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fast-paced
I listened to the three-part “place” series (Central Park Pact: Park Ave, Lexington, Madison,) in order and back to back. The audiobook versions are narrated with “her/his chapter” narrators. Each audiobook in the series has a different narrator.
I listened to this series after having read the Oxford/Stiletto series. While those books have very steamy love scenes, this series is the sort some call “fade to black” sex. I am ambivalent about whether sex scenes happen in detail or are implied but I thought this book and the others in the series could have done a better job of talking about sex with more maturity. Sometimes it just felt like grade school convos. This was most true in the final one with Audrey being the least grown-up in her sex language.
I think what I found most refreshing about PASSION ON PARK AVE was how it addressed Alzheimer’s. That disease is tragic and difficult for caregivers and I appreciated that the author realistically yet compassionately tackled the subject. I liked Oliver. He seemed to have turned out to be a very decent sort of chap despite having parents that seemed rather horrible during his formative years. I liked the character growth that Naomi experienced. She really seemed to rise to the occasion when her somewhat warped endeavor for resolution of the past was thwarted by the present state of her nemeses circumstances.
I’m not a fan of tropes with one of the main characters keeping a secret so this plot didn’t thrill me. I also perceived that the plot synopsis that I read on Goodreads for this series was a bit misleading. I think it could be tweaked.
I listened to this series after having read the Oxford/Stiletto series. While those books have very steamy love scenes, this series is the sort some call “fade to black” sex. I am ambivalent about whether sex scenes happen in detail or are implied but I thought this book and the others in the series could have done a better job of talking about sex with more maturity. Sometimes it just felt like grade school convos. This was most true in the final one with Audrey being the least grown-up in her sex language.
I think what I found most refreshing about PASSION ON PARK AVE was how it addressed Alzheimer’s. That disease is tragic and difficult for caregivers and I appreciated that the author realistically yet compassionately tackled the subject. I liked Oliver. He seemed to have turned out to be a very decent sort of chap despite having parents that seemed rather horrible during his formative years. I liked the character growth that Naomi experienced. She really seemed to rise to the occasion when her somewhat warped endeavor for resolution of the past was thwarted by the present state of her nemeses circumstances.
I’m not a fan of tropes with one of the main characters keeping a secret so this plot didn’t thrill me. I also perceived that the plot synopsis that I read on Goodreads for this series was a bit misleading. I think it could be tweaked.
Imagine your husband died and during his funeral you meet his mistresses.
PHEW - This was an interesting read. While I find it doubtful that I'd have the capacity to become close friends with two women my deceased spouse was sleeping with, I did enjoy this book.
This novel shows you the true value of having good and strong relationships to carry you through hard times.
PHEW - This was an interesting read. While I find it doubtful that I'd have the capacity to become close friends with two women my deceased spouse was sleeping with, I did enjoy this book.
This novel shows you the true value of having good and strong relationships to carry you through hard times.
This is Lauren Layne in her glory.
The story just felt real.
It was so fun to read, and I couldn't put the book down.
The characters are fun and vibrant and though the best friends' characters could be cliché and annoying, Layne managed to make me like them too.
The way she wrote the view about Oliver, how Layne mastered our perception of him with flow, logic and easiness was commendable. I love this character, and the way he was grounded, and the shift of our thoughts about him.
There were times where Naomi was a bit weak as a character, but I still enjoyed her. She was very passionate but not over the top, which was good.
Just a feel good, fun story.
The story just felt real.
It was so fun to read, and I couldn't put the book down.
The characters are fun and vibrant and though the best friends' characters could be cliché and annoying, Layne managed to make me like them too.
The way she wrote the view about Oliver, how Layne mastered our perception of him with flow, logic and easiness was commendable. I love this character, and the way he was grounded, and the shift of our thoughts about him.
There were times where Naomi was a bit weak as a character, but I still enjoyed her. She was very passionate but not over the top, which was good.
Just a feel good, fun story.
Lauren Layne really hit it out if the park (no pun intended). I really really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect story, it was fun and witty, the main characters were likable and she really was able to give these two amazing chemistry. I smiled so many times, and swooned a couple more.
Oliver was such a great and sweet person. Naomi was strong headed yet vulnerable. Both of them were characters that were complex and realistic. I read this book so quickly and I wanted it to keep going!
It’s a simple troupe, but it’s done in a very refreshing way. I really enjoyed it and I cannot wait to read the second book!
Oliver was such a great and sweet person. Naomi was strong headed yet vulnerable. Both of them were characters that were complex and realistic. I read this book so quickly and I wanted it to keep going!
It’s a simple troupe, but it’s done in a very refreshing way. I really enjoyed it and I cannot wait to read the second book!
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Every Lauren Layne book I've read has been an enjoyable experience. Passion on Park Avenue is no different. I adored this book! Loved the slow burning enemies to lovers feel, the wonderful back and forth banter, and the delicious tension that developed between the main characters. It was such a cute, fun read. I couldn't get enough.
I'm pretty sure I loved Oliver right away. He seemed like a really good guy who is very loyal to his family. Sexy, smart, funny and a family man what's not to love.
I will admit it took a while to like Naomi. I'm not sure what it was about her but for the first half of the book, she rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I'm not big on revenge. So her plans to stick it to those who treated her poorly when she was younger made me cringe. I did really come to like her in the end. She became more real and caring.
My only complaint of this book is that I wish the big reveal would have come sooner. And Oliver's reaction was a giant let down. Of course this didn't make me want to stop reading.
In the center of this story is the friendship that is formed between three women who find out they were sleeping with the same man. I am obsessed with their pact and their friendship. Instead of being catty or turning against each other, they rallied together and encouraged one another; building a lifelong bond. I can't wait to see more of this friendship bloom.
Book 1 in the Central Park Pact series is a hit. I'm eager and excited to read the other girls's story.
I'm pretty sure I loved Oliver right away. He seemed like a really good guy who is very loyal to his family. Sexy, smart, funny and a family man what's not to love.
I will admit it took a while to like Naomi. I'm not sure what it was about her but for the first half of the book, she rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I'm not big on revenge. So her plans to stick it to those who treated her poorly when she was younger made me cringe. I did really come to like her in the end. She became more real and caring.
My only complaint of this book is that I wish the big reveal would have come sooner. And Oliver's reaction was a giant let down. Of course this didn't make me want to stop reading.
In the center of this story is the friendship that is formed between three women who find out they were sleeping with the same man. I am obsessed with their pact and their friendship. Instead of being catty or turning against each other, they rallied together and encouraged one another; building a lifelong bond. I can't wait to see more of this friendship bloom.
Book 1 in the Central Park Pact series is a hit. I'm eager and excited to read the other girls's story.
Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne is a 2019 Gallery Books publication.
A sweet and delightful story, sure to leave a smile on your face!
Naomi Powell has come a long way in life- from the Bronx to Manhattan, from being homeless to becoming the CEO of a billion -dollar jewelry empire. But she has never forgotten her humble beginnings.
However, Naomi gets the shock of her life when her boyfriend dies in an accident and she discovers, by way of his obituary, that he was married. Not only that, she soon learns that she was not the only woman he was cheating on his wife with. The widow, and the two girlfriends, meet while avoiding the funeral service and decide to join forces, promising to help each other avoid making another bad choice in men.
Meanwhile, Naomi’s mother has reached out from the grave, forging her name on an apartment application in the building where she once worked as a housekeeper. Naomi is surprised to learn her application was approved, but is even more surprised to learn that her new neighbor is none other than Oliver Cunningham, the son of the man her mother worked for. Unable to stop herself, she takes great pleasure in giving him a long-overdue comeuppance for the way he treated her when they were children.
However, the more she learns about Oliver, the harder it is to dislike him- in fact, she is mortified by her attraction to him and the clear chemistry sizzling between them.
But, would Oliver still feel the same way about her if he ever found out that she was the little red headed girl he once tormented? The girl from the Bronx, the one whose mother was once his parent’s housekeeper? Naomi doesn’t think so. But, the longer she keeps her secret, the harder it is to reveal…
This is an adorable page-turner with terrific characterizations, sharp dialogue and a few lessons in preconceived notions, class distinctions and harboring bitterness and resentment. The story also features a prominent storyline about family obligations and ‘adulting’ which of course is not easy.
While the tone is light, the story has plenty of depth. The romance is zany, but tender and sweet. I loved both main characters and enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they also experienced a lot of personal growth along the way.
And to put the cherry on the cake- this is a book anyone can enjoy. I am really enjoying the swing away from explicit sex scenes. This is such a breath of fresh air!!
I can’t wait to read the second installment!
A sweet and delightful story, sure to leave a smile on your face!
Naomi Powell has come a long way in life- from the Bronx to Manhattan, from being homeless to becoming the CEO of a billion -dollar jewelry empire. But she has never forgotten her humble beginnings.
However, Naomi gets the shock of her life when her boyfriend dies in an accident and she discovers, by way of his obituary, that he was married. Not only that, she soon learns that she was not the only woman he was cheating on his wife with. The widow, and the two girlfriends, meet while avoiding the funeral service and decide to join forces, promising to help each other avoid making another bad choice in men.
Meanwhile, Naomi’s mother has reached out from the grave, forging her name on an apartment application in the building where she once worked as a housekeeper. Naomi is surprised to learn her application was approved, but is even more surprised to learn that her new neighbor is none other than Oliver Cunningham, the son of the man her mother worked for. Unable to stop herself, she takes great pleasure in giving him a long-overdue comeuppance for the way he treated her when they were children.
However, the more she learns about Oliver, the harder it is to dislike him- in fact, she is mortified by her attraction to him and the clear chemistry sizzling between them.
But, would Oliver still feel the same way about her if he ever found out that she was the little red headed girl he once tormented? The girl from the Bronx, the one whose mother was once his parent’s housekeeper? Naomi doesn’t think so. But, the longer she keeps her secret, the harder it is to reveal…
This is an adorable page-turner with terrific characterizations, sharp dialogue and a few lessons in preconceived notions, class distinctions and harboring bitterness and resentment. The story also features a prominent storyline about family obligations and ‘adulting’ which of course is not easy.
While the tone is light, the story has plenty of depth. The romance is zany, but tender and sweet. I loved both main characters and enjoyed watching their relationship develop while they also experienced a lot of personal growth along the way.
And to put the cherry on the cake- this is a book anyone can enjoy. I am really enjoying the swing away from explicit sex scenes. This is such a breath of fresh air!!
I can’t wait to read the second installment!