Book Review: "I Wish You Were Mine" (Oxford #2) by Lauren Layne.

I Wish You Were Mine, by  

Author: Lauren Layne

Series: Oxford #2

A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage.

 

 Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. 

But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. 

Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.

GOODREADS LINK:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25241400-i-wish-you-were-mine

 

My Review: 

 Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. Easy style, quick wit and charming personalities by both the men and women, and just enough angst to make you feel for what they’re going through without reaching for the tissues and whiskey (I’m looking at you, Kim Holden!). 

Layne’s new series focuses on the men of Oxford, and with that, we get the women from Stiletto thrown in to the goodness. For those new to this series, Stiletto is the women’s magazine that introduced us to Julia, Grace, Riley, and Emma. Along with these hilariously fun women, came their men, some of whom worked in the same building for the men’s magazine Oxford. 

The last Stiletto novel focused on Alex Cassidy, the editor of Oxford. As he’s trying to rebuild his magazine to a broader range, he’s bringing in new men to manage different sections of writing. Enter Jackson Burke. Star quarterback. Texan. 6’3” of manliness. Buff. Oh, and he’s also no longer able to play due to a car accident that ended his career. He takes a job as a Fitness Editor at Oxford to find something to do with his life, get away from his ex-wife, a scandal, and the loss of being “Jackson Burke Star Quarterback.” 

Jackson is in New York and meets up with his ex-wife’s younger sister, Mollie. That’s where things get complicated. While they’ve always had a connection and have been friends, she was off limits. Now, she’s all grown up, no longer his sister-in-law, and he’s seeing her in a whole new light. She is smart – she’s a researcher, ready to apply to a Ph.D. program, and loves her life in New York. Oh, and she’s been in love with Jackson since the day she met him. 

Jackson is a bit of a hot mess. He hates his job, is sulky and withdrawn, and doesn’t want to be part of the gang at Oxford. He’s hoping to get hired by his old team as a coach, except scandal and rumors are tarnishing his good ol’ Texas boy image. He’s conflicted about Mollie. Jackson denies his feelings for her, and even tries to set her up with Lincoln. Lincoln is on to him, and sets him up!

You get the entire gang here – the Stiletto gals, their men, and the Oxford new additions as well. Of course, all of them are up in each other’s business. The question is: Will Jackson run back to Texas the first chance he gets, or will he settle into his new life in the big city, and with Mollie.

Along the way, you get a deeper glimpse into Lincoln. LINCOLN! I know his book will be the last in this series, and I’m eagerly anticipating that release. That boy has some secrets!

Fans of Layne will enjoy this one, and for those new to Lauren Layne’s writing, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. While this can be read as a stand-alone, you’ll have more fun doing a marathon read of the entire series from the sexy Stiletto start. 

PURCHASE LINKS 
US:  http://amzn.to/1QxGapz

UK:  http://amzn.to/1PStHd5

B&N:  http://bit.ly/1PtgknE

iBooks:  http://apple.co/1QBPYia

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE OXFORD SERIES

#1 Irresistibly Yours

US:  http://amzn.to/1nTOjey

UK:  http://amzn.to/1OXmKf3

B&N:  http://bit.ly/1PthTlj

iBooks:  http://apple.co/1NLPC4b

Stiletto Series

Just One Night

Love the One You're With

After the Kiss 

The Trouble With Love

Purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retailers

About the author

Lauren Layne used to work in e-commerce. She wore cute shoes and big-girl clothes like an adult. Then she was like, nope, changed into her pajamas and started writing romance novels.  She believes in sarcasm, weekday happy hours, and happily ever after. 

Visit her at http://laurenlayne.com/ 

and the following sites: 
Twitter: @_LaurenLayne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenLayneAuthor