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The Wedding Belles #3
To Love and to Cherish
Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, a contemporary and witty romance series about three high-powered New York City women who can plan any wedding—but their own.
Alexis Morgan has spent the past eight years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan’s premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it’s time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who’s been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan’s all business, all the time—except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.
Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she’s on the dating market—and equally clear that he’s not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister’s last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it’s the perfect time to show Alexis that there’s more to him than numbers and spreadsheets—and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida’s sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan’s out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...
Alexis Morgan has spent the past eight years devoted to turning her tiny start-up into Manhattan’s premiere wedding planning company, The Wedding Belles. Now that her business is thriving, it’s time to turn towards her much neglected personal life, and Alexis approaches her relationships like she does everything with a plan. Not a part of that plan is Logan Harris, the silent partner in the Belles, and the one person who’s been there for her since the very beginning. But Alexis needs someone fun, and Logan’s all business, all the time—except when a late night at the office ends with an unexpected kiss that leaves the usually cool and together Alexis reeling.
Logan has lusted after Alexis since the day he walked into the tiny Harlem apartment that used to double as her office. But the ambitious wedding planner has always been untouchable...until now. Alexis has made it clear that she’s on the dating market—and equally clear that he’s not in the running. But when Alexis finds herself in need of a date for her sister’s last minute wedding in Florida, Logan knows it’s the perfect time to show Alexis that there’s more to him than numbers and spreadsheets—and beneath the pinstripes and glasses lies a hot-blooded heartthrob. As Florida’s sultry days turn into even hotter nights, Logan’s out to convince Alexis that the fling of a lifetime could just maybe turn into forever...
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2016
273 people are currently reading
3025 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Layne
60 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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October 24, 2016
3.5/4 'No more waiting' Stars!
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's sad to say goodbye to a series that you enjoyed a lot. That has happened several times for me when it comes to Lauren Layne since she is one of my favorite authors. The Wedding Belles has been a great journey, a journey that has reminded me a lot of Lauren's Stiletto girls (who I adore!) and their loved ones. I have to say though, I had extremely high expectations for this book and they weren't quite reached until the very end.
To Love and to Cherish is the third and final installment of this series and it finally tells the story we all have been waiting to read: it's about Alexis Morgan (the owner of The Wedding Belles, a woman dedicated only to her job, who is still affected by a past event and because of that she does not see what is in front of her own eyes) and Logan Harris (the hot and British silent partner and accountant that has been waiting eight years to sweep Alexis of her feet).
Logan was... everything. He was her friend and her business and her future all wrapped up into one admittedly yummy package. / And Alexis's careful, practical heart, even at its most vulnerable like it was now, just couldn't handle the potential of losing everything.
"Logan. I don't understand you like this. I don't get what you want from me."
"Yes. You do."
This novel was a good read for me. Not great and not bad either, just good. As I said, I had extremely high expectations since Lauren has been giving some moments between these two in the other books in the series. Here is the thing: while I FREAKING LOVED Logan, Alexis was not what I expected. Logan is the perfect hero (funny, kind, friendly, sexy and British!!!) but, many times, Alexis behaves like a scared child. I get why she is behaving that way at the beginning but even when the sparks start flying she does not accept her feelings for Logan and that kind of pissed me off.
She wanted to be held by this man who'd been so unwaveringly there for her every step of the way. A man who, if she was being perfectly honest, she hadn't treated nearly as well as he deserved.
Waiting for Alexis had been pure torture. He wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and haul her to his apartment, bedding her until she was thoroughly, forever his.
That is why I am still undecided about my rating and that is why I am going to leave it as it is. Of course, if we leave Alexis behavior apart, To Love and to Cherish was a great addition to the Wedding Belles series. Again, I cannot tell enough how much I loved Logan and also all the moments with the other girls and their life partners. Lauren still gives us happy, funny and sexy moments in this book and finally, FINALLY that epilogue! Awww, melted me so hard! Logan is definitely one of my favorites Lauren Layne heroes!
"I've waited a long time for this, Alexis Morgan. And I fully intend to take my fucking time."
"I think I've loved you since that very first day at that bar, and what's more... I think you've known it. Haven't you?"
Therefore, my final rating for To Love and to Cherish is 3.5/4 STARS because if we leave how I felt towards Alexis during most of the book, this was a proper addition to the Wedding Belles series! I loved meeting all these characters and again, fall in love with their stories. So, if you have enjoyed Lauren's work in the past, I totally recommend reading this series!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's sad to say goodbye to a series that you enjoyed a lot. That has happened several times for me when it comes to Lauren Layne since she is one of my favorite authors. The Wedding Belles has been a great journey, a journey that has reminded me a lot of Lauren's Stiletto girls (who I adore!) and their loved ones. I have to say though, I had extremely high expectations for this book and they weren't quite reached until the very end.
To Love and to Cherish is the third and final installment of this series and it finally tells the story we all have been waiting to read: it's about Alexis Morgan (the owner of The Wedding Belles, a woman dedicated only to her job, who is still affected by a past event and because of that she does not see what is in front of her own eyes) and Logan Harris (the hot and British silent partner and accountant that has been waiting eight years to sweep Alexis of her feet).
Logan was... everything. He was her friend and her business and her future all wrapped up into one admittedly yummy package. / And Alexis's careful, practical heart, even at its most vulnerable like it was now, just couldn't handle the potential of losing everything.
"Logan. I don't understand you like this. I don't get what you want from me."
"Yes. You do."
This novel was a good read for me. Not great and not bad either, just good. As I said, I had extremely high expectations since Lauren has been giving some moments between these two in the other books in the series. Here is the thing: while I FREAKING LOVED Logan, Alexis was not what I expected. Logan is the perfect hero (funny, kind, friendly, sexy and British!!!) but, many times, Alexis behaves like a scared child. I get why she is behaving that way at the beginning but even when the sparks start flying she does not accept her feelings for Logan and that kind of pissed me off.
She wanted to be held by this man who'd been so unwaveringly there for her every step of the way. A man who, if she was being perfectly honest, she hadn't treated nearly as well as he deserved.
Waiting for Alexis had been pure torture. He wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and haul her to his apartment, bedding her until she was thoroughly, forever his.
That is why I am still undecided about my rating and that is why I am going to leave it as it is. Of course, if we leave Alexis behavior apart, To Love and to Cherish was a great addition to the Wedding Belles series. Again, I cannot tell enough how much I loved Logan and also all the moments with the other girls and their life partners. Lauren still gives us happy, funny and sexy moments in this book and finally, FINALLY that epilogue! Awww, melted me so hard! Logan is definitely one of my favorites Lauren Layne heroes!
"I've waited a long time for this, Alexis Morgan. And I fully intend to take my fucking time."
"I think I've loved you since that very first day at that bar, and what's more... I think you've known it. Haven't you?"
Therefore, my final rating for To Love and to Cherish is 3.5/4 STARS because if we leave how I felt towards Alexis during most of the book, this was a proper addition to the Wedding Belles series! I loved meeting all these characters and again, fall in love with their stories. So, if you have enjoyed Lauren's work in the past, I totally recommend reading this series!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
October 14, 2016
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
2.5 Stars
I am a fan of this authors writing style, her humor and many of her books have made me thoroughly happy so please take my review with a grain of salt. I saw some really good ones for this book so I might be a minority.
Everybody who has read the other books in this series knows that this is the story of the couple we have been waiting for since the beginning. Why these two held such an appeal? Let me explain:
Logan has been pining for Alexis for eight years without making a move. He has loved her that long but she doesn't see him. All she has on her mind is her business. He is the Wedding Belles' accountant and silent business partner. When his father calls him from his homeland in the UK and asks him to come home to take over the family business he has to make a decision. Logan is done waiting and it's time to make his move and force Alexis to see that he is more than her friend and business partner.
Alexis' brain child and business, The Wedding Belles, has always been her dream. She is first and foremost a business woman. That she sometimes also yearns for a family and a man in her life can be reasoned away. Also, opening up to somebody means opening yourself up to hurt and that's the last thing she wants. So why does Logan's kiss rattle her so much?
I loved Logan. LOVED. He is the kind, quiet type who, once unleashed, can become really bossy and sexy. He is a great listener and a fantastic friend with a hilarious sense of humor to boot. The only thing I can hold against him is that he is so freaking passive. He doesn't coax Alexis out of her shell, he just gives her room when she withdraws into herself, always backs off.
Alexis. I really really really wanted to love her. I did in the previous books, she was a good, albeit aloof friend and I was so looking forward to see the rattled Alexis, free of the cool veneer she displayed. Instead I got to see a bitch. She really irritated the hell out of me and while I do get that she can't change within a couple of pages I didn't see any growth at all. Even in the last 10% she blamed Logan for "ruining a perfectly fine friendship". At that point I got so mad that I didn't want them to be together any longer. I understood that she was hurt from her past but that doesn't justify her behavior and the way she treated a person she called friend, which was sometimes despicable.
I wanted to see the sweet Alexis, the one worthy to fall for. At no point I understood what Logan saw in her that he was pining for her for eight long years.
The highlights which upped my rating were Logan and the friendship dynamics, especially the one he had with Josh from For Better Or Worse. Josh was hilarious and a caring friend to Logan.
When all is said and done this book didn't live up to the expectations I had, especially after Heather's and Josh's story in For Better Or Worse, which was a 5 Star read for me. I will still read everything Lauren Layne throws at me because when she gets it right it's amazing. This time around, though, I was left wanting.
October 8, 2016
3 Take the Chance Stars
“Logan. I don’t understand you like this. I don’t get what you want from me.”
He stared into her eyes. “Yes. You do.”
Still waters run deep.
For most of her life, Alexis has wanted nothing more than to be a wedding planner in NYC. And not just any wedding planner. She set out to set the standard for posh, elegant affairs and after years of hard work, her and her business, The Wedding Belles, have finally reached an exclusive level of success. Sought after by the wealthy, famous and discriminating alike, Alexis’ main focus continues to be her business. The problem? In her early thirties and after years of sacrificing her social life for the sake of her work, how can she make the shift and start focusing on finding a man?
She only knew that going there with Logan, even in her thoughts, meant complicating things. Complicating things meant risk. And she couldn’t risk losing Logan. She wouldn’t.
From the time Logan first saw Alexis across a not so crowded pub, he knew she was the woman he wanted for the long haul. An afternoon of talking and getting to know each other leads to a relationship that makes them Wedding Belles business partners. And that’s it. For years, Logan’s bided his time and kept to his silent partner arrangement, but now that Alexis is finally ready to settle down? All bets are off.
First things first, this book has been more than difficult for me to apply an accurate rating to. On the one hand, my expectations for this were incredibly high. I’ve wanted Alexis and Logan’s story from the beginning, so I’m not discounting the fact I really wanted to love this one and that anticipation may have ended up clouding my judgment.
On the other hand, To Love and to Cherish took some effort for me to get through. The writing is Lauren Layne level great but to put it bluntly, Alexis and Logan bored the ever loving crap out of me. I should’ve expected that because, realistically, their characters haven’t set the bar for entertainment value when they’ve been featured in the other books of the series. I guess a part of me was hoping Logan would turn all primitive caveman and show Alexis exactly what he planned to do with her. Or Alexis would relax long enough to realize Logan’s a hot piece of ass and perfect for her. In my head, I know that would’ve been disingenuous to both characters but I still had my fingers crossed.
When it’s all said and done, I did end up enjoying To Love and to Cherish but I never ended up fully connecting with the characters like I’d hoped.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
“Logan. I don’t understand you like this. I don’t get what you want from me.”
He stared into her eyes. “Yes. You do.”
Still waters run deep.
For most of her life, Alexis has wanted nothing more than to be a wedding planner in NYC. And not just any wedding planner. She set out to set the standard for posh, elegant affairs and after years of hard work, her and her business, The Wedding Belles, have finally reached an exclusive level of success. Sought after by the wealthy, famous and discriminating alike, Alexis’ main focus continues to be her business. The problem? In her early thirties and after years of sacrificing her social life for the sake of her work, how can she make the shift and start focusing on finding a man?
She only knew that going there with Logan, even in her thoughts, meant complicating things. Complicating things meant risk. And she couldn’t risk losing Logan. She wouldn’t.
From the time Logan first saw Alexis across a not so crowded pub, he knew she was the woman he wanted for the long haul. An afternoon of talking and getting to know each other leads to a relationship that makes them Wedding Belles business partners. And that’s it. For years, Logan’s bided his time and kept to his silent partner arrangement, but now that Alexis is finally ready to settle down? All bets are off.
First things first, this book has been more than difficult for me to apply an accurate rating to. On the one hand, my expectations for this were incredibly high. I’ve wanted Alexis and Logan’s story from the beginning, so I’m not discounting the fact I really wanted to love this one and that anticipation may have ended up clouding my judgment.
On the other hand, To Love and to Cherish took some effort for me to get through. The writing is Lauren Layne level great but to put it bluntly, Alexis and Logan bored the ever loving crap out of me. I should’ve expected that because, realistically, their characters haven’t set the bar for entertainment value when they’ve been featured in the other books of the series. I guess a part of me was hoping Logan would turn all primitive caveman and show Alexis exactly what he planned to do with her. Or Alexis would relax long enough to realize Logan’s a hot piece of ass and perfect for her. In my head, I know that would’ve been disingenuous to both characters but I still had my fingers crossed.
When it’s all said and done, I did end up enjoying To Love and to Cherish but I never ended up fully connecting with the characters like I’d hoped.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 23, 2016
4 British Still Waters Run Very Sexy Stars
* * * *
Why is it the ones who are so contained, so in control of all the situations around them...have this inner flaw of not seeing what is Right In Front of them...Of a love so strong, so worthy, so supportive and so damn hot...it boggles the mind! This is the premise of this third and final installment of The Wedding Belles by Lauren Layne. It takes awhile for Alexis to figure it all out and we are there every single step of the way.
Now if you have been reading this series, then you have experienced the progression of each book. And what I mean by progression is not all of it is connected and you must read each one to "get" everything. What I am addressing is each installment was more engaging and had a stronger sense of what Layne is known for...a tight circle of friends and how they all interact with each other while finding the loves of their lives. You can read this as a stand alone. I felt each entry became more of what we know from Layne and this last book pulled it all together. It took a bit; it was a long road to get where it was going...but in the end, it rang true to the characters, Alexis and Logan.
Alexis Morgan was the creator and owner of The Wedding Belles, the elite Wedding Planning company. She had a vision from childhood...a singular obsession with all things wedding. She made scrapbooks, used dolls and then friends to carry out her young ideas. Later she took business courses and computer programs to refine her PowerPoint presentations. She was so focused going through high school, she never had any interest or understanding of the mindless behavior all the girls around her were having with boys. Alexis knew what she wanted and continued on her path.
College changed all of that. There she met Adam and when she looked at him, immediately she got it. She understood all the things she had been told...of not being able to think of anything or any one but the guy you were crazy for...These two became a couple... they studied together, planned together and it was implied they would be together always...the married type of always....
They had been together for sometime and the holidays were coming. Alexis was bringing Adam home to meet the entire family; he had met parents but somehow missed connecting with Alexis' little sister Roxie.
This dinner took on a life of its own and after some months later, Adam and Alexis parted ways. It was hurtful for Alexis; never had she invested herself in anything other than her dream business like she did with Adam...This break up colored everything and she decided to refocus even harder to make her dream of the Wedding Belles a reality.
We learn how Alexis meets Logan, her silent partner of the Belles. Logan had been that silent but secure undercurrent for Alexis and the women of the Belles. His official position was as the accountant for the company with no one knowing he was a silent partner. Logan chose to keep it that way because 8 years ago when all of this came together, he felt he needed to present himself as a financial authority only. Now after all these years, it didn't matter to him.
What does matter to him is Alexis...
She is his everything.
Right from their first meeting in a bar in Harlem, he knew. He saw this woman, all prim and proper but in a suit not of the same quality of the person. She was beautiful but clearly didn't know it. As he sat at a table observing her, he fell. He walked over to this vision, engaged her in a conversation and by the end of their time together, he offered to be her silent partner in the Belles.
Logan came to the States for college and after getting his Masters, he knew he felt more at home in New York then he did back in the UK. Logan loved his family: they had a very successful business and it was expected for him to take it over when his father retired. Logan was pondering on what business to invest an inheritance he received from a beloved relative. Sitting at the bar, talking with Alexis...seeing her passion and drive...her control in all things for this dream...it confirmed his decision. If she would accept his proposal, he would become her silent partner.
At first, Alexis said no; loan me the funds and I will pay you back, thus being the full owner she dreamed of being. Logan was firm in his counter offer. He wanted to be a partner, silent...which gave Alexis full control of running things. When Logan got up to leave, handing her a card with just his name, email and number, Alexis almost changed her mind...
And when Logan walked out of the bar, Alexis felt adrift...she had liked talking with this man. She liked their careful flirting and she especially liked the dormant feelings rushing back to her out of no where. But these feelings had no place in her life now... Now she needed to get her business off the ground. Alexis tried a few more investors, talked with additional banks for loans and came up empty. She wasn't disappointed because deep down she wanted to partner with Logan all along. She made the call and The Wedding Belles became a reality.
Now 8 years later, The Belles are an industry force. They are the most sought after planners in social circles, with entertainment celebrities and politicians. There are only so many weekends in a year and only so many weddings one can do. Alexis has reached the level she always dreamed of...and she has a team of employees which have developed, surprisingly into friends.
Alexis works too much and has no real social life outside of the Belles. She is the go to person to help others... and has been instrumental with all of her planners when they needed advice, a shoulder to lean on or a person to tell it like it is. She has this gift of calming others, taking control in a polite way and making it all better.
Too bad all of her insight and vision hasn't been working for her personally....
For plain as day... in her face for the last 8 years is the man who would love her, care for her and be her rock if she would just open her eyes. Logan has loved this woman ever since he met her. But Logan, being an incredibly smart person, also knew... loving Alexis was going to come with challenges. She was the one who would have to come to him... he would not be able to force anything. They had their system of meeting twice a week to go over the companies expenses, etc. They would share routines of coffee brought one day and coffee made the other. They would look out for each other but at the same time Alexis held her distance...
Things were what they were... until they weren't.
Alexis received news from her mother about her sister. There was to be a baby, possibly a wedding...
Logan heard news from his family about the UK business...things were going to change...
Both of these events, triggered deep feelings inside, both Alexis and Logan....
And with these personal thoughts and concerns....all those set routines get shot to hell....
This book had so much going for it. The biggest gift was Logan. This man was special on so many levels. His love for Alexis was pure, strong and stood the years of time he allowed to pass.
HE HAD THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT...But once he decided to stop waiting and go full out to make Alexis see what was in front of her all these years..... Oh, My....Logan was just dreamy and then he was just the right amount of controlling of all things ....Yummy.
Alexis had some very serious issues to over come. Yes, they were totally understandable... but for my taste...it would have been healthier and more mature to let them go sooner. Yes, easier said then done...but that was my take. Overall, though, once she was on board...the couple rocked.
We have the pleasure of having all the past characters in this book. I especially loved when the guys got together... their bro times were terrific.
This series had charm, strong characters and couples to enjoy as they discovered who they were and how they all couldn't live without each other. Layne did her Wedding thing and I can't wait to see what is next.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
So what do you do when your Dream Business is up and running and very successful....
Why you finally take stock and decide now is the time to start a personal life...
Well, Alexis is about to learn all things cannot be planned...
And Logan, her British, Silent Partner....
Is no longer going to remain silent...
A Murmur in her ear, a Touch on the small of her back...
And a need of a date to her sister's wedding will make those sparks fly....
Let's see how hot and bothered these two well put together people can get....
To Love and Cherish (The Wedding Belles, #3) October 18th 2016
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * *
Why is it the ones who are so contained, so in control of all the situations around them...have this inner flaw of not seeing what is Right In Front of them...Of a love so strong, so worthy, so supportive and so damn hot...it boggles the mind! This is the premise of this third and final installment of The Wedding Belles by Lauren Layne. It takes awhile for Alexis to figure it all out and we are there every single step of the way.
Now if you have been reading this series, then you have experienced the progression of each book. And what I mean by progression is not all of it is connected and you must read each one to "get" everything. What I am addressing is each installment was more engaging and had a stronger sense of what Layne is known for...a tight circle of friends and how they all interact with each other while finding the loves of their lives. You can read this as a stand alone. I felt each entry became more of what we know from Layne and this last book pulled it all together. It took a bit; it was a long road to get where it was going...but in the end, it rang true to the characters, Alexis and Logan.
Alexis Morgan was the creator and owner of The Wedding Belles, the elite Wedding Planning company. She had a vision from childhood...a singular obsession with all things wedding. She made scrapbooks, used dolls and then friends to carry out her young ideas. Later she took business courses and computer programs to refine her PowerPoint presentations. She was so focused going through high school, she never had any interest or understanding of the mindless behavior all the girls around her were having with boys. Alexis knew what she wanted and continued on her path.
College changed all of that. There she met Adam and when she looked at him, immediately she got it. She understood all the things she had been told...of not being able to think of anything or any one but the guy you were crazy for...These two became a couple... they studied together, planned together and it was implied they would be together always...the married type of always....
They had been together for sometime and the holidays were coming. Alexis was bringing Adam home to meet the entire family; he had met parents but somehow missed connecting with Alexis' little sister Roxie.
This dinner took on a life of its own and after some months later, Adam and Alexis parted ways. It was hurtful for Alexis; never had she invested herself in anything other than her dream business like she did with Adam...This break up colored everything and she decided to refocus even harder to make her dream of the Wedding Belles a reality.
We learn how Alexis meets Logan, her silent partner of the Belles. Logan had been that silent but secure undercurrent for Alexis and the women of the Belles. His official position was as the accountant for the company with no one knowing he was a silent partner. Logan chose to keep it that way because 8 years ago when all of this came together, he felt he needed to present himself as a financial authority only. Now after all these years, it didn't matter to him.
What does matter to him is Alexis...
She is his everything.
Right from their first meeting in a bar in Harlem, he knew. He saw this woman, all prim and proper but in a suit not of the same quality of the person. She was beautiful but clearly didn't know it. As he sat at a table observing her, he fell. He walked over to this vision, engaged her in a conversation and by the end of their time together, he offered to be her silent partner in the Belles.
Logan came to the States for college and after getting his Masters, he knew he felt more at home in New York then he did back in the UK. Logan loved his family: they had a very successful business and it was expected for him to take it over when his father retired. Logan was pondering on what business to invest an inheritance he received from a beloved relative. Sitting at the bar, talking with Alexis...seeing her passion and drive...her control in all things for this dream...it confirmed his decision. If she would accept his proposal, he would become her silent partner.
At first, Alexis said no; loan me the funds and I will pay you back, thus being the full owner she dreamed of being. Logan was firm in his counter offer. He wanted to be a partner, silent...which gave Alexis full control of running things. When Logan got up to leave, handing her a card with just his name, email and number, Alexis almost changed her mind...
And when Logan walked out of the bar, Alexis felt adrift...she had liked talking with this man. She liked their careful flirting and she especially liked the dormant feelings rushing back to her out of no where. But these feelings had no place in her life now... Now she needed to get her business off the ground. Alexis tried a few more investors, talked with additional banks for loans and came up empty. She wasn't disappointed because deep down she wanted to partner with Logan all along. She made the call and The Wedding Belles became a reality.
Now 8 years later, The Belles are an industry force. They are the most sought after planners in social circles, with entertainment celebrities and politicians. There are only so many weekends in a year and only so many weddings one can do. Alexis has reached the level she always dreamed of...and she has a team of employees which have developed, surprisingly into friends.
Alexis works too much and has no real social life outside of the Belles. She is the go to person to help others... and has been instrumental with all of her planners when they needed advice, a shoulder to lean on or a person to tell it like it is. She has this gift of calming others, taking control in a polite way and making it all better.
Too bad all of her insight and vision hasn't been working for her personally....
For plain as day... in her face for the last 8 years is the man who would love her, care for her and be her rock if she would just open her eyes. Logan has loved this woman ever since he met her. But Logan, being an incredibly smart person, also knew... loving Alexis was going to come with challenges. She was the one who would have to come to him... he would not be able to force anything. They had their system of meeting twice a week to go over the companies expenses, etc. They would share routines of coffee brought one day and coffee made the other. They would look out for each other but at the same time Alexis held her distance...
Things were what they were... until they weren't.
Alexis received news from her mother about her sister. There was to be a baby, possibly a wedding...
Logan heard news from his family about the UK business...things were going to change...
Both of these events, triggered deep feelings inside, both Alexis and Logan....
And with these personal thoughts and concerns....all those set routines get shot to hell....
This book had so much going for it. The biggest gift was Logan. This man was special on so many levels. His love for Alexis was pure, strong and stood the years of time he allowed to pass.
HE HAD THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT...But once he decided to stop waiting and go full out to make Alexis see what was in front of her all these years..... Oh, My....Logan was just dreamy and then he was just the right amount of controlling of all things ....Yummy.
Alexis had some very serious issues to over come. Yes, they were totally understandable... but for my taste...it would have been healthier and more mature to let them go sooner. Yes, easier said then done...but that was my take. Overall, though, once she was on board...the couple rocked.
We have the pleasure of having all the past characters in this book. I especially loved when the guys got together... their bro times were terrific.
This series had charm, strong characters and couples to enjoy as they discovered who they were and how they all couldn't live without each other. Layne did her Wedding thing and I can't wait to see what is next.
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
So what do you do when your Dream Business is up and running and very successful....
Why you finally take stock and decide now is the time to start a personal life...
Well, Alexis is about to learn all things cannot be planned...
And Logan, her British, Silent Partner....
Is no longer going to remain silent...
A Murmur in her ear, a Touch on the small of her back...
And a need of a date to her sister's wedding will make those sparks fly....
Let's see how hot and bothered these two well put together people can get....
To Love and Cherish (The Wedding Belles, #3) October 18th 2016
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October 14, 2016
5 -
The couple who wasn't a couple...
Stars!
Lauren Layne returns with the third book in the Wedding Belles series, I have to say that this series has been one of my absolute highlights of 2016, in relation to my reading winners, and I am sad to be saying goodbye, with the final release from it.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous to begin To Love and To Cherish, reason being that as a Brit, I have read so many books written by American authors where the lack of checking and confirming the correct phraseology of the Anglicisation of a British characters language has been so poor it has literally ruined the reading experience for me. Also, taking into account I have been eagerly anticipating Logan and Alexis’ story, my already high expectations of Lauren Layne, went even higher on this occasion. And apart from one very minor error, she absolutely nailed Logan’s 'Britishness' in this Brits opinion!
He wanted everything. And she wasn’t offering.
One thing Lauren does really well is build the anticipation for a characters story through the books that come previous to it, and she had me intrigued about Alexis and Logan from the very beginning, and although you get to know them on a superficial level through the telling of the previous couples stories, you weren’t really given anything of depth to make you feel like you really knew anything about them. That casual intrigue she builds for them as the series grew hit pull-your-hair-out levels in the last book, and I found myself devouring To Love and To Cherish like I would a bumper bar of my favorite chocolate.
She was missing something in her life but didn’t know what.
Over the course of its telling you realize that there is an awful lot more going on between Logan and Alexis that you initially thought, this is a pair of people that have been living in the others orbit for many years, without ever really coming into contact, apart from on a business and friendship level. But things change with the revelation that Alexis now feels that its time to get her life back on track and not all about business, and step into the dating pool again. Logan is happy in that this means she’s looking to open hear heart and mind to new possibilities, he isn’t as happy when he finds out that he isn’t someone she has thought of putting on her shortlist.
Everywhere she looked these days, lines were blurring.
So much love for this book and this couple, their path to happiness doesn’t run smooth, but Lauren kept the drama relevant and moved it along at a pace so it wasn’t overdone. The inclusion of all the characters from the previous books just added an extra dimension for me, because I have spent so much time with them all it felt like catching up with family, I liked that everyone in the book, also learns the facts about Logan and Alexis at pretty much the same time you do reading it, it made for great banter between the guys, and a few heartfelt moments between the girls as well.
"I don’t want to get hurt."
The sexy times are diverse, and the general chemistry between Logan and Alexis once they were both on the same page was electric. This book was just a pleasure to read from beginning to end, and oh, how I wish that it didn’t have to end.
"You’re the best."
Lauren really hit the jackpot with this series and the story-lines that came from it, and I hope to see more collaborations from her with this publisher in the near future.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Lauren Layne returns with the third book in the Wedding Belles series, I have to say that this series has been one of my absolute highlights of 2016, in relation to my reading winners, and I am sad to be saying goodbye, with the final release from it.
I have to admit that I was a little nervous to begin To Love and To Cherish, reason being that as a Brit, I have read so many books written by American authors where the lack of checking and confirming the correct phraseology of the Anglicisation of a British characters language has been so poor it has literally ruined the reading experience for me. Also, taking into account I have been eagerly anticipating Logan and Alexis’ story, my already high expectations of Lauren Layne, went even higher on this occasion. And apart from one very minor error, she absolutely nailed Logan’s 'Britishness' in this Brits opinion!
He wanted everything. And she wasn’t offering.
One thing Lauren does really well is build the anticipation for a characters story through the books that come previous to it, and she had me intrigued about Alexis and Logan from the very beginning, and although you get to know them on a superficial level through the telling of the previous couples stories, you weren’t really given anything of depth to make you feel like you really knew anything about them. That casual intrigue she builds for them as the series grew hit pull-your-hair-out levels in the last book, and I found myself devouring To Love and To Cherish like I would a bumper bar of my favorite chocolate.
She was missing something in her life but didn’t know what.
Over the course of its telling you realize that there is an awful lot more going on between Logan and Alexis that you initially thought, this is a pair of people that have been living in the others orbit for many years, without ever really coming into contact, apart from on a business and friendship level. But things change with the revelation that Alexis now feels that its time to get her life back on track and not all about business, and step into the dating pool again. Logan is happy in that this means she’s looking to open hear heart and mind to new possibilities, he isn’t as happy when he finds out that he isn’t someone she has thought of putting on her shortlist.
Everywhere she looked these days, lines were blurring.
So much love for this book and this couple, their path to happiness doesn’t run smooth, but Lauren kept the drama relevant and moved it along at a pace so it wasn’t overdone. The inclusion of all the characters from the previous books just added an extra dimension for me, because I have spent so much time with them all it felt like catching up with family, I liked that everyone in the book, also learns the facts about Logan and Alexis at pretty much the same time you do reading it, it made for great banter between the guys, and a few heartfelt moments between the girls as well.
"I don’t want to get hurt."
The sexy times are diverse, and the general chemistry between Logan and Alexis once they were both on the same page was electric. This book was just a pleasure to read from beginning to end, and oh, how I wish that it didn’t have to end.
"You’re the best."
Lauren really hit the jackpot with this series and the story-lines that came from it, and I hope to see more collaborations from her with this publisher in the near future.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
October 28, 2016
*****3.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
October 26, 2016
A delightfully angsty and sexy read
Alexis Morgan wants it all, career, adoring husband, and beautiful family. For the last eight years though she’s been focused on building her wedding planning company into a raging success. Something she can now proudly say she’s achieved. The personal front is something else entirely since she’s been actively avoiding it because over a decade ago she put her heart on the line and it got broken. Now that her younger sister is getting married and having a baby, Alexis wants to get on the dating wagon once more, all eligible bachelors welcome except Logan Harris, her silent partner and the one person who’s always supported her.
Logan Harris fell in love with Alexis from the moment he laid eyes on her eight years ago, but the woman only business in mind so he’s been biding his time ever since. But time is running out for Logan, he must decide whether to stay in NY who’ll possible never see him as anything other than her accountant or go back to England to take the helm in his family’s small empire. Now that Alexis is interested in dating, can he make her see what everyone around her already knows and that there’s more to him behind the glasses?
I just love getting my hands on a Lauren Layne book because her skill at writing good contemporary romance guarantees laughs and smiles with her loveable characters, witty banter and a plot that will keep the reader engaged throughout. Even though each book can be read as a standalone, all her series include a layer of friendship and camaraderie between the interconnecting characters that makes you want to come back for more. And I certainly wanted more of sexy and intriguing Brit and controlled wedding planner.
Smart, swoony and sexy, Logan Harris is an entirely delicious. Alexis knew he was kind and fun but mostly she only saw him as steady and steadfast. I loved his transformation from mild-mannered accountant to take charge caveman with a British accent. I’ve been rooting for him since book one and along with the Wedding Belles family, I wanted to see him happy with Alexis but just like them I was also ready to protect him from her.
I really liked Alexis as a smart and unshakeable businesswoman in the previous books. I was not a fan of the willfully blind and obtuse woman who couldn’t let go of the past in order to see the wonderful possibility of what’s been in front of her for the past eight years. But that’s what this book is really about, not Logan’s makeover because there wasn’t really anything he needed to change, but rather Alexis’ realization of the fact that her relationship with Logan was so much more than a business partnership from the start.
The attraction between Logan and Alexis was an enjoyable slow burn with all the history they had behind to ratchet up the tension between them and make the wait for Alexis to overcome her fears and trust her heart to Logan a bit more bearable.
Having the entire Belles gang which include not only the lovely ladies but also their significant others was a great treat, I really enjoyed the solidarity they showed to their friends especially Logan’s bromance with Seth and Josh.
To Have and to Hold is book #3 and the last one in The Wedding Belles series by Lauren Layne. It is a sexy contemporary romance and the last book in the series. Told from both points of view that has a happy ending.
Author’s Pinterest board -> https://pinterest.com/LLayneAuthor/to...
3.5 accountant to superman stars
* 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
Alexis Morgan wants it all, career, adoring husband, and beautiful family. For the last eight years though she’s been focused on building her wedding planning company into a raging success. Something she can now proudly say she’s achieved. The personal front is something else entirely since she’s been actively avoiding it because over a decade ago she put her heart on the line and it got broken. Now that her younger sister is getting married and having a baby, Alexis wants to get on the dating wagon once more, all eligible bachelors welcome except Logan Harris, her silent partner and the one person who’s always supported her.
“She only knew that going there with Logan, even in her thoughts, meant complicating things. Complicating things meant risk. And she couldn’t risk losing Logan. She wouldn’t… Logan was… everything.”
Logan Harris fell in love with Alexis from the moment he laid eyes on her eight years ago, but the woman only business in mind so he’s been biding his time ever since. But time is running out for Logan, he must decide whether to stay in NY who’ll possible never see him as anything other than her accountant or go back to England to take the helm in his family’s small empire. Now that Alexis is interested in dating, can he make her see what everyone around her already knows and that there’s more to him behind the glasses?
“Logan. I don’t understand you like this. I don’t get what you want from me.”
He stared into her eyes. “Yes. You do.”
I just love getting my hands on a Lauren Layne book because her skill at writing good contemporary romance guarantees laughs and smiles with her loveable characters, witty banter and a plot that will keep the reader engaged throughout. Even though each book can be read as a standalone, all her series include a layer of friendship and camaraderie between the interconnecting characters that makes you want to come back for more. And I certainly wanted more of sexy and intriguing Brit and controlled wedding planner.
Smart, swoony and sexy, Logan Harris is an entirely delicious. Alexis knew he was kind and fun but mostly she only saw him as steady and steadfast. I loved his transformation from mild-mannered accountant to take charge caveman with a British accent. I’ve been rooting for him since book one and along with the Wedding Belles family, I wanted to see him happy with Alexis but just like them I was also ready to protect him from her.
“You need to trust this man,” Roxie said. “I know it’s not your thing, I know you like to be in control, but I think it’s time you give up a little control so that you can get something even better in return.”
I really liked Alexis as a smart and unshakeable businesswoman in the previous books. I was not a fan of the willfully blind and obtuse woman who couldn’t let go of the past in order to see the wonderful possibility of what’s been in front of her for the past eight years. But that’s what this book is really about, not Logan’s makeover because there wasn’t really anything he needed to change, but rather Alexis’ realization of the fact that her relationship with Logan was so much more than a business partnership from the start.
The attraction between Logan and Alexis was an enjoyable slow burn with all the history they had behind to ratchet up the tension between them and make the wait for Alexis to overcome her fears and trust her heart to Logan a bit more bearable.
“Logan smiled in quiet triumph. The seduction of Alexis Morgan had begun, and she didn’t have a clue.”
Having the entire Belles gang which include not only the lovely ladies but also their significant others was a great treat, I really enjoyed the solidarity they showed to their friends especially Logan’s bromance with Seth and Josh.
“I love when he get British,” Josh whispered. He raised his voice back to normal volume. “Hey. Say bloody wanker.”
“I myself prefer bloody hell,” Seth said. “It’s very Bond.”
To Have and to Hold is book #3 and the last one in The Wedding Belles series by Lauren Layne. It is a sexy contemporary romance and the last book in the series. Told from both points of view that has a happy ending.
Author’s Pinterest board -> https://pinterest.com/LLayneAuthor/to...
3.5 accountant to superman stars
* 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
November 3, 2016
3.5 Stars
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review*
I have a soft spot for Lauren Layne's books. I don't know why, but there's something about her writing that I love, even if some of her books are a miss, I still go back for more. Her characters are very girl-next-door types. I really liked Logan and Alexis. The plot was a good one, but I just had a problem with Logan's passiveness. I wanted him to throw Alexis against the wall and make her his! But he's such a sweet, caring hero that I can't complain too much. I did love their friendship dynamic and I feel like this was very much a "friends" type of read.
I did not read the previous books in this series, so this can for sure be read as a standalone. Even though I wasn't wowed, I do think if you love this series and you're a fan of LL then definitely give this one a try.
*ARC graciously provided in exchange for an honest review*
I have a soft spot for Lauren Layne's books. I don't know why, but there's something about her writing that I love, even if some of her books are a miss, I still go back for more. Her characters are very girl-next-door types. I really liked Logan and Alexis. The plot was a good one, but I just had a problem with Logan's passiveness. I wanted him to throw Alexis against the wall and make her his! But he's such a sweet, caring hero that I can't complain too much. I did love their friendship dynamic and I feel like this was very much a "friends" type of read.
I did not read the previous books in this series, so this can for sure be read as a standalone. Even though I wasn't wowed, I do think if you love this series and you're a fan of LL then definitely give this one a try.
October 22, 2016
****4.5 waiting forever stars****
I have been waiting patiently for Logan and Alexis to arrive on my kindle since I met them both in To Have and to Hold and Lauren Layne did not disappoint me.
Alexis Morgan is a mystery she lives for her Wedding Belles business she is a workaholic but why? She only sees Logan as a friend and work colleague but everyone else sees the spark between them but Alexis is blind to this.
Logan Harris has been waiting patiently for Alexis to see him as more than just a friend, something happens in Logan's life and he has a time limit to sweep Alexis off her feet.
When Logan makes a move on Alexis it does not go the way he hoped and throws their relationship off course, Alexis leaves for Florida for a family wedding and with the help of the Belles other halves Logan follows her there pretending to be her boyfriend. Alexis begins to see another side to Logan he's bossy and sexy.
Finally Alexis gives in to her feelings for Logan and their nights together are as hot as the Florida sun but the question is what will happen when they get back to New York and to their normal routines.
I loved every minute of To Love and to Cherish from the prologue to the epilogue and the anticipation of when they would FINALLY get together had me hooked Lauren sure built that up. I loved the bromance between Logan and Josh.
I have read all of Lauren's books and The Wedding Belles is my favourite series I loved all three couples.
I have been waiting patiently for Logan and Alexis to arrive on my kindle since I met them both in To Have and to Hold and Lauren Layne did not disappoint me.
Alexis Morgan is a mystery she lives for her Wedding Belles business she is a workaholic but why? She only sees Logan as a friend and work colleague but everyone else sees the spark between them but Alexis is blind to this.
Logan Harris has been waiting patiently for Alexis to see him as more than just a friend, something happens in Logan's life and he has a time limit to sweep Alexis off her feet.
When Logan makes a move on Alexis it does not go the way he hoped and throws their relationship off course, Alexis leaves for Florida for a family wedding and with the help of the Belles other halves Logan follows her there pretending to be her boyfriend. Alexis begins to see another side to Logan he's bossy and sexy.
To think for eight years she’d been drinking coffee every Monday and Thursday with Clark Kent when she should have been sharing a hotel room with Superman.
Finally Alexis gives in to her feelings for Logan and their nights together are as hot as the Florida sun but the question is what will happen when they get back to New York and to their normal routines.
I loved every minute of To Love and to Cherish from the prologue to the epilogue and the anticipation of when they would FINALLY get together had me hooked Lauren sure built that up. I loved the bromance between Logan and Josh.
I have read all of Lauren's books and The Wedding Belles is my favourite series I loved all three couples.
October 18, 2016
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Lauren Layne first had her readers saying yes to dress with the first two installments to The Wedding Belles Series. And now she has us saying I do. Well, I do to Logan Harris, the sexy nerdy British lad.
“The truth was that that kiss with Logan was unlike any she’d ever had.”
In this third installment,To Love and To Cherish, which can be read as a standalone but I highly advise you not to because the highlight of each installment is to witness each key characters find their happily ever after and wedded bliss. First it was Brooke and then it was Heather, who each found their better half and now it is time for Wedding Belles owner, Alexis Morgan to finally see what has been standing in front of her for eight years.
Eight years ago, Alexis came to New York City with one dream only to own and start her elite wedding planning business. With no luck in finding the right investors to back her idea, she heads to a Harlem bar where she meets Logan Harris, a recent British business grad. Logan and Alexis hits it off and so she informs him of her idea. It is there that Logan offers a proposal. A proposal that soon led to Alexis opening The Wedding Belles.
It turns out Logan became a silent partner. And also a silent gentleman who waited patiently for eight years for Alexis Morgan to see him not just as a business partner, an accountant, or a friend. For eight years, Logan has been patient with Alexis Morgan until he couldn’t be patient any longer. He knew it was time to finally let her know how he feels about her. But will Alexis feel the same away about him?
“Alexis was the face of the Wedding Belles— she was its heart —but Logan Harris was its skeleton. The sturdy, constant frame that enabled it to exist.”
Alexis Morgan loves Logan as a friend. He was her first real friend when she moved to New York City. She is well aware that all her friends and family are hoping for something more to happen between them. But what happens when an unexpected kiss set in motion for Alexis to really see Logan Harris as the man she wants? Will Alexis let her fears of losing him as a friend dictate the possibility that she might be losing Logan Harris permanently if she doesn’t admit her real feelings for him?
To Love and To Cherish was the perfect conclusion to this sweet, sexy, and heartfelt series. I think it was so fitting that Lauren Layne saved Alexis Morgan for last as her story with Logan was an absolute gem. I loved that readers could see and feel the tangible and inevitable bond that was uniting these two. They were more than just friends and business partners. They were meant to be. So if you are looking for a love story that was sweet and had a charming and lovable British hero, then this book is definitely for you.
Lauren Layne
Lauren Layne first had her readers saying yes to dress with the first two installments to The Wedding Belles Series. And now she has us saying I do. Well, I do to Logan Harris, the sexy nerdy British lad.
“The truth was that that kiss with Logan was unlike any she’d ever had.”In this third installment,To Love and To Cherish, which can be read as a standalone but I highly advise you not to because the highlight of each installment is to witness each key characters find their happily ever after and wedded bliss. First it was Brooke and then it was Heather, who each found their better half and now it is time for Wedding Belles owner, Alexis Morgan to finally see what has been standing in front of her for eight years.
Eight years ago, Alexis came to New York City with one dream only to own and start her elite wedding planning business. With no luck in finding the right investors to back her idea, she heads to a Harlem bar where she meets Logan Harris, a recent British business grad. Logan and Alexis hits it off and so she informs him of her idea. It is there that Logan offers a proposal. A proposal that soon led to Alexis opening The Wedding Belles.
It turns out Logan became a silent partner. And also a silent gentleman who waited patiently for eight years for Alexis Morgan to see him not just as a business partner, an accountant, or a friend. For eight years, Logan has been patient with Alexis Morgan until he couldn’t be patient any longer. He knew it was time to finally let her know how he feels about her. But will Alexis feel the same away about him?
“Alexis was the face of the Wedding Belles— she was its heart —but Logan Harris was its skeleton. The sturdy, constant frame that enabled it to exist.”Alexis Morgan loves Logan as a friend. He was her first real friend when she moved to New York City. She is well aware that all her friends and family are hoping for something more to happen between them. But what happens when an unexpected kiss set in motion for Alexis to really see Logan Harris as the man she wants? Will Alexis let her fears of losing him as a friend dictate the possibility that she might be losing Logan Harris permanently if she doesn’t admit her real feelings for him?
To Love and To Cherish was the perfect conclusion to this sweet, sexy, and heartfelt series. I think it was so fitting that Lauren Layne saved Alexis Morgan for last as her story with Logan was an absolute gem. I loved that readers could see and feel the tangible and inevitable bond that was uniting these two. They were more than just friends and business partners. They were meant to be. So if you are looking for a love story that was sweet and had a charming and lovable British hero, then this book is definitely for you.
Lauren Layne
March 14, 2018
I'm bailing early on this one. Friend reviews indicate that it doesn't improve much from where we've started and I liked both Alexis and Logan better in the previous books. Eight years after moving to New York to nurse a broken heart is just too long. At this point, that makes Alexis look emotionally stunted and Logan look pathetic. Frankly, I kind of want both of them to move on with other people because if you can't make a move in eight years that window is closed. With child-proof locks. And bricks. And I think the spiked pit is only held up because the installation guy is on vacation...
October 20, 2016
3.5 -can't tell if I enjoyed it or if it was just, meh- Stars
Sorry, this review's gonna be another unhelpful, rambly one. Apologies in advance.
Was it somewhat enjoyable? Yes, I read it in one sitting and never skimmed. Smut kicked in later than expected but all in all, an entertaining and lighthearted story for lovers of weddings.
So what's your problem Jewels? I do love a good "pining-for-the-h" storyline, but this guy was like a Beta/Alpha oxymoron - highlighting the moron next to the oxy.
How does a beta/alpha hero even work? I dunno!! I'm still trying to figure it out!
So the H has been pining for the h for 8 years, being all... I dunno... Gamma, Delta? Because even a Beta H would have made a move on the girl far quicker than he did in EIGHT YEARS!
Anyway, after 8 years he gets impatient and decides to finally "make his move"... with slow and steady subtle hints. Cos after 8 years, he's gotta take it slow and steady... Ah, then he moves onto childish mind games like jealousy, push/pull tactics, non committal touches and kisses... yet being mindful to take it slow and steady... because that techniques works so much better than just putting it out there and telling her after eight years!!!
Now, after the mind games that confuses the h even more; he then lays the Alpha sexing on her over the course of only 4 days, then lays out the proverbial "I love you", and gets upset when she's too overwhelmed by his whirlwind advances to reciprocate. Ya think?
So yeah... That was my rant. But aside from all that, I quite enjoyed this book - which probably makes me an oxyMoron too...
Told in 3rd person, dual POV with and ending that went from final conflict, to resolution, then straight to 8 month later, epilogue. Highly recommended to fans of this series and this author. Standalone story in a series. I skipped book 2 and had no issues jumping into this one.
Oxymoron out!
Sorry, this review's gonna be another unhelpful, rambly one. Apologies in advance.
Was it somewhat enjoyable? Yes, I read it in one sitting and never skimmed. Smut kicked in later than expected but all in all, an entertaining and lighthearted story for lovers of weddings.
So what's your problem Jewels? I do love a good "pining-for-the-h" storyline, but this guy was like a Beta/Alpha oxymoron - highlighting the moron next to the oxy.
How does a beta/alpha hero even work? I dunno!! I'm still trying to figure it out!
So the H has been pining for the h for 8 years, being all... I dunno... Gamma, Delta? Because even a Beta H would have made a move on the girl far quicker than he did in EIGHT YEARS!
Anyway, after 8 years he gets impatient and decides to finally "make his move"... with slow and steady subtle hints. Cos after 8 years, he's gotta take it slow and steady... Ah, then he moves onto childish mind games like jealousy, push/pull tactics, non committal touches and kisses... yet being mindful to take it slow and steady... because that techniques works so much better than just putting it out there and telling her after eight years!!!
Now, after the mind games that confuses the h even more; he then lays the Alpha sexing on her over the course of only 4 days, then lays out the proverbial "I love you", and gets upset when she's too overwhelmed by his whirlwind advances to reciprocate. Ya think?
So yeah... That was my rant. But aside from all that, I quite enjoyed this book - which probably makes me an oxyMoron too...
Told in 3rd person, dual POV with and ending that went from final conflict, to resolution, then straight to 8 month later, epilogue. Highly recommended to fans of this series and this author. Standalone story in a series. I skipped book 2 and had no issues jumping into this one.
Oxymoron out!
December 1, 2016
To Love and to Cherish started out so fabulously! That prologue quickly pulled me in and I could feel the electricity between Alexis and Logan. I laughed, I smiled, and I was having a blast flipping through the pages as I fell hard for Logan. But then Alexis and I started to butt heads, and it only got progressively worse. Which is so devastating, because I have struggled with this series *cries because LL is one of my favorite authors*. Thankfully there is one book in this series I can highly recommend, For Better or Worse. I fell madly in love with the second book in The Wedding Belles. The banter, the fighting, the sexiness, the emotions that were pulled out of me, its definite a must read. You can read my 5 Star review for that book here. But for this current book, I couldn't get past Alexis' behavior and how she treated Logan.
Alexis is the creator of the Belles, and I could never get a good grasp on who she was in the previous books. She could be such a conundrum at times, and I always wondered what had made her that way. Well it doesn't take us long to get a clear understanding to why Alexis is the way she is. I felt beyond awful for what happened to her, and I fully understood why she had such severe trust issues. But the poor guy who was put through the ringer, because of her trust issues, was Logan.
Logan is Alexis' accountant, who's been a constant in her life for the last 8 years. He's a true friend who she not only trusts with her company, but she even gave him a key to her apartment. Now you see, this is where I struggled. Because Alexis didn't trust Logan with her heart at all. Even though he proved himself multiple times throughout this book. He showed her how he was loyal, how he cared for her, how he desperately wanted her. Yet, she continually stepped backwards, and hurt him again and again. Regardless of how much hurt she caused, he still wanted her and was patient. And it got to the point where I thought he deserved someone better. I wouldn't have even batted an eyelash if Logan would have walked away. I mean, a person can only take so much rejection. And the amount of rejection that was shoveled his way was too much. It broke my heart again and again.
Now what I loved about this book was Logan. He was intriguing and easily pulled me in. I loved learning the different sides of him. Ohhh and I loved watching him interact with Josh (he's the main male character from For Better or Worse, that's the favorite book I was talking about in the beginning of this review). So for Logan's sake, I truly hope you'll end up falling for this book way more than I did. It was a lot of fun and there's this cake tasting scene that was smile inducing and hot! But then Alexis kept happening and that didn't help me out any. But on a positive note, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next series LL creates will go back to being 5 Star status in my eyes!
*ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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Alexis is the creator of the Belles, and I could never get a good grasp on who she was in the previous books. She could be such a conundrum at times, and I always wondered what had made her that way. Well it doesn't take us long to get a clear understanding to why Alexis is the way she is. I felt beyond awful for what happened to her, and I fully understood why she had such severe trust issues. But the poor guy who was put through the ringer, because of her trust issues, was Logan.
Logan is Alexis' accountant, who's been a constant in her life for the last 8 years. He's a true friend who she not only trusts with her company, but she even gave him a key to her apartment. Now you see, this is where I struggled. Because Alexis didn't trust Logan with her heart at all. Even though he proved himself multiple times throughout this book. He showed her how he was loyal, how he cared for her, how he desperately wanted her. Yet, she continually stepped backwards, and hurt him again and again. Regardless of how much hurt she caused, he still wanted her and was patient. And it got to the point where I thought he deserved someone better. I wouldn't have even batted an eyelash if Logan would have walked away. I mean, a person can only take so much rejection. And the amount of rejection that was shoveled his way was too much. It broke my heart again and again.
Now what I loved about this book was Logan. He was intriguing and easily pulled me in. I loved learning the different sides of him. Ohhh and I loved watching him interact with Josh (he's the main male character from For Better or Worse, that's the favorite book I was talking about in the beginning of this review). So for Logan's sake, I truly hope you'll end up falling for this book way more than I did. It was a lot of fun and there's this cake tasting scene that was smile inducing and hot! But then Alexis kept happening and that didn't help me out any. But on a positive note, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the next series LL creates will go back to being 5 Star status in my eyes!
*ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
November 23, 2016
To Love and to Cherish by Lauren Layne is a 2016 Pocket Books publication. I was provided a copy of this book as an XOXpert, the official street team of XOXO After Dark.
Enchanting cast of characters, poignant and deliciously sexy!!
Alexis has finally gotten her wedding planning business off and running and is basking in her success, when out of the blue her mother drops a bombshell on her, which has her contemplating the need to put a little effort into her own personal life now.
Logan, who is from across the pond, is here in America to build his own business interests. It’s been nearly ten years since he became a silent partner in ‘The Wedding Belles’, and nearly ten years since he fell in love with Alexis Morgan. But, with his father pressuring him to return home, he must decide if he has a reason to stay in America.
Can he finally get Alexis to notice him? Will Alexis be able to risk her heart again?
I have a hard time getting through series from start to finish sometimes. The books have to be really special in order for me to seek them out and make a concerted effort to read them in order. This has been one of those series. I loved every single book in the Wedding Belles series and I’m very sad to see it end.
But, if it must come to a conclusion, at least it went out on a high note.
Ladies, I think you will fall head over heels for Logan, especially if you like a guy with a sexy accent. He stole my heart!!
Alexis is good at what she does professionally, but her personal life is dry as a bone. But, once her story comes out, it’s understandable. Her fear is almost paralyzing and her heart is still tender and raw despite the passage of time, but I did get frustrated with her because she let fear rule her heart, which could cost her that elusive happily ever after… plus she was breaking poor Logan’s heart. Grrr!!
But, I seriously loved them both and enjoyed touching base with the characters from previous installments, as well.
Lauren Layne is an author I’ve followed for a while now, and with each new book, she gets better and better. This series, in particular, is super romantic and sensual, as well charming and witty, and superbly written.
Overall, I highly recommend this series to all lovers of romance!!
Enchanting cast of characters, poignant and deliciously sexy!!
Alexis has finally gotten her wedding planning business off and running and is basking in her success, when out of the blue her mother drops a bombshell on her, which has her contemplating the need to put a little effort into her own personal life now.
Logan, who is from across the pond, is here in America to build his own business interests. It’s been nearly ten years since he became a silent partner in ‘The Wedding Belles’, and nearly ten years since he fell in love with Alexis Morgan. But, with his father pressuring him to return home, he must decide if he has a reason to stay in America.
Can he finally get Alexis to notice him? Will Alexis be able to risk her heart again?
I have a hard time getting through series from start to finish sometimes. The books have to be really special in order for me to seek them out and make a concerted effort to read them in order. This has been one of those series. I loved every single book in the Wedding Belles series and I’m very sad to see it end.
But, if it must come to a conclusion, at least it went out on a high note.
Ladies, I think you will fall head over heels for Logan, especially if you like a guy with a sexy accent. He stole my heart!!
Alexis is good at what she does professionally, but her personal life is dry as a bone. But, once her story comes out, it’s understandable. Her fear is almost paralyzing and her heart is still tender and raw despite the passage of time, but I did get frustrated with her because she let fear rule her heart, which could cost her that elusive happily ever after… plus she was breaking poor Logan’s heart. Grrr!!
But, I seriously loved them both and enjoyed touching base with the characters from previous installments, as well.
Lauren Layne is an author I’ve followed for a while now, and with each new book, she gets better and better. This series, in particular, is super romantic and sensual, as well charming and witty, and superbly written.
Overall, I highly recommend this series to all lovers of romance!!
October 12, 2016
ARC kindly offered by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
3.5 Stars.
To Love and to Cherish was my first book by Lauren Layne, but the third in the Wedding Belles' series.
The story is about uptight Alexis whose only focus is her business and her accountant and silent-partner of the Wedding Belles, the quirky, sexy Brit, Logan.
What I really liked about it is that Logan has been in love with her for eight years, since the very beginning. I liked how he shaped his life choices to be with her, and how he was always there for her even if she was seemingly oblivious to his feelings. On the other hand, Logan never really did anything to change things between them.
But everything changes though when Alexis receives some news from her family that suddenly make her realize she doesn't want to be alone anymore. Noticing this, Logan decides to make his move and I liked how he tried with different tactics... jealousy, romanticism etc. Meanwhile, he's called to make a life-changing choice that could separate them forever (pretty dramatic sounding, isn't it?)
We all know how that ends, with it being a romance novel, but the road to get there wasn't exactly smooth. One of my greatest issues with this book in fact was the push-n-pull on Alexis' part. I get that she didn't want to ruin their friendship or mess up their business deal, but I couldn't feel on her part the attraction and love that was so clear in Logan.
The plot is simple, yet enjoyable. The pace only picks up from the 50% mark but the first half isn't that bad anyway, just not really eventful.
I'll conclude saying that even if it was pretty fluffy, the hot scenes were definitely steamy. I wasn't expecting them to be so... detailed and compelling, since usually these kinds of books are more focused on the feels part rather than the physical.
Would I recommend it? Definitely to those who have read the previous books. There were a few funny interactions with characters from the first two installments and all in all it was a light read with some very funny or steamy moments and relatable characters.
Where to find me:
https://twitter.com/Talia_RedHotInk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
3.5 Stars.
To Love and to Cherish was my first book by Lauren Layne, but the third in the Wedding Belles' series.
The story is about uptight Alexis whose only focus is her business and her accountant and silent-partner of the Wedding Belles, the quirky, sexy Brit, Logan.
What I really liked about it is that Logan has been in love with her for eight years, since the very beginning. I liked how he shaped his life choices to be with her, and how he was always there for her even if she was seemingly oblivious to his feelings. On the other hand, Logan never really did anything to change things between them.
But everything changes though when Alexis receives some news from her family that suddenly make her realize she doesn't want to be alone anymore. Noticing this, Logan decides to make his move and I liked how he tried with different tactics... jealousy, romanticism etc. Meanwhile, he's called to make a life-changing choice that could separate them forever (pretty dramatic sounding, isn't it?)
We all know how that ends, with it being a romance novel, but the road to get there wasn't exactly smooth. One of my greatest issues with this book in fact was the push-n-pull on Alexis' part. I get that she didn't want to ruin their friendship or mess up their business deal, but I couldn't feel on her part the attraction and love that was so clear in Logan.
The plot is simple, yet enjoyable. The pace only picks up from the 50% mark but the first half isn't that bad anyway, just not really eventful.
I'll conclude saying that even if it was pretty fluffy, the hot scenes were definitely steamy. I wasn't expecting them to be so... detailed and compelling, since usually these kinds of books are more focused on the feels part rather than the physical.
Would I recommend it? Definitely to those who have read the previous books. There were a few funny interactions with characters from the first two installments and all in all it was a light read with some very funny or steamy moments and relatable characters.
Where to find me:
https://twitter.com/Talia_RedHotInk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
December 18, 2018
5 Stars for Alexis
2 Stars for Logan
0 Stars for Alexis’s family
I’m a minority here, but I really liked Alexis!
She is a strong independent successful woman; maybe stubborn, but for me it’s better than a weak whiny h with low self-confidence.
Her family betrayed her. Yeah, yeah, I know. The story with her sister & h’s ex-boyfriend was smoothed with time gap they started to date. But, it was disgusting! Roxie (h’s sister) was a bitch! I have no understanding, so sue me!
(Alexis' bf felt in love with her younger sister, but continued to date h for a couple of months, then left h and after one year came together with a sister. He & h’s sister asked Alexis for the blessing. Cute, isn’t it?) And you think it would be ok? How can you sleep with a man your sister was together, wanted to marry and still has feelings for? How can you hurt your blood relative? Did he have a golden cock (and if?!)? Did roxie hit her head and had amnesia? And the best part – the family was OK with it. Really? Cool! H’s mother was a pathetic bitch, she even blamed the h… Common! Your little spoiled brat dates ex-bf of your older daughter and you as a mother don’t like the tension between your children and ask your betrayed child to reunion with her sister? Wow! Just wow!
I’m a minority also here. But it’s ok. I just couldn’t find the peace with this situation.
I really missed the part in the epilogue, when roxie’s husband (ex bf of the h) falls in love with a younger cousin/relative of his wife, but stays with his wife for a while and then leaves her. After he starts a relationship with a younger woman and everybody would be ok with that. Karma is a bitch! :-) But unfortunately no such luck. Just hope it would be that way.
But enough about these 2 douchebags.
Logan, Logan, why to wait only 8 years? Why not 80? You could have told Alexis about your feelings during you roll her in a wheelchair in the park. Really, man, not cool.
The best part of it was, after he opened to the h he expected her to fall now and forever.
After one week. Yeah, great move! You wait 8 years, and after one week you demand complete surrender.
Guys, love or not love, but it’s ok to prioritize your business. It’s life and not a fairytale. For me it was self-evident, that Alexis had her doubts. He was her business partner, silent co-owner, who didn’t show any affection for many years and suddenly !boom! – alfa male aka sexy accountant, super body, whole package – and “Yeah, baby, I want you! Open up! Now or never.” Ridiculous.
I would be ok to get the ending they don’t come together. Alexis would be fine on her own, I’m sure she would find a good man for her, if she wanted. But it’s also ok not to pursuit HEA with hubby and children.
YOU define yourself and not the people you are together or your marital status!
Safety note
I waited for the 3rd book to read the series. The first one was ok, I skipped the second one due to the H (not my cup of tea), the 3rd one was the best for me. But not as good as the previous series of this author.
2 Stars for Logan
0 Stars for Alexis’s family
I’m a minority here, but I really liked Alexis!
She is a strong independent successful woman; maybe stubborn, but for me it’s better than a weak whiny h with low self-confidence.
Her family betrayed her. Yeah, yeah, I know. The story with her sister & h’s ex-boyfriend was smoothed with time gap they started to date. But, it was disgusting! Roxie (h’s sister) was a bitch! I have no understanding, so sue me!
(Alexis' bf felt in love with her younger sister, but continued to date h for a couple of months, then left h and after one year came together with a sister. He & h’s sister asked Alexis for the blessing. Cute, isn’t it?) And you think it would be ok? How can you sleep with a man your sister was together, wanted to marry and still has feelings for? How can you hurt your blood relative? Did he have a golden cock (and if?!)? Did roxie hit her head and had amnesia? And the best part – the family was OK with it. Really? Cool! H’s mother was a pathetic bitch, she even blamed the h… Common! Your little spoiled brat dates ex-bf of your older daughter and you as a mother don’t like the tension between your children and ask your betrayed child to reunion with her sister? Wow! Just wow!
I’m a minority also here. But it’s ok. I just couldn’t find the peace with this situation.
I really missed the part in the epilogue, when roxie’s husband (ex bf of the h) falls in love with a younger cousin/relative of his wife, but stays with his wife for a while and then leaves her. After he starts a relationship with a younger woman and everybody would be ok with that. Karma is a bitch! :-) But unfortunately no such luck. Just hope it would be that way.
But enough about these 2 douchebags.
Logan, Logan, why to wait only 8 years? Why not 80? You could have told Alexis about your feelings during you roll her in a wheelchair in the park. Really, man, not cool.
The best part of it was, after he opened to the h he expected her to fall now and forever.
After one week. Yeah, great move! You wait 8 years, and after one week you demand complete surrender.
Guys, love or not love, but it’s ok to prioritize your business. It’s life and not a fairytale. For me it was self-evident, that Alexis had her doubts. He was her business partner, silent co-owner, who didn’t show any affection for many years and suddenly !boom! – alfa male aka sexy accountant, super body, whole package – and “Yeah, baby, I want you! Open up! Now or never.” Ridiculous.
I would be ok to get the ending they don’t come together. Alexis would be fine on her own, I’m sure she would find a good man for her, if she wanted. But it’s also ok not to pursuit HEA with hubby and children.
YOU define yourself and not the people you are together or your marital status!
Safety note
I waited for the 3rd book to read the series. The first one was ok, I skipped the second one due to the H (not my cup of tea), the 3rd one was the best for me. But not as good as the previous series of this author.
February 18, 2020
My friends have been raving to me about Lauren Layne’s writing for a while, so when I had the opportunity to read and review one of her books, I jumped at the chance. Since this is my first book of hers, I don’t have a point of reference, but I can definitely agree with the praise for her writing. Also, she included enough backstory for the characters that I was able to jump right in and not feel lost.
Alexis is a modern woman with a singular focus: her business as a wedding coordinator. After a bad break up and a horrible betrayal, she works hard to succeed at the only thing she can control and that is her business. Her parents don’t understand her choices, so Alexis has been trying to prove herself for years. She has no inclination to have a serious relationship, which confounds those who are close to her. A chance meeting at a bar provides both a silent partner and an accountant for the business, but Logan has been biding his time for much more from Alexis.
Logan is a recent college grad when he first meet Alexis. He knows that she is focused on her career and that she has a solid head for business. However, Logan really wants to be the one Alexis comes to when she is ready for more than just business needs. He has problems of his own with his family and they really want him to return to England to take over the family business. Logan wants to stay in New York, but only if Alexis agrees to be more than business partners.
The first thing I have to say is that Logan is an absolute saint. I adored him and his gift of patience. He had to put up with a lot from Alexis to get her to see that they were meant to be more than just business partners. I understand that she didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship or their working relationship, but she just didn’t want to see that truth about Logan, no matter what.
The story started to pick up for me when Alexis came around and realized that she didn’t have to give up anything to be with Logan. Although, there were several times I wanted to shake some sense into her and get her to see what was right in front of her (and what everyone else knew). In fact, the secondary characters are a major part of why I liked this story. I love the friendships and the backstories of all of the characters, so I know I will be reading the rest of the series.
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit
Alexis is a modern woman with a singular focus: her business as a wedding coordinator. After a bad break up and a horrible betrayal, she works hard to succeed at the only thing she can control and that is her business. Her parents don’t understand her choices, so Alexis has been trying to prove herself for years. She has no inclination to have a serious relationship, which confounds those who are close to her. A chance meeting at a bar provides both a silent partner and an accountant for the business, but Logan has been biding his time for much more from Alexis.
Logan is a recent college grad when he first meet Alexis. He knows that she is focused on her career and that she has a solid head for business. However, Logan really wants to be the one Alexis comes to when she is ready for more than just business needs. He has problems of his own with his family and they really want him to return to England to take over the family business. Logan wants to stay in New York, but only if Alexis agrees to be more than business partners.
The first thing I have to say is that Logan is an absolute saint. I adored him and his gift of patience. He had to put up with a lot from Alexis to get her to see that they were meant to be more than just business partners. I understand that she didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship or their working relationship, but she just didn’t want to see that truth about Logan, no matter what.
The story started to pick up for me when Alexis came around and realized that she didn’t have to give up anything to be with Logan. Although, there were several times I wanted to shake some sense into her and get her to see what was right in front of her (and what everyone else knew). In fact, the secondary characters are a major part of why I liked this story. I love the friendships and the backstories of all of the characters, so I know I will be reading the rest of the series.
▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook
▸ For more reviews, visit
August 1, 2017
What a great ending to an absolutely fantastic series. How I shall miss all the gals at the Wedding Belles. Before I get to my review I have to say that writing about Wedding Planners worked really well. Huh who would’ve thought? I’m not all that into weddings to be honest.
4 ‘8 years, 4 months & twelve days’ Stars.
This is Alexis Morgan and Logan Harris’s book.
We get a flashback to how Alexis & Logan meet and it is the best. Right time, right place. Although they have chemistry they put it on the backburner and become business partners.
“Why would you offer this?” He jerked his head in the direction of her folder. “It’s a good plan. Worth the risk.”
“No, it’s something more than that. Another reason. I’d like to know what.”
“Say yes to my proposal, Alexis. Say yes, and maybe someday I’ll tell you the other reason.”
Since Alexis has been young she has always known what she wants to be a Wedding Planner not just any one planner in the business though but the best in the business. She could have gotten a loan from her father but there were stipulations and after what happened with her sister well yeah I wouldn’t have done that either.
Eight years later her business is booming in New York. She is the best in the business. Her personal life? Not so much. That is until she gets a dreaded phone call from her that her sister is most likely pregnant. Not bad right? There is a slight issue with this. But hey it stayed in the family right? Right then and there Alexis decides to change her personal life.
God how my heart hurt for Alexis. It must have been tough and although both the sister and the ex-boyfriend, current boyfriend of sister were clean about it still has to cut fucking deep. Ask me questions per PM if you like.
Logan Harris sexy Brit and all-round great guy. As an Englishwoman there is nothing better than a Brit’s accent. Or in this case more specific English accent. He moved to the US to study and well hasn’t left one of the main reasons he hasn’t left is a woman. Not any woman. No Alexis.
But time is running out. Logan is being called back home so that his parents can retire and he can take over the reins. He’s not entirely sure if he wants to though. But then he finds out that Alexis is open to dating again just not him. Bless his cotton socks. He fights and boy how he fights. He has the patience of a saint. He deserves someone who isn’t Alexis. Well actually they are great together when Alexis drops being such a control freak and just goes with it. I’m not her biggest fan.
Logan is one of the hottest accountants I have ever met but what is it about constantly referring to being an accountant Alexis, huh? Did my bloody nut in to be honest. But then again Alexis is oblivious. She likes it safe, her company is safe and quite frankly I could have decked her one for how she treated Logan.
This book is bittersweet at times and heart-warming at others. There is great banter, and chemistry once we get to the chemistry. But it is a good and solid build up and as they have been in limbo as in more than friends and less than lovers they both need time to adjust. Alexis requires more time than Logan as I said OBLIVIOUS. It is quite amusing seeing Alexis processing her thoughts and feelings when it comes to Logan.
And at the end? We find out the real reason. Oh Logan, sigh.
“Why did you offer a woman you’d just met your entire inheritance?” she asked. His lips pressed to the centre of her forehead. “Because you weren’t a woman I’d just met. From the moment I saw you, I knew. I knew you were the woman I loved. “I can’t decide if that’s nuts or romantic,” Alexis said with a little laugh.
I am sad that this is the end of the series but I must say that this series is a reread and worth every moment of it.
I docked a star because well I can. And I would have liked to have seen is Alexis sorting things out with Adam. And Logan telling his father that he won’t be moving back to England. That was missing. And Alexis annoyed me so there is that as well.
Book received by Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
Alexis glanced down at her dress. “Is it no good? I bought it online, but the model had considerably bigger boobs than me, and I’m a little worried it makes me look like a stuffed condom.” Brooke choked on her water. “So not what I thought you were going to say.”
Alexis – had the look of a 120s film starlet and the mouth of a trucker when it suited her.
She might think she and her accountant were just friends, but the other man had his gaze trained on her every time she wasn’t looking. Josh knew a man in want and Logan Harris was downright hungry when it came to Alexis.
July 20, 2017
SUCH a good ending for Alexis and Logan (and the series)! LL built up their story perfectly, and I wasn't disappointed. Review to come!
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.
October 25, 2016
Reviewed with Nereyda
THE HERO
Nick: What can I say about this guy to get you all to try this book? British, accountant, nerdy. Is that enough to convince you to pick up To Love & To Cherish? Lauren Layne always writes amazing men in her books. I love that more often than not they are actual good guys that you can envision yourself being attracted to in real life. Logan was no different. I have been intrigued by his character since the first book and waiting for To Love and To Cherish has been pure torture, but it was all worth it. Logan has lots of great features to his personality – he’s savvy, smart and kind-hearted. But the best part about him? His patience when it comes to Alexis. I mean, this guy has been in love with Alexis for 8 years and he waited to give her the time to come to him! I don’t know about you guys, but the fact that he gave her the space to come to him made him irresistible to me. Besides, he was also a closeted dirty talker when it comes to bedroom activities. I was pretty much a goner!
Nereyda: I love a quiet hero and Logan definitely fits the bill. He hasn’t been a major player in the previous Belle books, but he is definitely a scene-stealer any time he makes an appearance, especially because his chemistry with Alexis is so strong… even if Alexis is completely oblivious. Like Nick said, my favorite thing about Logan is how patient he has been with Alexis. He’s been in love with her for 8 years and is patiently waiting for her to realize and come to him on her own time, in the meantime, he is determined to be her friend, accountant and confidant.
THE HEROINE
Nick: Heroines like Alexis can be hard at times when you’re a reader. She’s more on the cold and apathetic side when you’re looking at her through the perspective of other characters, but I found her to be a great heroine. It’s always terrific to have a heroine who has aspirations besides wanting to find a boyfriend, and I loved that we got to see just how deeply motivated and hardworking Alexis was. I especially enjoyed getting to know how she came about with her wedding planning business. It takes a strong woman to achieve what she had in the book and Alexis was certainly a strong girl. In To Love and To Cherish, we do get to see her crave more from her social life, particularly when it comes her romantic life. Throughout the whole book, I rooted for her to find that happiness that I personally thought she deserved.
Nereyda: Ahhhh, Alexis. I knew she would be a tough one from the beginning. Alexis is a fierce, smart and succesful woman but man oh man is she stubborn. She has been so focused on her Wedding Belles business for the past 8 years that she has had no time for love and certainly no time to realize how great she and Logan would be together. I confess that there were times when I wanted to shake her for being so damn stuborn but I also completely understood why she was hesitant and afraid to start something romantic with him. I admired Alexis for being such a great businesswoman and friend and for going after her dreams and gave it everything she had. I needed Alexis to have her happily ever after.
THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Nick: Lauren Layne’s romances ALWAYS give me warm and happy feelings. I always finish her books with a giant smile on my face and To Love and To Cherish was no exception. The romance here is very slow-burn, it’s eight years in the making after all, but it worked really well. Like I said before, Logan’s patience towards Alexis and him finally deciding to chase her, was one of the best parts of this journey towards a happily ever after for me. There’s a simmering attraction between them that finally comes to fruition in To Love and To Cherish, and trust me, it was all worth the wait.
Nereyda: We’ve been waiting for 2.5 books to finally see Alexis and Logan get their shot at Happily-Ever-After and Lauren Layne sure makes us work for it. Like I said, Alexis is very stubborn and although Logan is determined to win her over, this is very much a sloooow-burn type of romance. As much as I loved Logan’s patience for Alexis the past 8 years, I loved that moment when he decided to go after her with everything he had. Alexis and I were not prepared for non-accountant Logan. Although this romance was slow in the beginning and took some time to heat up, the wait and journey were so worth it in the end.
THE FRIENDS
Nick: Another thing I love about Lauren Layne’s books are her character’s friend groups. Alexis and Logan have some of the best friends, and it was great getting to see the characters from the previous book make an appearance. I love how they were all so involved in the romance between Alexis and Logan and how they shipped them, probably even more than I did. The guys especially also managed to make me laugh a time or two throughout the book!
Nereyda: As much as I always love Lauren Layne books for her amazing romances, I always love them because she has some of the best friendships out there. The Wedding Belles series and To Love and To Cherish was no exception. Although Alexis was the most guarded of the group of friends (which makes sense since she’s their boss), I loved seeing her thaw out and fit into the group dynamic more and more with each book. Not only were the friendships great between the Belles, but the bromances between their guys was great too, Josh and Logan specifically.
THE END
Nick: I’m sad that The Wedding Belles series is over because I have loved what Lauren Layne has crafted with these characters and their romances here. It has been such a romantic ride, and I will certainly be going back to re-read them when I’m in the mood for a book to brighten my day.
Nereyda: Once again, saying goodbye to a series is always bittersweet. Especially when it’s a great series by Lauren Layne. This is the third series I’ve finished by her and I’ll add this series and characters to my list of favorites. If you’re new to Lauren Layne, the Wedding Belles series is a must read as well as her other series. Definitely one of my all-time favorite romance authors for sure!
September 30, 2016
So, I fully admit to being a series junkie and since reading the first two books of "The Wedding Belles," I have been anxiously waiting to read how Alexis Morgan and her yummy, British friend and business partner, Logan Harris, were going to come to terms with their pent up feelings for each other. Well, let me tell ya, it was worth the wait.
This was a thoroughly delicious read, rich with humor, lively conversation and quite appealing characters. Of course, it is also a kickin' good romance ;)
Alexis is founder and owner of a prestigious wedding planning sevice in New York City named The Wedding Belles. She met Logan eight years ago in a NYC pub when she was in desperate need of an investor to help get her business off the ground. The instant Logan met Alexis, he was head over heels for her but kept his feelings close to the perverbial vest. He did however offer to front the money she needed if he could be a silent partner and co-own the company 50/50. He even put off plans to head back to England to run the family multi-million dollar business.
Logan has been wanting to take their friendship to the next level, well actually, way above the next level, for a very long time, but the trouble is, it has been nearly a decade since Alexis has cared about being involved in a relationship since her last one ended in disaster. Since then, she has totally immersed herself in her career and is pretty much oblivious to male attention. She has no clue Logan is completely smitten with her, let alone in love with her, which is really beginning to tick him off and frustrating him six ways to Sunday. He is tired of them being "the couple who wasn't a couple."
Unexpectedly, Alexis receives a phone call from her mother about her sister's pregnancy, causing her to reevaluate how she has neglected her own personal life. She decides to start giving the whole dating thing a try again, even on-line dating, but she would never act on her feelings for Logan. There was no way she would risk losing him. When Logan finds out she is willing to date, but won't even consider dating him, he decides enough is enough and puts plans in motion to win over her heart, hoping she won't even know what hit her by the time he is through. He will just need the patience of a saint.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was a thoroughly delicious read, rich with humor, lively conversation and quite appealing characters. Of course, it is also a kickin' good romance ;)
Alexis is founder and owner of a prestigious wedding planning sevice in New York City named The Wedding Belles. She met Logan eight years ago in a NYC pub when she was in desperate need of an investor to help get her business off the ground. The instant Logan met Alexis, he was head over heels for her but kept his feelings close to the perverbial vest. He did however offer to front the money she needed if he could be a silent partner and co-own the company 50/50. He even put off plans to head back to England to run the family multi-million dollar business.
Logan has been wanting to take their friendship to the next level, well actually, way above the next level, for a very long time, but the trouble is, it has been nearly a decade since Alexis has cared about being involved in a relationship since her last one ended in disaster. Since then, she has totally immersed herself in her career and is pretty much oblivious to male attention. She has no clue Logan is completely smitten with her, let alone in love with her, which is really beginning to tick him off and frustrating him six ways to Sunday. He is tired of them being "the couple who wasn't a couple."
Unexpectedly, Alexis receives a phone call from her mother about her sister's pregnancy, causing her to reevaluate how she has neglected her own personal life. She decides to start giving the whole dating thing a try again, even on-line dating, but she would never act on her feelings for Logan. There was no way she would risk losing him. When Logan finds out she is willing to date, but won't even consider dating him, he decides enough is enough and puts plans in motion to win over her heart, hoping she won't even know what hit her by the time he is through. He will just need the patience of a saint.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
October 18, 2016
This was fantastic. Loved every single second! It had great characters (hello swoony Brit!) and a delicious slow burn happening. Excellent read!
I've been curious about Alexis since book one so it was fantastic getting to learn all about her. I loved her strength, determination, and perseverance. I totally get why she was the way she was. And Logan… oh my goodness I am totally in love with this charming man. He has a serious level of patience happening when it comes to Alexis.
I loved the dynamic between Logan and Alexis as things started to shift in their relationship. Watching Alexis become bewildered yet excited was really fun. I loved watching Logan grow more bold as well, it was super hot! There was so much tension between the two at times but also a simmering heat and it was awesome how it mixed together. I thought their relationship had a great build and the best slow burn. It was like a fire ball just growing bigger and bigger and then exploding. So sensual and passionate! I liked the conflict that was happening for both of them outside of their growing feelings for one another and how that played into the story. There were just so many elements that were a part of this that made it truly great.
There is some light drama and a lot emotion, as well as bit of humor mixed in. Well written, excellent details and back story. I love the way I was pulled in and completely invested. I thought it had a great flow and build leading to a spectacular ending that had me holding my breath. There were so many great moments in this and I really loved it when things started clicking for Alexis and Logan.
I absolutely enjoyed all the secondary characters involved and how they’re there for each other, making their own kind of family. It's jut one of those great added elements that helps create a really well rounded story.
I love this series so much and all The Belles. I'm going to miss these characters. Excellent story and series!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
I've been curious about Alexis since book one so it was fantastic getting to learn all about her. I loved her strength, determination, and perseverance. I totally get why she was the way she was. And Logan… oh my goodness I am totally in love with this charming man. He has a serious level of patience happening when it comes to Alexis.
I loved the dynamic between Logan and Alexis as things started to shift in their relationship. Watching Alexis become bewildered yet excited was really fun. I loved watching Logan grow more bold as well, it was super hot! There was so much tension between the two at times but also a simmering heat and it was awesome how it mixed together. I thought their relationship had a great build and the best slow burn. It was like a fire ball just growing bigger and bigger and then exploding. So sensual and passionate! I liked the conflict that was happening for both of them outside of their growing feelings for one another and how that played into the story. There were just so many elements that were a part of this that made it truly great.
There is some light drama and a lot emotion, as well as bit of humor mixed in. Well written, excellent details and back story. I love the way I was pulled in and completely invested. I thought it had a great flow and build leading to a spectacular ending that had me holding my breath. There were so many great moments in this and I really loved it when things started clicking for Alexis and Logan.
I absolutely enjoyed all the secondary characters involved and how they’re there for each other, making their own kind of family. It's jut one of those great added elements that helps create a really well rounded story.
I love this series so much and all The Belles. I'm going to miss these characters. Excellent story and series!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
November 17, 2017
Thanks to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
After reading and enjoying several Lauren Layne books, including the second book in the Wedding Belles series, "For Better or Worse", I was pretty excited to get my hands on "To Love and to Cherish". Unfortunately, this final book in the trio did not quite live up to my expectations.
Here's the thing: Alexis and Logan just didn't do it for me. Alexis was boring, and Logan wasn't really much better. Friends-to-lovers romances can be sooooo good when they're done right, but aside from a teeny bit of palpable sexual tension in the prologue, I just wasn't feeling the connection between these two. Even their eight year friendship felt stilted! The took way too long to build up any steam in this couple, and I ended up being slightly bored. I could understand why Alexis was hesitant to start anything with Logan, given her history, but come on! Eight years is insane! And Logan was a sucker for hanging around that long without giving her any indication that he was interested in more than friendship. In the end, I didn't really care if they got together or not, and that is the worst! When I'm reading a romance, I want to feel like I could be friends with the characters and that my life will never be the same if they don't get their happily ever after. If I don't feel these things, then the book will be less than successful for me.
I'm still giving this book three stars, though, because the writing was good and I enjoyed seeing more from the other couples in this series. I will definitely still read more from Lauren Layne in the future, too, because I usually enjoy her writing style, characters, and plot development. It's just too bad that "To Love and to Cherish" didn't hit all the right notes for me.
After reading and enjoying several Lauren Layne books, including the second book in the Wedding Belles series, "For Better or Worse", I was pretty excited to get my hands on "To Love and to Cherish". Unfortunately, this final book in the trio did not quite live up to my expectations.
Here's the thing: Alexis and Logan just didn't do it for me. Alexis was boring, and Logan wasn't really much better. Friends-to-lovers romances can be sooooo good when they're done right, but aside from a teeny bit of palpable sexual tension in the prologue, I just wasn't feeling the connection between these two. Even their eight year friendship felt stilted! The took way too long to build up any steam in this couple, and I ended up being slightly bored. I could understand why Alexis was hesitant to start anything with Logan, given her history, but come on! Eight years is insane! And Logan was a sucker for hanging around that long without giving her any indication that he was interested in more than friendship. In the end, I didn't really care if they got together or not, and that is the worst! When I'm reading a romance, I want to feel like I could be friends with the characters and that my life will never be the same if they don't get their happily ever after. If I don't feel these things, then the book will be less than successful for me.
I'm still giving this book three stars, though, because the writing was good and I enjoyed seeing more from the other couples in this series. I will definitely still read more from Lauren Layne in the future, too, because I usually enjoy her writing style, characters, and plot development. It's just too bad that "To Love and to Cherish" didn't hit all the right notes for me.
January 26, 2017
I've read the previous 2 books in this series. Both were about wedding planners. Employees of Alexis & her company " The Wedding Belles".
To Love and To Cherish is Alexis and Logan's book & the back story of how they met & The Wedding Belles company being formed.
I was relieved that there weren't really flash-backs. The story was told in sequence. Alexis was 23 yrs old when she met Logan by chance. Logan had an insta attraction to Alexis.
He kept it under wraps until 8 years later (EIGHT years!) when the story picks up in present day.
In the previous books, Logan had been a supporting character. Very refined. Kinda hunk-nerdish. He's hesitated making his move for fear of losing their friendship and their professional arrangement.
I've been looking forward to Alexis finally letting her guard down.
If I hadn't read the previous books, I would have had zero patience for her. IMO, Logan should have given up and moved on. He made many sacrifices for a chance with Alexis.
In 8 years, he could have found someone else in NYC or back in London & had a wife & a least a couple of kids. The time span was a major problem for me. 3-4 years would have been my max-maybe.
A few years prior, Alexis' ex had broken up with her and fell in love with Alexis' sister. I felt sympathy for Alexis-what could she do? She'd been close with her sister. From that time on, Alexis put her love life on hold and focused on her career.
This wasn't my favorite of the series. I liked Logan a lot-but he was definitely a beta-type hero. He did man up only after Seth and Josh(Hs from bks 1 &2) took Logan aside and convinced him to go after Alexis.
4 stars. I bought this book. I would recommend waiting for a price drop. Can be a standalone, but is better reading the other books first.
To Love and To Cherish is Alexis and Logan's book & the back story of how they met & The Wedding Belles company being formed.
I was relieved that there weren't really flash-backs. The story was told in sequence. Alexis was 23 yrs old when she met Logan by chance. Logan had an insta attraction to Alexis.
He kept it under wraps until 8 years later (EIGHT years!) when the story picks up in present day.
In the previous books, Logan had been a supporting character. Very refined. Kinda hunk-nerdish. He's hesitated making his move for fear of losing their friendship and their professional arrangement.
I've been looking forward to Alexis finally letting her guard down.
If I hadn't read the previous books, I would have had zero patience for her. IMO, Logan should have given up and moved on. He made many sacrifices for a chance with Alexis.
In 8 years, he could have found someone else in NYC or back in London & had a wife & a least a couple of kids. The time span was a major problem for me. 3-4 years would have been my max-maybe.
A few years prior, Alexis' ex had broken up with her and fell in love with Alexis' sister. I felt sympathy for Alexis-what could she do? She'd been close with her sister. From that time on, Alexis put her love life on hold and focused on her career.
This wasn't my favorite of the series. I liked Logan a lot-but he was definitely a beta-type hero. He did man up only after Seth and Josh(Hs from bks 1 &2) took Logan aside and convinced him to go after Alexis.
4 stars. I bought this book. I would recommend waiting for a price drop. Can be a standalone, but is better reading the other books first.
November 26, 2016
This book read like a delightful romantic comedy. It wasn't hilarious, but it was light. Most of the angst and drama came from the heroine, Alexis. That woman was stubborn, bullheaded, ambitious, oblivious, selfish, inconsiderate, bitter, etc. I understand why she became the way she was. However, what I didn't understand, what made me downright upset, was how she could, after 8 years, treat Logan the way that she did. Her attitude and behaviour towards him were not only deplorable but also insensitive and kind of disrespectful. And I don't think her slice of humble pie was large enough to make how she treated him okay.
Now Logan... he was an absolute darling. I LOVED him!! He was Clark Kent/Superman/Henry Cavill hot and I absolutely adored him. He was worthy of all four of my review stars. I just wish his HEA was a bit more easily won.
Overall, this story was written beautifully and spoke of a love of a lifetime because that's exactly what Logan wanted to share with Alexis. He may have had to bulldoze some walls and slay some mythical dragons in a LONG fought battle, but at least he got his girl. With an interesting mix of side characters and appropriate injections of humour, this story was an incredible conclusion to the Wedding Belles series.
Now Logan... he was an absolute darling. I LOVED him!! He was Clark Kent/Superman/Henry Cavill hot and I absolutely adored him. He was worthy of all four of my review stars. I just wish his HEA was a bit more easily won.
Overall, this story was written beautifully and spoke of a love of a lifetime because that's exactly what Logan wanted to share with Alexis. He may have had to bulldoze some walls and slay some mythical dragons in a LONG fought battle, but at least he got his girl. With an interesting mix of side characters and appropriate injections of humour, this story was an incredible conclusion to the Wedding Belles series.
October 28, 2016
I was introduced to this author earlier this year with her pre-quel novella to this series and I fell in love with her story and writing. With the stories all surrounding a wedding business and their employees, this new book is the final in the series. Written as a stand alone novel, you do not have to read them in sequence.
One of the best things about this awesome read is Logan. The author created a hot as heck man with the patience of a god. He knew and cared for this women deeply and just needed to convince her he was the one made for her. With the Clark Kent persona going on along with a sexy English accent, this guy is just the right balance for Alexis.
With plenty of anticipation and delicious build up, this read is one that was so hard to put down. This book is the perfect one to get for an amazing romance that will give you the major feels.
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/love-cherish-...
Now I have to go back and read the other two novels! I just loved this book! Lauren Layne is the type of author that you end up reading every book she puts out. Beautiful writing and stories that stay with you long after you close the cover!
One of the best things about this awesome read is Logan. The author created a hot as heck man with the patience of a god. He knew and cared for this women deeply and just needed to convince her he was the one made for her. With the Clark Kent persona going on along with a sexy English accent, this guy is just the right balance for Alexis.
With plenty of anticipation and delicious build up, this read is one that was so hard to put down. This book is the perfect one to get for an amazing romance that will give you the major feels.
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/love-cherish-...
Now I have to go back and read the other two novels! I just loved this book! Lauren Layne is the type of author that you end up reading every book she puts out. Beautiful writing and stories that stay with you long after you close the cover!
June 14, 2017
Little secret (but tell no-one – I’m still pretending to be an adult here) I got this ARC on Thursday and while I was literally buried under with work, I pressed on and didn’t stop to read until Friday. With that same pile of work glaring at me….. and I read the WHOLE BOOK. In one sitting. And I laughed, and cried and perhaps hoped that there would be one teeny tiny bit more to get Jessie her man but…. (2 Reviews here - first for ARC - second for audio)
I loved it. Alexis, the owner of The Wedding Belles is a control freak with a large black hole where she tries to hide her abandonment issues. So, perhaps mostly she succeeds, until her younger sister invites her to her destination wedding. To the man Alexis thought she would marry. And, oh yeah, Roxie is pregnant. And BLISSFULLY happy. Alexis should be all fine with this – really, she is: she has the most exclusive wedding planning business in New York City, her employees are also her friends, she really LOVES weddings and planning and she’s really good at it. Best of all, the person she considers her BEST friend, Logan, is his usual steady and stalwart self.
Until he isn’t. Logan’s parents have been working tirelessly to make a mark in financial planning, and now feel that it is time they enjoyed their lives, and Logan returned to the UK to take over. He’s never thought of moving back, mostly because he can’t bear the thought of not having Alexis in his life. The only woman he’s thought of, dreamed of, pined for in the last eight years. But, she doesn’t see him like that…despite the fact that all the planners, even their men, see them as a pair.
Oh this was wonderful. Poor Alexis –it’s always the ones who are in such tight control and businesslike that have zero willingness to take personal chances. When Tinder (Really Alexis - tinder?) turns up one very nice man who does ab-so-lutely- nothing for her, and Logan’s odd behavior and an electric connection that has her daring to fantasize: can she take the chance?
Enter the Belles and their complete determination to give Logan every fighting chance to win Alexis’ heart (or really, to get her to admit she loves him) appearing as her escort and boyfriend at her sister’s wedding, charming her family and actually putting her mother and step-mother in a room without fur flying (much), some super sexy, romantic and ultimately panty-melting moments. How was she to resist?
And who wants to say no to a man who has 3 dozen white tulips (I’m so happy to see someone who loves them as much as I do) delivered to her home the day after their extended weekend? With all but Jessie now settled and invested in the Belles, I can happily imagine them making dream weddings for everyone.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions and expectations are my own responsibility.
Review originally appeared Oct 18 at I am, Indeed
AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 1 Story 5
With the ARC review, I was pretending to adult. It wasn't easy. But you can see that review and read for yourself. But here I have the opportunity to see if the book holds up to a favorite, and just how the narration will impact the read. And, for those of you who have not taken a moment to listen to an audiobook – do your homework, read some reviews of narrators who have performed your favorite author’s books and take a chance. A good narrator can project emotions, add tension or deliver a smile, all which add to your experience.
In To Love and To Cherish, we get Alexis’ story: always pulled together, never needs a man Alexis who is the brains (and a bit of the enforcer) behind the Wedding Belles. She inspires fierce loyalty from her girls on staff – they love her to death – but seems to have a roadblock where her own happy ever after is concerned. Or perhaps it is more of a blind spot: Logan her BFF and the sexiest number cruncher around has it bad for her – and she doesn’t have a clue.
And Logan is hard to miss – British accent, piercing eyes, looks great in a suit, always polite and even better - he’s a true knight in armor. He helped a new-to-the-city unknown Alexis build her business: offering financial and business advice and now some six years later she’s at the top of the game, the premier wedding consultants in the whole of the city. But, as much as he has held a torch for Alexis, a guy can only wait around invisibly for so long…..
From twists, turns, surprises and the utter perfection of this couple – this is a story (and a series) that any fan of romance with a touch of laughter and some characters that you want to befriend – this is the Series to read. And that’s the problem with the audiobook. The narration here is provided by Vanessa Daniels, and this is the third title I’ve reviewed where she narrates. I probably should have been smarter and started with this first as it’s the earliest example of her work I’ve encountered, if release dates mean anything. And, unfortunately, the same issues I’ve encountered with each of her books are clear and present here: improbable and poorly placed hesitations in phrasing, a decided lack of inflections that subtly indicate emotional nuance, and repeated mispronunciations. Again, I am left feeling as if this was a “get it done” performance: while the characters were mostly distinctive in tone and pacing, the lack of care taken when delivering the words, or even attention paid to moments that could have used (or demanded) a pause, a smile, or even a sharper voice to present emotion were missed. While the story itself stands the test of time, the narration was lacking and sadly left me unfulfilled and missing that spark that came with the read.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
I loved it. Alexis, the owner of The Wedding Belles is a control freak with a large black hole where she tries to hide her abandonment issues. So, perhaps mostly she succeeds, until her younger sister invites her to her destination wedding. To the man Alexis thought she would marry. And, oh yeah, Roxie is pregnant. And BLISSFULLY happy. Alexis should be all fine with this – really, she is: she has the most exclusive wedding planning business in New York City, her employees are also her friends, she really LOVES weddings and planning and she’s really good at it. Best of all, the person she considers her BEST friend, Logan, is his usual steady and stalwart self.
Until he isn’t. Logan’s parents have been working tirelessly to make a mark in financial planning, and now feel that it is time they enjoyed their lives, and Logan returned to the UK to take over. He’s never thought of moving back, mostly because he can’t bear the thought of not having Alexis in his life. The only woman he’s thought of, dreamed of, pined for in the last eight years. But, she doesn’t see him like that…despite the fact that all the planners, even their men, see them as a pair.
Oh this was wonderful. Poor Alexis –it’s always the ones who are in such tight control and businesslike that have zero willingness to take personal chances. When Tinder (Really Alexis - tinder?) turns up one very nice man who does ab-so-lutely- nothing for her, and Logan’s odd behavior and an electric connection that has her daring to fantasize: can she take the chance?
Enter the Belles and their complete determination to give Logan every fighting chance to win Alexis’ heart (or really, to get her to admit she loves him) appearing as her escort and boyfriend at her sister’s wedding, charming her family and actually putting her mother and step-mother in a room without fur flying (much), some super sexy, romantic and ultimately panty-melting moments. How was she to resist?
And who wants to say no to a man who has 3 dozen white tulips (I’m so happy to see someone who loves them as much as I do) delivered to her home the day after their extended weekend? With all but Jessie now settled and invested in the Belles, I can happily imagine them making dream weddings for everyone.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions and expectations are my own responsibility.
Review originally appeared Oct 18 at I am, Indeed
AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall 4 Narration 1 Story 5
With the ARC review, I was pretending to adult. It wasn't easy. But you can see that review and read for yourself. But here I have the opportunity to see if the book holds up to a favorite, and just how the narration will impact the read. And, for those of you who have not taken a moment to listen to an audiobook – do your homework, read some reviews of narrators who have performed your favorite author’s books and take a chance. A good narrator can project emotions, add tension or deliver a smile, all which add to your experience.
In To Love and To Cherish, we get Alexis’ story: always pulled together, never needs a man Alexis who is the brains (and a bit of the enforcer) behind the Wedding Belles. She inspires fierce loyalty from her girls on staff – they love her to death – but seems to have a roadblock where her own happy ever after is concerned. Or perhaps it is more of a blind spot: Logan her BFF and the sexiest number cruncher around has it bad for her – and she doesn’t have a clue.
And Logan is hard to miss – British accent, piercing eyes, looks great in a suit, always polite and even better - he’s a true knight in armor. He helped a new-to-the-city unknown Alexis build her business: offering financial and business advice and now some six years later she’s at the top of the game, the premier wedding consultants in the whole of the city. But, as much as he has held a torch for Alexis, a guy can only wait around invisibly for so long…..
From twists, turns, surprises and the utter perfection of this couple – this is a story (and a series) that any fan of romance with a touch of laughter and some characters that you want to befriend – this is the Series to read. And that’s the problem with the audiobook. The narration here is provided by Vanessa Daniels, and this is the third title I’ve reviewed where she narrates. I probably should have been smarter and started with this first as it’s the earliest example of her work I’ve encountered, if release dates mean anything. And, unfortunately, the same issues I’ve encountered with each of her books are clear and present here: improbable and poorly placed hesitations in phrasing, a decided lack of inflections that subtly indicate emotional nuance, and repeated mispronunciations. Again, I am left feeling as if this was a “get it done” performance: while the characters were mostly distinctive in tone and pacing, the lack of care taken when delivering the words, or even attention paid to moments that could have used (or demanded) a pause, a smile, or even a sharper voice to present emotion were missed. While the story itself stands the test of time, the narration was lacking and sadly left me unfulfilled and missing that spark that came with the read.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Tantor Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
December 10, 2016
3 Stars
Arghhh reading this book is so depressing!!
First of all, I HATE love triangle stories, especially if it's between sisters.
It's just a big no no for me.
Second of all, I don't like Alexis. Sure she's so smart and ambitious. But she's just too fucking clueless about her feelings. Too blind too see that there's this hot British guy that is head over heals in love with her. Most of the time I want to punch her so she can get her shit together!!
Third of all, as much as I love British guys, Logan is, in my opinion, too dumb and you know, too masochist.
Sometimes there's indeed no barrier between too kind and too stupid.
Wasting 8 freaking years for a woman who has no clue about his feelings towards her. And for all those years, he (kinda) betrays his own family in London who clearly loves him more than anything.
I mostly just skimmed trough this book because I hate the concept of 'a big sister's boyfriend who's suddenly fell in love with her little sister' kinda shit.
Reading book 1 and 2 in this series gave me a happy feeling when I finished the book, but this one? I felt so angry. Even when I write this review, I still have this huge urge to slap Alexis, and even her sister and her stupid ex.
Everything seems just so pissed me off in this book I can't even mention what I like about this book. LOL
I really, really need a good HEA book after this to wash away all my anger.
Arghhh reading this book is so depressing!!
First of all, I HATE love triangle stories, especially if it's between sisters.
It's just a big no no for me.
Second of all, I don't like Alexis. Sure she's so smart and ambitious. But she's just too fucking clueless about her feelings. Too blind too see that there's this hot British guy that is head over heals in love with her. Most of the time I want to punch her so she can get her shit together!!
Third of all, as much as I love British guys, Logan is, in my opinion, too dumb and you know, too masochist.
Sometimes there's indeed no barrier between too kind and too stupid.
Wasting 8 freaking years for a woman who has no clue about his feelings towards her. And for all those years, he (kinda) betrays his own family in London who clearly loves him more than anything.
I mostly just skimmed trough this book because I hate the concept of 'a big sister's boyfriend who's suddenly fell in love with her little sister' kinda shit.
Reading book 1 and 2 in this series gave me a happy feeling when I finished the book, but this one? I felt so angry. Even when I write this review, I still have this huge urge to slap Alexis, and even her sister and her stupid ex.
Everything seems just so pissed me off in this book I can't even mention what I like about this book. LOL
I really, really need a good HEA book after this to wash away all my anger.
January 3, 2022
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
4.5 Stars
There are books that just work.
You know, the ones you read with a smile on your face, where you aren't annoyed at the characters; or if you are, the annoyance is IN character and works with the story. Ones where your heart is in your throat as they finally realize how they feel about one another, or in this case, one of them finally figures out how the other has felt all along.
Alexis has been my favorite of the Belles the whole series. There was such a story there, to be told about her and who she is...about why she is how she is, and the things that make her tick.
Logan is Logan. Steady, reliable, and completely in love with her. A fact which everyone knows, except her. And a fact which absolutely everyone seems to comment on...yet she doesn't see it.
I love that Alexis doesn't see how Logan feels about her because she isn't ready, and this is obvious from the beginning. I really appreciated that Lauren Layne let her go on this journey, and let the readers come along with her, and that it was not a forced revelation...but one that she worked her way to. I liked that they started as a couple outside of the norm of their lives and that one of her realizations was how much she leaned on him and relied on him in their "regular" lives.
As always with Lauren Layne's work, the characters are well written and you believe in them as people. You relate to them. And, more importantly, you like them. This is a slow burn friends to lovers, but there was enough tension, history and story in their relationship that you didn't mind the slow burn, in fact you enjoyed it.
I am sad to see this series end. Although, these are definitely books that I will revisit. I recommend not only this book, but the entire series.
4.5 Stars
There are books that just work.
You know, the ones you read with a smile on your face, where you aren't annoyed at the characters; or if you are, the annoyance is IN character and works with the story. Ones where your heart is in your throat as they finally realize how they feel about one another, or in this case, one of them finally figures out how the other has felt all along.
Alexis has been my favorite of the Belles the whole series. There was such a story there, to be told about her and who she is...about why she is how she is, and the things that make her tick.
Logan is Logan. Steady, reliable, and completely in love with her. A fact which everyone knows, except her. And a fact which absolutely everyone seems to comment on...yet she doesn't see it.
I love that Alexis doesn't see how Logan feels about her because she isn't ready, and this is obvious from the beginning. I really appreciated that Lauren Layne let her go on this journey, and let the readers come along with her, and that it was not a forced revelation...but one that she worked her way to. I liked that they started as a couple outside of the norm of their lives and that one of her realizations was how much she leaned on him and relied on him in their "regular" lives.
As always with Lauren Layne's work, the characters are well written and you believe in them as people. You relate to them. And, more importantly, you like them. This is a slow burn friends to lovers, but there was enough tension, history and story in their relationship that you didn't mind the slow burn, in fact you enjoyed it.
I am sad to see this series end. Although, these are definitely books that I will revisit. I recommend not only this book, but the entire series.
October 19, 2016
I'm sure everyone who have been following this series religiously like I do have been anticipating Alexis and Logan's book since the beginning. Alexis is the ice queen, while Logan is her supposed friend/accountant for her business. We finally find out there is more to their relationship, but before you mind went into the gutter, is still entirely platonic. Boo, I know. They need to liven up, for Godsake.
We learn about how Alexis and Logan came into become such close friend, but Alexis treat Logan as something more. While the poor guy have been waiting for her for years. It just make me so sad to see such a great guy putting on the sideline all this while. Well, I want to hate Alexis, but Logan is not completely innocent. He do it to himself, why can't he act faster. Years, come on!
I feel like a sexually frustrated menopausal women while reading this book. I need them to just bang each other already, pardon my crudeness. But this is what happen when I'm dying to see two person to be together since forever. Alexis being the stubborn queen B is enough of a frustration to last me a life time.
However, true to Lauren Layne's style, there is still much warmth and humor instill in this story. I always love catching up with previous couple and how they make an impact into the story. Someone need to knock some sense into them anyway. Is the guaranteed HEA worth the battle, you decide!
We learn about how Alexis and Logan came into become such close friend, but Alexis treat Logan as something more. While the poor guy have been waiting for her for years. It just make me so sad to see such a great guy putting on the sideline all this while. Well, I want to hate Alexis, but Logan is not completely innocent. He do it to himself, why can't he act faster. Years, come on!
I feel like a sexually frustrated menopausal women while reading this book. I need them to just bang each other already, pardon my crudeness. But this is what happen when I'm dying to see two person to be together since forever. Alexis being the stubborn queen B is enough of a frustration to last me a life time.
However, true to Lauren Layne's style, there is still much warmth and humor instill in this story. I always love catching up with previous couple and how they make an impact into the story. Someone need to knock some sense into them anyway. Is the guaranteed HEA worth the battle, you decide!
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