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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This was a quick and satisfying listen. There is some initial instalust, but I liked that the characters then have the time to slowly get to know each other. The banter between Ian and Lara was fantastic and they had wonderful chemistry. The insider trading plot line worked great for the forced proximity trope, but the resolution and “reveal” fell flat. I’m really intrigued by the secondary characters, especially Kennedy and Kate. Looking forward to continuing with the series.
Zachary Webber and Samantha Cook were wonderful together and I enjoyed both of their performances. Definitely recommend the audiobook!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: death of parents (past), problems in foster care (past), discussion and mentions of: insider trading, loss of money, perjury
OM/OW notes: MMC does not date/see OW after meeting the FMC, but there are numerous on page mentions of his previous sexual partners/history
Zachary Webber and Samantha Cook were wonderful together and I enjoyed both of their performances. Definitely recommend the audiobook!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars
CW: death of parents (past), problems in foster care (past), discussion and mentions of: insider trading, loss of money, perjury
OM/OW notes: MMC does not date/see OW after meeting the FMC, but there are numerous on page mentions of his previous sexual partners/history
Oooooooh yes!
I expected something stupid, not well written but super easy read with Hot Asses, well well well... What a wonderful surprise, I was wrong! So in the wrong!
I was pleasant from the start. The characters are so lovable that you want to be part of their group, their adventures and contribute to their shenanigans to help others get together!
I loved discovering their personalities and see the romance, the relationship unfold. It did not feel too easy, not too much on the nose (thanks for trying to go deeper into the emotional and more realistic aspect).
Now, I'll read Kate and Kennedy's story! I know it's the last book but to be honest, I do not really care that much for Matt and I bet Sabrina. Their story seems wayyyy too much evident and on the nose. I'm more intrigued to see if Kate and Kennedy will keep going their way or are going to OPEN their eyes, finally!
I expected something stupid, not well written but super easy read with Hot Asses, well well well... What a wonderful surprise, I was wrong! So in the wrong!
I was pleasant from the start. The characters are so lovable that you want to be part of their group, their adventures and contribute to their shenanigans to help others get together!
I loved discovering their personalities and see the romance, the relationship unfold. It did not feel too easy, not too much on the nose (thanks for trying to go deeper into the emotional and more realistic aspect).
Now, I'll read Kate and Kennedy's story! I know it's the last book but to be honest, I do not really care that much for Matt and I bet Sabrina. Their story seems wayyyy too much evident and on the nose. I'm more intrigued to see if Kate and Kennedy will keep going their way or are going to OPEN their eyes, finally!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After recently devouring most of Lauren Layne's Oxford series, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I was not a fan of Ian's character. In romance novels, it's a common cliché for the male protagonist to be a womanizer and simply treat women as sexual objects. It's tiring and I really hate seeing men who treat women this way being rewarded by getting the woman who is way too good for him. Lara was a decent protagonist, but I felt like her character could've had a bit more depth. Since I wasn't into Ian, their relationship didn't really do anything for me. Maybe the following books will be more promising.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
3.5 Stars
This is a fun, quick, read that has some touching moments as well as many laugh out loud scenes. I've read a few of Layne's books and they are also such great escapism. I was eager to jump into this one and ended up reading it in one sitting.
Ian and Lara made a great couple. They are on opposite sides professionally, he a Wall Street investor, she a SEC investigator, and this added some great tension (and even a little drama) to their relationship. As Lara is investigating Ian for insider trading, an accusation he boldly denies, they not only began to fall for each other, but they also suspect something is afoul with the anonymous tip the SEC received.
The side characters were also a great addition and I loved the dynamic of them all. I'm excited to see whose book will be next in the series.
This is a fun, quick, read that has some touching moments as well as many laugh out loud scenes. I've read a few of Layne's books and they are also such great escapism. I was eager to jump into this one and ended up reading it in one sitting.
Ian and Lara made a great couple. They are on opposite sides professionally, he a Wall Street investor, she a SEC investigator, and this added some great tension (and even a little drama) to their relationship. As Lara is investigating Ian for insider trading, an accusation he boldly denies, they not only began to fall for each other, but they also suspect something is afoul with the anonymous tip the SEC received.
The side characters were also a great addition and I loved the dynamic of them all. I'm excited to see whose book will be next in the series.
Ahhh quintessential cliché perfection.
On to number two.....
On to number two.....
[a:Christina Lauren|6556689|Christina Lauren|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1554664497p2/6556689.jpg] and [a:Lauren Layne|6969772|Lauren Layne|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] are the two authors who hooked me into reading romance books and I'll forever pick any books they write. I've read Lauren's work and I loved every single one so far. There aren't many books that have the female mc working for the FBI or any other organisations so when I saw that Lara works with the SEC, I instantly picked this up.
"The point is there’s never been a dam thing I worked for and didn’t get through relentless hard work and hustle. Until her. And that’s where my story really begins."
Ian Bradley a Wall Street investment broker has been accused of a crime he didn't commit and the SEC have sent Lara McKenzie, their best agent to investigate his case. Now they are entangled in a game in which they don't want to lose. Ian wants to show her that he's innocent but Lara is determined to make him guilty so that she can be successful and land her dream job with the FBI.
"Lara McKenzie isn’t a one-night kind of woman. She’s an all-the-nights kind of woman. Surprisingly, the thought doesn’t freak me out nearly as much as it should."
The book was an amazing start to the series and it was really amusing to see Ian quitting his playboy lifestyle to chase the one woman who's offlimits and the only one he wants so badly- Lara. When Lara realises that she's been wrong about Ian, she starts to see that there's something between them and it's mutual. Lara and Ian were both hardworking but the only difference between them was that Ian knew how to enjoy living his life but Lara was driven by ambition and completely consumed by her job. So much that she didn't realise that she's stopped enjoying her personal life. It was really good seeing her loosen up when Ian came along because the girl clearly needed a break.
"This group feels different. It feels like a group I could be a part of—a group I could truly belong to."
The only reason I didn't give this five stars is because I felt that their relationship was kind of insta-love and Ian could be really rude and snappy when he's angry. He misunderstood some situations and jumped to conclusions quickly. That's one quality I didn't like about him.
Overall, I loved the group dynamics between Ian and his friends- Matt & Sabrina and Kate & Kennedy. I already love their group and I'm really excited to read the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend giving this series a try.
"The point is there’s never been a dam thing I worked for and didn’t get through relentless hard work and hustle. Until her. And that’s where my story really begins."
Ian Bradley a Wall Street investment broker has been accused of a crime he didn't commit and the SEC have sent Lara McKenzie, their best agent to investigate his case. Now they are entangled in a game in which they don't want to lose. Ian wants to show her that he's innocent but Lara is determined to make him guilty so that she can be successful and land her dream job with the FBI.
"Lara McKenzie isn’t a one-night kind of woman. She’s an all-the-nights kind of woman. Surprisingly, the thought doesn’t freak me out nearly as much as it should."
The book was an amazing start to the series and it was really amusing to see Ian quitting his playboy lifestyle to chase the one woman who's offlimits and the only one he wants so badly- Lara. When Lara realises that she's been wrong about Ian, she starts to see that there's something between them and it's mutual. Lara and Ian were both hardworking but the only difference between them was that Ian knew how to enjoy living his life but Lara was driven by ambition and completely consumed by her job. So much that she didn't realise that she's stopped enjoying her personal life. It was really good seeing her loosen up when Ian came along because the girl clearly needed a break.
"This group feels different. It feels like a group I could be a part of—a group I could truly belong to."
The only reason I didn't give this five stars is because I felt that their relationship was kind of insta-love and Ian could be really rude and snappy when he's angry. He misunderstood some situations and jumped to conclusions quickly. That's one quality I didn't like about him.
Overall, I loved the group dynamics between Ian and his friends- Matt & Sabrina and Kate & Kennedy. I already love their group and I'm really excited to read the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend giving this series a try.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No