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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
~Reviewš~
A witty combination of enemies-to-lovers and fake-relationship romantic comedy goodness. The characters are compelling and I love that the female lead is a "fixer". Generally, I feel like it's a role given mostly to males (ex: "Ray Donovan", ) and since Sabrina is not only female but excels at the job, that alone was a win. The story itself flows well and the banter amongst all the friendships was fun to read. The author does a great job of setting up the storyline for the next book too.
Where this book disappointed me was in that transition moment; you know, that magic moment where the characters decide they don't hate each other. There's this huge lead up and without giving away any spoilers, the transition from enemies to lovers (specifically on the part of one particular character) wasn't as organic as I felt it could have been. For one character it was heart-wrenching while for the other it was just this rushed moment. A lightbulb moment like that works if there's a big catalyst but there wasn't one here so it felt a little abrupt.
All that being said, it's not enough to keep me from reading the next book. I'm honestly looking forward to reading the 3rd installment of the 21 Wall Street series, especially because of who the lead characters are!
Overall: 3.5/5 āāāš«
Steam: 2/4 š„š„
Feels: ššš¢š
~QD Story Details~
Tear jerker: No
Paranormal/Fantasy: No
Location: NYC
Character age range: Late 20s
Lead: Matt Cannon
Love interest(s): Sabrina Cross
HEA: Yes
~QD Book Info~
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Audible: Yes
Series: Yes - 21 Wall Street Series
1. Hot Asset - released 05/22/18
2. Hard Sell - to be released 09/04/18
3. Huge Deal - anticipated release 11/06/18
~QD š„~
Sex/kink type: penetrative, oral
Possible triggers: childhood abuse, mention of prostitution
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
4 š
I love a good frenemies turned lovers book!
This book did justice to that trope. I loved it!This book tells me why I've loved this author.
About the book:
Matt finds himself in trouble when a personal moment of his Playboy ways get publicized. Now he has two choices: get a steady girlfriend to convince his clients he's settled down or lose his job.
Enter Sabrina, our new York's very own fixer. She knows about every high profile's dirty laundry. She fixes reputations and much more. She can predict every person's personality and reactions....until him. (And I mean Matt, incase that wasn't clear š)
They met through thier mutual friend Ian (first book is on him) and clicked instantly. Though some things happened and now over time they've turned into enemies (not really, they trust and care about each other too much for that). Now, Matt chooses her to play the part and fix up his image. Well they're both in for a ride.
My review:
I love it. I've always loved the hate to love trope but this book is a step better. The couple don't outright hate each other but can't stand each other at the same time. They bicker almost always. But deep down they both trust the other more than anyone else. They know they've got each other's backs.
How weirdly complicated and awesome is that?!
Oh and both are cynics when it comes to love. Which makes it all the more fun to watch them fall.
I love how smart they both are, how settled and comfortable in thier careers. I loved thier progress on opening up to each other.
Sharing thier dark spaces thereby bringing them into the light. I simply loved them as the characters as they have been portrayed.
And you could really feel the intense chemistry they shared without the author using much graphic content! (Which is always commendable)
Pick this up if you're looking for a light hearted rom-com-ish, enemies to lovers book, with witty banter, good chemistry and wonderful writing!
(I know I loved it!)
~Can't wait for Kennedy and Kate's book!~
I love a good frenemies turned lovers book!
This book did justice to that trope. I loved it!This book tells me why I've loved this author.
About the book:
Matt finds himself in trouble when a personal moment of his Playboy ways get publicized. Now he has two choices: get a steady girlfriend to convince his clients he's settled down or lose his job.
Enter Sabrina, our new York's very own fixer. She knows about every high profile's dirty laundry. She fixes reputations and much more. She can predict every person's personality and reactions....until him. (And I mean Matt, incase that wasn't clear š)
They met through thier mutual friend Ian (first book is on him) and clicked instantly. Though some things happened and now over time they've turned into enemies (not really, they trust and care about each other too much for that). Now, Matt chooses her to play the part and fix up his image. Well they're both in for a ride.
My review:
I love it. I've always loved the hate to love trope but this book is a step better. The couple don't outright hate each other but can't stand each other at the same time. They bicker almost always. But deep down they both trust the other more than anyone else. They know they've got each other's backs.
How weirdly complicated and awesome is that?!
Oh and both are cynics when it comes to love. Which makes it all the more fun to watch them fall.
I love how smart they both are, how settled and comfortable in thier careers. I loved thier progress on opening up to each other.
Sharing thier dark spaces thereby bringing them into the light. I simply loved them as the characters as they have been portrayed.
And you could really feel the intense chemistry they shared without the author using much graphic content! (Which is always commendable)
Pick this up if you're looking for a light hearted rom-com-ish, enemies to lovers book, with witty banter, good chemistry and wonderful writing!
(I know I loved it!)
~Can't wait for Kennedy and Kate's book!~
ARC received from Netgalley.
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite modern day romance authors, and she hits it out of the park again with Hard Sell. Matt and Sabrina have grrrrrrrrrrrreat chemistry and "banter" that made me lol several times. It's great to "see" Ian and Lara from the previous book, and I can't wait for Kate and Kennedy's upcoming story.
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite modern day romance authors, and she hits it out of the park again with Hard Sell. Matt and Sabrina have grrrrrrrrrrrreat chemistry and "banter" that made me lol several times. It's great to "see" Ian and Lara from the previous book, and I can't wait for Kate and Kennedy's upcoming story.
4 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Hard Sell from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the 21 Wall Street series and I think that I liked it better than the first.
Matt Cannon is a bit of a boy wonder and numbers are his game. When he is photographed at a Las Vegas bachelor party getting a lap dance, his playboy reputation takes a huge hit. In an attempt to save his job Matt hire Sabrina Cross, Fixer extraordinaire. The two of them hammer out a contract that Sabrina will be his fake girlfriend and help convince his clients that he's a changed man. But Matt and Sabrina have history that is rearing its head and the two of them will have to decide what is real and if its worth fighting for.
I found Matt and Sabrina to be interesting characters. Neither of them in love and neither want a happily ever after. Matt's background explains a lot about his attitude. Sabrina's isn't quite as surprising and neither is her resistance to Matt's charm. Although Sabrina could be okay with steady commitment.
These two make the best frenemies. I love the push pull of these two and the discovery that sometimes the person you fight with most is the person you should fight for the most.
I received an e-ARC copy of Hard Sell from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the 21 Wall Street series and I think that I liked it better than the first.
Matt Cannon is a bit of a boy wonder and numbers are his game. When he is photographed at a Las Vegas bachelor party getting a lap dance, his playboy reputation takes a huge hit. In an attempt to save his job Matt hire Sabrina Cross, Fixer extraordinaire. The two of them hammer out a contract that Sabrina will be his fake girlfriend and help convince his clients that he's a changed man. But Matt and Sabrina have history that is rearing its head and the two of them will have to decide what is real and if its worth fighting for.
I found Matt and Sabrina to be interesting characters. Neither of them in love and neither want a happily ever after. Matt's background explains a lot about his attitude. Sabrina's isn't quite as surprising and neither is her resistance to Matt's charm. Although Sabrina could be okay with steady commitment.
These two make the best frenemies. I love the push pull of these two and the discovery that sometimes the person you fight with most is the person you should fight for the most.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A whole lot of feisty and I loved it! The tension, the banter, the angst, the tenderness and vulnerability. The dog!
The only thing that makes an enemies to lovers or fake relationship trope better is when you put the two together! This one hit all the right notes at just the right cadence.
I really liked Matt and Sabrina. They felt lived in and believable (prob because of the peeks into their pasts that we got - and they were doozies š³). Sabrina may be one of my favorite heroines across the board. She was fierce, but when it came down to putting her cards of the table, she did it boldly and honestly, even th ugh it was a 180 from where she started.
Dialogue was great too. As was the friend group again. Really enjoyed this one.
The only thing that makes an enemies to lovers or fake relationship trope better is when you put the two together! This one hit all the right notes at just the right cadence.
I really liked Matt and Sabrina. They felt lived in and believable (prob because of the peeks into their pasts that we got - and they were doozies š³). Sabrina may be one of my favorite heroines across the board. She was fierce, but when it came down to putting her cards of the table, she did it boldly and honestly, even th ugh it was a 180 from where she started.
Dialogue was great too. As was the friend group again. Really enjoyed this one.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is one of my favorite books. I love the relationship between the main characters. Theyāre both well established in their careers and mature professionals, which is a refreshing change compared to a lot of contemporary romance.
They learn more about each other through their fake dating and itās nice to see them grow together.
The side characters are used well and you can imagine the world that theyāre living in.
If I had one criticism the epilogue is a bit rushed, but other than that itās a great read.
They learn more about each other through their fake dating and itās nice to see them grow together.
The side characters are used well and you can imagine the world that theyāre living in.
If I had one criticism the epilogue is a bit rushed, but other than that itās a great read.
Lauren Layne has become one of my favorite authors ever since I read Walk of Shame, which to this day is one of my favorite books of all time. So when I saw she had a new series involving hot Wall Street guys I could not wait to read it! I mean, come on, guys in suits! I canāt be the only one that pauses and swoons just a little when I see one walking down the street. Add in the fact that Hard Sell is an enemies-to-lovers romance and I was beyond excited.
Now, Iām going to just start off by saying that I didnāt end up loving this as much as I thought I would. Iām honestly very surprised about my feelings towards this book because I started out really enjoying it. I donāt know if it was because I wanted more angst between Matt and Sabrina since they have this āenemies-with-benefitsā relationship in the beginning, or I didnāt fully connect with either Matt or Sabrina but something was off for me with this book.
Despite these feelings, there is still a few things in this book that I really enjoyed. One of those being Sabrina Cross. Sabrina is an amazing heroine who has worked her ass off to get where she is today with her career, not letting her childhood define who she is as a person. She finds a formidable adversary in Matt Cannon and holds her own against him every time, not giving into any of his crap while also getting under his skin. I absolutely loved the banter between Matt and Sabrina; Lauren Layneās dialogue as always was spot on to the point that I was giggling in public at some of the lines between these two.
The physical connection between these two has been their from the start, hence the āenemies-with-benefitsā relationship, but it is the development of their friendship into something more that was a key part of this book and one that happened so naturally. These two may be stubborn-as-hell especially towards each other but it is pretty damn obvious that they are made for each which was so sweet to witness when it finally ended up happening.
Even though, I ended up not enjoying this as much as I thought I would, this book still made my heart flutter. If you are looking for a hilarious yet sweet enemies-to-lovers/fake-relationship romance with a sassy heroine, then check out Hard Sell!
Now, Iām going to just start off by saying that I didnāt end up loving this as much as I thought I would. Iām honestly very surprised about my feelings towards this book because I started out really enjoying it. I donāt know if it was because I wanted more angst between Matt and Sabrina since they have this āenemies-with-benefitsā relationship in the beginning, or I didnāt fully connect with either Matt or Sabrina but something was off for me with this book.
Despite these feelings, there is still a few things in this book that I really enjoyed. One of those being Sabrina Cross. Sabrina is an amazing heroine who has worked her ass off to get where she is today with her career, not letting her childhood define who she is as a person. She finds a formidable adversary in Matt Cannon and holds her own against him every time, not giving into any of his crap while also getting under his skin. I absolutely loved the banter between Matt and Sabrina; Lauren Layneās dialogue as always was spot on to the point that I was giggling in public at some of the lines between these two.
The physical connection between these two has been their from the start, hence the āenemies-with-benefitsā relationship, but it is the development of their friendship into something more that was a key part of this book and one that happened so naturally. These two may be stubborn-as-hell especially towards each other but it is pretty damn obvious that they are made for each which was so sweet to witness when it finally ended up happening.
Even though, I ended up not enjoying this as much as I thought I would, this book still made my heart flutter. If you are looking for a hilarious yet sweet enemies-to-lovers/fake-relationship romance with a sassy heroine, then check out Hard Sell!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No