This is the story of Laynie and Gideon's romance - they knew each other at college, when he dated Laynie's best friend Priya and now, over 15 years later, they are thrown together again.

I really enjoyed their developing relationship, with a few other story threads thrown in to keep things moving and interesting - elder abuse etc.

The only quibble I had is that, despite the chapter headings including Girl Code Rules, both Laynie and Priya break these so called rules. Not a problem for me, as I don't see the problem in dating a friend's ex more than a decade after their break up.

A good read.

I loved that this was a romance between slightly older MCs than I am used to (mid 30s). I don’t have much to say but the secret Priya had was obvious from the start. I mean, how could Laynie not realise what was Priya hiding?

So yeah, 4 stars because this book could be much shorter if Laynie came clean to Priya since the beginning when she was seeing Gideon so all that fuss was basically for nothing.

But as for the book, writing is good, it’s a short and easy read with great chemistry between characters.

I also missed more details about people in general, how they look etc. I feel like the brother was just a name added in the book but I can’t remember how he looks like. I missed seeing the connection between him and her sister.

Layne needed to be working but she was staring at Gideon roth. Her mouth was watering and she was staring. It was utterly and undeniably wrong for such lustful thoughts as they lead to flirting and flirting lead to …..No, a girl doesn't flirt with or or give into lustful thoughts about her friends ex especially the ex of her best friend. Especially when the ex left her best friends’ her in a pile of rubble and devastation. He walked out He walked out all those years ago . Now he graced the Market Alumni Center for an end- of-year benefit on the campus of texas Tech University -their old Alma Mater. Back when Gideon and Priya - Laynie’s best friend - dated. Although maybe Priya had been first to break the girls’ code when she started dating Gideon in the first place. Laynie was pretty sure Priya had known she had really wanted to go out with Gideon her second year of college . Gideon had held the Most Eligible Bachelor title in gossip circles for like fifteen years running. Laynie wondered whay Priya would say if she saw Gideon now. Laynie wasn’t sure what to think seeing him here. She’d expected to see him in two weeks as he was best man for Melinda and Jared’s wedding. Her heart raced at the sight of him like it always had.She hadn’t seen Gideon in fifteen years. Than she felt someone’s hand on her hip and it was Gideon. He said he’d be there a couple of weeks and asked if they could have dinner with ehr , while he was here. Have a drink- catch up. As much as she wanted to take him up on his offer was off limits.It had been fifteen years since Priya and he had dated but there was no statute of limitation on the girl code. So she told Gideon she didn’t think that would be a good idea. Than he asked if she was seeing someone Laynie said no but brought up the relationship he had with Priya. He mentioned it being so long ago. Gideon gave Melinda a ride to her office so he could see Laynie. He asked her to dinner and told her to say hi to Priya for him and gave her a time he’d pick her up when Melinda came into the room. He pulled Laynie’s hand to go to eat as her stomach had just grumbled and she loved Greek food- how did he remember that after all these years? Gideon had dated Priya for two years. At dinner Gideon told her he had a crush on her in college but it never seemed like the right time to tell her. Outside waiting for an Uber he kissed her and it felt like a dream. One she didn’t want to wake up from. One she feared to wake from. She still had to face Priya when she got home. Laynie never told anyone how much it hurt to see her best friend being adored and lavished by the guy she wanted. It had caused her to grow apart from Priya for those two years they had dated . Laynie knew she was playing with fire. Seeing Gideon again that night. Gideon knew Laynie wasn’t exactly the type to have a two week fling with a man who could never give her more. He wanted to give her everything and had wanted to fifteen years ago. He supposed he was no more in place now to give her everything she deserved than he had been then, not with so much of him tied to Houston now. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t plead his case for what hey could have while he was there. They did go to his hotel room and laynie spent the night and they had sex. But Laynie knew her and Gideon were going nowhere. He life was here and his was in Houston.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy light, romantic read with just enough angst in it. I loved the relationship Priya and Laynie had. I loved Gideon and Laynie and how they interacted together. I liked the pace and the plot a lot. I wish I could rate this 4.5 I didn’t want to put this down. I loved the author brought up elderly abuse as well as Alzheimer's disease. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

Off Limits by Nicole R. Locker is the story of Laynie Duluth and Gideon Roth.
Gideon was involved with Laynie's friend back in college, then broke her friends heart when they broke up. Laynie always had a crush on Gideon but he was off limits because of his relationship with her friend. Of course now he should still be off limits but he is harder to resit especially after their hot encounter. Their story was overall a easy read with not to much drama, enjoyed it and hope to read more from this author.

Great! Would recommend this book and thanks to the author for the preview reading of it. Finished it within 2 days!

This is good story about two best friends and the Girl code. You should never date a guy your best friend dated. But what if you have had a crush for years?

This was a great romantic story about two people who are in a way given a second chance at love. Gideon and Laynie had really good chemistry between them. The story had just the right amount of romance and drama. There were things being withheld and secrets that needed to be told. All in all this entire book was fast paced and a great read. Thanks Net Galley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

Off Limits was my first book by Nicole R. Locker and I really liked it. I really liked Laynie and Gideon. I would really like to read more by this author

4 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog

It's the cardinal rule of the Girl Code: never date a friend's ex.

Off Limits by Nicole A. Locker is one of those stories that you can zip right through and enjoy every minute of it. As this was my first story by Ms. Locker, I am going to be checking out her other stories as well.

Off Limits is a feel-good story that has minimal drama while the growth of the relationship is fast moving because Gideon and Lynie have a history together.

This story jumps from the present to the past where Gideon was dating Laynie's best friend in college, where they all met. Told in dual point of view, we get to read and feel both their situations and inner feelings.

Oh, and the best friend Laynie is so worried about has a secret of her own!!

***ARC received in exchange for an honest review***
1 like

I enjoyed reading Off Limits, it was sweet and sexy but not over the top. Gideon and Laynie are great characters and I'm looking forward to reading more about Priya and Larkin in the next book!

I liked the idea of this book, but I felt it could have been better executed and more fleshed out. Laynie was a tad annoying and spent so much time in her head. I liked Gideon though. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an e-arc in exchange for a fair an honest review, all opinions are my own.
Off Limits was a fun, decent, read. It's a book I'd enjoy during an afternoon on the beach where I'm in the mood for a light, airy read but won't really mind if I got interrupted. It was definitely sexy, and had a good main plot but I feel that it wasn't as in depth or character evolved as I prefer to read. I will say that I am not writing off the author and do plan on reading more of her books so I can develop more of a sense of her writing. All in all, I enjoyed reading it once but wouldn't plan on rereading.

Never having realized that there are sooo many Girl Codes... ;-) Fortunately this book starts every chapter with a Girl Code. And Laynie tries to abide by those rules, ever since her best friend Priya broke the rule about dating the guy your best friend has a crush on. However, Gideon (the guy in question) has left Priya fifteen years ago and went to 'the big city' to become a corporate hotshot.
But now he is back, and although Laynie's crush is still alive, she will not break the Girl Code rules. Ne-uh. Definitely not. Well... maybe a kiss doesn't count as dating your best friend's ex. And maybe ending up in bed with him also doesn't count if you don't date him... The more Laynie is determined to keep Gideon at an arm's length, the more he is determined to show her that he has changed. And that he really, really likes Laynie. Torn between her crushie feelings and her morals, Laynie tries to figure out what to do. Confess to Priya? Don't mention it? But why is Priya trying to evade Laynie all of a sudden? Does she realize what is going on? Or has Priya also broken some Girl Codes??? Find out for yourself in this funny, cute and hilarious read. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Quite a lovely story about a couple getting a second chance at love. At university, Laynie had a big crush on Gideon, but he got together with her best friend Priya. After their break-up it was Laynie who consoled Priya. But now it is years later (15-20) and when Laynie meets Gideon again he pursues her and she is the one with doubts because of 'the Girl Code'.

The story is a rather fast read and cute. Laynie falls hard (again) for Gideon but she is trying to hide her relationship with Gideon for Priya. Another issue in the story is the fact Gideon is a successful lawyer in another town; he had his reasons to leave this town and Priya in the past. Will he choose Laynie?

The whole 'Girl Code' thing was understandable, but the time passed made it work. Besides, Priya knew what Laynie was feeling for Gideon when she snagged him so in my eyes Priya broke the girl code first. Plus Priya has a secret of her own and her story will be next in line.

This was a fast-paced, easy-to-read book.
The story was cute, not as drama-filled as I thought, but it still had a few serious pieces and it had this tenderness that kept me wanting to read it until the end.
We all need a Gideon in our lives!
I loved how Laynie was hiding her secret from Priya and then Priya was hiding her secret from Laynie.
If you want to know what the secret is, you need to read the book.

I enjoyed this book as a quick and easy read that doesn’t take much concentration. It’s easy to follow and the characters are easy to track. The quotes that feature at the beginning of each chapter were a favourite of mine and I have stored some ready to share later. I definitely agree with the ending of the girl code - if your friend is happy, you are happy for them! Perfect ending!

This book was freaking amazing!! Read it in a couple of hours. I grew up in Texas and almost went to Tech, so it brought back a lot of good memories. Loved the fact the author brought in fireflies, big red drink. Things I don’t hear anymore. The story itself, held my attention. I’m so glad that Gideon and Laynie were able to get past the girl code and officially become a couple!! Wish the story had been longer.

A short and fast paced read.

Laynie had a thing for Gideon years ago, but then he dated her best friend for 2 years. Now he is back in town and chasing after her, so does she go against the girl-code and date her friends ex?

Totally not my usual type but I did enjoy it - but was missing the wow. It was well paced, structured with an interesting storyline. Will feature on my bookedupgirl blog in the coming weeks!

Gideon is quite the cocky man, “you’ll see me again,” he answered with a self-assured smile. “I’ll make sure of it.” Laynie doesn't understand why her man chooses to have selective hearing, "her hands fisted his shirt. “Seriously? That’s all you have to say from that?” I liked this book, I fell in love with Gideon.