Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review In A Nutshell: Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is an amazing novel with countless laugh out loud moments and a relationship that is the cutest thing in this world.

“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 datable. At the end of the day, being myself is enough. I’m enough.”

– Premise –

Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating follows two main characters, Josh & Hazel. Hazel is an eccentric third-grade teacher who is used to being thought of as weird or strange, and Josh is her idea of the perfect guy. He’s put together, responsible, and she is totally not right for him. It doesn’t help that when they first met in college, she threw up on his shoes. When they reconnect years later, they build an amazing friendship, spending all their time together and setting each other up on blind double dates. But when feelings grow, they have to choose whether or not to acknowledge them and potentially could ruin everything.

“I’ve never really had a love that could consume me. I want to know that kind of fire.”

– Writing –

Christina Lauren’s books are always so fun. I fell in love with their witty and entertaining writing style when I read Autoboyography, and have read every other book of theirs since. They blend humor with depth so perfectly, making their books the perfect light-hearted reads to marathon through. I read this one in one sitting (from 10:30pm to 1:30am because I have no self-control).

– Plot –

This book is such a fast read. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down. From the banter, drama, and entertaining blind dates, this book will consume you. Every scene in this book is delightful and just so incredibly fun.

“The world seems full of men who are initially infatuated by our eccentricities, but who ultimately expect them to be temporary.”

– Characters –

The characters in this book. I love them so much. Hazel is very much a manic pixie dream girl type, something I was a little apprehensive of going in (until I remembered that this was Christina Lauren and they haven’t let me down so far), but her character is handled so well! She is completely aware of how weird she can be, but she is never apologetic for it. And she is very aware of how some people can’t handle her personality and outgrow it, but she still loves herself. I absolutely adored her. Josh was another completely lovable protagonist. He was just so precious and I loved his and Hazel’s relationship (both friendship and more). They were just too perfect to be true.

“I have chaos around me, but it’s like he doesn’t even care. He doesn’t need me to change or pretend to be someone else. He’s my person. He’s my best friend.”

Pros– Really fast-paced, adorable, funny
Cons– The ending wasn’t as amazing as the rest (but even then, it was still pretty great)
Overall– 5/5 stars.
Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is an adorable contemporary romance that will brighten your day. 

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