Author: Lauren Layne (Page 2 of 11)

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: I Think I Love You (Oxford #5) by Lauren Layne

July 11, 2018 / Jen / 4 Comments

Over the years, I have fallen so hard for the Stiletto and then the Oxford series. I absolutely adore all of the characters and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them. While this can be read as a standalone, if you’re familiar with the previous books then you will get to see all of your favorites! So check out my 4 Star Review below and enter to win a copy of this fabulous book! Enjoy!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: I Think I Love You (Oxford #5) by Lauren Layne

I Think I Love You (Oxford #5)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Brit Robbins knows that dating in New York City is hard—she just hoped to have it mastered by age thirty. But after yet another promising suitor says they have no sparks, Brit decides it’s time to torch her dating game and try a new plan. And who better to coach Brit through the art of seduction than the guy who first gave her the “let’s be friends” card?

Hunter Cross has always figured there’s nothing his best friend Brit can do to surprise him. But Brit’s request is a surprise he doesn’t see coming—and one he’s definitely not prepared for. Hunter and Brit have always been careful to keep things perfectly platonic, but the fake dates and faux flirting are starting to feel like the real deal. And soon Hunter realizes he has taught Brit too well. Not only has she become an expert at seduction, the man becoming thoroughly seduced is him.

Review:

I Think I Love You was a wonderful end to the Stiletto/Oxford Series. We got to catch up with every couple from the previous books, and I loved seeing all of the people I had fallen in love with. And while his book could easily be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend going back to the very beginning with Julie and Mitchell in After the Kiss from the Stiletto Series. Trust me, it’s so worth it! This final book was about Hunter and Brit and their story was sexy, charismatic, funny and charming!

“Brit.” He waited until she looked at him. “That dress you’re wearing. I approve.”
“Yeah?” She mimicked his question from when she’d complimented his glasses.
“Oh yeah.”
Brit suddenly couldn’t breathe, and her hands felt a little shaky, her face hot.
Well, then . . .
Well, then . . .
What did she do with that?
And why did it make her feel like this?

If you’ve read the previous books, you know that Hunter and Brit both work at Oxford and have been best friends for the last six years. But over that time, Brit’s dating life had been dismal. She was desperate to figure out how to secure that second date, how to find a spark with someone else and ultimately feel sexy. Who better to ask to help her than her bff, Hunter! Right?

She stretched, the hem of her shirt riding up just enough to show a sliver of skin. A couple of weeks ago, he wouldn’t have noticed.
Now? He noticed.
And it wasn’t just that. He noticed the way she walked. The way a strand of hair tended to fall across her lips after she’d applied lip gloss and then laughed. He noticed the way she was with his family, as though she was a part of it. . . .
Brit tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “You okay?”
No. Not even fucking close.

While I ultimately knew how this book was going to end, I loved watching the journey. You see, Hunter and Brit didn’t see each other as anything more than best friends. So while Hunter was helping Brit work on her dating skills, I loved how a moment or feeling would make them pause. And even second guess what happened. Because they shouldn’t be feeling sexual tension or interest in each other right? They were just best friends, that was it. But the further they went down the road of helping Brit’s dating life, there were more and more moments where electricity seemed to course between them.

Brit skated away, doing a little half jump, but Hunter remained still for a moment longer, a bit jarred by the fact that he hadn’t touched her because of her plan; he hadn’t been trying to teach her anything.
He’d touched her because he wanted to.
And he wanted to do it again.

From the previous book, I Knew You Were Trouble, I liked Brit. It was impossible not to like her loving, friendly attitude. She had this way of making you comfortable while also wanting to be her friend. She definitely rocked the girl next door vibe hard and I loved her for it. And when she was around Hunter, I loved their moments together. Their friendship felt so solid and real and I loved watching it slowly turn into something more.

Brit turned toward him, catching his eye and giving a wide smile.
Hunter’s chest tightened, and for an awful moment he wondered if it wasn’t his dick that was going to cause him the real trouble.
What if it was his heart?

Hunter at times tested my patience. He didn’t always make the best choices and he could be clueless when it came to Brit. But he had a good heart and he loved her, so I was patient with him. Thank goodness he had great friends to help steer him in the right direction when needed! I actually loved being in Hunter’s head, when we alternated between them, because his thoughts were so complicated. Yes he was sexy, loyal and tried to do right by Brit but I loved how honest he was with himself. So I easily saw all of the good that Brit saw in him and I kept my fingers crossed that it would all end up good in the end!

“Hunter,” Brit said with a laugh. This time she put her hands on his arms and actually tried to move him aside.
He still didn’t move.
She looked up, her expression confused. “Hunter?”
He stared down at her. Don’t do it. Don’t do it, man.
Fuck it.
Hunter bent down and captured her mouth with his.

I Think I Love You is definitely for those that love friends to lovers romances and who want to see what all of their favorites, from the previous books, are up to. This book was such a wonderful end to the Oxford and Stiletto saga and I’m so thankful that I got to go on this journey and discover so many books that I treasure with my whole heart. And if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, I can’t recommend them enough. They were absolutely amazing!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Random House – Loveswept. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Now Available:

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Reading Order & Links: Amazon (click on covers) & iBooks (click on titles) *Each book can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed in order.*
Irresistibly Yours #1 Reviews: Jen Chelsea	I Wish You Were Mine #2 Reviews: Jen	Someone Like You #3 Reviews: Jen Chelsea
I Knew You Were Trouble #4 Reviews: Jen	I Think I Love You #5 Reviews: Jen

About Lauren Layne:

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | AMAZON

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REVIEW – Hot Asset (21 Wall Street #1) by Lauren Layne

May 22, 2018 / Jen / 2 Comments

Hot Asset (21 Wall Street #1)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
A sexy agent hounds Wall Street's hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he's met his match in Lara McKenzie-a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case-the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading-could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one, and Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.She'll do anything to prove he's guilty. He'll do anything to prove he's not. But it's only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It's become a pleasure-and there's more at risk than she ever dreamed.

Review:

*covers face* This rating hurts my heart because Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. But I wasn’t able to connect to any of the characters, so I was never once pulled into the book. Looking back, I’m sure there has to be something wrong on my end. Especially since a few months ago I read and fell madly in love with her previous release, Runaway Groom. If you haven’t read that one yet, definitely give it a try! It was hilarious, sigh worthy, crazy at times and so much fun!

I’m torn between regret and relief, because she’s SEC, I’m Wall Street— we’re about as compatible as a wolf and a lamb.
Though, for the life of me, I’m not sure who’s who in this scenario. – Ian

So when I put Hot Asset down, I realized that I am going to give this book another try. It definitely deserves it! I mean, this story is one I would normally fall in love with. So right before the next book in this series releases, in September, I’m going to pick this back up. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that hopefully I will make that connection and fall head over heels in love with Hot Asset.

I don’t want to play nice.
I want to fucking fight it. – Ian

Before I step away, let me tell you a little bit about what was in the pages. I think a lot of people will love it. First we met Ian Bradley. He was confident, charming, seductive and underneath it all he had a heart of gold. He found himself being investigated by the SEC. And the woman heading the investigation, Lara McKenzie, completely intrigued him.

So is Ian Bradley hot? Yes. Very. But I don’t need hot. I’d settle for someone a little plain, even a little boring, just so long as he’s loyal. – Lara

Lara was fabulous at her job. And Ian’s case was going to help her move onto the next stage of her career, into the FBI. Going into the FBI had been one of her lifelong goals, and her parents worked for them too. It seemed like Ian’s case would be a solid win for Lara, but the case and Ian are not at all what she expected.

I want her to see me as something other than the fucking case. – Ian

This book is definitely for those who are into a little bit of love to hate with some forbidden angst. And who also like to alternate between the two main characters. There are some wonderful friends that you will meet, plus there was a little bit of a mystery which was fun. Normally that all would amount to me gushing a ton and trying to get a lot of my friends to add this to their tbr. But that lack of connection completely ruined my reading experience. Sigh. So here’s hoping you end up loving this book a lot more than I did and hopefully when I pick this one back up in the fall I will love it too!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Montlake Romance. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

About Lauren Layne:

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in eight languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Website l GoodReads l Instagram l Bookbub l Pinterest l Lauren Layne Library

BOOK REVIEW – An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne

March 9, 2018 / Chelsea (Peril Please) / 2 Comments

An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s making a list—and checking it twice. But is there a nice guy among all her naughty exes? The New York Times bestselling author of Blurred Lines returns with a charming friends-to-lovers rom-com.

When a psychic tells spunky, superstitious Kelly Byrne that she’s already met her true love, she becomes obsessed with the idea of tracking him down before Christmas. Kelly immediately writes up an “Ex List” and starts contacting old boyfriends to figure out which one is the one. When her college sweetheart rolls into town, Kelly convinces herself that they’re meant to be. The trouble is, sparks are flying with someone she’s never given a chance: her best friend, Mark.

Mark Blakely has watched the guys on Kelly’s list break her heart, and he’s not looking forward to watching them do it all over again. Mark’s always been there for her, but the timing’s never worked out for their relationship to be something more. Now, just as Mark is ready to move on, the sexual tension between them is suddenly off the charts. With Christmas morning around the corner, he just hopes Kelly will wake up and realize that everything she wants has been right in front of her all along.

“I meant that I’m not usually. Not before.”

“Not before…?”
I feel him smile against my neck, stubbornly refusing to answer. I smile, too, because I know what he’s not saying.
Not before me.

Anyone who has been around long enough knows that LL used to be my absolute favorite author. Without any doubts, when asked, it was LL. Fast-forward a couple years annddddd…that answer isn’t the same. It’s not that I don’t like her-I do. But, after a while, it all became a bit contrived, to me.

“Mark hates Christmas,” I inject, tired of being ignored.
Both men look at me. Mark frowns. “I do not.”
I look up at him. “Okay, you don’t hate it, but you don’t really get into it. You never get a tree, you won’t hang lights, you wouldn’t even let me put a wreath on your door last year.”
“Because it was white and had a pink bow.”
“It was flocked, and pink and white were very in that year.”

Somewhere along the way, and I’m not sure when, I lost that connection I had held steadfast to. I stopped picking up every book because I wasn’t laughing and swooning as much…and it broke my heart. But, here we are, and LL wrote a Christmas book and…well…it was Christmas. So why not?

“Where’s his snowman costume?” I call to Mark.
“Burned it.”
“I hope you didn’t put it in the washing machine—it’s hand wash only,” I say, picking up my peppermint martini and heading back into the kitchen.
“Yeah, Kelly. I hand washed a dog sweater. Sounds just like me.”

Well. I don’t know. There was just way too much that bothered me:

-Clueless heroine
-Single POV (CANNOT believe I’m saying that, but I needed to hear what Mark was thinking, frankly. She was just too much)
-Boring

I don’t know! I can’t even remember all the reasons! It just did not work for me. I eventually fell hard for Mark, but it took forever. I like gruff men, but without being in his head he just seemed flat…until when I fell for him, obviously lol. At that point, he became the thing I held onto, the guy I couldn’t stop reading about…and hating Kelly for hurting. He was just…so so loyal. Ugh. Amazing.

Mark stamps out my babbling with a searing kiss. “I’ve wanted,” he says against my mouth, a little gruffly. “God, how I’ve wanted.”

And, frankly, I found the blurb a bit misleading, like…why tell us that Mark wants her to wake up and smell the roses, but then not let us be in his head to hear that? Just…odd. Odd odd odd.

“Ask me,” he orders, pinning my wrists over my head with one hand.
“Ask you what?” I say, a little breathless.
“Ask me what you asked the damn ball.”
I swallow. “Should I sleep with Mark again?”
His smile is slow and confident as he slowly lowers his body to mine. “It is certain.”

Like I said, somewhere along the way LL stopped being my ‘go-to’ contemp gal. And for real, it kills me to say that. But it is what it is and I can’t fake loving something. I loved their friendship. I loved the shared dog, backyard, etc. But when your heroine is as dumb as Kelly was-well. It’s just too much.

“You’ll never guess what happened to me at the train station,” I say, leaning forward excitedly.
“Hmm?” he asks, less excitedly.
“Okay, if I tell you, you have to not roll your eyes and tell me I’m a crackpot. Promise?”
“No.”
That’s about what I was expecting.

PS-OH! And it really sucks, it does, because I loved Kelly’s humor. She had the funniest dialogue…I just couldn’t get past the stupidity, unfortunately.

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne

January 29, 2018 / Jen / 1 Comment

I. Loved. This. Book! It was hilarious, sexy and so much fun! So check out my Five Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway. Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne

Runaway Groom (I Do I Don't #2)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!

Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .

Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.

Review:

Runaway Groom was hilarious, sigh worthy, crazy at times and so much fun! If you’re a fan of the Bachelor, Bachlorette or Lauren Layne, then I have a feeling you’re going to absolutely love this book! Back before I had kiddos, I’d get together with friends, make dinner and we’d eat, talk and laugh while watching those shows. So when I heard that this book was going to be about a Bachelor-esque reality tv show I was sold. I forgot how much I missed this type of drama in my life and I found myself laughing so hard I could barely breathe.

But once, just once, I want someone I care about to look at the crapshoot that is my life, to take in the Jilted contract and the Killboy movie shoots and the never-ending tabloid rumors and say, “Yeah, that stuff sucks, but Gage is worth it.”
I want to be worth it.
Just once.

Famous movie star and player extraordinaire, Gage Barrett, lost a drunken bet which landed him on the tv show Jilted. It’s a lot like The Bachelor, except it’s about a past runaway groom (him) being matched up with potential brides. And in the final episode, there’s to be a wedding. While Gage stuck to his agreement to be on the show, he definitely wasn’t happy to be there. And while he was grumpy about it, a tiny part of him couldn’t help but wonder if maybe this was for the best. His heart was broken in the worst of ways and this could be the perfect distraction he needed. Ohhh I absolutely loved Gage and his wounded, playful, seductive, charming ways.

“Send me home, Gage. Please. It’ll be better for both of us.”
He studies me. “You really want that?”
“I’m a businesswoman, not a groupie.”
He’s silent for a moment. “True. You did compare my eyes to avocados.”
“Exactly. You usually get, what . . . moss?”
His lips twitch, although the smile doesn’t reach his mossy eyes. “Emeralds, mostly.”
I turn away with a snort, opening the door slowly, listening for voices. When I’m met with only silence, I stick my head out.

To start the show off, Gage met all of the possible brides. The shenanigans and drama started right from the get go, well until he met contestant Ellie Wright. You see, Ellie is kinda like Gage, because she was not happy to be there either. She never thought she’d make it as far as she did, and the only reason she was sticking it out was so her business could hopefully get some free publicity. From the first time Ellie and Gage met, they got off on the wrong foot. And it wasn’t the only time that happened lol. The tension and emotions coming off of the both of them created a whole lot of banter that had me smiling, laughing and begging for more.

I want her lips against mine, her body under mine. I want her to sigh my name. I want to make her gasp. I want her to want me back, to fight for me.
But she won’t. I see it in the stubborn set of her chin, the confusion in her eyes, as though she can’t figure out why the hell I’ve singled her out.

But the story isn’t just about the two of them. They’re in the middle of a reality show, and there’s also the producer, crew and all of the other woman. And it was a crazy mesh with lots of drama behind the scenes. The other women ranged from the sweet girl next door, to gorgeous supermodels to bat shit crazy. Although there was wayyyyyyyy more contestants in that last category ha. So we watched, along with Ellie, as these women would go to great lengths to get Gage’s attention or even spend a second of alone time with him. The stuff that they would do was so insanely over the top, yet so perfect for reality tv, that I found myself laughing so hard that I just couldn’t stop the tears pouring down my face. And it kept happening again and again. If you adore hilarious drama, you’re definitely going to get your fill in this book. I absolutely loved it!

For the second time today, my eyes sting with the threat of tears—for myself, yes, but also because I’ve been so damn worried about not letting him hurt me that I haven’t really realized . . . what if I hurt him?
And why does that bother me so much?

Shockingly in the middle of it all, Ellie and Gage found moments where they were alone with each other. Where they were away from Jilted, the cameras and the other contestants. And they started to see a different side to one anther. Yet it’s all so complicated because Gage has a part to play in front of the camera and Ellie is stuck in her horrible assumption of who Gage is as a person. And of course her thoughts are verified when he’s in front of the camera. It was inevitable that feelings got hurt and I found my heart aching for the both of them. But underneath it all, it created a whole lot of emotions and I loved when they were arguing. They were intense and the tension between the two of them was electrifying. It was so addicting and I couldn’t wait to see how it all played out! So yes, I definitely recommend this book. Runaway Groom was sexy, hilarious and oh so addicting. I absolutely loved it and I hope that if you give it a try, you’ll love it just as much as I did!

PS This book is a stand alone. It’s characters aren’t found in the first book in this series, Ready to Run.

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing – Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | GPlay | iBooks | Kobo

About Lauren Layne:

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career. She signed with her agent in 2012, and her first book was published in summer of 2013. Since then, she’s written over two dozen books, hitting the USA TODAY, New York Times, iBooks, and Amazon bestseller lists.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | T WITTER | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

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BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne

November 15, 2017 / Jen / 4 Comments

An Ex for Christmas became my new favorite Christmas romance! So check out my 4.5 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne

An Ex for Christmas (Love Unexpectedly #5)
by Lauren Layne
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
She’s making a list—and checking it twice. But is there a nice guy among all her naughty exes? The New York Times bestselling author of Blurred Lines returns with a charming friends-to-lovers rom-com.

When a psychic tells spunky, superstitious Kelly Byrne that she’s already met her true love, she becomes obsessed with the idea of tracking him down before Christmas. Kelly immediately writes up an “Ex List” and starts contacting old boyfriends to figure out which one is the one. When her college sweetheart rolls into town, Kelly convinces herself that they’re meant to be. The trouble is, sparks are flying with someone she’s never given a chance: her best friend, Mark.

Mark Blakely has watched the guys on Kelly’s list break her heart, and he’s not looking forward to watching them do it all over again. Mark’s always been there for her, but the timing’s never worked out for their relationship to be something more. Now, just as Mark is ready to move on, the sexual tension between them is suddenly off the charts. With Christmas morning around the corner, he just hopes Kelly will wake up and realize that everything she wants has been right in front of her all along.

Review:

If you’re looking for a book that will put you in the perfect Christmas mood, then definitely pick up An Ex for Christmas! Not only was it fun, flirty and sexy, but I found myself humming Christmas songs for days after I finished that last page. It was impossible not to since we got to witness them decorating for the holidays, there was Christmas songs playing in the background and the story even took place in a setting that felt like a winter wonderland. An Ex for Christmas became my favorite Christmas romance, and I hope you end up loving it just as much as I did!

I turn back to Mark’s house and look up at the second floor, even though I know his bedroom window faces the opposite way. As expected, there’s nothing but still darkness, and I can’t stop the sinking sensation that things are somehow changing between us. And I don’t know why, and I don’t know how to stop it.

Kelly Byrne was a character I definitely haven’t met in a book before. She used Magic 8 balls, horoscopes and tarot cards to help determine where she should go in life. I liked her quirky, friendly ways, especially since she was a huge ball of happy energy. On her way home at the train station, a woman beckoned to Kelly that she had news for her. She told Kelly that she’d already met The One, and he’d come back to her before Christmas. Taking it as the honest truth, she made a list of her exes and slowly started meeting back up with them.

The last thing I need when I’m trying to hunt down my exes is to start getting sexy thoughts about my BFF.

When Kelly started meeting her exes I was either a laughing, cringing, or desperately needing to cover my face kinda mess. Oh my gosh, count on being more than entertained each time she met a different ex lol. I felt bad for her because each time her hopes were so high. She was always so optimistic! But then when disaster would strike, she’d be reminded all over again why that man was definitely on her ex list. Thankfully Kelly always had a constant in her life, no matter how horrific her meet-ups were. And that was her best friend Mark Blakely.

He doesn’t meet my eyes. Not once. Not until he lowers his hand, his fingertips brushing over my lips at the very moment his gaze lifts to mine.
It feels like an electric shock.
The touch of his fingers on my lips, the heat of his gaze, the weight of his body pinning mine to the ground . . .
Somehow all of those combined is creating the most intense, unexpectedly carnal moment of my life. My eyes flutter in confusion.
No, that can’t be right. “Carnal” isn’t a word I associate with Mark.

Kelly and Mark had been best of friends for the last ten years. They shared a dog, a backyard and they were extremely comfortable around each other. Yet I couldn’t help but melt during so many of their interactions. And the thing was, Kelly started to be affected during some of those moments too. Which she shouldn’t be, because he was just her bff right?! Well it didn’t help that gruff, sexy Mark was kinda hard to read. You see his actions, words or even eyes would come across in an ever so sexy way, but then the next second he’d go back to being just Mark. So I found myself smiling and sighing out loud a lot of the times when Mark was in the picture. I was all for Kelly taking that step to see if Mark was into her too. Yet she didn’t want to risk their friendship and tumble down that path. I got it, in real life I would have acted the same way that Kelly did, but since this is a book I found myself wanting to bonk her over the head ever so lightly with her Magic 8 Ball and say go after Mark.

He steps even closer, a slight smile playing at his lips. “Kell?”
“What?”
“Shut up.”
He sets a knuckle to the bottom of my chin, tilting my face toward his.
My heart’s still pounding, although now it’s not so much about panic as . . . want.
I want nothing more at this moment than his lips on mine, his hands on my back pulling me close . . .
Mark’s lips brush my cheek. My cheek.
He pulls back slightly, eyes locking on mine for one heated heartbeat.
And then he steps away . “Night, Kell.” His voice is rough.
“Night.”
He turns and walks into the raging blizzard, leaving me staring after him, mostly oblivious to the snow that’s getting all over my kitchen floor, soaking my borrowed pajama pants.
I’m ignoring the storm outside because I’m too aware of the storm within . . . and the startling realization that I want a do-over on that mistletoe kiss.
Because a part of me wishes it had gone very, very differently.

The way the story ended *happy screaming* awwww it was the best ever! So if you adore happy quirky females, guys that give off the gruff and sexy vibe, and a cute story line that will give you all the Christmas feels, then definitely check out this book. LL did a fabulous job writing this festive and fun Christmas story, and I’m hoping you’ll love it too!

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon / B&N / iBooks / kobo / GooglePlay

About Lauren Layne:

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career. She signed with her agent in 2012, and her first book was published in summer of 2013. Since then, she’s written over two dozen books, hitting the USA TODAY, New York Times, iBooks, and Amazon bestseller lists.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon

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REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: I Think I Love You (Oxford #5) by Lauren Layne

Synopsis:

Review:

Brit skated away, doing a little half jump, but Hunter remained still for a moment longer, a bit jarred by the fact that he hadn’t touched her because of her plan; he hadn’t been trying to teach her anything. He’d touched her because he wanted to. And he wanted to do it again.

Brit turned toward him, catching his eye and giving a wide smile. Hunter’s chest tightened, and for an awful moment he wondered if it wasn’t his dick that was going to cause him the real trouble. What if it was his heart?

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REVIEW – Hot Asset (21 Wall Street #1) by Lauren Layne

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I’m torn between regret and relief, because she’s SEC, I’m Wall Street— we’re about as compatible as a wolf and a lamb. Though, for the life of me, I’m not sure who’s who in this scenario. – Ian

I don’t want to play nice. I want to fucking fight it. – Ian

So is Ian Bradley hot? Yes. Very. But I don’t need hot. I’d settle for someone a little plain, even a little boring, just so long as he’s loyal. – Lara

I want her to see me as something other than the fucking case. – Ian

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BOOK REVIEW – An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne

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BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne

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But once, just once, I want someone I care about to look at the crapshoot that is my life, to take in the Jilted contract and the Killboy movie shoots and the never-ending tabloid rumors and say, “Yeah, that stuff sucks, but Gage is worth it.” I want to be worth it. Just once.

For the second time today, my eyes sting with the threat of tears—for myself, yes, but also because I’ve been so damn worried about not letting him hurt me that I haven’t really realized . . . what if I hurt him? And why does that bother me so much?

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BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne

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The last thing I need when I’m trying to hunt down my exes is to start getting sexy thoughts about my BFF.

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Brit skated away, doing a little half jump, but Hunter remained still for a moment longer, a bit jarred by the fact that he hadn’t touched her because of her plan; he hadn’t been trying to teach her anything.
He’d touched her because he wanted to.
And he wanted to do it again.

Brit turned toward him, catching his eye and giving a wide smile.
Hunter’s chest tightened, and for an awful moment he wondered if it wasn’t his dick that was going to cause him the real trouble.
What if it was his heart?

I’m torn between regret and relief, because she’s SEC, I’m Wall Street— we’re about as compatible as a wolf and a lamb.
Though, for the life of me, I’m not sure who’s who in this scenario. – Ian

I don’t want to play nice.
I want to fucking fight it. – Ian

But once, just once, I want someone I care about to look at the crapshoot that is my life, to take in the Jilted contract and the Killboy movie shoots and the never-ending tabloid rumors and say, “Yeah, that stuff sucks, but Gage is worth it.”
I want to be worth it.
Just once.

For the second time today, my eyes sting with the threat of tears—for myself, yes, but also because I’ve been so damn worried about not letting him hurt me that I haven’t really realized . . . what if I hurt him?
And why does that bother me so much?