3.5 Stars

Not my favorite from Lauren Layne, but enjoyable all the same! This is a new series for this well known author who always gifts us with strong heroines, endearing casts of characters, and hot heroes. This book didn’t fail in that category.

A group of three women, this book introduces us to them- all three cheated on by the same man at the same time, a bond of hurt and friendship blooms from the rubble.

The book features Naomi Campbell, a woman who grew up in the Bronx with a single, poor mother and clawed her way to the top. Now the CEO of her own company, she has the chance to exact revenge on the family, her mom’s ex-employer, who threw them out on the street. When an apartment opens up on Fifth Avenue, the very spot they lived and were thrown out so heartlessly, she can’t help but move in and show them just what she’s made of. She just didn’t realize how much all the players changed over the years. Is the revenge worth it at this point?

This book is super cute but very tame for Lauren Layne standards. If you’re looking for a sexy read, this leans more on huge anticipation within an enemies to lovers trope. I didn’t expect to wait so long! She didn’t make this easy on our heroine and hero but alas, ‘‘tis life!

I’ll read anything from this author and I look forward to the next book in this series!

I really enjoyed this book, which was my first Lauren Layne novel. I was about 20% of the way into the book before I really got hooked, but once the story got me I didn’t want to put it down. The beginning was a little far-fetched for me in terms of how the three women became friends, but stranger things have happened. I did forget that this is the first book in a new series so by the end I was wondering what was the purpose of those friendships and how they met in the grand scheme of the love story central to the novel. Having remembered that this is just the first book in a series it now makes sense and I’m really looking forward to exploring Claire and Audrey’s stories in the future. Although the book was a bit of a slow start for me, I soon got hooked on Oliver and Naomi’s burgeoning relationship. I was rooting for them. I thought Oliver’s reaction to finding out who Naomi is was a little bit intense especially in light of what she went through because of him and his dad, but Naomi had some annoying pettiness in her too. I loved how their characters developed and how their stories ended. By the end of the book I felt like all was right with the world. Quite a cute, fun love story with some depth to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more Gallery Books in the future!

I really enjoyed this novel. Naomi is like the sassy, red-headed "B" who is actually really great. She has gone from rags to riches and now has the opportunity to get even with her tormentors from her past. But she quickly learns that a lot can happen to even her enemies in twenty years and getting even isn't as black and white as it once seemed.
Lauren Layne has a special way of making the unlikeable, loveable and the unlikeliest of friendships come amidst a horrible tragedy. She uses charm and humor to make her characters face their demons and deal with reality.

Thank you Net Galley for my ARC. I really enjoyed the 1st book in this new series.

Three women become unlikely friends and make a pact about dating. Naomi Powell has developed a successful jewelry empire but still does not feel part of the Upper East Side elite. A move to a new apartment has her face a time in her life that she still has come to terms with and a person from her past she hasn't forgiven. A charming, fun read with romance and some girl power along the way. I definitely will be watching for the next book in this series!

Naomi and Oliver have history. Old money, no money history. Fast forward in their late 20's early 30s.....

Naomi is self made, hard working, with a chip on her shoulder about the fancy old money type crowd.

The book opens up and that alone will pull you in. I was like "Whaaaaaaat the Whaaattt?"

But it introduces us to some good characters for future books, and I am definitely looking forward to it. Okay to back to Oliver and Naomi.

Naomi is brought back to the place she resents, back to Fifth Avenue, where she comes face to face with Oliver Cunningham. The little troublemaker from her past. Although Oliver does not recognize her, he is intrigued by her. There is more he wants to know, but the woman is just giving him whiplash.

I loved the "carrots" reference, it was one of my favorites growing up and the fact that it was referenced, its a big plus in my book! While it was frustrating seeing her still stuck in the memory of why she hated being in that building, I enjoyed their story, I am looking forward to reading the other gals story!

Lauren Layne has created a new series that epitomizes her well crafted style of distinctive and memorable characters, who have unique and relatable personalities. Ms Layne is well know for the wit and intelligence of her dialogs...but not more so than her brand of romance that is unmatched by other authors of the same genre.

The trademark of her characters are that they’re captivating, their stories fresh and relevant...creating an emotional attachment early on in her stories keeps the the pages turning as the characters evolve, pulling you further into their sphere.

At the center of this story is the heartbreak of a little girl, Naomi, that grows into the need for a sense of closure for the woman she becomes. How Naomi goes about doing so may appear unorthodox, yet it puts her into the position of closing the chapter of a part of her childhood poisoned by her mother’s anger and vindictiveness. Her childhood nemesis, Oliver, is nothing of what she expects when she encounters him again...thus begins the turmoil of conflicting and confusing emotions...intertwined with witty and snarky banter...and an off the charts palpable chemistry that ignites an unforgettable passion between Naomi and Oliver.

I am now anxiously awaiting Audrey and Claire’s stories as the series continues.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Lauren Layne does witty, fun stories. Passion on Park Avenue is one of her best and a not to be missed treat. The characters are charming and the story of female friendship is probably one of my favorite parts.

Passion on Park Avenue is a fun read. Three women meet in a very strange way. They become friends and decide to help each other with the dating scene. Naomi and Oliver are adorable characters. They are likeable and dynamic together. The story is engaging and well written. It's a great romcom read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin? This book is EVERYTHING that I love about Lauren Layne. Witty dialogue. Fiesty heroines. Sexy heros. But a love story that makes you feel everything and believe in love. Passion on Park Avenue is a soulful story with a friendship bond formed through a difficult situation. Which, I loved how the girls handled it. I expected a catty fight but instead there was friendship. A 2019 top favorite of mine and the year has just begun. I can't wait to read the rest of this series and more from LL. Keep 'em coming!

Lauren Layne does it again. She knows how to write good friendships and romance.

I am excited to read this series. I love how this friendship came about unexpectedly but that they have each other’s back. I love the hints about the love interest.

This is a bit of hate to lovers romance. This was slow burn romance they didn’t kiss until 70% of the book and it was ok. I love how they built a friendship before becoming romantic entangled.

Thank you for letting me read and review this book.

A more in depth review will be posted on What to Read Next Blog on publication date.

Interesting story line made me not want to put down. Loved the characters. Would love to see books on the other characters. Will recommend for sure !

2 stars
I usually LOVEEEEEEE all of Lauren Layne's books. This one was too pretentious for me. From the plot to the LOUBOUTIN's, it was all blah to me. I couldn't care about people who I didn't really like. That is my biggest problem. I just didn't like any of the characters.

This was a super-cute read! An entertaining, feel-good rags to riches story. Naomi was a super likeable main character, and her chemistry with Oliver was HOT. I would definitely recommend this one - an awesome chick-lit/romance story.

The Central Park Pact

I have loved all of Lauren Layne books…The Stiletto Series, The Oxford Series, I Do, I Don’t Series… and this first book of her new series, The Central Park Pact, is in league with those great reads.

Naomi, Claire, and Audrey meet in Central Park and make a pact to help each other weed out the undesirables in the NYC dating scene. The circumstances of how they meet and what they have in common is quite original. It is surprising to me that this “meet” idea hasn’t been used before, but leave it to Lauren Layne to find this new twist.

Naomi and Oliver’s story had all the great story element. The characters have a history. There was revenge and forgiveness. Smoldering desire and heart. Witty dialog and thoughtful contemplation.

Another original element to this story, other than how the three friends meet, was Oliver’s family situation. We don’t often see a young man in his very early thirties dealing with the repercussion of an ailing parent. The sacrifices to Oliver’s social life and his loneliness make for a compelling character not often seen in contemporary romances.

Cannot wait for the next book in the series. Whether it is Claire or Audrey, it will be an enjoyable and compelling book to read.
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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

When Passion on Park Avenue opens, Naomi is on the way to her boyfriend's funeral when she accidentally meets up with his other girlfriend...and his wife. So when an opportunity to move into the building where her mother once worked as a maid arises, she is ready for revenge best served cold and with a Park Avenue address and the side. Of course, nothing goes quite as planned when Naomi comes face to face with her childhood nemesis who is now a handsome 30 thirty-year-old who is caring for his ailing father.

We are fans of Lauren Layne here at That's Normal, but this is some of her best work.

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne

One thing I can always count on when reading a Lauren Layne book is smart, clever storytelling and well defined characters. Passion on Park Avenue had all of that and more.

This book is part revenge, part sisterhood, part compassion, and part passion. There were many facets to the lives of these characters and I loved how multidimensional they were. Naomi and Oliver have a history, but too bad Oliver doesn't remember it when he comes face to face with Naomi for the first time after his lie of omission ruined both hers and her mother's life. In his defense, there is a spark of familiarity, but not enough to figure it out. And Naomi isn't giving it up.

Layne always gives us confident, capable woman and all that oozes from Naomi. Growing up poor in the Bronx, Naomi is now a self-made billionaire. That'll show Oliver and his condescending father. Oliver was a bratty, snot nosed kid, but just like Naomi, he's changed his ways, and wants to be that person for Naomi...if only he can figure out why she hates him so much.

The unexpected friendship between Naomi, Claire, and Audrey was a shining example of female empowerment. I can't wait for more of their relationship in the next two books.

This was a charming and enjoyable read and I'm really looking forward to more from this series.

3.5 STARS

I am a big fan of Lauren Layne books. I think my favorite is Crushed. I also enjoyed the Stiletto and Oxford series.

This unfortunately left me flat. I thought it took way too long for Oliver to figure it out who Naomi was. His behavior when he found out was spoiled. His family mistreated her. Yet she showed by action that she wasn't in it for revenge. Otherwise why would she take care of his father the way she did. Not to mention what his father did even knowing it wasn't his fault really.

I did like the friendship between the women. I'm interested in their stories. I hope it is better than this.

Oliver got off too easy in my opinion. It was also really hard to suspend my disbelief he wouldn't remember another Naomi with red hair that he fought with.

Passion on Park Avenue is the perfect start to a brand new series by Lauren Layne! First and foremost, I think the cover for this novel is amazing. I hope Lauren has the rest of the covers in the series illustrated like this one. It's cute, inviting, and truly gorgeous! The stuff inside the book is just as great! I loved this snarky little romance and was rooting for the characters the whole way thorough. I can't wait for the next installment!

This was a fun romance that started sad and was sometimes frustrating, but I very much enjoyed. This is the first I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last. Her writing style is fun and just flows along. The characters are all so well written that you can relate to them all and feel like your own friends.

It was my first time reading anything from author Lauren Layne and it will not be my last. I loved this book! I hate to admit this, but I took a 3 hour lunch break today to finish reading it (hopefully my boss doesn’t see this!) The characters are lovable and I wish I could be friends with Naomi in real life.