Books › Josh and Hazel's guide to not dating
Josh and Hazel's guide to not dating
320 pages
A laugh-out-loud, chaotic joyride about finding the person who loves you exactly as you are, no filters required.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like catching up with your funniest, most delightfully unhinged friend over a bottle of wine. It is a masterclass in the opposites-attract dynamic, pairing a wildly chaotic, unapologetic heroine with a deeply grounding, patient hero. The pacing is brisk and dialogue-driven, pulling you through a series of disastrous double dates that only highlight the crackling, undeniable chemistry between the two leads. Beneath the laugh-out-loud banter and slapstick moments lies a remarkably tender core about unconditional acceptance and the relief of being loved for your messiest self. It is a joyful, low-angst comfort read that wraps you in a warm, swoony embrace, perfect for anyone who loves a slow-burn friendship that inevitably combusts into romance.
- Mood
- lighthearted
- swoony
- joyful
- cozy
- Tone
- playful
- affectionate
- chaotic
- earnest
- wry
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- unconditional acceptance · opposites attracting · authentic self-expression · platonic boundaries blurring
- The writing
- Snappy and effervescent, driven by sharp comedic dialogue and warm, accessible internal monologues.
- The arc
- Transitions from chaotic, platonic camaraderie into a tender, vulnerable realization of romantic inevitability.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave laugh-out-loud banter, low-angst comfort, and the dynamic of a wildly chaotic heroine anchored by a steady, patient hero.
Content notes
- infidelity (past relationship)
- unplanned pregnancy
About the book
"Most men can't handle Hazel. With the energy of a toddler and the mouth of a sailor, they're often too timid to recognize her heart of gold. New York Times and author Christina Lauren (Roomies, Beautiful Bastard) tells the story of two people who are definitely not dating, no matter how often they end up in bed together. Hazel Camille Bradford knows she's a lot to take--and frankly, most men aren't up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don't send them running, her lack of filter means she'll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She's a good soul in search of honest fun. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met--when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes--to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there's nothing between them...right?"--
"A "rom-com" standalone romance by writing duo Christina Lauren - Foul-mouthed, quirky, sharp-as-a-whip Hazel never thought she would win the heart of her gorgeous college TA, Josh. And, in fact, she didn't. But what a difference ten years can make. Well...ten years, and a lot of legwork"--
With the energy of a toddler and the mouth of a sailor Hazel Camille Bradford intimidates her dates, who can't recognize her heart of gold. Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved incompatible with his mellow restraint. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air. They set each other up on double blind dates-- but keep falling in bed with each other. They're just friends. Just friends. And if they repeat it enough, it'll be true, right? -- adapted from publisher info and back cover
Description from Open Library.
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