Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne. Claire, 35, is trying to move on after the death of her husband, who turned out to have a girlfriend and a mistress on the side. She has thrown everything in to plans to renovate her Upper East Side brownstone. She is determined to turn her life from “vanilla” into “strawberry lemonade”. What she didn’t bargain for is falling for her contractor. A light romance read. The storyline was predictable. The characters were fairly surface level, but it was a sweet little read nonetheless. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone book easily.

Scott isn't as dumb as most people think he is, “I didn’t say we were. I said I was.” Recognizing a pointless argument when he saw one, he changed the subject... " Scott doesn't mince words, “sure,” he granted. “But relationship *** is different from *** for ***’s sake.” I liked thia book, I loved Scott.

Claire never wants another relationship again after she found out her deceased husband was cheating on her with several women and she had no idea. Two of those women become her best friends and their relationship is one of the high points of the book. When Claire decides she wants to redo her home, her friends recommend Scott. He doesn’t want any type of long term relationship except with his dog. Claire needs some help building up her confidence in trying to attract men so Scott plays her wingman. I loved the relationship that develops between Scott and Claire. The ending is epic and true Lauren Layne!

What do three women have in common? Oh yeah, that's right they were all involved with the same man. Claire was married to the lying cheating A-hole while the other two were just his mistresses until his untimely death. The bond these three woman share is one that would wish for from childhood besties. You see the plot unfolding before your eyes thinking you know how this is going to play out and true to form it happens but with a little twist here and there. Also sets up for one helluva a trilogy. Light breezy beach read!

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Claire Hayes is a widow who has found two new friends. She met them at her husband's funeral, only to learn that Naomi Powell and Audrey Tate were involved with him at the same time she was married. The three form a pact and develop quite a close bond.

Claire wants a fresh start on life. She decides to rid her apartment by getting rid of anything that would remind her of her husband. She also decides to redesign her home and hires contractor Scott Turner. Scott is quite an accomplished builder and this job is merely a distraction from the overwhelming corporate work that he usually does.

Claire and Scott knock heads in the beginning. He finds her a bit pampered and spoiled and she finds him a bit gruff. However, they share a mutual attraction that soon begins to change both perspectives. With their shared chemistry they quickly realize that despite their pasts they actually have a chance at more than just a physical bond. Instead, their hearts become full in a wonderful way.

It was quite enjoyable to see Claire rise from past hurts to find love and fulfillment. After what she went through she clearly needed something far more than she ever imagined. I loved watching Claire and Scott go past being friends and their business dealings to opening themselves to the opportunity for a future together. Lauren Layne hit the mark again with this book.

As I truly enjoyed the first book in the series, I was eager to read this one. Each story, however, does well as standalones. But the pact is unique so reading the books in order might produce a better reading experience. The first book in the series was Passion on Park Avenue, and the final book is Marriage on Madison Avenue, due for publication in January.

Many thanks to Gallery and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

LOVE ON LEXINGTON is another 5 star++++ book from one of my favorite 1-click authors, Lauren Layne.

A year ago, socialite Claire discovered her husband had been cheating on her with 2 other women on the day of his funeral. These three women formed a tight bond, determined to never let themselves be taken in by or used by men again.

Claire want to change her vanilla life, so she decides to rehab her upper east side house and Contractor Scott comes into her life on a friend’s recommendation. The house starts to look better and Clair and Scott form an unusual friendship where he gives her advice on how to change her life even more.

I hate spoilers and there are a few in this book that I really want the reader to discover by themselves ( cuz they’re fab!) so I’ll leave the narrative there. Suffice it to say, this book is filled with usual and thought provoking Layne witty banter and relationship angst. To be able to take three women who were burned by the same man - a wife, a mistress, a girlfriend – and have them actually become friends and bond is an amazing feat. Think about it: could you be friends with your dead husband’s ladies? Layne makes their relationship so believable and so enviable!

She just keeps getting better with each book.
Wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Thanks to NEtgalley for a sneak peak. Get this book when it releases, kids. Get all of Lauren Layne’s books! You’ll never be disappointed.

Layne’s romances are always enjoyable, and I liked this one because both Claire and Scott’s personalities felt a little different than her typical characters. The home reno was fun, but otherwise it felt a little short on plot. The romance can carry it, but when I thought about it, I couldn’t really say what else happens in the story. Also, I found myself having a hard time with a heroine who had no job or responsibilities or volunteering or anything. I was relived she got around to trying to start up a side job, but it still kind of niggled at me that she’s just spent the past few years basically just being rich and not much else. I appreciated seeing her face moving on from Brayden. Overall, this is a sweet read that’s light on plot but has a satisfying romance.

Such a cute love story! If you like to follow a woman on the journey through her comeback, this is the book for you. Despite the ups and downs and her husband's death, Claire is determined to move forward in her life, but not in love.

Once again Ms Layne captured my attention from page one, and transported me directly into her story...which is filled with delightful banter, intelligence, wit, and sexy charm. Her characters come to life under her masterful storytelling hand...I was captivated with Scott and Claire...their chemistry was soft, yet jumped off the page. Claire’s quiet strength was paramount in creating the link for which I was able to relate to her devastation. Scott was the alpha who blindsided me with his vulnerability. And then there’s Bob...the author breathed life into a two dimensional character, a dog nonetheless, giving her aliveness in my mind’s eye.

I’m on tenterhooks waiting to see what Ms Layne has in store for Audrey and Clarke.

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

Light and fluffy and exactly what I was craving . Live Claire and Scott’s story and eagerly await Audrey and Clark’s . This book was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

YES! YES! YES! My customers enjoyed book one. Can not wait to continue selling this series. Look forward to the next book. As a girl who loves New York I can't get enough of this series.

Book Two of this series and I am still not disappointed! While I read Passion on Park Avenue I did wonder why Claire and Audrey weren’t as present throughout the story as I imagined, Love on Lexington Avenue was very heavy on the Claire and Audrey interactions. This story centers around Claire, the former wife of the now dead cheater that brought the three women together. The story was still comical in its situations, it was also very easy to follow. Claire and Scott are probably the couple that had the most individual obstacles. Their banter and initial friendship was totally adorable and left you anticipating more!

Love on Lexington Avenue was an enjoyable enough read; I liked Claire and Scott's dynamic. They're both not what each other was expecting, which led to some banter. I also liked that Layne made it a point that, while Claire is getting over Brayden, she is primarily remaking herself. Despite how this series began, it's not all about the cheating ex-husband.

I thought the romance was a little too fast towards the end, and honestly a lot of their interactions lacked something to me. I liked it enough to finish it, but I was kind of skimming towards the end.

I can't wait for the third book though! The bright side of this book was seeing more of Audrey and Clarke.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure when it started because I was reading this as a stand alone and the premise of three women who had all been wronged by the same man seemed a little icky to me. But I trust Lauren and she did pull through. I wish there had been a bit more interaction between the main characters but they were both so well developed and you could learn so much about them from their interactions with their friends that I still loved each of them. Great book!

I enjoyed this, a lot. A fast paced read where a house renovation is one of the characters. That always appeals to me, when a building is part of the story.

I liked that these were flawed people, just trying to get through life without hurting anyone, or themselves. Great friendships, chemistry, storytelling.

This was a cute fun read. The book begins with Claire’s husband’s funeral and what she has in common with 2 other women.
Throughout the book Claire puts herself out there.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This was exactly what I needed in my life right now- an easy read that has a good romance, some chick friend moments, and just light hearted good writing. You could read this as a stand alone but having read the first one helped know the characters and give it that extra touch. Love her writing, never disappoints. Can’t wait for Audrey’s story to unfold next!

Thank you NetGalley & Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this book.
Love on Lexington Avenue is a cute story, and I really enjoyed it. Quick read, great for summer. I would recommend it!

If you love romantic comedies, will they/won't they couples, and a New York City backdrop, this is the story for you! I really enjoyed Lauren Layne's Love on Lexington Avenue. It was a quick read, and totally delectable-- perfect for a relaxing day at the beach. Plus, the female friendship component is sweet and enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity!

Lauren Layne has another 5-star read on her hands. Love on Lexington Avenue was even better than the first book in the Central Park Pact series. I laughed, cried, and squealed at the chemistry between a bitter widow and a rough around the edges contractor!

Claire Hayes had given up on love. She was burned by the man she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. She made a pact with 2 of her husband's mistresses. They would never let each other fall in love with a man who was a lie and a cheat.

Claire meets her new contractor, Scott, and things start to get interesting. He is arrogant, sexy, and has a dinosaur of a dog named Bob. The dynamic of their friendship is perfection. Scott was also burned by his previous fiancee and doesn't want a relationship...EVER. One night stands are normal for him. He is a commitment-phobe and never stays in one place for too long. Claire seeks Scott's assistance in becoming her wingman. She wants to find a man that she actually likes for a one night stand. She wants to get her groove back and picks up some good flirting/confidence skills from Scott.

Of course, their relationship begins to feel strained as feelings become involved. Claire has been told not to fall for Scott, but he makes her feel happy. And she hasn't felt this way in a very long time.

Does he feel the same way? Is he capable of loving someone again?

So many questions that can only be answered by reading this delectable book.

Love on Lexington Avenue is a must read! I am so lucky to have read an early copy. I was so excited to read it after book 1 and so glad I did!

I give Love on Lexington Avenue 5 stars. It was an addicting contemporary romance with an awesome heroine in Claire Hayes. It reminds me that we are all capable of love even when we have been burned by a relationship. This book is for every person who has been through a rough breakup and has come out on top!