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Review
This is a short, sweet novella with a sexy and intense second chance romance.
It’s a prequel to the upcoming Wedding Belles series, about an elite group of wedding co-ordinators in Manhattan, and this is the story of highly regarded wedding photographers Leah McHaleand Jason Rhodes, who are tasked to work together on the former first daughter’s high profile wedding.
Leah and Jason had a short-but-intense affair a year ago which ended badly, and with them now reunited for the first time since their split, the tension between them is at an all-time high. It’s obvious in every touch, every glance and every word they say to each other that there are still strong feelings there, but while Jason is all smooth charm, Leah is immediately dismissive of him.
The story is written in dual POV so we know that they both want each other. Jason is determined to get his second chance with ‘the one that got away’, and he makes that abundantly clear. And though Leah has missed him desperately, she’s clouded by her anger and hurt from the past and is terrified to risk her heart to him again.
Of course, every interaction is brimming with chemistry and the sexual tension is insane! And definitely helped along by Jason’s outrageous flirting.
“Okay, I’ll have dinner with you, but as a working dinner. Not a date. I’m convinced we can figure out how to work together in spite of our thorny past.”
He resisted the urge to pump his fist in triumph, and Leah lifted a warning finger. “Again, dinner. I’m not sleeping with you.”
Jason picked up his whisky and threw it back in one swallow before standing and grabbing his bag. Before Leah had a chance to react, he’d moved toward her, shamelessly invading her personal space as he bent down and placed his lips near her ear.
“Sweetheart, by the time I’m done with you, sleep will be the last thing on your mind. I guarantee it.”
Yes, it’s all kinds of hot! Jason is a dirty talker, and there is a nice amount of sexy time, but neither of them disputes the fact that they are dynamite in bed together. It’s all about the emotions – can they move past what tore them apart a year ago and learn to trust each other again? Will one night together be the start of something new for them, or will it be the perfect way for them to say goodbye forever?
I enjoyed this short story. The set up is great, the story moves along at a great pace and the romance is steaming hot with a lot of heart. The intensity and wild chemistry that Lauren Layne is able to get into such a small book is fantastic! I did find the whole reason behind the break-up to be a bit weak, so I was happy to get some resolution on that, and I absolutely fell in love with Jason! He’s an absolute sweetheart as the man desperate to get his girl back, and I love the way he totally put himself out there despite the barriers that Leah kept putting up between them.
“Contrary to the delusions in your head, you’re not every woman’s fantasy.”
“I never wanted to be every woman’s fantasy. Just yours.”
It’s a solid start to a new series, and a really sweet love story. I’m looking forward to more.
3.5 stars.
The Wedding Belles series
From This Day Forward (#0.5)
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To Have and to Hold (#1)
Released 26 July 2016
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For Better or Worse (#2)
Released 30 August 2016
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To Love and to Cherish (#3)
Released 25 October 2016
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For more info, check out: The Wedding Belles Website
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Author Info
Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart– cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.
In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!