Showing posts with label lauren layne

Book Review Wednesday: Made in Manhattan by Lauren Layne

in , , , , , by RoyallyPink, 10:30 AM

 As I've mentioned in the past, Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. I love her Central Park Pact series but her latest novel, "To Sir With Love" was less than thrilling. It wasn't my favorite... which is why I was really excited for her newest novel, "Made in Manhattan."

This book comes out on January 18th and I was able to read it early thanks to NetGalley. It's based on My Fair Lady but in reverse; a woman trying to make a man more presentable to society since he comes from the 'wrong side of the tracks.' 

I read this book within days because I couldn't wait to know what happened. It was a little predictable but it still kept me on my toes because, at one point, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.

Let's get into it! 


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Book Review Wednesday: Yours in Scandal

in , , , , , , by RoyallyPink, 6:00 AM
I've waxed poetic about Lauren Layne before, mostly her Central Park Pact series so when I got the chance to read her latest book, "Yours in Scandal" before it hit shelves a few weeks ago, I was ecstatic.

When you look into it, Lauren Layne has written a ton of books. I mean, this year alone she will publish at least 3 novels which is more than other authors from what I can see.

"Yours in Scandal" is the first in Layne's new series "Man of the Year". Her second book in the series is going to come later this year which is super exciting.



Publisher's Summary

A political golden boy and the woman of his dreams take the risk of their lives in a sexy romantic comedy of strange bedfellows and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.
Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.
Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.
Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?


My Thoughts

Let me start off by saying that I loved this book! It was the quintessential 'lying to get what I want' story when Robert hires Adeline Blake to be his event planner. His team wants him to be governor and this is one way to do it. 

Of course, you can guess, that Robert and Addie soon fall for each other and all hell breaks loose. It definitely doesn't happen as quickly as you would assume, and at times you think it's not going to happen at all but it's really exciting.

The dynamic between Robert and Adeline is unlike anything I've ever read before. It was hot, heavy, and intense! Their relationship, both friendly and romantic was very real. It didn't feel like I was reading a book, it felt like I was reading about a real relationship. 

I also loved the politics part of it. It was obviously on a much smaller scale but the idea of reading about the Mayor of NYC and having him be hot & young was super cool. 

The novel wasn't totally out of touch -- everything that happened could actually happen but with a little touch of something else. I thought those elements made it a really good read.

I flew through this book within a few days. It kept my attention, wasn't too cheesy and the ending made me so happy. The book, in general, made me happy so I think it's probably the perfect book for these times right now. If you need something light-hearted but with a bit of intensity, 

Yours in Scandal had a little bit of everything: romance, politics, friendships, and obviously lots of scandals. 

xoxo
B

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Book Review Wednesday: Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne

in , , , , , , , by RoyallyPink, 5:30 AM
I have reviewed the other two books in this series, "The Central Park Pact" (Passion on Park Avenue and Love on Lexington Avenue) series by Lauren Layne and I patiently awaited the release of the third and final book.

"Marriage on Madison Avenue" was released in January and I pre-ordered so it was delivered to my Kindle on the release date. I read it within a few days and I have to say, I think it was my favorite book of the entire series.

I was so excited to dive into this book because it had all of my favorite things: influencers, New York, and childhood sweethearts.



Publisher's Summary

Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother—announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey.

But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?

My Thoughts

I was so excited when I knew that the last book would revolve around Audrey & Clarke's relationship. It was a side story throughout the other two novels so I feel like we really worked up to this story and it was everything we deserved.

Audrey is a fashion influencer, one of the biggest in the city, and Clarke is her BFF, as well as being one of the most eligible bachelors in Manhattan. Everyone always asks them when they're going to get together but at some point, the gossip columns went too far and sort of forced them into a fake relationship. 

I love a fake relationship because it almost always turns into a real relationship. There was so much push and pull between Audrey and Clarke, it was maddening. As a reader, I couldn't tell if they actually had feelings for each other or if their own game was catching up to them. It was super interesting the way it was written because it was very much back and forth between the two, which to me, made things seem more interesting and realistic. 

There were definitely moments where I had my doubts if they should even be together but then moments where it was so clear that no one in the world was better suited for a relationship than Audrey & Clarke. 

"Marriage on Madison Avenue" had everything; romance, friendship, heartbreak, weird family dynamics and just really fun characters.

This really was my favorite book of the series because I felt like I related a lot to Audrey but also it had a lot of emotion tied to relationships and what a relationship 'should' look like and what we 'should' want out of our love lives. It was just really interesting and fun! 

I can not recommend this series ENOUGH! It was my first introduction to Lauren Layne, who is now one of my favorite authors, and just a really wonderful, wholesome, fun, light-hearted series. You definitely do not have to read them all as they read as standalone books but I do think you should read the entire series, in order, because it just fits better that way.

I'm sad to see the Central Park Pact series end but it ended perfectly... I truly couldn't think of a better way to send these characters off.

If you need something new and light, definitely read this series and I promise, you won't regret it!

xoxo
B
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Book Review Wednesday: Love on Lexington Avenue

in , , , , , by RoyallyPink, 4:00 AM
I've been reading up a storm which is why there have been so many reviews so I hope no one is sick of them yet.

A few months ago I did a review of Lauren Layne's first book in The Central Park Pact series, "Passion on Park Avenue" and it was truly one of my favorite books. Well, I was able to read the second book in the series "Love on Lexington Avenue" before it was released, and it was released only a few weeks ago!

I just have to say, Lauren Layne is so talented and her writing is addictive. It's a romantic comedy style with a deeper message, whether it's grief or fear or family... it's intense without only being intense.

Layne's third book in the series "Marriage on Madison Avenue" is coming out in January 2020 and I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy from NetGalley before that date. I just need to know how the series ends and what happens to the Pact ladies.

Now, let's get into the review...

PS: Can I just say how legendary Lauren Layne's website is? It gives a 'heat level' to all her books so you know how much sexytime is in each one. It's pretty wild and genius if you ask me.



Publisher's Summary

There are no good men left in New York City. At least that’s Claire Hayes’s conviction after finding out her late husband was not the man she thought he was. Determined to rid her home of anything that reminds her of her cheating husband, Claire sets out to redesign her boring, beige Upper East Side brownstone and make it something all her own. But what starts out as a simple renovation becomes a lot more complicated when she meets her bad-tempered contractor Scott Turner.

Scott bluntly makes it known to Claire that he only took on her house for a change of pace from the corporate offices and swanky hotels he’s been building lately, and he doesn’t hesitate to add that he has no patience for a pampered, damaged princess with a penchant for pink. But when long workdays turn into even longer nights, their mutual wariness morphs into something more complicated—grudging respect, and maybe even attraction...

My Review

While I was super excited about this book, I was a little bored at first but I think that was the point. Layne makes a point to show off Clare's boredom with her own life. As she finds herself, her life and the book become more exciting, even a little sexy.

Layne doesn't mess around with timing, we get straight into Clare's issues and we are introduced to Scott Turner, her new contractor that is going to rip her house to shreds and rebuild it. In my head, I pictured Scott as a Luke Danes (Gilmore Girls) type of character and I'd be curious if that was intentional in the writing.

Throughout the book, you are rooting for Scott and Clare to get together but can understand what is keeping them apart. Personally, I wasn't sure where we were going to end up in this relationship because it was so up and down throughout the book. Even towards the end, what happens I didn't see coming and it was so shocking.

I loved Clare's character development throughout the book, and how we saw more of the relationships between her, Naomi, and Audrey. You see Clare go from heartbroken widow to determined woman. She is ready to accept and move on from her broken marriage while also dealing with what she wants her life to be. It can only be described as a Cinderella story in a way, and it made me so happy.

I loved this book so much I would read it again; it was comforting, uplifting and heartfelt. It was definitely up to par with Passion and I can only imagine how good Marriage on Madison Avenue is going to be.

I am completely in love with the Central Park Pact series and if you have not read the books yet, please go do so. You won't regret it, they're amazing.

 xoxo
B
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