Most men can’t handle Hazel. But her best friend Josh isn’t most men. Don’t miss New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren’s new novel about 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? AMAZON 5 STARS
Hazel, Hazel, Hazel. She made this one of the funniest books ever. I was barely into Chapter 4 when I realized how much she had made me laugh. Hazel is hilarious, so free spirited and comfortable in herself. She is also someone who is often so inappropriate. So prepare yourself for some "language". Yow, the things that she thinks about and comes out her mouth. This book had me practically rolling on the floor laughing for most of it.
Josh is such a straight arrow kind of orderly guy but despite that he is so amused by her antics too. When they were in college, he was often horrified by her and her actions because he was a Hazel later kind of dubbed him as a Perfect Normal guy.
Now speaking of Josh, he is a really good guy and a loyal friend. He is a little O.C.D when it comes to neatness and things being orderly. But is he really? Probably not, he does like order but doesn't really get all that bent out of shape when Hurricane Hazel blows through. After awhile he realizes his life is kind of dull and boring without Hazel and her parcel of pets and unique ways.
And that dating, not dating, double dating? What a hoot. They were so busy NOT dating while trying to find the perfect person for the other. They were in the river, Denial and it made for some outlandishly funny and disastrous dates. It turns out to be one of the most unusual romance stories ever.
I just adored Hazel's mom and the fact that although Hazel got her looks from her dad, she got a similar personality from her mom. Their relationship was a thing of beauty. And some laughter too. Another great character was Dave, Hazel's new boss and her BFF Emily's husband. Most of the time he too was bent over in laughter at Hazel's motor mouth. And I like the affection that Dave and Emily have for her. One thing most but not all people came to realize is that Hazel loves and lives BIG. That she has such a huge heart and that overshadows any desire for people to try to change her. At least the people who care about her feel that way. Others still try to enjoy wild Hazel and still try to make her dial it down to calmer times. So not happening but she has a trigger phrase, that clues her into where something is headed. The phrase is, you are embarrassing yourself.... It's good trigger that shows her, "nope, they don't get me, so bye see ya."
I liked the moments when Josh's mother showed up and makes sure everyone stays fed. It was also funny to me that although Josh said that his father was a quiet kind of guy. Yes, he was so quiet, he never really showed up in the story other than being mentioned. But that is okay because Hazel kept everyone else so busy.
Great Epilogue is included and I have come to the conclusion that I will be on the lookout for this author's other works. I think this is the first book I have read by her but it won't be the last.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it. It's a keeper.
No comments:
Post a Comment