⋙ Read Hot Asset 21 Wall Street Book 1 eBook Lauren Layne

Hot Asset 21 Wall Street Book 1 eBook Lauren Layne

Download As PDF : Hot Asset 21 Wall Street Book 1 eBook Lauren Layne

Hot Asset 21 Wall Street Book 1 eBook Lauren Layne

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title compliments of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

What a fantastic start to Lauren Layne's new 21 Wall Street series! I literally did not want to put this book down. Between the characters, the story and the jump off the page chemistry, I was sucked in right from the very beginning.

We find Ian Bradley, a successful stock broker and notorious ladies man, is suddenly the centerpiece in an investigation led by SEC agent Lara McKenzie. While Ian has made a lot of money and is great at his job, one thing he has never been is one to take shortcuts in his personal or professional life. Which is why when he's accused of insider trading he is stunned and can't understand where any of this is coming from.

Lara is the daughter of two FBI agents and that is her end goal career wise to make it into the Bureau. She knows that in order to get her foot in the door, she needs a big win and this case with Ian would certainly provide that. The only problem is that not only is Ian as set on proving his innocence as she is proving his guilt, the chemistry and sparks flying between them is undeniable. Will they be able to deny what is happening between them while the investigation is going on?

I connected immediately with this whole story and both of the characters. Lauren Layne is a new author to me, but I'm so glad I took the chance on this book. It was a well crafted story, kept me engaged with the ups and downs throughout and in the end the payoff was worth it.

I can't wait for the next book in this series and I highly recommend picking this one up!


Tags : Amazon.com: Hot Asset (21 Wall Street Book 1) eBook: Lauren Layne: Kindle Store,ebook,Lauren Layne,Hot Asset (21 Wall Street Book 1),Montlake Romance

Hot Asset 21 Wall Street Book 1 eBook Lauren Layne Reviews

Hot Asset gave me warm, fuzzy feelings reminiscent of Lauren Layne’s epic Stiletto/Oxford series. Oh, not in the beginning. Then the only warm feeling came from my rising blood pressure brought on by Ian Bradley’s “Wall Street D!ckhead” monologue on page one and said d!ckhead behavior through at least the first third of the story.

Pro Tip acknowledging you’re a d!ckhead does not excuse you from actually being a d!ckhead.

I’m not a fan of arrogant manwh*res who lean a little too far over the ashhole line. Sadly, annoyingly, they are the current trend in heroes, so I’ve had to endure or dnf far too many lately. Although Ian and I didn’t get off to a great start, he was tolerable enough, especially since Lara and his assistant were able to contain him until he finally came around.

Lara McKenzie cleverly owned him in what is now one of my top favorite meet-cutes ever. That alone was worth suffering through Ian’s “flash, dazzle, and strutting”. Lara is clever, tough, career-focused, and the exact opposite of the type of woman to attract Ian Bradley’s interest for an entry on his “one and done” list. Yet, much to his surprise and completely against his will, he’s irresistibly drawn to the rule follower.

I enjoyed this book immensely, yet it wasn’t without flaws. At times Lara acted completely against character. Most annoying was the characters would suddenly speak directly to the reader. It was done in such a jarring manner I was immediately kicked out of the story and had to work my way back. Neither issue prevented me from loving the story though.

I vacillated between not wanting to put down the book and wanting to prolong it so it wouldn’t end. A major reason for that was the stellar supporting cast. Each of the secondary characters is amazing and unique in their own way. Four will be featured in books two and three, and if the Gods are feeling generous, the fifth will get her story too. Anyone listening? Anyone?!

I guess this is where I should confess to cheating. But is it really considered cheating if you’re loving/lusting after a secondary couple while reading another couple’s story? Yes? No? Eh, I felt guilty for about ten seconds, then sat back and reveled in the all-over tingles and sudden need for a cigarette that overcame me every time the second couple came on scene. Seriously, I’ve never experienced such a strong reaction to any couple. If their minor appearances in Hot Asset tore me up so badly I may not survive their story. But you can bet Imma enjoy every delicious, snarky banter filled second of the journey.

Bring it on, Lauren Layne.

4.5 stars

**Edited twice to meet review guidelines**
Love Lauren Layne and her sophisticated romance books. But, I am an attorney, and the plot was silly. No serious female attorney or investigator would behave the way the heroine here behaved.

The senseless plot made the whole book a sham - a paint-by-numbers romance with required explicit sex scenes.

I skimmed large, silly portions of it, but I still give it 3 stars, because Layne's writing is enjoyable even with a silly plot.
The two main characters in this book are incredible -- smart, self-assured, witty, determined, successful and lovingly vulnerable, each in their own way. The banter between Ian and Lara is Layne's best yet, even surpassing the two main characters in the second stiletto series book. They each have their own issues from their past but together, they have just the perfect chemistry to bring it all out in the open where they find ways to give each other the freedom to work out their own issues out on their own terms. It is the combined strength of their determination, albeit polar opposite, and the willingness to let each other find their own way that makes it all work in the end. The ending is predictable, but we all know that from the beginning. What is refreshing in this book is how they get there. Trust takes a while to develop as expected, but once it is achieved, it stands firm. Missing is the cliché melt-down moment, that this genre of books always seem to have, when the two main characters are so immature that miscommunication almost destroys their newly found relationship. It is refreshing to see love and trust avoid that derailment -- not that they don't have some unexpected difficulties to overcome, they just do it in a much more mature way. It makes their love for each other all the more genuine and this reader really appreciates that. That's what makes this book her best. This reader also liked that early on, the other characters in this series of books are already at it. It's predictable, yes, but already we are privy to some of the inside dynamics that shape the personalities of these characters that will be the focus of the books to come. I liked the head start on them and can hardly wait to read how their love lives will play out as the book series is released. This a must read. If you are new to Layne's work, start here.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title compliments of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

What a fantastic start to Lauren Layne's new 21 Wall Street series! I literally did not want to put this book down. Between the characters, the story and the jump off the page chemistry, I was sucked in right from the very beginning.

We find Ian Bradley, a successful stock broker and notorious ladies man, is suddenly the centerpiece in an investigation led by SEC agent Lara McKenzie. While Ian has made a lot of money and is great at his job, one thing he has never been is one to take shortcuts in his personal or professional life. Which is why when he's accused of insider trading he is stunned and can't understand where any of this is coming from.

Lara is the daughter of two FBI agents and that is her end goal career wise to make it into the Bureau. She knows that in order to get her foot in the door, she needs a big win and this case with Ian would certainly provide that. The only problem is that not only is Ian as set on proving his innocence as she is proving his guilt, the chemistry and sparks flying between them is undeniable. Will they be able to deny what is happening between them while the investigation is going on?

I connected immediately with this whole story and both of the characters. Lauren Layne is a new author to me, but I'm so glad I took the chance on this book. It was a well crafted story, kept me engaged with the ups and downs throughout and in the end the payoff was worth it.

I can't wait for the next book in this series and I highly recommend picking this one up!