Thursday, October 22, 2015

Review: Irresistibly Yours (Oxford#1) by Lauren Layne


"When was the last time you've been decently kissed, Penelope?" - Cole Sharpe

Irresistibly Yours
Series: Oxford #1
Author: Lauren Layne
Publisher: Loveswept
Release Date: October 6, 2015
Source: Netgalley

Buy Links: Amazon - B&N - iTunes - Kobo
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Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.


You know... I really should know better by now... Picking up a Lauren Layne book after 9 o'clock at night is never a good idea, especially the night after I was up all night reading another book (check yesterday's review). I keep telling myself that, but do I ever listen? Well, apparently not because I was, once again, a zombie the following morning. Do I regret the lack of sleep? Not one bit. Do I regret scaring people that came across my path? Well, maybe... But hey, Halloween is in less than two weeks. I'm only preparing people for the inevitable.

If you've read my blog post from yesterday, then you'll probably have guessed that Lauren's Irresistibly Yours was the second book I couldn't wait to get my greedy little paws on. Her books embody everything that I love in contemporary romance right now. Amazing and irresistible characters that make you fall in love at first sight. Writing that makes you want to re-read each page 5 times just to make sure you didn't miss a word. And scenes that can make you laugh out loud, sob like a baby, or even a little of both. I was hooked on Lauren's every word from the first page. Truth be told, I have only read a handful of her previous books and I don't recall much about Cole Sharpe from the previous book (which was actually the last book in the Stilettos series), so I got to meet him with fresh eyes. Can we clone him? Seriously... The man is book boyfriend material. He's got the hidden sensitive side that really only comes out after her meets Penelope "Tiny" Pope. She brings out the best in him and it was so much fun watching him woo her. The men in Tiny's life need to be kicked in the junk. Reeling from the jerk that left her hanging, she doesn't let men get close and immediately plants herself firmly in the friend zone. Once Cole sets his sights on Tiny, he will do anything to make her see herself as the same beautiful woman he sees. The two of them together were marvelous. I loved the playful moments they shared just as much as the sizzling chemistry that sparks every time they are together. Perfection!

Lauren Layne had made her way onto my "must read" list. I have loved every book I've read of hers and Irresistibly Yours was no different. From the moment I was finished with the first page that I knew I would not be able to put it down. And I didn't... My goal now is to go back and read the previous books I somehow missed. And I will do so happily.



Lauren Layne is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.  Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren's gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.






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