Now. You need this book in your life.

PLOT

I’m newer to the Contemporary Romance genre than most of my Blogger friends but Christina Lauren is a name I’ve heard float around since the beginning of my blogging journey. I came across Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating on Bookstagram & of course the colors caught my attention for a potentially fun read ? Happy to report that it is most definitely one of the MOST fun reads I’ve read in a long time. I laughed & giggled so much and also just rooted for a new found favorite character. Hazel & Josh are the definition of night and day but also give truth to the saying “Opposites attract.” I enjoyed getting to know these two characters over the course of several bad double dates and shook my head so many times reading my first ever friends to lovers romance. Funny & a downright blast to read, I’d easily recommend this book for a good time. Weaved throughout the story is a awesome F/F friendship, A+ sibling relationship, and Korean-American rep. I also might be a little biased only because Hazel reminded me SO much of Polly Prince from Along Came Polly who I absolutely ADORE for all her unapologetic quirks and eccentricities ??

CHARACTERS

These characters were so much fun getting to know and although Hazel and Josh are the MC’s, I also included a side character. Emily is BFF to Hazel & also Josh’s sister & many times fills the role of translator between the two. Emily knows her brother & BFF better than they know themselves and really does have both their best interest in mind. One of the best examples of F/F friendship #GOALS I’ve found on the page.

Hazel– Quirky, eccentric, free spirited, feminist AF, and openly admires Josh which really made for some of the funniest lines. Hazel is a teacher & everything from her quirky clothing to her love of animals make her the complete opposite of Josh who she’s known since college. Hazel’s unbending will to stay true to herself made her an instant fave for me & I just LOVED the message she sends out with regards to self acceptance ?

“The world seems full of men who are initially infatuated by our eccentricities, but who ultimately expect them to be temporary. These men eventually grow bewildered that we don’t settle down into calm, potential-wifey girlfriends.”

Hazel’s mother is also briefly mentioned but we get enough to know where Hazel’s beliefs come from. Having a mother who was unhappily married to a man who never accepted her quirks, Hazel looks up to her mom for having the strength to move away from that. It isn’t about changing the person you’re with, it’s about loving them for all of the things that make them stand out ?

“I realize that finding the perfect person isn’t going to be easy for me because I’m a lot to take” she says, “but I’m not going to change just so that I’m more dateable.”

Josh/Jimin- a Korean-American doctor Hazel went to college with but has since lost touch with. Once she recognizes him as the guy she sort of had an embarrassing encounter with & that he’s her BFF’s brother, the fun really begins haha! Josh is legit the complete opposite of Hazel & often looks upon her with awe although he’d never tell her as much ? Josh is reserved and quiet, he has a rough start in the beginning of this story as he navigates a long distance relationship gone cold. Josh is also traditional & very close to his parents who he hopes to one day take care of as the only son which is also a part of Korean culture. The moments Josh found himself admiring Hazel were some of my fave parts…

“I could never quite tell whether she was oblivious or just didn’t care what people thought, but no matter how chaotic she was, she always managed to give off an innocent, unintentionally wild vibe”

Emily- I realize I started this segment of my review talking about Emily for being such a FAB friend to Hazel & caring sister to Josh but she really does deserve her own spot here. Emily truly cares about Hazel & accepts her as she is. Knowing how different & sometimes vulnerable Hazel can be, seeing Emily talk to Josh and question him to make sure he doesn’t do something he may later regret was really indicative of the kind of friend she is.

“I think that’s the one thing that could dim her light. We both know Hazel is a butterfly. I think you have the power to take the dust from her wings.”

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS

This being my first Christina Lauren read, I can now say it won’t be my last. I actually already have a copy of Roomies on deck I can’t wait to get to & I’m sure will also love. This was the perfect read this Summer & also a perfect pick for #SMUTATHON which was a read-a-thon hosted by Lainey from GingerReadsLainey & Riley from Riley Marie that was SOOO much fun to participate in! This book had me in stitches at some points while in others I was red in the face embarrassed for Hazel’s predicaments haha! It was a fun slow burn/friends to lovers read that kept me flipping pages through the night. The two reasons I docked a star was for the fast paced ending that didn’t match the tempo of the book as a whole & made it feel a bit rushed. Lastly, there is a conversation that takes place where a character mentions how a homophobic slur was used. Although it’s made clear that it was used in a negative light, it did leave me bothered to read it on the page and made me question the need for it in this story. It didn’t really serve a purpose at all & it was someone who isn’t a character in this book who said to begin with…just seemed like something that could’ve either been challenged by a character in the book or just completely left out. Overall I HIGHLY enjoyed this book, characters, and writing! Christina Lauren has now joined the ranks of my fave Contemporary Romance authors & I will most certainly read whatever they write next ?

?Quotes taken from ARC/pre-publication & may be subject to change

I laughed at Hazel's antics all the way thru the book. She really is a fun girl. Hazel and Josh met in college. Hazel was funny, silly and wild. Josh is serious, conservative and just doesn't know what to think about Hazel. After they both graduated from college, she becomes a grade school teacher and he is a Physical Therapist. Hazel is Emma's best friend, but Hazel does not know that Josh and Emma are brother and sister.. Tabitha is Josh 's cheating, no good girlfriend. Hazel encourages Josh to go and talk to Tabitha before they break up but it didn't work. They get to know each other and despite the differences, they become best friends, especially when Hazel's apartment floods and she needs a place to stay.. They don't date each other, but fix each other up on blind dates, disastrous blind dates Since they are best friends, this is how they try to find each other a date. After about seven dates and sleeping together, they worry about how it will affect their friendship. Hazel has no filter on her moth and says what she thinks. Can Josh love Hazel's strange but endearing behavior? What about the ex-boyfriend that Josh accidentally fixes Hazel up with? Once they figure out they love each other, it is a uphill battle with secrets and misunderstandings. Loved this book, much. I received this book from Galley and Threshold Books for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. 5+

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is Christina Lauren's newest laugh out loud, sexy romance. I love their writing style with its quirky humor, fun playfulness, sexy characters and feel good emotions. Josh and Hazel are complete opposites. They haven't seen each other in ten years and now Hazel is Josh's sister Emily's best friend. They met under hilarious circumstances years ago and now when they see each other again, there are still some sizzling sparks. But she's a little crazy and he's very normal and quiet. This time they become friends. Best friends and what do best friends do? Set each other up on dates of course. After a string of really bad set ups and always ending up together, their attraction gets the best of them. Josh and all his muscley sexiness and Hazel and her carefree beauty end up naked together. But just that once. Or not. Their friendship is solid but when they both start to have more than friends feelings they are scared. Will someone make the first move before it's too late? What happens when your dreams change and then they all come through? I loved this story! These characters are some of my favorite from Christina Lauren! They are just so perfect for each other. The yin and yang. I laughed out loud so much and even shed a tear or two. Their witty banter is priceless and their chemistry is off the charts! I wouldn't mind seeing these characters again!!

This was one of the best friends-to-lovers contemporary romances I have read in a long time! Something felt different and smarter about this book and the whole tone of it impressed me.

Josh and Hazel have been acquaintances since college. Hazel has always thought of Josh as the perfect guy; too perfect, in fact, for a quirky girl like herself. When Hazel becomes best friends with Josh's sister, she makes it her mission to be best friends with Josh too.

Josh is a straight arrow, almost the complete opposite of Hazel personality-wise, but somehow they work as BFFs. They are there for each other through break-ups, exes, and a lot of set-ups with the wrong people. It makes you want to have a Josh or a Hazel as your friend because who wouldn't want someone like them on their side?

It was so much fun to watch Josh and Hazel realize that they might be the one for each other, when that is the last thing either one of them expected.

It gives me so much hope that guys like Josh exist somewhere out there in the world, who are good and kind and love their family and are extremely loyal to their friends. I also want to be Hazel's best friend because she was a free spirit who was a joy to get to know.

Christina Lauren did a fantastic job with this book in creating two fun, sexy characters who you want to root for throughout the whole book!

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is another terrific read by the queens of rom com, authors Christina Lauren. I laughed out loud and was moved by this story and it’s quirky, eclectic cast of characters. Especially Hazel and her self-deprecating humor.

Authors Christina Lauren use such vivid and descriptive language when creating their amazing characters and their world. josh and Hazel are no exception. The situations they got themselves into were hysterical, sweet, and sexy AF.

Hazel is simply adorable. I wanted to die for her when she shares her college mishaps. Oh the embarrassment! But she never let it get her down. She is a sassy character who not only marches to the beat of her own drum, but she creates her own symphony. She could be frustrating and even a little annoying but I could forgive those times because she made up for it with her caring heart and hysterical antics.

Josh needed hazel in his life and I loved watching him realize it.

Their attraction is off the charts. The banter is funny, sarcastic and filled with innuendo. They just couldn’t get out of their own way.

The alternating POV is my favorite. I love being in the characters’ heads.

This book is another hit for the dynamic duo of rom com. Definitely recommend. Cannot wait to see what’s next from authors Christina Lauren.

~4.5 stars~

This book was a delight to read. The two main characters, Hazel and Josh, are incredibly entertaining. I was so upset when I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer last night--that is how hard it was to put this book down. It’s one of the most fun, light, cute reads I’ve read thus far in 2018. If you're a fan of humor, love, friendship, and fantastic characters then you should check out this book. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a rom-com in book form. Netflix needs to get on it and make this a movie because it would be a HUGE success.

Characters:
Hazel is by far the most original, unique, and authentic character I have ever come across. She is so authentically herself every single second of every day. I love how vibrant she is, you simply can’t resist falling in love with her. She was the perfect heroine. I aspire to be like her.

Josh is such a sweet guy. He definitely never expected to become friends with Hazel let alone best friends with her which is what makes this book so much fun. Josh thinks Hazel is a hot mess, which she definitely can be, but he soon learns that he actually likes how crazy she can be. Josh is the opposite of Hazel; he’s extremely organized, quiet, and guarded. So, you can only imagine how entertaining their encounters are with each other.

Plot:
Hazel has always seen Josh Im as the blueprint of a perfect specimen. So, naturally, she embarrasses herself in front of him several times in college to the point where he thinks she is crazy. Fast forward 7 years and these two meet again. But, this time Hazel is determined to make Josh her best friend.

After many many terrible double-blind dates, Hazel and Josh start to wonder if they like each other as more than friends. Josh is scared to open his heart up again while Hazel is scared of Josh realizing she is too much and embarrassing one day. Will they overcome their fears and profess their love? Will love conquer all? I don’t know ;) you’ll have to find out for yourself.

Overall:
This book was such a fun, summer read. I enjoyed every single second! I haven’t laughed this much while reading a book in a long time!! My only complaint would be the ending felt a tad rushed. I think there should have been one more chapter before the epilogue. I was honestly shocked when I finished the last chapter and flipped the page to see the word epilogue. Other than that, I adored this book and definitely definitely recommend it.

It's a pretty well known fact that quirky heroines do not work for me more often than not in adult contemporary romances. Which is probably why I had two friends who LOOOOVED this book when it first came out immediately send me "quirky heroine alert" messages, knowing it was coming up on my TBR list. (P.S. I love my reader friends!)

The verdict? I. LOVED. HAZEL!

From page one, I was #TeamHazel. I mean, I laughed out loud while reading the prologue, for cryin' outside! (Josh was pretty fantastic too, but Hazel was the character who made this story sparkle for me.)

I truly enjoyed this friends-to-lovers romance. I really wanted to love it, and parts I did (the writing itself was fantastic!), but my editor hat keep trying to slide on with regard to a few things, particularly the ending. No spoilers, but I'm sure people who've read it will know what I'm referring to. I'll be honest, a weak or rushed or random ending can absolutely ruin a book for me. (Authors, don't rush your endings!)

Still, the overall romance was on point, the writing truly stellar, and even though I wasn't 100% lost in the story and had issues with the ending, I flew through it and am definitely thinking it'll be one I reread.

RATING: B+ (4½ stars)

This book easily made me fall in love with it. I expected it to be cute from the cover but I fell hard and fast for Josh and Hazel.

Hazel and Josh met in college and 10 years later they meet again when She becoming best friends with his sister Emily. Hazel is very out there and says whatever she wants, while Josh is very reserved. We all know that opposites make the best lovers in books and this was no different.

Hazel stole my heart from the very beginning. This girl is a hot mess and is 100% unapologetically herself. I spent so much of this book laughing at her and what she would do or say. My favorite thing about her was that she never once apologized for being herself. I loved that about her!

Josh was adorable! Reading about Hazel getting him to let loose had me tapping on my Kindle so I could read more. He was a gentleman and seeing him fall for Hazel left me smiling like an idiot! Also, did I mention he was Korean American? It was great to see a bit of culture here.

These two together warmed my heart! I have never seen two people who belonged together not see what was right in front of their face. Also, that epilogue killed me, in a good way of course!

I loved this and I highly recommend reading this one!

oh, well now this was just freaking adorable. i kept hearing about it, only good things of course! that it was hilarious, adorable and their sexiest book yet.. now i haven't read all of CL's books, but i've read a few. and sometimes my humour doesn't fit with other peoples, so i was a bit worried about that but had nothing to fear. it WAS freaking hilarious. the word that comes to mind with this book is delightful. Hazel was a freaking delight. I adored her. So many times, the weird quirky girl in books comes across pretentious or vain, but not Hazel. She was so realistic and wonderful and I adored her. I also liked Josh, of course, but I love how he liked and accepted her. Seriously, freaking delightful. It was funny, I laughed so many times, I covered my face in secondhand embarrassment a couple of times, I felt the dagger-through-the-heart feelings a couple of times, I felt all the things. it was steamy as all get out and i loved it. You really felt their friendship grow and then develop into more. And that epilogue? My heart. It's dead. Killed. So freaking adorable I might have gotten a bit teary. Maybe. Okay, definitely.

Highly, highly, highly recommend. I don't keep ARCs, so I'll be buying this one for sure so I can re-read it one day.

Josh Im is cool, calm, and collected. Hazel Bradford is zany, erratic, and fun (if you like ’em wild). The two meet in college where it becomes abundantly clear that, despite Hazel’s immediate attraction to Josh the Adonis, they are simply incompatible. Fast forward a decade, and they run into each other again at the house of Josh’s sister, who happens to also be Hazel’s new best friend. They begin building a friendship and over time discover they’re more compatible than they originally thought.

* * * * *

This book is basically When Harry Met Sally but with hotter sex. It’s totally predictable and the ending was a little lazy, but holy smokes it was fun to read. Hazel is your typical manic-pixie-dream-girl, and Josh is the reserved-and-withholding-but-secretly-wounded stony soul who just needs the “right girl” to open his eyes to true love. There’s not much new here, honestly. But the characters are still lovable and relatable, and the story is entertaining and zips along. And the sex scenes are perfect! Just the right amount of over-the-top-ness to make you laugh…but also secretly make you a little randy, too. Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is just a fun novel that made me smile and feel light for a day. I loved it.

Hazel is a handful. She's a bit eccentric, and says whatever pops into her head. Josh is more conventional and steady. Hazel met Josh in college, where she left a lasting impression. Josh has always thought of Hazel as the quirky girl that says, and does, weird things. When they run into each other years after college, they start up a friendship. They agree they are not at all compatible for each other, so their new friendship involves setting each other up on dates.

Told from alternating viewpoints, Hazel and Josh both share perspectives of their relationship. Two great characters. Hazel is hilarious with her no filter personality, but she is also kind and caring. Josh is charming, lovable, and has a clever dry humor.

Enjoyable, positive characters. I especially liked that family was important in their lives. A fun story of friendship, a parade of bad dates, and, just maybe, finding love. The only thing that felt a bit off was the ending. Still, it was a fun and highly entertaining read.

A hilarious contemporary romance. Humorous, upbeat, and sexy.

I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Christina Lauren's writing, they always create memorable stories. Josh and Hazels Guide to Not Dating is one I won't forget anytime soon.

There are so many words to describe Hazel. Wild, fun, caring, out-going, quirky, the list could go on for ever and I would love to have a friend like her! Not every one would feel the same way and that's why she's hesitant when it comes to expecting a long term relationship with a guy. Josh is pretty much her opposite in every way but for some reason they become best friends fast. They mesh in the best way possible.

Together as friends they go on double-blind dates that go from bad to worse. Hazel helps Josh out of his funk after his girlfriend cheats on him, and he helps her out when she needs a place to stay. Somewhere along the lines their feelings change. Hazel thinks she's not good enough for Josh. Josh just wants Hazel to be happy. Neither of them wants to ruin the amazing friendship between them.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating is a brilliant best friends to lovers contemporary romance that will leave you with a smile on your face. It's a heart-warming and fun story that everyone should read !

What a quirky and down right perfect spin on romance. Well these author's have done it again. I fell in love with these characters from the very first pages and found it hard to let go once the story ended.
Josh and Hazel met first in college. While Josh was epitome of a perfection for Hazel, Josh can not say the same about Hazel. In fact, Josh can not wait to get away from her.
Fast forward a decade and both meet again as Hazel is best friends with Josh's sister, Emily. While Josh is happily dating someone, Hazel is single. Soon they develop their friendship and things get awkward when Josh finds out that his girlfriend is cheating on him. To bring him out of misery, Hazel starts setting them up on double dates. These dates are hilarious and always end in Josh and Hazel wanting more. Then comes their "awkward" moment.

"I realize that finding the perfect person isn't going to be easy for me because I'm a lot to take, but I'm not going to change just so that I'm more datable."

This is a friends to lovers romance. Their friendship felt so real and it happened so naturally and it steadily grew into more which was so cute and perfect.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. 

I had just recently read my first book with this author in July and LOVED it so I was excited when this book became available for review. And I'm so glad that I got to read it, I ended up loving this book too. Hazel as a character was hilariously funny. She was sweet and precocious and just utterly charming. I was infatuated with her from the start and she really drew me in through the rest of the book. I really liked Josh too, but my favorite thing about him was how much he loved and accepted Hazel just for being who she was. The plot was somewhat predictable, friends turn to lovers and fall in love, but the authors imprint such emotion into the story that its astounding. And the characters were all wonderfully developed and like-able - Hazel is probably one of my favorite characters of all time. I didn't want to put this book down, and while the last book I read by this author duo was poignant and touching, this one was lighthearted and fun. Reading this book just made me feel so happy and light and I wish I could read 100 more like it. I'd highly recommend this one.

Imagine an updated When Harry Met Sally, but with more quirks. More effervescence. More buoyancy. Then you have something like Christina Lauren’s Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.

The female lead of Josh and Hazel’s is an eccentric dazzler named Hazel Camille Bradford who dances like no one is watching at very public concerts and “can always be counted on to do or say the worst possible thing in a delicate moment.” She attracts people like a butterfly but her personality repels some of those same people soon after, particularly the boyfriends who expect her to tone down her eccentricities after they’re together.

Our male lead is a kind, hot man named Josh Im who is most definitely not looking for a new best friend, especially not Hazel Bradford, who has embarrassed them both in a series of (naked and otherwise) incidents over the years. Hazel believes these incidents have made her “entirely undatable” to him, which in turn, she argues, can help them be opposite-sex best friends.

And before Josh knows it, they are. They’re both attracted to what they see in the other, even as they continue to set the other up on disastrous double dates that only make them wonder if they’ve already found who they’re looking for.

Will Josh and Hazel continue not dating, or will the things bringing them together be too much to ignore? And maybe more important for this dynamic duo: would the differences between their personalities make them stronger, or drive them apart?

Watching Josh and Hazel become best friends gave me the same endorphin rush I get when I avoid a work-out or hear a montage of The Cranberries while wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt on a fall day. It’s that good.

Part of what makes it so beautiful is how unapologetically weird Hazel is, and how Josh loves her for who she is even though he is absolutely nothing like her. She’s not a source of embarrassment or curiosity to him, even though he definitely marvels at who she is.

Hazel’s a character that I think a lot of women can relate to; how many of us have been told that we aren’t enough, or in Hazel’s case, are too much?

With every book, Christina Lauren, a writing duo, reveals something new about their writing talents. I was/am a big fan of their Beautiful series, and then Love and Other Words (2018) wrung my heart out and then left me smiling. I’m still thinking about that book. Then Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating came along. I smiled; I laughed; I fell in love. I recognized bits of myself on the pages and resolved that I am good the way that I am but that it also wouldn't hurt to be braver.

Such a wonderful book!

*happy sigh* Okay, seriously. I should know better. Why don't I gobble up every single book that Christina and Lauren write? I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face right now. Was it perfect? No. But then again, is love perfect? No. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, without a doubt. What this writing duo have mastered, other than a style, grace and writing that is so smooth it reads like silk, is a key ingredient...they make you care about their characters. You want to know what happens to them, you become invested in them as people. Hazel, the quirky, third-grade teacher is someone that you would be friends with. And Josh, the quiet, physical therapist, is someone that you respect and want to have his respect and friendship in return. And the secondary characters... I just adored it all. This book, for me, threw off a distinctive "Beautiful Player" vibe, which is one of my top ten books ever. It wasn't a copycat, or even anything blatant; I just felt that same pull, you know?

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It should come as no surprise after reading this review. 5 stars.

Is there anything better than a Christina Lauren novel? Maybe but the truth of the matter is, when you open one up all thoughts of anything better are long gone because you just know that whatever is written inside, is going to be a real treat and far better than anything else you could have planned for the day.

I have to say, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating just might be my favorite Christina Lauren book to date.

It was so much fun, Hazel, was just so much fun. And I'm pretty sure I need someone like her in my life.

Josh and Hazel's budding friendship was just...perfect. I loved every single second of the relationship they built with each other. From the quirky blind dates to the just hanging out watching TV. These two were so much fun to see and be able to get inside their heads. I truly read this in one sitting in a couple of hours and was so sad when it was over.

I wish I would have prolonged it a little bit longer and made it last but I couldn't help it, I just adored these two and couldn't get enough of them.

Truly an outstanding read that I loved every single page of.

I am such a huge fan of this dynamic duo Christina Lauren. These ladies sure know how to tell a story and pull you in. I was consumed with this book from start to finish. I loved this book from its cover to the amazing story.

Hazel and Josh met when they were in college. Hazel is fun, says what’s on her mind and isn’t going to change who she is to make someone like her. She is a breath of fresh air and I loved her character so much. Josh is serious and has a good job. Him and a friend starting up their own business. Josh and Hazel haven’t seen each other in ten years. When they meet again at a backyard party they are both surprised.

Josh and Hazel end up becoming good friends and decide to help each other find the perfect match. Only their double dates don’t go as planned and they end up talking more the entire dates. They had the best non-dates with each other that had me laughing. These two were both trying to fight what was happening between them.

Words can’t express how much I loved this book! I laughed so much and just really enjoyed the story and the characters. I highly recommend this book!

‘Josh and Hazel's Guide To Not Dating’ is a fabulous page turner... I adore romantic comedies and this book was a laugh-out-loud roller coaster ride. Christina Lauren is a writing duo that never disappoints with their savviness, emotional highs, and passion for the written word.

Third grade teacher Hazel Bradford has been a bit weird all of her life, a very good friend, has five distinct pets, and typically says whatever is on her mind. As a result, her dating life suffers because after a few dates, her unconventional behaviour tends to be a turn off.

Josh is a successful physical therapist. He and Hazel met back in college, and at the time Josh found her to be a tad annoying. Josh is a workaholic, when Hazel blows back into his life, he is powerless to resist her love of life. Despite their completely opposite personalities, Josh and Hazel click - She makes him laugh - She loves his sister & his family. She makes his boring routine exciting...

If you're looking for your next great read look no further! So sexy, and a lovely slow burn. 4.5 Stars...
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This is by far my favvvvvorite Christina Lauren book!!!! I think this is their best yet!!!! I Looove Josh and Hazel!

The quirkiness, fun, no apologies of her personality, take her as she is, sweet and loves to see the best in people. Her character is soooo loveable, she's perfect. She meets hot, blueprint for perfect Josh in college. Every meeting is awkward, embarrassing and Josh never really taking her seriously.

Seven years later, they meet again, and they are a work in progress to become best friends. Josh needs more fun in his life, and who else could show him the way, but Hazel. They set each other up on dates and go on double dates. I love the dual POVs . Josh accepting all of her for who she is, the progression of their friendship, their progression into their feelings for each other. I love the way Josh's sister and him argue over who Hazel's best friend is. I love that they love having her in their lives that they fight over her.

This is definitely one of my favorites in 2018!!! I've already reread it again!!!! Loovvved it!!!

"I’m a satellite that’s found its safe-space beacon."

A feel good book that will have you laughing and sighing with joy bursting out of your heart from the beginning.

This book was just fun to read. Hazel is such a character! She's just herself and doesn't apologize for it.

I loved the slow burn and getting to know the characters. The events that Hazel and Josh go through were fun to read.

The friendship that developed was so authentic and yet a little out there.
This is one of those moments where you can't help who you fall in love with.

I don't believe I've ever felt so seen in a character as I do with Hazel Bradford. Hazel is Hazel and she's not apologizing for it. She won't change herself for anyone or anything. She's a little too much and she knows it but she's not going to tame herself to win someone over. Josh is the perfect balance to Hazel. He's calm and steady in her sea of chaos and color. They are truly The Odd Couple. With their unusual friendship they navigate the dating scene, dominate at trivia nights, and each finding HEA.

Full of the banter and wit CLo is known for this story brings laughs, swoons, and tears.

This was hands down the best friends to lovers book I've ever read. Witty and genuine, it felt very real, very natural. Dialogue was so realistic amongst all the characters that Hazel and Emily would have a conversation that I'd have with my bestie, too. The opposites attract trope was nothing stereotypical, and was so well done that you coulda see the exact moment they clicked and just became perfect for each other. My favorite Christina Lauren book. Having just finished it, I already want to read it again.

Let me start by saying you this book is predictable yet so much fun. Josh and Hazel are wonderful characters. There’s nothing about either of them I would change. Hazel is quirky and fun. And she knows it. And refuses to change for anyone. Which is why I loved this book. She is a strong female character when it comes to knowing herself.

The whole book was just a lot of fun to read! Christina Lauren are giving us light, but highly enjoyable reads that I can’t put down

I love this book. This has to be my favorite Christina Lauren book to date.

The characters are so relatable. Honestly, I found myself relating to everything Hazel does and the person she is.

I love everything about their friendship and how life brought them back together.

I had so many laughs at all he things that happened in this book.

This was a great book overall and I enjoyed reading about Josh and Hazel's adventures in dating!

I'm still a Christina Lauren newbie, as in this is only my second book of theirs. And I'm absolutely smitten by this writing duo. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was so fun and unique. The plotline was that of your traditional friends to lovers story. BUT the uniqueness came in to play with the characters. Josh was a Korean American and Hazel was extremely eccentric. I just found these two so refreshing and fun. Their story is one I'll be recommending over and over!

Perfect friends to lovers HEA novel that will make you laugh and smile. So Hazel's a little quirky (a lot) and Josh has his issues too, but the two of them together- well that's what this is all about. There aren't many surprises in the plot line but that was perfectly ok with me. Lauren has a light touch, a good storyteller style, and a wonderful way with comedy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a great light read on a summer day.

I really enjoyed this book! Hazel was amazing and seriously someone I would love to be best friends with. Josh was so nice and just such a good guy... he was the only guy Hazel ever encountered who accepted her for exactly who she is. This book is the story of two people who think they're wrong for each other, but wind up being a perfect match.. This was my first book by Christina Lauren, but it wont be my last. It was a great story!

**Copy provided in advance through Netgalley**

*Heart eyes emoji* Sooo cute! Josh and Hazel are adorable as best friends. Both of them had their own endearing personalities. Their many double blind dates were funny and disastrous. It's so obvious they belong together.

Turns a little cliché at the end. But whaddya gonna do. *shrugs* I still highly recommend this sweet read if you're in need of a smile. Well done.

Josh and Hazel was a super fun and crazy book.  I just adore Hazel and her ability to be free and that she does not cow to others deem normal. And Josh?  What can I say?  He is definitely swoon worthy.  He does not try to change her, as other people in her life have done.  I loved all the characters, not just Josh and Hazel.  This is a super fun, laugh out loud book that you need to read!

I loved this book. I knew I would love this book before I bought it because I love all of CL's books, but this book was special. The way it depicts the way society treats any woman that is too anything. It was so well done, and I loved the way Hazel refused to apologize for who she was and what made her happy- for what made her she was.

If you have ever been told that you are too SOMETHING for the world to handle, READ THIS BOOK.

I want to be Hazel when I grow up. I love how she’s all, what you see is what you get and I’m never changing. I love her. Josh is equally as awesome too. I loved how Hazel’s energy or her eccentricities didn’t even bother him. It’s just Hazel. Such an amazing book. I need this one for my bookshelf. This is definitely worth a reread!

6 stars!!! My first Christina Lauren book but certainly not my last! Josh and Hazel were everything. Hazel was so quirky and fun and full of energy. Josh was the perfect counterpart. His willingness to accept Hazel for all her eccentricities was swoon worthy. I loved watching them stumble into love!

I thought Josh and Hazel were a nice match despite being so different. It sometimes felt like Hazel's personality traits were given too much attention, but overall she was an interesting character with understandable relationship hangups. One aspect that I really enjoyed in this story was Josh and his loyalty to his family and their traditions. It was great to see him proud of the responsibility he had as the oldest son. And then to see him continue it in the epilogue was nice as well. I'm also glad that there wasn't too much angst with them dating other people either lol.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Dating is a fast paced, super funny friends to lovers story. Hazel is a wild, unfiltered, unique women who simply gets into funny situations and says the craziest things. Josh is more laid back and quiet. Who’s says opposites don’t attract haven’t met these two.

This was such a delightful and witty read I just couldn't put it down. Hazel is just such a brilliantly character, you are never bored with her antics or her way of thinking. I loved how Josh just got her and found her so refreshing and he was just as delicious and caring. They had the perfect friendship to lover relationship with no in between what so ever. I would loved if this was series to follow more of their adventure and to see how Hazel adapt to parenting in her own style. Overall this was an amazing easy read that kept me grinning throughout the entire book.

Let me begin with how sweet this book was and the so many laugh out loud moments were amazing. I really loved Hazel, she was wild and crazy and so dang lovable. Josh was adorable and lovable, he was also very sweet. This was a really good book and highly recommend it.

I say this about every Christina Lauren book, but this is my favorite. Hazel is quirky, loving, and adorable , and you can’t help but fall in love with her. I didn’t stop laughing throughout the whole book. I finished it in less than 2 days, I couldn’t put it down.

This is the kind of quality content I live for. The reason Christina Lauren are always on my auto-read list!!! I absolutely loved how much acceptance is in this book. It’s okay to be yourself and to be silly and crazy. The ending had me in tears I was so happy.

This was my fourth book by Christina Lauren, and I think it's safe to say that I'm a big fan. 

I loved Josh. I loved Hazel. I loved that they met back in college and that it was a disaster. I loved that, years later, they became best friends and then more. I loved that we really got to know Josh and Hazel as people before reading about them together.

I'm so glad that I read this book when I did. I really needed something light and fluffy to sort of reset my brain and this did the trick. I'm sorry that this is such a short review, but I enjoyed this book so much and would highly recommend it.

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free advance copy**

OMG!! This story is fantastic. I loved everything about it. Hazel is Quirky AF, and I loved her for it. The awkward run-ins had me laughing out loud. This story is real, honest and did I mention freaking fantastic. I have a weakness for funny, playful banter and without a doubt Christina Lauren delivered. This is saying a lot, but it needs to be said, it's one of their BEST yet. There's a spoiler or two that people should be staying away from in reviews. I will end by saying that I loved it and highly recommend. I'm swooning hard over this cover. I really can't wait to get my hands on the paperback copy. I've already placed my pre-order. It releases in just a few more days.

Very good read! I definitely enjoyed this book! It was really funny!! It's Josh and Hazel book, hazel is best friends with Josh sister but she decides she wants to be best friends with Josh too! They hook each other up with a bunch of crazy dates with some of their acquaintances, that takes you on the ride of this book, and what a crazy ride! Hazel is so freaking funny and quirky some of the stuff she does and the stuff that comes out of her mouth is so funny!! I definitely enjoyed this light read! No major problems happen it's just a hot, crazy, funny enjoyable read! Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for sharing this book with me! It's well worth the read!

I literally could not put this book down and read it in one setting. The authors have created such beautiful and relatable characters of Josh and Hazel that it is impossible not to fall in love with both of them and their story. Josh aka Jimin is my new book boyfriend. I love love love him. As Hazel describes him in the book, he is the blueprint for the perfect guy. Hazel with all her quirks just makes you love and root for her throughout the book. I was in such a book slump with none of the books that I read this past week appealing to me but this book kicked me right out of the slump. I highly recommend this amazing book.

I thought I couldn't love a book more than, Love and Other Words, but Josh & Hazel's story is even more endearing than Macy and Elliot's.

I loved that Josh "got" Hazel and was never embarrassed by her or tried to change her.

Some of my favorite passages from the book are:
"When I meet someone I love, I become an octopus and wind my tentacles around their heart, tighter and tighter until they can't deny they love me just the same."
"I think that's the one thing that could dim her light. We both know Hazel is a butterfly. I think you have the power to take the dust from her wings."

Christina Lauren know how to write the most amazing romances. They have depth, they're creative even when there are tropes, and without fail they make you swoon.

I love, love, love Hazel. She's incredibly relatable to me as a quite peculiar girl myself. Her peculiarness wasn't forced or unrealistic - she felt entirely authentic. And this story reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend once. I told her I was surprised a guy "tolerated" me because I'm so weird. And to that, she said, "for every weird gal there has to be a weird guy out there somewhere." Which is a sentiment I'd like to have cross stitched to hang above my (fictional) fireplace.

And it's sort of the basis of this story (minus the fact that Josh is not particularly weird). Hazel knew that she didn't want to change for anyone, and in the end, she found someone who didn't want her to change at all. If that's not true love than I don't know what is.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a pulse. It's Christina Lauren so, of course, it's one of my favorite books of the year.

Josh and Hazel might not seem like a likely couple, that's why Hazel made him her best friend, but what happens when maybe, just maybe Josh falls for her quirky personality.

This was such an adorable read. Hazel was so strange and really out there but I found that fascinating. We often read romance stories where the female character has this great personally and put together, so I found her personally refreshing. I liked Josh, but I feel like she made Josh more fun.

It was fun to read this book as they navigated through being best friends and trying to help each other find love.

OK, Christina Lauren is my new favorite romance author. Like...she just hits me right in the heart and makes me feel all the feels. Hazel is amazing and strong and I just immediately connected with her (because what woman has not gotten a little tipsy and done something that embarrassed someone she was with? mine might have involved leading a casino shuttle in a round of "Copacabana") and the way she talked about Josh, and then reading his own thoughts... I mean, who doesn't love him? This book was so well paced, the characters so well written, I just loved every minute of reading it. More, please.

"Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating" by Christina Lauren
What a fun read ! I wasn't sure I should have accepted the ARC gift from the publisher.. but boy oh boy am I glad I did ! I had such a good read spending time with Josh and Hazel.. as they stumbled about like toddlers learning some truths about themselves and each other. Just to let you know there is some heat in this story... not too intense but if it is more than you care to read... you can easily skim over those few bits of prose. Can you tell that I found this a real page-turner? I hope you find this as fun to read as I did.

4 ‘Crazy Hazie’ Stars!

”When Josh tells this story he makes sure to mention that before I threw up on his shoes, I charmed him with a dazed ‘You are the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, and I would be honored to give you sex tonight.’”

I love Christina Lauren and I loved this book! This was such a fun read that I didn’t want it to end.

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Dating stars Josh Im and Hazel Bradford. Josh is quiet, reflective, calm, sweet, you know, “normal.” Hazel is one of the best heroine’s that I’ve come across in a long time. She is wild, spunky, hilarious, inappropriate, crazy and sweet.

This book is a friends to lovers romance that was super sweet in all the best ways. Josh and Hazel originally met in college, where their paths crossed in some pretty hilarious ways. They meet again years later when they are more established in their lives. Josh has a thriving physical therapy practice and Hazel is an elementary school teacher with a menagerie of pets. Hazel has always had a crush on Josh and Josh has always enjoyed her brand of crazy.

This book takes us through some hysterical hijinks involving these two, peppered with some very sweet and spicy moments too. This was such a great read and I know I will remember these two characters for a long time.

I loved this book from the first page! Everything about it had me flipping the pages.

I love Hazel! Everything about her that makes her different is what makes her perfect! I loved her mom! I hated Tyler and everyone who made her feel weird.

I loved Josh! I hated Tabby!

I loved the horrible double dates. You want Josh and Hazel to end up together but could it work? Would they even try it and risk their friendship.

Some points in this book had me laughing so hard I could barley breathe. These two authors create magic with every book they write!

"I’m a satellite that’s found its safe-space beacon."

A feel good book that will have you laughing and sighing with joy bursting out of your heart from the beginning.

This book was just fun to read. Hazel is such a character! She's just herself and doesn't apologize for it.

I loved the slow burn and getting to know the characters. The events that Hazel and Josh go through were fun to read.

The friendship that developed was so authentic and yet a little out there.
This is one of those moments where you can't help who you fall in love with.

I don't believe I've ever felt so seen in a character as I do with Hazel Bradford. Hazel is Hazel and she's not apologizing for it. She won't change herself for anyone or anything. She's a little too much and she knows it but she's not going to tame herself to win someone over. Josh is the perfect balance to Hazel. He's calm and steady in her sea of chaos and color. They are truly The Odd Couple. With their unusual friendship they navigate the dating scene, dominate at trivia nights, and each finding HEA.

Full of the banter and wit CLo is known for this story brings laughs, swoons, and tears.

This was hands down the best friends to lovers book I've ever read. Witty and genuine, it felt very real, very natural. Dialogue was so realistic amongst all the characters that Hazel and Emily would have a conversation that I'd have with my bestie, too. The opposites attract trope was nothing stereotypical, and was so well done that you coulda see the exact moment they clicked and just became perfect for each other. My favorite Christina Lauren book. Having just finished it, I already want to read it again.

Let me start by saying you this book is predictable yet so much fun. Josh and Hazel are wonderful characters. There’s nothing about either of them I would change. Hazel is quirky and fun. And she knows it. And refuses to change for anyone. Which is why I loved this book. She is a strong female character when it comes to knowing herself.

The whole book was just a lot of fun to read! Christina Lauren are giving us light, but highly enjoyable reads that I can’t put down

I love this book. This has to be my favorite Christina Lauren book to date.

The characters are so relatable. Honestly, I found myself relating to everything Hazel does and the person she is.

I love everything about their friendship and how life brought them back together.

I had so many laughs at all he things that happened in this book.

This was a great book overall and I enjoyed reading about Josh and Hazel's adventures in dating!

I'm still a Christina Lauren newbie, as in this is only my second book of theirs. And I'm absolutely smitten by this writing duo. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating was so fun and unique. The plotline was that of your traditional friends to lovers story. BUT the uniqueness came in to play with the characters. Josh was a Korean American and Hazel was extremely eccentric. I just found these two so refreshing and fun. Their story is one I'll be recommending over and over!

4.5 stars! This was a super fast read for me. I didn’t want to put it down at all! Hazel is super quirky and I saw a lot of myself in both of the characters. Something that happens to Hazel, has happened to me in the past. This book really shows you that you shouldn’t settle for anyone who wants to change who you really are. Josh loves Hazel for all that she is and all that she will ever be. It’s amazing to see the love grow from the friendship they share.

Perfect friends to lovers HEA novel that will make you laugh and smile. So Hazel's a little quirky (a lot) and Josh has his issues too, but the two of them together- well that's what this is all about. There aren't many surprises in the plot line but that was perfectly ok with me. Lauren has a light touch, a good storyteller style, and a wonderful way with comedy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This was a great light read on a summer day.

I really enjoyed this book! Hazel was amazing and seriously someone I would love to be best friends with. Josh was so nice and just such a good guy... he was the only guy Hazel ever encountered who accepted her for exactly who she is. This book is the story of two people who think they're wrong for each other, but wind up being a perfect match.. This was my first book by Christina Lauren, but it wont be my last. It was a great story!

**Copy provided in advance through Netgalley**

*Heart eyes emoji* Sooo cute! Josh and Hazel are adorable as best friends. Both of them had their own endearing personalities. Their many double blind dates were funny and disastrous. It's so obvious they belong together.

Turns a little cliché at the end. But whaddya gonna do. *shrugs* I still highly recommend this sweet read if you're in need of a smile. Well done.

Im just gnna go cry right now and eat some chocolate cause i cant handle these feels right now. It was so amazingly beautiful and heartfelt. I cant believe how much i loved this book. I absolutely loved Hazel i related with her on so many things she was my favorite! Also josh that freaking beautiful cinnamon roll wrapped up into a beautiful sweet man i cant. Everyone needs to read this like now. Im so thankful for Christiana Lauren for gifting this to me! This book didn’t disappoint I absolutely love all their books so im so happy this was another 5 star for me. Also besides being so swoon worthy and having sexy times which i loved it was really funny and had me laughing out loud when i reading on the way to work. Or really any free time i had i would want to read this book. I read this extremely fast oops? You know its good then!

Josh and Hazel was a super fun and crazy book.  I just adore Hazel and her ability to be free and that she does not cow to others deem normal. And Josh?  What can I say?  He is definitely swoon worthy.  He does not try to change her, as other people in her life have done.  I loved all the characters, not just Josh and Hazel.  This is a super fun, laugh out loud book that you need to read!

This story was just amazing, it was so funny to read, Hazel’s unfiltered mouth had me laughing all the book. Josh is just awkward but really cute. I just loved everything from this book. I couldn’t put it down. Reading how she faces her crush wrapped me in that moment and wished I was inside the story as a fly in the wall to see it all. Just a perfect modern romcom that needs to be read.

I loved this book. I knew I would love this book before I bought it because I love all of CL's books, but this book was special. The way it depicts the way society treats any woman that is too anything. It was so well done, and I loved the way Hazel refused to apologize for who she was and what made her happy- for what made her she was.

If you have ever been told that you are too SOMETHING for the world to handle, READ THIS BOOK.

I want to be Hazel when I grow up. I love how she’s all, what you see is what you get and I’m never changing. I love her. Josh is equally as awesome too. I loved how Hazel’s energy or her eccentricities didn’t even bother him. It’s just Hazel. Such an amazing book. I need this one for my bookshelf. This is definitely worth a reread!

6 stars!!! My first Christina Lauren book but certainly not my last! Josh and Hazel were everything. Hazel was so quirky and fun and full of energy. Josh was the perfect counterpart. His willingness to accept Hazel for all her eccentricities was swoon worthy. I loved watching them stumble into love!

I thought Josh and Hazel were a nice match despite being so different. It sometimes felt like Hazel's personality traits were given too much attention, but overall she was an interesting character with understandable relationship hangups. One aspect that I really enjoyed in this story was Josh and his loyalty to his family and their traditions. It was great to see him proud of the responsibility he had as the oldest son. And then to see him continue it in the epilogue was nice as well. I'm also glad that there wasn't too much angst with them dating other people either lol.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Dating is a fast paced, super funny friends to lovers story. Hazel is a wild, unfiltered, unique women who simply gets into funny situations and says the craziest things. Josh is more laid back and quiet. Who’s says opposites don’t attract haven’t met these two.

This was such a delightful and witty read I just couldn't put it down. Hazel is just such a brilliantly character, you are never bored with her antics or her way of thinking. I loved how Josh just got her and found her so refreshing and he was just as delicious and caring. They had the perfect friendship to lover relationship with no in between what so ever. I would loved if this was series to follow more of their adventure and to see how Hazel adapt to parenting in her own style. Overall this was an amazing easy read that kept me grinning throughout the entire book.

Let me begin with how sweet this book was and the so many laugh out loud moments were amazing. I really loved Hazel, she was wild and crazy and so dang lovable. Josh was adorable and lovable, he was also very sweet. This was a really good book and highly recommend it.

I say this about every Christina Lauren book, but this is my favorite. Hazel is quirky, loving, and adorable , and you can’t help but fall in love with her. I didn’t stop laughing throughout the whole book. I finished it in less than 2 days, I couldn’t put it down.

This is the kind of quality content I live for. The reason Christina Lauren are always on my auto-read list!!! I absolutely loved how much acceptance is in this book. It’s okay to be yourself and to be silly and crazy. The ending had me in tears I was so happy.

A fun, sexy romance with great characters. With Josh and Hazel telling their own stories, the reader gets to see each fro the other's perspective. Lots of funny moments but also sweet, romantic moments. Overall a great story! (Language, sex)

So, really, really couldn't care less about the drama between Josh and Hazel by the end. How out of touch with yourself do you have to be figure it out? Pretty sure any two like this in real life would have had their friends and family lose their patience.

Josh to Hazel : “You look ridiculous in that...I hope you wear it all day.”

What a lovable book, the authors tell a concise, believable story with fun, love and all the angst. Anyone can relate to Hazel’s quirks, but her self-acceptance was refreshing.

This was my favorite Christina Lauren book so far. I listened to an audio version of this book, narrated by Todd Haberkorn and Jayme Mattler, and it was such a fun book to listen to. Hazel was delightfully quirky and so joyful that her joy just bubbles out everywhere. Josh is loveable and stable. The way they balance and understand each other is everything.

Hazel Bradford is unique.  At least that is one way to put it.  Hazel is a lot to take in and frankly most men just don't know what to do with her bag of crazy.  If her mouth doesn't scare them off then her love of animals and crazy antics surely will.  But what they don't stick around to find out, is that Hazel is kind, caring and has a heart of gold.  So Hazel does what Hazel does best.......have fun.

Josh Im is Hazel's best friend Katie's brother.  Also as Hazel describes him to be, her college crush.  But as luck would have it in college, all he knows her as is the girl who threw up on his shoes at a party, caught having sex with his room-mate and the girl who wrote him an email while on painkillers.  Yep Crazy Hazel.  So when ten years later they bump into each other, Hazel is determined to make him her best friend.  

When Josh is in a slump after finding out his girlfriend has been cheating on him, Hazel is determined to get him off the couch and out of his sweats.

"If my life were a movie, I would (1) be much better grounded, and (2) co-star in a montage of scenes in which Josh sits on the couch in his sweatpants and I dance around in front of him trying to get him to laugh."

So Hazel comes up with a crazy scheme for her and Josh to go on a series of double dates.  Not to find a serious relationship, but to have fun. 

"Seriously.  No games, no expectations.  Double blind date.  Just for a laugh."

But what happens when it becomes more? 

This is the second book by this duo set of authors that I have read, and it did not disappoint.  This book didn't only have enjoyable characters, but it had a very fun and energetic story line.   This book was hard to put down.  With its uniqueness and originality, this book is sure to impress you. 

Josh and Hazel are perfect for each other, even if they claim disinterest.  Their friendship is an unusual one at that.  Their romance is the perfect blend of humor and hot steaminess.  Oh la la! Right!?   

I haven't laughed this hard reading a book in quite a while.  I was laughing from the very beginning of this book, all the way up to the end.  I absolutely loved this story.  If I could give this book  a 10 I would.  A fun read no doubt.  So if you are looking for some fun, then this book is for you.  Follow along on Josh and Hazel's dating disasters....I mean adventures.  I bet you will enjoy every last page.

So, really, really couldn't care less about the drama between Josh and Hazel by the end. How out of touch with yourself do you have to be figure it out? Pretty sure any two like this in real life would have had their friends and family lose their patience.

4.5/5 stars

Josh and Hazel first met when he was her TA in college. Now 7 years later they meet again. This book is told from their alternating POVs.

This story is set in Portland. And it is a romantic comedy. Sort of a cross between Chick Lit and adult contemporary romance.

Hazel is definitely one of the most unique heroines that I've ever encountered. She is fun and loud and silly and quirky. She says whatever comes into her head. And it is hilarious. She is a third grade teacher. And truthfully I loved everything about her.

Josh is the opposite. He is calm. But he is kind and sweet. And I really loved him. He is a physical therapist. And his family is Korean.

This book was so much funnier than I was expecting. I absolutely adored how much humor there was throughout this story. It was so funny!

Some of my favorite things about this book: 1) Hazel's dog Winnie, 2) Josh's Korean family, 3) Hazel's best friend Emily and her husband, 4) the silly double dates that were filled with disasters.

I love it when a dog is such an integral part of the story. I especially loved how much the dog loved Josh.

Josh's family, especially his mom was amazing. I really loved seeing so much about the Korean culture in this book. I actually wish that Josh's mom had been in this book more.

I love Emily and her husband. I love it when the heroine has a best friend who adores her. Emily was such a great supporting character in this book. If she wasn't already married I would have loved to see her have her own book!

The silly double dates that Josh and Hazel went on were such a great part of this book. I loved these dates so much. They were so bad, yet funny. Such a great addition to the story!

I also really enjoyed Hazel's philosophy about loving yourself and believing in yourself. Hazel was really such an original character. Her goofiness added so much to this story. I just loved her!

I really loved this book. But I was a bit disappointed with how the story ended. I felt like this book ended too soon. There were things that I wanted to see. The last chapter before the epilogue just ended. I thought that we would get to see what happened. I wanted to see what happened. And the epilogue went too far into the future for my preference.

But other than that one small thing. This book was everything. It is hard for me to rate this book. The book was 5 stars. But how a book ends affects my feelings so much. I'm going to go with 4.5 stars, because I loved almost everything about this story. It was amazing!

I literally could not put this book down and read it in one setting. The authors have created such beautiful and relatable characters of Josh and Hazel that it is impossible not to fall in love with both of them and their story. Josh aka Jimin is my new book boyfriend. I love love love him. As Hazel describes him in the book, he is the blueprint for the perfect guy. Hazel with all her quirks just makes you love and root for her throughout the book. I was in such a book slump with none of the books that I read this past week appealing to me but this book kicked me right out of the slump. I highly recommend this amazing book.