I Think I Love You – by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

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.

My Opinion:

The fifth and last book of the Oxford series! Exciting and sad at the same time. This time we finally get to read about Brit’s and Hunter’s story. We know them from previous books and it’s clear that they are best friends. 

Brit Robbins fins it hard to find a boyfriend and fall in love. Guys seem to see her more as a friend. That’s when her friends suggest that she should learn how to seduce a man and who is better to teach her than Hunter?!

Well, he is not amused at first, but doesn’t want anyone else to do it either. The experiment starts and suddenly the share some pretty special and emotional moments. At first they don’t really know what to do with their feelings, but things change and passion takes over. I really loved reading about how their relationship developed. It was full of chemiszry, tension and explained in an exciting storyline. 

Of course there is an up and down and drama is included, but that made the story even more gripping. 

I know I say it every time, but catching up with the Stiletto and Oxford gang is always great. 

I really liked this story and I am said the series is over. A ten years later thing would be fabulous!!!

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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I Knew You Were Trouble – by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

Taylor Carr has it all—a sleek job in advertising, a stunning Manhattan apartment, and the perfect man to share it with: Bradley Calloway. Even after Bradley dumps her for a co-worker on move-in day, Taylor isn’t worried. She’ll get her man eventually. In the meantime, she needs a new roommate. Enter Nick Ballantine, career bartender, freelance writer—and longtime pain in Taylor’s ass. Sexy in a permanent five-o’clock-shadow kind of way, Nick knows how to push Taylor’s buttons, as if he could see right through to the real her.

Nick’s always trying to fix people, and nobody could use a good fixing more than Taylor. Sure, she’s gorgeous, with mesmerizing silver eyes, but it’s her vulnerability that kills him. Now that they’re shacking up together, the chemistry is out of control. Soon they’re putting every part of their two-bedroom apartment to good use. Then Taylor’s ex comes crawling back to her, and Nick figures she’ll jump at the chance to go back to her old life—unless he fights for the best thing that ever happened to him.

My Opinion:

On to book number four oft he Oxford series. Weg et to know Taylor and Nick in book three and let’s say ghey are not the best friends. 

Taylor gets dumped by Bradley (works for Oxford too and let’s be honest: I hate him), basically on the day they were supposed to move in together. She needs a new roommate now, so here comes Nick. He as a freelancer at Oxford magazine and also woks aa a bartender. They fight a lot and don’t really get along, but there is always a tension between them. 

Sparks fly between them and things get passionate and steamy. I really enjoyed these scenes and Lauren Layne captured it all beautifully. I really liked these two together and it was fab to see some characters reappearing. In the seroes and also the Stiletto series a lot pf them had their story shared aöready, so it’s not easy to include them again, but the author did a great job here. 

I really enjoyed the storyline and the drama in this book. I felt that things moved to quickily in the end and it was a bit rushed. 

Another great book in the series!

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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Someone Like You – by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have.

After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.

My Opinion:

It’s finally time for Lincoln Mathis’ story. We got to know him over the past few books, so his reputation kind of precedes him. He comes across as a womanizer, who has a different girl every night. Well, in this book we get to know the real Lincoln.

He hides something behind his flirtatious smile, something not even his closest know. Only Daisy, the maid of honor he meets at Emma’s and Alex’s wedding, seems tob e able to crack his shell. 

Daisy is Emma Sinclaire’s twin sister and is told to stay away from Lincoln at the wedding. Botho f them kind of end up together at some point and spend a lot of time together. He opens up to her and shows her what he has been hiding for a while. She then goes back home to Charlotte. When Lincoln needs some time away his friends send him to Emma and of course their connection starts to get deeper and stronger. 

Daisy went through a divorce and isn’t used tot he New York lifestyle. She is always there for Lincoln, but izt’s not easy knowing the truth and he always runs away again. 

Their chemistry was captured by the author in a beautful and passionate way. I think they were great together and their ups and downs added a lot to the drama. The ending and the epilogue were more than I hoped they would be. I really liked that they both got to tell their view oft he story, it was very emotional and touching as well. 

AWESOME!

Review:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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I Wish You Were Mine – by Lauren Layne

The blurb:

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.

My Opinion:

We are back in the Oxford offices and this time we follow former quarterback Jackson Burke. He was forced to stop playing, because of an accident and is now working for Oxford magazine as a fitness editor. He doesn’t really want tob e in New York and is not talking to anyone. The others try to get him to go to lunch, but he always says know. 

Mollie Carrington has been in love with Jackson for a long time, however he was married to her sister Madison. Now they see each other again after about eight months and he finds himself offering her a room in his penthouse apartment. She is indecicive, but says yes eventually. The chemistry beween them is heating up quickly, the sparks are electric and they soon find themselves closer to each other than expected. I loved their scenes and moments, Lauren Layne did a fab job there. 

Jackson seems to hide some of his feelings and thoughts from her though and that leads to some drama. I really liked how it was all resolved in the end, the ending was just wonderful!

It’s also wonderful to always be able to catch up with the rest oft he Stiletto and Oxford gang. They are so amazing with each other and it’s so much fun to read about them again. 

LOVED this book!

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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Irresistibly Yours - by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

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. 

My Opinion:

Irresistibly Yours is book one of Lauren Layne’s Oxford series. The series is connected to the Stiletto series and the main male character Cole has had several appearances in these books already. 

That’s why I was very excited for him to finally get his own story told. Cole has been freelancing for Oxford for several years and has found great friends there: Lincoln, Jake and Alex. Now he has the opportunity to get a permanent job at the magazine as a sports editor. Well, the job is not his yet, his biggest competition is female and gorgeous in the name of Penelope Pope. 

Penelope just moved to New York from Chicago, she loves wiring about sports and his happy to have a fresh start. Her love life has not been easy. 

The two of them start spending a lot of time together, at games, at work, lunches, dinners etc. Their chemistry is undeniable and full of sparks. I really liked how their story developed, slow in the beginning, but then very intense and real. Some real emotions, family and their friends are involved as well. The author captured their connection beautifully, included flirty, fun and steamy scenes. The book is full of wonderful moments. 

I really love the sports factor in this story. The go to games, meet players and write about it. 

Of course, another magnet is always the other characters. All the couples we know already and they all have an appearance in one way and play an important part as well. 

I think this has to be my favourite Lauren Layne book so far, she did a brilliant job!

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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The Trouble With Love - by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

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.

My Opinion:

Book four in the Stiletto series finally means learning more about Emma Sinclair’s and Alex Cassidy’s past. From the previous books in this series, we find out that they have been together and that they also were engaged. Of course that mead me very curious and I was really excited about this book.

Emma’s boss Camille is away for a few months and since Alex is the editor in chief of Stiletto’s brother magazine Oxford, he takes over. On top of that Emma’s apartment is flooded and she can stay at Camille’s place. Well, guess who’s her neighbour. Alex wants Emma to write a story about her ex-boyfriends. She is not happy about it but does it anyway. She meets them and asks them some questions. 

The tension and chemistry between Emma and Alex have always been there and it’s building up again. They spend more and more time together and even though they don’t want to admit it, they really enjoy it. We kind of find out what happened between them seven years ago, which makes things clearer. The other girls and their men play an important part in this story and I just love them as a group. Always there for each other, fun to be around and so much more. 

I couldn’t put the book down and really loved the atmosphere Lauren Layne created in this story. The storyline has a fabulous flow and the writing is passionate, flirty, fresh, modern and fun!

I can’t wait to read the Oxford series, I need more!!!

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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Just One Night - by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

Riley McKenna knows sex—good sex, bad sex, kinky sex…Her articles in Stiletto magazine are consistently the publication’s most scandalous—and the most read. But Riley has a secret…all that sexy talk? Not an ounce of it comes from personal experience. Her own bedroom escapades are more limited than even her best friends know. When her editor requests that all columnists write something more personal for Stiletto’s anniversary issue, Riley turns to the one man she’s always been able to count on and calls in the favor of a lifetime.

Sam Compton would do anything for Riley McKenna. Anything except be her experimental sex toy. He refuses her request. At least until she tells him that it’ll either be him or she’ll go to someone else. And that, Sam can’t accept. Reluctantly he agrees to her terms—one night of completely meaningless sex in the name of research. Riley thinks she’s prepared for what awaits her in Sam’s bed. After ten years of writing about sex, actually doing it shouldn’t be that different, right? So wrong. What starts as “one time only” becomes “just one more time.” And then one more. And before they know it, Riley and Sam learn first-hand that when it comes to love, there’s no such thing as just one night.

My Opinion:

On to book number three of Lauren Layne’s Stiletto series. The main character in this one is Riley McKenna, who is the “sex expert” at Stiletto magazine. 

For the anniversary issue, the magazine has planned something special, it has to be personal. Well, Riley doesn’t really know what to do with her article. She has a little secret, which makes the actual plan a bit difficult. Riley then turns to the only possible person: Sam Compton. He has been in her life for over 10 years, is her brother’s best friend and practically part of the family. He doesn’t want to be her sex toy though, but after a while agrees to just one night. One thing leads to another and they can’t keep their hands off each other. The way to love and an actual relationship is rocky though, full of ups and downs, misunderstandings and more. It’s also full of passion, heart, emotions and desire. The author captured the relationship between Sam and Riley beautifully, the way they understand each other and treat each other is wonderful. 

Her writing is fun, flirty, steamy, fresh, passionate, exciting and just sweet. Both main characters are great, even though I wanted to hit them at times, especially Sam at one point. 

I love how the friendship group is growing and the previous couple from the series get their part in the story. Especially the friendship the girls have is a key part of it and very special. Also Mitchell and Jake are in several scenes, which I loved. They are all just so fabulous. I definitely found a new favourite series. 

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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Love the One You’re With - by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

As a leading columnist for Stiletto, Grace Brighton has built a career warning women about rotten, cheating liars. She just never suspected her fiancé would be one of them. After Grace takes a heart-mending hiatus, her first assignment is to go on a couple of dates with a counterpart from the men’s magazine Oxford and report her impressions. Grace 1.0 may have been instantly smitten with the gorgeous correspondent, but Grace 2.0 has sworn off relationships for six months, and she’s not falling for his outstanding bod and trophy-winning kisses . . . or is she?
 
Jake Malone wants to get back to the fly-by-night, who-knows-what’s-next guy he used to be, and he knows exactly how to do it. Oxford is adding a travel section, and Jake—with no wife and no kids and a willingness to live anywhere, eat anything, do everything—is perfect for the job . . . except that his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. To get the gig, he must agree to a fluffy joint article with Stiletto. But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace Brighton, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously.

My Opinion:

Love the One You’re With is book two in Lauren Layne’s Stiletto series and features Grace, who we of course already now. 

Grace Brighton is done with men! After nine years with the perfect guy, she is single and heartbroken. Grace 2.0 wants to do things differently, no man, no relationship for six months. Well, after a month off at work, she takes on a assignment to  go on a few dates with a counterpart (Jake Malone) from the men’s magazine Oxford. It’s part of a series and these two play some tricks on each other, after a while though they can’t deny their chemistry. They start spending a lot of time together, not even thinking about their articles. 

Jake from the start didn’t want to do the assignment, he wants to be a travel writer and when this opportunity comes along, everything changes. 

I loved reading about Grace and Jake together, their scenes are adorable and cute, their banter is fab. I think they are perfect together, but of course some drama is included and makes the story more exciting. I really loved the ending.

I think I liked this book even more than the first one of the series. It’s full of heart, passion, fun, friendship and more. I love how the Stiletto girls are there for each other, their friendship is deep. We also get to know some of the other Oxford guys. We get to catch up with Julie and Mitchell as well, which was fab!

The dialogues are in this book are great, the characters are very well lined out and the plot is full of surprises. A flirty, fresh and fun style of writing. I can’t wait to read book three of the series. 

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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After the Kiss - by Lauren Layne

The blurb: 

Lauren Layne kicks off her Sex, Love & Stiletto series with a delightful short novel! In After the Kiss, the star columnist of Stiletto magazine will do anything for a story. Anything . . . except fall in love.
 
Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.
 
Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants.

My Opinion:

I discovered Lauren Layne's stories on a story app and liked her stories, so I decided to actually read the actual books and this the first one. I already got to know the Stiletto girls and Oxford guys on the app, so it was fab to actually read about them. 

We follow Julie in this story, she is kind of the dating expert of the magazine, who now takes on a new task: how to actually stay in a relationship. Well Mitchell, a wall street guy, seems to be the perfect one to test this on and write articles about. These two have instant chemistry and the author captured it beautifully.
I loved their scenes and how their "relationship" developed. We also get to find out more about the other Stiletto girls Grace and Riley. It's a fun book, with so many great moments, of course there is also a lot of drama, but it needs to be part of the storyline, it makes it more exciting. Mitchell kind of has a secret too and when it all explods, things get heated. 

Julie has only always been dating, so seeing her develop feelings and wanting more was very interesting. Both of them go out of their comfort zone and find out what it means to love. They are also polar opposites and to see themtogether was fascinating and fun.

The story is very passionate, flirty, refreshing and enjoyable. I'm excited to read more in this series. 

Rating:

Lauren Layne on Twitter: @_LaurenLayne

Website: https://laurenlayne.com/home

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