Robert Davenport is the Mayor of New York, he is also on the cover of Citizen magazine as the man of the year. Now his team is gearing up for a run at the governor of New York. Wanting to have a thank you of sorts for his staff and the people that have worked for him he and his campaign manager have decided to have a party and to hire a party planner from within the city, her name is Addie. When meeting her he is attracted to her and she is to him.
She has a secret though her real name is Adeline Blake, the wild child of the Governor. Know one has seen or heard from her for a few years. You will find out those reasons and why she left and why she is back with a different name. the two of them work together side by side to deliver a wonderful party and later in the story when she decides to tell him who she is, he surprises her by saying he knows. Yet the story continues with her leaving and other things being revealed about and the back door of politics. Will they find a way to be together? Will he run for office? Read this fun fast-paced story to find out.

I really enjoyed reading this political romance. Hot, young NYC mayor plus the governors reformed wild child? IN. Robert was a very reigned in hero, trying to keep up his political life by not having any personal life. He doesn't allow himself much of anything because he is trying to be the best mayor he can. In walks Addie Blake. Addie now goes by Adeline to separate herself from her publicly wild ways. She has created a professional persona but misses her old self.

After meeting Robert, they have a bit of a "we really shouldn't" moment (love that plot line) especially because Robert is planning to run for governor against Addie's father even though Addie isn't on her father's side. There was great chemistry between Robert and Addie. I really enjoyed them both being seemingly buttoned up but underneath they are both fiery hot and sexy. Enjoyed!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am a very big fan of Lauren Layne's work, and I think this has a huge amount of promise for a new series. I think the world of politics and romance makes for an interesting combination, and serves well at reminding us about just who these people really are...

Giving us a clean cut, in theory perfect, but actually human, mayor in Robert, and a wild child who has reformed and repressed her former self gives a lot of scope for a very entertaining story – and it is beautifully done. There are the bad guys, the bad guys disguised as good guys, the genuinely good guys... and in politics, even that is all down to interpretation and timing!

I loved the humour, the honesty – even if cloaked in a lie they both knew – and the immediate connection that they both felt and also both knew would be disastrous, politically speaking. I really do recommend this to you as a fabulous read – and be clear, there really aren't any party politics which should affect your enjoyment.

I am very much looking forward to the next installment already!


Jordan – ☆☆☆☆
Yours in Scandal by Lauren Layne was fun, witty, and an all-around enjoyable read. I absolutely adore Layne and I am a huge fan of several of her series. Plus, I love how her books always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. Yours in Scandal is a great start to Layne’s new series Man of the Year and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series!

Like most of Layne’s books, I was immediately drawn into this fun romantic comedy that takes place in New York City political world. Robert Davenport is New York City’s youngest mayor and had just been named Man of the Year. Adeline Blake is one of New York City’s premiere event planners. When Robert learns Adeline Blake is actually New York City’s current governor’s wild-child Addie Brennen, it could be his ticket to winning the Governor seat. But Robert can’t stay away from Adeline and pursuing her would be political suicide if anyone were to find out about her scandalous past.

Layne doesn’t disappoint in her new Man of the Year series and I am definitely intrigued and ready to read Yours to Keep, book #2, coming out this September. This book was a delightful, quick read with the right amount of romance and Layne’s signature happily ever after!

4 stars for Yours in Scandal by Lauren Layne.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

For me, this book started off pretty slow and I found myself putting it down and picking it up several times before the story lured me in at about the 50% mark.

Robert and Addie are two people who are looking for the same thing, only they don't know it. Robert is all about what he believes that his father would want for him, while Addie wants a family, and not in the public eye.

As they get to know each other, Addie relaxes her guard and falls head over heels. Robert also falls for Addie but doesn't know if that love is stronger than what he believes should be his career path.

After a lot of soul searching, Robert believes he knows what's the best path for him and Addie, if only he can her to take a chance on him.

Yours in Scandal is a flirty and fun read destined to give you new found faith in politicians- even if it's only the fictional ones!

I don't know if it's my proximity or just magical allure of NYC itself, but Lauren Layne always makes it romantic and swoony. Whether its my preconceived hopeless romantic thoughts or LL ability to make me fall in love with a city, it's fictional mayor definitely takes the cake.

Hotest bachelor or not, Mr. Mayor has me all in a tizzy. He's sweet, sexy, and not a troll posing as a person- most politicians are trolls. But the Honorable Mayor Davenport has my vote for all the things! Mayor, Govenor, Most Sexy, Best Kept Secret....whatever I will write him in!

She may be the former wild child but she is everything the straitlaced politician never knew he needed!

Swoon with me.
Yours in Scandal

This is a difficult review. I've read nearly every LL book. But this one just wants for me. It's hard for me to connect with 3rd POV. With that being said I struggled with Adeline. i loved Robert and I wanted him to find love, just not with Adeline. 😭

Lauren Layne's books always make me feel happy when I finish them. As I write this review, we are in the midst of the pandemic shutdown, so a book like Yours in Scandal feels needed. It feels like a little bit of joy.

Robert and Adeline need each other, and I liked that professional ambition is a key part of their relationship. There are things they conceal from each other, and I liked the mystery of how and when those secrets would be revealed. I particularly liked the chemistry between these two. Robert and Adeline are FUN.

The romance keeps you turning the pages. Lauren Layne uses humor, lust, and intrigue very effectively, and she creates characters you want to hang out with. You read her books and want to immerse yourself in the world she creates.

Grab this book, and grab some joy.

Thank you to @netgalley & Montlake for the egalley of Yours in Scandal. Review 🖤
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I loved this book so much. A politician that is genuine and works to take care of EVERYONE?! Sign me up. I loved reading about Robert & Addie. This is the first book in a new series, Man of The Year (think People’s Sexiest Man Alive) and I can’t wait for the other two books. Definitely read this one if you like political romances and slow burns. Yours in Scandal is such a nice escape from our current surreal world. This was my second from Lauren Layne, it has more steam than Passion on Park Avenue but I loved them both. She’s now an auto-buy author for me.

I love political romances and I love Lauren Layne, so this book was a perfect match for me. Robert is a bit of a unicorn politician in that he is a good guy who wants to do good things but is still stuck in the middle of the ugly world of politics. Adeline's character was one of the most developed characters I've read in a while with the layers to her personality. The romance between the two is everything I'd expect from Lauren Layne, but what really sets this story apart from others is the character development of both Robert and Adeline. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves romance and great characters.

3.75 Stars!

This was perfectly adorable, and for sure a definite read for fans of Lauren Layne's steamy romances! It's been a hot minute since I've read a Lauren Layne book, and I've been missing the tension in her books like that in Walk of Shame! From reading Layne's previous books, specifically Walk of Shame, I've come to love the tension and burn that comes from her books - just enough to drive you crazy. While Yours In Scandal doesn't top my love for Walk of Shame, I did quite enjoy this book and the lead characters, Robert and Adeline.

I'm not a big fan of political romances of sorts, but mmm I did enjoy this one. It was a super cute and quick read I finished in two sittings.

I love Lauren layne. So much. She can do no wrong in my eyes. I loved the characters and the plot was unique as I have never read about a mayor before. I can not wait for the next book as, like I said, Lauren layne can do no wrong

This was definitely the perfect read for this turbulent time in the world right now. Though I always feel somewhat distanced from Layne's characters, I nevertheless always enjoy her novels because they offer such great escapism, are entertaining and keep you flipping the pages because they also have some great humor in them.
Definitely recommend this as a "gateway" to Layne if you're new to this author!

I was so excited to see this is the first book in a series, the Man of the Year series. I fell in love with this author after reading the Central Park Series so I can't wait to see where she goes with this one.

What I loved about this book:

1. Wow! Layne can write such addictive angsty books. The chemistry and attraction is there from day one even though both Robert and Addie try to ignore it. Their witty banter makes this novel a truly enjoyable read.

2. This is a political romance (a romance sub genre I haven't read a lot of) and it was everything I didn't know I needed to read. Robert is NYC's youngest major deciding his next political move. Then Adeline Blake walks in to his life and so does his indecision. It was nice to see behind the scenes personal life decisions of politicians and how the smallest mistake can have huge consequences. Even though everyone saw their relationship as scandalous, it was a joy to read about.

3. Last, but not least is the amazing characters of Robert and Addie. Robert is the straight laced golden child following in his late father's footsteps. He is charming, handsome, and 100% swoon worthy and Addie was his complete opposite. She grew up in the tabloids as the wild child daughter of NY's Governor, but she escaped for a few years and came back as Adeline Blake. Even though Adeline has her life together, she may never be able to escape her wild child past. They were both genuinely kind people and you'll be rooting for them the entire time.

This is one political romance you won't want to miss. With sexual tension dripping off the pages and loveable characters driving this novel you're sure to find this to be an enjoyable read.

A bit disingenuous to imagine that someone who was very famous could be planning parties and rubbing elbows with all the people she was trying to hide from, all by changing her hairstyle and name... other than that, Lauren Layne always writes a fun and engaging novel with steamy romance, and this was no exception.

Looking for a feel-good read? Look no further. Lauren Layne’s first book in her new Man of the Year series, Yours in Scandal, is a great read for these homebound days - you’ll finish it in a day and have a big, happy smile on your face!

Robert Davenport’s tenure as mayor of New York City is about to come to an end, so after two successful terms, he’s thinking about what’s next. Maybe a run for governor of New York? His campaign manager thinks he has a good shot, especially if they can get the dirt on the very slippery incumbent. And who better to give them that dirt than the governor’s estranged daughter Addie Brennan - recently returned to NYC as a party planner and calling herself Addie Blake. Against his better judgement, Robert is convinced to hire Adeline in an effort to see what he can find out about the governor.

Adeline hates her father. After ignoring and criticizing her for years, she snapped as a teen and ended up being a huge thorn in his political backside. Parties, boys, drugs, sex, Addie did it all. What she wants now is to fly under the radar and make a life for herself on her own terms. Adeline would rather not see another politician in her lifetime, but when the job to plan the mayor’s farewell party is offered to her firm, she knows she has to take the risk and go for it.

Robert and Adeline have immediate chemistry. She agrees to work for him but tries very hard to keep their relationship at the friendship level. Robert knows that Adeline and Addie are one and the same and he’s falling for both sides of her.

He’d never felt the sting of being friend zoned before, but he felt it now, and it was decidedly unpleasant. He was the mayor of the most populous city in the country, for God’s sake. He was fucking Man of the Year. Generally, single women at least looked twice. They certainly didn’t pass him off to their friend.

Most irritating of all was that some part of the back of his brain knew he should be relieved. Interest in Adeline Blake, elite event planner, was one thing. Interest in Addie Brennan, daughter of his future primary opponent and a ticking time bomb of potential scandal, was political suicide.

What will happen when Addie realizes Robert has known the truth all along? What will happen when Robert decides to run for governor?

This is my first Lauren Layne novel and it definitely won’t be my last. Robert and Adeline are a fun, believable couple with great banter and terrific compatibility in and out of the bedroom. Robert is easy to cheer for - he’s full of integrity and has a playful side. Adeline is also easy to love - she’s had her share of hardships but is taking charge of her life and making her own happiness. The challenges Layne throws in their path are credible and I loved how the author chooses less predictable actions and reactions. I cheered when instead of going down the Big Misunderstanding route, Ms. Layne took us on a more mature character journey than we often see these days.

Yours in Scandal is a quick read at under 250 pages and I would have loved to have a longer epilogue, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in smiles and laughs. I’m looking forward to reading the second Man of the Year installment coming out this fall.

Buy it at: Amazon or shop at your local independent bookstore
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Lauren Layne is back with her trademark sexy New Yorkers. This time we venture into the world of politics and what happens when a reformed bad girl meets New York’s Man of the Year mayor.

Robert Davenford may not be thrilled about being named Man of the Year, but as the dashing mayor of New York he is the most eligible bachelor in the city. He also has his sights set on being the next governor of New York city. The only obstacle in his way seems to be the current governor. He may be dark and shady but there also seems to be no way for Robert to prove this. That is until his campaign manager points him in the direction of the governor’s former party girl daughter, Addie.

Addie has done everything to distance herself from her bad girl past and reinvent herself as a demure and professional party planner. She’s changed her looks, her clothes and even her name and just about severed any ties that can lead her back to her infamous past. All she wants now is to be as far away as possible from her father and make a name for herself. So when the mayor asks her to plan his farewell party, the last thing she needs and wants is to be attracted to the sexy politician.

Crackling chemistry never ceases in this sexy romance between a strait laced mayor who has never strayed from the straight and narrow and the bad girl who is doing everything possible to be a good girl. Another winner by Lauren Layne!!

Addie Blake, the reformed bad girl daughter of the current governor, unknowingly finds herself as ammunition to Robert Davenport's – Man of the Year and New York City's youngest mayor – aim to claim the governor position. Amidst a ruse that involves hiring Addie and her event planning expertise in order to find dirt and dethrone her father, Robert is blindsided by the very girl that could only complicate matters worse.

One of the highlights of this book was Addie and her quick wit and sarcasm, embodying the perfect mix of sensibility and sass. Despite putting behind her wild-child days for the road to maturity, we see glimpses of the old Addie that she manages to contain well hidden. Which is why seeing her come into her own and reconcile Addie Brennan and Adeline Blake came as one of the best moments of the book. Robert, for all his flaws and mishaps, still stood to be a great character. He was nothing short of a complete gentleman, incredibly charming, and an amazing love interest who's capable of meeting Addie toe for toe.

The friendships that Addie had with Rosalie and Jane, even the side characters like Kenny were an absolute delight. Packed with just the right amount of teasing and humor, Yours in Scandal is a cute and quick read wrapped nicely with a good, solid pace on top of an already promising premise.

I adored this story (and am so happy that Lauren Layne returned to steamy books!) It was a super fast paced book, but I loved the tension between Robert and Addie. Even though the hero is a politician, I found it to contain very little politics making it a great escape read right now. I was also very happy with the Jared cameo and know that Lauren Layne fans will love seeing her series intersect in this book.

Thanks to Montlake Romance and Netgalley for my copy for review.

4.5 stars

Your In Scandal by Lauren Layne was a great read. Loved everything about it.

The storyline is entertaining, the characters were likable, engaging and my interest was captured from the first page until the end.

Another wonderful read by the talented Lauren Layne and a great start to the Man of the Year Series.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Yours in Scandal is a sweet story about finding happiness and ‘your’ person amid the cutthroat world of politics and the pressure of life in the public eye.

For some people, life is all about the winning, no matter who you have to step over or throw dirt at in order to get there. Robert is nothing like that and has prided himself on his respectability through his two terms as Mayor of New York. A career he was destined to undertake following in his father’s footsteps who he lost at a very young age. However, as his time in the Mayorial position is coming to a close, Robert begins questioning the next step in his journey not just in his career but also in his personal life. A personal life he hasn’t really had since becoming an elected official.

Meeting Adeline (Addie) originally began as a way to gain inside information, for Addie is the notorious daughter of the current state Governor and former wild child. Robert isn’t at all comfortable with the undertaking, suggested by his campaign manager, but goes ahead with the meeting despite his reservations. Robert never expected to be instantly intrigued by the woman Addie has become.

Addie has recreated herself in the few years she has been out of the public eye. Gone is the wild child and in her place is a very serious, career-driven event planner who wears very unflattering blazers 😂 For her own sanity Addie had to become estranged from her emotionally abusive father, a difficult thing to achieve after leading such a high profile life. Addie is understandably wary of anyone new entering her carefully crafted life.

The chemistry between Robert and Addie is instantaneous, although there are a large number of barriers to overcome before they are able to form any relationship other than professional.

Yours in Scandal shows how each individual has to reconcile their past with their present and embrace both in order to be comfortable with who they are. Although our past does not define us it does shape the people we become.

Another aspect of the plot illustrates the need to live life for yourself and not for anyone else whether it be a parent or ‘the public’ – happiness cannot be found in the shadow for other peoples expectations.

i have rated this book a 2 and i am so ashamed. for anyone that knows me knows this author is one of my ultimate favorites but this book didnt work. the main characters had no spark, it was boring and slow and predictable. in essense i feel it had soooo much potential but it was rushed so it took away from the story. I will read book 2 and hopefully it works out better. i am so sad.