“I learned early on that we create our own narrative. It doesn’t matter what other people say about us as long as we know who and what we are. And here’s the other thing people don’t want you to know: you don’t have to be the same thing all the time.”

Thank you to Gallery Books for sending me an advanced copy of LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE by Lauren Layne. 

“There’s never a bad time to fall in love in New York City, right? Wrong. According to the recently-widowed Claire Hayes, it’s very, very wrong. In fact, after finding out her late husband was a liar and a cheat, Claire’s convinced there’s never a good time for romantic notions. Determined to rid her home of any reminds of her philandering husband, Claire set out to redesign her entire Upper East Side brownstone and make it her own. But when she meets gruff and often-cantankerous contractor Scott Turner and realizes no all men are scumbags, Claire must decide if she’s ready to risk her heart again. 

Scott needs a change of pace from the corporate offices and swanky hotels he’s been building lately and bluntly makes it clear to Claire that he only took on her house for that reason, adding that he has no patience for a pampered, damaged princess on his job site. But when long workdays soon turn into even longer nights, their mutual wariness morphs into something more complicated— grudging respect… or maybe even attraction? Scott knows he’s not one to settle down, but then why can he bring himself to put the finishing touches on Claire’s house and move on to the next job?”

I adored this book. I started it and finished it in one day because I fell head over heels in love with Claire Hayes and Scott. While there were instances that frustrated the heck out me, why can’t they just admit that they have feelings for one another?? Those instances are what made me love the storyline; it kept me interested and made me keep reading so that I could see where Claire and Scott ended up. 

I also should point out that I didn’t read Lauren Layne’s first book in the Central Park Pact series but I never felt like I should have. Do I want to now? Absolutely. I am anxiously awaiting the next book that she writes. Layne is immensely talented at writing a book that is a fun, witty and entertaining romantic comedy. 

LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE will be published on September 17, 2019, but is available for pre-order now. I insist that you add this one to your reading list! 

Thank you, again, to Gallery books for sending me an advanced copy of this book. Also, thank you, Lauren Layne, for writing such a wonderful book!