I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

Sometimes you have a satisfying relationship with a man who seems like exactly what you want; other times he dies and you discover that he’s already married with another (inadvertent) mistress on the side.

Oops.

But in this story about female empowerment, the three women form a pact to help each other weed through other possible liars/cheaters/unsuitables, and a true female friendship is born.

Passion on Park Avenue sparkles, but it’s also substantive, with characters who have suffered their share of heartbreaks even if they are all rich and pretty. Layne is a beautiful writer; every sentence falls smoothly, every character is fleshed-out, and as a reader, I had all the faith that she was taking me to a stellar HEA in the specific lovely way that Layne does it.

Each wronged woman’s voice in Passion on Park Avenue packs a punch, and Naomi’s is my favorite. She’s a one-liner champ, usually aimed toward the man who wronged them all. She’s sophisticated and determined, wry and intimidating, and also, far underneath, scared. She’s been carrying a lot of baggage, and part of it involves our hero, Oliver, who used to torment her as a child, and part of it involves Oliver's dad, who was awful.

​But you can’t keep a boss heroine down, especially this one, who is unapologetically ambitious and determined (even if she can’t manage to make herself reveal her real identity to Oliver). This becomes even more of a pickle after she deliberately pursues an apartment in their building under Oliver's misapprehension...

The secret identity trope is kind of a hard one for an over-sharer like myself. When I read books like this and the character thinks how they should tell the truth but…, I think: TELL IT ALREADY. It’s well done here—Layne makes it really clear why Naomi has such a hard time with it and why the past still has a stranglehold on her, the break-up will rip your heart out, and the reconciliation, which involves a literary allusion that always makes me beam, will piece it back together.

And speaking of piecing things together *wink* there are no explicit sex scenes in this book. This is not really a spoiler because Layne has shared this on her Instagram account. Is the book still really good? Yes. Is it still sexy? Yes. Did I miss the scenes? Yes.

What’s even better than finishing a book that grabs you by the heart? Knowing that there are at least two more coming. *Raises a mug of champagne in toast.

Q: what's your celebratory drink of choice? Mine is champagne.

(4.5 stars)

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne is the 1st book in her new Central Park Pact series. We meet our heroine, Naomi Powell, as she attends the funeral of her now deceased boyfriend. What Naomi finds is that her ex was married, something she did not know. When she decides to leave the funeral parlor, she ends up in a park and meets two other women; one the wife and the other a mistress. From that point on, the three ladies will become friends, to help each from making another grave mistake in choosing another ‘bad boy’, and to be there for each other. I really did enjoy the concept of the three women who actually got past the cheating husband/boyfriend, and turned out to be fabulous friends supporting each other.

Naomi, who is now a very successful entrepreneur, plans on moving to a new fashionable condo, but is offered a different and older condo that has a past that she cannot forget. Seems Naomi’s mom was a housekeeper for the Cunningham’s a number of years ago, and when it is discovered that she was sleeping with the patriarch, the mother was let go. They had to struggle for a number of years, and Naomi has never forgotten. When she decides to move to the Park Avenue condo, she meets her childhood nemesis, Oliver Cunningham (our hero) and the Cunningham father, who now has Alzheimer’s.

Oliver and Naomi get off the wrong foot, as she keeps her secret who she really is, and he cannot understand why she hates him so much.

Naomi’s coldness to Oliver and his father will slowly evaporate, as she begins to have sympathy for the father, who remembers nothing of when her mother was kicked out. I did like Naomi, who as a tough, smart and savvy business woman who was determined to rise above the poverty they suffered during her childhood; however, at times I thought she was a bit hard on Oliver, but that changed. I loved her friendship with Claire and Audrey, which was a lot of fun and their camaraderie. I really did like Oliver, as he was someone who was her equal in being smart and savvy, not to mention sexy. Slowly Naomi’s walls come crumbling down, as she realizes she is falling hard for Oliver, as he is not the 10 year old boy who tormented her. The sins of the father no longer mattered, especially with his mind gone.

What follows is a slow built enemy to lover’s romance, that will have some hardships along the way. What will Oliver do when he finds out who Naomi really is? The story was very well written by Lauren Layne, as she also created some wonderful characters, which makes me want to see more of the other ladies in the future books; which I hear will be Claire’s book. Passion on Park Avenue was a fun story, with lots of charisma. I suggest you start this series.

I’ve read a few books by Lauren Layne, but I have to admit, the gorgeous cover immediately sold me on trying this one. Passion on Park Avenue is the story of Naomi and Oliver, but it sets the stage for the entire Central Park Pact series and it’s a solid introduction to the characters and future storylines.

Naomi is a strong, successful businesswoman who comes from humble beginnings. One of her goals in life has been to prove to herself and everyone else that she belongs in the crowd of movers and shakers. After her mother passes away, Naomi finds out that her name has been selected for an apartment in the building where she spent time as a child. The time she spent there was not pleasant and ended abruptly, sending her mother scrambling for a new job and a new place for them to live.

Unbeknownst to Oliver, he shares a past with the vivacious and snarky woman sitting across from him as he interviews her for the potential apartment. He may not recognize her, but she knows exactly who he is—and she has something to prove. They forge an interesting relationship after that first meeting, mostly consisting of Oliver being adorable and Naomi being prickly. Once she starts to get to really know who Oliver has become as an adult and sees what his life is like now, she finally lets her guard down.

I thought that the idea behind the ‘pact’ of the three women made for an intriguing start to the story, but I liked that the situation also serves as the foundation of a lifelong friendship between the ladies. There are times where Naomi is hardheaded and not easy to like, but her friends are more levelheaded and help to bring her back to her senses. I had a hard time connecting with her, however, Oliver makes for a swoony hero and I really enjoyed the chapters from his perspective. Overall, I enjoyed the first book of the series and I am looking forward to the next book!

This was a cute book to read. I enjoyed the back and forth between the two main characters. I hope the author continues writing about the other friends.

This book was unlike any other by Lauren Layne that I have ever read. At first I was really unsure if I would like it. The beginning with three women befriending each other after they discover that they have all been done wrong by the same man,the day of the funeral of that man, did not seem like an illustrious start to me. Then Naomi's thought process when she moved into her Park Avenue apartment seemed flimsy at best, However something kept me turning me the pages and that something was Oliver. He easily elevated this book from a three star read to a four star one. I loved everything about him, Other aspects of the book grew on me, especially the friendship between Naomi, Clare, and Audrey and I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

It has been a while since I have read a Lauren Layne book ,so why not dive back in with Passion On Park Avenue.

This did start off in an unusual way, and you will need to suspend your sense of belief right from the start, as there is no way that things would really go the way they did.

I did like the friendships that Naomi made at the beginning of the book, and was curious as to how they maintained throughout the story.

Oliver was wonderful - though I am not sure I would put up with the way Naomi was with him for as long as he did.

I wanted to shake some sense into Naomi on more than one occasion, and did the epic eye roll at her at times - I mean, really lady, really? I think if it was not for her friends and their influence on her, I could have really not liked her at all.

But this could all just be me.

I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes these friendships and relationships i the future.

Who doesn’t love New York in spring!? This was the perfect place for the perfect romance. This book was funny and believable and enchanting all at once. The characters were all likable and made me want to book the next ticket to New York!

PASSION ON PARK AVENUE is the perfect New York City Rom-Com. Naomi Powell is a quintessential badass, who has her own business, a lovely apartment, and the will to prove her worth among the Upper East Side, especially to her childhood nemesis, Oliver Cunningham. Lauren Layne brings the sassy banter, undeniable chemistry, and power of friendship to a whole new level in PASSION ON PARK AVENUE. This one is worth cheers-ing over a bottle of Champagne in mugs over and over again.

Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne is the perfect New York City romance. Who doesn't love NYC in the springtime. This book has it all. Cocktails, Central Park, to die for Manhattan apartments, and above all............ Love in the Big Apple. Naomi Powell is the CEO of one of the biggest jewelry companies in the country. With a successful company and the financial freedom she worked so hard for, Naomi now mingles with Manhattan's elite. Despite her success, Naomi's rag to riches tale leaves her feeling insecure in her professional and private life. Her life becomes a bit more complicated when she moves into a new, but very familiar apartment building. Naomi quickly runs into a gentleman (Oliver) in her building that is not only gorgeous, but turns out to be someone from her childhood she deeply despises. How will she deal with their daily interactions and secretive past? With a dilemma on her hands and two new girlfriends (she uniquely meets) to help her navigate the muddy waters, Naomi embarks on a journey of self discovery, friendship and love. Layne's writing is delightful and quite touching to read. Her story has a dash of snark, a sprinkle of wit and a whole lot of NYC charm. Passion on Park Avenue is a romantic comedy filled with lovable characters that you can't get enough of. Buckle up your stilettos and put on your sunglasses........you are about to strut down Park Avenue. Enjoy this easy breezy read.
**This ARC was provided by Gallery Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Passion on Park Avenue is another stellar book by Lauren Layne. It has all the hallmark characteristics of a Lauren Layne work: witty banter, humorous situations, believable and likable characters, and a realistic romance with a happily ever after. Definitely a new favorite series by one of my favorite contemporary romance writers! Can't wait to read the next in the series!

Passion on Park Avenue almost didn’t even feel like reading a book. I felt like watching a movie. It was so easy to get lost in the story that I ended up reading it in a day.

It’s really like those perfectly sweet rom com movies that you watch when you’re sick or need some cheering up.

Layne wrote a truly charming story that stole my heart. The whole idea for the “Central Park Pack” (the name of the series and a very significant scene that I won’t spoil) was completely brilliant and fresh. I can’t say I ever, in a million years, would have put all of those circumstances together but boy oh boy did she make it work, and it worked beautifully.

This was a very character based story and I loved everything about it. Every relationship, whether it was friendship, working relationship or angst ridden romance, felt natural and lovely.

I’ll definitely be picking up Claire’s story later this year!

Truly enjoyed this book. entertaining plot, characters I actually liked, and a satisfying ending. looking forward to reading any future books in this series.

This is my first read by Lauren Layne, and let me just start off by saying she knows how to captivate a reading in the first couple chapters! That unexpected twist of relationships with the characters in the first couple chapters I was totally hooked and was loving every single bit of it!
Naomi's character had started to remind me a little of Jennifer Lopez, even though their looks are total opposites, but because they grew up in the Bronx in NY and grew to be very successful in their careers.
I laughed, cringed, swooned and wanted to slap a few people sometimes but this was a great read. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Chick-Lit, and Contemporary Romance, where their is a boss babe heroine and a swoon worthy hero.

***Received this book in exchange for an honest review***

Ah! I really loved this book and I am super excited for a 2nd one. This is my first novel I have read by Lauren Layne and definitely will not be my last. There were a few times in this novel I wanted to shake Naomi to just open her mouth and let Oliver know her past but I was glad how everything played out. I love how hard she worked in her life to get to where she was and how not only her mother but she was determined for "revenge". This book just shows you how people with such different youths and backgrounds can be destined for each other. I cannot wait for more (hoping we hear more about Naomi's friends too!).

I have been a fan of Lauren Layne for years. Some books are hits, and some are not. This one fell into the middle of the two. There is only one fade-to-black scene. which lowered the impact of the story for me. However, this was a cute setup and I couple I could root for. More review to come later.

Enemies to lovers is not my favorite romance trope but Passion on Park Avenue and The Hating Game are the two exceptions! I so enjoyed this book! It was the first I had read by Lauren Layne and I'm ready for more! I can't wait for this book to come out so I can bug my friends to read it!!!

I sometimes struggle with enemies-to-lovers books, and revenge books are normally not my thing at all - but somehow, despite the fact that this book is both those things, this one really worked for me!

I think it's because Naomi is too kind-hearted to truly be vengeful. It was hard not to love her right away. Her story was unique and interesting and didn't really play out the way I expected to at all. I loved her chemistry with Oliver. I loved that the burn was rather slow and sweet and riddled with banter. It's safe to say that while this IS an enemies-to-lovers/revenge story, it goes fairly light on those two things which allowed me to really enjoy the way their relationship developed.

Passion on Park Avenue is also more than just a romance. At its core, it's a story of sisterhood and the most unlikely of friendships. I wasn't sure what to make of that at first, but I quickly warmed to it and appreciated the depth it gave the story.

In the end, I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to see where it goes from here!

I really loved this book! This is the first book that I've read by this author and I will definitely like to read more. I enjoyed that this story was so focus on the girls' friendship. It looks like this is going to be a series and I can't wait to read the next one. Definitely recommended!

I have loved every book I have read by Lauren Layne, so I was totally excited to read Passion On Park Avenue. It’s the first book in her new series coming out.

I am sad to say this wasn’t a favorite of mine. I felt a little deceived by the blurb of the book. I was expecting this to be a little more like her other books, but to me this was more of a Women’s Lit book then a romance. I felt the romance between Oliver and Naomi kind of took a back seat to the rest of the story.

Now don’t get me wrong, this was an enjoyable read, if you are looking for a women’s fiction book. But it wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. I did find the storyline interesting and enjoyable. It kind of reminded me of the movie The Other Woman with Cameron Diaz and Leslie Mann.

This is a story about 3 women who meet under unusual circumstances. Each of these women find out that they were dating or married to the same man, after he passed away. I loved the friendship these 3 women formed. As the story progresses they make a pact to help each other stay away from men who are not a good choice. I wish the story line would’ve stayed on that track, but there was another storyline when it came to Naomi. This is where the enemies to lovers part of the story comes in. Something happened to Naomi when she was a child and she has never gotten over it. So when the time comes and she has an opportunity to face the people who wronged her, she jumps at it. This is where Oliver comes into the storyline. He is the son of the couple who wronged Naomi as a child and she is out to make him face what happened in the past and to show him she is now just as successful as as him and should be his equal.

This is where the story kind of fell for me. I thought the ‘revenge’ plot lasted to long. The enemies part of the story dragged out until almost the end of the book. Which made believing the connection these two had in the end almost unbelievable. I really didn’t feel the connection for this couple at all. Had this plot line come out a little sooner, I think a bond between Oliver and Naomi could’ve been accepted.

I have to say I liked Oliver’s character throughout the whole book. I thought he was straight forward and sweet. Naomi on the other hand, I really liked for most of the book, but then she became indecisive and started to play some games (in my opinion) that just didn’t fit with her character from the beginning of the story. It’s hard to explain, but I think you’ll understand once you read this book.

I would recommend this book to any reader who likes an enemies to lovers story, but is more focused on the friendships that are made in the story. If you are looking for a book that leans more towards women’s lit and there isn’t a lot of sexy times (only one scene towards the end that is a fade to black scene) then this is one I think you will enjoy.

Even though this book isn’t a favorite of mine, I think many will love this story. I also look forward to the other books in this series. I just hope they aren’t enemies to lovers stories.

Lauren Layne is one of my all time favorite authors. Her witty banter always pulls me in, and Passion on Park Avenue was no exception. I loved the friendship between Naomi, Claire and Audrey, most especially, the unusual way they met. Layne has the perfect mix of humor, snark and sexual tension to keep me turning pages as quick as I can. I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers aspect of this story and the relationship between Naomi and Oliver has a fabulous history . From the first meeting in current time, the tension was strong and the chemistry even stronger. This was not a typical Lauren Layne romance, but I found the change refreshing. The friendship between the three women was as much a part of the story as the relationship between Naomi and Oliver. I loved all the fashion references and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!