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

You should be reading....Rachel Hollis: The Girl Series

The series starts with Landon and her adventures while trying to make it in the party planning business in LA, while centering around the Ashton family that includes two brothers and sister Max. There's one more younger sister, but she gets only minimal book time.   

The theme is similar to the Devil Wears Prada: Young girl heads to the big city and almost gets eaten alive by the evil, selfish lady-boss. This time, the girl is from Texas, and moves to Los Angeles to intern as a party planner to the stars.  The setting: event planning. Major event planning. The first novel in this series focuses on Landon, and you're introduced to her brooding roommate (Max), the quirky cool chick at work (Miko), and of course, the hot dude that has has a few surprises in store! While Landon is trying to pull off her first major event, she meets Brody Ashton, the pompus executive that she has to deal with...and that she can't stop drooling over.

I was looking for a light and funny read, and this one did the job well. I felt a bit more connected to the text with the Texas references. Thanks Rachel Hollis for all the Dr. Pepper and brisket talk. Had to make The Man (aka: the overly alpha Texan I married) break out his smoker and get me some Dr. Pepper after reading this! LOL! Rachel started out as a party-planner to the stars, and you have to wonder how much of this book is from real life. I’m sure some of names have been changed to protect the popular.

The second book is all about her grumpy roommate Max. She's dark, broody, and has a life-long dream to become a baker. Difficult when she's extremely hypoglycemic and sugar sends her into some pretty bad episodes (as seen in the first book). When she's thrown into what appears to be her dream job, only to have it taken away, Landon's hot friend Taylor steps in to help. He provides her encouragement, motivation, and a true friendship/companionship - something that she's hid from for a long time. A tiny bit of angst, but not much.

The third in the series focuses on Miko, the uber talented and romantic artist that has her eyes set on Liam, the youngest of the Ashton brood. Max and Landon are not on team Liam, knowing he's just going to break her heart. Miko is determined, and creates an outrageous list of ways to get him to notice her. She enlists Landon's sister to help, and the madness begins! Hilarious pop culture and classic literature references are throughout, and makes for another fun read with little angst and likable characters. 

The author, Rachel Hollis, is the owner of The Chic Site, and I have a feeling that some of the characters in the book have been inspired by real-life people! Rachel Hollis is my new girl crush. Fun light reads, fabulous tips on her website, and her videos are hilarious! I really enjoyed this series. I've been a long- time fan of Rachel Hollis' website, and now, a fan of her writing. Can't wait for more novels from her!

Get your copies here: 

Book 1: Party Girl - http://amzn.to/1SOLeJx

Book 2: Sweet Girl - http://amzn.to/1JNaTPZ

Book 3: Smart Girl -  http://amzn.to/1RRBgH1

If you do nothing else…watch this bit of awesomeness:

About the Author:

Rachel Hollis founded the LA-based event planning firm Chic Events at only 21. Six years later Inc. Magazine named her one of the Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30. She went on to turn Chic into the extremely popular lifestyle website The Chic where readers log in daily for the tips and tricks she acquired after years of planning fancy parties for celebrities!

She has designed and produced fabulous events for many of Hollywood's elite including Bradley Cooper, Al Gore, Rashida Jones, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ivanka Trump, Jamie King, Sara Rue and Cuba Gooding Jr… just to a name a few.

Rachel grew up in a big loud Okie family. Daddy was a Pentecostal minister and Mama was the church pianist… and PS, she knows the words to all the old-timey hymns in case you want to break into three-part harmony later.

She moved to Los Angeles to go to college and promptly met a boy named David who was as handsome as he was funny. First she made that boy her best friend, and then she made him her husband. 10 years later they have three equally handsome/hilarious little boys named Jackson, Sawyer, and Ford. They live in LA where they spend their time doing super cool/sexy things like going to soccer practice and hitting up any restaurant where kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Follow her everywhere:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7578129.Rachel_Hollis

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Hollis/e/B00J237V5I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1454104580&sr=8-1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsRachelHollis/?ref=br_rs

Instagram: msrachelhollis
Twitter: @msrachelhollis

Snap Chat: MsRachelHollis

TheChicSite   www.thechicsite.com

Book Review: Pandemonium by Bella Jewel

Pandemonium, by author Bella Jewel

I am the good girl, the one who does no wrong.

Daughter to a ferocious and strong MC President, I know what protection feels like.

Until one night changes everything - and not a single person in the world can protect me from it, not even my dad.

Suffocating. Alone. Desperate.

I let my problems live deep inside until there is no longer anywhere to run.

I need an escape. Anything to make the pain go away.

Trouble comes for me, and I don't fight it.

I tried so hard to believe in what I was,

But nobody understood.

Not until him. Not until Lucas.

He sees me. He believes in me.

He refuses to let me drown.

He’s my way out. My escape.

But Lucas is forbidden. He’s a cop. I’m in danger. And my father is trying to protect what can’t be protected.

There can only be one outcome.

Pandemonium.

My Review

When I first started this book, I got through the first page and thought “Wait, who are these people?” It had been a few years since I read the MC Sinners series, and went and did a quick re-read of those to refresh. Glad I did! 

For those that remember, Jackson is the head of the Hell’s Knights MC, and he and his wife Serenity have a daughter Ava. She’s all grown up now, and working at a law firm while living on her own away from Dad’s and the rest of the MC’s over-protective nature. She’s aware of her dad’s involvement in all things MC, but he’s been able to shield her from most of the club’s business. Until now.

“Something is going down with the club and that something just caught up with me”

As she’s heading to her car one night, she’s kidnapped, beaten, and forced to make a moral decision that haunts her long after she’s dumped in an alley broken and scarred. She’s found by a local detective out on his morning run, and Lucas quickly takes her to the station to try to determine who she is and what happened to her. She gives her statement but doesn’t tell him the whole truth. Her ordeal was meant to send a message to her father, except, she lies about what really happened to protect him.

The memories of what happened to her and her guilt over her decisions send her spiraling down into depression, using alcohol to numb her pain. Lucas keeps an eye on her, and refuses to let her go down the path he was once on – he has his own demons and darkness. 
These two broken people find their way out, but not without some tension and frustration. 

As a cop, Lucas is not welcomed by Jackson, but he’s the only one that can help Ava. Told is a series of “Then” and “Now” perspectives, you get the back story of Lucas, the ordeal that sent Ava on her downward spiral, and how the two make their way out the other end.

“So much is passing between us, so much beauty, so much pain, so much that only we can understand.”

This was a well written story with a better plot than the prior Sinners series in my opinion. You can tell the improvement that Bella Jewel has developed as a writer. The drama, suspense, and emotional story were intriguing. Ava was a bit immature with respect to managing her emotions, but that’s likely due to her age, and possibly also due to being sheltered from all that goes bad in a MC.

While this can be read as a stand-alone novel, you may find that you get a better perspective of who everyone is by reading at least the third Sinners book with Jackson and Serenity. 

GOODREADS LINK: 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27296292-pandemonium

PURCHASE LINKS

US:  http://amzn.to/1OnzqJA

UK:  http://amzn.to/1HhHvjE

AU:  http://bit.ly/1P2j6Bk

CA:  http://amzn.to/1PegxuL

B&N:  http://bit.ly/1K4Jpp1

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1KxFls9

iBooks:  http://apple.co/1SFkcEa

If you want to start with the Original Sinner's MC series - each book is only $0.99 right now!

MC Sinners Books:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/MCSinnersGroup
UK: http://bit.ly/MCSinnersGrpUK

Author Bio

Bella Jewel is a self published, USA Today bestselling author. She’s been publishing since 2013. Her first release was a contemporary romance, Hell’s Knights which topped the charts upon release. Since that time, she has published over five novels, gaining a bestseller status on numerous platforms. She lives in North Queensland and is currently studying editing and proofreading to further expand her career. Bella has been writing since she was just shy of fifteen years old. In Summer 2013 she was offered an ebook deal through Montlake Romance for her bestselling modern day pirate series, Enslaved By The Ocean. She plans to expand her writing career, planning many new releases for the future.

Author Links

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK
AMAZON
GOODREADS
TWITTER

Giveaway

Click below for a chance at a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway