josh and hazel’s guide to not dating

Hello Top Ten Tuesday!

I can’t say I know any character that exactly reminds me of myself. I can think of a few who may present an aspect that would remind me of how I am.

So this list may be scatter-brained. Lets see what happens. Might be a few spins on things because I am only so clever.

And yes, I know I could do a backlist version, but I personally have made it a goal to push myself outside my comfort zone. In this way, I’m trying to do the post regardless because it causes me to think a bit more about my choices.

Lara Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

She’s a baker, I’m a baker. Though granted she can bake cookies and THAT IS SERIOUSLY WHAT I’M WORST AT BAKING. I’m trying though.

Feyre from A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre goes through some really crappy things, but I’m focusing on the fact she got away from a male who never saw her true worth and who she thought she loved. I went through the same kind of thing before I met my husband (and y’all, I’m so glad I went through that storm to get to him).

Hazel from Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Hazel reminds me of myself because she’s often been described as having a flair for the absurd, but also owning who she is. Do I dance in the middle of an aisle when my jam comes on? YES. Does my husband think I’m silly? YUP. But I never want to lose doing this simple silly things in my life.

Lira from To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

I believe I was a mermaid in another life. My obsession is strong, so Lira reminds me of all the things I love about the ocean and its mysteries.

Max from Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

I live in fantasy books and often I find myself wishing they were real. Max reminds me of myself because he’s able to dive into his imagination like I often enjoy every time I pick up a book.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

This isn’t a character (it’s non-fiction), but this book reminds me of myself. I am passionate about the benefits of being a runner and this book re-kindled that for me when I read it.

Laila from The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Laila reminded me of a “team mom” type of persona. She actively makes sure all of her family are taken care of and have what they need. I have always acted like this with my family. They come first.

Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”

Yup, that sums that up.

Rasmira from Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

As Rasmira faces her battles in the wild, the phrase warrior of the wild is used. Like the title it reminds me of how determined she is to face the problems before her. We all have our own wild and I often find myself remembering this quote to persevere.

Love you Forever by Robert Munsch

This book reminds me of the kind of mother I hope my children remember. Because oh how I love my babe (and any future children we’re fortunate to have).

Y’all, I did it! Have you read any of these books? What’s a book that reminds you of yourself? Lets talk in the comments!

Instagram || Goodreads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Adult contemporary, fiction, romance
Length: 309 pages
Author: Christina Lauren
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: September 4th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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?

SO STINKIN’ PRECIOUS.

I thought this was the cutest contemporary romance book I’ve read in a long time. It has become one of top favorites.

This book had me laughing out loud within the first few pages and I continued to smile the entire time I read. Watching Hazel and Josh crash into each other over and over was utterly adorable. And I fear I may use many more cute based adjectives before this review is over. You’ve been warned.

One of my favorite parts was the minimal “drama” between the two. In a lot of books there’s a big break-up scene or something of the sorts before the couple officially gets together. I loved that Josh and Hazel continually moved towards each other and both were realizing their feelings had changed over the months of being friends. This drama was more between the two and allowed for the relationship to change much more organically.

I loved that Hazel owned who she is. Because, boy, that is not easy to do. She was a force to be reckoned with and marched to the beat over her own drum. I loved her attitude and zaniness. She never settled until Josh showed her that she can be loved for all of who she is, not just the pieces someone prefers. Josh discovering his feelings for Hazel had me mentally saying aww over and over. His protectiveness for Hazel made me want to clap and I was so happy with the ending. These two were both so relatable. In their own ways I connected with both of them on so many levels and it made me love them all the more.

A quick, enjoyable read that was exactly what I was looking for. And having an epilogue? Even better! I loved the look into the future and seeing what they were up to.

Overall audience notes: