Cute

DNF due to...IDK, rich people, I guess. Just didn't grab me/turned me off.

I really enjoyed this story about finding love where you least expect it. Seth came close to the altar once. Brooke made it to the altar only to have her fiance taken away in handcuffs. Both have had their hearts broken and have no desire for happily ever after. Brooke is the wedding planner for Maya, Seth's younger sister. Seth is paying for the wedding, not to mention he doesn't trust his future brother inlaw. When Seth starts attending to every wedding detail he can't help but notice the attraction between himself and Brooke. It was fun to watch the playful banter between them. You can't help but want them to have a happy ending. Fun and sweet summer read.

I adore Lauren Layne. I've been a new fan of hers after I discovered her books last year. And while I haven't picked up any of Lauren's back-list, I have been on a mission to read all of her new releases. I get so excited that I immediately jump in head first. To Have and to Hold had all of the fabulous elements that I've come to look forward to when picking up a new book. There was one tiny flaw... Brooke and Seth frustrated me. Now let me explain... I loved each of the characters as individuals. Brooke is a hardworking, intelligent woman that is healing after the devastation that her ex-fiancé left her in. I don't know how she was able to pick up the pieces and continue being a wedding planner. Kudos to you, Ms. Baldwin. If it were me, I'd probably hole up with a gallon of chocolate chip cookie dough. But she powered through and, with the help of her new friends, she's able to move past the pain. As overbearing as he is, I actually really liked Seth. You know that his heart is in the right place, he's just doing things all wrong. When he learns that he's actually pushing people away instead of helping them, it's a wake-up call for Seth. It was when Brooke and Seth were together that I got a bit frustrated, more so Brooke than Seth. I wanted Brooke to stop and think about what she's saying/doing before acting on impulse. She's so focused on keeping Seth at arms length that she's not aware of how hurtful her words can be. Seth is just as confused about his feelings, but at least he's trying. As weird as this may sound, he was sexy as hell when Brooke pushed him a bit too far. Images of him sending food flying at a closed door is hot, oddly enough.

Overall, To Have and to Hold was another fantastic Lauren Layne book. Even though there were moments when I wanted to throttled Brooke, I loved the characters. I loved meeting the other three Belles and I can't wait to get to know them better. Actually, I would love to get a novella with Maya. We're left wondering what happened between her and a certain fella and I want to know more. There's a story there, I know it. Lauren's writing was fun and sexy as usual. And it is the beginning of a new series. Score!

I received an arc copy in exchange for a honest review.

Aside from the chemistry, I’m not sure how much the main characters actually spoke to each other? In spite of that, I did enjoy this book. I like Lauren Layne a lot and I’m hopeful for the other books in the series.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent read. I can't say I fully understood why everyone was so upset with Seth for trying to take care of the people in his life. I felt like everyone was overreacting. I was also only mildly interested in the romance this go round.

I'm still a huge Lauren Layne fan, but this one wasn't my favorite.

It got extremely boring towards the end and I'm not sure if I'll go back to any other Belle, but at first, it was quite cute and well written. The CEO and unwilling wedding planner thing was working but it kind of fails as both smut and NA.

It's okay. I don't feel like I've wasted my time, but I didn't reread after I finished. I liked the style of the author. The main character wasn't deep enough for me. I actually think the hero was better without her. But it's a charming read from a great author. Also, I feel as a lead-in for the Brides series, it served its purpose.

Coffee dates with To Have and To Hold

• First Date: Brooke Baldwin has recently arrived in New York after her wedding business fizzled in Los Angeles not because she isn’t a competent and fabulous planner but because of the disastrous events at her own ceremony. I will leave you to discover those details. She has secured a spot with the Wedding Belles and due to unexpected complications, she ends up handling the Tyler wedding. Seth Tyler hotel tycoon’s sister is getting married and he is none too happy about it. One cannot blame him, since he has never met nor heard of the fiancé’ until his sister asks for a fairy tale wedding. Brooke may have a ton of baggage in her personal life, but I loved her initial meeting with Seth and his sister. Chemistry and snark let me know we are going to have fun.


• Second date: Seth is a bit of a control freak or perhaps that is too harsh, let us call him a fixer. Yep, that's better. The man is also lonely although he probably will not admit that. Brooke and Seth tango verbally as the attraction between them continues. These two will tangle between the sheets and the anticipation was delightful. I loved the dance, the little jabs and enjoyed the buildup. Side threads regarding Seth’s best friend, Brooke’s ex and time with the girls at Wedding Belles all added depth giving this “Sex in the City” story a small town feel.


• Third date: Between Seth’s lustful thoughts about Brooke and his concerns over his sister we know he is going to muck things up. However Seth is adorkable so be patient with him. The relationship experiences some hot and cold moments. Brooke struggles with her emotional scars and Seth tries to fix things. Need I say more? Thankfully, Layne kept the angst to a minimum. Side threads regarding the owner of the Wedding Belles and those regarding Seth’s sister will make readers all warm and fuzzy.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

To Have and To Hold is the first book in a fun new series by Lauren Layne. Told from dual points of view, To Have and To Hold follows the story of Seth and Brooke. Brooke just moved to New York for a fresh start and has been handed a huge client for her new job. What she wasn’t prepared for was the clients brother…Seth is used to controlling everything and getting his way. Only, Brooke is throwing him off his game. Not only is she trying to plan the wedding of his sister’s dreams, but she’s not putting up with Seth’s behavior. When Seth questions the intentions of his sister’s fiance, he will need help from Brooke. What Seth wasn’t expecting was to fall for the wedding planner along the way. Will Seth prove that his sister’s fiance is up to no good? Will Brooke finally get her own HEA?

To Have and To Hold is a sweet, and fun read. I loved the sex in the city meets the wedding planner aspect of it. I think that made the story-line a lot of fun and interesting. I loved Seth and Brooke from the very beginning. Their banter was so entertaining. They didn’t care for one another very much, but the sparks between them were undeniable. I loved their will they/won’t they moments. I thought they were a perfect match-both of them hurt in previous relationships, needing to meet the right person, just not realizing that they had found said person.

Overall, To Have and To Hold was a quick and easy read for me. Lauren Layne has once again delivered a sweet and entertaining romance with just the right balance of angst and humor. Lauren Layne is one of those authors whose writing I can always count on getting lost in and falling in love. I think this series is off to an exciting start and I can’t wait to see who’s story will be next.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*