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

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

 

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