Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Another wonderful enemies-to-lovers by an author I’ve just discovered and love ❤️
This story was witty, romantic, and with a few steamy scenes that were unobtrusive enough not to be overwhelming. Ian was the perfect alfa, arrogant suit with a secret big heart and Lara the adorable dorky, nerd with the demure librarian sex appeal. I loved reading their story, and the whole set of characters... can’t wait for the new others in the series...
This story was witty, romantic, and with a few steamy scenes that were unobtrusive enough not to be overwhelming. Ian was the perfect alfa, arrogant suit with a secret big heart and Lara the adorable dorky, nerd with the demure librarian sex appeal. I loved reading their story, and the whole set of characters... can’t wait for the new others in the series...
Decent story, but for some reason I couldn't really get very connected to it. I didn't hate it or anything, but it didn't wow me either. I'm not sure what exactly it was that I felt was missing though. Hopefully book 2 in this series grabs my attention better.
I discovered Lauren Layne about a year ago and I am so happy that I did. I've enjoyed every single one of her books and this one is no exception. Her characters are always fun and engaging, the romances are sweet ( and yes hot) and I genuinely like all of her characters. I know the romance is typically the focus of these books, but I love the friendships she writes. This book was a fun read and the perfect book to get my mind off of my stressful real life. If you like contemporary romance and are looking for a light, fun read, I suggest you read this and check out her other books.
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
Lauren Layne has become one of my favorite Romance authors and I enjoyed Hot Asset just as much as I expected to.
I thought the insider trading plotline was interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a Romance with that particular angle before so it was something a little fresh, even though the rest of the plot played out very standard Romance. I would’ve liked just a little more information on how Wall Street works and the ins and outs of the SEC, but I did appreciate that there wasn’t information overload with it either.
I liked Lara and Ian as characters and also as a couple. They have a mutual respect for each other and their work ethics. I do wish that it would’ve taken just a little longer for them to fall for each other, though. While Lara didn’t let her feelings get in the way of her investigation, she did willingly put herself in some compromising positions multiple times and it felt a little more silly-schoolgirl than professional investigator. I also really enjoyed Ian’s group of friends. I’m looking forward to their books, especially Kennedy and Kate’s.
Overall, I enjoyed Hot Asset. I liked the setting and the characters and the romance. I thought about giving this 3 or 3.5 stars, just because, while enjoyable, it was a pretty standard, straight-forward romance. However, other than the couple of sex scenes, I don’t really have any other complaints about the book, so I’m bumping it up to 4 stars. I would recommend this to Romance fans, especially fans of Lauren Layne.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
Lauren Layne has become one of my favorite Romance authors and I enjoyed Hot Asset just as much as I expected to.
I thought the insider trading plotline was interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a Romance with that particular angle before so it was something a little fresh, even though the rest of the plot played out very standard Romance. I would’ve liked just a little more information on how Wall Street works and the ins and outs of the SEC, but I did appreciate that there wasn’t information overload with it either.
I liked Lara and Ian as characters and also as a couple. They have a mutual respect for each other and their work ethics. I do wish that it would’ve taken just a little longer for them to fall for each other, though. While Lara didn’t let her feelings get in the way of her investigation, she did willingly put herself in some compromising positions multiple times and it felt a little more silly-schoolgirl than professional investigator. I also really enjoyed Ian’s group of friends. I’m looking forward to their books, especially Kennedy and Kate’s.
Overall, I enjoyed Hot Asset. I liked the setting and the characters and the romance. I thought about giving this 3 or 3.5 stars, just because, while enjoyable, it was a pretty standard, straight-forward romance. However, other than the couple of sex scenes, I don’t really have any other complaints about the book, so I’m bumping it up to 4 stars. I would recommend this to Romance fans, especially fans of Lauren Layne.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
Hot Asset was a love at first sight kind of book wrapped in a slow burn romance. But for me, the insta-love didn't work here.
Was it well written? Sure!
Was it romantic? Yes.
Were the characters likable? Yup. They were fun to read. I LOVED Ian's friends—the author definitely knows how to write friendships. And I was here just for that!
But even with all the great characters and the funny banter, the story was just good for me. I understand it was a kind of introduction to the series, but I think that Ian and Lara's journey deserved more!
Overall, Hot Asset was steamy, funny, and all around entertaining read. I enjoyed the writing style and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
You can find me here: |INSTAGRAM
Was it well written? Sure!
Was it romantic? Yes.
Were the characters likable? Yup. They were fun to read. I LOVED Ian's friends—the author definitely knows how to write friendships. And I was here just for that!
But even with all the great characters and the funny banter, the story was just good for me. I understand it was a kind of introduction to the series, but I think that Ian and Lara's journey deserved more!
Overall, Hot Asset was steamy, funny, and all around entertaining read. I enjoyed the writing style and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
You can find me here: |INSTAGRAM
There are certain things readers expect when reading a Lauren Layne book: a sweet romance between two beautiful, buff hero and heroine set in a New York that's entirely too clean and too white.
I used to devour Lauren Layne's books. I think she writes smart heroines and dashing heroes, and her stories makes you feel good. But these past few releases have been ho-hum to say the least. It's set in the same world as before with the same characters just with different names, almost identical jobs. I usually don't mind it but then the story started to sound the same. Heck, I can't even remember the names of the hero and heroine in this book without checking the book description. Ian and Lara, by the way but they could have been Jane and Joe from two books prior but I really can't remember anymore. It's all a blur.
And that's the crux of my problem with this book. It's all a blur. It's cute and nice but ehhh, I've read this before.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher
I used to devour Lauren Layne's books. I think she writes smart heroines and dashing heroes, and her stories makes you feel good. But these past few releases have been ho-hum to say the least. It's set in the same world as before with the same characters just with different names, almost identical jobs. I usually don't mind it but then the story started to sound the same. Heck, I can't even remember the names of the hero and heroine in this book without checking the book description. Ian and Lara, by the way but they could have been Jane and Joe from two books prior but I really can't remember anymore. It's all a blur.
And that's the crux of my problem with this book. It's all a blur. It's cute and nice but ehhh, I've read this before.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher
*ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hot Asset is what happens if you were to cross the movie “Wolf of Wall Street” with “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”. A rom-com set in the cutthroat world of Wall Street, the book features straight-arrow, rule following, by-the-book SEC investigator Lara Mackenzie whose newest target is Ian Bradley, the hot shot Wall Street big wig, a charming, gorgeous man-about-town with deep pockets and a hidden heart of gold.
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I disliked the title intensely. I’m not a super big fan of rich, cocky heroes in suits who “talk” to the reader through the book - that particular style of writing tends to annoy me. But LL does her magic when it comes to her series romance, and builds a fun, full world of supporting characters who will all get their star turn in a book of their own (she’s already set up the two couples for the next 2 books). The main characters, who spend the bulk of the book at cross purposes are likable and engaging and sympathetic: you feel for Ian who is a lot of things but not a cheat and is clearly being set up to take the fall for something he didn’t do, and you feel for Lara who is simply trying to do her job and hopefully land her dream job of becoming a FBI agent. If I had one complaint, it would be how LL wrote Lara’s bestie/roomie, a character so unforgettable that I cannot even recall her name right now. Besides forcing Lara to go to a club and wear the outfit she picked out for her, I’m not certain what her purpose was. She seemed like a pointless character and at one point, when Lara was slowly becoming part of Ian’s social circle, it felt like even Lara questioned why said friend existed. Aside from that one little issue, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for Matt and Kennedy’s books.
Hot Asset is what happens if you were to cross the movie “Wolf of Wall Street” with “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”. A rom-com set in the cutthroat world of Wall Street, the book features straight-arrow, rule following, by-the-book SEC investigator Lara Mackenzie whose newest target is Ian Bradley, the hot shot Wall Street big wig, a charming, gorgeous man-about-town with deep pockets and a hidden heart of gold.
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I disliked the title intensely. I’m not a super big fan of rich, cocky heroes in suits who “talk” to the reader through the book - that particular style of writing tends to annoy me. But LL does her magic when it comes to her series romance, and builds a fun, full world of supporting characters who will all get their star turn in a book of their own (she’s already set up the two couples for the next 2 books). The main characters, who spend the bulk of the book at cross purposes are likable and engaging and sympathetic: you feel for Ian who is a lot of things but not a cheat and is clearly being set up to take the fall for something he didn’t do, and you feel for Lara who is simply trying to do her job and hopefully land her dream job of becoming a FBI agent. If I had one complaint, it would be how LL wrote Lara’s bestie/roomie, a character so unforgettable that I cannot even recall her name right now. Besides forcing Lara to go to a club and wear the outfit she picked out for her, I’m not certain what her purpose was. She seemed like a pointless character and at one point, when Lara was slowly becoming part of Ian’s social circle, it felt like even Lara questioned why said friend existed. Aside from that one little issue, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for Matt and Kennedy’s books.
Rating: ✮✮✮ Stars
Hot Asset was a quick and solid read. What I loved the most about this book is the friendship between all the characters! Ian, Matt, Kennedy, Kate, and Sabrina have a really great group dynamic, especially when they are all together. I love that all the females in the books are so strong and don't take shit from the males! That's what I want to see. While I like the two main characters in the book, I just like the side characters a lot more and will continue mainly for glimpses of them.
The romance between Ian and Lara was too much 'push and pull', which was annoying at times cause it led to unnecessary drama. It was either Ian doing or saying something stupid that got Lara mad or the other way around, which led to a lot of avoiding each other until something happens.
But what the hell was that reason for framing Ian for insider trading?!?! It was just plain stupid.Wanting to bring someone to jail, because that person slept with your wife? I mean are you okay? How insecure and unstable do you have to be to do such hateful thing, when you don't even know that your own wife has an affair. What was the point of this whole investigation? This got me so mad.
Despite everything I mentioned above I really like Lauren Layne's writing and can't wait to read about Matt/Sabrina and Kennedy/Kate
Hot Asset was a quick and solid read. What I loved the most about this book is the friendship between all the characters! Ian, Matt, Kennedy, Kate, and Sabrina have a really great group dynamic, especially when they are all together. I love that all the females in the books are so strong and don't take shit from the males! That's what I want to see. While I like the two main characters in the book, I just like the side characters a lot more and will continue mainly for glimpses of them.
The romance between Ian and Lara was too much 'push and pull', which was annoying at times cause it led to unnecessary drama. It was either Ian doing or saying something stupid that got Lara mad or the other way around, which led to a lot of avoiding each other until something happens.
But what the hell was that reason for framing Ian for insider trading?!?! It was just plain stupid.
Despite everything I mentioned above I really like Lauren Layne's writing and can't wait to read about Matt/Sabrina and Kennedy/Kate
I'm starting to think that audiobooks seriously make a book better. I think this book would have been just fine and relatively entertaining if I read it myself. Instead, listening to it gave it more dimension and I found myself immersed in it. It was fun and sexy. I'm very glad there wasn't too much miscommunication and the characters didn't sacrifice their dreams for each other. It definitely went in a direction I didn't expect but I liked the twist. Another solid one from Lauren Layne.