4 HORNY STARS

I’m officially a Lauren Layne fan!


I read Love Story in one day, I’ve been a very bad freelancer, a very bad wife and a very bad mum those last 24 hours, so I really hope the author will appreciate my short review :D

All I can say is I was totally hooked, the road trip with two ex [secret]lovers, all the regrets, the angst, the hatred, the want, the insecurities, the lust, the flashbacks and the humor…. Oh, and scenes with little Lucy and Reece were heartbreaking.
It was just a perfect Romantic comedy.

And when I say “perfect romantic comedy”, I’m talking about great plot, perfect space, and of course great characters, with depth, emotional roller coaster, not the “romantic comedy” full of clichés and that had me rolling my eyes sooooooo high lately.

I read Blurred Lines, my first LL’s book, and I loved it.
I read Good Girl, and I loved it.
I read Love Story, and I loved it.

What does it mean?
That I cannot wait for Walk of Shame, the next Love Unexpectedly standalone!!

So please, Lauren Layne, bring it ooon!

She thinks he cheated. He thinks he isn’t good enough for her, but making too many wrong turn during their cross country road trip they finally make a right turn and find themselves getting a second chance at love in this agonizingly sweet story.

Lucy Hawkins is ready to start the job of her dreams in San Francisco she only has to get there, she only has one problem: her car died and the only way to get there is taking her family’s old station wagon along with her older brother’s best friend. The same friend she’s known since they were children, the one she had a crush on, the one no one knew she’d been in love with. The same friend who after taking her virginity shattered her heart six years ago.

After burying his father, Reece Sullivan has no one left and his small town only holds sorrow. Anxious for a fresh start in wine country California, he agrees to go on a two week road trip that promises long torturous days with the only person who’s ever seen past his surly façade and is now likely to kill him in his sleep. But the familiar connection he’s always felt with Lucy soon comes to the fore along with their explosive attraction. Can they forgive the heartache they’ve inflicted in the past to carve a happy future together?

I love Lauren Layne’s books. I haven’t missed a single one knowing they’re guaranteed entertainment because she’s adept at writing from fun, flirty and hot, to heartbreakingly tragic, to drive you crazy with antagonistic banter.

I really enjoy a frenemies to lovers story especially when there’s a shared history between the couple. I find the back and forth sparing and animosity wholly amusing and that it’s a good source for sexual tension. Right of the bat Reece and Lucy bicker like nobody’s business. The anger between them is palpable. They have a lot of unresolved feelings for each other but they also care deep down for one another and have an undeniable attraction. They’re perfect for one another, they just can’t see past their hurt feelings.

Even though they drove me a bit nutty with so much bickering, I couldn’t help but like both Reece and Lucy. I felt so much for all of Reece’s loss. He never had an easy life, but was happy to know that he had Lucy and her family there for him, of course he kept everyone at arm’s length to save himself further pain hiding behind a thick wall of stubbornness with a coat of hurtfulness which Lucy easily threw back at him with equal force.

As they travel through the country in close quarters they slowly let their guard down and begin to open up once again and through flashbacks that go way back to their early childhood we learn how their friendship developed and just how deep their connection is and eventually they learn navigate their turbulent relationship into a the beautiful one it was always meant to be.

As an aside that has little to do with the story but a lot to do with my personal enjoyment, I LOVED Lucy’s totally nerdy nickname: Spock. Yes, based on Leonard Ninmoy’s Star Trek character.

Love Story is book #3 in the Love Unexpectedly series by Lauren Layne. It is a standalone contemporary romance. Told from both points of view and has a happy ending.

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Do I recommend it? Yes
Genre: New Adult
POV: Dual
Writing: 4.5/5 stars. Very strong writing, as always from Lauren Layne
Story/Plot: 3.5/5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but it was pretty predictable.
Characters: 3/5 stars. Lucy was a fun heroine, Reece’s emotions were all over the place which made him a bit difficult to root for.
Emotions: 3/5 stars
Flow/pacing: 4.5/5 stars, this moved along very easily, again, as most Lauren Layne books do!
Steam: 4/5 stars
HEA: Yes
Will I read this author again? Definitely, I’ve read most of Lauren Layne’s books and find her a go-to author for me.

Really good story qnd I personally loved the ending of it!

3. 5 * * * 1/2- this is friends/foes to lovers road trip... we go back and forth from present to past and both of the characters take the time on the road to see what path they should take... right into each others arms...

I'm a bit of a Lauren Layne fan girl. I picked up one of her books in a previous series and have stuck with her ever since. She gives you that happy build up of emotions that you love in books. All the good, bad, happy, sad, in one.
Lucy and Reece are traveling cross country together, neither wants to, but it has to be done. I enjoyed the banter in this one. Sassy is a word I would describe on Lucy. Reece is very shielded. Their previous attempt at a 'relationship' went up in smoke. Each blames the other. No one really knows the truth. Stuck in a car for hours, stopping god knows where and meeting the new boyfriend are all forks in the road.
The road trip has to end, but their relationship as it stands will change forever.

Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan have know each other since they were children. Reece and Lucy's brother were best friends and Reece practically lived in the Hawkins home. Lucy has loved Reece forever and had hopes of a possible relationship. But just before she heads off to college he makes it clear nothing would ever happen between them and breaks her heart. Reece never felt he was good enough for Lucy and felt this was the best way to protect her. Lucy believes Reece cheated on her and Reece believes she's just a spoiled girl.

Years latter each has entered the wine country industry and are working to further their career with a move to the California wine country. Lucy's parents come up with a plan for the two to make a two week trip together down to California using their car as Lucy's car died.

The trip is one filled with a lot of sparing, sparks and animosity. The two are total opposites and have a lot of unresolved hurts and secrets.We have flash backs of their past childhood and the development of their relationship. As the trip progresses they begin to open up and old and new feelings are revealed, as well as past hurts resolved.

I found the second chance story line overall as good. But the characters to me were one demential with no real depth. Their sparing back and forth seemed juvenile and irritating. I didn't really come to care or like the main characters, especially Reece. I worked on finishing this one and found it disappointing.

Lucy Hawkins and Reese Sullivan are about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime.
Years earlier Lucy gave herself to Reece only to have him break her heart. Now here she is a college graduate and ready to make her move across the country to her new life and career…and she has to take it with Reece Sullivan.
Reece Sullivan knows all about loss. His mom died when he was very young, his older sister left him behind with a father that was less than loving and now he’s dead as well. Most of all, he lost the one girl he’s ever loved. Lucy was off limits for more than one reason, number one reason…she’s his best friend’s sister. He and Lucy crossed the line once and it’s haunted him ever since. Now he has to travel across the country with her.
If these two can make it to their destination without maiming or killing each other, it will be a miracle.
Totally enjoyed this Love Story; set aside the sexual tension and the annoying avoidance tendencies that these two have and you just can’t help but love them. I really didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. Flashbacks in a storyline can be very tricky but in this book, they worked. For me it gave that little extra something to really drive home how they felt about each other. This was an attraction that started when they were eight/nine years old and sixteen years later…they are just as attracted/in love, actually more.
There were times when I felt like Reece as a bit too mean to Lucy, but at the same time Lucy’s passive/aggressiveness was overboard. Funniest thing, the two thought they kept their attraction well hidden when everyone could see it. The two sweetest moments in this book, Zoey talking to Reece after his mom passes and Reece giving Zoey her first kiss….sigh.

Lucy and Reese, the antagonism is strong in this love/hate road trip. But when circumstances and the truth finally comes out you will be glad you took the time to read the book.

LOVE STORY is easily one of the best releases of 2017! Not only will you be unable to put down Lucy and Reece's story, but it will also stay with you long after you have finished reading. What an incredible read.

LOVE STORY is a hot, sexy romantic read with unforgettable characters and plenty of angst. Ooh, the angst! I love it and I love this story a lot. This is definitely going on my keeper shelf!

I've read a lot of Lauren Layne's books, ever since i first read and loved Isn't She Lovely. I don't remember what POV she used in that book, but as for the others, i find those books which she'd written in first person points of view to be the more unforgettable ones. I thought they came across as more intense and made me feel more. Then again, perhaps it's the theme: both are friends/enemies-to-loves, which I love.

Anyway...

I love the alternate first person points of view in love story. I love seeing the way they each viewed the same situation with different results, influenced as they were by their own experiences and insecurities. Beneath the bickering, both of them were hurting and doing their best to protect themselves. I love that the author gave us two individuals who are relatable in terms of financial and emotional aspects. Who hasn't scrimped due to budget considerations, or looked for cheap places to stay when traveling? I also love how human and flawed Reece is, a standout among arrogantly confident alpha males.

Definitely a must read! Looking forward to the next book in the series, Walk of Shame.

A second chance story, that is more young adult romance then I thought it would be after reading the description. Short chapters, so the book flows pretty quickly.

4.5 Stars!
This is a beautiful blend of the forbidden romance, friends to lover, and second chance romance. Lucy and Reece have known each other for years. Reece is her big brother’s best friend and has always been part of their family. Their friendship was always strong and as they got older they crossed the line to lovers. Through some misunderstanding, they part ways and have hated each other ever since. Can they find their way back to each other?
The story starts out with Reece and Lucy in present time. They have a burning hatred for each other, but buried down deep is also a burning love for one another. The key mystery in the story is what tore them apart; it definitely kept me reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed the flash backs of Reece and Lucy developing their friendship as children and then seeing their friendship develop into love. I’m a sucker for childhood love. It’s all so very sweet and innocent. It was well written and their love for one another was very palpable.
Eventually, the reason for their separation was revealed and honestly, it was a bit frustrating. It all came down to poor communication. If Reece and Lucy could have had one conversation about their insecurities, it would have solved a lot of heartache. I think Lucy had more reason to be upset than Reece. Both felt they were burned by one another, but while I hate to put blame, I think it was mostly Reece’s fault.
I’m happy to report that the ending is sweet and just my style. If you are a fan of friends to lover and second chance romance, you will love this story. It’s a sweet, feel good book perfect for snowy day. Happy Reading!!

​​​​​Romantic reads that are scheduled for release on Valentine's Day seem to be extra special. Love Story by Lauren Layne, is the perfect addition to the most romantic day of the year. This friends to lovers and enemies to lovers novel is passionate, angsty, and full of hope. The two main characters rediscover each other as they drive across the country in a classic station wagon.

Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan have been friends since childhood. When Reece's mother died, he spent most of his time at the Hawkins's home. In addition, Lucy's older brother is Reece's best friend. Lucy has been in love with Reece for years, even after he emotionally hurt her before she left for college. Reece has always harbored feelings for Lucy, but he never felt good enough, so he never pursued a relationship with her.

Lucy and Reece grew up in the Virginia wine country and immersed themselves in various aspects of the business. Now they are both looking forward to their new careers in the California wine region, and Lucy's parents provide the transportation for them to make the trek. Two weeks on the road together is not something either of them is looking forward to, however, the trip results in unexpected pleasures and discoveries.

Love Story is another winner from talented author Lauren Layne. This slightly emotional romance captured my attention from the very beginning with its engaging plot and lively characters. The sex scenes are both hot and sexy. Lucy and Reece are well-defined, which made it easy for me to form a connection to them. I liked their taunting banter and the way they handled their different tastes in music. This is the third book in Ms. Layne's Love Unexpectedly series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I have to admit that it took me a little longer than it usually does to get into this book. But I eventually got to the point that I couldn't put it down. I spent the first part of the book wanting to smack Lucy and Reece. I was finally thrilled when they got to the point they weren't fighting all the time. But the sexual tension was crazy good. And when they finally got together, holy hot momma! You need a cool drink. I really enjoyed how this book ended up. You appreciated the journey that the author had to take them through to get there.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I was intrigued to read this book because of the blurb. I love the brother's best friend trope and I also love road trips in books. Those two things alone sold me on taking a chance on this new-to-me author.

Love Story was an interesting read. I enjoyed the chemistry between Reece and Lucy. I also liked the angry tension that came from their past. Watching them fight it out while stuck together in a car for two week was amusing. It also felt real and I could sympathise with both characters.

Saying that, this book did lose me for a few chapters when the sex was introduced. For me it felt a little stilted, like the characters were just going through the motions of a romance book. That might not be down to the book though, I just feel every sex scene is the same in romance nowadays. I did end up skimming these chapters, since they went on a bit too long. I wanted to get back to the banter and fighting as they struggled to admit what they both felt.

Nonetheless, this book did win me back after those chapters had ended. I did enjoy the book and I'd recommend it to those who like the tropes I mentioned above.

I have come to realize that I have a love/hate relationship with second chance romances.

I LOVE the idea of a couple who gets a second chance at getting it right and finding their way back to each other. Lauren Layne did a good job at reuniting Reece and Lucy. I loved the premise of this storyline. The second chance love story that is also a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers again.

What I hate about second chance romances is all the excess drama and angst that can be written into the story between the characters. And let me tell you this one is full of angst and drama. Truthfully it is my only negative about this book. I would’ve liked to see Reece and Lucy actually work things out way sooner then they did. I felt Lauren dragged that out for way to long, so by the end of the story I was rolling my eyes way to often and it made the I Love You’s at the end seem unrealistic and rushed.

Now I know what you are thinking….I didn’t like this book. That is not the case at all. I love Lauren Layne books and will read anything she writes, but this one just wasn’t my favorite of hers. Now don’t shy away because of me, because this could very well be a 5 star read for you.

As with any Lauren Layne book, she gave us an interesting storyline and is able to hit on many of the readers emotions. I laughed, blushed and yelled while reading this book. I did however miss her oh-so-swoony Hero that she is known for. Reece just didn’t do it for me. I never warmed to his character and I couldn’t get the connection from him. I felt he was way to closed off and there weren’t enough “sweet” moments. But Lucy….I really liked. She had drive and ambition and was willing to do whatever she had to to get what she wanted out of life. Yes she had a communication problem. They both actually needed to open up more with each other. Things would’ve been solved much sooner ;)

So if you are a fan of a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers second chance romance, then you should give this a try. If you like a lot of drama and angst between two characters, then this is definitely the books to read. This was just a little too much angst and drama for my taste. I still look forward to the next book Lauren releases….she will always be an auto read for me.

Who on earth names a car “Horny”?

Lucy Hawkins’ brother that’s who. I can’t believe I just read a book with a car by that name. Our hero Reece Sullivan isn’t crazy about the name either.

I’ve never hated the nickname of this stupid car so much as I do right now, on the verge of a full-blown (no pun intended) erection, in front of my pseudo-parents, all from a memory of a girl I don’t even like.
And this is before either of our romantic leads step a foot in the car for their two-week, cross-country adventure. This is going to be fun, right?

So Lucy and Reece have a bit of a history. He was her first. Too bad everything went downhill from then. Six years later, they find themselves carpooling to California to start new jobs, both in the Sonoma area. You see, working in California wine country has always been Lucy’s dream and after the death of his father, Reece is more than ready to make a fresh start far away from his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The sexual tension masked by their overt animosity toward each other is evident from the start. Even before they actually see each other in the first scene of the book. My favorite kind of romance. I love a good fight with all that simmering heat and lust in the mix. Their exchanges are sharp and filled with many hurtful and hurt-filled jabs and digs. That they both appear to be equally upset with each other is a head scratcher at first. To me, it was clear who was at fault for their unceremonious breakup—who the villain of the piece was.

“What’s in Wilmington?” he asks, after a few more tense moments of silence. “Another boyfriend?”
“Yes, another boyfriend,” I reply snidely. “Didn’t I mention it? I have four.”

He changes lanes. “Hard to juggle?”

“Not at all,” I say sweetly. “See, I just watched the way you attempted to juggle multiple girlfriends and failed, and then did the exact opposite.”

He glances at me then, a mocking smile on his face. “Oh, sweetheart. When did I ever claim you as my girlfriend?”

As you can see, Reece can be cruel when he wants. But as time went on, I began to wonder and second guess myself. What really happened between them? It’s obvious they were both hurt. What’s also clear is that they’re still really hot for each other, their love scenes sizzling, their emotional connection strong. I wondered how they managed to get through those six years without tearing each other’s clothes off.

I would say they’re both stubborn, but more than anything else, they’re human, both possessed with all the flaws, insecurities, jealousies (ex-girlfriends and current boyfriends) and frailties that come with the human condition. And when they first got together, they are so young. Teenagers. Better to make “relationship” mistakes then.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy and Reece’s journey—literally and figuratively. If any two people were meant to be together, these two are. If I had to gripe about anything, the one thing I found a little distracting were the flashbacks. Constant flashbacks have never been a favorite of mine but it’s the fact that they don’t appear in chronological order that had my mind see-sawing a bit. They are sixteen and seventeen in one place, then later on, they are eight and nine. Of course these aren’t deal breakers for me, but it’s the reason I probably didn’t give this one a Top Pick. Regardless, Love Story, like the vast majority of Ms. Layne’s books, come with a highly recommend, one I’d read again in a New York minute.

As for now, I impatiently await her next release Walk of Shame in April. It’s tops on my must-read upcoming releases list.

~ Beverley

Review will also be posted on the blog closer to release date

Love Story is the heart-rending relationship between Lucy and Reese. These two have basically grown up together which you see through a well-written present day vs. flashback style book. You feel their love as it develops between Lucy and Reese even as they both believe they cannot and should not be together until finally they are. And, you, also, feel the pain of betrayal and hurt pride they have and are still suffering.

Their cross country journey is a challenge in itself with the pain they have put each other through in each’s own personal heartbreak. Lucy’s parents have promised Reese the old family vehicle, but then decide to give it to Lucy so the two of them can take it to California. But, first Lucy wants to stop by to visit her current boyfriend in Florida before heading to California. Well, her parents are unaware of the very secretive relationship Lucy and Reese had right before she headed off to college. Her parents do not know that the two of them will not do well on a road trip together. What were her parents thinking? Can they not see that Lucy and Reese no longer even talk to each other? How are they supposed to drive to wine country together?

It is a tumultuous and hot journey with their bickering, wit and love. Ms. Layne places you right there in the car with Lucy and Reese. At times, you want to tell them to just ‘use their words’ as you would a couple of bickering children. Pride is a huge problem in any relationship. These two have their fair share to get in the way.

You will love Love Story! Ms. Layne writes such unique books and I have enjoyed them. Each series brings you right into the office, apartment or vehicle almost as if you are part of the family or one of the friends. So, check out Love Story and enjoy. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this sweet book in exchange for an honest review.