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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book although not quite as much as many of Layne's other books. It has the usual snappy dialogue and fast pace I've come to expect from Layne's books. It also has some pretty great characters. I was worried about whether I would like the Wall Street setting, but it worked well. Despite all this I didn't quite connect to the book as much as I would have liked. I'm looking forward to revisiting it since I was on the verge of a reading burnout when I read this which may have impacted my enjoyment of the book.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Hot Asset was a little edgier than I’m used to with Lauren Layne books, but after reading 15 other books by her over the years, it was a good departure from her normal writing. Told in a dual first person perspective, Hot Asset follows Wall Street hotshot Ian Bradley and Lara McKenzie the brilliant and inexplicably alluring SEC agent that’s investigating him for insider trading.
The sharp banter and push and pull between Lara and Ian was highly entertaining and probably my favorite part of the novel. On the surface, it was a bit of an “opposites attract” kind of situation- he’s the total playboy, she seems a bit high strung, and they definitely clash over their vast differences. But I really enjoyed that more their relationship was explored, the more you realized they had all the right things in common. They were both ambitious and hard working and cared fiercely for the people closest to them. It helped make a couple that seemed incompatible make a lot of sense together.
I also really enjoyed that the story wasn’t just about the temptation of their forbidden romance, there was also a lot of intrigue around the mystery Lara is trying to unravel regarding who’s making Ian look so guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. The culmination of her investigation was pretty interesting and while a bit dramatic, ended up being somewhat believable and was well established throughout the story, so it didn’t feel like it was coming entirely out of left field.
And because this is a Lauren Layne book, adding to the story were really well used and developed secondary characters. Layne did a great job of laying the groundwork for their stories in future novels that I’m really looking forward to reading.
The sharp banter and push and pull between Lara and Ian was highly entertaining and probably my favorite part of the novel. On the surface, it was a bit of an “opposites attract” kind of situation- he’s the total playboy, she seems a bit high strung, and they definitely clash over their vast differences. But I really enjoyed that more their relationship was explored, the more you realized they had all the right things in common. They were both ambitious and hard working and cared fiercely for the people closest to them. It helped make a couple that seemed incompatible make a lot of sense together.
I also really enjoyed that the story wasn’t just about the temptation of their forbidden romance, there was also a lot of intrigue around the mystery Lara is trying to unravel regarding who’s making Ian look so guilty of a crime he didn’t commit. The culmination of her investigation was pretty interesting and while a bit dramatic, ended up being somewhat believable and was well established throughout the story, so it didn’t feel like it was coming entirely out of left field.
And because this is a Lauren Layne book, adding to the story were really well used and developed secondary characters. Layne did a great job of laying the groundwork for their stories in future novels that I’m really looking forward to reading.
I absolutely adore LL's books. This new series started off with a bang. I can't wait to read more of this group!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was a good standalone, but the main duo were lackluster compared to the others. Instead of focusing on Ian and Lara, I kept thinking: oh, i'm almost done can't wait for the other two romances and this might be good sign for the series overall but not so for a romance series that can stand alone. Anyway it was a quick enjoyable read, but not one of my favorites from Lauren Layne.
This series/author was mentioned on Fated Mates so I gave it a try. Pleasant read, included in Audible Plus. Looking forward to book 2.
3.5⭐️
I really don’t clicked with enemy-to-lovers trope.. it never felt believable to me.. because I always choose a side and I will hate the other side.. therefore, when the side I support forgave the other party, I still feel hurt and slighted.. it tainted the romance for me..
I really don’t clicked with enemy-to-lovers trope.. it never felt believable to me.. because I always choose a side and I will hate the other side.. therefore, when the side I support forgave the other party, I still feel hurt and slighted.. it tainted the romance for me..
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A nice little Wall Street romance, no cheating and the female lead gets to keepnhwr job and dreams intact.
3.5 stars
cute and fun! the hero just slightly annoyed me at times
cute and fun! the hero just slightly annoyed me at times
This was an unexpectedly cute, light, and (of course we never forget) a bit steamy read.
The characters are fun and likeable including the side characters which I'm sure would star on the next books on this series. Their interactions were fun and entertaining along with their witty banters and the solid trust and friendship between them. They were so protective of each other which is really cute to me. These characters make me want to read their stories which is a plus because it's, well, a series.
The combination of investigation and attraction made them appear a bit unprofessional to me with the way the leads were acting around each other (though they're trying very hard not to be lol)
The plot, its twists, and resolutions were pretty simple, but it was entertaining enough as to not leave me unsatisfied.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam Level:
The characters are fun and likeable including the side characters which I'm sure would star on the next books on this series. Their interactions were fun and entertaining along with their witty banters and the solid trust and friendship between them. They were so protective of each other which is really cute to me. These characters make me want to read their stories which is a plus because it's, well, a series.
The combination of investigation and attraction made them appear a bit unprofessional to me with the way the leads were acting around each other (though they're trying very hard not to be lol)
The plot, its twists, and resolutions were pretty simple, but it was entertaining enough as to not leave me unsatisfied.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam Level: