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nellesnightstand's review against another edition
4.0
Wow talk about trust issues. There serious ones in this story. Betrayal can have a lasting effect on you and this is about recovering from that to find a lasting relationship. I enjoyed the whole Sex in the City meets Wedding Planner aspect. I wasn't ever big on Sex in the City but I watch the reruns sometimes. LOVED the Wedding Planner though!!! ;)
readsdreamsplans's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This one was fine, but the relationship development was very uneven and I never bought into the chemistry.
serpentskirtt's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This one doesn't delve as emotionally deep as the other Layne books I've read. It felt oddly incomplete, like I was missing something from another story. I didn't love the characters (except Maya) and their romance's development felt rushed or at least superficial. And it had insta-lust. Which Layne has done before, but more authentically.
caitlinobauer's review against another edition
5.0
Received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD by Lauren Layne is the first in a new series called “The Wedding Belles,” and most definitely does not disappoint. Brooke Baldwin thought her life as over the moment she was left at the altar when her groom was taken away in handcuffs. She packs up her life and moves to NYC to get away from her past and to join a top tier wedding planning firm called “The Wedding Belles.” Her first NY client gives her a lot more than she bargained for—in the form of Seth, the hot/guarded/intense older brother (and financier) of the bride. She definitely isn’t ready to jump into something new—particularly with someone so infuriating, but… we know how these stories play out. ;)
True to form, Layne delivers another delightful read that is equal parts HOT, hilarious, and endearing. It’s pretty much impossible not to fall for these characters. Plus you add in the author’s affinity for snappy dialogue and seriously steamy love scenes and you’ve got a truly winning combination. As usual, I look forward to the next book in the series. I seriously cannot get enough of Lauren Layne!
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD by Lauren Layne is the first in a new series called “The Wedding Belles,” and most definitely does not disappoint. Brooke Baldwin thought her life as over the moment she was left at the altar when her groom was taken away in handcuffs. She packs up her life and moves to NYC to get away from her past and to join a top tier wedding planning firm called “The Wedding Belles.” Her first NY client gives her a lot more than she bargained for—in the form of Seth, the hot/guarded/intense older brother (and financier) of the bride. She definitely isn’t ready to jump into something new—particularly with someone so infuriating, but… we know how these stories play out. ;)
True to form, Layne delivers another delightful read that is equal parts HOT, hilarious, and endearing. It’s pretty much impossible not to fall for these characters. Plus you add in the author’s affinity for snappy dialogue and seriously steamy love scenes and you’ve got a truly winning combination. As usual, I look forward to the next book in the series. I seriously cannot get enough of Lauren Layne!
safah97's review against another edition
4.0
Brooke moves to New York to leave behind her past in L.A.; where she was left at the alter when her fiancé was arrested for financial crimes. Brooke meets Seth as she is the wedding planner for his sister's, Maya, wedding. Seth does not approve of Maya's fiancé and intends to be very involved with the wedding planning so he can find out more about him.
I have to say that I wanted more of the two main characters. I felt their story and development was a little buried with everything else that was going on in the book. Not only was there the usual first in series plot introductions, there was just a lot going on with this storyline's primary characters. I wanted to know Seth and Brooke a little better than there was time for in the novel.
That being said, I found all of the characters to be engaging and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. The storyline flowed so well, I read the book in one sitting. I fully plan to move book two to the top of my TBR pile.
I have to say that I wanted more of the two main characters. I felt their story and development was a little buried with everything else that was going on in the book. Not only was there the usual first in series plot introductions, there was just a lot going on with this storyline's primary characters. I wanted to know Seth and Brooke a little better than there was time for in the novel.
That being said, I found all of the characters to be engaging and look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. The storyline flowed so well, I read the book in one sitting. I fully plan to move book two to the top of my TBR pile.
kyliecooper8's review against another edition
5.0
There was always something so intriguing to me about being a wedding planner. I liked Brooke. But I'm obsessed with Alexis and want to read her story.
loveisastateofmind's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4*
Trope: Weddings!
Chemistry: Low Boil
One-Sentence Summary: Cynical millionaire meets romantic wedding planner.
Review: Lauren Layne is back with another scorching series, this time based in the world of wedding planners. This was a slick romance with the wedding planner going head-to-head with the cynical brother of the bride.
I am always of romances that start with the couple being hit with a barrage of instalove the minute they set eyes on each other but I quite enjoyed how this one played out in the end.
However, I was probably more intrigued with the idea of Grant/Maya than with Seth/Brooke and I really wish that Grant/Maya were given proper secondary romance status and that we got to see them actually get together.
Originally posted @ Love's A State Of Mind
bffbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book! To Have and to Hold is an emotional, sweet, steamy read. The character development is fantastic and the multiple story lines, with similar themes, blend so well and deliver a really satisfying conclusion.
Seth Tyler is having to be involved in his little sister’s wedding planning. He loathes the planning and his sister’s fiance. But, the wedding planner stirs some other strong emotions in the sometimes-stodgy businessman. Brooke is beautiful, but Seth knows there is so much more to her than meets the eye. If they could only get out of each others’ way long enough to allow love to take hold!
There is some wonderful tension that exists in this back and forth dance between Seth and Brooke. There are a few steamy scenes and lots of love and butterflies! Lauren Layne delivers consistently reliable and enjoyable love stories and she’s quickly become one of my go-to-favorites! You can’t go wrong with To Have and To Hold! This book delivers everything promised in the synopsis and so much more! I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.
To Have and To Hold received a 4.5 rating at BFF Book Blog. An advance copy was received in exchange for an honest review. BFF Book Blog uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: butterflies, character development, romance, steamy, supporting characters, sweet and tension.
Seth Tyler is having to be involved in his little sister’s wedding planning. He loathes the planning and his sister’s fiance. But, the wedding planner stirs some other strong emotions in the sometimes-stodgy businessman. Brooke is beautiful, but Seth knows there is so much more to her than meets the eye. If they could only get out of each others’ way long enough to allow love to take hold!
There is some wonderful tension that exists in this back and forth dance between Seth and Brooke. There are a few steamy scenes and lots of love and butterflies! Lauren Layne delivers consistently reliable and enjoyable love stories and she’s quickly become one of my go-to-favorites! You can’t go wrong with To Have and To Hold! This book delivers everything promised in the synopsis and so much more! I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series.
To Have and To Hold received a 4.5 rating at BFF Book Blog. An advance copy was received in exchange for an honest review. BFF Book Blog uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: butterflies, character development, romance, steamy, supporting characters, sweet and tension.
kimberlyfaye_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads.
I just love Lauren Layne's books. To Have and To Hold was no exception. Her new Wedding Belles series caught my attention with the prequel novella, From This Day Forward, which I really enjoyed. But I so much more than simply enjoyed To Have and To Hold. I adored the characters and the story. The romance was top notch and gave me major feels. It was sexier than the sweet cover would lead you to believe. It bordered on flat out steamy at times.
I had such an easy time connecting with the main characters in this book. I found Brooke easy to like and relate to. I felt bad for the things she dealt with in her last relationship in Los Angeles, so it was really easy to root for a better life (and romance!) for her now in New York City. It can't be easy to continue to plan weddings for other brides when your own special day exploded so spectacularly, so I give her props for being strong and still giving it her all. She had trust issues – and honestly, who wouldn't after that? She wasn't expecting to click with someone so quickly after moving to NYC and, of course, it had to be the older brother of her first client. That's not going to get messy at all, right?
Seth might've been hard and cold on the outside, but he was anything but underneath. He's definitely one of my new favorite book men. Sure, he was overbearing and prone to trying to control situations, but he did it for the right reason – out of love. If he hadn't been so worried about his sister Maya's upcoming nuptials (and fiance, for that matter) he might not have met Brooke and, well, that would've sucked. As much as I liked each character on their own, together they were that much better. They had crazy chemistry from the start and I really enjoyed reading along as it grew into more than just physical attraction. They were so well suited for each other.
The Wedding Belles series just keeps getting better and better. I can honestly say I'm in love with this series and can't flipping wait to get my hands on the next book. I'm already excited about Heather's story, so I'm really glad I won't have to wait THAT long to read it. Romance fans, you should be reading these books. If you've never read any of Lauren's before, this is a perfect place to start. If you have read and loved her work in the past, I think you'll feel the same about this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, exchange for an honest review.
FAVORITE QUOTES
I just love Lauren Layne's books. To Have and To Hold was no exception. Her new Wedding Belles series caught my attention with the prequel novella, From This Day Forward, which I really enjoyed. But I so much more than simply enjoyed To Have and To Hold. I adored the characters and the story. The romance was top notch and gave me major feels. It was sexier than the sweet cover would lead you to believe. It bordered on flat out steamy at times.
I had such an easy time connecting with the main characters in this book. I found Brooke easy to like and relate to. I felt bad for the things she dealt with in her last relationship in Los Angeles, so it was really easy to root for a better life (and romance!) for her now in New York City. It can't be easy to continue to plan weddings for other brides when your own special day exploded so spectacularly, so I give her props for being strong and still giving it her all. She had trust issues – and honestly, who wouldn't after that? She wasn't expecting to click with someone so quickly after moving to NYC and, of course, it had to be the older brother of her first client. That's not going to get messy at all, right?
Seth might've been hard and cold on the outside, but he was anything but underneath. He's definitely one of my new favorite book men. Sure, he was overbearing and prone to trying to control situations, but he did it for the right reason – out of love. If he hadn't been so worried about his sister Maya's upcoming nuptials (and fiance, for that matter) he might not have met Brooke and, well, that would've sucked. As much as I liked each character on their own, together they were that much better. They had crazy chemistry from the start and I really enjoyed reading along as it grew into more than just physical attraction. They were so well suited for each other.
The Wedding Belles series just keeps getting better and better. I can honestly say I'm in love with this series and can't flipping wait to get my hands on the next book. I'm already excited about Heather's story, so I'm really glad I won't have to wait THAT long to read it. Romance fans, you should be reading these books. If you've never read any of Lauren's before, this is a perfect place to start. If you have read and loved her work in the past, I think you'll feel the same about this series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, exchange for an honest review.
FAVORITE QUOTES
"Ms. Baldwin," he said slowly, as though tasting the sound of her name on his tongue. Then he dropped his eyes to her mouth, as though wanting to taste more than the sound of her name.
The kiss wasn't gentle. It had none of his usual finesse. But he'd make up for it later. Now he needed her taste. Needed her moans and her softness. Needed to feel that she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Objectively, he was aware that he'd known this woman for a little over a month. It was far too soon to start thinking of them as a unit—to start thinking of her as his. And yet, he also knew down to the quietest, most secret part of his soul that she was his. And he was hers.
"Don't cry," he whispered. "I die when you cry."