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Oxford #2
I Wish You Were Mine
Perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne’s Oxford series heats up in this story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a woman who’s strictly off-limits.
A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.
Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.
A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.
Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2016
589 people are currently reading
8550 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 1,070 reviews
January 17, 2016
*****4.5 STARS*****
{Netgalley ARC}
This book was just what I needed to get over a disappointing read. Lauren Layne's books are definitely sure to bring a smile to your face. I haven't had a chance to read the first book in The Oxford Series, but after having finished this, I plan on finding the time to read about Cole and Penelope!! It started off a little slow and I wasn't sure if it was a good idea having the heroine be the little sister of the hero's ex wife, but in the end IT WORKED!! I seriously fell in love with this story.
Jackson Burke is the new fitness journalist at Oxford Magazine. This is not his dream job and NYC isn't winning him over either. He's still stuck in the past where he was once a Superbowl winning NFL Quarterback and he desperately wants to be that guy again, and to be back in Texas, where he thinks he belongs. But a car accident, that injured his shoulder took it all away from him, including his wife, Madison. Although Madison bailed on the marriage soon after the I do's when she started having an affair with his best friend. He's in a bad place in his life and spends most of his time avoiding his co-workers and dodging the calls from his ex sister-in-law, who happens to live in New York now.
Mollie Carrington has been smitten with Jackson since he first started dating her sister, but she was always considered the geeky little sister. She and Jackson became close friends during the time he was married to Madison. Mollie was his "go to" person whenever things were strained between he and her sister, which happened quite often.
After months of avoiding Mollie, Jackson agrees to meet her for dinner. He's not prepared to come face to face with the beautiful woman she's become. He's uncomfortable with how attracted he is towards her. And Mollie is struggling with the fact that she's still pretty much hung up on Jackson while she's also feeling guilty he's her sisters ex husband. After a brief conversation about how she's living with the roommate from hell, Jackson ends up offering the spare bedroom in his penthouse to Mollie.
Till these two start to acknowledge their attraction to each other, the story seems to be very slow building. From the 40% mark on, I couldn't put this book down!! The fact that Jackson was once married to Mollie's sister, ceased to be a pain point for me. As you get more details about Madison, it's pretty much impossible to feel that these two are doing anything wrong. I really loved the chemistry between Jackson and Mollie. I was rooting for them to get passed their insecurities and hang ups. I feel like this was one of the steamiest Lauren Layne books to date!!
Will Jackson and Mollie be able to leave the past behind them and let what's starting to develop become a possible once in a lifetime love? Or will they let the past take control and possibly make the biggest mistakes of their lives?
Aside from all the angst, we get a chance to be with the other Oxford employees, including Alex Cassidy and Jake Malone, who we met during the Stiletto series. All the ladies from Stiletto are back as well and they become fast friends with Mollie.
I know this may be premature but I think I like this series more than Stiletto .
"I Wish You Were Mine" is due out Feb 2nd. Make sure you pick this one up!
{Netgalley ARC}
This book was just what I needed to get over a disappointing read. Lauren Layne's books are definitely sure to bring a smile to your face. I haven't had a chance to read the first book in The Oxford Series, but after having finished this, I plan on finding the time to read about Cole and Penelope!! It started off a little slow and I wasn't sure if it was a good idea having the heroine be the little sister of the hero's ex wife, but in the end IT WORKED!! I seriously fell in love with this story.
Jackson Burke is the new fitness journalist at Oxford Magazine. This is not his dream job and NYC isn't winning him over either. He's still stuck in the past where he was once a Superbowl winning NFL Quarterback and he desperately wants to be that guy again, and to be back in Texas, where he thinks he belongs. But a car accident, that injured his shoulder took it all away from him, including his wife, Madison. Although Madison bailed on the marriage soon after the I do's when she started having an affair with his best friend. He's in a bad place in his life and spends most of his time avoiding his co-workers and dodging the calls from his ex sister-in-law, who happens to live in New York now.
Mollie Carrington has been smitten with Jackson since he first started dating her sister, but she was always considered the geeky little sister. She and Jackson became close friends during the time he was married to Madison. Mollie was his "go to" person whenever things were strained between he and her sister, which happened quite often.
After months of avoiding Mollie, Jackson agrees to meet her for dinner. He's not prepared to come face to face with the beautiful woman she's become. He's uncomfortable with how attracted he is towards her. And Mollie is struggling with the fact that she's still pretty much hung up on Jackson while she's also feeling guilty he's her sisters ex husband. After a brief conversation about how she's living with the roommate from hell, Jackson ends up offering the spare bedroom in his penthouse to Mollie.
Till these two start to acknowledge their attraction to each other, the story seems to be very slow building. From the 40% mark on, I couldn't put this book down!! The fact that Jackson was once married to Mollie's sister, ceased to be a pain point for me. As you get more details about Madison, it's pretty much impossible to feel that these two are doing anything wrong. I really loved the chemistry between Jackson and Mollie. I was rooting for them to get passed their insecurities and hang ups. I feel like this was one of the steamiest Lauren Layne books to date!!
Will Jackson and Mollie be able to leave the past behind them and let what's starting to develop become a possible once in a lifetime love? Or will they let the past take control and possibly make the biggest mistakes of their lives?
Aside from all the angst, we get a chance to be with the other Oxford employees, including Alex Cassidy and Jake Malone, who we met during the Stiletto series. All the ladies from Stiletto are back as well and they become fast friends with Mollie.
I know this may be premature but I think I like this series more than Stiletto .
"I Wish You Were Mine" is due out Feb 2nd. Make sure you pick this one up!
December 28, 2015
3.75~ 4 STARS
Laurent Layne delivers a very sticky situation in the second book of this series. The story begins eight years earlier with the young heroine’s first interactions with the hero. It was a great way to grab a reader’s attention and start this story.
”Tonight at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love. With the groom.”
Eight years later, we have a brand new addition to the Oxford Magazine staff, former Texas Redhawks quarterback, Jackson Burke. Jackson has relocated to New York and is licking deep wounds left by the end of his eight year very public marriage and recovering from physical injuries from a car accident that ended his football career.
Jackson has always had a great friendship with his sister-in-law, Mollie. Meeting up with Mollie leads to him offering her a bedroom in his apartment. Mollie has always had a crush on her sister’s husband but never would cross any lines and Jackson only ever loved his wife. What happens when these two get to know one another without the former Mrs. Madison Burke’s presence?
”They both knew this was crazy- forbidden, even—and that made it even hotter.”
This story is pretty complex as Mollie struggles with the sister she knew as a young girl and the lying reality star her sister has become. She also has grown a lot over the years and Jackson notices how desirable Mollie truly is. Madison plays a very interesting villain/fame whore part in this story. She’s angling on getting her ex back and makes this situation even more of a mess.
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Overall, the story line was well structured but I did wish it was longer especially on how they were perceived publicly and a true couple behind closed doors. I loved how Jackson falls for his nerdy sister-in-law while getting to know his new colleagues at the magazine and struggling with life without playing football. For some reason, I wished Jackson fell harder for Mollie if that makes any sense? Still, this is another good read by Lauren Layne and I’m hoping that Lincoln Mathis’ book is next in line!
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
Laurent Layne delivers a very sticky situation in the second book of this series. The story begins eight years earlier with the young heroine’s first interactions with the hero. It was a great way to grab a reader’s attention and start this story.
”Tonight at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love. With the groom.”
Eight years later, we have a brand new addition to the Oxford Magazine staff, former Texas Redhawks quarterback, Jackson Burke. Jackson has relocated to New York and is licking deep wounds left by the end of his eight year very public marriage and recovering from physical injuries from a car accident that ended his football career.
Jackson has always had a great friendship with his sister-in-law, Mollie. Meeting up with Mollie leads to him offering her a bedroom in his apartment. Mollie has always had a crush on her sister’s husband but never would cross any lines and Jackson only ever loved his wife. What happens when these two get to know one another without the former Mrs. Madison Burke’s presence?
”They both knew this was crazy- forbidden, even—and that made it even hotter.”
This story is pretty complex as Mollie struggles with the sister she knew as a young girl and the lying reality star her sister has become. She also has grown a lot over the years and Jackson notices how desirable Mollie truly is. Madison plays a very interesting villain/fame whore part in this story. She’s angling on getting her ex back and makes this situation even more of a mess.
[image error]
Overall, the story line was well structured but I did wish it was longer especially on how they were perceived publicly and a true couple behind closed doors. I loved how Jackson falls for his nerdy sister-in-law while getting to know his new colleagues at the magazine and struggling with life without playing football. For some reason, I wished Jackson fell harder for Mollie if that makes any sense? Still, this is another good read by Lauren Layne and I’m hoping that Lincoln Mathis’ book is next in line!
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
February 1, 2016
FOUR ALWAYS YOU STARS
"Mollie Carrington was twenty the first time she fell in love ..."
Nothing gets me more excited than a chance to spend my time reading a Lauren Layne novel. You can almost guarantee that you won't get much sense out of me during the time that this authors novel is in my hands. And this time around it wasn't any different. This author has a uncanny ability to make me addicted to her series and with plenty of characters to fall in love with I was giddy with excitement to read the next line up in the Oxford series. Already intrigued about the lusty Jackson Burke I was ready to once again fall in love with a worthy hero.
What's it all about?
Mollie Carrington has crushed on Jackson Burke for as long as she can remember. Always placed in the friend zone, Mollie has resigned herself to the fact that this gorgeous quarterback will never be in her reach, especially when he marries the person she is closest to - her sister. But after betrayal and a disastrous end to their relationship Jackson finds himself depending on Mollie and her unwavering friendship and this girl is finding it hard to be distracted from all those old feelings resurfacing. And so the story of real love begins ...
What did I love?
What Lauren Layne didn't squeeze into the 250 plus pages of this romance novel isn't worth talking about. There is all sorts romantic themes and schenanigans going on in the latest LL novel. And although not an exhaustive list you can expect the following; unrequited love, a complicated angsty love story with a twist, opposites attract, a nod towards the friends to lovers trope, plenty of heat and definitely that trademark Lauren Layne sweet. All of the above came together to provide me with exactly what I can expect from this talented author and quite frankly I don't mind admitting that I'm an LL addict.
Why not five?
Whenever I read a Lauren Layne book I always expect that I'll be helplessly in love with everything about it. So it always comes as a shock when I don't automatically give out a solid five star. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy my time with this book because let's face it a solid four star review isn't anything to be worried about. Here's a short summary which hopefully explains why. To start with I didn't automatically fall in love with the characters with the ease that I normally do with a Lauren Layne novel. Something held me back from being fully convinced of the sincerity of the hero and his intentions. But once I got to the finishing line and was able to relax into their story I found myself just as wrapped up in the romance as I would have expected from my favourite author, but sadly by then the four star niggle had already been planted and I didn't find that wow factor that I crave. With that being said there's not much to concern yourself over, as a fan of Lauren Layne I was well pleased to devour yet another of this authors work. A solid four stars for a series worth being excited about.
Final thoughts ...
There's not much more I can say that I haven't already about my addiction to this authors work. I can guarantee that I'll always love a Lauren Layne release and this series is shaping up to be a cracker. Readers who love a little angst to be served on the side of their romance will be pleased to know that 'I wish you were mine' will keep them on their toes. Jackson and Mollie are a couple that I'm sure I'll revisit one day for a re read until then I'll be on the sidelines waiting for more from my number one. Enjoy, readers ... Kisses.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. (Christmas has come early).**
"Mollie Carrington was twenty the first time she fell in love ..."
Nothing gets me more excited than a chance to spend my time reading a Lauren Layne novel. You can almost guarantee that you won't get much sense out of me during the time that this authors novel is in my hands. And this time around it wasn't any different. This author has a uncanny ability to make me addicted to her series and with plenty of characters to fall in love with I was giddy with excitement to read the next line up in the Oxford series. Already intrigued about the lusty Jackson Burke I was ready to once again fall in love with a worthy hero.
What's it all about?
Mollie Carrington has crushed on Jackson Burke for as long as she can remember. Always placed in the friend zone, Mollie has resigned herself to the fact that this gorgeous quarterback will never be in her reach, especially when he marries the person she is closest to - her sister. But after betrayal and a disastrous end to their relationship Jackson finds himself depending on Mollie and her unwavering friendship and this girl is finding it hard to be distracted from all those old feelings resurfacing. And so the story of real love begins ...
What did I love?
What Lauren Layne didn't squeeze into the 250 plus pages of this romance novel isn't worth talking about. There is all sorts romantic themes and schenanigans going on in the latest LL novel. And although not an exhaustive list you can expect the following; unrequited love, a complicated angsty love story with a twist, opposites attract, a nod towards the friends to lovers trope, plenty of heat and definitely that trademark Lauren Layne sweet. All of the above came together to provide me with exactly what I can expect from this talented author and quite frankly I don't mind admitting that I'm an LL addict.
Why not five?
Whenever I read a Lauren Layne book I always expect that I'll be helplessly in love with everything about it. So it always comes as a shock when I don't automatically give out a solid five star. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy my time with this book because let's face it a solid four star review isn't anything to be worried about. Here's a short summary which hopefully explains why. To start with I didn't automatically fall in love with the characters with the ease that I normally do with a Lauren Layne novel. Something held me back from being fully convinced of the sincerity of the hero and his intentions. But once I got to the finishing line and was able to relax into their story I found myself just as wrapped up in the romance as I would have expected from my favourite author, but sadly by then the four star niggle had already been planted and I didn't find that wow factor that I crave. With that being said there's not much to concern yourself over, as a fan of Lauren Layne I was well pleased to devour yet another of this authors work. A solid four stars for a series worth being excited about.
Final thoughts ...
There's not much more I can say that I haven't already about my addiction to this authors work. I can guarantee that I'll always love a Lauren Layne release and this series is shaping up to be a cracker. Readers who love a little angst to be served on the side of their romance will be pleased to know that 'I wish you were mine' will keep them on their toes. Jackson and Mollie are a couple that I'm sure I'll revisit one day for a re read until then I'll be on the sidelines waiting for more from my number one. Enjoy, readers ... Kisses.
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. (Christmas has come early).**
February 25, 2018
4 It's Stilettos & Oxfords Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
I happen to be a huge fan of the characters, theme and just feel goods of the Stilettos and now spin off Oxford series. Layne Layne created an environment based in New York City with all the hustle and bustle of what "making it there" means. She gave us characters who were driven in their careers; successful but still had normal relationship insecurities to make them human. The women and men alike each carried their own little "bag of garbage" from the past and it was the way each person and couple worked through it all.... discovering themselves while learning to love another.
PLUS THERE WAS SMOKIN' HOT SEX!
No, I am talking about real sex... the kind that anyone of us could experience...the whispers of dirty, naughty words said at the back of your neck while you stand in an elevator waiting for it to get to the floor of your company...leaving you all tingly and anticipating what will happen when the whisperer gets you in his arms at the end of the day type sex.
Or the looks across the table while having a dinner with a group of friends...and the newness of knowing that the two of you are connecting...and none of your friends know it yet...
Not to mention when real touching happens... and the sparks fly and the need is driven so deep, worrying about whether the neighbors will hear is the last thing anyone cares about...
So with all of this as to why I love these Lauren Layne books, I was a bit concerned with the premise of our Quarterback, his EX and the sister of EX being the main part of this story. While this was not one of my most favorite stories in this series... it held my attention and gave me many moments to enjoy.
The biggest life lesson addressed was the idea of fully committing...whether it be to a job or relationship. Doing things Half-Assed is never the way to go and both of the main characters in this love relationship needed to figure that out.
Our guy was a famous professional quarterback. He had married the beautiful model/actress/whatever wanna be... and she had this wonderfully smart younger sister. It seems that he was more comfortable to be himself around the sister than with the wife....and when he has a career ending injury...Wanna be Wife doesn't want to be his wife anymore... by having an ugly affair with the hubby's supposed best friend...oops!
Fast forward many years...and little sis is all grown up. She is in New York City and so is her ex brother in law. He has managed to pull himself together and landed a health and fitness column for Oxford magazine. He is uncomfortable with the situation but is using all of his college major to figure out the way to make it all work.
What is not working is the plot of the EX to regain the fame she wants...She needs her ex-husband to land a place in some tacky reality show and barges into her sister's and our guy's lives to make it happen. Narcissism at its finest. UGH...
The sister is torn...deep down she loves the bitch... even though
A. She sided against her in the divorce...
B. She has thought she is over her first love crush of her brother in law and
C. She is curious how he is doing here in New York.
These two come together under the umbrella of their past friendship... little sis is not little any more.... she is smokin' hot. Our guy at first tries to fight the attraction but then realizes it isn't just that...it is the foundation of friendship and actual love he has always had for her.... he married the wrong sis.
There is also other things happening in this story and they have to do with the Quarterback and him being at Oxford. The guy seems to be in a holding pattern...he either needs to be part of the team and make some roots or cut bait and leave. Oxford environment does not work when everyone isn't invested....
Neither does love and relationships....
These characters needed to go through their journeys; they needed to commit fully to what they both wanted... career wise and in their personal lives. The journeys weren't always easy... but what made them worthwhile was the results .....
and
THE CREW.
We had major doses of the crew and little teases of what is to come with Lincoln, our last Oxford fella.... Ah Lincoln, oh so knowing, so cavalier, so suave, sexy and just damn cool....
But Lincoln...we know there is more... so much more and Lauren Layne promises to deliver. I can't wait.
Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Someone like You (Oxford, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Think I Love You (Oxford, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things to share while waiting for review:
Two main characters with a very complicated history...
The Oxford and Stiletto gang are in full force :D
Many hints about Lincoln as this is the lead up to his book,
Someone Like You
the final one in the series.
Review closer to publication.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~
Sometimes it pays to get up in the morning...
Not with money...
But with delight!
Lauren Layne is at it again with the crew of the Oxford Magazine....
You know, the one with all of those delicious men...
Now we have a retired Football Star and a sister who has always been in the shadows....
Will she step out and finally get what she wants or fumble...
I can't wait to see how this plays out...
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free
I happen to be a huge fan of the characters, theme and just feel goods of the Stilettos and now spin off Oxford series. Layne Layne created an environment based in New York City with all the hustle and bustle of what "making it there" means. She gave us characters who were driven in their careers; successful but still had normal relationship insecurities to make them human. The women and men alike each carried their own little "bag of garbage" from the past and it was the way each person and couple worked through it all.... discovering themselves while learning to love another.
PLUS THERE WAS SMOKIN' HOT SEX!
No, I am talking about real sex... the kind that anyone of us could experience...the whispers of dirty, naughty words said at the back of your neck while you stand in an elevator waiting for it to get to the floor of your company...leaving you all tingly and anticipating what will happen when the whisperer gets you in his arms at the end of the day type sex.
Or the looks across the table while having a dinner with a group of friends...and the newness of knowing that the two of you are connecting...and none of your friends know it yet...
Not to mention when real touching happens... and the sparks fly and the need is driven so deep, worrying about whether the neighbors will hear is the last thing anyone cares about...
So with all of this as to why I love these Lauren Layne books, I was a bit concerned with the premise of our Quarterback, his EX and the sister of EX being the main part of this story. While this was not one of my most favorite stories in this series... it held my attention and gave me many moments to enjoy.
The biggest life lesson addressed was the idea of fully committing...whether it be to a job or relationship. Doing things Half-Assed is never the way to go and both of the main characters in this love relationship needed to figure that out.
Our guy was a famous professional quarterback. He had married the beautiful model/actress/whatever wanna be... and she had this wonderfully smart younger sister. It seems that he was more comfortable to be himself around the sister than with the wife....and when he has a career ending injury...Wanna be Wife doesn't want to be his wife anymore... by having an ugly affair with the hubby's supposed best friend...oops!
Fast forward many years...and little sis is all grown up. She is in New York City and so is her ex brother in law. He has managed to pull himself together and landed a health and fitness column for Oxford magazine. He is uncomfortable with the situation but is using all of his college major to figure out the way to make it all work.
What is not working is the plot of the EX to regain the fame she wants...She needs her ex-husband to land a place in some tacky reality show and barges into her sister's and our guy's lives to make it happen. Narcissism at its finest. UGH...
The sister is torn...deep down she loves the bitch... even though
A. She sided against her in the divorce...
B. She has thought she is over her first love crush of her brother in law and
C. She is curious how he is doing here in New York.
These two come together under the umbrella of their past friendship... little sis is not little any more.... she is smokin' hot. Our guy at first tries to fight the attraction but then realizes it isn't just that...it is the foundation of friendship and actual love he has always had for her.... he married the wrong sis.
There is also other things happening in this story and they have to do with the Quarterback and him being at Oxford. The guy seems to be in a holding pattern...he either needs to be part of the team and make some roots or cut bait and leave. Oxford environment does not work when everyone isn't invested....
Neither does love and relationships....
These characters needed to go through their journeys; they needed to commit fully to what they both wanted... career wise and in their personal lives. The journeys weren't always easy... but what made them worthwhile was the results .....
and
THE CREW.
We had major doses of the crew and little teases of what is to come with Lincoln, our last Oxford fella.... Ah Lincoln, oh so knowing, so cavalier, so suave, sexy and just damn cool....
But Lincoln...we know there is more... so much more and Lauren Layne promises to deliver. I can't wait.
Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Someone like You (Oxford, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Think I Love You (Oxford, #5)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things to share while waiting for review:
Two main characters with a very complicated history...
The Oxford and Stiletto gang are in full force :D
Many hints about Lincoln as this is the lead up to his book,
Someone Like You
the final one in the series.
Review closer to publication.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~
Sometimes it pays to get up in the morning...
Not with money...
But with delight!
Lauren Layne is at it again with the crew of the Oxford Magazine....
You know, the one with all of those delicious men...
Now we have a retired Football Star and a sister who has always been in the shadows....
Will she step out and finally get what she wants or fumble...
I can't wait to see how this plays out...
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 4, 2016
3.5 stars
I want to preface this by stating that I usually love Lauren Layne. I read all FOUR books in her Sex, Love & Stiletto series over the course of THREE days during one of my most recent palate cleanses, and I loved the first book in this series as well.
I WISH YOU WERE MINE wasn't a bad book . . . It was just MEH.
And by itself that's an accomplishment if you know the premise: cheating football player hooks up with the baby sister of his ex-wife.
Right? *edvard munch face*
But it turns out that he's not a slimeball cheater, and his ex-wife might literally be SATAN.
Still . . . You have to ask yourself . . . Why?
Why bother? Why waste time coming up with a convoluted scenario in which unacceptable behavior is acceptable just this once?
B/c that was my biggest struggle. I felt like Layne put so much effort into creating circumstances that would make her situation "okay"that everything else got left by the wayside.
So as deplorable as the premise would usually be, sure, I was convinced that, no, really, it's not as bad as it sounds . . . I just didn't care. *shrugs awkwardly* I wasn't invested in the couple.
BUT. I highly recommend her other contemporary romances, so if you haven't tried Layne yet, you definitely should. Just don't start with this one . . .
I want to preface this by stating that I usually love Lauren Layne. I read all FOUR books in her Sex, Love & Stiletto series over the course of THREE days during one of my most recent palate cleanses, and I loved the first book in this series as well.
I WISH YOU WERE MINE wasn't a bad book . . . It was just MEH.
And by itself that's an accomplishment if you know the premise: cheating football player hooks up with the baby sister of his ex-wife.
Right? *edvard munch face*
But it turns out that he's not a slimeball cheater, and his ex-wife might literally be SATAN.
Still . . . You have to ask yourself . . . Why?
Why bother? Why waste time coming up with a convoluted scenario in which unacceptable behavior is acceptable just this once?
B/c that was my biggest struggle. I felt like Layne put so much effort into creating circumstances that would make her situation "okay"that everything else got left by the wayside.
So as deplorable as the premise would usually be, sure, I was convinced that, no, really, it's not as bad as it sounds . . . I just didn't care. *shrugs awkwardly* I wasn't invested in the couple.
BUT. I highly recommend her other contemporary romances, so if you haven't tried Layne yet, you definitely should. Just don't start with this one . . .
May 16, 2016
***4 "Mate-for-life worms!" stars***
I will start this review by saying that Lauren Layne never disappoints me!!!
So, why it took me so long to read this book???
The thing is that i got affected from various other reviews that was picturing this book like less good than the first book of the "Oxford" thing, but i think that i have to disagree with them...
For me, this book was even better than "Irresistible yours"!
Yes, it was kind of slow in the beginning and i think that was because both of our heroes were new from the usual bunch, so we needed more informations about them, and yes it wasn't so funny and light as the previous, but nobody can't say that it wasn't having its funny moments, especially when this crazy bunch from Oxford and Stiletto magazines was adding in the equation...
But let me focus on Jackson and Mollie...
Jackson Burke's life changed dramatical in the past year...
After an accident, his football career stopped abruptly and at the same time, his cheating wife asked for a divorce...
Now, Jackson has change city, job and lifestyle....
From the easygoing Texas, he is finding himself on New York and from a very famous and very valuable football player, he became the fitness editor of Oxford magazine, the most popular man's magazine in the state... Not bad, right???
But Jackson doesn't have the same opinion....
He is hating New York, he is hating wearing suits, he is very lonely and he is refusing to open up to anyone and he is hating this job...
Football was his life and all he wants is to be a coach on his old team, but unfortunately, because of the lies that spread his ex wife, he is losing the opportunity to have what he really wants...
It's so difficult for him to accept this kind of life, he just wants his old life back!!!
And everything are changing when his ex's younger sister is reappearing in his life and he is offering her to become roommates...
But somewhere along the way, Jackson is starting to see her in a new light...
"He felt a strange satisfaction at seeing her caught in turmoil. Mollie had seemed so confident, so sure of herself and everyone around her. He liked that he could put her off balance, just a little bit. Because God knew she’d been knocking him off balance all night."
Mollie Carrington was always in love with Jackson. She knew that it was a wrong thing to do since the guy was married to her sister, but that fact wasn't changing the opinion of her heart.
She fell in love with him from the first moment that she saw him, but she couldn't do anything about that. She just accepted the little things that he was giving to her...
The thing is that Jackson and Mollie all those years came really close, they were confidants for each other and best buddies and that connection never changed.
Mollie was the awkard nerdy type of girl, but after all those years, she changed a lot and she became a beautiful and sexy woman, even though that deep inside she was remaining the nerdy type.
"It wasn’t fair. Mollie had spent her entire life trying to do the right thing—going out of her way to do what she was supposed to, even when she wanted to do the exact opposite. But tonight her heart had betrayed her. Tonight her heart had done the wrong thing. No, the absolute worst thing.
Tonight, at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love.
With the groom."
So when Mollie and Jackson are starting to live together, something is shifting between them...
They are starting to feeling a little bit awkard when they are around each other and the heat is rising...
"He belonged to Madison. Always had. Always would. Just because he was finally noticing that Mollie had female parts didn’t mean he was looking for forever, and Mollie…well, Mollie was looking for forever." {Mollie}
"This thing with Mollie had been building for years. Not romantically, of course, but she’d always been important. And then he’d seen her in that damn little red dress, and she’d gone from important to…
Everything.
Mollie was everything." {Jackson}
It's so wrong to act on their insticts, but for how long could they resist to this pull between them???
And what will happen when the ex-wife is starting to make appearances back in Jackson' life with the goal to get him back???
What this will mean for Mollie who loves both her sister and Jackson???? And what about her guilts???
Will Jackson stop to lusting over his old life and to accept his new one???
Will he open up his self to his new collegues???
Well, as you can understand, our heroes has lots of things to deal... Many changes to accept!!!
“What we’re doing—it’s been crazy. Maybe a little reckless. And I sure as hell didn’t see it coming. But I can tell you that these past weeks, they’ve been…they made me feel alive. More alive than I’ve felt in a long time.”
I liked very much Jackson, but he was such a frustrating character!!!
I understand that he lost almost everything, but life gave him a second change with very good terms... but until the very end, he was refusing to let go his old dream and to become a new man and that was such a pity!!!
In the beginning, he was such a loner and he wasn't letting anyone to get in his life. The poor guys on Oxford were trying so hard to make him one of them, but he was so damn stubborn.
Only with Mollie, he was different and because of her, he let himself a little bit loose... and that was so delightful. But still...
Jackson was a very interesting man and god, he was soooo sexy!!! I loved him!
"Jackson knew Mollie was nothing like her sister. She wouldn’t spend years toying with his heart only to rip it out when he was at his lowest. But Jackson was far from being anxious to jump into another serious relationship.
He didn’t know what the hell he’d been wanting to get out of this time with Mollie, but he knew he hadn’t had nearly enough time to get rid of his demons."
As for Mollie??? She was so cute, so sweet, so kind... and that wasn't always good!!!
Because of her big love of her sister, she couldn't see that she was a manipulating bitch that she didn't care for anyone but herself and i was pissing off because Mollie trusted blindly Madison.
As for her relationship with Jackson??? Jackson was always a big part of her life and her heart. And when she finally had him, it was like a dream that came true... but her guilts for her sister were so big and it was such a shame because Madison didn't deserve any kindness...
"It was so much more than a fling. If she thought she’d been in love with Jackson Burke at twenty, that had been nothing compared to what she felt for him now. He was someone she could talk to. Laugh with. The sex was amazing, true, but she could no longer let herself pretend that Jackson Burke was a glorified booty call.
He was more. He’d always been so much more."
Yep, i know what you will say...
Jackson was her sister's ex husband....
And i will say to you, that in different occassion, maybe i would agree that this wasn't so ethical, but Madison was a manipulating bitch and her actions toward Jackson and Mollie was awful...
So, no! I don't feel any pity for her!!! I hated her guts!!!
For once again, i enjoyed very much the Oxford bunch... They are sneaky and hilarious...
I liked the way that they were trying to include Jackson and i love how instantly they made him one of them... And the same goes for Mollie too...
They are from those kind of people that i would love to have in my life and they are all a big family!!!
And i have to repeat that damn it, i have to read the Stiletto series... I already know so much things about those women and their husbands!!!
I can't wait for the next story of this series, even though that i'm dying to unravel Lincoln's secrets!!! But i will wait patiently!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
I will start this review by saying that Lauren Layne never disappoints me!!!
So, why it took me so long to read this book???
The thing is that i got affected from various other reviews that was picturing this book like less good than the first book of the "Oxford" thing, but i think that i have to disagree with them...
For me, this book was even better than "Irresistible yours"!
Yes, it was kind of slow in the beginning and i think that was because both of our heroes were new from the usual bunch, so we needed more informations about them, and yes it wasn't so funny and light as the previous, but nobody can't say that it wasn't having its funny moments, especially when this crazy bunch from Oxford and Stiletto magazines was adding in the equation...
But let me focus on Jackson and Mollie...
Jackson Burke's life changed dramatical in the past year...
After an accident, his football career stopped abruptly and at the same time, his cheating wife asked for a divorce...
Now, Jackson has change city, job and lifestyle....
From the easygoing Texas, he is finding himself on New York and from a very famous and very valuable football player, he became the fitness editor of Oxford magazine, the most popular man's magazine in the state... Not bad, right???
But Jackson doesn't have the same opinion....
He is hating New York, he is hating wearing suits, he is very lonely and he is refusing to open up to anyone and he is hating this job...
Football was his life and all he wants is to be a coach on his old team, but unfortunately, because of the lies that spread his ex wife, he is losing the opportunity to have what he really wants...
It's so difficult for him to accept this kind of life, he just wants his old life back!!!
And everything are changing when his ex's younger sister is reappearing in his life and he is offering her to become roommates...
But somewhere along the way, Jackson is starting to see her in a new light...
"He felt a strange satisfaction at seeing her caught in turmoil. Mollie had seemed so confident, so sure of herself and everyone around her. He liked that he could put her off balance, just a little bit. Because God knew she’d been knocking him off balance all night."
Mollie Carrington was always in love with Jackson. She knew that it was a wrong thing to do since the guy was married to her sister, but that fact wasn't changing the opinion of her heart.
She fell in love with him from the first moment that she saw him, but she couldn't do anything about that. She just accepted the little things that he was giving to her...
The thing is that Jackson and Mollie all those years came really close, they were confidants for each other and best buddies and that connection never changed.
Mollie was the awkard nerdy type of girl, but after all those years, she changed a lot and she became a beautiful and sexy woman, even though that deep inside she was remaining the nerdy type.
"It wasn’t fair. Mollie had spent her entire life trying to do the right thing—going out of her way to do what she was supposed to, even when she wanted to do the exact opposite. But tonight her heart had betrayed her. Tonight her heart had done the wrong thing. No, the absolute worst thing.
Tonight, at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love.
With the groom."
So when Mollie and Jackson are starting to live together, something is shifting between them...
They are starting to feeling a little bit awkard when they are around each other and the heat is rising...
"He belonged to Madison. Always had. Always would. Just because he was finally noticing that Mollie had female parts didn’t mean he was looking for forever, and Mollie…well, Mollie was looking for forever." {Mollie}
"This thing with Mollie had been building for years. Not romantically, of course, but she’d always been important. And then he’d seen her in that damn little red dress, and she’d gone from important to…
Everything.
Mollie was everything." {Jackson}
It's so wrong to act on their insticts, but for how long could they resist to this pull between them???
And what will happen when the ex-wife is starting to make appearances back in Jackson' life with the goal to get him back???
What this will mean for Mollie who loves both her sister and Jackson???? And what about her guilts???
Will Jackson stop to lusting over his old life and to accept his new one???
Will he open up his self to his new collegues???
Well, as you can understand, our heroes has lots of things to deal... Many changes to accept!!!
“What we’re doing—it’s been crazy. Maybe a little reckless. And I sure as hell didn’t see it coming. But I can tell you that these past weeks, they’ve been…they made me feel alive. More alive than I’ve felt in a long time.”
I liked very much Jackson, but he was such a frustrating character!!!
I understand that he lost almost everything, but life gave him a second change with very good terms... but until the very end, he was refusing to let go his old dream and to become a new man and that was such a pity!!!
In the beginning, he was such a loner and he wasn't letting anyone to get in his life. The poor guys on Oxford were trying so hard to make him one of them, but he was so damn stubborn.
Only with Mollie, he was different and because of her, he let himself a little bit loose... and that was so delightful. But still...
Jackson was a very interesting man and god, he was soooo sexy!!! I loved him!
"Jackson knew Mollie was nothing like her sister. She wouldn’t spend years toying with his heart only to rip it out when he was at his lowest. But Jackson was far from being anxious to jump into another serious relationship.
He didn’t know what the hell he’d been wanting to get out of this time with Mollie, but he knew he hadn’t had nearly enough time to get rid of his demons."
As for Mollie??? She was so cute, so sweet, so kind... and that wasn't always good!!!
Because of her big love of her sister, she couldn't see that she was a manipulating bitch that she didn't care for anyone but herself and i was pissing off because Mollie trusted blindly Madison.
As for her relationship with Jackson??? Jackson was always a big part of her life and her heart. And when she finally had him, it was like a dream that came true... but her guilts for her sister were so big and it was such a shame because Madison didn't deserve any kindness...
"It was so much more than a fling. If she thought she’d been in love with Jackson Burke at twenty, that had been nothing compared to what she felt for him now. He was someone she could talk to. Laugh with. The sex was amazing, true, but she could no longer let herself pretend that Jackson Burke was a glorified booty call.
He was more. He’d always been so much more."
Yep, i know what you will say...
Jackson was her sister's ex husband....
And i will say to you, that in different occassion, maybe i would agree that this wasn't so ethical, but Madison was a manipulating bitch and her actions toward Jackson and Mollie was awful...
So, no! I don't feel any pity for her!!! I hated her guts!!!
For once again, i enjoyed very much the Oxford bunch... They are sneaky and hilarious...
I liked the way that they were trying to include Jackson and i love how instantly they made him one of them... And the same goes for Mollie too...
They are from those kind of people that i would love to have in my life and they are all a big family!!!
And i have to repeat that damn it, i have to read the Stiletto series... I already know so much things about those women and their husbands!!!
I can't wait for the next story of this series, even though that i'm dying to unravel Lincoln's secrets!!! But i will wait patiently!!!
***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
February 2, 2016
3.5 Stars
If you’ve read the blurb then already you know this is about a pair of sisters. One who married the man and the other who watched it all crash and burn then tried to help pick up the pieces. Sure this is shades of American Sweethearts in a very loose sense and maybe it isn’t for everyone because it is about sisters who eventually fall in love with the same man. I can’t even imagine liking the same type of man as my sister but….for whatever reason the sisters angle never bothered me. Probably because I was team Mollie all the way.
It took some time to connect with Jackson. I know that the Stiletto series Oxford series are technically different but there is so much cross over that this the first book since After the Kiss I didn’t know either of the main characters. We got a brief look at Jackson during Cole’s book as his career falls apart, but unlike the rest of the side characters that eventually got their own book we have no personal one-on-one experience with either Jackson or Mollie.
Mollie however I loved from the beginning because she is a little bit awkward, totally sweet and slightly goofy.
See Mollie is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E, well at least I think so. Jackson grew on me as the story progressed and he starting hanging out with the other team members at Oxford magazine.
I enjoyed their inner turmoil as each tries desperately to deny the attraction between them and the feelings they have for one another until there wasn’t any more denial to be had and then they had to face the repercussions of said attraction.
But…the best parts of the story for me were the interactions with both the Stiletto and Oxford crowd. There is the boy banter than I’ve come to really love in the series. There is also all the flirty fun of the Stiletto girls as they bring another person into the fold. The side characters and glimpses into the ongoing live of the couples from the Stiletto and Oxford series are really one of my favorite things. Alex Cassidy especially got to get a few really good ones in along with Cole. But the kicker is there are a few hints dropped about Lincoln and his colored past.
This wasn’t my favorite of all the couples in the series, this probably has a little to do with the sisters aspect of it and that both characters are very new. But by the end I very much liked there story and how Jackson was able to find a new dream to have after his football career fell apart. For me this book is more of a filler book until we get to Lincoln who I know is going to be a complicated character with some teeth to it.
So if you loved all the other Stiletto or Oxford books then go ahead it will be fun to hang out with the gang again but if you haven’t read anything in this series WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR. This is some of the funnest chick lit around and you are missing out.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for review
If you’ve read the blurb then already you know this is about a pair of sisters. One who married the man and the other who watched it all crash and burn then tried to help pick up the pieces. Sure this is shades of American Sweethearts in a very loose sense and maybe it isn’t for everyone because it is about sisters who eventually fall in love with the same man. I can’t even imagine liking the same type of man as my sister but….for whatever reason the sisters angle never bothered me. Probably because I was team Mollie all the way.
It took some time to connect with Jackson. I know that the Stiletto series Oxford series are technically different but there is so much cross over that this the first book since After the Kiss I didn’t know either of the main characters. We got a brief look at Jackson during Cole’s book as his career falls apart, but unlike the rest of the side characters that eventually got their own book we have no personal one-on-one experience with either Jackson or Mollie.
Mollie however I loved from the beginning because she is a little bit awkward, totally sweet and slightly goofy.
”Mollie, is that why you went all Rain Man on me during dinner? Because you wanted to say yes but thought you shouldn’t?”
“Rain Man?”
“He winced. “God, tell me you’ve seen it. I know I’m old, but it’s a classic.”
“I’ve seen Rain Man, I just don’t’ thing I am Rain Man.”
“Molls, you rattled off like the fifty most common diseases I was likely to die from. You paused only when the server brought over our food, and then you proceeded to tell him the diseases he was likely to die from.”
She waved this away. “I tend to talk diseases when I’m nervous. That and animal mating habits, apparently.”
See Mollie is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E, well at least I think so. Jackson grew on me as the story progressed and he starting hanging out with the other team members at Oxford magazine.
I enjoyed their inner turmoil as each tries desperately to deny the attraction between them and the feelings they have for one another until there wasn’t any more denial to be had and then they had to face the repercussions of said attraction.
But…the best parts of the story for me were the interactions with both the Stiletto and Oxford crowd. There is the boy banter than I’ve come to really love in the series. There is also all the flirty fun of the Stiletto girls as they bring another person into the fold. The side characters and glimpses into the ongoing live of the couples from the Stiletto and Oxford series are really one of my favorite things. Alex Cassidy especially got to get a few really good ones in along with Cole. But the kicker is there are a few hints dropped about Lincoln and his colored past.
”I know I’ve said this a million times, but if I’d met you first, you’d be so in love with me.”
Mollie laughed and leaned toward him, lowering her voice to a whisper. “I’m on to you Lincoln Mathis. You may have this city wrapped around your little finger, but I know your secret. I don’t think you want anyone to fall in love with you. I think you’re terrified.”
This wasn’t my favorite of all the couples in the series, this probably has a little to do with the sisters aspect of it and that both characters are very new. But by the end I very much liked there story and how Jackson was able to find a new dream to have after his football career fell apart. For me this book is more of a filler book until we get to Lincoln who I know is going to be a complicated character with some teeth to it.
So if you loved all the other Stiletto or Oxford books then go ahead it will be fun to hang out with the gang again but if you haven’t read anything in this series WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR. This is some of the funnest chick lit around and you are missing out.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for review
February 5, 2016
3.5 "Move on" Stars!
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Layne became of my favourites authors when I read her amazing Stiletto series and I was so excited to read this one because I also loved Irresistibly Yours (the first book in this series). Well, let's just say I was not expecting what happened.
I Wish You Were Mine is the second installment in the Oxford series (the spin-off of Sex, Love & Stiletto) and it is about Jackson Burke (a divorced former NFL player that is haunted by the car accident and its consequences in his work and personal life) and Mollie Carrington (his ex sister-in-law, a science geek and the woman who silently suffered for being in love with her sister's groom).
Tonight, at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love.
With the groom.
Obviosly, I had super high expectations for this book because the first one in this series was amazingly good and well done! I loved Cole and Pen's love story and I was expecting to love this one as well! It started very good, in Lauren's style and I fell in love with the plot and the sweet chemistry between Jackson and Mollie.
He searched her face, looking for any trace of the breathy, turned-on woman he’d seen before Madison’s knock had ruined the moment, but he saw only friendly familiarity. Which, once, had been enough. Once, the easiness of their relationship had been his rock. His center.
But now… did he now want more?
However, everything changed for me with the appearence of Mollie's sister, Maddison. She is the most selfish person in the world. I hated her guts instantly and she got on my nerves every freaking time. She is so much involved in Jackson and Mollie's life and not in a good way. She is always there and it pissed me off that our main couple is not able to shake her off. What I loved about these two dissapeared because Mollie cares too much about Maddie's opinion and Jackson is so deep in his mind that he cannot stand. move on and fight for what he wants.
He couldn’t.
Couldn’t risk that he and Mollie would end up like him and Madison. That he would lose her and go through the darkness again. Because if that happened, there’d be no Mollie to pull him out of it, and he needed her… he couldn’t risk losing her.
But, still why my 3.5 rating? Well, obviously because I still love Lauren Layne. I love her writing and, as always, I love her characters. In this case, I loved knowing more about the others: Cole, Penelope, Lincoln (I cannot wait for his story!!!), Cassidy, Jake and all the other Stiletto girls and their men. They have such a great friendship and so many funny moments! I love those moments to pieces!
“Who the hell is Kiwi?”
“My dog,” Lincoln said, as though this were obvious.
“You drink pink beverages, you’re wearing a tie clip, and you have a dog named Kiwi. Please tell me Kiwi is a big-ass German shepherd.”
“Nope. Maltese. Five pounds of white fluff that would fit in your hand.”
Jackson shook his head and turned toward the door. “How you get laid is beyond me.”
Did I mention I cannot wait for Lincoln story? ;) He is so misterious! But let's go back to bussiness, I was expecting more, this looked sooo good, and the start was amazing but I do not know what was all that about Maddison and the big influence that it had in Mollie and Jackson. Still, I want to say that I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of the story (even though it felt a little bit rushed).
You’re my worm, Mollie. The creepy, mate-for-life variety. I’m here to stay, Mollie. Because of you.
Therefore, my rating for I Wish You Were Mine is 3.5 STARS. I still love Lauren's style and I hope the next story will work better for me. Obviously, don't let my review stop you from reading this because I know many of my GR friends loved the novel! It just did not rock my world like the other books that I read by this author. So, as I always say, give this one a try and see what you think :)
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Layne became of my favourites authors when I read her amazing Stiletto series and I was so excited to read this one because I also loved Irresistibly Yours (the first book in this series). Well, let's just say I was not expecting what happened.
I Wish You Were Mine is the second installment in the Oxford series (the spin-off of Sex, Love & Stiletto) and it is about Jackson Burke (a divorced former NFL player that is haunted by the car accident and its consequences in his work and personal life) and Mollie Carrington (his ex sister-in-law, a science geek and the woman who silently suffered for being in love with her sister's groom).
Tonight, at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love.
With the groom.
Obviosly, I had super high expectations for this book because the first one in this series was amazingly good and well done! I loved Cole and Pen's love story and I was expecting to love this one as well! It started very good, in Lauren's style and I fell in love with the plot and the sweet chemistry between Jackson and Mollie.
He searched her face, looking for any trace of the breathy, turned-on woman he’d seen before Madison’s knock had ruined the moment, but he saw only friendly familiarity. Which, once, had been enough. Once, the easiness of their relationship had been his rock. His center.
But now… did he now want more?
However, everything changed for me with the appearence of Mollie's sister, Maddison. She is the most selfish person in the world. I hated her guts instantly and she got on my nerves every freaking time. She is so much involved in Jackson and Mollie's life and not in a good way. She is always there and it pissed me off that our main couple is not able to shake her off. What I loved about these two dissapeared because Mollie cares too much about Maddie's opinion and Jackson is so deep in his mind that he cannot stand. move on and fight for what he wants.
He couldn’t.
Couldn’t risk that he and Mollie would end up like him and Madison. That he would lose her and go through the darkness again. Because if that happened, there’d be no Mollie to pull him out of it, and he needed her… he couldn’t risk losing her.
But, still why my 3.5 rating? Well, obviously because I still love Lauren Layne. I love her writing and, as always, I love her characters. In this case, I loved knowing more about the others: Cole, Penelope, Lincoln (I cannot wait for his story!!!), Cassidy, Jake and all the other Stiletto girls and their men. They have such a great friendship and so many funny moments! I love those moments to pieces!
“Who the hell is Kiwi?”
“My dog,” Lincoln said, as though this were obvious.
“You drink pink beverages, you’re wearing a tie clip, and you have a dog named Kiwi. Please tell me Kiwi is a big-ass German shepherd.”
“Nope. Maltese. Five pounds of white fluff that would fit in your hand.”
Jackson shook his head and turned toward the door. “How you get laid is beyond me.”
Did I mention I cannot wait for Lincoln story? ;) He is so misterious! But let's go back to bussiness, I was expecting more, this looked sooo good, and the start was amazing but I do not know what was all that about Maddison and the big influence that it had in Mollie and Jackson. Still, I want to say that I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of the story (even though it felt a little bit rushed).
You’re my worm, Mollie. The creepy, mate-for-life variety. I’m here to stay, Mollie. Because of you.
Therefore, my rating for I Wish You Were Mine is 3.5 STARS. I still love Lauren's style and I hope the next story will work better for me. Obviously, don't let my review stop you from reading this because I know many of my GR friends loved the novel! It just did not rock my world like the other books that I read by this author. So, as I always say, give this one a try and see what you think :)
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
February 14, 2016
2.5 Too Forbidden For Me Stars
You know how there are things that are just a no-no? Well, fucking your sister's ex-husband(even if said sister is Satan himself) is one of them. Lauren Layne has managed to pull off the whole "falling for your sister's boyfriend" for me but that time the sister had barely dated the guy. Not been married to him for years.
I thought that maybe LL would find a way to make the unacceptable, more...acceptable, but nope. I still think it shouldn't have happened. So, no matter how much I liked the characters, no matter how hot the sex was, I still can't rate this one higher. 2.5 is high enough for something like this.
You know how there are things that are just a no-no? Well, fucking your sister's ex-husband(even if said sister is Satan himself) is one of them. Lauren Layne has managed to pull off the whole "falling for your sister's boyfriend" for me but that time the sister had barely dated the guy. Not been married to him for years.
I thought that maybe LL would find a way to make the unacceptable, more...acceptable, but nope. I still think it shouldn't have happened. So, no matter how much I liked the characters, no matter how hot the sex was, I still can't rate this one higher. 2.5 is high enough for something like this.
July 23, 2024
A smoking hot forbidden romance between an acerbic and disgruntled ex-quarterback and the woman who’s always had his back but should be completely out of bonds to him since she’s his ex-wife’s younger sister.
Jackson Burke had it all. A successful career as a quarterback with a handful of Super Bowl rings and was married to his beautiful high school sweetheart. But car accident not only forced him into retirement, it also triggered a scandalous and bitter divorce. Far from home and unable to move on because he misses his life on the field, he’s barely existing and grudgingly passing time in New York as the new health and fitness columnist at Oxford magazine. But his life takes another turn of events when both Carrington sisters show up.
Mollie Carrington has always felt nerdy and awkward, especially compared to her beautiful and always put together sister, except when she around Jackson who’s always put her at ease. After all the years that have passed though, she’s finally over her crush on him. A good thing since they’ve reconnected and she’s moving in with him. But remaining on her sister’s side is increasingly difficult once she starts to view her long time hero for the pretender she’s become and the harm she’s caused Jackson throughout their marriage. Lured by Jackson’s Texan charm and for once wanting to come first, this time she’s playing to win.
I wasn’t completely sure how the dynamic between the ex-es and younger sister would work, but I know Lauren Layne is an expert at causing big smiles with her smart and sexy reads. Let me put you at ease, it totally worked!
While Mollie was still the sweet, caring younger sister who loved and was grateful towards Madison, she had also grown into her own and was now realizing that Madison had never truly loved Jackson. And although Jackson had loved his ex-wife through better and worse, he’s now recognizing how much he genuinely belongs with the younger Carrington sister.
Because of the seemingly prohibited circumstance they found themselves in, it took a while for Mollie and Jackson to acknowledge their attraction for one another and get over their past and insecurities. But the slow build was deliciously sweet and sexy. Their flirty, sassy banter along with their long standing friendship made me want to cheer them on together with the amusingly meddlesome Oxford men and their delightful wives and girlfriends.
Yes! The guys and gals from the Stiletto series make a wonderful appearance along with the characters from the precious Oxford novel making this a well-rounded steamy, fun page turner. I loved how all the Oxford guys and girl coaxed Jackson out of his crabby, I’m an island, self-imposed shell. And how their busybody actions translated into bringing Mollie into their fold. Reading about the goings on Stiletto-Oxford family was a total treat, just like all of Lauren's books with her impeccable mix of sweet, sassy and sexy romance.
I Wish You Were Mine is book #2 in the Oxford series by Lauren Layne. This is a sweet and sexy standalone book with charming characters. I can’t wait to read more about the other supporting characters, one in particular. This story is told from alternating points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1Sq2MtZ
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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"Tonight at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love. With the groom.”
Jackson Burke had it all. A successful career as a quarterback with a handful of Super Bowl rings and was married to his beautiful high school sweetheart. But car accident not only forced him into retirement, it also triggered a scandalous and bitter divorce. Far from home and unable to move on because he misses his life on the field, he’s barely existing and grudgingly passing time in New York as the new health and fitness columnist at Oxford magazine. But his life takes another turn of events when both Carrington sisters show up.
Mollie Carrington has always felt nerdy and awkward, especially compared to her beautiful and always put together sister, except when she around Jackson who’s always put her at ease. After all the years that have passed though, she’s finally over her crush on him. A good thing since they’ve reconnected and she’s moving in with him. But remaining on her sister’s side is increasingly difficult once she starts to view her long time hero for the pretender she’s become and the harm she’s caused Jackson throughout their marriage. Lured by Jackson’s Texan charm and for once wanting to come first, this time she’s playing to win.
I wasn’t completely sure how the dynamic between the ex-es and younger sister would work, but I know Lauren Layne is an expert at causing big smiles with her smart and sexy reads. Let me put you at ease, it totally worked!
While Mollie was still the sweet, caring younger sister who loved and was grateful towards Madison, she had also grown into her own and was now realizing that Madison had never truly loved Jackson. And although Jackson had loved his ex-wife through better and worse, he’s now recognizing how much he genuinely belongs with the younger Carrington sister.
Because of the seemingly prohibited circumstance they found themselves in, it took a while for Mollie and Jackson to acknowledge their attraction for one another and get over their past and insecurities. But the slow build was deliciously sweet and sexy. Their flirty, sassy banter along with their long standing friendship made me want to cheer them on together with the amusingly meddlesome Oxford men and their delightful wives and girlfriends.
Yes! The guys and gals from the Stiletto series make a wonderful appearance along with the characters from the precious Oxford novel making this a well-rounded steamy, fun page turner. I loved how all the Oxford guys and girl coaxed Jackson out of his crabby, I’m an island, self-imposed shell. And how their busybody actions translated into bringing Mollie into their fold. Reading about the goings on Stiletto-Oxford family was a total treat, just like all of Lauren's books with her impeccable mix of sweet, sassy and sexy romance.
I Wish You Were Mine is book #2 in the Oxford series by Lauren Layne. This is a sweet and sexy standalone book with charming characters. I can’t wait to read more about the other supporting characters, one in particular. This story is told from alternating points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1Sq2MtZ
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
January 28, 2016
4.5 “It’s Always Been You” Stars
When I pick up a Lauren Layne book I have come to realize that I'm going to be transported into a very happy place. Witty dialogue, adorable characters, and a friends to lovers story that makes me smile, laugh and most of all creates happiness within.
This book is part of the Oxford series about a group of guys that are seriously hot, funny, cocky and super endearing. They are people you want to hang out with and be friends with. This is my second in the series but I'm hooked and cannot wait for the next installment.
So.....I Wish You Were Mine...Friends to Lover’s Story…….I love football and I'm from Texas- that alone made me giddy. Jackson Burke was delicious from the word go. A star QB, from Houston, that had to leave the game way before his time. A younger ex sister in law, Mollie Carrington that had always been there for him and had always loved him from afar. And the ex wife, Madison Burke, she was never far and always thinking about what was best for her. There were also Jackson's colleagues at Oxford magazine who added the perfect combination of snarky and playfulness to this story. Another added bonus to this story is that it took placed in NY, my second favorite place beside Texas, and well I was transported into blissful heaven with this fun and witty beautifully written story.
This story is fluffy, ooey gooey sexy romance at its finest. We all have go to authors that we go to when we want to feel good. A story with drama but not over the top drama, a story that will make you laugh, a story that will make you swoon and most of all a story that you know at the end will leave you in a Happy Place.....to me Lauren Layne does it perfectly and this book, this story of Jackson and Mollie is absolutely wonderful.
An advance reading copy of I Wish You Were Mine by Lauren Layne was generously provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I pick up a Lauren Layne book I have come to realize that I'm going to be transported into a very happy place. Witty dialogue, adorable characters, and a friends to lovers story that makes me smile, laugh and most of all creates happiness within.
This book is part of the Oxford series about a group of guys that are seriously hot, funny, cocky and super endearing. They are people you want to hang out with and be friends with. This is my second in the series but I'm hooked and cannot wait for the next installment.
So.....I Wish You Were Mine...Friends to Lover’s Story…….I love football and I'm from Texas- that alone made me giddy. Jackson Burke was delicious from the word go. A star QB, from Houston, that had to leave the game way before his time. A younger ex sister in law, Mollie Carrington that had always been there for him and had always loved him from afar. And the ex wife, Madison Burke, she was never far and always thinking about what was best for her. There were also Jackson's colleagues at Oxford magazine who added the perfect combination of snarky and playfulness to this story. Another added bonus to this story is that it took placed in NY, my second favorite place beside Texas, and well I was transported into blissful heaven with this fun and witty beautifully written story.
This story is fluffy, ooey gooey sexy romance at its finest. We all have go to authors that we go to when we want to feel good. A story with drama but not over the top drama, a story that will make you laugh, a story that will make you swoon and most of all a story that you know at the end will leave you in a Happy Place.....to me Lauren Layne does it perfectly and this book, this story of Jackson and Mollie is absolutely wonderful.
An advance reading copy of I Wish You Were Mine by Lauren Layne was generously provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2016
2.5 - "I don't want any of that nonsense." Stars.
I am a big fan of Lauren Layne, and I am also a huge fan of the Stiletto & Oxford series'. What I am not a huge fan of is overblown familial drama, especially when the villain of the piece then pretty much walks away without getting their just desserts.
Mollie was likeable but a little unremarkable, I liked her interactions with Jackson and the Oxford guys, but I found her constant excuses for her sisters lies and abhorrent behavior really difficult to stomach the more the story progressed.
Jackson, I'm really on the fence with if I'm being honest, all the other guys that we have met through the two series have all had a little something special about them and I just didn't get that feeling with him.
I think the main problem I have is that the one thing that stood out from this story wasn't the relationship building between Jackson and Mollie and the issues they were working through due to their past association as brother and sister in law, because it was overtaken by the words and behavior of Madison, the sister/ex wife.
Take out that whole side of the story though and the rest of it was to the authors usual high standards, I just really struggle with this trope, especially as I feel it didn't really need to be as bigger part of the story as it was, considering how it all pans out at the end. Onwards to Lincoln's book, the guy is carrying around a whole trunk of secrets, and I cannot wait to see what story Lauren gives him.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
I am a big fan of Lauren Layne, and I am also a huge fan of the Stiletto & Oxford series'. What I am not a huge fan of is overblown familial drama, especially when the villain of the piece then pretty much walks away without getting their just desserts.
Mollie was likeable but a little unremarkable, I liked her interactions with Jackson and the Oxford guys, but I found her constant excuses for her sisters lies and abhorrent behavior really difficult to stomach the more the story progressed.
Jackson, I'm really on the fence with if I'm being honest, all the other guys that we have met through the two series have all had a little something special about them and I just didn't get that feeling with him.
I think the main problem I have is that the one thing that stood out from this story wasn't the relationship building between Jackson and Mollie and the issues they were working through due to their past association as brother and sister in law, because it was overtaken by the words and behavior of Madison, the sister/ex wife.
Take out that whole side of the story though and the rest of it was to the authors usual high standards, I just really struggle with this trope, especially as I feel it didn't really need to be as bigger part of the story as it was, considering how it all pans out at the end. Onwards to Lincoln's book, the guy is carrying around a whole trunk of secrets, and I cannot wait to see what story Lauren gives him.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
April 29, 2016
Jackson Burke is the new member of the Oxford gang he hates his job and New York all he wants to do is go back to Texas and coach football. He was a Quater Back at the top of his career until an accident destroyed his career and an ex wife destroyed his reputation.
Mollie Carrington is Jackson's ex sister in law (she has secretly been in love with Jackson for years) but they are also good friends and since Jackson has moved to New York she wants to reconnect with him, they haven't spoken much after the accident or divorce so they meet up one night.
Mollie has had a make over since Jackson saw her last and this new Mollie he finds HOT. Mollie is looking for a new apartment and Jackson offers her one of his guest rooms in his penthouse on Park Avenue (seriously who could refuse) so she moves in. It doesn't take long before they start to sizzle in the bedroom or kitchen.
Jackson begins to make an effort at work to fit in with the guys this is Mollie's influence and this is were Jackson started to grow on me.
I loved catching up with the Oxford/Stiletto gang love the banter between these lot they are hilarious. I hated Madison Mollie's big sister and Jackson's ex she is a selfish superficial BITCH.
I Wish You Were Mine has everything you expect from Lauren Layne.
One thing I am confused about with Cassidy
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publiishing / Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
First thought when I saw this
This is not Lincoln's book. Got to wait until DECEMBER 2016 for his story WHY SO LONG???
Mollie Carrington is Jackson's ex sister in law (she has secretly been in love with Jackson for years) but they are also good friends and since Jackson has moved to New York she wants to reconnect with him, they haven't spoken much after the accident or divorce so they meet up one night.
Mollie has had a make over since Jackson saw her last and this new Mollie he finds HOT. Mollie is looking for a new apartment and Jackson offers her one of his guest rooms in his penthouse on Park Avenue (seriously who could refuse) so she moves in. It doesn't take long before they start to sizzle in the bedroom or kitchen.
Jackson begins to make an effort at work to fit in with the guys this is Mollie's influence and this is were Jackson started to grow on me.
I loved catching up with the Oxford/Stiletto gang love the banter between these lot they are hilarious. I hated Madison Mollie's big sister and Jackson's ex she is a selfish superficial BITCH.
I Wish You Were Mine has everything you expect from Lauren Layne.
One thing I am confused about with Cassidy
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publiishing / Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
First thought when I saw this
This is not Lincoln's book. Got to wait until DECEMBER 2016 for his story WHY SO LONG???
February 11, 2016
So, I've got mixed feelings about this one. The blurb alludes to Madison having been "the love of his life" but Jackson knew from the beginning what he was getting with his ex-wife. I loved Mollie with her awkward maid of honor speech and her intellectual babbling when she's nervous. Jackson too was a decent man dealt some shitty cards who is trying to figure out his game. The big turn off for me was.... our hero was married to Mollie's sister. Yeah, her sister was not a prize pony but it takes a bit to work through. Setting that aside, when her sister is still alive and in the picture is a little more difficult. Moving on from that, I get that were supposed to understand that there's been years of a platonic relationship between Jackson and Molly but the chemistry doesn't really come through for me. Yes, they have sex. Yes, it's hot. But there's not that feeling you get when people connect on a different level. I still want to read more about the Oxford clan. Gotta have Lincoln's story :)
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2016
4.25 Stars!
Lauren Layne hooked me with her Sex, Love & Stilletto series so when I'd heard she was going to write a spin-off series with the men of Oxford Magazine I was all over it. Both these series are filled with a sexy cast of characters that have humorous interactions as well as that comfortable camaraderie you find in long time friendships.
Jackson Burke's life is turned upside down when a car accident renders him retired from professional football. To add to his grief, his cheating wife decides to serve him with divorce papers while he's laid up in the hospital. So divorced man and washed-up quarterback, he packed up And found a new start as a fitness editor for Oxford Magazine in New York City. It's far from his dream job but he'll take it for the time-being. He hates the job, hates the suit he has to wear daily, hates New York City. All he knew was Jackson Burke, football player, and nothing else...
Mollie Carrington has been trying to get ahold of her ex-brother-in-law forever. Ever since she served Jackson his divorce papers for her sister Madison, he has avoided her. But now that he lives in the city- her city- she's finally gotten him to agree to dinner. She's loved Jackson since he was the groom in her sister's wedding. Never acting on it, except in a tight friendship even her sister couldn't measure up to with him. She lost her best friend with that divorce and she wants him back...
Ms. Layne grabs us right from the start in this book with Mollie's revelation that she's in love with the groom. Fast forward those eight years, a lot has changed. But what seemed apparent is their connection never faltered until the divorce. To say that Mollie's sister Madison was a witch is an understatement. This is truly a story of a guy marrying the wrong sister. Back then he didn't know it but when she walks into the restaurant to meet him finally, he's struck for the first time that she isn't the young little sister anymore. Mollie has grown up and he notices!
Okay, maybe not quite that fast...
I felt both the MCs struggle with their attraction and although it's a bit unethical to be lusting after your ex's sister, I felt his inner battle and found myself mentally pushing him to step it up...to freaking kiss her! When he offers his spare bedroom while she's transitioning between apartments, I knew they couldn't hold off their mutual attraction much longer. I pretty much had one thing on my mind for these two...should they choose togo balls-to-the-wall act on their increasing attraction.
Anywho, the rest is up to you to read and find out. A great new installment in the Oxford series. We also get to see all the past characters from the Stiletto series as well as our resident Oxfordpieces of man-meat fellas. Lincoln is still the resident man-whore and I'm biting-at-the-bit to get his story. We get glimpses here that maybe he is a lot more vulnerable than we think.
I look forward the next new book as well as catch up with the past characters. Lauren Layne has found her niche in this Sex in the City-like trope and she hasn't failed me yet.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
Lauren Layne hooked me with her Sex, Love & Stilletto series so when I'd heard she was going to write a spin-off series with the men of Oxford Magazine I was all over it. Both these series are filled with a sexy cast of characters that have humorous interactions as well as that comfortable camaraderie you find in long time friendships.
Jackson Burke's life is turned upside down when a car accident renders him retired from professional football. To add to his grief, his cheating wife decides to serve him with divorce papers while he's laid up in the hospital. So divorced man and washed-up quarterback, he packed up And found a new start as a fitness editor for Oxford Magazine in New York City. It's far from his dream job but he'll take it for the time-being. He hates the job, hates the suit he has to wear daily, hates New York City. All he knew was Jackson Burke, football player, and nothing else...
Mollie Carrington has been trying to get ahold of her ex-brother-in-law forever. Ever since she served Jackson his divorce papers for her sister Madison, he has avoided her. But now that he lives in the city- her city- she's finally gotten him to agree to dinner. She's loved Jackson since he was the groom in her sister's wedding. Never acting on it, except in a tight friendship even her sister couldn't measure up to with him. She lost her best friend with that divorce and she wants him back...
Ms. Layne grabs us right from the start in this book with Mollie's revelation that she's in love with the groom. Fast forward those eight years, a lot has changed. But what seemed apparent is their connection never faltered until the divorce. To say that Mollie's sister Madison was a witch is an understatement. This is truly a story of a guy marrying the wrong sister. Back then he didn't know it but when she walks into the restaurant to meet him finally, he's struck for the first time that she isn't the young little sister anymore. Mollie has grown up and he notices!
Okay, maybe not quite that fast...
I felt both the MCs struggle with their attraction and although it's a bit unethical to be lusting after your ex's sister, I felt his inner battle and found myself mentally pushing him to step it up...to freaking kiss her! When he offers his spare bedroom while she's transitioning between apartments, I knew they couldn't hold off their mutual attraction much longer. I pretty much had one thing on my mind for these two...should they choose to
Anywho, the rest is up to you to read and find out. A great new installment in the Oxford series. We also get to see all the past characters from the Stiletto series as well as our resident Oxford
I look forward the next new book as well as catch up with the past characters. Lauren Layne has found her niche in this Sex in the City-like trope and she hasn't failed me yet.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
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December 22, 2015
2 stars
I did like some parts of this book like catching up with the whole gang and the MCs was okay. But this was a miss for me mainly because it annoys me so much when I read about the ex that just won't go away and has as much book time as the heroine.
Also normally LLs banter are spot on but I missed it here and when there was some fun banter I felt it was all a bit forced. I still look forward to reading Lincoln's story.
ARC provided by NetGalley
I did like some parts of this book like catching up with the whole gang and the MCs was okay. But this was a miss for me mainly because it annoys me so much when I read about the ex that just won't go away and has as much book time as the heroine.
Also normally LLs banter are spot on but I missed it here and when there was some fun banter I felt it was all a bit forced. I still look forward to reading Lincoln's story.
ARC provided by NetGalley
August 29, 2018
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: I put off reading this one because of the vastly different reviews for it, and the fact that most of them were not positive. I'm glad I did read it, because I did enjoy it for the most part. I liked their dialogue, I liked the side characters, and I liked the level of angst it provided (enough to give the magnitude of the situation it's due, but not so much it felt OTT). I found myself reading this very quickly because I was fully engaged and eager to find out what was going to happen. So, all of that's great... However, I did have some issues as well. The ending is my biggest issue. It felt abrupt and I didn't get nearly enough closure for it to feel like it balanced out all the conflict towards the end. One of my biggest pet peeves is when the big conflict is resolved and then we are thrown into the epilogue, and we get that here. It just isn't the stable ending I look for when we don't have at least some time of them making things right between that conflict and the end. I realize this very well could just be a me thing...and I'm okay with that 🤷🏻♀️😘
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mollie and Jackson's story. Mollie first developed feelings for Jackson when he was married to her older sister. They became really close during his unhealthy marriage. Even though Jackson only saw her as a friend, Mollie had always loved him. Years with a dramatic and very public divorce later, Jackson moves to New York for a new job as a writer for a men's magazine. Mollie is in New York as well, and they connect again. Jackson is lonely and struggling with his new life after a career ending injury as a NFL quarterback, and he ends up offering a spare bedroom for Mollie to move into. They fight their attraction for obvious reasons, but eventually can't fight it any longer and fall in love. There is a good bit of family/ex drama, some career problems, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Mollie and Jackson in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. The ending was too abrupt for my liking though.
Instalove: No -- but the h was already in love with him when the story begins, and the H did have some feelings for the h (not romantic).
H rating: 3.5 stars. Jackson. I liked him, but I also had some big issues with his own self-centered ways about his career.
h rating: 3.5 stars. Mollie. I liked her, but I also wanted to shake her when her sister was in the picture because she was a bit of a doormat with her.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This is my biggest complaint. We get their conflict resolved and then jump right into an epilogue. I wouldn't even say it was a very good epilogue either! I would call this a HFN ending, as there wasn't any big commitments made.
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: I put off reading this one because of the vastly different reviews for it, and the fact that most of them were not positive. I'm glad I did read it, because I did enjoy it for the most part. I liked their dialogue, I liked the side characters, and I liked the level of angst it provided (enough to give the magnitude of the situation it's due, but not so much it felt OTT). I found myself reading this very quickly because I was fully engaged and eager to find out what was going to happen. So, all of that's great... However, I did have some issues as well. The ending is my biggest issue. It felt abrupt and I didn't get nearly enough closure for it to feel like it balanced out all the conflict towards the end. One of my biggest pet peeves is when the big conflict is resolved and then we are thrown into the epilogue, and we get that here. It just isn't the stable ending I look for when we don't have at least some time of them making things right between that conflict and the end. I realize this very well could just be a me thing...and I'm okay with that 🤷🏻♀️😘
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mollie and Jackson's story. Mollie first developed feelings for Jackson when he was married to her older sister. They became really close during his unhealthy marriage. Even though Jackson only saw her as a friend, Mollie had always loved him. Years with a dramatic and very public divorce later, Jackson moves to New York for a new job as a writer for a men's magazine. Mollie is in New York as well, and they connect again. Jackson is lonely and struggling with his new life after a career ending injury as a NFL quarterback, and he ends up offering a spare bedroom for Mollie to move into. They fight their attraction for obvious reasons, but eventually can't fight it any longer and fall in love. There is a good bit of family/ex drama, some career problems, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Mollie and Jackson in 3rd person narrative.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. The ending was too abrupt for my liking though.
Instalove: No -- but the h was already in love with him when the story begins, and the H did have some feelings for the h (not romantic).
H rating: 3.5 stars. Jackson. I liked him, but I also had some big issues with his own self-centered ways about his career.
h rating: 3.5 stars. Mollie. I liked her, but I also wanted to shake her when her sister was in the picture because she was a bit of a doormat with her.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This is my biggest complaint. We get their conflict resolved and then jump right into an epilogue. I wouldn't even say it was a very good epilogue either! I would call this a HFN ending, as there wasn't any big commitments made.
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers
December 8, 2015
**ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
♥ 4.5 stars ♥
While I was definitely disappointed that this wasn't Lincoln's story, Jackson was an extremely fun character to bring into the Oxford/Stiletto mix. I love how Layne had introduced him in Cole and Penelope's story, the first book in this wonderfully addicting new series.
Jackson was gruff, hurt, wounded, and kept to himself. It was nice seeing Layne mix it up (it's been so long since Paul and Michael's tortured stories!) with a man not so sure of himself and feeling utterly hopeless. I did find the sister scenario a tad annoying at times-hear me out, though, okay? NOT the fact that they were sisters per se, but that our main character let her older sister control and influence her decision making so easily. I think that is the only problem I had, because this was an extremely fun and addicting story. And it's only because Mollie was so extremely strong-willed, independent, fun, and care-free, that when her sister popped into her head making her feel guilty, it caused some indecision that sometimes was unwarranted.
So, I will stop here before I write a full-fledged review, but just know, I absolutely adored this book and fell hard for their story-But I must say, my absolute favorite part of the story was the appearance of all my favorite couples from the Oxford/Stiletto crew. And I especially loved Riley's longer than usual appearance.
FULL REVIEW TO COME CLOSER TO RELEASE DATE!
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February 2, 2016
This is a lovely book, with a small dose of angst, which makes reading even more exciting.
About the plot: Jackson Burke, lost everything. Sports career, his wife and reputation. Now he is a fitness editor for Oxford Magazine and is not quite happy about that. He can't find himself in a new job and the city. He dreams to be back into the field and in Texas.
The only person who always had his back is a younger sister ex-wife, Mollie. Lost and alone decided to renew acquaintance and meet with her again. But he is not prepared that young and a little weird Mollie has changed. Now he feels something to her that he should never feel. Something that should never happen. Sexual pulling.
Mollie has a crush on Jackson ever since. She thought she is over him. Knows that one man who she desires would never be hers. But when she meets with him after nearly a year, and he offers a solution to the apartment issue in which she find herself, things get complicated. Now, they are roommates and many temptations will be around before they decide to make that risky, but oh so good step.
Final thoughts: Mollie and Jackson are cute and adorable together. Not once they will bring a smile on your face. It has quite disturbing topic, forbidden love between ex-husband and a younger sister of former wife. How can that succeed? But, yes, it worked. I really did not feel that something is prohibited. There is a certain dose of uncertainty, ex-wife is not giving up, but it only increases emotions, and although everything solved perhaps a little too easy, it was wonderful to read as they reach there.
Big and fantastic team of friends is one of the coolest things in this series. We have Oxford & Stiletto gang together, and they are so funny, you can laugh to tears. If you want more Lincoln Mathis, is here quite a bit. And you will want even more another book that is about him. He is amazing as always but you can also observe that a lot of hides behind it.
In conclusion I have good fun while reading this book. Sweet and light forbidden love. It's funny, emotional, but there is some uncertainty, and this series is better and better with each new book. I can not wait to the next!
***Quick Review:***
Series: The second in the Oxford series. Can be read as a standalone.
Grade/Tag Tabs: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 2nd, 2016
Main characters: Jackson Burke, thirty-five years old, former quarterback, Madison’s ex-husband, now Oxford Magazine fitness editor. Mollie Carrington, twenty-eight, Madison’s younger sister.
Secondary characters: An amazing group of friends connected with two series Oxford & Stiletto. They are one of the strongest benefits and a big part of the book.
Location: New York.
Steamy:
Sensitive topic:
Love triangle:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
Next in the series? Yes. Someone Like You, Lincoln Mathis’ story! December 13th 2016
***
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Thank you!
About the plot: Jackson Burke, lost everything. Sports career, his wife and reputation. Now he is a fitness editor for Oxford Magazine and is not quite happy about that. He can't find himself in a new job and the city. He dreams to be back into the field and in Texas.
The only person who always had his back is a younger sister ex-wife, Mollie. Lost and alone decided to renew acquaintance and meet with her again. But he is not prepared that young and a little weird Mollie has changed. Now he feels something to her that he should never feel. Something that should never happen. Sexual pulling.
"He knew her inside and out— knew what made her laugh, what made her babble. What he didn’t know was what made her moan. What made those bright blue eyes go hazy with desire."
Mollie has a crush on Jackson ever since. She thought she is over him. Knows that one man who she desires would never be hers. But when she meets with him after nearly a year, and he offers a solution to the apartment issue in which she find herself, things get complicated. Now, they are roommates and many temptations will be around before they decide to make that risky, but oh so good step.
“It’s complicated on so many levels. I slept with one of my best friends. Complicated. I slept with my roommate. Complicated. I slept with my sister’s ex-husband . . . is there even a word for that?”
Final thoughts: Mollie and Jackson are cute and adorable together. Not once they will bring a smile on your face. It has quite disturbing topic, forbidden love between ex-husband and a younger sister of former wife. How can that succeed? But, yes, it worked. I really did not feel that something is prohibited. There is a certain dose of uncertainty, ex-wife is not giving up, but it only increases emotions, and although everything solved perhaps a little too easy, it was wonderful to read as they reach there.
“You want me to talk your language? You’re my worm, Mollie. The creepy, mate-for-life variety. I’m here to stay, Mollie. Because of you.”
Big and fantastic team of friends is one of the coolest things in this series. We have Oxford & Stiletto gang together, and they are so funny, you can laugh to tears. If you want more Lincoln Mathis, is here quite a bit. And you will want even more another book that is about him. He is amazing as always but you can also observe that a lot of hides behind it.
In conclusion I have good fun while reading this book. Sweet and light forbidden love. It's funny, emotional, but there is some uncertainty, and this series is better and better with each new book. I can not wait to the next!
***Quick Review:***
Series: The second in the Oxford series. Can be read as a standalone.
Grade/Tag Tabs: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 2nd, 2016
Main characters: Jackson Burke, thirty-five years old, former quarterback, Madison’s ex-husband, now Oxford Magazine fitness editor. Mollie Carrington, twenty-eight, Madison’s younger sister.
Secondary characters: An amazing group of friends connected with two series Oxford & Stiletto. They are one of the strongest benefits and a big part of the book.
Location: New York.
Steamy:
Sensitive topic:
Love triangle:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
Next in the series? Yes. Someone Like You, Lincoln Mathis’ story! December 13th 2016
***
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Thank you!
January 31, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Confession time. I have a slight addiction to Lauren Layne and her books. And as fan, I knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest release I Wish You Were Mine but at the same time I was a little nervous. So why was I nervous? Well, honestly I was a bit apprehensive and worried when I first read the blurb of a sister falling in love with her sister's ex-husband. But I didn't have to worry that much since Lauren Layne was able to manage to give her readers a full scope and understanding of the hero and heroine's relationship and why this couple's love for one another was honest and raw.
“ Her brain might be over her crush on Jackson, but her heart . . . Her heart was still hung up big-time on this guy she could never have. ”
Mollie Carrington first love was Jackson Burke. He was handsome, kind, gentle, funny, smart, and sinfully sexy but the only problem was Jackson was in love with her sister, Madison. Eight years ago, Mollie watched her crush and first love marry her sister. But what happens when Jackson and Madison are divorced and Jackson is living in the same city as Mollie?
Jackson Burke thought he married the love of his life but sadly his marriage to Madison wasn't what he thought it would be. And with his NFL career gone and a failed marriage under his belt, Jackson felt it was time to relocate and start a new career in journalism. So when Jackson finds himself in New York, he reunites with his former sister-in-law, Mollie. Mollie has always been special to Jackson. She was someone he could confide in. And so when he meets up with Mollie, he begins to see her in a new light. No longer the friend or sister, but as someone he wants.
The relationship of Mollie and Jackson can be summed up as complicated. No matter how you look at it. It's just complicated. Mollie is torn for wanting Jackson and being loyal to her sister. Mollie can't deny her attraction and love for Jackson but at the same time she worries if she is betraying her sister. The sister who helped raised Mollie. As Mollie and Jackson juggles this new found attraction and budding romance, how will Mollie's sister react to the revelation that her ex-husband and baby sister are a couple? How can something so wrong feel so right?
“You are your own woman, and you are a woman, Mollie. You’re not a kid. You’re not a girl. And if I’ve been a complete asshole lately, it’s because I’m having a hell of a time coming to grips with the fact that I want you. And fuck, Mollie, I want you. I want you so bad, I’m dying.”
While this book is dripping with angst and sexual tension, Lauren Layne was able to balance the story with the tangible and palpable bond of Mollie and Jackson. As a couple, Mollie and Jackson were perfect for each other. They were truly meant to be. They indeed had chemistry. But what I really loved about this book was Mollie. She truly was the heart of this book because she allowed readers to feel her pain, vulnerability, conflict and love. I loved no matter what Mollie didn't hold any resentment to her sister and that epilogue ending was bliss and hopeful.
I Wish You Were Mine was indeed a second chance romance story but with an added twist and angst that will surely have you glued to your e-readers as you await what will become of Mollie and Jackson. I loved that Lauren Layne was still able to make hearts race in this new second chance romance that is filled with hope, new beginnings, and love. So if you are looking for a book where something so wrong is right then I would definitely recommend you to read I Wish You Were Mine.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Lauren Layne
Confession time. I have a slight addiction to Lauren Layne and her books. And as fan, I knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest release I Wish You Were Mine but at the same time I was a little nervous. So why was I nervous? Well, honestly I was a bit apprehensive and worried when I first read the blurb of a sister falling in love with her sister's ex-husband. But I didn't have to worry that much since Lauren Layne was able to manage to give her readers a full scope and understanding of the hero and heroine's relationship and why this couple's love for one another was honest and raw.
“ Her brain might be over her crush on Jackson, but her heart . . . Her heart was still hung up big-time on this guy she could never have. ”Mollie Carrington first love was Jackson Burke. He was handsome, kind, gentle, funny, smart, and sinfully sexy but the only problem was Jackson was in love with her sister, Madison. Eight years ago, Mollie watched her crush and first love marry her sister. But what happens when Jackson and Madison are divorced and Jackson is living in the same city as Mollie?
Jackson Burke thought he married the love of his life but sadly his marriage to Madison wasn't what he thought it would be. And with his NFL career gone and a failed marriage under his belt, Jackson felt it was time to relocate and start a new career in journalism. So when Jackson finds himself in New York, he reunites with his former sister-in-law, Mollie. Mollie has always been special to Jackson. She was someone he could confide in. And so when he meets up with Mollie, he begins to see her in a new light. No longer the friend or sister, but as someone he wants.
The relationship of Mollie and Jackson can be summed up as complicated. No matter how you look at it. It's just complicated. Mollie is torn for wanting Jackson and being loyal to her sister. Mollie can't deny her attraction and love for Jackson but at the same time she worries if she is betraying her sister. The sister who helped raised Mollie. As Mollie and Jackson juggles this new found attraction and budding romance, how will Mollie's sister react to the revelation that her ex-husband and baby sister are a couple? How can something so wrong feel so right?
“You are your own woman, and you are a woman, Mollie. You’re not a kid. You’re not a girl. And if I’ve been a complete asshole lately, it’s because I’m having a hell of a time coming to grips with the fact that I want you. And fuck, Mollie, I want you. I want you so bad, I’m dying.”While this book is dripping with angst and sexual tension, Lauren Layne was able to balance the story with the tangible and palpable bond of Mollie and Jackson. As a couple, Mollie and Jackson were perfect for each other. They were truly meant to be. They indeed had chemistry. But what I really loved about this book was Mollie. She truly was the heart of this book because she allowed readers to feel her pain, vulnerability, conflict and love. I loved no matter what Mollie didn't hold any resentment to her sister and that epilogue ending was bliss and hopeful.
I Wish You Were Mine was indeed a second chance romance story but with an added twist and angst that will surely have you glued to your e-readers as you await what will become of Mollie and Jackson. I loved that Lauren Layne was still able to make hearts race in this new second chance romance that is filled with hope, new beginnings, and love. So if you are looking for a book where something so wrong is right then I would definitely recommend you to read I Wish You Were Mine.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Lauren Layne
February 5, 2016
★★★ 3 Stars ★★★
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I like this series, it's easy to read and light and fluffy, with maybe a very slight touch of angst. I Wish You Were Mine is the second book in the series which follows the loves and lives within the Oxford Magazine offices in NYC.
Former NFL Quarterback turned Fitness Editor Jackson Burke is thousands of miles away from his Texas home, having recently divorced his scheming ex-wife and with a shoulder injury that has ensured he will never play again. Now living in Manhattan, in a job he doesn't really want working for Oxford Magazine, he turns to the only person he knows he can rely on - his ex-wife's little sister.
Mollie Carrington has been in love with Jackson since she was an awkward nerdy girl, but she pushed aside her feelings for the sake of her big sister. Now all grown up, scientist Mollie is about to take the next step in her relationship with Jackson, but guilt at betraying her sister is eating at her conscious.
I enjoyed the storyline, and the characters were relatively easy to like. A good solid romance and if you don't mind ex-girlfriend drama, I recommend this for an easy afternoon read.
I Wish You Were Mine is a standalone romance, but part of an overall series of interconnecting characters. Told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Now LIVE!
Amazon US | Amazon UK
[image error]
I like this series, it's easy to read and light and fluffy, with maybe a very slight touch of angst. I Wish You Were Mine is the second book in the series which follows the loves and lives within the Oxford Magazine offices in NYC.
Former NFL Quarterback turned Fitness Editor Jackson Burke is thousands of miles away from his Texas home, having recently divorced his scheming ex-wife and with a shoulder injury that has ensured he will never play again. Now living in Manhattan, in a job he doesn't really want working for Oxford Magazine, he turns to the only person he knows he can rely on - his ex-wife's little sister.
Mollie Carrington has been in love with Jackson since she was an awkward nerdy girl, but she pushed aside her feelings for the sake of her big sister. Now all grown up, scientist Mollie is about to take the next step in her relationship with Jackson, but guilt at betraying her sister is eating at her conscious.
I enjoyed the storyline, and the characters were relatively easy to like. A good solid romance and if you don't mind ex-girlfriend drama, I recommend this for an easy afternoon read.
I Wish You Were Mine is a standalone romance, but part of an overall series of interconnecting characters. Told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
February 2, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
Of course I liked this book. Lauren Layne wrote it so that is kind of a given. I do have to say that this is my least favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read so far. I will admit that I didn't read the description before grabbing it. I saw the name on the cover and that was the end of my thought process when it came to selecting this book. This was probably a mistake on my end because I may have thought twice about reading this book if I had known that it was going to be about sisters.
I should probably say up front that for me there are certain lines that are never to be crossed. Never. Dating your sister's former husband isn't even in grey territory for me. It is way over the line that should never be crossed. I do try to just go with a situation in a fictional book because...well, because it is fiction. I had really hoped that the focus of the book would be squarely put on Mollie and Jackson and I could just kind of forget about the sister/ex-wife. Nope. The sister/ex-wife was in the book all the time so there was no forgetting about it.
There were parts of the book that I did really like. Jackson's personal growth during the story was really nice to watch. I loved it when he realized that his dreams had changed as his life had changed. Mollie was really pretty awesome when she wasn't being walked on by her ridiculous sister. I did sense the chemistry between the pair from the very beginning of the story.
Madison was really a piece of work. She was actually pretty easy to hate in this story. Madison and Mollie were definitely at opposite ends of the sister spectrum. I didn't like her presence in the book. I don't think that she added anything to the story except a level of discomfort. I get that she was not a nice person and that she was very self centered but that didn't make me feel any better about Mollie starting a relationship with her sister's ex-husband.
I would recommend this book to anyone who can overlook the sisters angle. I did enjoy many parts of the book. I do plan to continue to read Lauren Layne's work including future installments in this series. I am ready for Lincoln's story!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
That was my least favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read so far. I didn't care for the whole sisters angle at all. I tried to just set it aside and focus on the romance between Mollie and Jackson but it kept being brought up all of the time. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either.
Of course I liked this book. Lauren Layne wrote it so that is kind of a given. I do have to say that this is my least favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read so far. I will admit that I didn't read the description before grabbing it. I saw the name on the cover and that was the end of my thought process when it came to selecting this book. This was probably a mistake on my end because I may have thought twice about reading this book if I had known that it was going to be about sisters.
I should probably say up front that for me there are certain lines that are never to be crossed. Never. Dating your sister's former husband isn't even in grey territory for me. It is way over the line that should never be crossed. I do try to just go with a situation in a fictional book because...well, because it is fiction. I had really hoped that the focus of the book would be squarely put on Mollie and Jackson and I could just kind of forget about the sister/ex-wife. Nope. The sister/ex-wife was in the book all the time so there was no forgetting about it.
There were parts of the book that I did really like. Jackson's personal growth during the story was really nice to watch. I loved it when he realized that his dreams had changed as his life had changed. Mollie was really pretty awesome when she wasn't being walked on by her ridiculous sister. I did sense the chemistry between the pair from the very beginning of the story.
Madison was really a piece of work. She was actually pretty easy to hate in this story. Madison and Mollie were definitely at opposite ends of the sister spectrum. I didn't like her presence in the book. I don't think that she added anything to the story except a level of discomfort. I get that she was not a nice person and that she was very self centered but that didn't make me feel any better about Mollie starting a relationship with her sister's ex-husband.
I would recommend this book to anyone who can overlook the sisters angle. I did enjoy many parts of the book. I do plan to continue to read Lauren Layne's work including future installments in this series. I am ready for Lincoln's story!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
That was my least favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read so far. I didn't care for the whole sisters angle at all. I tried to just set it aside and focus on the romance between Mollie and Jackson but it kept being brought up all of the time. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either.
May 4, 2018
Quite bored a lot of the time. I wanted to punch Mollie for not seeing Madison for what she really was! A conniving cunty bitch. Jackson - don't like his picture on the cover of the book. LOL.
Overall, a fairly bland read. Enjoyed the first in the series much more.
I am having a bad run of books at the moment. Need a four or five star read soon!
Overall, a fairly bland read. Enjoyed the first in the series much more.
I am having a bad run of books at the moment. Need a four or five star read soon!
February 15, 2016
I Wish You Were Mine was fun, sexy, and sweet with its to die for males and females that I would love to have as my friends. This is part of The Oxford Series, a spin-off from The Stiletto Series, and all of these stories have made me feel something I haven't felt in years. You see, my favorite show
ever
is Friends...of course I have the DVDs, the game, and can quote for hours, but these two series are the first time since Friends has ended that I've felt back in a world somewhat similar to theirs. Because I adore this group! Their friendships are heartwarming, their love lives are emotional and sigh worthy, and each time I find myself being pulled in by their joy, heartache, and laughter!
This time we got to meet Jackson Burke, Oxford's newest team member at the country's leading men's magazine. His world was flipped upside down after a horrific car accident. He went from a married quarterback in Texas, to a single fitness editor in New York. But before you jump into his life as it is now, the first chapter gives you a glance back at 8 years ago. Where he had stepped away from his own wedding to talk to Molly, his wife's younger sister. Going into this book I was a little squeamish. Not only because of the synopsis, but also because in that first chapter Molly admitted to herself that she had fallen for her sister's husband. Eeks! I didn't think I'd be ok with watching them forge into the unknown.....or so I thought, because I became their biggest cheerleader.
Lauren Layne has perfected the tortured male with Jackson. And I love tortured males! Jackson was charming and seductive, but also utterly lonely and completely unsure of himself in his new life. His inner turmoil about what happened to him created little tears in my heart. He was so hard on himself for something he had no control over. But then, he also became his own worst enemy at times with Molly. Molly who was always his friend and confident. And even though there was a spark between them, he refused to allow himself happiness with her since Molly is his ex's sister.
Oh, I adored Molly! And while I felt her inner struggle over not wanting to betray her older sister, since she wanted her ex, I also wanted to shake some sense into her. I don't want to say why, because of spoilers. But just know that while at first I was against Jackson and Molly being together, those feelings went flying out the window. Like sailing so far away, that they were long forgotten and irrelevant.
I Wish You Were Mine was a forbidden love story that made me so giddy and happy. Not only because it had the perfect balance of banter and sexual tension, but also since it had so many of the people from Stiletto that I love! And I have to say that while I can't wait for Lincoln's story, I'm so glad his book wasn't in this books place. I loved watching the slow reveal of learning who Lincoln truly is, since there are moments in this story where you can see beyond his facade. It left me even more excited for his book, which is next in line. So yes, this was another Lauren Layne win in my eyes, and I can't wait to read her next release!
*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
This time we got to meet Jackson Burke, Oxford's newest team member at the country's leading men's magazine. His world was flipped upside down after a horrific car accident. He went from a married quarterback in Texas, to a single fitness editor in New York. But before you jump into his life as it is now, the first chapter gives you a glance back at 8 years ago. Where he had stepped away from his own wedding to talk to Molly, his wife's younger sister. Going into this book I was a little squeamish. Not only because of the synopsis, but also because in that first chapter Molly admitted to herself that she had fallen for her sister's husband. Eeks! I didn't think I'd be ok with watching them forge into the unknown.....or so I thought, because I became their biggest cheerleader.
Lauren Layne has perfected the tortured male with Jackson. And I love tortured males! Jackson was charming and seductive, but also utterly lonely and completely unsure of himself in his new life. His inner turmoil about what happened to him created little tears in my heart. He was so hard on himself for something he had no control over. But then, he also became his own worst enemy at times with Molly. Molly who was always his friend and confident. And even though there was a spark between them, he refused to allow himself happiness with her since Molly is his ex's sister.
Oh, I adored Molly! And while I felt her inner struggle over not wanting to betray her older sister, since she wanted her ex, I also wanted to shake some sense into her. I don't want to say why, because of spoilers. But just know that while at first I was against Jackson and Molly being together, those feelings went flying out the window. Like sailing so far away, that they were long forgotten and irrelevant.
I Wish You Were Mine was a forbidden love story that made me so giddy and happy. Not only because it had the perfect balance of banter and sexual tension, but also since it had so many of the people from Stiletto that I love! And I have to say that while I can't wait for Lincoln's story, I'm so glad his book wasn't in this books place. I loved watching the slow reveal of learning who Lincoln truly is, since there are moments in this story where you can see beyond his facade. It left me even more excited for his book, which is next in line. So yes, this was another Lauren Layne win in my eyes, and I can't wait to read her next release!
*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
December 13, 2015
4 Stars
Lauren Layne is always a hit with me and this time was no different. I Wish You Were Mine is the second book in her new Oxford series. This is the story of Jackson Burke and Mollie Carrington.
Jackson was a star quarterback in college. He met, chased, and finally caught the girl that he thought was the love of his life, Madison Carrington. But not long after their wedding, things started to go downhill for them. Then when Jackson was in a car accident that left him unable to play, his wife decided to file for divorce. He decided to start over in New York as a fitness writer for Oxford Magazine.
Mollie Carrington, his friend and sister of his ex-wife also lives in New York, but when she reaches out and wants to meet up, he agrees. Jackson and Mollie were always close, but never crossed the line, even though she had secretly fallen in love with him. Her relationship with her sister and his friendship meant more to her.
During their meeting he learns that Mollie needs to find a new apartment and offers to let her stay with him until she finds something. He has a four bedroom apartment, so there's plenty of room and he's been lonely, so having Mollie's bubbly personality around sounds like a good idea. They fall back into a familiar routine of talking and hanging out and being roommates.
Mollie can tell that he's still lonely, so she encourages him to make friends at work. And oh what friends he has, Cole, Penelope, Cassidy and of course, Lincoln. Yes we get to see more of these guys and the Stiletto ladies. But soon things begin to heat up at home and before they know it, Mollie and Jackson are sharing a midnight kiss.
Deciding the kiss was a mistake and that they should remain friends Mollie talks Jackson into setting her up on a date with one of his co-workers. And who does he choose, my very favorite...Lincoln. But in Lincoln style he pushes the two together instead of getting in the way. And let me tell you, when these two get together it is HOT! Ms. Layne never lets us down in the hot sex department. But can they have any type of relationship without ruining Mollie's relationship with her sister? Is Jackson ready for another serious relationship? Or will he let dreams of his old life ruin everything?
As soon as this book is released I urge everyone to grab a copy and join in on the Oxford hotness that is Jackson Burke. I'm sure I won't be the only one here when I say that I hated Mollie's sister. I actually feel like she got away with way too much. But maybe some of the good characteristics that are in Mollie are in Madison too. Even so, I absolutely love Lauren Layne's writing. She has a way of telling stories that always draws me in and leaves a smile on my face. I'm really looking forward to Lincoln's book next, even though I will be waiting for a year for its release.
ARC provided by Lauren Layne via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Layne is always a hit with me and this time was no different. I Wish You Were Mine is the second book in her new Oxford series. This is the story of Jackson Burke and Mollie Carrington.
Jackson was a star quarterback in college. He met, chased, and finally caught the girl that he thought was the love of his life, Madison Carrington. But not long after their wedding, things started to go downhill for them. Then when Jackson was in a car accident that left him unable to play, his wife decided to file for divorce. He decided to start over in New York as a fitness writer for Oxford Magazine.
Mollie Carrington, his friend and sister of his ex-wife also lives in New York, but when she reaches out and wants to meet up, he agrees. Jackson and Mollie were always close, but never crossed the line, even though she had secretly fallen in love with him. Her relationship with her sister and his friendship meant more to her.
During their meeting he learns that Mollie needs to find a new apartment and offers to let her stay with him until she finds something. He has a four bedroom apartment, so there's plenty of room and he's been lonely, so having Mollie's bubbly personality around sounds like a good idea. They fall back into a familiar routine of talking and hanging out and being roommates.
Mollie can tell that he's still lonely, so she encourages him to make friends at work. And oh what friends he has, Cole, Penelope, Cassidy and of course, Lincoln. Yes we get to see more of these guys and the Stiletto ladies. But soon things begin to heat up at home and before they know it, Mollie and Jackson are sharing a midnight kiss.
Deciding the kiss was a mistake and that they should remain friends Mollie talks Jackson into setting her up on a date with one of his co-workers. And who does he choose, my very favorite...Lincoln. But in Lincoln style he pushes the two together instead of getting in the way. And let me tell you, when these two get together it is HOT! Ms. Layne never lets us down in the hot sex department. But can they have any type of relationship without ruining Mollie's relationship with her sister? Is Jackson ready for another serious relationship? Or will he let dreams of his old life ruin everything?
As soon as this book is released I urge everyone to grab a copy and join in on the Oxford hotness that is Jackson Burke. I'm sure I won't be the only one here when I say that I hated Mollie's sister. I actually feel like she got away with way too much. But maybe some of the good characteristics that are in Mollie are in Madison too. Even so, I absolutely love Lauren Layne's writing. She has a way of telling stories that always draws me in and leaves a smile on my face. I'm really looking forward to Lincoln's book next, even though I will be waiting for a year for its release.
ARC provided by Lauren Layne via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2019
This is my first read on Oxford series. And its taking me by surprise. I end up liking this book very much. Credit to Jackson. He is my type of brooding alpha male. He still have tender side when it comes to Molly.
I like the chemistry between Molly and Jackson. They both push each ither buttons in such steamy way. Not sexual at first. But with heated banter. I love it especially Molly who is not afraid to push back Jackson. Molly is what Jackson needs to come out from his nasty divorce.
The author done a great job matching their chemistry. I do wish the book can be longer a bit because i want to enjoy more of their sexy banter.
4 stars
I like the chemistry between Molly and Jackson. They both push each ither buttons in such steamy way. Not sexual at first. But with heated banter. I love it especially Molly who is not afraid to push back Jackson. Molly is what Jackson needs to come out from his nasty divorce.
The author done a great job matching their chemistry. I do wish the book can be longer a bit because i want to enjoy more of their sexy banter.
4 stars
February 8, 2016
This was such a pleasant surprise!
I loved it!
To describe it in three words: funny,smart and sexy.
I highly recommend it!
I loved it!
To describe it in three words: funny,smart and sexy.
I highly recommend it!
March 4, 2016
I've been binge reading Lauren Layne's Adult Contemporary Romance series over the past few days now;
they're so damn addictive!!
I enjoyed all of them.
Except this one.
There's a reason why a girl shouldn't embark on an affair with her sister's (recently divorced) ex-husband. Coz it's wrong on too many levels. And the fact that the said sister is a manipulative witch does NOT make it okay.
Except this one.
There's a reason why a girl shouldn't embark on an affair with her sister's (recently divorced) ex-husband. Coz it's wrong on too many levels. And the fact that the said sister is a manipulative witch does NOT make it okay.
May 21, 2016
My first finished read of the year and it was a bust.
Eh, I'm not counting it though because I started this last year lol.
Anyway, review to come.
Eh, I'm not counting it though because I started this last year lol.
Anyway, review to come.
April 20, 2017
IDK how I feel about the main guy for this book, but fingers crossed for some solid character developments.
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Pros
– Strong friendship theme: I love seeing all of the characters from the previous books and them just being super funny and supportive with the main characters. There are a lot of cute bantering here.
– Satisfying ending: I like the way it ended. I feel content.
Cons
– Sticky romance: The protagonist, Mollie, has been in love with her sister’s husband, Jackson (now: EX-husband), for years, and he’s finally starting to see her in a different light. It’s very cringeworthy, considering how we learn about all the dirt in his failed marriage. The dirt is going to be unsurprising…perhaps a bit cliché too, with the cheating, self-absorbed wife who is manipulative AF. This book strongly focuses on her, and her effects on the couple. I get that, but also, I want Mollie and Jackson’s relationship to have more developments, away from the stickiness.
– The main characters are blah: I don’t hate Jackson, but I don’t find him particularly compelling or fun to read about. On the other hand, Mollie seems cool at first, but I find myself facepalming a lot with her. I understand family loyalty, but she is too spineless and perfectly obtuse when it comes to her sister who has been callous to both Jackson and her. I was cringing so hard, especially because throughout the book, and even at the end of the book, Mollie barely stands up to her sister.
– Cliché antagonist: I’m just not a fan of reading boys-obsessed, jealous, petty, materialistic, and women-hating women in my books. Why must the female villain always be depicted in this way?
Final Thoughts
I’m giving this book 1.5 stars (rounded to 2). It could be worse, and it could be way better. However, I do love the Oxford team as a whole and the strong friendship theme.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
-------------
Pros
– Strong friendship theme: I love seeing all of the characters from the previous books and them just being super funny and supportive with the main characters. There are a lot of cute bantering here.
– Satisfying ending: I like the way it ended. I feel content.
Cons
– Sticky romance: The protagonist, Mollie, has been in love with her sister’s husband, Jackson (now: EX-husband), for years, and he’s finally starting to see her in a different light. It’s very cringeworthy, considering how we learn about all the dirt in his failed marriage. The dirt is going to be unsurprising…perhaps a bit cliché too, with the cheating, self-absorbed wife who is manipulative AF. This book strongly focuses on her, and her effects on the couple. I get that, but also, I want Mollie and Jackson’s relationship to have more developments, away from the stickiness.
– The main characters are blah: I don’t hate Jackson, but I don’t find him particularly compelling or fun to read about. On the other hand, Mollie seems cool at first, but I find myself facepalming a lot with her. I understand family loyalty, but she is too spineless and perfectly obtuse when it comes to her sister who has been callous to both Jackson and her. I was cringing so hard, especially because throughout the book, and even at the end of the book, Mollie barely stands up to her sister.
– Cliché antagonist: I’m just not a fan of reading boys-obsessed, jealous, petty, materialistic, and women-hating women in my books. Why must the female villain always be depicted in this way?
Final Thoughts
I’m giving this book 1.5 stars (rounded to 2). It could be worse, and it could be way better. However, I do love the Oxford team as a whole and the strong friendship theme.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
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