Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: August 30, 2016

Publisher: Pocket Books

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance 

Goodreads blurb: 

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love. 

Review: 

A couple of months ago I read the first book in this series, To Have and To Hold and really liked it, so I was super excited about picking up this one. I think I may have liked this one even better than the first one!

Heather and Josh are new neighbors and they have an undeniable attraction to each other. Heather is a typical modern New York woman, she’s ambitious, career driven, yet still sexy and fun. Josh is more laid back, he’s a muscian that is deliciously sexy, sarcastic, and wickedly funny. The two have fantastic banter and I was dying waiting for them to get it together and just hook up already! 

Parts of this book were a little hard for me to read due to a personal connection to cancer. My husband battled cancer a couple of years ago and reading all about Josh’s fears touched a raw nerve for me. The terror every time he allowed himself to think about the cancer returning, the hesitancy to let anyone too close, the need to keep people at arms length is all too painfully familiar to me. As much as it hurt me to relive some of the darkest moments in my life, I so appreciated the way Layne handled this situation though Josh. She absolutely nailed all the emotions and feelings that come with a cancer diagnosis, especially those of a young adult male.It was beautifully portrayed.

By the way, my husband beat cancers ass and is in remission! ❤️🎉

As usual, Layne wrote an adorable contemporary romance that women from all over can relate to. It’s sharp, humorous, fresh, sexy and raw. I would recommend reading the first book in this series before this one as its so good, but you can read this as a standalone if you’re so inclined. 

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Pocket Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: September 1, 2016

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Goodreads blurb: 

You tried to save a life. Now you’re fighting to save your own. 

It should have been an idyllic day for the Turner family – until a dying man, beaten beyond all recognition, arrives at their home, uttering the words, HELP ME. 

Rob and Wendy Turner and their children try to explain away the horrific scene as being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but in the days that follow their lives are threatened in ways they could never imagine. 

The family is unaware that they are being watched by someone with their own terrifying agenda, who will stop at nothing to fulfil their own twisted desires. 

But when hidden secrets come rushing to the surface, it’s clear not everything is as it seems in this happy family. Are the Turners a victim of circumstance – or does the key to their fate lie closer to home? 

Forced to fight for everything they hold dear, can they save themselves before time runs out – or will their act of compassion see them paying the ultimate price…? 

Review: 

This book wastes no time and jumps straight into the action with a severely injured man appearing at the backyard barbecue of the Turner family. Where in the world did this poor man come from, was it just a case of a random happening? Or is there more to the entire event?

After the initial rush of adrenaline at the beginning of the book, the action ratchets down a notch, but make no mistake, there is still heavy suspense. Strange things begin to happen immediately after the afternoon where the unknown man appeared. Threatening letters, the uncomfortable feeling of being watched, some downright creepy and unsettling stuff.  It lays the foundation for a series of frightening events that are chilling, methodical and brilliant.

The Turners are a family on the brink, most of them are hiding things, but are these secrets related to all the unpleasantness they are now experiencing? Or are they just victims of unfortunate circumstances? 

I’ve used the phase heart pounding to describe books before when reviewing them, but this time I mean that literally. There were moments in this book that my heart was racing and I was experiencing genuine fear for the Turner family. Just when you think you know exactly which direction Bale is heading, he throws another curveball at you that knocks you on your ass. I quite like that, sick and twisted reader that I am! 

I do want to add, that there is quite a bit of violence in this one. It doesn’t bother me, but I know some people would rather avoid it so I thought I should warn you. I do hope that won’t keep people from reading this one though as its astoundingly good and while violent, it is necessary violence to the storyline if that makes sense.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to Bookouture for my copy in exchange for an honest review.