Layover Rules

by Kate Dawes

From the New York Times bestselling author of the FADE series, comes an all new stand-alone novel....

Blair Dyson found her dream man—the sexy, wealthy and powerful Trevor Baker—a real-life version of all the alpha males she read about in countless romance novels.

But the relationship is nothing like those books led her to believe it would be, and now she wants out. A stunning discovery of one of Trevor’s secrets gives her the push she needs to make the final break.

Free of Trevor, she vows to focus on her rapidly advancing career and to put men to the side for a while.

Then Sam Vonn, an acquaintance from Blair’s past, enters her life again, just at the wrong time.

Or could it be the right time? A casual arrangement with Sam might be exactly what Blair needs as she reclaims her life.

Before long, she finds keeping things casual with Sam more complicated than she expected, and erasing Trevor from her life more difficult than she hoped.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks

Unknown Binding

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary erotic romance

Reviews

[Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book (besides Sam Vonn) was the fact that Blair and her friend Alicia were avid readers and they had book boyfriends that sort of clouded their real world outlook. Blair thought she had found the man of her dreams in Trevor who reminded her of all the rich dominant alpha males that she had read about in the erotic romances that she had read. It was clear that the author was hinting at the bestselling books by E.L. James and Sylvia Day and the hot men that almost all of us have added to our book boyfriend list.

Overall, Layover Rules was a quick and easy read. I fell for Sam Vonn immediately (probably didn’t hurt that he was a baseball player, which I definitely have a weakness for). The book was fairly predictable after a certain plot point was revealed, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book. I liked Blair and Alicia a lot and I would love to see Alicia get a story of her own. Trevor was super creepy from the get go and not quite the hot dominant alpha male that we’re all used to and there is a point in Layover Rules where we learn exactly why that is, which makes him even creepier.

[Nade Ferrabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has read the Fade trilogy knows what an excellent author Kate Dawes is. However, if you were expecting this book to be along the same lines as Max and Olivia's exploits, you are in for a shock!! This book is, as you would expect, brilliantly written. Sam and Blair are great characters and their relationship will have you screaming at the book for them to open their eyes and sod the rules!!

[CasPerfitz~SLiTsReaD · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was to me boring and cheesy.... but I finished it even if I wanted to give it up...

[Christie«SHBBblogger»]

I am putting this one aside. Maybe I'll try to finish it later, but I'm just not connecting with it in any way, so probably not.

[SammiesBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the extreme honor of beta reading for Kate. I would like to say how truly amazing this story was, all books today are usually about Rockstars, underground fighting, the rich playboy, the bad boy. But this, was truly unlike anything I've read. And boy, was it hilarious!! I constantly was laughing my ass off. Literally. Sam and Blair had such a humor. It was great. Poor Blair went through so much with her ex Trevor, she deserved to have happiness and find someone who would treat her the way she deserve to. Sam was kind, loving, witty, handsome. He was simply amazing and the best thing that could of ever happened to Blair. I don't want to give too much away, but when you read this, you will be blown away by Kate's talents. I LOVED the Fade series. But this, wow. It blew me away. Can Blair and Sam overcome these trials and tribulations? Can their romance overcome the secrets of her past? Can Sam ever forgive Blair for the secrets she keeps from him and what stands in the way of them moving forward? Well, you will have to read it, to find out ;) I promise, you guys will LOVE Layover Rules. Must read. I give this more than 5 stars if I could. It is one of the bests of 2013.

One of my most favorite quotes and made me almost pee myself :

"If you come now, I'm never reading your book."

I have MANY more quotes I LOVE but lots give away parts of the book, so I'll leave you to find them for yourselves. Enjoy ladies!!<3

When he yells "Nice dimples." And Blair thinks he says "Nice nipples." Hilarious!!!

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with Blair in a relationship with Trevor. Trevor is an alpha rich man who likes to dominate her in the bedroom. Blair is initially turned on by this man, because she likes to read about these alpha males (just like I do). So she gets into a relationship with him, but quickly realizes that it's not all it's cracked up to be in the books. Trevor is good at saying the right things and turning on the heat in the bedroom, but he doesn't open up to her emotionally and that leaves her feeling a bit empty.

She decides to break up with him and at the same time stumbles on a secret about him. Conveniently enough, he also wants to end things and just like that, after a 1 year relationship she is free of Trevor.

At the same time, she bumps into Sam, a former baseball player that she knew quite a few years back. They both travel a lot for work and she wants to have a no strings attached affair with him. She is not ready to put herself out into the relationship world but she longs to be with a "normal" guy. Sam is very different from Trevor and she finds the differences refreshing.

Not to mention the sex is HOT. The scenes with Sam were my favorite parts of the book.

She comes up with these 'layover rules' to prevent their relationship from crossing certain lines she is not ready to cross just yet. Sam agrees. But can Blair really prevent herself from developing feelings for Sam???

This was a predictable read that goes to show you the best things can happen when you're least expecting them.

[Negesse Lakay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just begin by saying that it was a great story and well written. However I was a little disappointed. I love me some alpha/bdsm male and I felt like this author was harshly criticizing the notion. Trevor was a huge part of this book yet the author failed to explain why he acted the way he did. I know that someone doesn't need to have a reason to be a criminal but his actions toward Blair were so outrageous that I can't see someone going to that length for no apparent reason. I wanted some background on his life. What makes a man who's so wealthy, good looking, go as far as emulating characters from romance novels? Why go after Blair at the end of the book?
I felt the same disconnect with Sam as well. Although we had more insight into sam's childhood and life in general, some things we just avoided such as his relationship with his father. Instead the author had a lot of fillers (interactions between Blaine and her best friends) which honestly I could do without.

I enjoy Dawes' stories and characters.

[Mo Mabie of Fifty5Cents Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total= 50 Cents

Plot—8¢

Oh, this book turned the thought of alpha males upside down for me. It is s a story about the other side of that story. It’s about finding, or re-finding, someone when the time is right. It is about thinking you know someone, or a type of person, and then having that blown completely out of the water. The story is wonderfully colorful, original and so enjoyable.
Main Characters—5¢

I loved Blair. She’s smart, ambitious, hilarious, spontaneous and has a morality that I really liked. Not always quick to actively make the decision, she always knows what decision to make. She is really witty and pretty open to just about anything. I loved how her character was so damn relatable. I found myself reading my own thoughts as I read hers. She was an ironic character and she’s totally one of my new favorite book girls.

Sam Vonn. Yum. Baseball star. Imperfect. A shit ton of humility. Quick to play and laugh. Patient. He was like a real guy. It was so refreshing to have a character that was simply perfect for a leading guy. Hot. Romantic. Funny. I fell in love with him. He was casually sexy. Does that made sense? Sam’s laid back and go-with-the-flow attitude made him seems so likeable. A great character.
Secondary Characters—5¢

The secondaries made this book for me. Alicia was so charismatic. Much the hopeless romantic, she’s Blair’s best friend and tells her like it is. No holding back, giving her shit and making her laugh when she desperately needs to. She’s up for anything and loves Clair for who she is and is on her side no matter what. Everyone could use a friend like her.

I'll make some margaritas and you can drink right out of the blender." ~Alicia

The other characters in the book, Trevor, Beth, Steven & Ross, made this book so cool and vivid. They added so much personality that I actually liked reading about them. Trevor was fascinating.
Setting—5¢

I’m a travel junkie. This book took me to so many places and it wasn’t even just that. It was the getting to and from them that was great too! The airports, flights and travel just travel itself. My husband and I were talking and he said he was worn out from his Saturday night. I told him I was jet lagged. That wasn’t too far off base. This book takes place all over the country. In hotels, out and about in cities that were familiar and some I’d never been. Atlanta, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Miami, Key West, St. Louis and others. It was so exciting and fun. Totally enjoyable.
Humor—5¢

I laughed my ass right the fuck off. The dialog is so candid. So genuine. So wonderful. Did I say I loved this book? I’m so beginning to be a real cliché here, but I love books like I love men. When women say, “Looks are important, but what really matters is a sense of humor,” I whole heartedly agree. With this book, I wanted to bang-it right away. Books that make me laugh out loud seem to win the biggest spots in my heart. IF you love funny, romance this book has it in spades.
A/R—5¢

I read this book in one sitting one Friday night. Did I regret not going out? Not one fucking bit! This book was more entertaining than any drunken brand of socializing I was about to take part in. I started the book, read the book, finished the book. Nothing fancy just straight up balls to the wall reading. I would have loved to see someone try to interrupt me. Or, shit, maybe they did and I didn’t even notice.
Vocab—4¢

The vocabulary wasn’t some over the top literary masterpiece. It was real. It was as if I was listening or watching a movie. A great movie at that. It wasn’t fancy, or elaborate. I didn’t give a hoot. It was funny, the dialog was engaging and it read very quickly. Edited really, really well.
Steam—4¢

Yeah, this book is hot. I was floored by the way sex and sexy were dissected and reverted back to… hmm… what’s the best word here vanilla? And it was romantic. I don’t want to give anything great away, but this book is hot in it's perfectly less-hot way.
Value—5¢

This book was $0.99 when I bought it, which was a total steal! The book is priced at $2.99 today and that is still a steal. Ms. Dawes could be making one to two more bucks per digital copy. I was really lucky to pick it up at such a low price.

Honestly, it was an impulse purchase. I loved the cover and it was priced very attractively. I read a few sentences into the blurb and was sold. So, at whatever price you buy this book, you are getting a deal. The only one getting shorted are the numb-skulls that don’t read it at all.
Ending—4¢

It was great. The plot built and progressed just the way it needed to. I don’t want to say it was predictable, because it really wasn’t. However, I always had the feeling like things were going to be okay. I never had the desperate, “Oh, shit what if they don’t make it” feeling. The very end was so funny and romantic. It was a very sincere and perfect way for their story to end.

I have read other books by Kate Dawes. It read The Fade Series last summer/fall sometime and then began my blog in January. I don’t have to tell you that I never got around to reviewing a lot of those books from my pre-blog life. Anyway, where I’m going with that is I love her. She does a wonderful job at writing relatable characters that I root for. If you haven’t heard or read this author before, don’t wait.

The book is a home run of a recommendation from me, because it is so freaking ironic and funny. I would recommend this book to anyone that is just a bit jaded by the typical erotica/romance novel. It is the antithesis of that, and yet it is that at the same time. Awesome book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair is in a relationship with Trevor but the relationship isn't working out. Trevor is into BDSM and Blair is tired of giving up control. She is not a good submissive. Trevor is no Christian Grey, he's a creep. And I applaud the author for making him a creep or everyone would have fallen for him and never given Sam a chance. Blair runs into Sam in a airport when he rescues her luggage from being caught in a revolving door. Blair realizes she knows Sam from her days as a stylish but Sam does not remember her. Sam was a professional baseball player until an injury. He was also married but is now divorced. Sam and Blair start a "friends with benefits" relationship with "layover rules". Two of these rules are they cannot share any current personal information and they cannot see each other in New York, the city they both live in. They both travel a lot for their jobs and meet each other in different cities across the US. Blair is hiding a secret from Sam. A secret she tells herself it's OK to hide because their rules say they cannot share current personal info. But something happens that no longer allows Blair to keep the secret.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted to slap Blair a few times for keeping her secret. Blair's saving grace was her love of reading. Obviously I can't hate a character that loves to read!

"Alicia and I always read the same books at the same time. We had our own little two-person book club. When we discovered erotic romance, we tore through those novels faster than anything else we read, and we both found ourselves totally smitten with those wildly dreamy alpha males."

"I'd always been a big reader, but never a fast one. A book that would take most people a couple of days to finish would take me a week or so. I liked to read slowly, mostly because if I really loved a book and its characters, I didn't want it to end. The more time I got to spend with characters I liked, the better."

[Dana Landsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book!!! I thought it would be long, but it was a page turner!!

First I loved Claire, strong, Independent, and in a not healthy relationship with Trevor. Trevor was an investor who took the dominance role in the sac and kept quiet about himself personally, and professionally.

Claire loved her job and traveled a lot for business. One of her business trips she is reunited with a Baseball player she styled at Barney's 8 years ago. She disguises herself as she is still in a very bad relationship. While she is ready to break it off with Trevor, Sam discovers who she once was and he pursues her. Trevor and Claire's relationship ends in somewhat of what she did not expect and finds herself independent again.

Claire decides with Sam that their relationship has "Rules".
Sam goes with it for now. Claire discovers her ex got in BIG trouble with the FBI and is questioned. While she can't tell Sam. Sam and Claire get very close while they make their travel plans in cities to meet up and be TOGETHER and I mean HOTEL TOGETHER!! (Part of the rules!!) she tells herself that this is a "Rebound", but she is troubled by her past.

The romance between Sam and Claire definitely got to me. I understand her "Rules", but Sam wanted more. Once the truth was told, Sam was gone and she realized she had more feelings for him. God...I wanted SAM!! I wanted Claire to wake up sooner for him. They were Perfect together! I'm glad that she finally realized that!

Very easy read!! Great story and some really HOT scenes. Always a sucker for a Love story!! Great Job to Kate. I loved the Fade series as well. Enjoy!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

You think you want an alpha-male boyfriend? Really? Layover Rules will make you second guess that idea.

Blair has spent the last year of her life submitting to a rich, alpha male. It's all very 50 Shades... but there is the side of this type of arrangement that people don't talk about. The loss of self, the loss of identity. Blair is experiencing that in spades. She has had it with Trevor Baker and just wants out of the arrangement.

That's when Blair runs into Sam, who she used to have as a client when she was a department store stylist. It takes a while, but you know what's going to happen, right? Sam is the anti-Trevor. He is kind, and calm and doesn't balk when she calls the shots in the bedroom.

The problem is, even after the breakup Trevor manages to screw with Blair and her future with Sam in a big way. Blair has a secret she is keeping from Sam and it could ruin everything.

I did enjoy this book. It was a fun read, not too angsty. It was entertaining. I like the whole "if you think you want an alpha-male, take a look at what happened to me" premise. It was refreshing. I am not saying I don't still love my alpha guys, because well, I do. But this premise was something different from all that wanna be fifty's out there and it was a good read.

[Tiffany Readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Kate Dawes and the Fade series, so this book doesn't disappoint. It is a well written story with a bit of a twist on the romance. I loved how Blair and her friend were romance book hounds like my friend and I.

Blair needs out of her relationship with Trevor, the man she thought she wanted, but turned out to be nothing like she expected. During a business trip Blair tries to figure out a way to end things with Trevor, so her mind is all over the place as she bumps into Sam.

Sam Von is a hot baseball player who has crossed paths with Blair in the past. He helps her out at the airport and things get going for these two from there. Sam is funny and casual, just what Blair thought she needed now, but with all the Trevor mess she won't let her self go there just yet.

Sam and Blair try an unconventional relationship in hopes of her keeping what independence she just regained after her break up. It works out fine in the beginning, but as Blair's secret grows, she risks the relationship with Sam by not telling him.

This was a good quick read. No alpha male throwing her around, but a nice, sweet leading man with a sense of humor never hurts either.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st let me say, I am giving this 3 stars, because I felt it lack...But in many way I like it too ><...I just wish Ms. Kate Dawes would had spent more time dealing with and explaining who Trevor really was...In one point in the book, Blair was thinking about Trevor childhood background, and it seen like it was a sad one, it would had been more interesting at least for me to have know more about who Trevor was...Specially when the plot of this whole story was about Blair and her lack of confidence into relationships when it came to Sam because of Trevor...I was hoping too, that their would be more to Alicia happy ending for Mr. Right or "The one"...I also felt if Ms.Dawes had spend more time developing a more store line of Trevor and even Alicia, it would had been better, then the sex scene..How many time did I really need to read over and over again the sex scene..OK I got it, Sam and Blair had a sexy love life, just get to the story..So what I really want to say, is I was a bit disappointed with the story, specially when there was a good plot to it but it just wasn't deliver..

[Jean Tallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sat on my kindle for waaaayyy too long. I am sorry I did not read it sooner. It was excellent. It would have been better without all of the information about Trevor, but even that had a purpose.

Blair is a recovering chubby girl that runs into Sam Vonn, retired baseball player. Sam and Blair have met before, but he does not recall. Sam and Blair begin a relationship and Blair decides that they should only be together on layovers. And we end up with Layover Rules. Personally, I think that having a sexy hot boyfriend who worships you when you are out of town sounds FANFREAKINGTASTIC. That being said, all good things must come to an end and when Blair realizes she loves Sam and takes a leap of faith he is there to catch her.

Sexy book. Smart is sexy, ya know.

Don't wait too long. You won't be able to put it down.

[Cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly ENJOYED this book. It is an original story with a great meet for the MAIN characters Sam and Blair. Now he's HOT! I love the banter between them. I like the relationship between Blair and her best friend Alicia. I personally do not need to know more about Trevor. Who cares??? He crafted himself after the BDSM books he kept under lock and key. Blah Blah Blah... I feel the author covered every aspect of Blair's life from why the hesitation for a new relationship, the friends, her parents, her career without bogging the story down or leaving any open situations. All infused with humor.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great stand a lone book. I really enjoyed the back and forth between Sam and Claire...oops Blaire. Sam, a handsome wholesome baseball player turned broadcaster, met Blaire, a feisty store merchandiser, for the second time after their lives took dramatic turns to leave them both single. Blaire looking to take charge if her life decided to take charge of a love affair with Sam, hence the layover rules. This a fun quirky book that was unexpectedly charming.

I am looking forward to more books from Dawes...

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am struggling to stay awake with this book I' m about a third of the way through it, and having to force myself to continue. I really enjoyed the Fade series, so I looked forward to this book. It is BORING!!! so far.

A few pages after writing the above, finally the book starts getting better. ( or my second glass of Moscoto makes it seem better) .

I just finished the book. Once it started getting interesting, it continued. It is actually a good story, just a really slow start.

[Michelle Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and other Kate Dawes stories.
I know it is part of the final drama but I kept yelling at the book " Just tell him already". I loved the humor between them too. and the book references between the two girls.

[Cissie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it but God this is a boring book. According to my Nook it has 643 pages, that's about 500 too many. It's pretty bad when I'm making my grocery list in my head while reading. Sad but true!

[Kelly Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of my recent reads have been about this amazing alpha male. This book is opposite and makes you think hmmm maybe alpha males aren't so prefect. Sam and Blaire are so cute and lovable. This book made me laugh and smile through out. Great fast read!

[Adrienh1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a Kate Dawes fan. This was a realistic story of 2 people falling for each other. I'm a little spoiled, but I really like the idea of epilogues at the end of stories. Especially when the stories seem a little unfinished at the end.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have ended a little better.

[Clown Fish · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute kinda got a little bord in the middle

[Alyanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

uhmm...it's okay. it's like friends with benefits wd a mix of no strings attached.

[Nancy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and enjoyable story.

[Jeng Cortez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars i have high expectations from this book esp its from kate dawes as compared to fade series.... Layover rules fell flat for me

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I don't give 5 stars only because I felt that the characters weren't as much developed as it should. I would like to read a follow up book.

[Mbg7819 · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!!!!!!... Rules are made to be broken..:)

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Love it! Love it!

[Wappigirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading nice twist to moguls vs normal guys romance.