Lauren Layne is one of a handful of authors that can break your heart, while keeping you smiling the whole time. Readers don't have to like every character, but by the end, it's hard not to love them. I Knew You Were Trouble is an ideal example of that. Taylor is a little much at first meeting, but as more is revealed about her, it's easy to understand why. She hides painful insecurities. Nick pushes her, because he sees the beautiful woman behind the abrasive attitude. Another winner.

<B>3.5 Enemies-to-lovers Stars</b>

The newest book in the <I>Oxford series, </i><B>I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE </b>features the infamous <B>Nick Ballentine </b>from Lincoln's book and his love/hate romance with the newer employee, advertising exec. <B>Taylor Carr. </b>

I must admit, enemies to lovers tropes are a draw for me. I love the push and pull of two people that fight their attraction with every ounce of their being. With Taylor and Nick, however, my attachment to their story took a while. I guess I can say I didn't really like Taylor as a person at first. I thought she was not just stand-offish (or an ice princess as Nick calls her) but just not nice. So instead of it being entertaining banter between them, it was more 'Why are you wasting your time with her' thoughts for me. Luckily as the book progressed, her icy attitude warmed and I grew to really like their story. It's not the level of my favorite, Lincoln, but enjoyable nonetheless.

<I>The Oxford series </I>is a spinoff of the <I>Sex, Love and Stiletto series </I>and is chock full of endearing characters, coworkers and friends. I love revisiting the past characters and catching up with their lives as we progress through the books. Each book can be read as a standalone.

<img src="https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1427478435/14274945.png"/>

<I>Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.

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This enemies-to-more story was a quick, enjoyable read. Two characters who were loaded down with baggage and secrets slowly learn that maybe their dislike of each other wasn’t really hate after all. And, in the time it takes for them to figure it out, the reader is treated to some great banter and some juicy drama.

Nick and Taylor work together and, from the very beginning, rub each other the wrong way. Due to a series of unexpected events, they both find themselves single and looking for a roommate. Once they’re living together, they discover that perhaps they like each other more than they thought. It isn’t smooth sailing, however. There are external forces and messy past relationships keeping them apart. I really enjoyed their chemistry and their banter. These two pushed each other relentlessly and, at times, past the breaking point, but, to me, that was in line with their past experiences and with the fact that they spend more than half the story disliking each other. My only wish here is that we could have had one more chapter of happily ever after. I would have loved to bask in their love just a little bit longer. However, there is a prologue that I absolutely loved! Nick is a sexy, swoony hero and Taylor, although she appears tough as nails, is smart and caring. These two bring out the best in each other…and brought a smile to this reader’s face.

This is a nice addition to the Oxford series. Each of these books are different but they have a common thread…great writing and fabulous characters. I can always count on enjoying a Lauren Layne book and this was no exception. Looking forward to whatever she’s going to give us next!

Warning: before you pick up a Lauren Layne book, make sure you have a clear schedule. You won't be able to put it down. I read this in one sitting. I literally couldn't stop. But that's typical Lauren Layne, especially with the Oxford/Stiletto series. I'm so happy it's continued. Taylor and Nick...fireworks. They didn't get off on a good foot and their verbal sparring goes to a whole new level of cruel. Apart, neither of them are cruel people. In fact, they're really good people.
I felt for Taylor. Something about her spoke to me. She was a little misunderstood and emotionally awkward. I have to admit during one part at the end, I cried, and I can't tell you the last time a book made me cry. I just loved her so much and I wanted her to have her happy ending.
And Nick was perfect...except when he wasn't. But I adored him just as much as I did Taylor. He was a bit of a free spirit while a gentleman. It was so much fun watching their relationship bloom. The two of them were a train wreck, but I couldn't stop watching.
And we might get more Oxford!!! I want Brit and Hunter. And Jess. Maybe even that weasel Bradley. Just more, more, more please!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the publisher. Loved it. Lauren did not disappoint with this latest in the Oxford series (albeit on the other side of the house, not our editorial gang). This was so incredibly good; great characters, great dialogue, a really great romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. My only question - why are Penelope and Cole still not married?! LOL will there be a follow up with their wedding??

I Knew You Were Trouble, An Oxford Novel, Lauren Layne

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, Humour

I'm always wary when a book is classed as Humour, too often I find its overdone and forced, but Lauren's books aren't like that, they're perfect for me with lots of humour but of the more subdued type. The sort where words and undercurrents provide the laughs, where its what's left unsaid that is often the part that makes me smile.
Its often clever, subtle snark, not in-your-face, dumbed down comedy.  Its not laugh your head off humour but the gentle sort that makes me smile, feels so satisfying and provides a counterpart to the the emotions floating round the story. 

This one was typical, full of drama and action, people with real issues, hard backgrounds, sad stories, who just knuckle down and get on with life and don't give up, don't turn it into drudge and bitterness, where the humour shows us they can still smile, can still appreciate the lighter side of life. 

I loved Nick back in Lincoln and Daisy's story, and here we get the full-on Nick experience.
Part time Oxford worker, part time fiction writer and part time bartender, he's a busy man and yet still finds time to help others, appreciate his freinds. I felt he and Taylor were just perfect together.
If only they could see that...Taylor is prickly though and something about Nick rubs her the wrong way, she snarks at him and he's reciprocates in a similar vein. Methinks the lady - and the gent - doth protest too much. Its kind of how their freinds feel too. 

Taylor though is about to move to a new apartment with the love of her life...until she finds a note at the flat in place of Bradley. The jerk dumps her by a note on moving day. What a first class burke he was, gone back to his old love. 

Taylor has a sad past, orphaned young, brought up by a career driven aunt and now she's no-one left.
She very focused on her career, knocked hard by Bradley's actions, and feels lost. Lucky she's got her good friends who can see the attraction between her and Nick, and are on hand with some advice! 

Its a fun story, lots going on, great characters that are very believable. You can feel this story, these people could be real, imagine it happening to people you know.
Life is a b itch sometimes, we do get cut back just when it looks like things are going well, and that's where good friends come in. 

I love the whole Oxford crew, Lincoln has a special place in my heart, he and Daisy are my favourite couple, but Nick comes close to Linc, he's such a lovely man, can see under Taylor's act, supports her even when he thinks she hates him.
His actions towards the end were hard to take but I understood how he felt, loved the way that played out, the deep emotions that plot engendered.
Have to mention Twinkle (Twinkie?) I adored her, a great character, fitted the story really well ;-)

Its another great read, and I know it Should be the last...but Lauren, what about Hunter and Brit? I'm sure there's loads of us rooting for them too. 

 
Stars: five, a fabulous story, not quite up to Lincoln and Daisy, but very close. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Enemies to Friends romance

When Nick and Taylor met sparks flew and along with it words. They were at constant loggerheads.
Taylor is stuck with the lease of her apartment after her boyfriend dumps her on moving day and needs a roommate. And the person to help her out is none other than her arch nemesis, Nick Ballantine.
What will happen when two people who hate each other are living together, with attraction on low simmer ? Fireworks for sure.
I knew you were trouble is exactly as you would expect Ms Layne's book to be. It's funny, has heat, and just enough emotions to get you teary eyed and leaves you with a smile. She has incorporated the characters of her previous books so well that it feels like catching up with old friends :). I hope this is not the end of Oxford series especially with the possible something between Brit and Hunter.

Taylor and Nick have sparks from the get-go but they rub each other the wrong way. Both are in different places in relationships and expectations, but end up as roommates. This is a hilarious, well written book that I could not put down. Just when I thought I knew what was coming, Lauren Layne surprised me with an unexpected twist! If you liked the Oxford/Stilleto series, you will love this book!

3 - "You could do better..." Stars.

Lauren Layne and I seem to have had a bit of a falling out so far in 2017. After book three in the Oxford series; Someone Like You being some of the authors best writing I have experienced, everything else I have read since that was released back in December 2016 has been decidedly lackluster.

"Some days I think I’ll figure out just what the hell made you so damn bitchy, but then I remember I don’t give a shit."

I think the main problem is that the author is churning out so many books now, on an almost bi-monthly basis, that quality is being forsaken for quantity. All well, and good if the books you are producing are of the high quality that your loyal readers are used to, but I am not really getting that feeling with the last couple I have read.

Crying made you weak, feelings left you vulnerable, and the only person you could count on was yourself…

Can’t really say I was a fan of Taylor, she came across as an unfeeling, overly defensive shrew for most of the book, and Nick's motivation for being with her didn’t really endear him to me much either. The old frenemy-to-lovers trope is usually one of my favorites, but I just didn’t see these two as a functioning couple for most of the story. The second half hits the predictable slope, and my high point for the whole thing was getting to catch up on past characters from the series.

"Someone will love you… I promise it."

I am in the minority with my feelings on this one, but this is an author who has been on my go-to list for a few years now, and there is very little she has released that I haven’t read and totally enjoyed. Because of that I have high expectations, and so far in 2017, they have in no way been met. I don’t doubt that we will see more from this series/characters in the future, I just hope that the author can get back to the quality story-telling she delivered in the earlier books, and the Stiletto series, when she does.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

The forth installment in the Oxford series is an enemies-to-lovers story about ad executive Taylor Carr pitted against free-lance writer Nick Ballantine. If you remember, Nick was briefly featured in Someone like You as a possible competitor to Lincoln. From the moment he was featured in the previous book, I was hoping Nick would get his own story so I was extremely happy when I learned he would be one half of the relationship duo in this book.

I was equally happy at the direction Taylor and Nick's relationship took. I feel like the fact that they start out at odds with each other allowed the build up of their relationship to be very satisfying and happen with good pacing. It also amps the sexual tension up between them because despite the animosity, there is this undeniable attraction.

Lauren Layne really did well fleshing out Nick and Taylor's characters. Each of their backstories influence the way they both approach relationships. Taylor's experiences in her youth were heartbreaking and make her cautious, yet show her strength because she still makes her own path and forms her own beliefs about family and love despite being taught very differently. Conversely, Nick has always known that he wants a family, but a relationship from his past causes some deep cuts that effect him in ways he doesn't predict until he and Taylor finally start to get serious.

Seeing how far they come from the beginning of the book to the end was quite satisfying. So far, I think this is my favorite of this series. While Lauren Layne says in the Acknowledgements that there's a possibility this is the last one in the series, I really hope we get another book as there's a wonderful set-up of a potential next couple.

This is a great series, you don't necessarily have to read the others in the series to enjoy this, however, I think it only enhances the enjoyment of each book if you come into it knowing where everything came from / started.

This next installment of the Oxford series is another winner! The build to the 2 characters finally realizing the change in their relationship will have you reading every chance you get to get. Lauren Layne continues to develop her characters so that you feel you are there in the moment with them. Her writing flows and her books are just enjoyable. While this is part of a series, you can read it as a stand alone also. The supporting characters add to the story when you know a little more background to the group dynamics.

Another good story by Ms. Layne. Excellent dialogue. Thanks!

Taylor appears to have it all: the perfect boyfriend, the perfect job, and the perfect apartment...until the not-so-perfect boyfriend dumps her in a letter when they should be moving into their new apartment together.

Now in need of a roommate, her co-worker Nick steps in to take the spot. How these two were ever going to survive together was a surprise! The two of them exchanged few words that weren't hostile and overtly cruel. The jabs between the two are more brutal than you'd expect from a LL Oxford couple. It was a bit more gritty, Taylor was icy, and Nick was a bit jerkish. Somehow, LL takes their spark and makes them ignite.

Fans of the Oxford series will enjoy this one -- but you'll just need to get past Nick's behavior at times. For me, it was a bit more real but I can see some being put off by the brashness.

Holy crap, it's hard to imagine anything better than the previous Stiletto/Oxford series getting better. However, Lauren Layne does it with this one of a kind romance that's sure to please any readers who love sassy banter and smoking hot chemistry. Get ready to hold onto your hat because the heat plus funny is going to blow your mind.

Taylor loves her new job and the fact that it comes with multiple flavors of eye candy doesn't hurt. As always, though, her career comes first. Growing up with her aunt Karen had taught her that emotions were useless and only hurt. Being logical and pragmatic was the best course. And no, the smoking hot chemistry between her and her pesky co-worker Nick was just irritation, not awareness. Dislike, not interest.

That didn't stop her from approaching him one night only to get turned down. He was in a relationship? Crazy. So she begins a relationship with the one that common sense tells her is more her type and suddenly he's free.

Is it bad timing or are they really not meant to be?

Luckily fate throws another money wrench into the mix and they're roommates. How are they going to avoid the attraction now?

Funny, sexy and sweet, I really loved these two and their story. Thanks!

I devoured this book it was amazing.
Two unexpected people falling in hate.
In a battle to strength who will win?
Does love really find everyone?
Does anyone really hate babies?
I never want this series to end I hope it doesnt

Another excellent story of Oxford Magazine! I love this crew. Nick is a new one but with great personality. This is a story of growth and personal maturity for both characters. I enjoy reading it a lot.

Wonderfully, funny, enemies to lovers story. Taylor starts a new job at Oxford magazine. There are lots of hot guys working there but one is different than the others. He is good looking but something about him bugs her and they are like oil and water.,
Nick works at the magazine as a fill in, he also is a bartender and writes books. He knows Taylor doesn't like him and she is like ice around him.
She starts dating a colleague and they get an apartment together. On move in day, he leaves her a note saying he just can't move in. She decides to get a roommate to help with rent and Nick takes it.
They start out bumpy but slowly Taylor's walls begin to crumble. She propositions Nick but he say give them one month and then they'll have sex. Taylor doesn't think she can wait that long so she sets out to seduce him.
Nick makes a major mistake and is about to lose Taylor, if he doesn't get his head out of his butt.
I really enjoyed this story. I read it in one day. Sex, frenemies, and good friends who'll stand by you.

*.Taylor glanced sideways at Brit and said in a loud whisper, “Google ‘antidotes for common poisons’ on your phone, just in case.”* my favorite quote.

Ms Layne's brand of heart sighing romance, humor and even at times drama...are the perfect mixture for the attention grabbing story this is. As with all her stories, you're invested from the onset in the characters...Nick and Taylor are no different. The reappearance of characters from the previous books in the series only enhances the enjoyment experienced here.

Nick finally getting his own story is a long wait answered. Everything about his being is counterpoint to Taylor. Their bickering early on created some is the most memorable moments of the story. The snide quips were priceless and done so effortlessly...another trademark found in all this author's stories. That the balance between the growth of Nick and Taylor's story and their HEA was perfectly crafted and one of the most heartwarming parts of the story.

Hopefully the Oxford series had not seen its last story, with more to come can only benefit this reader in the best of ways.

This ARC copy of this book was complimentary and provided by the Publisher and Netgally, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

The fourth book in the Oxford series was fabulous read. True to form, Layne's characters were witty, quick-minded, and relatable. The banter was swift and some of the lines had me laughing out loud. This book can be read as a standalone.

Taylor Carr is a bit emotionally stunted. She grew up with an aunt who refused to allow her emotions to influence anything, and Taylor, during the course of the story, begins to let down her walls. It was gratifying to see her recognize the problem within herself, and I cringed right along with her when Nick would make remarks about her icy demeanor.

I like how the two characters interact when they're at work, and I like them even better when they're roommates. Taylor truly doesn't like Nick in the beginning; I loved that he threw her off balance (and her automatic response was dislike) because it made her transformation that much sweeter, not only for Nick, but for her as well.

I felt that this couple had a true chance at a happily-ever-after forever, and I finished the book with a smile on my face. Four stars.

reviewed by Nancy

Nick and Taylor were oil and water, she's by the book, he's more going with the flow. She works full time in Oxford's print advertising department. He's part time writer, part time bartender. She doesn't like him, he doesn't really like her. But some sexual tension exists between them. They've know each other for a year. An unforeseen event has shoved these two to become roommates. And now the real game begins.

I Knew You Were Trouble is the fourth book in Lauren Layne's Oxford Series, a spinoff of her very popular Stiletto Series (of which I have read all ). You would think after 8 books an avid reader will probably get bored and move on. Think again, because each book will surprise you and amaze you on how this author can come up with unique characters and scenarios set in a familiar world. Nick Ballantine and Taylor Carr were side characters in previous books, of which fans would be familiar but would probably not think that they would end up together. Surprise, Nick and Taylor started way before anyone ever knew and now Ms. Layne has weaved those innocuous interactions in the past into full blown sexual chemistry in this book. If you are a fan, you would love this book. If you haven't read any of the books in the series, then you can still read I Knew You Were Trouble and gobble it up. It's delightful, honest, sexy, full of shenanigans and heartfelt, witty, zany conversations. It's sexy and sweet but most of all it tells readers that love is really for everyone.