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

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US