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Oxford #5

I Think I Love You

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A game of seduction between two best friends goes deliciously wrong in an irresistible Oxford Novel that brims with wit and sexual tension. Library Journal hails Layne’s work as exemplary contemporary romance.”
 
Brit Robbins knows that dating in New York City is hard—she just hoped to have it mastered by age thirty. But after yet another promising suitor says they have no sparks, Brit decides it’s time to torch her dating game and try a new plan. And who better to coach Brit through the art of seduction than the guy who first gave her the “let’s be friends” card?
 
Hunter Cross has always figured there’s nothing his best friend Brit can do to surprise him. But Brit’s request is a surprise he doesn’t see coming—and one he’s definitely not prepared for. Hunter and Brit have always been careful to keep things perfectly platonic, but the fake dates and faux flirting are starting to feel like the real deal. And soon Hunter realizes he has taught Brit too well. Not only has she become an expert at seduction, the man becoming thoroughly seduced is him.
 
Lauren Layne’s New York Times bestselling Oxford Novel series can be read in any order:
IRRESISTIBLY YOURS
I WISH YOU WERE MINE
SOMEONE LIKE YOU
I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE
I THINK I LOVE YOU
 

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2018

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4844 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Layne

61 books10.5k followers
Lauren 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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Profile Image for Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog.
1,260 reviews10.2k followers
July 8, 2018
*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}





”I THINK I LOVE YOU” is the fifth and final installment of the Oxford series. The conclusion to the series ends with one of my all-time favorite tropes -- ”friends to lovers”. While I found the story to be a sexy and enjoyable read, at times it was a little frustrating as well. I couldn’t wrap my head around how two educated people who were the best of friends could be completely clueless about their own feelings.


I have loved the Stiletto and Oxford series and am really sad that they’ve come to an end but I think it was definitely time. As all of the old characters made appearances in this book, at times I had to go back to my old reviews to remember who some of the characters were. It’s hard to keep up when a series has been going on for almost three years and there are long breaks between each installment’s release. But that being said, I have enjoyed each and every book!




Brit and Hunter are best friends and co-workers. Brit has been having the worst luck with men lately. She hasn’t felt that special spark with any of the guys she’s dated but has tried to give them a chance because she’s ready to settle down but they always end up breaking things off with her claiming that they feel more of a friend vibe for her. She’s completely at a loss as to what she is doing wrong and so she enlists the help of her best friend Hunter to teach her the art of dating and how to drive men wild. Hunter is reluctant at first, but soon he’s on board with Brit’s plans.




Hunter suggests that they go on a date so that he can see Brit in action and give her a few pointers but it’s on that first date that they’re both starting to feel a little more than friendship for each other. Things are slowly starting to heat up between the two but they never seem to be on the same wavelength and don’t seem to be able to read each other, as well as they, claimed to have because it’s obvious to everyone else that it was only a matter of time before they got together romantically.




Hunter has never gotten involved with anyone seriously because he knows someday he’s going to move back to Kansas to help run his father’s company. His heart is where his family is and he’s always known that his time in New York was only temporary. He never wanted to mess up his friendship with Brit but now that she’s starting to mean so much more to him--how will he be able to let her go when the time comes for him to return back home?




Here are my overall ratings

Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4



I THINK I LOVE YOU releases on July 10th!

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Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,396 reviews1,506 followers
July 10, 2018
4 "You Mean Everything To Me" Stars!
(ARC provided by Random House Publishing/ Loveswept)

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Brit Robbins is a beautiful woman living in Manhattan. She has a great apartment, fabulous friends, and an amazing job at Oxford Magazine. The only thing missing is her Mr. Right. After yet another break up, she's beginning to wonder what's wrong with her. The men of New York didn't seem to take her seriously as girlfriend material. She was attractive, loyal, friendly, and made people feel comfortable. She dated, but things never made it to the next level. She's often treated like one of the guys. It was like she was locked in the perpetual friend zone.

She decides she needs a new strategy and a plan. She wants romance, love, passion, and her happily ever after. She also wants to feel uncontrollable all-consuming lust. She comes to the conclusion she needs a teacher. An expert, someone to be her love coach. To teach her how to seduce a man, and be sexy. She picks her best friend and boss Hunter Cross, who she trusts more than anyone. He's extremely hot, charismatic, and has the experience she could benefit from. He's dated a lot and was a bit of a playboy.

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Hunter has been best friends with Brit for the past six years. He cares deeply for her, but his feelings for her have always been platonic. They were close, and talked work, relationships, and everything in between. There's nothing he wouldn't do for her, but then she stuns him with her request to give her a lesson in the art of seduction. He reluctantly agrees, and helps her to just feel, and not overthink things so much. She's tired of being the pal, and wants to be seen by men as a desirable woman. She just needs some pointers on how to get guys to fall for her.

It's awkward at first, and their uncomplicated relationship suddenly is overflowing with sexual tension. Things feel different as they become really aware of one another for the first time. There is flirting, intense attraction, jealousy, and soon everything has changed between them. Their plan derails when their pretending becomes something real. They both find themselves wanting more and best friends turns into best friends with benefits. Brit has finally found that spark she's been looking for, and Hunter realizes he's taught her maybe a little too well, as he figures out he's the man she's thoroughly seducing.

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-He was her best friend in all the world.

-This was Hunter. Everything about him seemed perfect; everything about them together was just right.

-When he looked at her, she felt it. When he listened to her talk, she felt like the most important person in the room- in the world.

-She felt the longing that matched her own. This. This was yearning. This was wanting... This was sexy.

-Brit wanted Hunter in the all-consuming, falling-for-him kind of way.

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I really enjoyed this friends to lovers office romance that takes place in the Stiletto/Oxford world. This was a fun, flirty, sexy story about two best friends who find love in the last place they expected. I adored Hunter and the special relationship he had with Brit. I love this series and this author's writing.

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Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,299 reviews1,779 followers
July 10, 2018
Favorite Quotes:

That man was the physical form of halitosis.

“If I use some of your face stuff, will I grow ovaries?” “Nah,” she said, not lifting her eyes. “Just leave your man card on the table, and we’ll be even.”

“It’s gardenia,” she said, as she turned him around and began washing his back. “And it’s nice. I bet Lincoln would like it.” … “Because he’s like an old woman trapped in Clark Kent’s body,” Hunter grumbled.

My Review:

I have enjoyed each and every witty and amusing book in this series, as I adored each and every one of the enticing Oxford crew. I groove on Lauren Layne’s breezy writing style and clever humor. Her uniquely flawed yet endearing characters tend to be whip-smart, alluring, and more than capable of holding their own with snappy retorts and witty banter. If this is truly the last installment, I’ll miss this distinctive grouping of friends and beautiful New Yorkers.
Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,670 reviews3,283 followers
October 9, 2018
3.5 We all Need Closure Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-On Sale $1.99!!!
Sometimes it is hard to let go... to say goodbye to an experience that you loved. I suspect it would also be difficult for authors to close out long-running series, series which have brought all their readers together with characters they have grown to love. I Think I Love You has become the last book of the Oxford series by Lauren Layne and we get to have a final look at all the characters from this series and also the Original Series, Sex, Love & Stiletto.

Layne had developed a group of smart, savvy New Yorkers... some transplanted from other parts of the country all coming together under the umbrella of a sophisticated magazine group. Over the series, the co-workers coupled with each other and we benefited by being a fly on the wall. Layne covered so many topics during these two series... how men and women interact, how they need to get over their own demons, open up to the possibility of real love and then accept it when it is right in front of their face.

And in this tale of Brit Robbins and Hunter Cross, we get the classic case of What is In Front Of Your Face.


Brit is tired of feeling like a romance will never happen. Date after date, no matter how promising it may seem in the lead-up...Men just don't seem to see her as "happening"...or "there is no spark". Instead, there is the pleasant goodbye and off they go. Now Brit knows she has a decent look and can carry a strong conversation. She also knows she is easy to get along with...so what is the deal...She is thirty, has a terrific career and job so how can she stop all this "Let's Be Friends" stuff and switch it up to "I want to have you over every surface in this apartment"stuff.

After having a drink consultation with her girlfriends, Brit decides she needs to have some guidance, some insight about what men think about, how they see women and what gets their parts hard. Brit has the perfect person to go to, her best friend in all of New York...Hunter.

Hunter Cross has it all together. He looks like a men's magazine ad... and he does work for one. He is one of the transplants and thinks periodically about what his family is doing back home and how all of his siblings' kids are growing up and the family times he is missing. Yet, Hunter loves working at Oxford and the close-knit group he has become a part of. One of his favorite parts is Brit. They are the best of friends and always have each other back. She knows all of his little "tells" when he is in a questionable spot and has saved his ass time and time again.

So it wasn't unusual for Brit to ask Hunter to come to her apartment to have pizza and a talk. What was crazy was what Brit was proposing. Hunter wasn't sure he heard her right...

She wanted him to tutor her in seduction for men...
What The Hell!

Oh, no that was not going to happen...and when they had this conversation, Brit saw Hunter wasn't going to change his mind. She didn't want to hear how great she was and anyone would love her.
He wasn't getting it...She was sick of being one of the guys to them...She wanted to be pursued.

Brit decided to take matters into her own hands and started practicing on another co-worker who had a reputation for being a huge player. Brit walked up to this guy, batted her eyelashes and flipped her hair and Hunter went nuts.

What was she doing...what was that thing with her gazing up and looking all interested...Oh, No this is not happening...If she wants to practice, then it will have to be with me.
Hunter dug in and told Brit as much. They laid out ground rules and let the teaching begin.

Of course, there was a little hiccup neither of them would admit to. They both cared for each other...and were worried they would lose their important friendship. When the coaching reveals how a kiss should truly feel to Brit, she is a bit lost...And Hunter is not immune to those feelings either.

This is the main focus of the book with all of the other past characters intermingling. We see where they are now, how strong all the bonds are and enjoy every moment. The men guide Hunter to see what is in front of his face and the women help Brit with her insecurities too.

All in all, it was a solid wrap up for these Oxford friends we have made.

Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1) by Lauren Layne Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2) by Lauren Layne I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Someone like You (Oxford, #3) by Lauren Layne Someone like You (Oxford, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4) by Lauren LayneI Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Think I Love You (Oxford, #5) by Lauren LayneI Think I Love You (Oxford, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~~
Just when you thought you finished mourning...
When you had to get over the Men from the Oxford Series was done....

Lauren Layne sucks you back in...
And Yay! She has...

Bring it on...
Because you know...


I Think I Love You (Oxford, #5)-July 17th 2018

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Profile Image for h o l l i s .
2,723 reviews2,306 followers
June 14, 2018
Welp. If only I could swap my enjoyment of the fourth Oxford with this one because as far as series enders go.. this left a lot to be desired.

In I THINK I LOVE YOU we have a bestfriends who become more situation. Bestfriends who are oblivious to what's in front of them. Bestfriends who have friends betting on when they will each wake up to the inevitable. Bestfriends who each have their own struggles or disconnects with their love lives. In Brit's case she can never find someone to stick around, who sees her as anything more than a friend or a pal or a sister. And in Hunter's case he just isn't interested in more because he knows his life isn't at Oxford, in New York, and that one day he'll return home to Kansas City.. so why do anything more than something casual? But he's actually not a manwhore in that sense. He liked the few date companionship more than the act of adding notches to his bedpost.

"I love that look you get on your face whenever forced to acknowledge I am, in fact, female."

But when Brit's had enough of being clueless and incapable in the love department, she goes to her bestie for lessons on how to be.. more. More desireable, more sexy, more everything. And I think we all know what happens next.

"What happened?"
"He dumped me."
"What? How is that even possible? That man was the physical form of halitosis."

What made this version of the tried and true a little different is that Hunter resists Brit's experiment. Turns her down. And is all around hesitant to shift their paradigm. But of course some well-timed jealousy rears its head and he caves and as they go on a mock-date, as they shift the lense and start to look at each other in a 'more than friends' light, feelings.. brew. But instead of putting a label on it (because heaven for f'ing bid), they play it fast and loose and fun and sexy.. until drama ensues.

He and Brit were what they were. Friends. Good friends. Analyzing why they were the way they were would only complicate one of the best things in his life.

I'll be honest. I didn't find there to be any chemistry between these two. Not even in a friendly sense. I couldn't even remember Brit, vaguely recalled Hunter floating in the background of previous Oxford books, and together..? Well. I could see the author trying to make it happen but I wasn't buying it. And in a romantic sense, I mean.. all the same old same old motions, the same idiotic decisions and boneheaded moves on the man's part and the blanket-forgiveness on the woman's. Nope, sorry.

"Best friends don't lurk outside each other's apartment buildings."
"They do if they have a favour to ask."
"Isn't that what texts are for?

This is light, a fast read, and as a bonus had all the familiar faces from both series (Sex, Love & Stiletto and obviously Oxford) make appearances for the finale. Personally, though, the hardest bit from all this to swallow is that there were that many of-age and high-quality dateable people who all worked in the same building. Pure fantasy. That aside, though, I'm sad I didn't love this finale; but I did love so many of the books along the way to the end. Layne is, strangely, not an author who I seem to have any kind of consistency with but ultimately even the non-winners are still entertaining in some way or another. I guess I just expected to wrap this series up with a bang and instead, for me (and please note I am in the minority and this book isn't even out yet), it was more of a bloop.

2.5 "there was no good way to ask a guy to help teach you how to seduce other guys" stars


** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Profile Image for Robin (Bridge Four).
1,940 reviews1,658 followers
July 11, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

3.5 hearts

I Think I Love You is the finale to the Stiletto/Oxford series by Lauren Layne, which also just happens to be my favorite contemporary romance series to date.  It is bittersweet to say farewell to all the characters I’ve come to know and adore. It is also the friends to lovers trope I usually crave in a romance as well.

Brit and Hunter have been BFFs for years.  He really isn’t looking to settle down but does love to date.  Brit, on the other hand, wants to find someone to date long term but everyone she meets likes to put her in the friend zone.  So, who better than her best friend to help her figure out a way to go from a girl I like to a girl I want to love.
“Be brutally honest. Am I giving off some sort of weird vibe? Does it say platonic across my forehead? Or do I have an unremarkable label on my boobs?”
Taylor leaned in and studied Brit’s chest. “Nope, all good there.”

Brit is adorable, she is cool, confident and isn’t throwing a pity party over the lack of passion in her life.  She has a plan of attack and is going to make her best friend help her come hell or high water. Hunter is a good guy overall.  He likes dating but isn’t exactly a man-whore, which let’s face it ladies, is a nice change up sometimes. I like the easy way Brit and Hunter have with one another and how they can open up to each other since they are such good friends.
“I wouldn’t have asked anyone else,”she said quietly. Truthfully. “I can’t imagine anything more vulnerable than asking someone to tell you why you’re unlovable.”
“Brit.”He put his glass down sharply.
“I didn’t mean it like that,”she rushed to explain. “Really, I didn’t. I promise I don’t think I’m not worth loving. I just . . . I do sometimes wonder why I’m not finding love when everyone around me is.”
“I’m not.”
"Well . . .”She smiled a little. “You don’t want to.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re good with women. Really good. If you wanted to make one of those relationships last, you’d have your pick of anyone.”

As Brit learns how to play act at being attracted to Hunter during lessons on flirting and getting a second date, it becomes clear there isn’t anything close to platonic between them.

As always, the banter and dialogue between not just the romantic couple but also the friend in this book is what makes it special. Lauren Layne does group dynamics so well and makes you want to hang out with this group of friends and get in on all of the shenanigans.  

You don’t have to have read the rest of the Stiletto and Oxford series to jump into this one.  It is a stand-alone romance and will hold up just fine on its own. But if you have read the other books in the series, there are cameos from everyone, and it is a good send off for all the couples into the future.

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews844 followers
June 26, 2018
3.5 “Soulmate” Stars
A sweet friends to lovers story. In the final book of the Oxford series, Hunter and his best friend, Brit, are left to find love. Of course they are best friends who don’t feel anything for each other, or do they? The ease of their friendship, the knowing of each other’s nuisances and the sweet devotion they feel for one another is perfect and everyone can see they are each other’s soul mate but them. But when Brit’s self esteem about her love life starts to crash, she ask Hunter for help in become a “catch” instead of a “gal pal” to men. It starts the awakening of real feelings but feelings complicate their friendship. How could they really like each other? They are best friends not boyfriend and girlfriend.

There are also many cameos from the all the other couples that have gotten together in the Oxford and Stiletto Series. They are all really a big extended family of friends who all truly care about one another. Interfering and meddling and having fun are what all these couples are about.

If you like sweet friends to lovers story that is high on angst and fun on romcom, this book is for you. I enjoyed my time in Oxford Land. I felt like the end was a little rushed and a little too perfect but overall, it brought a smile to my face.

*advanced copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Zoe.
2,366 reviews331 followers
July 16, 2018
Witty, charming, and delightfully romantic!

I Think I Love You is a passionate, friends-to-more RomCom about the determined and focused Brit who doesn’t want to be just one of the guys anymore and decides to undertake lessons in the art of seduction, and the sexy, considerate Hunter, who suddenly finds it harder and harder to keep his attraction for his best friend in check.

The writing is crisp and light. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are charismatic, fun-loving, and lovable. And the plot is a perfect blend of drama, heat, emotion, hilarious hijinks, sassy banter, unconditional friendship and true love.

I Think I Love You is the fifth and final story in the Oxford series, and even though it’s a little bittersweet to say goodbye to the characters we’ve come to know and love from the Stiletto and Oxford novels, it is nevertheless a lovely way to catch up on the whole gang and give Brit and Hunter the happy-ever-after ending they undoubtedly deserve.

Thank you to Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Profile Image for Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥.
772 reviews391 followers
July 10, 2018
I Think I Love You was a wonderful end to the Stiletto/Oxford Series. We got to catch up with every couple from the previous books, and I loved seeing all of the people I had fallen in love with. And while his book could easily be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend going back to the very beginning with Julie and Mitchell in After the Kiss from the Stiletto Series. Trust me, it's so worth it! This final book was about Hunter and Brit and their story was sexy, charismatic, funny and charming!
“Brit.” He waited until she looked at him. “That dress you’re wearing. I approve.”
“Yeah?” She mimicked his question from when she’d complimented his glasses.
Oh yeah.”
Brit suddenly couldn’t breathe, and her hands felt a little shaky, her face hot.
Well, then . . .
Well, then . . .
What did she do with
that ?
And why did it make her feel like
this ?

If you've read the previous books, you know that Hunter and Brit both work at Oxford and have been best friends for the last six years. But over that time, Brit's dating life had been dismal. She was desperate to figure out how to secure that second date, how to find a spark with someone else and ultimately feel sexy. Who better to ask to help her than her bff, Hunter! Right?
She stretched, the hem of her shirt riding up just enough to show a sliver of skin. A couple of weeks ago, he wouldn’t have noticed.
Now? He noticed.
And it wasn’t just that. He noticed the way she walked. The way a strand of hair tended to fall across her lips after she’d applied lip gloss and then laughed. He noticed the way she was with his family, as though she was a part of it. . . .
Brit tilted her head and gave him a curious look. “You okay?”
No. Not even fucking close.

While I ultimately knew how this book was going to end, I loved watching the journey. You see, Hunter and Brit didn't see each other as anything more than best friends. So while Hunter was helping Brit work on her dating skills, I loved how a moment or feeling would make them pause. And even second guess what happened. Because they shouldn't be feeling sexual tension or interest in each other right? They were just best friends, that was it. But the further they went down the road of helping Brit's dating life, there were more and more moments where electricity seemed to course between them.
Brit skated away, doing a little half jump, but Hunter remained still for a moment longer, a bit jarred by the fact that he hadn’t touched her because of her plan; he hadn’t been trying to teach her anything.
He’d touched her because he wanted to.
And he wanted to do it again.

From the previous book, I Knew You Were Trouble, I liked Brit. It was impossible not to like her loving, friendly attitude. She had this way of making you comfortable while also wanting to be her friend. She definitely rocked the girl next door vibe hard and I loved her for it. And when she was around Hunter, I loved their moments together. Their friendship felt so solid and real and I loved watching it slowly turn into something more.
Brit turned toward him, catching his eye and giving a wide smile.
Hunter’s chest tightened, and for an awful moment he wondered if it wasn’t his dick that was going to cause him the real trouble.
What if it was his heart?

Hunter at times tested my patience. He didn't always make the best choices and he could be clueless when it came to Brit. But he had a good heart and he loved her, so I was patient with him. Thank goodness he had great friends to help steer him in the right direction when needed! I actually loved being in Hunter's head, when we alternated between them, because his thoughts were so complicated. Yes he was sexy, loyal and tried to do right by Brit but I loved how honest he was with himself. So I easily saw all of the good that Brit saw in him and I kept my fingers crossed that it would all end up good in the end!
“Hunter,” Brit said with a laugh. This time she put her hands on his arms and actually tried to move him aside.
He still didn’t move.
She looked up, her expression confused. “Hunter?”
He stared down at her.
Don’t do it. Don’t do it, man.
Fuck it.

Hunter bent down and captured her mouth with his.

I Think I Love You is definitely for those that love friends to lovers romances and who want to see what all of their favorites, from the previous books, are up to. This book was such a wonderful end to the Oxford and Stiletto saga and I'm so thankful that I got to go on this journey and discover so many books that I treasure with my whole heart. And if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I can't recommend them enough. They were absolutely amazing!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by Random House - Loveswept. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Profile Image for Dali.
2,086 reviews591 followers
July 13, 2018
With book five of her “Oxford” series, Lauren Layne brings the summer heat and closes out her series with a truly enjoyable read. She allures with an enticing romantic comedy that wittily describes the tricky yet exciting prospect of dating one’s best friend.

Brit Robbins and Hunter Cross have been best friends since they met and when one too many men friend-zone her, Brit enlists Hunter to teach her the art of seduction. Hunter isn’t sure mock dating is a good idea, but is also unwilling to let anyone else be her romance coach. When fake flirting and innocent touches that feel anything but blur the platonic lines, they find it impossible to resist their growing attraction. But is it just that or is it the real deal?

Layne has always shined at creating charming individuals, a fun moving plot with an appealing NY backdrop, and I Think I Love You is a wonderful addition to her series. Brit and Hunter are delightfully blind to the fact that they’re perfect for each other. Everyone in the Stiletto and Oxford family sees it but the details of their friendship, which Lauren describes in fun detail, provide a solid base to build their romance.

The sizzling chemistry offers steamy scenes that will melt any eReader and I found myself flipping pages until the wee hours of the night hoping and waiting to see if they’d give in. And when they do, it smolders.

The novel is full of amusing banter not just between Hunter and Brit, but with all the characters we’ve come to love from her Oxford and Stiletto series. Having them all back is bittersweet though. We get glimpses of their lives, knowing it’s the end of a loved series. I’ll never be able to hear The Rembrandts “I’ll be there for you” song without thinking of this wonderful group of friends.

I think I Love You is book #5 of the Oxford series by Lauren Layne. It is a fun and sexy contemporary romance, told from several points of view with a happy ending.

Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2IU9KpQ

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,102 followers
July 8, 2018
4 stars

Such a lovely story, I enjoy it a lot!It has one of my favorite tropes friends to lovers and also it's an office romance.Should I say anything else? It started really well and the characters were lovable and we'll developed!

Hunter and Brit are best friends,they know everything about each other.Brit needs help with her appeal to men and who is better to help her than Hunter? Soon they will understand that they have feeling for each other and things will get interesting.


They story isn't unique yet I loved it!It was fast paced and I didn't get bored.If you are looking for a sweet and sexy romance this is perfect for you!

 


  
Profile Image for Carole (Carole's Random Life).
1,937 reviews607 followers
July 12, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This was a fun little book! My actual rating is closer to 3.5 stars but I have decided to round up. I knew I would want to read this book as soon as I saw it. I have had a great time with the Oxford series so far so I had to see how everything would wrap up. This book is the fourth book in the Oxford series but it works perfectly well as a stand alone. This wasn't my favorite book in the series but I thought that it was a very enjoyable and solid story.

I thought that this was a well done friends to lovers story. Brit and Hunter are best buds and often tell others that they see each other as siblings. Brit tends to be pushed to the friend zone whenever she tries to start a relationship and she cannot figure out what she is doing wrong. She decides that she needs a man's perspective to help her seduce future potential suitors so she asks Hunter for instruction. You can probably guess how that is going to work out.

The story was pretty predictable in some ways but it was still a lot of fun to read. Even though I knew going in that Brit and Hunter were going to fall for each other, watching it happen was an enjoyable experience. I did think that it was a little strange how both of them felt no chemistry with each other but everything changed suddenly for both of them at the same time. Who knows...maybe it really happens like that. I do know that it great to watch them as the sparks started to fly.

I did like Brit and Hunter as a couple and individually as characters. Brit is ready for a relationship and isn't afraid to let others know. She knew what she wanted and was willing to do the work to make it happen. Hunter is happy with his life the way it is. He has some great friends including Brit and dates when he wants. Hunter does make some bad decisions in this book that did make me cringe more than a bit. As a couple, they worked really well. They knew each other really well and were very comfortable with each other. There were some pretty steamy scenes in this one.

I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This book had a lot of great elements including great characters, fun banter, heartfelt moments, and a bit of heat. I had a great time watching Brit and Hunter find their happily ever after. I look forward to reading more from Lauren Layne soon.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
Maybe 3.5 stars but I am rounding up for now. I thought that the set up for this one was a little weird but I just went with it. I liked Hunter and Brit and thought that they worked well together. I did think it was a little strange that neither of them felt any spark before but then all of a sudden the chemistry was off the charts. It was pretty predictable but still an entertaining read.
Profile Image for Geri Reads.
1,232 reviews2,136 followers
July 29, 2018
Cute but a little predictable. I had the same issues with this book and the last book, and that is, I've read this before. And I'm not talking about the bestfriend-to-lovers trope, which happens to be a favorite of mine, but rather the characters and their motivations.

ARC provided by the publisher
Profile Image for Sherwood Smith.
Author 168 books37.5k followers
Read
June 14, 2018
Layne gracefully brings the Oxford and Stiletto series to a close with this last entry.

This series is sheer wish fulfillment, gorgeous people at two super successful magazines living high style in New York. Interestingly enough, Layne chooses to bring together a couple who have been best friends for six years.

Brit and Hunter seem perfectly content with their platonic friendship. Brit is friends with everybody . . . and that's the problem. She comes to Hunter bummed after being dumped by yet another guy. Why is it she's friend-zoned by every guy she dates? What's wrong with her?

Then she gets a brilliant idea: since Hunter is so successful with the ladies, he has to teach his best how to be seductive!

You know what has to happen from there, and it does. The two have an unexpectedly rocky road as they try to figure out themselves, their relationship and their future.

Told in LL's usually smooth, vivid, often funny style, I only glitched once at former couples showing up all smiles and giggles. Mostly she did a good job with showing the great lives of the couples from other stories.

A thoroughly enjoyable romance, perfect for summer reading.

Copy provided by NetGalley
Profile Image for maggieandteddy.
1,222 reviews143 followers
July 11, 2018
This book starts off with the heroine, Brit lamenting the lack of good men to date. Brit's friends at Oxford magazine have all found the ONE- except for her. Brit's best friend is Hunter.
Hunter is also her boss at Oxford. She confides in Hunter about her dating dilemma. He reluctantly agrees to give her lessons on dating and how to get a repeat date. She's so nurturing and kind, she constantly puts herself in the friend-zone.
The men that she dates don't feel the spark with her.
This is 3rd person POV, so we get a bird's eye view of Brit's dating/seduction lessons.

Brit asks for Hunter's help. She starts by going through her wardrobe. Yes Hunter started to roll his eyes. He got into it and even gave some good advice. Brit would dress business/casual, even on dates. I really thought Hunter's reactions/feedback were spot on for a typical guy.

Hunter: "Lesson number one... When it comes to guys and first impressions, obvious is a good thing."
Brit doubts this but Hunter is adamant: " Making snap judgments based on appearance is going to happen whether you like it or not. Might as well work with it." [Chapter 6, location 772]

Brit gives the more flattering clothes a try and adds the flirting techniques from Hunter. Brit dates a couple of guys but she doesn't feel any spark with them. During the "lessons" Hunter and Brit get closer. They don't want to ruin their friendship.

Everyone at Oxford knows these two are meant for each other. They're the last to realize it or admit it.
I expected Hunter to step up, speak up and do the right thing. He's a lug head.
The women of Stiletto (the previous series) and Oxford support Brit and confront Hunter. One of the guys, points out: "Now ladies, remember, we men can be idiots. We need time to sort it out."

I loved Hunter. He was an idiot for most of the book. Brit did friend zone herself without realizing it With each and every guy.
I loved it when the light bulb went off. Gah, it took them long enough!

I loved the ending & the epilogue. I really enjoyed this. 4.25 stars. Book 1 was my favorite, this was a close second. I've read and enjoyed several of LL's books. She does friends to lovers stories just the way I like them. I was rooting for these two. Way to go Hunter. Brit, you're all right! You've always been all right. Now you know it.
ARC provided by NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Berit☀️✨ .
2,095 reviews15.7k followers
December 31, 2018
Such a sweet, sassy, and sizzling story!🔥

Friends to lovers is my absolute favorite trope! I especially love when one of the characters is trying to teach the other how to be successful in the dating world... this is the fifth and final installment in the series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone.... although there are many cameo appearances from previous characters in both the Oxford and Stiletto series...

Brit has not been successful when it comes to romance in New York... she is successful at her job, but she’s tired of being just one of the guys... Hunter has no trouble in the romance department, but he knows his days in New York are numbered, so he doesn’t want to leave any loose ends behind... when Brit approaches Hunter for dating advice he is definitely intrigued... i’m sure you all know where this is going? But how will these to ever find their HEA when Hunter’s time in NYC is limited?

Love both these characters Brit and Hunter, they are both a lot of fun and authentic! I also love all the secondary characters in this book, old and new.... Lauren Lane knows how to turn on the heat, so if you’re not into steam this is not the book for you!

A wonderful romance that will make you smile and swoon! Absolutely recommend! But only if you like things to sizzle!🔥

*** Big thank you too Random House Love Sweat for my copy of this book ***
Profile Image for Marla Mei.
553 reviews298 followers
July 10, 2018
the stupidity of the characters in the last few chapters was torture!!! ugh :/

i think i should finally accept that lauren layne has, como se dice, lost her touch?? this being the final book of the series, i was expecting to be blown away but all i got was 20+ chapters of meh??? the only reason i’m rating 3 stars is because of the fond memories from the first few books this last book gave me.

i’m gonna miss the whole stiletto and oxford crew but i really believe that lauren layne should’ve ended the series with emma and cassidy’s story 😩❤️ that was by far my favorite of the whole series and would’ve served as the perfect ending. oh well 🤷‍♀️
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,512 reviews86 followers
April 22, 2018
ARC received for review

This is sad it's the end of the Stiletto and Oxford gang. Brit wants help with figuring out why men don't want to stick around after the third date, so she asks her BFF Hunter to help. Of course, in the relationship coaching they fall into bed and eventually in love with lots of help from the gang. Nice end to the series.
Profile Image for book bruin.
1,525 reviews354 followers
October 31, 2022
I’m a huge fan of friends to lovers romances and this was recommended to me by several friends. I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series and had no problem figuring out what was happening. Previous couples and characters do appear throughout though, so I probably would have enjoyed this more if I had.

Brit and Hunter’s story was really cute and sexy, and though it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen, it was still a lot of fun to see these BFF’s become more. The buildup was so delicious and those steamy scenes were hot, hot, hot. Unfortunately, I was not a fan of the push away at the end of the book and it all felt really imbalanced. Hunter needed to grovel A LOT more for his behavior and it also bothered me that Brit was so willing to sacrifice so much and chase after him. The epilogue was so sweet though and I’m looking forward to going back and reading about the other Oxford and Stiletto couples.

I both read and listened to this one and Maxine Mitchell was so good! I really enjoy her performances a lot and she does such a wonderful job voicing all of the characters.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3.5 stars

Tropes: workplace (boss & direct report), forced proximity, friends to lovers, friends with benefits, only 1 bed, sexual instruction/lessons
CW: thyroid cancer (secondary character), adoption (secondary character)
Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
947 reviews1,157 followers
July 16, 2018
4 'Love Coach' Stars!

What a mix of bittersweet feelings I have right now! I still can't believe this is the last book of the Oxford series. Irresistibly Yours, the first installment, was my first EVER read by Lauren Layne and after that, I haven't stop reading (and loving) her books. I fell in love with the Stiletto and the Oxford crew and it's so sad to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters that have stolen my heart over the years (thank God I can re-read the books whenever I want lol).

So, this is a friends-to-lovers romance. It was pretty great: funny, emotional and sexy. I loved seeing Hunter and Brit fall in love (man, the sexual tension!) and I am so happy they got their happy ending (even though I would have loved a longer one). However, my favorite parts about I Think I Love You were all the moments with the crew. I loved how Lauren Layne was able to give us moments with all the characters in the Stiletto and Oxford series in this book. It felt such a beautiful goodbye to all of them. Gah, do I love all these people! Lauren is an amazing writer and I can't wait to see what is next. And, please, if you haven't checked her books out by now, go and do it. I am telling you, you will not regret it!
Profile Image for The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha).
2,116 reviews361 followers
July 10, 2018

I Think I Love You is the final book in the Oxford series, but it reads as a stand alone. I haven't read any of the previous books and didn't have any issue enjoying this one!

Hunter and Brit are best friends. They have been best friends for years. Brit turns to her BFF to get some dating advice. You can guess how this will end up, right. Overall, the story is predictable. Of course they realize they have feelings for each other. Of course Hunter freaks out about it-she's his friend, he is bad at relationships, blah blah blah. Now, I don't mean this as a negative. It was still enjoyable to watch these two fumble their way through their feelings. Plus, the supporting characters are great and add some fun. There were a few times I wanted to throat punch Hunter for being so dense, but overall I thought he and Brit were great characters.

I Think I Love You is a hit for readers who love the friends to lovers trope, great banter (Lauren Layne is the queen of banter), and the perfect balance between light/fun and endearing/romantic.

 

POV: 3rd
Tears: no
Trope: friends to lovers
Triggers: none
Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
Cliffhanger: 
HEA: 




authors like Lauren Blakely, Jana Aston, Kristen Proby, Melanie Harlow...then you will probably like I Think I Love You!

 


I Think I Love You
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Profile Image for Dísir.
1,734 reviews187 followers
May 31, 2018
‘I Think I Love You’ feels like the true end to Lauren Layne’s Oxford series, a not quite full-length tale of the last standing couple, who don’t even know they’re meant to be paired with…yet. Layne tackles the friends-to-lovers trope here and straightaway, I knew it would be a tricky one with questions that needed to be answered—questions that this trope always seems to invite for the pairing to be a believable and satisfying one.

Brit and Hunter slide in somewhere later in the Oxford series as best friends, and as boss and subordinate, whose status-quo hasn’t changed in years, until Brit stirs the waters by adding a particularly farcical element in the setup which, according to Layne, has the power to change everything they know about each other. As a plot device that sets the action and the romance on a predictable path, Brit’s apparent seduction tutoring works all too well. So the story goes.

It inevitably goes sideways and it isn’t a surprise to see Hunter screwing up colossally, but what is frustrating is his not doing enough to make up for it and Brit being too soft-hearted about it. With the abrupt conclusion however, there isn’t a chance to see Hunter fighting for a relationship with Brit, which I knew I needed to read after the way he’s waffled too much in his manly cowardice. In other words, the grovelling hardly matches the crime.

I was actually more interested in the implications of this trope and how Layne would tackle the explanation of the sudden flip in the switch in their relationship when years of never looking at each other ‘that way’ were thrown to the wind—because this would probably justify the validity (which I can’t quite blindly accept as timing, serendipity or the sudden realisation of scales falling from eyes) so to speak, of best friends becoming lovers. How does a seduction plan inexplicably turn Hunter into looking at Brit from a platonic friend into someone else? There’s a suggestion here that a platonic friendship perpetually hangs on a knife’s edge, needing merely the slightest thing for it to tip over into a different space, so would that have meant that Hunter and Brit would never have crossed any line had Brit not taken the first step?

The long and short is, I’m not entirely sure if I’m quite convinced about this trope still. It’s probably cynicism speaking here nonetheless and that Layne chooses to tackle this once again isn’t surprising seeing how often it appears in her books. I do think Hunter and Brit do ultimately belong together—best friends can and do make good lovers—only that I had hoped for a more solid grounding for them becoming a couple other than sudden, forced proximity with all the talk of dating and seduction giving them the orgasmic shivers.

As far as it goes, my wistfulness with finishing this series probably has to do with my introduction to Layne via Penelope/Cole, whose story started my going down the Oxford rabbit hole. I loved seeing the rest of the Oxford crew even if some stories worked better than others for me, and with all the series I’ve gone through, I had hoped this one ended more on a bang for me.

*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Profile Image for Laura.
471 reviews581 followers
July 22, 2020
This book was so bittersweet. I knew it was going to be the end and I was both happy and sad. I really like all these characters -and even when a particular book wasn’t that great… oh, the characters. I made it my mission to read all Lauren Layne’s books and I’m getting there!

At first this story didn’t call to me. I wasn’t really that much into it for about the first 28% of it, I’m not gonna lie but as time passed, I found myself enjoying it more and more and by the end, I was a goner.

I think the impact of the book could’ve been greater if we knew more about the couple (individually) from previous books because while I like them together and yeah, individually, I wasn’t that invested.

The truth is I like the previous series way more than the Oxford series but I truly enjoyed these books and at the end when ALL couples are together? I cried a bit. It was good.
Profile Image for Jessica Hull.
936 reviews652 followers
April 21, 2018
This was an adorably sweet friends to lovers office romance with a good dash of angst and now all I can think is that I really need to go binge on all the Lauren Layne things!!!! This was precisely what I needed to pull me out of my book funk. I've started and stopped reading a good handful of books recently and this is the first one that I picked up that wouldn't let me go. With a refreshingly colorful ensemble of characters and a really fun storyline, I THINK I LOVE YOU was exactly what I needed to find!

I know I read this book out of series order but that was totally okay. It read like a complete standalone and it gave me the delicious taste I needed to ensure I'll be going back for more. I have to know everything about all the couples that came before Hunter and Brit as they've paired off and I can't wait to go binge the rest of Lauren Layne's books.

This story was sexy and emotional, but also remained light and fun the whole way though. A solid friendship becoming a whole lot more when the lines are blurred by Brit asking Hunter to coach her in seduction. Sure it might sound a little cliche but I didn't even care because I was so consumed by this storyline. I enjoyed this book so much and I savored every word. It's a slow burning friends to lovers romance that never felt forced or over the top. It was just right in every way and I really loved it.
Profile Image for clara.
440 reviews160 followers
March 4, 2023
I don’t have words for this book and for so many reasons, specially for being the last one of my favorite series (considering Stiletto/Oxford as a one thing here) of all time.

BritHunter is one of my favorite couples from both series and it would be almost impossible having any other way considering Best Friends to Lovers to be my favorite trope, specially being written by Lauren Layne, who always works flawlessly with this type of story.

I loved watching their intimate moments as best friends, showing how they cared for each other immensely even before the romance got into the picture, and of course the scenes when they start to see each other differently is a huge highlight because of that funny/cute mix that gets me every time.

Finishing the series is so bittersweet — no matter how many times I reread it i still feel sad ending it, but at the same time I’ll forever be grateful for all these different characters that made me laugh, cry and wish I could go to NYC and visit the Ravenna building to talk to each and every one of them all. I could talk about all these books for days (and believe me when I say I already have, multiple times) and I wouldn’t get bored...

This universe means so much more to me than I’ll ever be able to explain and I don’t have words to thank Miss Layne for bringing these characters to the world.
Profile Image for Cami.
1,662 reviews76 followers
January 7, 2019
4.25 Stars!

I don’t know if it has just been a while since I read anything in this series but I do not remember Brit or Hunter. I really liked both of them in this book, other than they seemed a bit out of touch with their own feelings but it seems like I should have remembered them. This is the fifth and final installment of the Oxford series and I am so sad to see this series end. The Stiletto and Oxford series have two of my favorites since this big group of inter twinging friends has been a real blast to read about.

Brit Robbins knows that dating in New York City is hard but what she didn’t realize is that at the age of thirty guys were still sticking her into the “friend zone”. She has decided she needs someone to coach her on how to seduce a man properly and what better person than her best friend who just happens to be a guy.

Hunter Cross Knows his best friend Brit so well he is certain she could never surprise him but she has managed to surprise and stun him with her request for his help. Their relationship has always been perfectly platonic, but all the fake dates and faux flirting are starting to feel like the real deal.
Profile Image for daniella.
48 reviews20 followers
March 24, 2025
did i cry? yes? i'm so sad that i'm saying goodbye to the stiletto and oxford family now. lauren knows how to create a group that will stick with you. hunter and brits story was perfect to end this series with as we got to see them in other books and they finally got their own story. it was so tension-filled that when they finally ended up together, i literally released a breath of relief.

lauren's storytelling ability is obviously 10/10, she has such a way with words that to me is insane and it just tugs at your heartstrings a little too much. this book had me feeling the character's feelings and that's how you know it was a well done book.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
July 20, 2018
I Think I Love You by Lauren Layne is book 5 in the Oxford series. This is the story of Brit Robbins and Hunter Cross. I haven't yet read the previous books, so for me this is a standalone book.
This was a great Friends to Lovers romance. Brit asked her friend Hunter to help in coaching her for a better dating and seduction. But this turns into more than what they both plan.
Really enjoyed this book!

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