You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/03/28/21-wall-street-series-by-lauren-layne/
4 stars — I was worried about this one! In the first chapter, I was NOT getting a good feeling for Ian. Like, he seemed like a self-involved douchecanoe. I was contemplating DNFing…but I persisted, b/c it’s Lauren Layne. And while she’s not a guaranteed win for me, she gives me enough success to push further. And I’m so glad I did, b/c despite a few twigs here and there, I really ended up enjoying Ian and Lara’s story!
There was a lot more to Ian than met the eye. I mean, we’re told a bit of his backstory in that first chapter, but his actions didn’t always match up, you know? Or rather, someone can have depth and still have douchey moments…and that was Ian at times. He wasn’t a jerk per se, but he was wrapped up in playing the Wall Street game. And I can understand where some of it comes from, but still not like it you know? There were moments with Ian…things he said or thought about Lara that slightly rubbed me the wrong way. I think I’m trying to be super conscious of things, and be better about recognizing acceptable behavior, so I might have my sensitivity meter just up too high, you know? Because there were a lot of good things to like about Ian too — and it mostly came out around his friends, or when he finally started to figure out that Lara was different for him.
Lara was an intriguing heroine in herself! I loved seeing a woman who was passionate about her career, and had strong convictions (even if she needed to learn there are shades of gray). I felt like she grew throughout the story, but I always appreciated her level mind and her attempt to balance her feelings with her integrity. Which probably doesn’t make much sense without context, but whatever. Honestly, she’s what made me keep going in the book — I got to her POV, and I saw that she would make a good match for Ian and call him on his bullshit. I loved that. It’s like I would get sensitive about something, and Lara would read my mind and call it out. I loved that.
They were an interesting pair together. I loved how much they struggled with their feelings, and they definitely had chemistry. I will admit their feelings developed a bit fast for me, but sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief you know? I guess I wanted to understand the other ways they were connecting a bit better.
As with so many of Ms. Layne’s series, the “cast” of this book truly made it. I LOVED all these characters we got to meet, and I love knowing that I’m going to get their stories. And she writes friends like no one else, honestly. I love seeing all these wildly different personalities connect and work and push at each other, but inevitably care about one another. Also, they made me laugh so many times. It was my highlight for sure.
So yeah — a shaky start, but Ms. Layne brings it in like I’ve come to expect from her. Can’t wait to read the next 2.
4 stars — I was worried about this one! In the first chapter, I was NOT getting a good feeling for Ian. Like, he seemed like a self-involved douchecanoe. I was contemplating DNFing…but I persisted, b/c it’s Lauren Layne. And while she’s not a guaranteed win for me, she gives me enough success to push further. And I’m so glad I did, b/c despite a few twigs here and there, I really ended up enjoying Ian and Lara’s story!
There was a lot more to Ian than met the eye. I mean, we’re told a bit of his backstory in that first chapter, but his actions didn’t always match up, you know? Or rather, someone can have depth and still have douchey moments…and that was Ian at times. He wasn’t a jerk per se, but he was wrapped up in playing the Wall Street game. And I can understand where some of it comes from, but still not like it you know? There were moments with Ian…things he said or thought about Lara that slightly rubbed me the wrong way. I think I’m trying to be super conscious of things, and be better about recognizing acceptable behavior, so I might have my sensitivity meter just up too high, you know? Because there were a lot of good things to like about Ian too — and it mostly came out around his friends, or when he finally started to figure out that Lara was different for him.
Lara was an intriguing heroine in herself! I loved seeing a woman who was passionate about her career, and had strong convictions (even if she needed to learn there are shades of gray). I felt like she grew throughout the story, but I always appreciated her level mind and her attempt to balance her feelings with her integrity. Which probably doesn’t make much sense without context, but whatever. Honestly, she’s what made me keep going in the book — I got to her POV, and I saw that she would make a good match for Ian and call him on his bullshit. I loved that. It’s like I would get sensitive about something, and Lara would read my mind and call it out. I loved that.
They were an interesting pair together. I loved how much they struggled with their feelings, and they definitely had chemistry. I will admit their feelings developed a bit fast for me, but sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief you know? I guess I wanted to understand the other ways they were connecting a bit better.
As with so many of Ms. Layne’s series, the “cast” of this book truly made it. I LOVED all these characters we got to meet, and I love knowing that I’m going to get their stories. And she writes friends like no one else, honestly. I love seeing all these wildly different personalities connect and work and push at each other, but inevitably care about one another. Also, they made me laugh so many times. It was my highlight for sure.
So yeah — a shaky start, but Ms. Layne brings it in like I’ve come to expect from her. Can’t wait to read the next 2.
Lauren Layne has a style, and it is a style I enjoy immensely. So even though I know that the book will have some crosses in the beginning, a huge friend circle, said friends being extremely nosy, men dressed in suits, women dressed in skirts, I will still keep coming back for more. and more. and some more.
3.5-4 stars, for sheer fun.
3.5-4 stars, for sheer fun.
“Suspected criminals aren’t my type.”
“Then I look forward to the day you have to look me in the eyes and tell me I’m innocent.”
“Then I look forward to the day you have to look me in the eyes and tell me I’m innocent.”
Perfect start to a new series!!
What a fantastic start to a new series from Lauren Layne!!
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Layne’s writing style. She is one of the best at the slow-burn romances that have you waiting on the edge of you seat for the tension to finally break.
I loved the chemistry between Ian and Laura. The banter between them throughout the story was fantastic. I was rooting for them but also very impressed with Lara’s conviction to do remain as professional as possible while still allowing herself explore the attraction between them.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed the non-romance element of the story. I felt like Ms. Layne was giving just the right amount of info about insider trading, the SEC and the investigative process without putting so much emphasis on it that it took away from the romance.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, the smartness of it and the way the secondary characters played into it and how excited it got me to read their stories. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mostly excited for Kennedy’s book though. If you haven’t read Lauren Layne yet I highly suggest you make her a must read author ASAP!
What a fantastic start to a new series from Lauren Layne!!
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Layne’s writing style. She is one of the best at the slow-burn romances that have you waiting on the edge of you seat for the tension to finally break.
I loved the chemistry between Ian and Laura. The banter between them throughout the story was fantastic. I was rooting for them but also very impressed with Lara’s conviction to do remain as professional as possible while still allowing herself explore the attraction between them.
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed the non-romance element of the story. I felt like Ms. Layne was giving just the right amount of info about insider trading, the SEC and the investigative process without putting so much emphasis on it that it took away from the romance.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, the smartness of it and the way the secondary characters played into it and how excited it got me to read their stories. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mostly excited for Kennedy’s book though. If you haven’t read Lauren Layne yet I highly suggest you make her a must read author ASAP!
As always, Ms. Layne hits it out of the park with her characters, and her setting of swanky NYC in this book, or as I say, it has a very “Suits” feel to it, which I love. Here we meet our Wolfes of Wall Street, who are every bit as rich and hot and cocky as you’d expect, and Ian Bradley is the cockiest of them all. So of course, he meets his match in SEC investigator and FBI aspiring Lara Mackenzie, who isn’t just not a part of his glitzy set, but is actually supposed to be the bane of his existence. But there’s sparks everywhere and we have our romance.
Now the rom-com ness (?) of the book is a bit less than I’ve come to expect from LL books, because we spend a lot of time getting to know all the players in the series. But I’m not complaining, the inner circle scenes were some of the best parts of the book for me. I’m super excited to get to know them more and see the stories of the other 2 couples pan out in the series!
Now the rom-com ness (?) of the book is a bit less than I’ve come to expect from LL books, because we spend a lot of time getting to know all the players in the series. But I’m not complaining, the inner circle scenes were some of the best parts of the book for me. I’m super excited to get to know them more and see the stories of the other 2 couples pan out in the series!
Lara McKenzie has one goal in life. She wants to work for the FBI putting white collar criminals away. And the SEC is a stepping stone to get there. If she can get one big case, she's guaranteed entry.
Ian Bradley made a killing on a stock that everyone else lost their shirts on. Lara's boss has a tip that it's because of insider trading. Just because the man is super-hot doesn't mean that Lara is going to fall under his spell like so many other women.
This was an okay start to a new series. I didn't love that Lara and Ian were supposedly falling in love during such a stressful situation. We didn't get to see much of the relationship.
Ian Bradley made a killing on a stock that everyone else lost their shirts on. Lara's boss has a tip that it's because of insider trading. Just because the man is super-hot doesn't mean that Lara is going to fall under his spell like so many other women.
This was an okay start to a new series. I didn't love that Lara and Ian were supposedly falling in love during such a stressful situation. We didn't get to see much of the relationship.
Book provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this new one by Lauren Layne. I thought it strayed away from the typical Wall Street, Power Suit Trip and therefore I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this new one by Lauren Layne. I thought it strayed away from the typical Wall Street, Power Suit Trip and therefore I thoroughly enjoyed it!
