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The Best Mistake #1
Only with You
Love is the Biggest Gamble of All . . .
Cocktail waitress Sophie Dalton doesn't exactly have a life plan. She's perfectly happy being everyone's favorite party girl. But when a Las Vegas bachelorette party goes awry and an uptight businessman mistakes Sophie for a prostitute . . . well, Sophie wonders if it's time to reevaluate her priorities. Swearing off her thigh-high boots for good, Sophie slinks back home with damaged pride-and a jackpot of a hangover.
Yet what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. On a trip to Seattle to open a new office, Grayson Wyatt meets his latest employee-who turns out to be the same woman he recently called a hooker. Wealthy and gorgeous, Gray is a man used to getting what he wants. And it doesn't take long to figure out that smart, sassy, sexy Sophie is everything he's been looking for. As their late nights at the office turn into hot morning-afters, they realize their Vegas misunderstanding may lead to the real thing . . .
Cocktail waitress Sophie Dalton doesn't exactly have a life plan. She's perfectly happy being everyone's favorite party girl. But when a Las Vegas bachelorette party goes awry and an uptight businessman mistakes Sophie for a prostitute . . . well, Sophie wonders if it's time to reevaluate her priorities. Swearing off her thigh-high boots for good, Sophie slinks back home with damaged pride-and a jackpot of a hangover.
Yet what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. On a trip to Seattle to open a new office, Grayson Wyatt meets his latest employee-who turns out to be the same woman he recently called a hooker. Wealthy and gorgeous, Gray is a man used to getting what he wants. And it doesn't take long to figure out that smart, sassy, sexy Sophie is everything he's been looking for. As their late nights at the office turn into hot morning-afters, they realize their Vegas misunderstanding may lead to the real thing . . .
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2014
192 people are currently reading
5103 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Layne
61 books10.5k followersLauren Layne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 676 reviews
June 5, 2015
Dear Lord no one hates this and I despise being the black sheep but OMG
I have not been this pissed since the unforgettable disaster that was Ugly Love.
The second I started this I knew I wasn't going to like this but I am a effin trooper and refuse to DNF this after buying it. I should have listened to my gut. I should have deleted the shit out of this book.
I might sound judgmental but you know what? For the first time I don't give a monkey's flying ass.
She's ready for a night out in town with the trashiest(her words) outfit she could muster. She meets Mr. Gorgeous in the elevator but he's not interested.
And then women have the nerve to say men only treat us like a slice of meat. Well if this is the example we give, how the fuck else are they supposed to treat us? Have some decency and learn to respect yourself because the second a guy sleeps with you after that "little flash of leg", you can damn well bet he ain't sleeping with you for your amazing wit.
So when he blatantly ignores her again, so obviously, she goes into bitch mode
Because how fucking dare he not be interested? How fucking dare he not fall for your stupidass tactics! Hands down he's a stick in the mud because how fucking dare he not want you?
So the inevitable happens aka the reason for this book
You want to know what the problem is? Had this been a man touching a woman all effin hell would break lose! What the hell happened to equality?! We want to be treated like equals then keep your fucking hands to yourself. The fact that you have a vagina does not give you special privileges to grope strangers!
I'm not even going to keep going because I am literally fuming. And this is all before we hit chapter 3!
The fact that this book is a walking cliche didn't even hit my radar. And I'm not exaggerating. Every little thing you think can happen, happens.
Case in point:
➪ They meet in an elevator, and it stops midway leaving them stuck.
➪ She's on a ladder, she falls. He miraculously appears and catches her.
➪ They're cooking together, so obviously she has to go and nick herself with the knife.
➪ Tortured male lead with a past that has left him an icy heart
➪ Bubbly female lead who teaches him how to love.
And I'm not kidding that this does not affect my enjoyment. Romances tend to have cliche down to an art and I don't care.
What killed this for me was Sophie.
Her hypocritically judgmental shrewd ass personality that insisted on acting like a goddamned five year old.
And lets not even get into details about Grey and his inability to show a fucking facial expression.
I feel like I read a completely different book because I can't find one person who hates this as much as me.
...And I'm back to normal.
I HATE.SOPHIE MOOOOORE!
I have not been this pissed since the unforgettable disaster that was Ugly Love.
The second I started this I knew I wasn't going to like this but I am a effin trooper and refuse to DNF this after buying it. I should have listened to my gut. I should have deleted the shit out of this book.
I might sound judgmental but you know what? For the first time I don't give a monkey's flying ass.
Skirt the size of a Band-Aid? Check.
Scrappy halter top barely covering her nipples? Got it.
Pole dancer makeup? Definitely.
And the final touch: boots that belonged in a brothel. Perfect.
She looked like a girl looking for no-strings-attached sex.
She's ready for a night out in town with the trashiest(her words) outfit she could muster. She meets Mr. Gorgeous in the elevator but he's not interested.
Sophie stiffened as she realized the physical appreciation was all one-way.(...) Still, his indifference was nothing a little flash of leg couldn’t fix.
And then women have the nerve to say men only treat us like a slice of meat. Well if this is the example we give, how the fuck else are they supposed to treat us? Have some decency and learn to respect yourself because the second a guy sleeps with you after that "little flash of leg", you can damn well bet he ain't sleeping with you for your amazing wit.
So when he blatantly ignores her again, so obviously, she goes into bitch mode
This guy’s idea of sex was probably the equivalent of a nap. Efficient missionary position. Bra on. Disdain for messy body fluids. Yawn. He reminded her of Brynn. They had that same uptight Oh crap, I lost a tree trunk up my ass expression.
Because how fucking dare he not be interested? How fucking dare he not fall for your stupidass tactics! Hands down he's a stick in the mud because how fucking dare he not want you?
So the inevitable happens aka the reason for this book
The elevator jerked suddenly, and her hand grabbed at his leg in panic.(insert a page of conversation here) He said nothing, but his leg shifted slightly under her grip, and she wondered if her hand was making him uncomfortable. Probably. She left it where it was.(insert another page of conversation) Her fingers tightened reflexively on his leg. She belatedly realized exactly how high her hand had slid up his thigh. Her pinky was almost touching… Oh God. She froze as she realized she was practically fondling the horrid man.
You want to know what the problem is? Had this been a man touching a woman all effin hell would break lose! What the hell happened to equality?! We want to be treated like equals then keep your fucking hands to yourself. The fact that you have a vagina does not give you special privileges to grope strangers!
I'm not even going to keep going because I am literally fuming. And this is all before we hit chapter 3!
The fact that this book is a walking cliche didn't even hit my radar. And I'm not exaggerating. Every little thing you think can happen, happens.
Case in point:
➪ They meet in an elevator, and it stops midway leaving them stuck.
➪ She's on a ladder, she falls. He miraculously appears and catches her.
➪ They're cooking together, so obviously she has to go and nick herself with the knife.
➪ Tortured male lead with a past that has left him an icy heart
➪ Bubbly female lead who teaches him how to love.
And I'm not kidding that this does not affect my enjoyment. Romances tend to have cliche down to an art and I don't care.
What killed this for me was Sophie.
Her hypocritically judgmental shrewd ass personality that insisted on acting like a goddamned five year old.
And lets not even get into details about Grey and his inability to show a fucking facial expression.
I feel like I read a completely different book because I can't find one person who hates this as much as me.
...And I'm back to normal.
August 6, 2016
FOUR ONLY YOU STARS.
"you are what I want ..."
Lauren Layne is another author that I simply can't ignore, her books have 'Made for Lisa' stamped all over them and nothing makes me happier than when I've got a Lauren Layne new release in my hands and happily on my kindle. True to form for my romance tastes I happily devoured this sweet easy to read novel that has all usual like ability from this author. Gorgeously predictable and insanely romantic I love a romance novel that gets the heart pounding and makes my reading time enjoyable and easy to escape into and of course this novel provided all that and more.
What's it all about?
After a misfortunate first meeting in a darkened elevator, this unlikely duo never thought they would have to come face to face again. But life had different plans for the Happy go lucky Sophie Dalton and the moody broody businessman, Grayson who are about to have a memorable reunion that neither one of them could have anticipated. Sophie is tired of feeling inadequate, she now has a plan to move on from her laid back persona and has goals in mind to make the people in her life start to take her seriously. Grayson Wyatt is focused on his work life and with heartbreak in his past he has no interest in finding his happily forever especially with the flighty, happy-go-lucky woman that has just landed in his life as his new assistant. A love hate relationship ensues and when an undeniable attraction begins Sophie and Grey have to fight for a love that could be their perfect forever.
What did I love?
From 'I hate you, enemies' to 'please let me take off your suit I want to get down and dirty' style romance is always a winning combination for my tastes. Throw into the mix perfect slow build up chemistry and some not-so angsty drama and I was provided with a novel that I loved to loose myself in. Lauren Layne has created what you don't see so often these days; a standalone novel that left out the down and dirty until the second half of the book and I devoured it. I also enjoyed the characters involved in the story, the romance more than delivered and the novel was comfortably sweet. Admittedly and unusually for me this author provided a heroine that took the limelight and topped the like-ability stakes in this book, she was marvellous. I love a heroine that is feisty and loveable and Lauren Layne has created one fabulous female lead. The hero captivated the moody business man perfectly and although he wasn't winning any favourite hero awards he certainly made me sit up and take notice with his not so subtle arsehole demeanour. This book is the perfect prelude to the series continuation about the story of Sophie's ice queen sister and her best friend Will, the teasers throughout the book were ridiculously tempting and I loved how these characters were introduced to the reader. 'Only with you' had the feeling of a two for one deal where I was getting the scoop on the romance for not just one but two couples. And as you can imagine there was no complaints from me, the more romance the better. Thankfully as a Lauren Layne addict there is not long to wait for the next in this series and I'm already begging for more. All in all there was not much that I didn't adore about this book, and I'm also not even a little bit ashamed to admit that I go addict style crazy over this authors books, they are the perfect solution to escaping in a world that is sweet, sexy and has romance written all over it. I won't ever stop falling in love with novels just like this.
Why not five?
For every book that I read I always try and talk about the positives and as always with a Lauren Layne novel that is always easy for me to do. As for why this book didn't hit that top star rating, well as much as it had going for it, it didn't have that special something to make it unforgettable, i adored the slow build romance and love hate nature of the characters relationship but the drama became a little dragged out towards the middle and I would have liked to have seen this couple celebrate their happy ending for a little more than they did. Over all this book had the essentials that I always enjoy in an easy going romance but it didn't have that wow element to make it stand out from the rest.
Final thoughts ...
Those who love a romance that delivers all of the predicable ingredients for a easy to read, loved-up novel need to add a Lauren Layne book to your must read shelves. This author creates storyline's that make the hours slip by and give that feel good feeling to your reading time. I will never tire of her well written contemporaries and I'll always be waiting on the side lines for a new release. 'Made for you' is the first in the 'best mistake' series and although this book can be read as a standalone Lauren Layne leaves enough temptation in her pages to leave any romance addict desperate to read about the next couple in the series. Well written and sexy-sweet 'Made for you' reminded me of why I love to read a Lauren Layne novel so much, her books are made for a perfect reading escape and I'm hoping that fellow addicts will feel the same way too. Release day is in the not so distant future, go grab it readers. Enjoy ... Kisses.
*ARC generously provided by grand central publishing via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
"you are what I want ..."
Lauren Layne is another author that I simply can't ignore, her books have 'Made for Lisa' stamped all over them and nothing makes me happier than when I've got a Lauren Layne new release in my hands and happily on my kindle. True to form for my romance tastes I happily devoured this sweet easy to read novel that has all usual like ability from this author. Gorgeously predictable and insanely romantic I love a romance novel that gets the heart pounding and makes my reading time enjoyable and easy to escape into and of course this novel provided all that and more.
What's it all about?
After a misfortunate first meeting in a darkened elevator, this unlikely duo never thought they would have to come face to face again. But life had different plans for the Happy go lucky Sophie Dalton and the moody broody businessman, Grayson who are about to have a memorable reunion that neither one of them could have anticipated. Sophie is tired of feeling inadequate, she now has a plan to move on from her laid back persona and has goals in mind to make the people in her life start to take her seriously. Grayson Wyatt is focused on his work life and with heartbreak in his past he has no interest in finding his happily forever especially with the flighty, happy-go-lucky woman that has just landed in his life as his new assistant. A love hate relationship ensues and when an undeniable attraction begins Sophie and Grey have to fight for a love that could be their perfect forever.
What did I love?
From 'I hate you, enemies' to 'please let me take off your suit I want to get down and dirty' style romance is always a winning combination for my tastes. Throw into the mix perfect slow build up chemistry and some not-so angsty drama and I was provided with a novel that I loved to loose myself in. Lauren Layne has created what you don't see so often these days; a standalone novel that left out the down and dirty until the second half of the book and I devoured it. I also enjoyed the characters involved in the story, the romance more than delivered and the novel was comfortably sweet. Admittedly and unusually for me this author provided a heroine that took the limelight and topped the like-ability stakes in this book, she was marvellous. I love a heroine that is feisty and loveable and Lauren Layne has created one fabulous female lead. The hero captivated the moody business man perfectly and although he wasn't winning any favourite hero awards he certainly made me sit up and take notice with his not so subtle arsehole demeanour. This book is the perfect prelude to the series continuation about the story of Sophie's ice queen sister and her best friend Will, the teasers throughout the book were ridiculously tempting and I loved how these characters were introduced to the reader. 'Only with you' had the feeling of a two for one deal where I was getting the scoop on the romance for not just one but two couples. And as you can imagine there was no complaints from me, the more romance the better. Thankfully as a Lauren Layne addict there is not long to wait for the next in this series and I'm already begging for more. All in all there was not much that I didn't adore about this book, and I'm also not even a little bit ashamed to admit that I go addict style crazy over this authors books, they are the perfect solution to escaping in a world that is sweet, sexy and has romance written all over it. I won't ever stop falling in love with novels just like this.
Why not five?
For every book that I read I always try and talk about the positives and as always with a Lauren Layne novel that is always easy for me to do. As for why this book didn't hit that top star rating, well as much as it had going for it, it didn't have that special something to make it unforgettable, i adored the slow build romance and love hate nature of the characters relationship but the drama became a little dragged out towards the middle and I would have liked to have seen this couple celebrate their happy ending for a little more than they did. Over all this book had the essentials that I always enjoy in an easy going romance but it didn't have that wow element to make it stand out from the rest.
Final thoughts ...
Those who love a romance that delivers all of the predicable ingredients for a easy to read, loved-up novel need to add a Lauren Layne book to your must read shelves. This author creates storyline's that make the hours slip by and give that feel good feeling to your reading time. I will never tire of her well written contemporaries and I'll always be waiting on the side lines for a new release. 'Made for you' is the first in the 'best mistake' series and although this book can be read as a standalone Lauren Layne leaves enough temptation in her pages to leave any romance addict desperate to read about the next couple in the series. Well written and sexy-sweet 'Made for you' reminded me of why I love to read a Lauren Layne novel so much, her books are made for a perfect reading escape and I'm hoping that fellow addicts will feel the same way too. Release day is in the not so distant future, go grab it readers. Enjoy ... Kisses.
*ARC generously provided by grand central publishing via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
June 13, 2015
♬ ♪ Reread 02/24 : After the awful miss that was Hero, I need to reread this. Because Davie the deer. ♪ ♬
▒ Rambling post re-read ▒
☂ The critical me is crying : THIS IS PREDICTABLE! BEEN THERE! DONE THAT! CHEESY SCENES SOMETIMES! NOT WORTH 5 STARS!
♡ And my inner rambling self is saying : Oh Shut up, you annoying. Just enjoy this adorable Gray and, of course, SOPHIE!
Brace yourself, because I'm going to say something I usually hate to read, so you can - kindly - throw me tomatoes : I can completely relate to her. Like, totally. Well - except the hot blond part of course. But naming awkward things? Check. Singing Disney songs? Check. Being annoyingly talkative and generally exhausting? Check. Check. Check. Thanks god I'm a teacher, because I'm not sure coworkers would cope with it >.<
Okay, then. I keep the 5 stars rating. If you insist.
❝ Do you have any friends, Mr. Wyatt?"
"Friends?"
"It's a tricky concept for someone like you, I'm sure. They're essentially people who place themselves in your company voluntarily. ❞
▒ Original review ▒
BF - What's with your GR statut? Only with you? What's with this title? Is it an Harlequin or something? Okay, no but what? It's like, a contemporary romance isn't it? You enjoyed a contemporary romance? Really? 5 freakin' stars?
Me - Okay. Well. I guess it needs explanations right? *sigh*
Guess what? Yes, I enjoyed this story - a lot.
❝Listen, I get that you're nervous, but do we have to, you know...talk? ❞
Only with you begins with an awkward meeting which leads the main characters, to, you know, don't talk. It's safe to say that Sophie won me from the start. I mean, what woman doesn't appreciate a female character who is really funny, in a chatterbox kind of way?
BF - You mean, like when you begin to talk and don't realize that -
Well. I said it earlier, I'm really talkative myself, and I must admit that I kind of love when a character seems to not know how to prevent herself from rambling. I mean, Hey! Good morning me! I don't have The Boots though.
Ha ha, I got you intrigued right? What's with The Boots?
I'll explain : Sophie arrives in a hotel in Vegas to celebrate her cousin's bachelorette party. With The Boots on her feet. The Red Boots. Before you begin to think I'm rambling, don't underestimate the importance of the boots. I mean, they lead to that awkward meeting - when the male character, Gray, assumes that Sophie is a hooker.
Ha ha. Welcome to Only with you, the scene of love/hate (and by the way completely hilarious) conversations between Gray and Sophie. If you want to live irrepressible giggles and totally swoon worthy moments, have a break from rude rude world and meet these awesome characters. That was fun.
Warning - Side effect on the reader -
This book offered me so many funny quotes I could make a calendar with them. You know, to begin the day in a good mood. (Not like Sophie, obviously.)
❝ How'd you get into the building?"
"It's called charm - I'll write you a report on it on Monday so you can begin to understand how the concepts works. Short version : you smile at people and they like you more. ❞
So, this is a contemporary romance. Let's get right to the point and talk about the plot : I'll be frank, this book isn't flawless, and yes, it's not immune from cliché.
♥ The Girl meets The Boy.
♥ The Boy sucks at relationship.
♥ The Girl and The Boy start a love/hate dynamic of conversation which is well, really funny.
♥ The Boy hires the girl.
♥ The Girl makes his world a freakin' hell.
♥ The boy and The Girl fall in love.
♥ But. Did I say that The Boy sucked at relationship?
Okay. Done. Nobody cares about it. Now can we talk about these amazing characters?
Because the fact is, we can read a lot of contemporary romance, and always find some twists and parts of plot, but the characters draw the boundaries between a okay book and an excellent one. As you can guess from my rating, I think Only with you was excellent.
1) First of all, let's meet Sophie. As I said, I truly enjoyed her personality, because well, first she's funny, and absolutely relatable. I mean, who doesn't talk like an idiot while getting dressed? Who?
If nobody answers, I'll think I'm crazy, and you don't want that, do you? *sigh*
Moreover, the mixture between lack of self-confidence and smart-ass repartee she shows kind of makes us want to root for her from the beginning. Of course I was totally cheerleading. Hey! She just met a man who thinks she's a hooker and has to work with him. Because yes, didn't I say that? Sophie becomes Gray's assistant and from this moment we have the chance to follow them in their fight for trust and love.
❝ Sophie." "Gray." "You are possibly the most annoying assistant ever. I should fire you. ❞
- Fight for being accepted as they truly are. And wow, that was awesome to see Sophie learning to assert herself even if her family and her history make her think she can't be taken seriously.
Thanks to Gray and the rise of her confidence, little by little, she learns she's worth it. Totally.
❝ There was nobody she had to impress or comfort or appease. She could just be. ❞
2) Of course, this book wouldn't be as amazing without Gray. Who doesn't want to meet a totally hot guy whose lacking skills in conversation are epic? It'd be a shame to miss it, seriously. I'll say it : Gray is the best hero of contemporary romance of all times. For me though, obviously. How could I resist? He's the perfect mix between cute, hot, funny and oddly adorable.
Obviously I loved him, hey, what do you think?
❂ First his monologues are adorable and funny, in a weird kind of way.
❝ Was this the best he could do? There were probably species of fern that would make better company than him.
"Traffic was fine, thanks, " she said, her brow furrowing.
" For me too," he said with a curt nod. Jesus, Gray. ❞
❂Second he's a smart-ass. I can't help but love it. That's all. But, you know, in fact, he's so much adorable because his pretentious attitude hides the fact that he's vulnerable. Wounded.
*whisper* He made my heart ache. Really. Sometimes I wanted just one thing : to decree free hug day and comfort him. Yes, I'm weak that way^^.
❂Third he knows how being hot. Seriously, that's always delightful to feel a real chemistry between characters of a romance novel. I know what you think : yes, it should be mandatory but unfortunately that's not always the case. While here, we feel and laugh and long to see them together. What a success, really.
❝ She struggled not to blush. Hell, she struggled not to pass out. ❞
To sum up, what a wonderful surprise! I never would have guessed I'd enjoy this book that much, and I'm really happy to have forgotten my prejudices about this kind of book. I do enjoy contemporary romance sometimes. I'm not saying that never happens. But that's rare. And here? I'll definitely read the next - Oh. God. This is about Will. Did I talk about that hotness? No?
Guess I'll have to wait the sequel for it.
▒ Rambling post re-read ▒
☂ The critical me is crying : THIS IS PREDICTABLE! BEEN THERE! DONE THAT! CHEESY SCENES SOMETIMES! NOT WORTH 5 STARS!
♡ And my inner rambling self is saying : Oh Shut up, you annoying. Just enjoy this adorable Gray and, of course, SOPHIE!
Brace yourself, because I'm going to say something I usually hate to read, so you can - kindly - throw me tomatoes : I can completely relate to her. Like, totally. Well - except the hot blond part of course. But naming awkward things? Check. Singing Disney songs? Check. Being annoyingly talkative and generally exhausting? Check. Check. Check. Thanks god I'm a teacher, because I'm not sure coworkers would cope with it >.<
Okay, then. I keep the 5 stars rating. If you insist.
❝ Do you have any friends, Mr. Wyatt?"
"Friends?"
"It's a tricky concept for someone like you, I'm sure. They're essentially people who place themselves in your company voluntarily. ❞
▒ Original review ▒
BF - What's with your GR statut? Only with you? What's with this title? Is it an Harlequin or something? Okay, no but what? It's like, a contemporary romance isn't it? You enjoyed a contemporary romance? Really? 5 freakin' stars?
Me - Okay. Well. I guess it needs explanations right? *sigh*
Guess what? Yes, I enjoyed this story - a lot.
❝Listen, I get that you're nervous, but do we have to, you know...talk? ❞
Only with you begins with an awkward meeting which leads the main characters, to, you know, don't talk. It's safe to say that Sophie won me from the start. I mean, what woman doesn't appreciate a female character who is really funny, in a chatterbox kind of way?
BF - You mean, like when you begin to talk and don't realize that -
Well. I said it earlier, I'm really talkative myself, and I must admit that I kind of love when a character seems to not know how to prevent herself from rambling. I mean, Hey! Good morning me! I don't have The Boots though.
Ha ha, I got you intrigued right? What's with The Boots?
I'll explain : Sophie arrives in a hotel in Vegas to celebrate her cousin's bachelorette party. With The Boots on her feet. The Red Boots. Before you begin to think I'm rambling, don't underestimate the importance of the boots. I mean, they lead to that awkward meeting - when the male character, Gray, assumes that Sophie is a hooker.
Ha ha. Welcome to Only with you, the scene of love/hate (and by the way completely hilarious) conversations between Gray and Sophie. If you want to live irrepressible giggles and totally swoon worthy moments, have a break from rude rude world and meet these awesome characters. That was fun.
Warning - Side effect on the reader -
This book offered me so many funny quotes I could make a calendar with them. You know, to begin the day in a good mood. (Not like Sophie, obviously.)
❝ How'd you get into the building?"
"It's called charm - I'll write you a report on it on Monday so you can begin to understand how the concepts works. Short version : you smile at people and they like you more. ❞
So, this is a contemporary romance. Let's get right to the point and talk about the plot : I'll be frank, this book isn't flawless, and yes, it's not immune from cliché.
♥ The Girl meets The Boy.
♥ The Boy sucks at relationship.
♥ The Girl and The Boy start a love/hate dynamic of conversation which is well, really funny.
♥ The Boy hires the girl.
♥ The Girl makes his world a freakin' hell.
♥ The boy and The Girl fall in love.
♥ But. Did I say that The Boy sucked at relationship?
Okay. Done. Nobody cares about it. Now can we talk about these amazing characters?
Because the fact is, we can read a lot of contemporary romance, and always find some twists and parts of plot, but the characters draw the boundaries between a okay book and an excellent one. As you can guess from my rating, I think Only with you was excellent.
1) First of all, let's meet Sophie. As I said, I truly enjoyed her personality, because well, first she's funny, and absolutely relatable. I mean, who doesn't talk like an idiot while getting dressed? Who?
If nobody answers, I'll think I'm crazy, and you don't want that, do you? *sigh*
Moreover, the mixture between lack of self-confidence and smart-ass repartee she shows kind of makes us want to root for her from the beginning. Of course I was totally cheerleading. Hey! She just met a man who thinks she's a hooker and has to work with him. Because yes, didn't I say that? Sophie becomes Gray's assistant and from this moment we have the chance to follow them in their fight for trust and love.
❝ Sophie." "Gray." "You are possibly the most annoying assistant ever. I should fire you. ❞
- Fight for being accepted as they truly are. And wow, that was awesome to see Sophie learning to assert herself even if her family and her history make her think she can't be taken seriously.
Thanks to Gray and the rise of her confidence, little by little, she learns she's worth it. Totally.
❝ There was nobody she had to impress or comfort or appease. She could just be. ❞
2) Of course, this book wouldn't be as amazing without Gray. Who doesn't want to meet a totally hot guy whose lacking skills in conversation are epic? It'd be a shame to miss it, seriously. I'll say it : Gray is the best hero of contemporary romance of all times. For me though, obviously. How could I resist? He's the perfect mix between cute, hot, funny and oddly adorable.
Obviously I loved him, hey, what do you think?
❂ First his monologues are adorable and funny, in a weird kind of way.
❝ Was this the best he could do? There were probably species of fern that would make better company than him.
"Traffic was fine, thanks, " she said, her brow furrowing.
" For me too," he said with a curt nod. Jesus, Gray. ❞
❂Second he's a smart-ass. I can't help but love it. That's all. But, you know, in fact, he's so much adorable because his pretentious attitude hides the fact that he's vulnerable. Wounded.
*whisper* He made my heart ache. Really. Sometimes I wanted just one thing : to decree free hug day and comfort him. Yes, I'm weak that way^^.
❂Third he knows how being hot. Seriously, that's always delightful to feel a real chemistry between characters of a romance novel. I know what you think : yes, it should be mandatory but unfortunately that's not always the case. While here, we feel and laugh and long to see them together. What a success, really.
❝ She struggled not to blush. Hell, she struggled not to pass out. ❞
To sum up, what a wonderful surprise! I never would have guessed I'd enjoy this book that much, and I'm really happy to have forgotten my prejudices about this kind of book. I do enjoy contemporary romance sometimes. I'm not saying that never happens. But that's rare. And here? I'll definitely read the next - Oh. God. This is about Will. Did I talk about that hotness? No?
Guess I'll have to wait the sequel for it.
May 29, 2015
2.5 it's not you, it's me stars!
I know that this book and I are probably not going to get along the moment I read this.
Sophie stiffened as she realized the physical appreciation was all one-way. Far from being admiring, his gaze was downright icy, and the rest of his face was completely expressionless. She instinctively disliked men who couldn't muster a simple, polite smile for strangers, especially when she was drooling like Cujo. Still, his indifference was nothing a little flash of leg couldn't fix.
She then went all out in catching his attention but when he made a wrong assumption about her, she lost her shit. And down goes my enjoyment for this book.
I'm sorry but I intensely disliked Sophie. She had no redeeming qualities and I couldn't muster a smidgen of sympathy for her.
Gray wasn't any better. He just left me cold. Their banter felt forced to me and frankly, everything about this book just felt flat. Surprisingly, the one thing I enjoyed about this book is Brynn and Will. Their love-hate relationship is something I can understand. Sophie and Gray on the other hand just bored me.
I usually enjoy the enemies to lovers trope but the lack of chemistry between Gray and Sophie made me think that they should have remained enemies throughout the book. It's really hard for me to enjoy CR with a very unlikable heroine and hero. Sorry, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
I know it's been said that you don't have to like or relate to the characters as long as you find them interesting and they bring out feelings in you. If it had been any genre, I would have agreed but this is romance.It's hard to enjoy reading about two people falling in love when all you want to do is to a stick a fork in both their eyes. Or yours for that matter.
So yeah. Thanks, but no thanks. :/
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I know that this book and I are probably not going to get along the moment I read this.
Sophie stiffened as she realized the physical appreciation was all one-way. Far from being admiring, his gaze was downright icy, and the rest of his face was completely expressionless. She instinctively disliked men who couldn't muster a simple, polite smile for strangers, especially when she was drooling like Cujo. Still, his indifference was nothing a little flash of leg couldn't fix.
She then went all out in catching his attention but when he made a wrong assumption about her, she lost her shit. And down goes my enjoyment for this book.
I'm sorry but I intensely disliked Sophie. She had no redeeming qualities and I couldn't muster a smidgen of sympathy for her.
Gray wasn't any better. He just left me cold. Their banter felt forced to me and frankly, everything about this book just felt flat. Surprisingly, the one thing I enjoyed about this book is Brynn and Will. Their love-hate relationship is something I can understand. Sophie and Gray on the other hand just bored me.
I usually enjoy the enemies to lovers trope but the lack of chemistry between Gray and Sophie made me think that they should have remained enemies throughout the book. It's really hard for me to enjoy CR with a very unlikable heroine and hero. Sorry, but I couldn't bring myself to care.
I know it's been said that you don't have to like or relate to the characters as long as you find them interesting and they bring out feelings in you. If it had been any genre, I would have agreed but this is romance.It's hard to enjoy reading about two people falling in love when all you want to do is to a stick a fork in both their eyes. Or yours for that matter.
So yeah. Thanks, but no thanks. :/
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 3, 2014
*****4.5 Blame it on the Hooker Boots Stars*****
(ARC Provided by Netgalley)
"Only With You" , was a completely wonderful surprise to me.
First off, I was instantly approved by Netgalley for this one!
This book was a GEM!!
I was hooked from that very first elevator ride!!!
Sophie Dalton is a 28 year old woman, who has just recently been dumped by her boyfriend of the past eight months, for being flighty.
She can't seem to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life, and she has been a disappointment to her parents since she dropped out of Harvard Law.
Sophie is in Vegas, for a cousin's bachelorette party.
All the girls are to dress in their sluttiest clothes.
When she gets on the elevator to head on down to the hotel lobby, she meets, sinfully gorgeous Grayson Wyatt.
He's the CEO of a hotel acquisitions company, who has zero sense of humor and does not do well in social situations.
The two end up getting stuck on the elevator and let's just say, they get off on the wrong foot when Gray mistakenly takes her for being a prostitute.
Fast forward to about two months later, where Sophie is at her parents house for Sunday dinner. She has just quit her job as a waitress that she has had for the past several years. Having someone mistake her for a prostitute, put her in a very bad place in her head, but it also forced her to take steps to improve her life.
She's in for a rude awakening, when her older sister, Brynn, brings home a date to Sunday dinner!!
Any guesses as to who her sister's date is??!!!!
Gray Wyatt!!!!
Ok so, I have to say, one of my top fave types of romances, are the ones where the couple starts off on the wrong foot, and spend most of the story trying not to kill each other.
That night, at Sunday dinner, the chemistry is undeniable!
I had butterflies in my stomach in anticipation of these two finally getting together!!!
I KNEW when they did finally give in to their feelings, that it was going to be SMOKIN' HOT!!!
Gray ends up offering Sophie a job as his executive assistant, and it was definitely because he was put on the spot to do so, AND Sophie only accepts the offer to get under his skin!!
For most of the story, these two will continue to bicker and irritate each other but over time they will also realize that they may just be falling for each other.
We will find out why Gray tends to be a cold and closed off man.
These two drove me crazy for about 75% of the story.
They both kept giving each other mixed signals and were so insecure at times that they were absolutely blind to see that there were true feelings developing between them.
When the sexy times finally commenced, I nearly exploded from waiting for what felt like an eternity for it to happen!!
IT WAS FABULOUS!!
There was an interesting side story going on with Sophie's sister, Brynn, that we will get more of in book two!
I am predicting A LOT of ANGST in her story, and I can't wait!!
I have read some other books by Lauren Layne, that I completely loved to pieces, and this one definitely has been added to that list!
I love that when I read her books, I get the happy butterfly tingles in my stomach, because the romance is oh so sweet!!!
I know that the CEO and Secretary, love/hate relationship stories have been done time and time again, but I absolutely LOVED every damn second of reading this book and I would highly recommend it!!
(ARC Provided by Netgalley)
"Only With You" , was a completely wonderful surprise to me.
First off, I was instantly approved by Netgalley for this one!
This book was a GEM!!
I was hooked from that very first elevator ride!!!
Sophie Dalton is a 28 year old woman, who has just recently been dumped by her boyfriend of the past eight months, for being flighty.
She can't seem to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life, and she has been a disappointment to her parents since she dropped out of Harvard Law.
Sophie is in Vegas, for a cousin's bachelorette party.
All the girls are to dress in their sluttiest clothes.
When she gets on the elevator to head on down to the hotel lobby, she meets, sinfully gorgeous Grayson Wyatt.
He's the CEO of a hotel acquisitions company, who has zero sense of humor and does not do well in social situations.
The two end up getting stuck on the elevator and let's just say, they get off on the wrong foot when Gray mistakenly takes her for being a prostitute.
Fast forward to about two months later, where Sophie is at her parents house for Sunday dinner. She has just quit her job as a waitress that she has had for the past several years. Having someone mistake her for a prostitute, put her in a very bad place in her head, but it also forced her to take steps to improve her life.
She's in for a rude awakening, when her older sister, Brynn, brings home a date to Sunday dinner!!
Any guesses as to who her sister's date is??!!!!
Gray Wyatt!!!!
Ok so, I have to say, one of my top fave types of romances, are the ones where the couple starts off on the wrong foot, and spend most of the story trying not to kill each other.
That night, at Sunday dinner, the chemistry is undeniable!
I had butterflies in my stomach in anticipation of these two finally getting together!!!
I KNEW when they did finally give in to their feelings, that it was going to be SMOKIN' HOT!!!
Gray ends up offering Sophie a job as his executive assistant, and it was definitely because he was put on the spot to do so, AND Sophie only accepts the offer to get under his skin!!
For most of the story, these two will continue to bicker and irritate each other but over time they will also realize that they may just be falling for each other.
We will find out why Gray tends to be a cold and closed off man.
These two drove me crazy for about 75% of the story.
They both kept giving each other mixed signals and were so insecure at times that they were absolutely blind to see that there were true feelings developing between them.
When the sexy times finally commenced, I nearly exploded from waiting for what felt like an eternity for it to happen!!
IT WAS FABULOUS!!
There was an interesting side story going on with Sophie's sister, Brynn, that we will get more of in book two!
I am predicting A LOT of ANGST in her story, and I can't wait!!
I have read some other books by Lauren Layne, that I completely loved to pieces, and this one definitely has been added to that list!
I love that when I read her books, I get the happy butterfly tingles in my stomach, because the romance is oh so sweet!!!
I know that the CEO and Secretary, love/hate relationship stories have been done time and time again, but I absolutely LOVED every damn second of reading this book and I would highly recommend it!!
April 15, 2015
Re-read (04/11 - 04/13): I love this book! And when I'm tired or emotionally exhausted from other books, I always like to re-read favorite, light stories. This one is so funny, but while the first time I read it I kept focused on the banter between Gray and Sophie, this time I focused more on the secondary characters. I also gave more attention to the unique characteristics of Sophie's mom, Gray's brother and sister, and Gray's relationship with his friends. All in all, it's always great to re-read books. There's always something I miss the first time, and several times I was like "oh, I hadn't realized how Brynn (sophie's sister) was quiet in this scene". But the main reason I read this was because I missed Gray and Sophie. They are just too great together.
OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK! It was cute, funny, adorable, swoon-worthy, magical, fantastic! It was one of those books that made me laugh, so hard, smile, giggle! I can't even remember the last time I giggled at a book! This book was everything and I'm dying to read it again. I didn't feel this love for a romance book since... Kiss the sky?
“You’d think they were watching gladiators,” he said. “I’d be the gladiator,” Sophie replied. “You’d be whatever weakling they throw in there, who gets mutilated.”
(Love this part of the book). So, Sophie and Gray meet at an elevator at Vegas and it gets stuck. Sophie tries to small talk (because she just really is a bubbly person) and Gray wants nothing of it. What we will learn later in the book is that while Sophie loves to talk to people, smile, and just overly communicate Gray is a very closed man. When the elevator starts moving again, Gray assumes Sophie is a hooker! (Man, I thought this was so creative!) She gets pissed, of course. She was wearing short clothes and all, but to assume her a hooker? AND she was wearing red boots! That's very important, people. Because of these boots that the whole story unfolds (since later we discover that the main reason Gray assumed her a hooker was because of the boots).
So, after this scene I kept on thinking: How will they meet again? What are the odds? Let me tell you, when destiny has something in mind, everything works out.
Gray was "dating" Sophie's sister and they meet again at an awkward scene when they are having dinner at Sophie's house. Imagine meeting a man again after he assumes you're a prostitute? Sophie is unemployed, so when Brynn (Sophie's sister) asks Gray if he could hire Sophie to be his new secretary because his old one got a job in another city, Sophie thinks is the perfect chance to get on the last nerve of this man. And she succeeds, oh God.
I laughed so much! Sophie could be very creative with words, and she kept on nagging and nagging Gray. Gray has been very hurt by another women in the past, and while Sophie was infuriating at first, he soon realized that Sophie made him feel alive. She had a skill with people he never had, an easiness he never possessed. While very much the opposite in the "exterior" (because Sophie was all smiles and he all scowls), they balanced and were perfect to each other.
"Not that he was faultless, of course. That chronic scowl had to go, she didn't care how introverted he was. But at the same time, she no longer was sure she wanted him to smile just because it was expected. Sophie was beginning to like the fact that Gray's smiles had to be earned. They felt more like a reward worth reaching for instead of a superficial grin freely given."
Imagine me reading this book on the bus and everyone staring at me because who is this crazy girl who frowns, smiles, giggles, scowls and cries? Is she okay? Well, that was the effect of this book on me. While obviously perfect for each other, Sophie and Gray had a long way to go until they left their broken heart behind. I liked it, in fact. It wasn't all "I love yous" right at start. No, both Sophie and Gray had to work at it. They grew so much!
"Perhaps most startling of all was the fact that the two of them weren't quite as different as she'd assumed. They were both struggling to reconcile being true to themselves while managing the expectations of others. He with being more approachable, and she with being more conventional. On the one hand, they wanted to be open to self-improvement. On the other, they didn't want to compromise their own values."
See? Well, what can I say? Thanks, Anna and Chelsea, because this book went quickly to my favorite shelf! It was SO, SO, SO GOOD! EVERYONE should read this, seriously!
OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK! It was cute, funny, adorable, swoon-worthy, magical, fantastic! It was one of those books that made me laugh, so hard, smile, giggle! I can't even remember the last time I giggled at a book! This book was everything and I'm dying to read it again. I didn't feel this love for a romance book since... Kiss the sky?
“You’d think they were watching gladiators,” he said. “I’d be the gladiator,” Sophie replied. “You’d be whatever weakling they throw in there, who gets mutilated.”
(Love this part of the book). So, Sophie and Gray meet at an elevator at Vegas and it gets stuck. Sophie tries to small talk (because she just really is a bubbly person) and Gray wants nothing of it. What we will learn later in the book is that while Sophie loves to talk to people, smile, and just overly communicate Gray is a very closed man. When the elevator starts moving again, Gray assumes Sophie is a hooker! (Man, I thought this was so creative!) She gets pissed, of course. She was wearing short clothes and all, but to assume her a hooker? AND she was wearing red boots! That's very important, people. Because of these boots that the whole story unfolds (since later we discover that the main reason Gray assumed her a hooker was because of the boots).
So, after this scene I kept on thinking: How will they meet again? What are the odds? Let me tell you, when destiny has something in mind, everything works out.
Gray was "dating" Sophie's sister and they meet again at an awkward scene when they are having dinner at Sophie's house. Imagine meeting a man again after he assumes you're a prostitute? Sophie is unemployed, so when Brynn (Sophie's sister) asks Gray if he could hire Sophie to be his new secretary because his old one got a job in another city, Sophie thinks is the perfect chance to get on the last nerve of this man. And she succeeds, oh God.
I laughed so much! Sophie could be very creative with words, and she kept on nagging and nagging Gray. Gray has been very hurt by another women in the past, and while Sophie was infuriating at first, he soon realized that Sophie made him feel alive. She had a skill with people he never had, an easiness he never possessed. While very much the opposite in the "exterior" (because Sophie was all smiles and he all scowls), they balanced and were perfect to each other.
"Not that he was faultless, of course. That chronic scowl had to go, she didn't care how introverted he was. But at the same time, she no longer was sure she wanted him to smile just because it was expected. Sophie was beginning to like the fact that Gray's smiles had to be earned. They felt more like a reward worth reaching for instead of a superficial grin freely given."
Imagine me reading this book on the bus and everyone staring at me because who is this crazy girl who frowns, smiles, giggles, scowls and cries? Is she okay? Well, that was the effect of this book on me. While obviously perfect for each other, Sophie and Gray had a long way to go until they left their broken heart behind. I liked it, in fact. It wasn't all "I love yous" right at start. No, both Sophie and Gray had to work at it. They grew so much!
"Perhaps most startling of all was the fact that the two of them weren't quite as different as she'd assumed. They were both struggling to reconcile being true to themselves while managing the expectations of others. He with being more approachable, and she with being more conventional. On the one hand, they wanted to be open to self-improvement. On the other, they didn't want to compromise their own values."
See? Well, what can I say? Thanks, Anna and Chelsea, because this book went quickly to my favorite shelf! It was SO, SO, SO GOOD! EVERYONE should read this, seriously!
September 3, 2014
3,5 Beautifully Mistaken Stars.
In a weekend in Vegas and stuck in an elevator, Gray mistaken Sophie for a hooker. And what should be a simple incident turns into a life-changer for Sophie as she decides its time to change her life.
But what happen in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and soon they will meet again… and Gray will not be easily forgiven for his mistake.
Well, long story short he ends up hiring her for his secretary and they are now bound to spent long hours together. And things slowly start to change.
And when your preconceived notions about someone start to change as you get to know that person… how long can you keep the façade?
Rating: 3,5 Stars.
Storyline: This was a nice and sweet romance. And believe me, I love Lauren Layne. She is my easy fix when I need a book that I know that will make feel good. But there was *something* missing. The spark between the MC’s started to appear pretty late in the story and I felt like the first part of the book was almost forcing them to be together, like when you kids pick up their little Barbie’s and make the “now kiss” move. Other than that, it delivery exactly what it was supposed to: a sweet and heartwarming story.
Writing Style: First person. Female POV. Sweet and engaging.
Character Development: Sophie was pretty sweet although a little insecure. In general she was a strong heroine and I liked her. Ironically, Gray was harder for me to like. At the beginning of the book he looked like a robot. But when he finally started to open up, boy, he was great!
Steam: Some heated scenes.
HEA:
In a weekend in Vegas and stuck in an elevator, Gray mistaken Sophie for a hooker. And what should be a simple incident turns into a life-changer for Sophie as she decides its time to change her life.
But what happen in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and soon they will meet again… and Gray will not be easily forgiven for his mistake.
Well, long story short he ends up hiring her for his secretary and they are now bound to spent long hours together. And things slowly start to change.
And when your preconceived notions about someone start to change as you get to know that person… how long can you keep the façade?
Rating: 3,5 Stars.
Storyline: This was a nice and sweet romance. And believe me, I love Lauren Layne. She is my easy fix when I need a book that I know that will make feel good. But there was *something* missing. The spark between the MC’s started to appear pretty late in the story and I felt like the first part of the book was almost forcing them to be together, like when you kids pick up their little Barbie’s and make the “now kiss” move. Other than that, it delivery exactly what it was supposed to: a sweet and heartwarming story.
Writing Style: First person. Female POV. Sweet and engaging.
Character Development: Sophie was pretty sweet although a little insecure. In general she was a strong heroine and I liked her. Ironically, Gray was harder for me to like. At the beginning of the book he looked like a robot. But when he finally started to open up, boy, he was great!
Steam: Some heated scenes.
HEA:
July 6, 2014
**3 Enemies to Lovers stars**
A cute story where the hero and heroine have an unfortunate first meeting in a Vegas elevator. From that regrettable event their relationship becomes an all out war.
For the reader looking for a quick, easy read about enemies to lovers type of story this will hit the spot. After the epilogue the reader is given a quick glance at the couple from book two with chapter one. It looks very promising.
SERIES:
To find out when book two will be released click here.
Release date: July 29, 2014
**Complimentary copy courtesy of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
A cute story where the hero and heroine have an unfortunate first meeting in a Vegas elevator. From that regrettable event their relationship becomes an all out war.
For the reader looking for a quick, easy read about enemies to lovers type of story this will hit the spot. After the epilogue the reader is given a quick glance at the couple from book two with chapter one. It looks very promising.
SERIES:
To find out when book two will be released click here.
Release date: July 29, 2014
**Complimentary copy courtesy of Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
July 3, 2014
5 Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner Stars * * * * *
Smart, sassy and the best type of RomCom... had pathos... issues all of us have experienced one way or another. Perfect Character development and made you feel all of it... the bickering, the desire, the pain and want. Also did the perfect set up for the next book, Made for You... because I want it NOW.
Smart, sassy and the best type of RomCom... had pathos... issues all of us have experienced one way or another. Perfect Character development and made you feel all of it... the bickering, the desire, the pain and want. Also did the perfect set up for the next book, Made for You... because I want it NOW.
July 29, 2014
3.5 Stars
Who knew a pair of boots could change your life forever.
Sophie was floundering through life, she dropped out of law school, she works as a waitress and her loser boyfriend just dumped her because she is ‘floundering through life’ but she didn’t hit rock bottom until she met Gray in an elevator. When Gray mistakes Sophie for a common hooker, well that is when she decided that everything in her life needed to change.
Sophie’s sister Brynn on the other hand is perfect and everything that Sophie isn’t but her parents want her to be. When Brynn brings Gray with her to a family dinner a chain of events happens that lands Sophie in the role of Gray’s assistant. As they get to know one another it is becoming more and more clear that even though they are completely different maybe they are completely right for one another.
This is the type of book I pick up when I know that I just want something easy with a nice HEA ending. When I just want to go on the journey of meeting someone and falling in love with them, because beginnings are my favorite part of any story.
This is a story of two people getting out of their own way and putting their emotional issues aside for a chance at happiness. Gray is socially awkward and has a hard time interacting with people, he also has a past love that seems to haunt him still. Sophie has never found anything she was really passionate about. She is easy with people, but lacks self-confidence in the shadow of her successful family. Each has something they can offer the other if they can find a way past their past.
Recommended for when you are looking for some cotton candy reading and just need a good adult romance. Super cute fluffy read with some sassy snark. This is a good romance if you don't like explicit sex scenes *cough*not an issue for me*cough*. Not fade to black but not overdone either.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of a review
Who knew a pair of boots could change your life forever.
Sophie was floundering through life, she dropped out of law school, she works as a waitress and her loser boyfriend just dumped her because she is ‘floundering through life’ but she didn’t hit rock bottom until she met Gray in an elevator. When Gray mistakes Sophie for a common hooker, well that is when she decided that everything in her life needed to change.
Sophie’s sister Brynn on the other hand is perfect and everything that Sophie isn’t but her parents want her to be. When Brynn brings Gray with her to a family dinner a chain of events happens that lands Sophie in the role of Gray’s assistant. As they get to know one another it is becoming more and more clear that even though they are completely different maybe they are completely right for one another.
This is the type of book I pick up when I know that I just want something easy with a nice HEA ending. When I just want to go on the journey of meeting someone and falling in love with them, because beginnings are my favorite part of any story.
This is a story of two people getting out of their own way and putting their emotional issues aside for a chance at happiness. Gray is socially awkward and has a hard time interacting with people, he also has a past love that seems to haunt him still. Sophie has never found anything she was really passionate about. She is easy with people, but lacks self-confidence in the shadow of her successful family. Each has something they can offer the other if they can find a way past their past.
Recommended for when you are looking for some cotton candy reading and just need a good adult romance. Super cute fluffy read with some sassy snark. This is a good romance if you don't like explicit sex scenes *cough*not an issue for me*cough*. Not fade to black but not overdone either.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of a review
September 24, 2014
They hugged, and Brynn tucked a wayward curl behind Sophie's ear. "Soph, you know all that stuff you were saying about just wanting to be happy?"
Sophie nodded.
"Well...are you happy?"
Sophie looked out at the pouring rain and considered. "No. Not yet. But I'm learning how to be."
Once again I am amazed to say that no matter how skeptical I am at the start of one of this woman's books, I came out at the end with a huge smile on my face and in the giddiest of moods. It's no secret that if a story is handled correctly I become a heaping pile of goo. But, as I've said on repeat recently, normally I don't like contemporary romance novels anymore. They've become cliched, predictable and altogether forgettable-so when I find an author who can write the shit out of a contemporary romance, I feel as though I've hit the lottery. But the kicker is, I haven't found an author in this genre recently who can make me feel much less cry or laugh or swoon. Now, what you're about to read is going to be a major gush session about this author and this work of fiction-and I'm not afraid to admit it. Lauren Layne is highly underrated and I truly believe that when an author can write books that are fun, quirky, and hot without being trashy, they deserve recognition. Now, there is always, of course, some predictability or some cliche moments, but that comes with 90% of romance novels-I never claimed that her books are without those-but with her, they feel wholly unique (to me) and they make me happy. And that's all that's important to me-being happy when I read a book. So, what you're about to read may sound like an all out gush session, but that's what it is. When I read a book I love, I tend to, well, gush. So, despite it's mixed ratings, here is a positive review about how perfect (to me) this book was.
"Then absolutely. I'm in. Ugh, I don't suppose you have a handkerchief," she said, struggling to right her appearance.
He pulled one from his pocket, predictable as ever. "I thought you were supposed to save the one I gave you last time as a memento," he said as she carefully removed her smeared lipstick.
"I believe what I said was that I wasn't keeping it."
"I thought you women were supposed to be attuned to romantic inklings."
She snorted, "Maybe. Doesn't mean I didn't set your handkerchief on fire."
Lauren Layne ripped my heart out and made me tear up when I least expected it. My heart expanded to such large proportions that I thought I might choke from the sheer velocity of it, but most of all-as I said above-she made me feel. Sadness, happiness, anger, angst, giddiness...you name it, I felt it. Even now as I type this my heart hurts from the capacity with which she made me fall for her characters.
"I am not working for your boyfriend," Sophie said harshly, cutting off Gray's babbling. "And I'm not working in a godforsaken office."
"Now, Sophie," her mother said, apparently coming around to the idea, "it could be a great opportunity..."
"An opportunity to what, learn how to staple?"
"You don't know how to staple?" Will asked.
There were tears of both unexpected happiness and tears for a family that, while not wholly like my own, the bond between sisters, mother, and father when things go downhill had tears running down my cheeks as they consoled and defended Sophie. That bond can't be faked, and I know for a fact that my family would react the same way and that this whole situation felt so authentic when life got messy near the end. And, most especially, I loved seeing the new and not-so-improved Brynn, her sister, falling apart at the seams while still giving her baby sister the undeterred support she deserves and helping (or attempting to help) to mend her fragile heart.
She waited for him to look back. Waited for him to realize that at the very least, some verbal acknowledgement of their minicatastrophe was required. But he kept walking.
A gorgeous shithead in a beautiful suit.
Sophie and Gray were so cute because they meet in such an unconventional way. Sophie is at a bachelorette party and she decides to wear thigh-high boots with only scraps for clothing (this seems to be the theme of the party) when she runs into Gray in the elevator. Naturally, he dubs her a hooker-go figure lol. They go their separate ways and Gray is none the wiser of what his accusation has done to Sophie. But what happens when the girl you call a hooker becomes your closest employee? What ensues next is funny, not completely realistic, and over the top fun-I adored seeing Gray's demons and how he handled them. It melted my heart and made me fall for him further...and Sophie was just the quirky, zany girl he needed. It was hilarious seeing how he wished she was quiet but then longed for her company when she wasn't around.
"Nobody can see us here, right?" he asked.
"Nah, I think they designed this as a reprieve. It lets the oldies like us catch our breath without prying eyes."
"Good," he said firmly.
And then he rolled toward her, and before she knew what was happening, Sophie found herself pinned between the padded floor and a hard male body. His mouth took hers with such fierce possession she gasped from the shock of it.
Layne has created the funny college frat boy, the broken, tortured war hero, the struggling to find himself and his path business man, and now this cold, closed off CEO who won't let another woman stomp on his heart-She broke my heart and pieced it back together again with her male lead. I laughed. I pouted. I teared up and I rooted for them to inevitably fall for one another. This is probably the longest it's taken for two people in her books to quit being so stubborn, but I LOVE that. I LOVE how she can change her books up and make them seem completely individual and unlike her others. I love that I expected it to go one way, but it went another. So many authors I fall for start to sound so repetitive and I inevitably begin to lose that magical awe I once felt for them, but it hasn't happened yet with Layne and I can't help but to be grateful. In my life, it's so nice to have an author I know I can turn to and read books by when I'm in a bad mood and I'll feel better for doing so. I become jaded with with my favorite authors and I am so grateful to have found this one. Sure, I can see her style in each and every work, every author has a tell, but Layne has managed to work everything she loves to write about in each and every book without making me roll my eyes (or want to).
"Are you calling yourself pretty?" he teased.
She smiled back. "Aren't I?"
His eyes roamed over her face, warming every spot they touched. "You're beautiful."
I have, admittedly, been trying to stay away from her books so I can space them out before I don't have any left and so I don't get tired of her characters and writing-but, and this happens every time, maybe half a week will pass and I'm instantly one-clicking all of her works because I Just. Can't. Stay. Away. It's like crack-that's it-these books are MY CRACK. It's a perfect metaphor, really. Some people might not love her like I do, get addicted to her beautiful, broken, jealous characters, but I do-it's my vice to read her books and an individual obsession. I'm a glutton for these books and I can't stop.
By the time she exited the elevator, she was a sobbing mess.
This job at Brayburn was supposed to be her path toward respectability, and she was messing everything up.
Nobody would respect the girl who fell in love with the boss.
Another non-problem with reading her books is that I take so long reading them because I am on a continuous high-lighting frenzy. Everything makes me want to highlight and nothing deserves to be forgotten. I swear, in each story I've read there is more highlighting than actual plain page. And I'm always so satisfied with the conclusions and feel contented and happy. She is the queen of HEAs. Her men are so stubborn but end up being the best, sweetest BBFs ever, and I have adored each and every one of them.
"Why are you yelling?" she asked.
"I don't yell."
"Your voice was raised."
"I had to raise my voice to get your attention," he ground out.
"You've never raised your voice before to get my attention when I'm at my desk. I can hear you just fine with your normal voice-of-doom volume."
"Sophie."
"Gray."
"You are possibly the most annoying assistant ever. I should fire you."
An amazing author with not one bad book to date, she creates characters that don't easily leave your mind but give you just enough fluff to get through the day. The characters that surrounded Sophie were some of my favorite by her yet, but her best friend Will took the cake-I LOVED him. He was funny, witty and I found myself giggling every time he was around. I can't wait for his book, because I know he is next. I'm devouring these books in a shocking manner and at an alarming rate. I just can't wait for all of her new releases...I can hardly stand that I have to wait from now on. It's going to be a struggle-a struggle I'll have to bear each and every time from this moment forth when I choose to read these incomplete series.
For more of my reviews visit
Sophie nodded.
"Well...are you happy?"
Sophie looked out at the pouring rain and considered. "No. Not yet. But I'm learning how to be."
Once again I am amazed to say that no matter how skeptical I am at the start of one of this woman's books, I came out at the end with a huge smile on my face and in the giddiest of moods. It's no secret that if a story is handled correctly I become a heaping pile of goo. But, as I've said on repeat recently, normally I don't like contemporary romance novels anymore. They've become cliched, predictable and altogether forgettable-so when I find an author who can write the shit out of a contemporary romance, I feel as though I've hit the lottery. But the kicker is, I haven't found an author in this genre recently who can make me feel much less cry or laugh or swoon. Now, what you're about to read is going to be a major gush session about this author and this work of fiction-and I'm not afraid to admit it. Lauren Layne is highly underrated and I truly believe that when an author can write books that are fun, quirky, and hot without being trashy, they deserve recognition. Now, there is always, of course, some predictability or some cliche moments, but that comes with 90% of romance novels-I never claimed that her books are without those-but with her, they feel wholly unique (to me) and they make me happy. And that's all that's important to me-being happy when I read a book. So, what you're about to read may sound like an all out gush session, but that's what it is. When I read a book I love, I tend to, well, gush. So, despite it's mixed ratings, here is a positive review about how perfect (to me) this book was.
"Then absolutely. I'm in. Ugh, I don't suppose you have a handkerchief," she said, struggling to right her appearance.
He pulled one from his pocket, predictable as ever. "I thought you were supposed to save the one I gave you last time as a memento," he said as she carefully removed her smeared lipstick.
"I believe what I said was that I wasn't keeping it."
"I thought you women were supposed to be attuned to romantic inklings."
She snorted, "Maybe. Doesn't mean I didn't set your handkerchief on fire."
Lauren Layne ripped my heart out and made me tear up when I least expected it. My heart expanded to such large proportions that I thought I might choke from the sheer velocity of it, but most of all-as I said above-she made me feel. Sadness, happiness, anger, angst, giddiness...you name it, I felt it. Even now as I type this my heart hurts from the capacity with which she made me fall for her characters.
"I am not working for your boyfriend," Sophie said harshly, cutting off Gray's babbling. "And I'm not working in a godforsaken office."
"Now, Sophie," her mother said, apparently coming around to the idea, "it could be a great opportunity..."
"An opportunity to what, learn how to staple?"
"You don't know how to staple?" Will asked.
There were tears of both unexpected happiness and tears for a family that, while not wholly like my own, the bond between sisters, mother, and father when things go downhill had tears running down my cheeks as they consoled and defended Sophie. That bond can't be faked, and I know for a fact that my family would react the same way and that this whole situation felt so authentic when life got messy near the end. And, most especially, I loved seeing the new and not-so-improved Brynn, her sister, falling apart at the seams while still giving her baby sister the undeterred support she deserves and helping (or attempting to help) to mend her fragile heart.
She waited for him to look back. Waited for him to realize that at the very least, some verbal acknowledgement of their minicatastrophe was required. But he kept walking.
A gorgeous shithead in a beautiful suit.
Sophie and Gray were so cute because they meet in such an unconventional way. Sophie is at a bachelorette party and she decides to wear thigh-high boots with only scraps for clothing (this seems to be the theme of the party) when she runs into Gray in the elevator. Naturally, he dubs her a hooker-go figure lol. They go their separate ways and Gray is none the wiser of what his accusation has done to Sophie. But what happens when the girl you call a hooker becomes your closest employee? What ensues next is funny, not completely realistic, and over the top fun-I adored seeing Gray's demons and how he handled them. It melted my heart and made me fall for him further...and Sophie was just the quirky, zany girl he needed. It was hilarious seeing how he wished she was quiet but then longed for her company when she wasn't around.
"Nobody can see us here, right?" he asked.
"Nah, I think they designed this as a reprieve. It lets the oldies like us catch our breath without prying eyes."
"Good," he said firmly.
And then he rolled toward her, and before she knew what was happening, Sophie found herself pinned between the padded floor and a hard male body. His mouth took hers with such fierce possession she gasped from the shock of it.
Layne has created the funny college frat boy, the broken, tortured war hero, the struggling to find himself and his path business man, and now this cold, closed off CEO who won't let another woman stomp on his heart-She broke my heart and pieced it back together again with her male lead. I laughed. I pouted. I teared up and I rooted for them to inevitably fall for one another. This is probably the longest it's taken for two people in her books to quit being so stubborn, but I LOVE that. I LOVE how she can change her books up and make them seem completely individual and unlike her others. I love that I expected it to go one way, but it went another. So many authors I fall for start to sound so repetitive and I inevitably begin to lose that magical awe I once felt for them, but it hasn't happened yet with Layne and I can't help but to be grateful. In my life, it's so nice to have an author I know I can turn to and read books by when I'm in a bad mood and I'll feel better for doing so. I become jaded with with my favorite authors and I am so grateful to have found this one. Sure, I can see her style in each and every work, every author has a tell, but Layne has managed to work everything she loves to write about in each and every book without making me roll my eyes (or want to).
"Are you calling yourself pretty?" he teased.
She smiled back. "Aren't I?"
His eyes roamed over her face, warming every spot they touched. "You're beautiful."
I have, admittedly, been trying to stay away from her books so I can space them out before I don't have any left and so I don't get tired of her characters and writing-but, and this happens every time, maybe half a week will pass and I'm instantly one-clicking all of her works because I Just. Can't. Stay. Away. It's like crack-that's it-these books are MY CRACK. It's a perfect metaphor, really. Some people might not love her like I do, get addicted to her beautiful, broken, jealous characters, but I do-it's my vice to read her books and an individual obsession. I'm a glutton for these books and I can't stop.
By the time she exited the elevator, she was a sobbing mess.
This job at Brayburn was supposed to be her path toward respectability, and she was messing everything up.
Nobody would respect the girl who fell in love with the boss.
Another non-problem with reading her books is that I take so long reading them because I am on a continuous high-lighting frenzy. Everything makes me want to highlight and nothing deserves to be forgotten. I swear, in each story I've read there is more highlighting than actual plain page. And I'm always so satisfied with the conclusions and feel contented and happy. She is the queen of HEAs. Her men are so stubborn but end up being the best, sweetest BBFs ever, and I have adored each and every one of them.
"Why are you yelling?" she asked.
"I don't yell."
"Your voice was raised."
"I had to raise my voice to get your attention," he ground out.
"You've never raised your voice before to get my attention when I'm at my desk. I can hear you just fine with your normal voice-of-doom volume."
"Sophie."
"Gray."
"You are possibly the most annoying assistant ever. I should fire you."
An amazing author with not one bad book to date, she creates characters that don't easily leave your mind but give you just enough fluff to get through the day. The characters that surrounded Sophie were some of my favorite by her yet, but her best friend Will took the cake-I LOVED him. He was funny, witty and I found myself giggling every time he was around. I can't wait for his book, because I know he is next. I'm devouring these books in a shocking manner and at an alarming rate. I just can't wait for all of her new releases...I can hardly stand that I have to wait from now on. It's going to be a struggle-a struggle I'll have to bear each and every time from this moment forth when I choose to read these incomplete series.
For more of my reviews visit
February 13, 2015
4 Stars!
Once again Lauren Layne had me swooning over her books. Like I really don't know what is happening around me when I am reading her books. Maybe because
So anyway I just loved the way the plot unfolded and how each and every character has something to do for the story to move forward.
MY THOUGHTS ON A FEW MAIN CHARACTERS :
1. Sophie :
I think she is the most kick ass protagonist in a contemporary romance EVER. She is always put through shit by her mum, dad, sister, stranger in the lift ;) because of being herself but she , she still maintains her calm, goes on with her life, trying to make herself happy. And as the book progressed I started to respect her more and more. She my friends is someone you are gonna want to stand up and clap for.
2. Gray :
Yup, not impressed. Well yes I get that he becomes better but I really don't like guys who act like stones, I know circumstances made him that way but after seeing Sophie so strong and outspoken he just seemed kinda bland to me (I know that was what was intended but urghh... He annoyed me ) but maybe towards the end I did kinda want to hug him... just a little bit
3. Brynn :
I HATE HER ..... TILL PLUTO AND ALL THE WAY BACK
Right from her introduction I was like
It's like I killed her 200 times in 200 different ways in my mind. Urgh. She is the most selfish , self centered loser u will even come across. It's just so frustrating when she is around.
4. William :
Another one of my favorites. He just makes u feel soo happy. He is also the perfect best friend ever.
And when I realized that he has feelings for Brynn I was like
Well, like any other lauren layne book, this book was filled with love, life and laughter. And what can I say than
Once again Lauren Layne had me swooning over her books. Like I really don't know what is happening around me when I am reading her books. Maybe because
So anyway I just loved the way the plot unfolded and how each and every character has something to do for the story to move forward.
MY THOUGHTS ON A FEW MAIN CHARACTERS :
1. Sophie :
I think she is the most kick ass protagonist in a contemporary romance EVER. She is always put through shit by her mum, dad, sister, stranger in the lift ;) because of being herself but she , she still maintains her calm, goes on with her life, trying to make herself happy. And as the book progressed I started to respect her more and more. She my friends is someone you are gonna want to stand up and clap for.
2. Gray :
Yup, not impressed. Well yes I get that he becomes better but I really don't like guys who act like stones, I know circumstances made him that way but after seeing Sophie so strong and outspoken he just seemed kinda bland to me (I know that was what was intended but urghh... He annoyed me ) but maybe towards the end I did kinda want to hug him... just a little bit
3. Brynn :
I HATE HER ..... TILL PLUTO AND ALL THE WAY BACK
Right from her introduction I was like
It's like I killed her 200 times in 200 different ways in my mind. Urgh. She is the most selfish , self centered loser u will even come across. It's just so frustrating when she is around.
4. William :
Another one of my favorites. He just makes u feel soo happy. He is also the perfect best friend ever.
And when I realized that he has feelings for Brynn I was like
Well, like any other lauren layne book, this book was filled with love, life and laughter. And what can I say than
![Profile Image for [~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1388500902i%2F22427047._UY200_CR8%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
did-not-finish
July 10, 2014DNF at 55%
After a misunderstanding at Vegas between Sophie and Gray, Sophie finds herself working as his personal assistance.
Hmm... the hero was passable, maybe a bit dull. The heroine was a bit too in your face. The storyline had potential but I didnt expect it to be a love triangle of sorts for a portion of the book.
I love this authors other books so it may be just this book, or it could be because Im still recovering from a 5 star read, I duno. I just didnt feel that pull to make me wanna read to the end.
ARC provided by NetGalley
After a misunderstanding at Vegas between Sophie and Gray, Sophie finds herself working as his personal assistance.
Hmm... the hero was passable, maybe a bit dull. The heroine was a bit too in your face. The storyline had potential but I didnt expect it to be a love triangle of sorts for a portion of the book.
I love this authors other books so it may be just this book, or it could be because Im still recovering from a 5 star read, I duno. I just didnt feel that pull to make me wanna read to the end.
ARC provided by NetGalley
March 5, 2018
This was an early Layne, so I tried to keep my expectations low. Fortunately, Sophie is well worth the read, though Gray is a bit hard to take.
While reading, I admit I was mainly into Sophie. She's kind and struggling to figure out what she wants out of life and what will make her happy. She's obviously smart, but has dropped out of any kind of achievement race years ago and finds herself coasting along. So it's a hard hit when she meets a suited stranger in a Vegas elevator and finds his assumptions about her to be demeaning. It's her version of rock bottom and prompts some important change.
And then there's Gray. His character is, frankly, pretty weak. He had a rough engagement to a cheap tramp and now his heart is forever icy and unattainable. Seriously, I wanted to smack the idiot for half the novel. Okay, I exaggerate. Layne does a pretty good job with the wounded good-guy, so it really wasn't until the actual reveal of what jaded him that my eyes started rolling. Yeah, it was a suck event and all, but it's also the kind of thing that doesn't happen in a vacuum and how oblivious was he, exactly? And now he's going to let that dictate his friendless and unhappy future? Not the brightest fork in the dinner service, our Gray. Worst of all, though, is that it makes his entire motivation negative/protective* and that made the story drag.
Anyway, I also didn't care for the setup for the secondary romance with Sophie's sister Brynn and it came across as some pretty awkward foreshadowing for the next book. I'm interested in reading it, mind, so those sections did their job. But at the expense of this one, ultimately, I think.
Also, the production quality is remarkably poor for coming from one of our larger publishers (ultimately, Hachette). The cover copy is actively malignant with outright untruths and implications that distort the relationship badly. And the copy editing is so bad I can't believe anybody actually gave it an honest pass. I mean, I'm a poor copy editor, so I catch maybe one error in three. Well, either my cold medicine has an interesting and undocumented (and highly unlikely) side effect of enhancing my skillz, or this is a remarkably poor copy editing job. Dropped words, a dropped letter making for an inappropriate homophone, word sandwiches where a pronoun repeats both before and after a helping verb . . . you get the picture.
Anyway, this is a three star story, for all the griping I've done. I really liked Sophie and Gray grew on me over time. He's a sweetheart once he gets out of his own way and that came through in the end.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene, so this is on the light side of my steam tolerance. Weirdly, the copy editing errors seemed to pick up in that scene. That or I was so bored I was just noticing them more...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
While reading, I admit I was mainly into Sophie. She's kind and struggling to figure out what she wants out of life and what will make her happy. She's obviously smart, but has dropped out of any kind of achievement race years ago and finds herself coasting along. So it's a hard hit when she meets a suited stranger in a Vegas elevator and finds his assumptions about her to be demeaning. It's her version of rock bottom and prompts some important change.
And then there's Gray. His character is, frankly, pretty weak. He had a rough engagement to a cheap tramp and now his heart is forever icy and unattainable. Seriously, I wanted to smack the idiot for half the novel. Okay, I exaggerate. Layne does a pretty good job with the wounded good-guy, so it really wasn't until the actual reveal of what jaded him that my eyes started rolling. Yeah, it was a suck event and all, but it's also the kind of thing that doesn't happen in a vacuum and how oblivious was he, exactly? And now he's going to let that dictate his friendless and unhappy future? Not the brightest fork in the dinner service, our Gray. Worst of all, though, is that it makes his entire motivation negative/protective* and that made the story drag.
Anyway, I also didn't care for the setup for the secondary romance with Sophie's sister Brynn and it came across as some pretty awkward foreshadowing for the next book. I'm interested in reading it, mind, so those sections did their job. But at the expense of this one, ultimately, I think.
Also, the production quality is remarkably poor for coming from one of our larger publishers (ultimately, Hachette). The cover copy is actively malignant with outright untruths and implications that distort the relationship badly. And the copy editing is so bad I can't believe anybody actually gave it an honest pass. I mean, I'm a poor copy editor, so I catch maybe one error in three. Well, either my cold medicine has an interesting and undocumented (and highly unlikely) side effect of enhancing my skillz, or this is a remarkably poor copy editing job. Dropped words, a dropped letter making for an inappropriate homophone, word sandwiches where a pronoun repeats both before and after a helping verb . . . you get the picture.
Anyway, this is a three star story, for all the griping I've done. I really liked Sophie and Gray grew on me over time. He's a sweetheart once he gets out of his own way and that came through in the end.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene, so this is on the light side of my steam tolerance. Weirdly, the copy editing errors seemed to pick up in that scene. That or I was so bored I was just noticing them more...
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
September 4, 2014
I’m a big fan of Lauren Layne. She excels at writing fun, flirty romances with clever banter, humor, and plenty of steam! Only With You was an antagonistic romance with plenty of sexual tension and build up, a romance between two complete opposites.
Sophie and Gray meet in Las Vegas when she’s on her way dressed up in costume for a bachelorette party. She’s dressed very trashy and provocative, and Gray mistakes her for a hooker, treating her with condescension and judgment. There is a reason for Gray’s strong reaction, but still I wanted to knee him in balls for poor Sophie’s sake. The interaction left Sophie so utterly humiliated, she comes back home to Seattle and sets out to change her life. She starts by quitting her bartending job without another lined up. Not the brightest move, but hey, no one’s perfect.
Sophie thought she’d never have to lay eyes on the cold-hearted and arrogant Gray until he shows up at her family’s Sunday dinner as her perfect sister, Brynn’s date. Both are completely horrified but what’s worse is when the news gets out that Sophie quit her job she somehow gets roped into working for Gray as his new personal assistant. Can anyone say: awkward?!!
Can’t say I was thrilled with Gray dating Sophie’s sister, but thankfully Brynn and Gray had lukewarm chemistry and a relationship more suited to a brother and sister rather than lovers. Still, I wish the whole thing dissolved a little quicker and that Gray wasn’t still considering Brynn just because she looked good on paper.
Only With You was a little different from Lauren Layne’s other stories I’ve read. Gray and Sophies’s relationship was more adversarial than the others, in my opinion. Gray was a tough nut to crack for most of the book with only miniscule hints of vulnerability peeking through at times. I have to give it to Sophie, she had a lot more self-control and understanding than I would have. I think I would’ve told Gray to go get stuffed very early on. I guess she did do just that on many occasions with snarky and well placed digs, but still she seemed very tolerant of him. Sophie was just so sweet, outgoing and charming; everything Gray has come to distrust because of a past love gone wrong. I do have to admit I’d be a little more guarded after what happened, too. He had put his heart on the line, got it ripped out and handed back to him. He wasn’t as cold and closed off until he got burned.
Sophie and Gray danced around their physical attraction for so long I just wanted to scream “just flipping kiss her already!” Time and time Sophie put herself out there only to be disappointed. But slowly, somehow Sophie is able to see through Gray’s cold exterior and break through a little. I felt terrible at times for Sophie and admired how she could pick herself back up and resolve not to let Gray affect her positive outlook.
As I said, I’m a huge fan of Lauren Layne. Her romances always make me laugh, swoon and smile. Only With You was not my favorite of her stories but it was still an enjoyable read.
A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie and Gray meet in Las Vegas when she’s on her way dressed up in costume for a bachelorette party. She’s dressed very trashy and provocative, and Gray mistakes her for a hooker, treating her with condescension and judgment. There is a reason for Gray’s strong reaction, but still I wanted to knee him in balls for poor Sophie’s sake. The interaction left Sophie so utterly humiliated, she comes back home to Seattle and sets out to change her life. She starts by quitting her bartending job without another lined up. Not the brightest move, but hey, no one’s perfect.
Sophie thought she’d never have to lay eyes on the cold-hearted and arrogant Gray until he shows up at her family’s Sunday dinner as her perfect sister, Brynn’s date. Both are completely horrified but what’s worse is when the news gets out that Sophie quit her job she somehow gets roped into working for Gray as his new personal assistant. Can anyone say: awkward?!!
Can’t say I was thrilled with Gray dating Sophie’s sister, but thankfully Brynn and Gray had lukewarm chemistry and a relationship more suited to a brother and sister rather than lovers. Still, I wish the whole thing dissolved a little quicker and that Gray wasn’t still considering Brynn just because she looked good on paper.
Only With You was a little different from Lauren Layne’s other stories I’ve read. Gray and Sophies’s relationship was more adversarial than the others, in my opinion. Gray was a tough nut to crack for most of the book with only miniscule hints of vulnerability peeking through at times. I have to give it to Sophie, she had a lot more self-control and understanding than I would have. I think I would’ve told Gray to go get stuffed very early on. I guess she did do just that on many occasions with snarky and well placed digs, but still she seemed very tolerant of him. Sophie was just so sweet, outgoing and charming; everything Gray has come to distrust because of a past love gone wrong. I do have to admit I’d be a little more guarded after what happened, too. He had put his heart on the line, got it ripped out and handed back to him. He wasn’t as cold and closed off until he got burned.
Sophie and Gray danced around their physical attraction for so long I just wanted to scream “just flipping kiss her already!” Time and time Sophie put herself out there only to be disappointed. But slowly, somehow Sophie is able to see through Gray’s cold exterior and break through a little. I felt terrible at times for Sophie and admired how she could pick herself back up and resolve not to let Gray affect her positive outlook.
As I said, I’m a huge fan of Lauren Layne. Her romances always make me laugh, swoon and smile. Only With You was not my favorite of her stories but it was still an enjoyable read.
A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2016
4 fluffy stars
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of a review
Sophie Dalton is anything but perfect. A Harvard law dropout, she spends her life working as a waitress without any particular plan or goal in sight. Until the day a stranger in Vegas mistakes her for a hooker and she realises that there isn't any lower to go. She quits her job and tries to make something more "respectable" out of her life hoping to never come across the judgemental ass who put her down without a thought. You can imagine her surprise when a week later the aforementioned jerk shows up at her family dinner as her sister's date.
Greyson Wyatt has a difficulty in dealing with people. He can't seem to relate with them, hates small talk and talking in general. His awkwardness with people makes him accept when Brynn backs him in a corner to take her sister as his secretary. Now Grey is stuck with Sophie, the most happy, talkative, fluffy person he has ever met. As if that wasn't enough there are obvious sexual sparks between them. Not what a man like Grey wants, especially after the disaster that was his last relationship.
It's official. Lauren Layne is my favourite fluff author! If you want light and fun she is the one to give it to you. The books lack any kind of higher plot or secret meaning but they are the best way to pass a quiet evening. That said, this book was slightly more emotional than her other books. Grey's difficulty with expressing himself was painful to witness and the heartbreak every time Sophie thought she wasn't enough was sad. But in the end of the day the book is a funny, sweet love story between a couple that should have never worked out.
I liked Sophie although I did not love her. She had a friendly, talkative, charming personality that made her easy to like but her issues with self-esteem kind of put a dent on my opinion of her. I honestly don't know why an intelligent, beautiful woman would have as many issues. Maybe her parent's fault but I honestly found it way too dramatic for no reason.
I loved Grey. I loved how although he was the usual wealthy, successful, gorgeous guy he wasn't as smooth as most Romance heroes. He was a little awkward and had some insecurities regarding his character. It was so nice to see some of that, especially since it didn't come with some great, tortured guy story in the background. There were some shit in his past but there wasn't a hundred page, painful reference to them.
Their story was sweet and all but I admit that for me the spotlight was stolen by Brynn and William. It's obvious their book will be next in line and I honestly can't wait to get it. What I don't get is how Sophie could be so blind to the sparks flying between them. Especially since she is supposedly so good at reading people.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of a review
Sophie Dalton is anything but perfect. A Harvard law dropout, she spends her life working as a waitress without any particular plan or goal in sight. Until the day a stranger in Vegas mistakes her for a hooker and she realises that there isn't any lower to go. She quits her job and tries to make something more "respectable" out of her life hoping to never come across the judgemental ass who put her down without a thought. You can imagine her surprise when a week later the aforementioned jerk shows up at her family dinner as her sister's date.
Greyson Wyatt has a difficulty in dealing with people. He can't seem to relate with them, hates small talk and talking in general. His awkwardness with people makes him accept when Brynn backs him in a corner to take her sister as his secretary. Now Grey is stuck with Sophie, the most happy, talkative, fluffy person he has ever met. As if that wasn't enough there are obvious sexual sparks between them. Not what a man like Grey wants, especially after the disaster that was his last relationship.
It's official. Lauren Layne is my favourite fluff author! If you want light and fun she is the one to give it to you. The books lack any kind of higher plot or secret meaning but they are the best way to pass a quiet evening. That said, this book was slightly more emotional than her other books. Grey's difficulty with expressing himself was painful to witness and the heartbreak every time Sophie thought she wasn't enough was sad. But in the end of the day the book is a funny, sweet love story between a couple that should have never worked out.
I liked Sophie although I did not love her. She had a friendly, talkative, charming personality that made her easy to like but her issues with self-esteem kind of put a dent on my opinion of her. I honestly don't know why an intelligent, beautiful woman would have as many issues. Maybe her parent's fault but I honestly found it way too dramatic for no reason.
I loved Grey. I loved how although he was the usual wealthy, successful, gorgeous guy he wasn't as smooth as most Romance heroes. He was a little awkward and had some insecurities regarding his character. It was so nice to see some of that, especially since it didn't come with some great, tortured guy story in the background. There were some shit in his past but there wasn't a hundred page, painful reference to them.
Their story was sweet and all but I admit that for me the spotlight was stolen by Brynn and William. It's obvious their book will be next in line and I honestly can't wait to get it. What I don't get is how Sophie could be so blind to the sparks flying between them. Especially since she is supposedly so good at reading people.
June 16, 2022
it was just ok for me...thought I would like it more than I did.
November 13, 2014
3.5 stars
December 14, 2021
started picking up by the last half
August 21, 2014
This was such a fun read. If you love the "can't stand you" to "I love you" type of stories then you will probably enjoy this book. This starts off with Gray and Sophie accidentally meeting or rather getting stuck in an elevator together in Las Vegas. After a misunderstanding due to Sophie's "prostitute" looking boots, Sophie goes home and takes a look at her life. She decides she doesn't want to make a career out of bar tending so she quits her job.
Coincidentally her sister brings a date to the family dinner and Surprise! it's Gray. After some dinner chatter it comes to light that Sophie needs a job and Gray needs an assistant. Even though they really can't stand each other Gray offers Sophie the job and she accepts. For Sophie, it becomes more of a challenge for her to get Gray to talk or even smile. For Gray, he's just biding his time waiting on her to quit.
Sophie is the type of person that never meets a stranger so she's constantly asking Gray questions trying to get him to open up. Gray is more cautious, reserved, and doesn't talk that much, but while Sophie's chatting is annoying, it's also something he starts to look forward to. She's always there to help with meetings, family, or even when he's just feeling lonely. The more they are around each other the more they start to have feelings for each other. But the assistant can't date the boss. Right? And what happened to him that makes him not want to love again? You'll have to pick up this book to find out.
Sophie's sister, Brynn's story will be book 2 in the series. Can't wait to see how the love/hate relationship between her and Will evolves.
July 24, 2015
3.5 stars
I cant believe what a huge Lauren Layne fan I become lately. I discovered her "Sex and the Stiletto" series and I have been hooked every since! Just like the previous Lauren Layne books I've read, Only with You is a funny, sexy, sweet, laugh out loud, romance. It grabs you from the first page, and leaves you feeling giddy. Sophie and Gray are two very likable very different characters, but in this story, they just seemed to fit.
Not in this story anyway.
The story starts with Gray mistaking Sophie for prostitute in Vegas because of THE WAY she looks. Insert hooker boots and trashy outfit she wears for her cousin's trashy themed bachelorette party.
(By that I'm mean something like this:
)
Then imagine a shocked and humilated face when a stranger informes her that he doesnt pay for sex just before walking away. Imagine how Sophie must have felt. Imagine how you would have felt. Then imagine seeing that guy again. At one of the dinner parties your parents host every Sunday. Imagine seeing that guy as your sister's boyfriend. Then imagine your uptide sister suggesting you become that guy's new assistant and imagine yourself accepting so that you can take revenge.
Imagine all of that.
Yup. That totally happened in this book.
Though the sexual vibe is always present, our guy Gray isn’t exactly a charmer, and his brusque ways aren’t just a misunderstanding or some backwards attempt at convincing people he’s a professional. He’s just socially stunted. It takes a while to see what's underneath all that emotional armor he wears. He is just a lonely man who has no idea how to charm a woman, much less how to manage a meaningful relationship.
Overall I liked Gray. I’m so used to reading about alpha males with their macho posturing, I must admit Gray’s awkwardness was endearing and refreshing. Even though there were lots times I wanted to punch him because he was such a block, I also thought he was written so perfectly in order to contrast the bubbly, outgoing spirit of Sophie. The chemistry between the two was great. But that's the thing; just great, but not hot. Will they/wont they was realistic thanks to the forces boss-secretary relationship they had but it can also be a bit...boring. I wanted more sexy times.
To sum it all up, there’s nothing new here: stoic guy plus the cheerful bubbly thorn in his side. Yet, the book was still as enjoyable as hell. Plus, the whole “sister’s ex-boyfriend” aspect was handled so tastefully. Gray and Brynn dated for like 5 second anyway. Even middle grade children get more action while dating than those two.
If you want a quick, fluffy read and a fun romance where enemies turn into lovers, I highly recommend this one! Just dont expect much. It is what it is -a fun, flirty read;)
I cant believe what a huge Lauren Layne fan I become lately. I discovered her "Sex and the Stiletto" series and I have been hooked every since! Just like the previous Lauren Layne books I've read, Only with You is a funny, sexy, sweet, laugh out loud, romance. It grabs you from the first page, and leaves you feeling giddy. Sophie and Gray are two very likable very different characters, but in this story, they just seemed to fit.
Not in this story anyway.
The story starts with Gray mistaking Sophie for prostitute in Vegas because of THE WAY she looks. Insert hooker boots and trashy outfit she wears for her cousin's trashy themed bachelorette party.
(By that I'm mean something like this:
)Then imagine a shocked and humilated face when a stranger informes her that he doesnt pay for sex just before walking away. Imagine how Sophie must have felt. Imagine how you would have felt. Then imagine seeing that guy again. At one of the dinner parties your parents host every Sunday. Imagine seeing that guy as your sister's boyfriend. Then imagine your uptide sister suggesting you become that guy's new assistant and imagine yourself accepting so that you can take revenge.
Imagine all of that.
Yup. That totally happened in this book.
Though the sexual vibe is always present, our guy Gray isn’t exactly a charmer, and his brusque ways aren’t just a misunderstanding or some backwards attempt at convincing people he’s a professional. He’s just socially stunted. It takes a while to see what's underneath all that emotional armor he wears. He is just a lonely man who has no idea how to charm a woman, much less how to manage a meaningful relationship.
Overall I liked Gray. I’m so used to reading about alpha males with their macho posturing, I must admit Gray’s awkwardness was endearing and refreshing. Even though there were lots times I wanted to punch him because he was such a block, I also thought he was written so perfectly in order to contrast the bubbly, outgoing spirit of Sophie. The chemistry between the two was great. But that's the thing; just great, but not hot. Will they/wont they was realistic thanks to the forces boss-secretary relationship they had but it can also be a bit...boring. I wanted more sexy times.
To sum it all up, there’s nothing new here: stoic guy plus the cheerful bubbly thorn in his side. Yet, the book was still as enjoyable as hell. Plus, the whole “sister’s ex-boyfriend” aspect was handled so tastefully. Gray and Brynn dated for like 5 second anyway. Even middle grade children get more action while dating than those two.
If you want a quick, fluffy read and a fun romance where enemies turn into lovers, I highly recommend this one! Just dont expect much. It is what it is -a fun, flirty read;)
July 28, 2014
2.5 - "I'm not really the type to pay for sexual, um... attention." Stars.
I can honestly say, I never thought I would be writing a less than stellar review for a book by Lauren Layne. Everything I have read by this author in the past has been an absolute blast; unfortunately I personally felt that Only with You didn’t meet my expectations on this occasion.
The bones of the story are there, and there are some really enjoyable moments in the book between Sophie and Gray, but I personally felt that the first 80% of the story was pretty much a merry-go-round of the same will they, won’t they scenario happening again and again.
Add to it that it felt like there was a cast of dozens wandering through the book as well, and the whole Gray & Sophie getting together sort of got lost in it all. I understand that this book is the beginning of the series, and as such it is going to be ‘busy’ setting up future books, but the whole Will and Brynn situation could have been left for the prologue of their own book (next in the series). I don’t think the random chapters that were interspersed in Only with You, really added to the book in the sense it was supposed to be about Gray and Sophie.
It wasn’t all bad; I liked the dynamic between the pair of them, particularly when they were alone together.
The man made her uncomfortable. And angry. And, most annoying of all, he made her feel a little... tingly.
Gray borders on being a caveman, in having virtually no people skills and no interest in improving them. Sophie’s bubbly effervescent character is the perfect buffer for this and I liked that no matter how ornery he was being she still stayed ‘chipper’ when around him.
A gorgeous shithead in a beautiful suit.
Although this book didn’t meet my personal expectations, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, it is entertaining and the quantity of characters we are introduced to in this book offers the potential for a lot more stories from this series in the future. I still eagerly await the next book in this series Made for You due October 2014, Will & Brynn together promise to be explosive!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I can honestly say, I never thought I would be writing a less than stellar review for a book by Lauren Layne. Everything I have read by this author in the past has been an absolute blast; unfortunately I personally felt that Only with You didn’t meet my expectations on this occasion.
The bones of the story are there, and there are some really enjoyable moments in the book between Sophie and Gray, but I personally felt that the first 80% of the story was pretty much a merry-go-round of the same will they, won’t they scenario happening again and again.
Add to it that it felt like there was a cast of dozens wandering through the book as well, and the whole Gray & Sophie getting together sort of got lost in it all. I understand that this book is the beginning of the series, and as such it is going to be ‘busy’ setting up future books, but the whole Will and Brynn situation could have been left for the prologue of their own book (next in the series). I don’t think the random chapters that were interspersed in Only with You, really added to the book in the sense it was supposed to be about Gray and Sophie.
It wasn’t all bad; I liked the dynamic between the pair of them, particularly when they were alone together.
The man made her uncomfortable. And angry. And, most annoying of all, he made her feel a little... tingly.
Gray borders on being a caveman, in having virtually no people skills and no interest in improving them. Sophie’s bubbly effervescent character is the perfect buffer for this and I liked that no matter how ornery he was being she still stayed ‘chipper’ when around him.
A gorgeous shithead in a beautiful suit.
Although this book didn’t meet my personal expectations, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it, it is entertaining and the quantity of characters we are introduced to in this book offers the potential for a lot more stories from this series in the future. I still eagerly await the next book in this series Made for You due October 2014, Will & Brynn together promise to be explosive!
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
July 11, 2014
I'm going with 3.5 - 4 STARS.
I know there are mixed reviews about this one, but I think it was Ok. A quick, drama-free read to be exact.
Gray is a little awkward in social situations, and in one-on-one situations too. But, I found it adorable for some reason. I like when a guy shows when he is vulnerable instead of being a total jerk. Sophie is a little in your face, but I think it was exactly what Gray needed.
It definitely took them a long time to finally get together, like until the end of the book. That was one of the things I didn't really enjoy about this. I would've liked to see Gray's softer side a bit more.
All in all, Gray, the hero, is a little washed-out in the story, he could've been so much more. I still enjoyed it though.
I know there are mixed reviews about this one, but I think it was Ok. A quick, drama-free read to be exact.
Gray is a little awkward in social situations, and in one-on-one situations too. But, I found it adorable for some reason. I like when a guy shows when he is vulnerable instead of being a total jerk. Sophie is a little in your face, but I think it was exactly what Gray needed.
It definitely took them a long time to finally get together, like until the end of the book. That was one of the things I didn't really enjoy about this. I would've liked to see Gray's softer side a bit more.
All in all, Gray, the hero, is a little washed-out in the story, he could've been so much more. I still enjoyed it though.
August 13, 2016
3 Stars
A cute, romantic read.
I found the beginning of this book a nice, lighthearted romp. But as the book progressed the emotional angst began to build, and build, and build ...
I found it hard to see the deeper emotions of our main characters because the surface tension was just too thick. The pace is very slow for most of the book.
I did enjoy most of the banter. There was a slight feeling of enemies turned lovers, which is one of my favs. A bit more of this angle might have been nice, although it seems we will be going this direction with the next book, which had been very neatly set up for us.
Overall it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend for anyone looking for something easy & light, as long as you don't mind angst. I will likely pick up book 2.
A cute, romantic read.
I found the beginning of this book a nice, lighthearted romp. But as the book progressed the emotional angst began to build, and build, and build ...
I found it hard to see the deeper emotions of our main characters because the surface tension was just too thick. The pace is very slow for most of the book.
I did enjoy most of the banter. There was a slight feeling of enemies turned lovers, which is one of my favs. A bit more of this angle might have been nice, although it seems we will be going this direction with the next book, which had been very neatly set up for us.
Overall it was an enjoyable read. I would recommend for anyone looking for something easy & light, as long as you don't mind angst. I will likely pick up book 2.
February 12, 2016
2/5; 2 stars; C
Hmm, what to say here. Some aspects of this story were good. I liked the underlying character of most of the various personalities in this story and I liked the authors style and the flow of words. However, I wasn't impressed with the length of time the characters persisted in their immature and nasty behaviour. I don't know if there would have been a book if any of the characters just acted like adults. I skimmed through the second one in the series but won't bother rating it. A whole lot of bitchy shrew and gutless wonder.
I liked the first book I listened to by this author, Irresistibly Yours, and would recommend that one but not this.
Hmm, what to say here. Some aspects of this story were good. I liked the underlying character of most of the various personalities in this story and I liked the authors style and the flow of words. However, I wasn't impressed with the length of time the characters persisted in their immature and nasty behaviour. I don't know if there would have been a book if any of the characters just acted like adults. I skimmed through the second one in the series but won't bother rating it. A whole lot of bitchy shrew and gutless wonder.
I liked the first book I listened to by this author, Irresistibly Yours, and would recommend that one but not this.
Want to read
July 8, 2014~ARC kindly provided by publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.~
August 10, 2017
5 I think you’re mine Stars
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite feel good authors. She never denies you the happily ever after and she makes you feel so happy and giddy. I love how she created Sophie to be so relatable. She is strong, she is vulnerable, she is sassy and she is honest. Gray was written in a Christian Grey coldness and stilted conversations. They started the book hated eachother and the chemistry was insane then they started to not hate eachother and the chemistry was on fire.
This book is about Grayson realizing he doesn’t have to be the hard CEO making deals for a living and he is allowed to use his heart and fall in love.
This book is also about Sophie realizing she doesn’t have to be the show daughter making everyone feel better about them while her family constantly puts her down.
This book is about unexpected consequences, office romances, laughter, intrigue and what happens when you get to happily ever after.
I stayed up reading this book and literally squealed and kicked my feet when it ended it was so damn perfect.
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite feel good authors. She never denies you the happily ever after and she makes you feel so happy and giddy. I love how she created Sophie to be so relatable. She is strong, she is vulnerable, she is sassy and she is honest. Gray was written in a Christian Grey coldness and stilted conversations. They started the book hated eachother and the chemistry was insane then they started to not hate eachother and the chemistry was on fire.
This book is about Grayson realizing he doesn’t have to be the hard CEO making deals for a living and he is allowed to use his heart and fall in love.
This book is also about Sophie realizing she doesn’t have to be the show daughter making everyone feel better about them while her family constantly puts her down.
This book is about unexpected consequences, office romances, laughter, intrigue and what happens when you get to happily ever after.
I stayed up reading this book and literally squealed and kicked my feet when it ended it was so damn perfect.
December 14, 2015
***This book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Only with You is the story of Sophie and Gray–two people who really have no idea who they are or where they’re going. When their paths cross in Vegas, both of their lives take an unexpected turn.
This book that really took me by surprise. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you know I’m not a fan of the ridiculously wealthy hero and the heroine with no direction that he is insanely drawn to. But throw any element of Pretty Woman in there, and I’ll at least pick up the book. And I’m so glad I picked this one up!
“I”m not interested in acquiring your services, so you can save yourself the effort,” he said quietly.
She blinked at him, totally confused. “My services?”
“You know, I mean…” He shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not really the type to pay for sexual, um…attention.”
I really liked Sophie and Gray. (Well, as much as someone can actually like Gray.) Sophie was fun heroine whose party girl exterior was just that. She was so used to everyone having low expectations of her that–depending on who she was around–she sunk to them. It took her a Stanford degree and a year and a half at Harvard Law to realize she wasn’t living her dream–she was simply trying to meet her parents expectations.
Gray was not your cookie cutter hero. He was incredibly flawed and one of the most awkward heroes I’ve ever read. I think that’s why I liked him so much! Gray is still reeling from an engagement gone awry when he meets Sophie, and unfortunately, she takes the brunt of his hurt.
Sophie didn’t think things could get much worse than being mistaken for a Vegas call girl, until the man who mistook her unexpectedly reappears in her life. Things spiral out of control for them from there, and it’s a volley for that control throughout the rest of the book! I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. Something was constantly happening, and Sophie and Gray fighting their attraction made it fun all the way around. There was a lot of wishy-washiness from the hero in this one, and it really worked for me here. I really felt like Gray was torn on what he wanted and whether or not he deserved it.
“You eat your omelet with a knife?” she asked.
“It’s called Continental style. Europeans do it.”
“Which would totally make sense. If you were European.” Sophie dug into the decadent looking breakfast, ignoring the knife like a normal American.
I think what I really liked about this story was the switch in roles. Typically it’s the man introducing the woman to a world of luxury–teaching her how to be proper and sophisticated. Instead, Gray’s awkwardness made him an outsider in his own world. It wasn’t until he had Sophie’s guidance and encouragement that he was able to push himself out of his comfort zone and really try to participate in life. It was fun to see Gray evolve. While his character was more willing to insert himself into social situations, he wasn’t unrecognizable by the end of the book.
One of the things that can make or break a story for me are the secondary characters. The people they surround themselves with can tell you a lot about the main character, and these ones really added to the characterization of Gray and Sophie. While I enjoyed the side story with Sophie’s sister and her best friend, I would have liked it better if the scenes between the two of them wouldn’t have appeared in this book. I think it would have been fun to read about those scenes in the next book as flashbacks, as it would have been an unexpected surprise for the reader.
If you enjoy an entertaining love/hate story, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. Sophie and Gray really had a knack for getting under the other’s skin, and it made for such a fun read!
Only with You is the story of Sophie and Gray–two people who really have no idea who they are or where they’re going. When their paths cross in Vegas, both of their lives take an unexpected turn.
This book that really took me by surprise. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews, you know I’m not a fan of the ridiculously wealthy hero and the heroine with no direction that he is insanely drawn to. But throw any element of Pretty Woman in there, and I’ll at least pick up the book. And I’m so glad I picked this one up!
“I”m not interested in acquiring your services, so you can save yourself the effort,” he said quietly.
She blinked at him, totally confused. “My services?”
“You know, I mean…” He shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not really the type to pay for sexual, um…attention.”
I really liked Sophie and Gray. (Well, as much as someone can actually like Gray.) Sophie was fun heroine whose party girl exterior was just that. She was so used to everyone having low expectations of her that–depending on who she was around–she sunk to them. It took her a Stanford degree and a year and a half at Harvard Law to realize she wasn’t living her dream–she was simply trying to meet her parents expectations.
Gray was not your cookie cutter hero. He was incredibly flawed and one of the most awkward heroes I’ve ever read. I think that’s why I liked him so much! Gray is still reeling from an engagement gone awry when he meets Sophie, and unfortunately, she takes the brunt of his hurt.
Sophie didn’t think things could get much worse than being mistaken for a Vegas call girl, until the man who mistook her unexpectedly reappears in her life. Things spiral out of control for them from there, and it’s a volley for that control throughout the rest of the book! I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. Something was constantly happening, and Sophie and Gray fighting their attraction made it fun all the way around. There was a lot of wishy-washiness from the hero in this one, and it really worked for me here. I really felt like Gray was torn on what he wanted and whether or not he deserved it.
“You eat your omelet with a knife?” she asked.
“It’s called Continental style. Europeans do it.”
“Which would totally make sense. If you were European.” Sophie dug into the decadent looking breakfast, ignoring the knife like a normal American.
I think what I really liked about this story was the switch in roles. Typically it’s the man introducing the woman to a world of luxury–teaching her how to be proper and sophisticated. Instead, Gray’s awkwardness made him an outsider in his own world. It wasn’t until he had Sophie’s guidance and encouragement that he was able to push himself out of his comfort zone and really try to participate in life. It was fun to see Gray evolve. While his character was more willing to insert himself into social situations, he wasn’t unrecognizable by the end of the book.
One of the things that can make or break a story for me are the secondary characters. The people they surround themselves with can tell you a lot about the main character, and these ones really added to the characterization of Gray and Sophie. While I enjoyed the side story with Sophie’s sister and her best friend, I would have liked it better if the scenes between the two of them wouldn’t have appeared in this book. I think it would have been fun to read about those scenes in the next book as flashbacks, as it would have been an unexpected surprise for the reader.
If you enjoy an entertaining love/hate story, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. Sophie and Gray really had a knack for getting under the other’s skin, and it made for such a fun read!
July 7, 2014
I’m such a big fan of Lauren Layne and her books. As of right now I’ve read all her books that are out and have loved them all, Only with You was no different.
In Only with You we meet Sophie Dalton, she is a feisty girl who doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. An awkward encounter with a very sexy but extremely rude man in a Vegas elevator has Sophie questioning her life choices. Back home in Seattle, Sophie is making herself a new life plan but that plan didn’t include running into the sexy and rude guy from the Vegas elevator, Grayson Wyatt. Sophie accepts a job at Grayson’s company as his assistant. With these two butting heads all day every day it makes for some funny, flirty and steamy scenes at the office but while working together sparks start to fly.
Only with You is book one in a new series by Lauren Layne, Made for You is book 2 and I can’t wait!!!! We get a little sneak peek throughout Only with You as to what Made for You will be about and I’m really looking for to that story. Only with You was another win from Lauran Layne and I can’t wait for more.
ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
In Only with You we meet Sophie Dalton, she is a feisty girl who doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. An awkward encounter with a very sexy but extremely rude man in a Vegas elevator has Sophie questioning her life choices. Back home in Seattle, Sophie is making herself a new life plan but that plan didn’t include running into the sexy and rude guy from the Vegas elevator, Grayson Wyatt. Sophie accepts a job at Grayson’s company as his assistant. With these two butting heads all day every day it makes for some funny, flirty and steamy scenes at the office but while working together sparks start to fly.
Only with You is book one in a new series by Lauren Layne, Made for You is book 2 and I can’t wait!!!! We get a little sneak peek throughout Only with You as to what Made for You will be about and I’m really looking for to that story. Only with You was another win from Lauran Layne and I can’t wait for more.
ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2014
Only With You is a classic hate-to-love romance, complete with a couple whose initial meeting gives them the wrong impression of one another and their subsequent interactions chip away at that image until the reality is revealed. Gray is a modern Mr. Darcy, if you will, and though Sophie is nowhere near as clear-minded as Elizabeth Bennett is (or would be in today's world), I still fell for her charming persona. I definitely wanted the resolution to be a tiiny bit more hard-won, particularly because the sexual tension and build-up in this novel is killer, but I just couldn't put this one down. Plus, I just LOVE that Lauren Layne never fails to include pivotal scenes that contribute not to the plot or the romance, but rather to female independence as her protagonists continue to find and re-create who they are and what they want from their own lives, irrespective of what those around them believe. *fist pump*
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