Reviews

I Think I Love You by Lauren Layne

teatime_and_reading's review

Go to review page

4.0

Ending the Stiletto/Oxford universe on a high.

amym84's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

4.5

Despite Hunter being Brit's boss, they are best friends. So when she's sick and tired of feeling like she constantly put in the "friend" category by her dates. She's ready to get serious and start a family. Now, she just needs to find the right guy. So who better than her best friend, a veritable ladies man, to give her pointers in seduction?

I Think I Love You is a classic friends-to-lovers romance and Lauren Layne write Hunter and Brit perfectly. Starting out, I really loved their friendship. They are truly best friends. Understanding each others' moods and looks and knowing when to step in and help on a bad date. It's not very surprising, then, that feeling would develop as Hunter begins helping Brit feel confident and sexy, but it was quite a joy to read. The conflict of course being, if they develop romantic feelings for each other, how do they balance that with their friendship. Not wanting to sacrifice one for the other.

As Hunter begins teaching Brit, he starts to consider what his future plans might be. He doesn't see himself working at Oxford forever, rather he thinks he'll find his way back home to Missouri to be closer to his family. But, again, how does Brit, or does Brit, figure into that scenario?

I just enjoyed everything about this book. It was a fun, light, and quick read. And being that last book in the series Lauren Layne did a great job of having past couples floating their way in, out, and around the romance between Brit and Hunter. It's a great sendoff, if rather sad to see such a great series finished.

But this has truly been one of the most satisfying romance series I've read. I look forward to many re-reads in the future.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

beyondevak's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Quick Summary: A best friends with benefits romance

My Review: I Think I Love You by Lauren Layne was a fast-paced read about two friends who decided to enter into a "Teach Me" agreement. Little did they know that their agreement would unleash feelings of attraction, intense desire, and a longing for forever.

Brit and Hunter were best friends. They had always had a special relationship. Never had they ever considered mixing their friendship with love and romance...well, not in the way of their colleagues and friends. When Brit hits a funk and wants to pursue a deeper relationship with someone special, she decides to ask her best friend for help. Although Hunter is not fully on board with the idea, he chooses to help his bestie out, especially since she had plans to ask a guy he absolutely abhorred.

What will happen when the two besties finally become lovers?

My Final Say: This was an enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy BFF with benefits romances will love it.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

#libraryfind

indecisivesailorscout's review

Go to review page

5.0

THIS WAS THE BEST, and had the absolute most perfect ending with all of our favorite couples. Exactly what I needed today and every day. Perfect end to the series. My heart is so full y'all.

wallflowerreader_l's review

Go to review page

4.0

YAAAAASSSSSS! This was good. So good.
Sweet and hot 'friends to lovers' romance.
Also, I loved reading about the whole gang of Oxford and Stilettos.

cassandra67b07's review

Go to review page

3.0

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I came into this book with something of a handicap. I read the Oxford series but not the Stilleto one, so since this is a wrap-up of both connected series, I was spending some time trying to remember who everyone was and skipping past the couples whose stories I had not read. Everyone is so broadly sketched though that it's not really a problem.

The premise of this story is one that should be relatable for many readers. A "friends to lovers" plot and a heroine who consistently finds herself in the friend zone is something that most people have experienced. Brit was so lovely and so focused on making sure those around her were comfortable that the spark and frisson of romantic attachment kept passing her by. She hires her best friend Hunter to be her "Cyrano" and teach her how to move out of the friend zone. The dating practice, of course, ends up snaring them both.

Hunter only really notices Brit romantically when his jealousy kicks in and this made me wonder why now? Everyone in their circle of friends has been waiting for Hunter to realize Brit is the one, but he's really slow to get there. I felt like Brit was far more in love with him than he was with her.
That's gotta hurt later.

But they have a nice rapport and push and pull with each other. It was worth it to see all the happy endings amongst the couples of the series, even if the two mains felt a bit flat.

3.5 and a pleasant conclusion to the series.

ldooten's review

Go to review page

4.0

This was a really good read! The writing flowed well, and hooked me from the start. I love a friends to lovers romance, and this one did not disappoint! Hunter and Brit were great together, and their chemistry was hot! This was my first book in this series, so there were a lot of names mentioned that got a little bit confusing when they were all together, but for the most part wasn't a problem. I enjoyed Hunter and Brit's journey, and the love that they clearly had for one another evolve into something more. It definitely makes me want to go and read the rest of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

norwayellesea's review

Go to review page

4.0

4.5 stars

Reading the final book in the Oxford series is such a bitter-sweet feeling as Hunter and Brit come under the relationship spotlight in this friends to lovers romance.

Living and working in Manhattan's fast-paced environment is a long way from Hunter Cross' roots in Kansas. He enjoys his life in 'the city that never sleeps', but it isn't home. He has always viewed his time here as a temporary phase in his life. As a result, his only permanent relationship is his friendship with Brit; it simplifies his daily routine until the time is right to move back west. That's until she asks him for a favour resulting in emotional turmoil and the end of their relationship as they know it.

Brit Robbins has a problem. She wants what her friends have...whisked off her feet except she always ends up in the friends' zone. The men she dates only hang around for a short while until they may their excuse and leave. What is her problem? She decides to enlist her best friend and boss Hunter to resolve her dilemma and is grateful when he reluctantly agrees to help. Only, his assistance triggers feelings neither of them can ignore.

For me, this series is pure escapism. The employees at Oxford and Stiletto are polished and professional in their designer suits and shoes. They work hard and play equally hard but maintain friendships with their work colleagues. The banter is humorous and fun as they enjoy their glamorous lifestyles. I Think I Love You ticks all those boxes as Brit's plan takes an unexpected turn as she and Hunter get emotionally closer to each other. It's tricky uncharted water for them both as employee and boss. Yet, somehow, it works, until it doesn't and the consequences are life changing.

The end felt a little rushed as Hunter finally comes to his senses, and Brit meets him halfway by deciding to take matters into her own hands. It gets Hunter off the hook' but I would have liked him to grovel significantly more. However, I respect Lauren's decision for these two people who otherwise know each other so well. Both are sufficiently mature to realise there isn't any point making mountains out of molehills...even if I wanted slightly more drama. (wink)

I've loved every Oxford novel. Each couple featured compliment each other perfectly and it's been entertaining to keep track of them all throughout the series. The epilogue is a little sugary for my taste but I wholeheartedly appreciate the author's sincere sentiment as we say goodbye to characters we love.

***arc generously received courtesy of Loveswept via NetGalley***

thefriscobay's review

Go to review page

4.5

4.5 stars ✨ I'll be honest this was bumped up because a. I will always love friends to lovers and b. it's the end of the oxford/stiletto road and I'm sad to see my friends go. but aside from that this one was really so precious, though as always I'd have loved to spend a bit more time with brit and hunter. woof. now what?!

curls's review

Go to review page

5.0

Friends to lovers romance. Brit and Hunter have been friends for years. Brit is tired of being put in the friend zone all the time. She and her girlfriends come up with a plan - have Hunter give her advice and pointers on dating.

As Hunter is taking her on practice dates, the sparks between them start flying.

I really enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. Enemies to lovers is fun, but I think I prefer friends to lovers in contemporary romance. It reminds me of how my husband and I got together (we were best friends for 4 years before we started dating). So I know from experience when the sparks are there and you know each other well, dating advances very quickly. I do wish this book has a little more of them together at the end.

All in all, a fun contemporary romance.