Hot Asset (21 Wall Street -Book One) by Lauren Layne
Solid FIVE Star Read
Best Read of 2018

Ian Bradley WOW! Just wow. I LOVED him. I pretty much highlighted the WHOLE first chapter because of him. He's funny, smart, arrogant, and a bit of a manwhore, BUT such a nice guy too - well to those close to him.
The story kicks off with him describing his "douchebag" ways - he's a 32-year-old investment broker for Wolfe Investments. Growing up he was bounced around the foster system, he is very driven and has worked hard to get where he is within the company. Life is good for Ian, he's a total badass at the job he loves, cushy corner office, seven-figure salary, swanky Manhattan apartment, great friends, never without female companionship - like I said, life is good for Ian.
Until her.
Lara McKenzie The girl who will bring him to his knees.

I laugh, more intrigued than ever by her sharp tongue. "Who are you?"
"Someone you're going to regret asking to drinks," she says with a small I've got a secret smile. - Ian

This story was a solid five star read for me and has been added to my shelf of Best Reads of 2018. This story has so much to offer a reader:
The humour - I laughed A LOT, the dialogue between all characters was great.
The interactions between main and supporting characters - I'm very excited to see how Matt and Kennedy's stories play out.
The story flowed nicely - it didn't have any real "stalling" points where you might get bored.
Character development - I liked noticing the way the hero and heroine matured and sorted out their priorities by the end. It's nice to actually see how their way of thinking has changed from the first page to the last.
At last, we can't forget the hot steamy sex scenes that will make you swoon.
I honestly loved it and highly recommend it to anyone. This was a new-to-me author and after I was done this book, I went and downloaded a sample of EVERY book this author has ever written - I am a new fan of Lauren Layne.
I cannot wait until the next installment of the 21 Wall Street series, Matt & Sabrina's story - Hard Sell - I've already pre-ordered it for September 4, 2018 release!

Lauren Layne manages to do it again. Hot Asset is one of my favorite books of the year by far! The book is about a hot shot investment banker and a rising star at the SEC who is trying to make the leap into the FBI. I don't want to give too many details away but this is a romance between an investigator and the subject of the investigation. The book is wonderfully written and all the characters are lovable. I absolutely adored both Lara and Ian. Lara is a great female character who was dedicated to doing the right thing while also being incredibly ambitious. Ian was also a great character as well. Lauren Layne managed to write a great story without sacrificing the buildup of her characters. I definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I love Lauren Layne. She writes great first person books. I was super excited about this Wall Street series because her last book Runaway Groom was just so good. I enjoyed the characters Lara and Ian. They had a true slow burn romance which was great. I think the real star of this book was the drama that led Lara to Ian. I was in suspense the whole time and was truly shocked on what actually happened. I look forward to reading about the side characters in their next book.

From the start of this, I knew that I would be in for one hell of a ride with these two, strong, independent and stubborn characters. Ian Bradley, the Ivy League educated, investment bank at a large firm, Wolfe Investment in Manhattan New York. Lara McKenzie works for the Securties and Exchange Commision comes from a family of FBI Agents, and just want to follow in their footsteps. She could possibly be Ian’s downfall. Or will she?

Lara is one touch cookie, and I loved her so much! She was feisty and spoke her mind always. She would be on friend I would definitely want in my corner. Ian is the top dogs at the investment firm, bringing in new clients, and sucessfully making start investments. But he is quite the “ladies man” too. They both take their job very seriously, and now Lara has been sent to investigate him, for insider trading of all things. Boy, he was ticked off at that accusation too. Ian might be cocky and comes of strong, but cheating at his job is not in him.

Our story centers around one characters trying to clear their name and the other chasing the “big case” that could make their career. The dual POV’s worked s well in seeing everything from both sides too. The banter between these two has me cracking up, and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I did really enjoy the fact that the blossoming relationship between them was the jumper right in bed kind too. There are of course other characters that I enjoyed, even the so called “villain” of the story was pretty great.

Now, even though I did figure out what was going on with the whole inside trading tip fiasco, it did not take anything away from my enjoyment. It was so easy to get swept up in all the drama of the investigation and these two and their push and pull. This was my CWW pick a while back, so when I got the chance to read it, of course I jumped On it. And after finishing it, it was so worth the wait!

Great characters with some pretty amazing chemistry and a little bit of drama too, what more could I have asked for?! I just adored these two. Fans of contemporary romances with a little bit of a mystery to it too, will devour this one and I can’t wait for the next installment, Hard Sell to come out now too. It’s Matt and Sabrina’s story. Yes please!

This was quite an entertaining office romance. One that was funny and amusing too. I loved the arrogant Ian. It was a quick read that really was engaging. I recomend this story

A fabulous beginning to the new series Wolves of Wall Street .
We begin with Ian . He is a self made man, coming from a foster care upbringing he is hard and abrasive . Making his way as only he knows how with determination , skill, and intelligence. He is cut throat and arrogant but always honest when it comes to money and women. He is surrounded by loyal friends that always have his back ! They are a fabulous cast of characters .
Lara is making her way up in SEC , she investigates white collar criminals and shaddy business practices . When an anonymous tip comes in to the department she is sent to the offices of Wolf industry and on the doorstep of Ian.
Shall we say that these two individuals get off to a rough start and it doesn't get any easier from there.
They soon discover that their is so much more to the real person than either one was expecting . I loved their sexually charged banter , wit, sass and chemistry !! So Good !
It is wrong , Illegal , and down right irresistible. They cannot submit when neither knows what the end will bring!
~~Michele McMullen~

This is not my first Lauren Layne novel and most certainly won't be my last. I immediately fell in love with the 2 main characters (and literally all the side characters). Lara is an SEC agent assigned to investigate Ian, a wall street hot shot. Nailing Ian for insider trading would all but guarantee Lara a position with her dream job in the FBI. Although soon Lara is dreaming of nailing Ian in other manors.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between quick witted Lara and charming Ian. I was captivated all the way through this novel and cannot wait to read more about Ian's hilarious friends.

What an amazing read! I loved it!

I have a hard time finding really good contemporary romance books that appeal to me. It just seems like a lot of them are pretty aggressive on getting the characters into bed, and very little interest in developing their stories. In this book that is not the case. There is chemistry between Lara and Ian. Very good chemistry! But what really had me entertained was their banter. Their quick comebacks. So smart, witty and so many laugh out loud moments.

The supporting characters were just as entertaining, and I cannot wait to for Matt and Sabrina's story!
If you are looking for a smart, sexy, highly engaging romance book, certainly give Hot Asset a try. I am glad that I was able to discover Lauren Layne and can't wait to download more of her books.

Lauren Layne writes an engaging story about hot, sexy guys who work on Wall Street. This fun story immediately drew me in. It has interesting characters, snappy dialogue and there is a lot of banter. This is the first book in the 21 Wall Street series and I can't wait to read more.

Ian has fought hard for everything he has achieved. He is a Wall Street investor and enjoys his luxurious life. He has a great job, good friends and more woman than he can handle. Everything is going well until he learns the SEC is investigating him.

Lara has been assigned to investigate Ian for insider trader. Lara is a workaholic. She doesn’t have time to date, have fun or spend time with friends. When Lara meets Ian, she isn’t impressed with his success or his slick and cocky attitude. Ian is the exact opposite of Lara and not the type of man she is attracted to. After spending time with Ian, Lara starts to question the choices she has made in her in life. Ian makes Lara uncomfortable and makes her feel things she has never felt before.

This is a charming story with great dialogue and complex characters. I liked all of the characters and I especially enjoyed all the banter between Ian and his friends. The secondary characters are fun and entertaining.

The Wall Street hottest man with a seven-figure salary and hot suits Ian Bradley accused of insider trading and he is under investigation of SEC. He isn’t accustomed being in that situation, but the only thing that bothers him is a sexy SEC investigator Lara McKenzie with her sweet and hot eyeglasses.
She is determinate to do her job, and she is extra encouraged because the result of this case will bring her entrance in FBI, her dream job. But something happens, and the things are not going as they planned.
The purpose of writing this story was to write about hot Wall Street suited sexy man, and Lauren did it. She totally did it. I like the whole story which makes me swoon and melted like ice-cream. It’s sexy, hot and very romantic narrative. I take my e-reader everywhere I go and read till I read it whole. The plot is very intriguing and playful all those a chasing, cold-hot game between main characters are push up things to read till the end.
Lara is sweet but strict and dedicated to her work. I like how she manages the entire circumstances and how she works her job, she is the daughter of two FBI agents, but she wants to do it herself.
There is no woman in the world that will not fall for Ian, the hot womaniser in Wall Street in his suit and sexy look he is number one main and male character.
The other characters sound promising Matt and Sabrina, Kennedy and Ian’s assistant (I forgot her name; I know I’m bad with names… Actually I’m terrible). I can hardly wait to read the rest of this series.
The publisher provided the copy. Thank you very much. I appreciate your collaboration.

Hot Asset is the first book in Lauren Layne’s new series set among Wall Street’s elite, and what a promising start it is.

Ian is a successful investment broker who worked hard and now has it all: money, good looks, power, and his pick of women. Lara is an investigator for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Her job is to determine if Ian is guilty of insider training.

Lara is far beyond the stereotypical dogged investigator out to get the hero. She may be ambitious, but she’s not bitter, prudish, or rude, or unfair. Lara’s no shrinking violet, either. She doesn’t melt in a puddle of goo when Ian turns his baby blues on her and hits her with his charm. She’s unimpressed with his looks and his money, and it’s clear that she’s a woman of integrity.

Ian and his two best friends/co-workers are distinctly different from each other and yet equally appealing. They have a wonderful camaraderie between them, and I really enjoyed their ribbing and loyalty. However, to me, it’s the women who are the highlights of this book and a major selling point of the series. All the women are highly intelligent, capable, and formidable—certainly time enough for the cocky millionaires. This bodes well for their upcoming love stories. I’ve already added the next book in the series to my TBR.

Hot Asset is pure entertainment with plenty of sass, wit, and romance.

Lauren Layne is a must read author for me so when offered the chance to review the first book in this series I jumped at the chance. It wasn't quite the 5 star read I found her past books and I can't quite put my finger on why. Though I enjoyed both Lara and Ian's character I didn't fall IN LOVE with either.

The story line was interesting and I did love the supporting characters. I can't wait to read Ian's friends stories. They seem like great guys and I did fall a little in love with both. Ian's assistant is also great and I can't wait to see her get her happily ever after.

Though not an out of the ball park this still looks like a promising new series from an author I absolutely love.

Lauren Layne has become one of my favorite Romance authors and I enjoyed Hot Asset just as much as I expected to.

I thought the insider trading plotline was interesting. I don’t think I’ve read a Romance with that particular angle before so it was something a little fresh, even though the rest of the plot played out very standard Romance. I would’ve liked just a little more information on how Wall Street works and the ins and outs of the SEC, but I did appreciate that there wasn’t information overload with it either.

I liked Lara and Ian as characters and also as a couple. They have a mutual respect for each other and their work ethics. I do wish that it would’ve taken just a little longer for them to fall for each other, though. While Lara didn’t let her feelings get in the way of her investigation, she did willingly put herself in some compromising positions multiple times and it felt a little more silly-schoolgirl than professional investigator. I also really enjoyed Ian’s group of friends. I’m looking forward to their books, especially Kennedy and Kate’s.

Overall, I enjoyed Hot Asset. I liked the setting and the characters and the romance. I thought about giving this 3 or 3.5 stars, just because, while enjoyable, it was a pretty standard, straight-forward romance. However, other than the couple of sex scenes, I don’t really have any other complaints about the book, so I’m bumping it up to 4 stars. I would recommend this to Romance fans, especially fans of Lauren Layne.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

Well, LL did it again. She created another kick-butt group of characters that I just can't get enough off. One of my favorite things about LL is her ability to create a series featuring such different, lovable characters that you can't wait to read. Plus, with the 21 Wall Street, these swoony men wear sexy suits. Right from the start, I loved the banter between Ian and Lara. There was just a little bit of mystery that kept us all on our toes. Just when you think they are going to get their HEA, you remember that someone is still lurking in the shadows of plot twists and intrigue. I just can't get enough of LL and Hot Asset was just another book that went on my favorite list.

The allure of Lauren Layne is that she can tempt a heart while teasing the mind. Hot Asset is assuredly a temptation but Ian and Lara are more than just sensual eye candy. Behind the sharp pressed suits and icy attitude, Lara has a quick mind. She's more than just a pretty face, she's a determined woman with her sights set on her prey. Ian is a distraction she can't afford. He knows how to push her buttons. He's frustrating, sexy and has a few aces of his own. Her aim is to bring him down, but her heart may prove collateral damage in the fall. Hot Asset is a smartly written cat and mouse game of seduction that will keep the surprises coming until the very end.

Hot Asset is what happens if you were to cross the movie “Wolf of Wall Street” with “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days”. A rom-com set in the cutthroat world of Wall Street, the book features straight-arrow, rule following, by-the-book SEC investigator Lara Mackenzie whose newest target is Ian Bradley, the hot shot Wall Street big wig, a charming, gorgeous man-about-town with deep pockets and a hidden heart of gold.

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I disliked the title intensely. I’m not a super big fan of rich, cocky heroes in suits who “talk” to the reader through the book - that particular style of writing tends to annoy me. But LL does her magic when it comes to her series romance, and builds a fun, full world of supporting characters who will all get their star turn in a book of their own (she’s already set up the two couples for the next 2 books). The main characters, who spend the bulk of the book at cross purposes are likable and engaging and sympathetic: you feel for Ian who is a lot of things but not a cheat and is clearly being set up to take the fall for something he didn’t do, and you feel for Lara who is simply trying to do her job and hopefully land her dream job of becoming a FBI agent. If I had one complaint, it would be how LL wrote Lara’s bestie/roomie, a character so unforgettable that I cannot even recall her name right now. Besides forcing Lara to go to a club and wear the outfit she picked out for her, I’m not certain what her purpose was. She seemed like a pointless character and at one point, when Lara was slowly becoming part of Ian’s social circle, it felt like even Lara questioned why said friend existed. Aside from that one little issue, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for Matt and Kennedy’s books.

Ian’s worked hard to get to where he is, partner in a Wall Street finance firm. Especially hard given his start in life. Even though there’s much more to him as a person, he keeps it well hidden, behind fine suits and a playboy attitude. Until he meets Lara. Lara’s always wanted to be in the FBI but for now she’s had to take a job with the SEC. She’s investigating charges against Ian.

If you like a fine suit and characters who have real personality this is the book for you. Ian is more than just a fine suit, but lets just say that you’ll get quality time with his linens. Lara’s no-bullshit all the way. She laughs at his lame lines, and cuts to the chase. She doesn’t want the person he’s pretending to be, it turns out she wants the person he actually is.

So we get a love story full of anticipation and sharp wit as the characters struggle with the obvious no-go situation for their romance while being put into situations where they demand honesty from each other. I’m a fan of Lauren Layne and this book is no exception, another great start in a series that I already want to read more of. (We’re introduced to other characters who are going to get their own books, yippee, because I can already tell that Matt and Sabrina are going to be explosively good).

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of this book did it for me. Why do all guys have to be manwhores and brag about it. So over this already.

I haven't met a Layne character yet that I didn't like, Lara is another favorite. Every one of them has unforgettable personalities and strong friendships. Ian and Lara met under stressful circumstances. They "get" each other and develop feelings quickly but it's not allowed, with great maturity they wait. I found myself enjoying the banter among the couple and Ian's friends. The world of finance and, possible, insider trading is complicated. Yet, Layne made it enjoyable and even added a suspenseful twist. Looking forward to more from Ian's friends Matt and Kennedy, plenty of hints given. I received my copy from Netgalley and wrote this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the premise of the book, a hard-working SEC agent has to investigate a Wall Street suit, but their chemistry complicates matters. I also liked the secondary characters, they were well-defined and added to the story instead of just falling into the background. I wish Ian had been a bit more developed, his personality seemed to be mostly defined by the people around him: insecure boy with his foster dad, womanizer before Lara, but then the opposite after Lara. The characters' interactions and dialogues felt realistic and were fun to read. The reveal fell short for me because it was predictable and the villain's motivations seemed cartoonish. Overall, however, I enjoyed the book and was intrigued by the surrounding characters. I am especially looking forward to Kate and Kennedy's story.