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.