review || TO HAVE AND TO HOLD { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Pocket Books | July 26, 2016 | Contemporary Romance
Wedding Belles, book 1
★★★★1/2

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true... but their own.

Discovering her fiance is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin's business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiance is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning... is theirs?

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review || FROM THIS DAY FORWARD { release blast } by Lauren Layne

Pocket Star | June 6, 2016 | Contemporary Romance
The Wedding Belles, book 0.5
★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in this prequel to USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s The Wedding Belles series about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding—but their own.

Up-and-coming wedding photographer Leah McHale’s career is on the rise–thanks in no small part to the Wedding Belles, the elite New York wedding planning agency that always throws top-tier business Leah’s way. So when one of the Belles asks Leah to fill in at the former First Daughter's wedding, Leah is overjoyed to say yes–until she finds out who she’ll be working with.

Jason Rhodes is the one man who was able to capture Leah’s heart and, once he had it, promptly stepped all over it and left her broken. Now he’s working side-by-side with her at the biggest wedding of the season and Leah is determined to give him the cold shoulder. Despite his persistence, she is not going to fall for his charming, impish ways again. Not even if he still has that killer, irresistible smile...

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review || CUFF ME { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Forever | March 29, 2016 | Romantic Suspense
New York's Finest, book 3
★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

Vincent knows he's not the most charming of the Moretti brothers. He prefers brooding to flirting, reading to talking, and he sure as hell isn't about to give into his mother's insistence that he 'settle down with a nice girl.' Luckily, Vincent's gig as one of the NYPD's top homicide detectives keeps him busy. As does his long-time partner, Jill Henley–a tough-as-nails cop with the face of an angel and smart mouth that makes Vincent crazy in all the worst ways. 

After six years of working the homicide beat with the tight-lipped Vincent Moretti, Jill figure she knows him better than anyone. Which is not at all. But when their most recent case points to a potential serial-killer situation, the higher-ups send them on a rare undercover mission to a place no NYPD officer dares go: the Upper Eastside. 

Now the bureau's most antagonistic set of partners is posing as Mr. and Mrs. Brooks of Park Avenue. Spending 24/7 in the suspect's territory brings them closer and closer to their killer . . . and closer to each other. Soon Vincent and Jill are playing good cop/bad cop in and out of bed, and Jill's falling hard. But can she convince Vincent to give her a shot as partner in life, as well as at the bureau?

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review || I WISH YOU WERE MINE { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Loveswept | February 2, 2016 | Contemporary Romance
Oxford, book 2
★★★★1/2

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

Perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne’s Oxford series heats up in this story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a woman who’s strictly off-limits.

A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.

Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.

Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

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sales blitz || IRRESISTIBLY YOURS by Lauren Layne

Loveswept | October 6, 2015 | Contemporary Romance
Oxford, book 1
★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

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review || STEAL ME { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Forever | November 24, 2015 | Contemporary Romance
New York's Finest, book 2
★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti's blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that's just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony's morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn't exactly Maggie Walker's dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she'd really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

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review || IRRESISTIBLY YOURS { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Loveswept | October 6, 2015 | Contemporary Romance
Oxford, book 1
★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS

Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

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review || BLURRED LINES { blog tour } by Lauren Layne

Loveswept | August 25, 2015 | New Adult Romance
★★★★1/2

SOURCE: NETGALLEY/TASTY BOOK TOURS

In a novel that’s perfect for fans of Abbi Glines and Jessica Sorensen, USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne delivers a sexy take on the timeless question: Can a guy and a girl really be “just friends”?

When Parker Blanton meets Ben Olsen during her freshman year of college, the connection is immediate—and platonic. Six years later, they’re still best friends, sharing an apartment in Portland’s trendy Northwest District as they happily settle into adult life. But when Parker’s boyfriend dumps her out of the blue, she starts to wonder about Ben’s no-strings-attached approach to dating. The trouble is, even with Ben as her wingman, Parker can’t seem to get the hang of casual sex—until she tries it with him.

The arrangement works perfectly . . . at first. The sex is mind-blowing, and their friendship remains as solid as ever, without any of the usual messy romantic entanglements. But when Parker’s ex decides he wants her back, Ben is shocked by a fierce stab of possessiveness. And when Ben starts seeing a girl from work, Parker finds herself plagued by unfamiliar jealousy. With their friendship on the rocks for the first time, Parker and Ben face an alarming truth: Maybe they can’t go back. And maybe, deep down, they never want to.

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FRISK ME { release blast }

Forever Romance | July 28, 2015 | Contemporary Romance

New York's Finest, book 1

★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS 

After a photograph of Luc Moretti saving a tourist hits social media, he instantly becomes New York's most famous and beloved cop. When a major network decides to run a special on the "American Hero," Luc's boss gives him no choice but to cooperate in the name of good exposure for the department. Luc doesn't mind the celebrity status-what he does mind is the gorgeous brunette journalist who's been assigned to follow his every move. Especially since she also happens to be the same knockout that rejected him rather publicly the week before.

Ava Sims is a woman who gets what she wants. And what she wants is to be CBC's lead anchor-but to get there, she'll need to nail the fluff piece on the playboy cop. Luc Moretti is everything Ava knows to stay away from: a stubborn charmer with a hero-complex. But the more Ava gets to know Luc and his oddball family, the more she realizes that beneath the swagger and the blue uniform is a complex man who makes her heart beat too fast. Soon, Ava's doing the unthinkable, and falling for the best of New York's finest ...

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follow the virtual tour here
go to mm:r's review here

review || FRISK ME { blog tour }

Forever Romance | July 28, 2015 | Contemporary Romance

New York's Finest, book 1

★★★★★

SOURCE: TASTY BOOK TOURS 

After a photograph of Luc Moretti saving a tourist hits social media, he instantly becomes New York's most famous and beloved cop. When a major network decides to run a special on the "American Hero," Luc's boss gives him no choice but to cooperate in the name of good exposure for the department. Luc doesn't mind the celebrity status-what he does mind is the gorgeous brunette journalist who's been assigned to follow his every move. Especially since she also happens to be the same knockout that rejected him rather publicly the week before.

Ava Sims is a woman who gets what she wants. And what she wants is to be CBC's lead anchor-but to get there, she'll need to nail the fluff piece on the playboy cop. Luc Moretti is everything Ava knows to stay away from: a stubborn charmer with a hero-complex. But the more Ava gets to know Luc and his oddball family, the more she realizes that beneath the swagger and the blue uniform is a complex man who makes her heart beat too fast. Soon, Ava's doing the unthinkable, and falling for the best of New York's finest ...

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review || CRUSHED { blog tour }

Crushed by Lauren Layne

Publisher: Loveswept: Flirt (4/14/2015)
Series: Redemption, book 2 
Genre: New Adult
Source: NetGalley / Tasty Book Tours
Purchase links || Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo || add to goodreads

Rating: ★★★★★

jump to review

Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what you want isn’t always what you need.

Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half-brother, Devon.

Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side.

After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?

review || TROUBLE WITH LOVE { blog tour }

Trouble with Love by Lauren Layne

Publisher: Loveswept (3/3/2015)
Series: Love, Sex and Stiletto, book 4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: NetGalley / Tasty Book Tours

Purchase links || amazon | bn | kobo | itunes || add to goodreads

Rating: ★★★★1/2

jump to review

As Lauren Layne’s salacious Sex, Love & Stiletto series returns, a jaded columnist discovers a steamy way to get over an old flame: falling for him all over again.

As Stiletto magazine’s authority on all things breakup-and-heartache, Emma Sinclair writes from personal experience. Five years ago, Emma was Charlotte, North Carolina’s darling debutante and a blushing bride-to-be. Now she’s the ice queen of the Manhattan dating scene. Emma left her sultry Southern drawl behind, but not even her closest friends know that with it she left her heart. Now Emma’s latest article forces her to face her demons—namely, the devilishly sexy guy who ditched her at the altar.

After giving up everything for a pro-soccer career, Alex Cassidy watches his dreams crumble as a knee injury sidelines him for good. Now he’s hanging up his cleats and giving journalism a shot. It’s just a coincidence that he happens to pick a job in the same field, and the same city, as his former fiancée . . . right? But when Emma moves in next door, it’s no accident. It’s research. And Alex can’t help wondering what might have been. Unlike the innocent girl he remembers, this Emma is chic, sophisticated, and assertive—and she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. The trouble is, Alex has never wanted her more.

review || MADE FOR YOU { blog tour }

To borrow the opening lines from my ONLY WITH YOU review...

Oh.

Em.

Gee.

So I haven't exactly made it a secret that I really, really heart Lauren Layne. It has been a minute since I seriously fan-girled over a contemporary author. Don't get me wrong, I love many contemporary series and many authors, wanting to get my hands on as many of the books as possible, but when it comes to Lauren...

It's more of a 'need' than a 'want'.

The newest installation to her THE BEST MISTAKE series was just as good as I was hoping it would be.

Made for You by Lauren Layne

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (10/28/2014)

Series: The Best Mistake, book 2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: Publisher, NetGalley

Buy It For Your Kindle | BN & Nook | iTunes | BAM! | Indiebound|| Goodreads

My Rating: ★★★★★

Some mistakes are worth making...

Lauren Layne's Best Mistake series continues with MADE FOR YOU.

When the Wrong Guy is Oh-So-Right

Will Thatcher is exactly the type of sexy playboy good girls like Brynn have always avoided. And yet there was still something about him she just couldn't resist. When Will moved across the country three years ago, Brynn vowed it was time to put him behind her. She never thought Will might have other plans . . .

Back in town, Will intends to get what he's always wanted-gorgeous, unforgettable Brynn. For years, he tormented the untouchable ice princess in a desperate bid for her attention. Now he has a new plan, and he'll do anything to rewrite their stormy past. This time, he's out to show Brynn that the imperfect man might be the best mistake of her life . . .

- - -

About Lauren Layne

Lauren Layne writes contemporary romance for Grand Central Publishing (Forever) and Random House(Loveswept).

After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Lauren moved to New York City where she now writes full time.

Lauren graduated from Santa Clara University with B.S. in Political Science that she has yet to put to good use. She lives with her husband and plus-sized pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.

- - -

Connect with Lauren Layne || Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

- - -

We first met Brynn and Will in ONLY WITH YOU (which takes place a few years prior), but by no means do you need to read that book in order to read this one. Do I recommend reading ONLY WITH YOU? Absolutely. Do you need to? No.

...but you should.

Now, there's a bit of history between Brynn and Will -- they've known one another for years and he's her sister's best friend, after all. While you learn of Brynn and Will's bickering ways in ONLY WITH YOU, you get flashbacks from over the years in MADE FOR YOU -- so reading book one isn't imperative to knowing what makes Brynn and Will tick. And what makes them tick? Why, the other person, of course.

'Will knew exactly the moment she’d seen him. He felt it like a shock to the balls, and he wanted a shot of whisky. Now.

It had taken a full fifty-seven minutes since he’d walked into the door until her ice blue eyes had locked on him, and that was including the ridiculous amount of time she’d spent in the bathroom.

She made him wait another twenty minutes before seeking him out.

But what was an extra seventy-seven minutes when you’d already waited a lifetime?

 You see, Will and Brynn have been playing this game for years. When the uptight, seeming self-assured (but really lacking in self-confidence) Brynn ignored Will and his interest in high school, well, he did what most 'children' do...

...he became her biggest enemy. And in retaliation, he decided to go for and date her little sister, Sophie (which, most of us know, turned into a really good friendship).

And because that being enemies was easier, that became what Will and Brynn were known for.

Around the Dalton dinner table every Sunday night?

Bickering.

At Brynn's (unwanted) birthday party (as shown below)?

Will watched her approach, her expression schooled into an expression of polite indifference. She stopped a several inches in front of him, and only the slight narrowing of gray-blue eyes giving any indication that she wanted him dead. Which of course, she did.

“William.”

“Brynn,” he said, matching her prim tone.

He felt a little jolt of disappointment at her vapid smile. It was the same courteous, reveal-nothing expression she’d given everyone else in the room. He’d been kind of hoping for that special brand of bitchy that she’d always reserved just for him.

“You’re looking a little wider around the hips,” he said with an insulting glance up and down. She hadn’t, but the thought that she’d gained an ounce would keep her up at night.

Her smile slipped for a second, and for a moment he realized if he’d struck a nerve. Normally he wouldn’t dare touch the subject of a women’s weight. He wasn’t a total ass.

But Brynn had had the same perfectly slim figure as long as he’d known her — she wouldn’t tolerate anything else. Her physical appearance was flawless.
Her personality, however…

“And you’re looking…manwhorish,” she said with the usual venom.

Ah. There the old Brynn. He nearly smiled. “So. Nice party,” he said blandly.

“Yes, it was sweet of Sophie to put it together.”

“Mm hmm,” he said, taking a sip of his red wine. “And exactly how intense was the urge to strangle her when you learned that she’d planned a surprise party instead of the usual boring birthday dinner with your family?”

This time the smile faded all together. “Don’t. Don’t do that thing.”

“What thing?”

“That thing where you make it a point of thinking you know me better than anyone else.”

Don’t I? He stifled the thought. For now.'

Bickering.

Oh, who's Brynn's new neighbor?

Yeah, she's going to go over there and yep... Bicker.

It's annoyingly cute.

'"I've visited," he interrupted. "Not often, but I've been back to Seattle a couple times each year."

'She blinked in surprise. "Do my parents know? God, Will, you were like a son to them."

'Will leaned forward slightly. "Last time I was in town I stayed in your parents' guest room. The time before that, I slept on Sophie and Gray's couch. So you see, Princess...the only Dalton I was ignoring was you."' 

Some books I have a 'favorite scene'. Sometimes it's in the beginning (Matt meeting the kids in WORTH THE FALL), sometimes it's the end (the epilogue of OVER THE LINE). In ONLY WITH YOU, it was the bounce-house-castle scene (I may just have to go and re-read that tonight).

In this book, I'm pretty sure it has everything to do with when Brynn gets her tattoo. And then when she finally gets to see it and asks about it, Will's explaination... oh, it melts my heart.

Will melts my heart.

'He ignored her question. "What exactly are you so scared of Brynn? That all your friend will turn their backs on you because you didn't marry a doctor? My God, do you really think a friend would even care?"

'"No," she said in a small voice.

'"Then why? Why don't I even get a chance?"'

- - -

'"Brynny. Do you have an idea what I felt when you showed up on my front porch that night three years ago?"

'She tried for a smile to lighten the mood. "Horny?"

'He didn't smile back. "I felt like my entire life was finally about to start." 

Oh, Will, you slay me.

He may just very well be my favorite hero of Lauren's... and I really loved Sam, so that's saying something.

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BROKEN -- a summary and opinion

BROKEN released today! Well, yesterday, but I'm a night shifter and I'm still stuck on 9/2 in my mind, nevermind the fact that it's 0130 in the morning on 9/3.

I just loved BROKEN -- I wasn't sure I would. I should have believed in my love of Lauren's writing... I will know better the next time I see a character I'm not particularly interested in -- granted, the next books on her cue are Emma in the Stiletto series, and Sophie's BFF Will/sister Brynn's story in the Best Mistake series, and I've been waiting for both of these books.

So, why wasn't I sure I'd like this book?

....Olivia.

She's pampered and a rich-bitch and has a 'tude that I didn't care for in ISN'T SHE LOVELY. As a general rule of thumb, I don't like pretty, skinny girls. It's an issue I've had for a few years ;) And Olivia just fits the bill in her designer clothes and stuck up attitude.

But unfortunately for me, Olivia was looking to get away from home and needed a change, so she took on the caregiver role for some 70-year old man's son. What Olivia didn't expect was for his son to be her age.

Paul is a war vet who made friends with a bullet and other torturing when in Afghanistan. He lost his best friend and walks around with visible scars and a bum leg as a constant reminder. He hides behind his scars and lets anger rule his life.

He has gone through numerous care givers and his father is giving him one last chance -- see one through for 6 months, or you're cut off; finished, nada mas. His father has a trick up his sleeve though, in hiring young, pretty Olivia. And as much as he wants to throw two middle fingers up in the air, the money his father is giving him is actually going to his best friend's widow and daughter.

This story is very much a Beauty and the Beast story, but it's done in a way that you forget the Disney movie/Grimm fairy tale and focus very much on Paul and Olivia. It's a story of overcoming personal battles and fighting the fights that actually mean something.

 

 

I find myself wanting to see Olivia and Paul two, five, ten years down the road. I very much loved these two and their connection. Life is about finding someone who's demons play well with yours, and these two most certainly fit ;) Ha; or finding someone who's battles you are willing to fight, and vice versa.

ISN'T SHE LOVELY -- a summary and opinion

Did you know -- Only With You released this week. YAY! You should go out and read it. In fact, I may need to catch up on my Sophie and Gray love, because I miss them and the bounce house. But in the meantime, here's another Lauren Layne book for you to read.

Oh, Lauren Layne, how I love your writing style. I said it with Only With You, and again with Just One Night. In an attempt to not beat a dead horse, I'll try to stop with my gushing fan-girl-dom and just say it this last, third time.

I love your writing style.

I love the quirkiness, the smartassedness... I just love it.

Isn't She Lovely is written in the first person (which we all know is not my favorite, but I hardly even noticed while reading Isn't She Lovely), through the eyes of both Stephanie and Ethan. The book opens in a Stephanie monologue, in which she's discussing with the reader how in romantic comedies, the subjects always meet in a "meet-cute" style.

"The meet-cute is that moment when the romantic couple meets for the first time, and it's supposed to be

amusing or ironic or charming, or some shit like that.

You know, like that scene where the sarcastic, ball-busting character mistakes her handsome new lawyer

for the janitor? Or when the impossibly cute secretary rear-ends the BMW of the guy who turns out to be

her new boss?

Then, of course, love abounds...." (Chapter One)

As you can hopefully see, it's very easy to forget this is in first person. The narrative is like that of a movie (which is slightly ironic, as Stephanie's character is speaking of movies) -- I can hear the voice over as the scene is playing out on the big screen, a popcorn and pretzel bites in hand.

Well, the meet-cute in this book is right away, when gothed-out Stephanie runs into pretty-boy Ethan, except there's no way this meet-cute is going to end up like the movies... right? There's no way, Stephanie thinks, that a guy with money and status could ever fall for a girl like her. Besides (not that she's thinking about a relationship of ANY sort with him, friendship or otherwise), these two are two busy sparing with one another to truly take any notice of the other. Slinging insults... Ah, just the way any future loves want to meet.

Moving forward, the two of them begin working on a screenplay for a class, and while doing this, Ethan decides he needs a live-in/faux-girlfriend, as he has a family party in the Hamptons to go to, in which his cheating ex will be present.

Now, as romance readers, we all know the hero and heroine of the book cannot possibly move in with one another, even under the falsest of pretenses, and not develop feelings for each other, but hey, that's what books are about and the fun part is watching the characters grow and make those realizations themselves.

So yes, true to the genre, they fall for one another. Granted, Ethan essentially changes Stephanie so she'll fit in with the Hampton's crowd, to which Stephanie feels slightly self-concious about -- because again, he can't possibly like the real her, not when he's obviously falling for the well-dressed version of her.

During the Hamptons, though, Ethan accuses Stephanie of being a statue (in relation to their screen play) -- she cannot move past her father's new marriage, her mother's death, and her ex-boyfriend, hiding behind black clothes and gray eyeshadow.

But, as Ethan's ex, Olivia so kindly points out, he's not all that much better -- in all truth of the word, he and she are snobs. They live a fancy lifestyle and have money coming out of the woodwork. His lazy day outfit costs no-less than $500.

In the end, the true question between the two of them is who truly is the statue? Is it Stephanie, who hides behind her gothic clothes, or is it Ethan, who hides behind his Hampton upbringing?

As much as I loved this prequel to the remaining Redemption books, I'm not 100% sure I'll read book one, simply because I don't know how much I like Olivia... Granted, I don't 'know' her so much as I 'know' Ethan's opinion of her (and the dockside conversation between the two)... But then again, curious minds DO want to know and so yeah, I will read the next book...

...and the next...

...because, c'mon, it's Lauren Layne and I love her writing style.







Side Note:

While writing this 'review', I came to the conclussion that when it comes to Lauren Layne books (heck, Claudia Connor's Worth the Fall as well) I get so wrapped up in how the book made me feel, how the writing pulled me in, that it's very easy to forget the 'summary' part of my 'a summary and opinion' -- but I guess I just feel that these books are ones you need to read for yourselves; hopefully my opinion pulls you along...!

Side Side Note:

I love plays on words, as well as trying to figure out how a title fits the book it adorns.

 

I can totally hear Ethan calling Stephanie 'lovely' in a snarky, condescending tone in the beginning of the book, yet affectionately at the end.  

Side (x3) Note:

I just read Olivia's blurb.

I take back my earlier comment. I so want to read Broken!

JUST ONE NIGHT -- a summary and opinion

Yay, another Lauren Layne book to read!!

Yet another great book by Lauren. I'm so glad that I've stumbled across her. Her writing style, as stated in my Only With You review is my kind of quirky writing style. She's so easy to read and get lost in. I just love it.

This book is part of a series. The Love Sex & Stiletto series follows four woman who work for a publication, much like a Cosmo, Vogue, Vanity Fair type magazine.

This particular book follows Riley, the writer behind all the sex articles, and Sam, her brother's best friend. These two have always circled one another (at least since meeting eachother when Riley was 19 and hanging out in the kitchen in her soccer uniform), but they don't act on their attraction. Sam doesn't because he promised her brother, Liam, that he wouldn't (who later states that he doesn't even remember that conversation), and Riley doesn't because surely there's no way he could be attracted to her.

So while Riley can't have Sam for herself, she pretty much acts like the resentful younger sister and sabotages his relationships (with things like genital warts pamphlets that his lady friends stumble across). And while Sam doesn't act on his attraction, he stands up for her to his mother when she calls Riley a slut -- how can she not be when she writes about sex for a living?

Oh, but oh-ho... twist here.

Riley has had sex once, and it was in a type of rebellion when Sam went and got himself married, and Riley realized she couldn't have him.

...but then she doesn't do it since.

She writes about sex yes, but she admits to being extremely book smart about the act, and when it finally happens for her and Sam (and I do mean finally), she's as nervous as a first timer.

Without giving too much away, this book follows these two lovers as they navigate from practically-siblings-but-extremely-attracted-to-each-other, to lovers, to foes, to lovers again. It follows Riley as she fumbles through the need to write a personal article that she hasn't a clue how to write; it follows Riley and Sam as Riley fights him to stand up and be proud of the things he has accomplished -- who the eff cares that his mother doesn't care, Riley's entire family cares and is damn proud of him, couldn't that be enough?; to the eventual demise of their relationship.

Again, what I love about Lauren's writing is it just seems so real. Riley and Sam's break up has a full-on fight. Most books have a discussion, some avoidance, and questions as to how it all went wrong.

But not this one.

Riley and Sam have a full-out, not a thing held back, screaming on the top of their lungs, fight. They let out all of their frustrations. And when the fight reaches it's tipping point, they drive in heated silence.... only to start all over again once they reach home.

I could quote their entire fight. The entire fight has points where she thinks she's right, he thinks he's right, and they're both hurting and not seeing eye to eye. He hollers that his mom is all he has, of course he wants to keep her happy even though she's a total bitch to him. Riley, while she understands the woman is his mom, doesn't understand how he can say that she is all he has -- regardless of the entire McKenna family having Sam's back, Riley feels that her love should be enough for him too.

Yet again, another great, solid effort on Lauren Layne's part, and it hit every mark. Going through my highlights and notes in the book, I don't have a single negative thing written that I need to revisit or hash out.

Lauren's turning into my 5-star kind of gal.

Pardon the interruption...

I'm going all fan girl for a moment.

Lauren Layne read my review of Only with You, and then shared it on her Facebook. I was scrolling through my timeline then saw my face (that picture to the right) and my heart started racing.

Like I said... Fan girl moment.

Now, getting back to the scheduled programming, with reviews coming from not 1, not 2, but the 3 books I've read in the last 48 hours.

Oh, NetGalley, you most certainly aid my reading addiction.

ONLY WITH YOU -- a summary and opinion

Oh.

Em.

Gee.

Thank you, NetGalley, for introducing me to Lauren Layne and this incredible new series. I can hardly wait for book 2, even if most of me wants it simply to see more Sophie and Gray. Granted, Will and Brynn are pretty steamin', so I suppose I'd read for them too.

But anywho, getting way ahead of myself. Let's start over.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an e-copy of Only With You. What I'm loving about NetGalley is the ability to try new authors that I typically wouldn't read. What can I say, I'm a creature of habit. Unfortunately, my reading habit generally gets way ahead of the books I have available, and my authors of choice's publications.

This was one of those books where I could find myself up until 2 a.m. When I had to wake up at 3 a.m. Thank goodness I had the thought to read in the afternoon hours. What I love about Lauren's writing style is that it's quirky. She writes like I write (when I try to, anyhow). I love the thoughts inside of the thoughts.

Beyond that, I love Sophie. I love how she's insecure in herself, but covers it up extremely well with quirk and sarcasm. I love Gray. I love how he's introverted and prefers the keep to himself, but slowly finds himself thawing toward Sophie.

I found myself falling more and more in love with the characters; at Gray's first smile to Sophie, to when he worried about her when she got hurt ---- even though he botched that. My heart clenched for the first time between these two opposites the first time he intertwined his fingers with her... but then he botched that too. What didn't he botch? The Castle. He could race me in The Castle anytime...

Every time they'd start to progress in their relationship (if it could be called that for the majority of the book), either Gray became hard headed and took a step back, or Sophie doubted herself and doubted Gray, and took her own step back -- covering it up with sarcasm and loud comments that irked Gray.

I love that Gray is open enough to tell Sophie it took him courage to ask her out. There's not a doubt in my mind that that poor man's conscious was telling him that it was an inappropriate relationship, that she was too much like his ex, etc etc, but he took the breath and he sucked it up.

In one particular scene, the first time Gray and Sophie go on a true "date", Gray is exceptionally warm towards Sophie -- showing he can be open and warm and caring when in the correct company. Sophie finds some information out, and she turns cold toward him (mainly because she goes back to doubting Gray and his motives). By this point in the story, Gray is good at reading Sophie. He understands that she hides behind her sarcastic, self-degrading humor, which irritates Gray. He understands that they were having a good time, she was her happy go-lucky self that he truly likes, but when she comes back from the restroom, she begins hiding behind her walls again. At the error of quoting something that may not be word for word in the final publication.... "....'You were there with me at dinner...and then dessert came out and you were...gone.'" That line, to me, shows he's on unsteady ground when it comes to Sophie. In his mind, everything was going well, he was truly enjoying himself in her company (which he typically did, but shh, don't tell Sophie), and then the flip switched.

I don't know. Bottom line, I loved this book. I give out 5 of 5 stars very rarely to authors I don't know.

Well, Gray and Sophie stole my heart. 5 of 5 it is.