Marriage on Madison Ave 💍

Synopsis: “Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will never not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother—announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey.

But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?”

Third times the charm!
Shout out to #tastybookpr for a free copy of this book!
Witty, full of charm, and soaked in humor, this book was the perfect final installment to this series! I lovedddd how fast it ready and it is one of my favorite tropes: marriage of convenience! If you’re looking for a quick fun read this ones for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Every time I read a Lauren Layne’s book I know I’m in for a treat. Marriage on Madison Avenue is a fun, flirty, friends to lovers story that kept a smile on my face. Best friends who decide to fake an engagement for just “a little while” because they always have each other’s back. It should be simple, pretend to be together and then pretend to break up. But being best friends and caring for each other complicates things. What if “the one” was always right before your eyes but you never saw it until

I did not read the prior two books in the series but the author tied everything up very nicely so that I didn’t feel left out. It just makes me want to go back and read the others. Also, the girl friendship in the story started in a unique way and the way that these girls remained tried and true to one another really made me smile and appreciate the friendship among girls who really love and care for one another. Each other girl has found their one....Claire with Scott and Naomi with Oliver, and now it’s Audrey’s turn.

Clarke and Audrey’s journey from friends to lovers is sweet and delightful. I love their relationship as best friends and when more feelings begin to develop between them, you can’t help but root for them. It read very easy and I must admit that I finished in one day. I just wanted that HEA to happen in the worst way and my sleep paid the price but it was so worth it.

I recommend this books for those who love friends to lovers story that have a little bit of drama but lots of playfulness that just makes you smile and forget yourself in a story.

Everything I expected in the series. If you loved the first one then you'll this one. If you're a Lauren Layne fan.


ARC generously provided by Netgalley.

This is a fantastic final book in the Central Park Pact series and I cannot recommend it enough! I absolutely adored this book, which isn’t surprising considering I loved the first two in the series. I felt like I was waiting for Audrey and Clarke’s story since we met them and Lauren Layne did not disappoint

Marriage on Madison Avenue is a sweet confection of a book. I’ve been excited to read Audrey and Clarke’s story ever since I first saw them together in Passion on Park Avenue and Lauren Layne did not disappoint. Marriage on Madison Avenue is the literary equivalent of sunshine and rainbows – it made me incredibly happy while I was reading it and I hated having to look away from the book for even a minute.

Audrey is simply one of the most loveable heroines you’ll ever meet. She may have grown up a pampered Upper East Side princess and her job as an Instagram influencer is not one many take seriously, but she works hard at her job and is so genuinely sweet and charming that you cannot help but love her. Her best friend since childhood, Clarke, has always been there for her and they seriously have the best friendship. I’ve adored their interactions all throughout the Central Park Pact series and I love how they’re always there for each other, no matter what. Clarke may look like a hunk and have a playboy image, but he also works hard at his father’s company and there’s far more to him than others see.

Clarke and Audrey have faked an engagement before to get out of a situation, but this time something’s different. This time the two of them are starting to see what is crystal clear to everyone they know: that Clarke and Audrey are made for each other. They know they love each other and that is never in question throughout the book (another thing I loved), but what they can’t see is that they’re also in love with one another. Both of them are wary of risking their hearts. For Audrey having found out that her boyfriend was married shook her to the core and Clarke has a past of his own that makes him want to guard his heart. A fake relationship with their best friend is easy for both of them. Until new and uncomfortable feelings start to arise. Feelings that make their fake engagement feel all-too-real. How things play out, I won’t reveal. Suffice it to say Ms. Layne takes readers on a wonderful journey in one of the best friends-to-lovers stories I’ve ever read. Everything about Audrey and Clarke’s journey worked for me and I think it’s in part because Ms. Layne make the core love and friendship at the base of the relationship so strong and that strength shines. It’s the little moments Ms. Layne includes throughout the story that just bring everything in Audrey and Clarke’s relationship together. Their slide into love feels fated and though it’s not a smooth path to happily ever after, I was cheering them on every step of the way.

Audrey and Clarke are the heart of Marriage on Madison Avenue but the friendship between Audrey, Claire, and Naomi is vital to the tale as well. Their friendship had had an unusual beginning, but these three strong, independent, very different women are a treat to read about. Their support, rapport, and genuine caring are what makes me love the Central Park Pact series. Though you don’t have to have read Passion on Park Avenue or Love on Lexington Avenue in order to enjoy this book, you’d be missing out on two charming stories of love and friendship. Marriage on Madison Avenue was the perfect ending to a wonderfully entertaining trilogy. It’s bright, endearing, and hits all the right notes.

She saved the best for last!!

Lauren Layne has penned another amazing novel with Marriage on Madison Avenue, her third and final installment from the Central Park Pact series. This book focuses on Audrey Tate, a 29-year-old Instagram influencer. On the day of her boyfriend's funeral, she learns that he was married and involved with another woman. An outcome of these circumstances, is the unique friendship that develops between Audrey and the two women who were in love with her boyfriend.

Thanks to her job and her family name, Audrey's New York City lifestyle is quite luxurious. However, she takes nothing for granted and as a result, works extremely hard to keep her followers happy, while retaining and gaining new sponsors. Her best friend from childhood, successful businessman Clarke West, has always been her rock. So when he gets hounded by his uppity mother to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, he announces that he is engaged to Audrey. Although this is not the first time Clarke has used Audrey to deflect, it is the first time they both agree to continue with the farce. Their fake engagement allows Audrey to prove that she is not a homewrecker to both her followers and the gossip columnists. Overtime, their platonic friendship evolves into much more.

This story has a lot of sexual tension, without a lot of sex. Not only is Marriage on Madison Avenue filled with raw emotions from both main characters, it is the perfect combination of intricate plot, well-defined personalities and love. I immediately connected with both Audrey and Clarke and there was never a moment that I did not want them to be together. The secondary characters are unique in their own right and add a ton of background story to the present happenings.

This book may be enjoyed as a standalone. However, this series is so good, I recommend that you read all three novels!

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Book: Marriage on Madison Avenue
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steam: 💨
Synopis: Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will never not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother—announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey.

But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?

Review: I haven't read the first two in the Central Park series, but I definitely will after reading this one (luckily these can be read as stand alones). This was a light, but very entertaining romcom that I devoured in one sitting. Both Clarke and Audrey are imperfect characters, but they are perfect for each other (everyone can see this but them😂). Their honestly and easy banter is a great part of this book and will have you invested in their HEA.

If you're looking for a quick, but enjoyable read look no further than Marriage on Madison Avenue. This cute read will brighten your day and leave you smiling.

AHHHHH

seriously I have yet to hate one of this authors books. She is a hard 4-5 always. This was a slow start but then wow I wanted every single moment of this. this was perfectly sweet even if the MC wanted to ruin the book every 5 minutes... love it! This book lost a star for me because of how annoying MC female was and how slow the beginning was. I am still obsessed with this author and this series is unique for sure

4.5 stars

Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne is a beautifully written, heartwarming read and I really enjoyed it.

After reading the previous books in the Central Park Pact series I was excited to get my hands on Marriage on Madison Avenue, Audrey Tate and Clarke West story.
I can honesty say that author Lauren Layne has delivered a beautiful, romantic and heartwarming read.
I loved watching the romance slowly unfold, after being best friends for such a long time it was scary giving into their feelings and just enjoying the passion they've managed to keep at bay.
These two made me laugh and swoon all throughout the book, they have amazing chemistry and are totally in sync with each other.
I loved them together and they totally deserved their happily ever after.

Overall, Marriage on Madison Avenue is a great addition to the Central Park Pact series and a wonderful way to sign off on the series.
I've enjoyed all the books, each book warmed my heart and I highly recommend them all.

Start reading NOW!
https://laurenlayne.com/marriage-on-m...

*An ARC was provided in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

I love this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other women of the Central Park Pact and their beaus in the previous two books. But I know I can't be the only one who was desperately waiting for this conclusion with Audrey and Clarke. All I can say is "Yay!" I absolutely adore this charming friends to lovers romance. Well written, swoony, and cute, I was so happy to have finally read this story. Lauren Layne made it very easy to root for all these characters.

The friendship between Aubrey and Clarke is everything!! They had great chemistry and wonderful banter. I just love how they could rely on each other leading to a fantastic slow developing love.

I'm a little bummed to see this series come to an end. The bond between the three women is better than ever in this final book. Still my favorite thing in this series. I can't get enough of the uplifting, girl power between them. I love, love, love this series so much!!

4.5 Stars!
Audrey Tate is a 29 yr. old New York socialite often referred to as the Madison Avenue princess. She’s a lifestyle blogger and social media influencer with over a million people following her every move. She loves her job, but hasn’t had much success in romance. What she did have was great friends. This includes her best friend since childhood. She couldn’t remember a time when Clarke West hadn’t been her person. He was her fiercest defender, and most loyal companion. He was the one person who knew her best, and she could always count on him for anything. That’s why, when he needs her to pretend to be his fiancée she agrees to a fake engagement.

Clarke West is a wealthy, charming gorgeous playboy who was raised on the Upper East Side. He has quite the reputation with the ladies, but that never stops his matchmaking mother from trying to control his love life. In a classic moment of rebellion, he announced to her that he’s engaged to Audrey. He always went out of his way to do the opposite of his mother’s wishes, and hoped she would now leave him alone.

Audrey has been Clarke’s other half since the age of seven. They shared a lifelong friendship, and she was the most stable relationship in his life. They cared about each other’s happiness, and she was his home. They’d always kept things strictly platonic, but during their fake engagement the lines of friendship become blurred as they start to enjoy the just for show kisses. Forbidden feelings ignite, and pretending begins to feel real.

As Audrey is planning the perfect dream princess wedding things get complicated between her and Clarke. She no longer believes in fairy-tales, but she can’t deny she’s feeling butterflies for the one man she never thought she would. Every day their feelings get a little clearer, and everything gets a little messier between them. As they start to want more will they decide to play for keeps, and will Audrey realize happily ever afters and Prince Charming’s do actually exist?

Marriage on Madison Avenue (Central Park Pact, #3) by Lauren Layne is a forbidden, friends to lovers romance. It’s the final installment in this wonderful series, and the book I’ve been so looking forward to. Clarke was super swoony, and this book had it all. Real long lasting friendships, humor, heat, romance, and love. I really enjoyed this story and this series!

This is the cutest series. I have been hooked since the first book. As I read each book those characters became my favorite, I can safely say Audrey and Clarke are now my favorites! I have been looking forward to these two and I was not disappointed. I loved being back in this world and more importantly seeing Naomi, Oliver, Claire and Scott throughout this book. I am so sad to see this series come to an end. This series introduced me to Lauren Layne and her writing and it has made me a huge fan of hers. I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Layne's work. This book and series is an ABSOLUTE must read!!!

This book is such an amazing ending to a fantastic series!! I was really looking forward to reading about Clarke & Audrey's friends to lovers romance and the way Lauren Layne approached this trope definitely didn't disappoint! I certainly wasn't expecting the whole "fake engagement/ fake wedding" approach, but it honestly worked so well for Clarke & Audrey that I totally bought into it. I loved the friendship between the 2 and as they began to realize that they loved each other... sooooo much fun!! I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the friendship between Naomi, Claire, and Audrey throughout the series, and being able to 'watch' each of the ladies fall in love was so much fun (and the men in the books are certainly HOT, HOT, HOT)!! If you're looking for a fun and enjoyable shorter series to read, I'd highly recommend reading the Central Park Pact series... you won't regret it!!

*Thank you to NetGalley & Gallery Books for sharing this enjoyable ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I loved reading every word in this book.

3.5stars--MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is the third and final instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult CENTRAL PARK PACT sweet romance series focusing on three friends: Naomi Powell, Audrey Tate and Claire Hayes-three woman who would discover there were all in a relationship with the same man. This is thirty-one year old, businessman Clarke West, and twenty-nine year old, social media influencer Audrey Tate’s story line. MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one, PASSION ON PARK AVENUE, for back story and history.


SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately 18 months earlier, Claire Hayes, newly widowed discovered that her husband of seven years had been having numerous affairs including affairs with the two women who would become her best friends. The Central Park Pact was an agreement to never let one another fall for a womanizer like the man with whom they had all fallen in love.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Clarke and Audrey) MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE follows the childhood, best friends to lovers, fake fiancé relationship between thirty-one year old, businessman Clarke West, and twenty-nine year old, social media influencer Audrey Tate. Audrey Tate considers herself a loser at love, and social media appears to agree calling her cursed when it comes to men and love. As her best friends begin to fall in love, Audrey becomes the odd woman out until Clarke West offers a deal that would likely stop his mother from trying to set him up with a woman from his past-a fake engagement to quiet the haters but an engagement that quickly spirals out of control. What ensues is the fall-out of a relationship that is threatened by jealousy and the inability to see the forest for the trees.

Audrey Tate and Clarke West both consider themselves non-marriage material, and continue to reiterate the belief at every opportunity but as the ‘fake’ engagement begins to take on a life of its own, our couple struggle between head and heart preferring to ignore the obvious when it is obvious to everyone else.

The relationship between Audrey and Clarke is a best friends to lovers/fake engagement that finds our couple doing what couples have done from the beginning of time but Audrey refuses to acknowledge the elephant in the room believing herself cursed to never marry or fall in love. Clarke struggles with a failed relationship from the past, a relationship that is hoping for something more. The $ex scenes are all implied and fade to black.

All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting roles: Naomi and Oliver (Passion on Park Avenue), Claire and Scott (Love on Lexington Avenue), as well as the introduction of Clarke’s mother and father Linda and Alton West; and his ex-girlfriend Elizabeth Milsap.

MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is a story of jealousy, controlling parents, past mistakes, and moving forward in life. The premise is entertaining; the characters are energetic; the romance struggles in the face of secrets and lies, and in this I did not feel the connection between our story line couple, and I struggled to like our story line heroine.

From the outset Audrey is quick to dismiss any action that resembles a loving relationship but it is her friendship with Clarke that is battling to survive. From my perspective, Audrey is immature and self-centred, and all she cares about is her social media image, but again, it is her image that forced our couple to take drastic steps in an effort to fend off trolls and commenters. Clarke’s mother Linda is desperate to reunite Clarke with the woman from his past but Clarke only sees Audrey, a woman who is unable to see beyond the immediate gratification of social media. MARRIAGE ON MADISON AVENUE is a frustrating read but the author has done her work if she can get an emotional response, one way or another.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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Loved this third installment in the series! I love a good fake-fiance/fake-dating trope. I loved Audrey and Clarke's relationship, and I am a firm believer that solid relationships are even better when based on a foundation of friendship and respect. Was very fun to read their story. This is such a great romance series and I highly recommend! Lauren Layne has become a new go-to author for me.

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of best-friends-to-lovers romance tropes. I avoid reading most of them due to my personal preferences(that would be a long rant), but in the past few years I have occasionally come across a few good ones that have changed my mind!
On the other hand I lovvve romance novels with a marriage of convenience setup! It's one of my top favorite tropes! So, when I found out that one of my favorite contemporary romance authors was coming out with a new book that had both, I was like hmm..🤔
I'm kidding!😂
I pounced on this book like a hungry lioness and devoured it in a day! Because it's an LL book and I love her writing!
Marriage on Madison Avenue is the third book in the Central Park Pact series, and if you've read the previous two books like me, you'll know what I mean when I say that I've been rooting for Audrey and Clarke to get together!

Quick Series Background : The Central Park Pact series consists of standalone books that feature each of the three women who were romantically involved with the same guy - Brayden(but they didn't know about each other). When they meet each other on the day of his funeral, instead of hating each other in the typical manner, they decide to make a pact to warn each other about any potential liars/cheaters that they might date in the future and this is how the story(plus a beautiful friendship) starts!

In Marriage on Madison Avenue we get to meet the last of the three friends, Audrey Tate, who is a social media influencer and Clarke West, her best friend! Audrey loves what she does and she's quite good at it! Clarke looks like a carefree playboy from the outside, but he has had to work hard to prove himself as the successor for his father's company! Audrey and Clarke have been best friends since childhood and have had each other's backs through thick and thin. This includes getting into fake relationships/engagements when he needs to escape an overzealous fling!

So, it's natural that Clarke announces his engagement to Audrey when his mom tries to set him up with his lawyer ex-gf who left him for a job in Washington D.C. And when Audrey's latest dating shamble(her first since Brayden) lands her in the sights of @ScandalBoyNYC and his trollish comments(think Gossip Girl 2.0 but NYC), she needs a fake relationship to keep her image steady! So, what starts off as a temporary fake engagement, turns into something that is more longer! But, when will these two realize there's nothing fake about the sparks between them?

I loved the slow development of the relationship between Audrey and Clarke in this one! The reason I do not like best-friends-to-lovers romances is because I find it hard to believe that you could be so close with someone for so many years and only after so long you realize that you guys like each other? Shouldn't the spark have always been there? Plus, what if you end up ruining your friendship?
LL handled all these things so beautifully in this book and that's why I loved it!

My favorite thing about an LL book is that you're guaranteed to find well-developed characters with beautiful friendships and relationships! They may not be anything like you, but they will definitely be relatable! Plus, you can escape into the glitzy Manhattan world that she creates for you!

I have loved seeing the bond between Audrey, Naomi and Claire blossom into such a strong friendship! I admired Audrey's confidence but at the same time I felt so sorry for her when she kept blaming herself for being the 'other woman'(even though she knew nothing about Brayden's other relationships).
Clarke was an awesome hero! His relaxed playboy attitude was just a front that many people except Audrey didn't notice! He's always there for his closest friends and is quite the hard-worker. I loved seeing him navigate the tough relationships that he had with his family and watching LL peel off each new detail, layer by layer was beautiful! The chemistry between him and Audrey was delicious.

I think my only complaint about the whole series would be the fade to black scenes! Lol! They just don't have the same steam level as the author's other books, which I absolutely love!
I'm super sad to see this series end, but I hope we might see some of our favorite characters as cameos in her other books sometime in the future!(We got to meet Alexis Morgan from Wedding Belles in this one, and I was so happy to see her again as I loved her in To Love and To Cherish!)

I'd definitely suggest picking this one up if you're in the mood for a classy contemporary romance with adorable characters and beautiful friendships! There's no way you'll not enjoy this!

Such a sweet story! I loved this adorable rom-com and will definitely be reading more by this author!

What a great story! I've really loved the whole Central Park Pact series. I highly recommend all of the books. Honestly, the whole fake fiance thing isn't really one of my favorite themes for a romance book but I really enjoyed this one. Audrey and Clarke's story was just so enjoyable to read. It definitely made me laugh out loud. Don't miss this series!

The third book in this wonderful series by Lauren Layne was everything I have come to expect from her stories. Although this is totally a standalone, I had read the previous 2 books. I love that the connecting thread with these books is explained in each book as a prologue. Clark and Audrey grew up as best buds but never were romantically involved. As adults they are still best friends but circumstances are such that they use each other as fake “fiancés “ whenever they feel the need. This wonderful best friends to lovers was a joy to read. As said in acknowledgements her editor felt this was “ “the most Lauren Layne” of the series” and I totally agree!

Really enjoyed this series ender! Audrey and Clarke were such a fun couple and I loved seeing how their relationship develops! I highly recommend this series!