Lauren Layne

A Goodreads Best Romance “Fans of The Devil Wears Prada will flip over Love on Lexington Avenue.” —Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne comes the second delightfully charming installment in the Central Park Pact series, following a young widow whose newfound cynicism about love is challenged by a sexy, rough-around-the-edges contractor. There are no good men left in New York City. At least that’s Claire Hayes’s conviction after finding out her late husband was not the man she thought he was. Determined to rid her home of anything that reminds her of her cheating husband, Claire sets out to redesign her boring, beige Upper East Side brownstone and make it something all her own. But what starts out as a simple renovation becomes a lot more complicated when she meets her bad-tempered contractor Scott Turner. Scott bluntly makes it known to Claire that he only took on her house for a change of pace from the corporate offices and swanky hotels he’s been building lately, and he doesn’t hesitate to add that he has no patience for a pampered, damaged princess with a penchant for pink. But when long workdays turn into even longer nights, their mutual wariness morphs into something more complicated—a grudging respect, and maybe even attraction... Filled with laugh-out-loud scenes that blend perfectly with the touching friendships Layne brings to life on the page, this “hugely entertaining” (USA TODAY) novel is perfect for fans of Lauren Weisberger.

Love on Lexington Avenue

you are in love (taylor's version) by taylor swift

no surprise here! another HIT by miss layne! short read but clairescott still gave good angsty tension and OH THE PINING !!!!! IM OBSESSED WITH THEM UGH I WANT MORE!! clairescott made it to my top 5 favs

you are in love (taylor's version) by taylor swift

no surprise here! another HIT by miss layne! short read but clairescott still gave good angsty tension and OH THE PINING !!!!! IM OBSESSED WITH THEM UGH I WANT MORE!! clairescott made it to my top 5 favs

aaaaa mis padres quiero que me adopten BOB MI HIJA

el paralelo entre Claire diciéndole que en verdad su color favorito es el verde pero que nadie lo recuerda nunca, y 

 Scott pintando su cocina y decorando la de verde porque es su color favorito, siendo el único que hasta la fecha no olvido todo lo que ella le dijo

Claire diciendo que quiere que quien sea su otra mitad, la reclamé, le de un anillo enorme que demuestre que quiere que todos sepan que ella es de el, y el de ella, que ella tiene alguien, que pertenece, y después Scott comprando el anillo de compromiso más escandaloso y hermoso para que todos lo vean, porque la escucho y lo recordó, añadiendo los detalles del rosado del que ella tanto habla.

como ella prepara su café y como a él le gusta negro sin azúcar

cómo aman a Bob / bobsie como si fuera (es) su hija 

Scott lifted a hand, pressing the backs of his fingers to her cheek, then cupped her face. “I’m here because apparently an interesting city and a fascinating job don’t do it for me anymore. So I quit.”

Claire shook her head, not believing what she was hearing. “You can’t quit. That’s your life.”

“No, Claire.” He moved closer. “You’re my life. You, Bob. New York.”

“But you left,” she said, unable to keep the accusation out of her voice. “You left me. And Bob. Rather easily, too.”

“Not easily,” he said roughly, moving even closer, his expression pleading. “Not even close. I know I made a mistake. And I know I haven’t earned a second chance, but damn it, Claire, I want one more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

“Anything. Whatever you’ll give me.” Both his hands were on her face now. “Please—” Claire cut off his words with a kiss, feeling the way he froze in surprise, then relaxed with relief before kissing her back. “I love you,” he whispered softly against her mouth.

She lifted the lid and peeked inside. The baguette, as expected. Cheese. Strawberries. Champagne. She looked at him with a smile, but he didn’t smile back, his expression strangely intense.

When she glanced into the basket once more, she saw why. Nestled among the picnic supplies was a small white box that didn’t look like it belonged. Baffled, she reached for the box and opened it.

Claire gasped. Sparkling up at her was the biggest, most extravagant ring she’d ever seen. The center diamond was large in its own right. The diamonds surrounding it were each bigger than the stone on her old ring. And the little pink diamonds that formed a border around the bigger diamonds? Those were perfect.

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s too much,” he said, reaching out and pulling the ring from the box. “Because I want everyone who sees this, and that includes the astronauts on the International Space Station, to know that you’re taken.”

His eyes searched hers. “You want me to do the knee thing? I’ll do the knee thing.”

She laughed, a little breathless, still staring at the ring. “Isn’t this all kind of soon? We have time.”

He reached for her left hand, rubbed his finger along the base of her fourth finger. “It’s not too soon for me. You’re it for me, Claire. But if you need time, I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Claire gave the only answer she could, the one that had been lodged in her heart the second she saw him sitting on the picnic blanket watching her. “I don’t need time,” she said, looking at him with a bright smile. “Yes. Yes!”

She laughed as he enthusiastically slid the ring on her finger, as though fearing she’d change her mind.

“Oh, that’s heavy,” she said in surprise.

“Great heavy,” she said, kissing him softly.

“How soon until I get to marry you?” he asked, lowering her to the blanket beneath the Eiffel Tower.

Claire smiled. “We’ll figure it out. Later.”

shar

🏹

aaaaa mis padres quiero que me adopten BOB MI HIJA

SCOTTCLAIREBOBSIE MY FAMILY

el paralelo entre Claire diciéndole que en verdad su color favorito es el verde pero que nadie lo recuerda nunca, y cerca del final Scott pintando su cocina y decorando la de verde porque es su color favorito, siendo el único que hasta la fecha no olvido todo lo que ella le dijo


Claire diciendo que quiere que quien sea su otra mitad, la reclamé, le de un anillo enorme que demuestre que quiere que todos sepan que ella es de el, y el de ella, que ella tiene alguien, que pertenece, y después Scott comprando el anillo de compromiso más escandaloso y hermoso para que todos lo vean, porque la escucho y lo recordó, añadiendo los detalles del rosado del que ella tanto habla.

el color y sabor limón + fresa <3

como ella prepara su café y como a él le gusta negro sin azúcar

cómo se apoyan en sus proyectos 

cómo aman a Bob / bobsie como si fuera (es) su hija 


🏹
Scott lifted a hand, pressing the backs of his fingers to her cheek, then cupped her face. “I’m here because apparently an interesting city and a fascinating job don’t do it for me anymore. So I quit.”

Claire shook her head, not believing what she was hearing. “You can’t quit. That’s your life.”

“No, Claire.” He moved closer. “You’re my life. You, Bob. New York.”

“But you left,” she said, unable to keep the accusation out of her voice. “You left me. And Bob. Rather easily, too.”

“Not easily,” he said roughly, moving even closer, his expression pleading. “Not even close. I know I made a mistake. And I know I haven’t earned a second chance, but damn it, Claire, I want one more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

“A chance for what?”

“Anything. Whatever you’ll give me.” Both his hands were on her face now. “Please—” Claire cut off his words with a kiss, feeling the way he froze in surprise, then relaxed with relief before kissing her back. “I love you,” he whispered softly against her mouth.


🏹
She lifted the lid and peeked inside. The baguette, as expected. Cheese. Strawberries. Champagne. She looked at him with a smile, but he didn’t smile back, his expression strangely intense.

When she glanced into the basket once more, she saw why. Nestled among the picnic supplies was a small white box that didn’t look like it belonged. Baffled, she reached for the box and opened it.

Claire gasped. Sparkling up at her was the biggest, most extravagant ring she’d ever seen. The center diamond was large in its own right. The diamonds surrounding it were each bigger than the stone on her old ring. And the little pink diamonds that formed a border around the bigger diamonds? Those were perfect.

“Don’t you dare tell me it’s too much,” he said, reaching out and pulling the ring from the box. “Because I want everyone who sees this, and that includes the astronauts on the International Space Station, to know that you’re taken.”

His eyes searched hers. “You want me to do the knee thing? I’ll do the knee thing.”

She laughed, a little breathless, still staring at the ring. “Isn’t this all kind of soon? We have time.”

He reached for her left hand, rubbed his finger along the base of her fourth finger. “It’s not too soon for me. You’re it for me, Claire. But if you need time, I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Claire gave the only answer she could, the one that had been lodged in her heart the second she saw him sitting on the picnic blanket watching her. “I don’t need time,” she said, looking at him with a bright smile. “Yes. Yes!”

She laughed as he enthusiastically slid the ring on her finger, as though fearing she’d change her mind.

“Oh, that’s heavy,” she said in surprise.

“Good heavy?”

“Great heavy,” she said, kissing him softly.

“How soon until I get to marry you?” he asked, lowering her to the blanket beneath the Eiffel Tower.

Claire smiled. “We’ll figure it out. Later.”

Inês Filipa

by this point I’ll read even lauren layne’s list of groceries

divya

Ella Patterson

Pretty PG but I enjoyed the premise and the slow burn. Kinda felt let down when all that the tension built to was fade to black scenes and vague mentions but it was definitely interesting enough to make me want to look into other Lauren Layne books.

Nicole Cousin 

This was definitely a treat! Claire and Scott's tension was amazing from the beginning. I loved how these two jaded and bitter about love, were able to find each other and help heal old wounds. 

I just ADORE the friendships on these books. I am a sucker to hear when the guys are making fun of each other when one of them finally has real feelings. In a not you are a wimp but more, like Oh damn is not just about sex. And the girls friendships, were even more cemented in this one and honestly I just want my girls and future husbands to get along like thes ones.

Ragetha Ann Guting

I can’t describe how much this book is like a romcom guide to my stale lifestyle. I see a part of myself in Claire Hayes. I relate to her in all levels.

A book perfect for me. And who knows, maybe for you too.

Linda Quintanilla

Everyone stop what they are doing and get ready for this. Lauren Layne has release another book in The Central Park Pact series. And it is Claire book. Who else is excited as I am? 
I have been waiting for Claire book for awhile. She is such interesting character that I want to know more about her. And we do in Love on Lexington Avenue. Claire is getting bored of her routine that she decides to change her ways such as remodeling her home. It's going to be a challenging for her but she wants to be more independent. She realize that she lack so much when she was marry but not anymore. She is determine to step out of her zone and explore. And she does especially with the sexy yet grumpy contractor, Scott.
Scott has done it all and done even more. But he has been feeling a little tired that he decides to stay closer to home for some time. It's going to take some time for him to realize that traveling is taking a toll on him but that will be for later. Right now, he is busy remodeling Claire home which is very interesting to him because she is so different than other owners that it peaks his interest. It's cute that Scott is always surprise when he is around Claire but I'm loving it.
Scott and Claire definitely need each other but they won't know it until later on. It's alright, romance takes time. And when it is real, then it is worth it. And Scott and Claire are.
Love on Lexington Avenue is the perfect romance story to read because it will make you laugh while you swoon for the character love for each other.
Five Stars.

Alicia Haws

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 STARS

First off, this is the second book in the Central Park Pact trilogy. I did NOT read the first book, however, Love on Lexington Avenue can be read as a standalone because I never felt lost. This story centers on Claire who, finding out that her now-dead husband was cheating on her with not one, but two women, finds her life flipped upside down. She quickly finds friendship and camaraderie with the "other women" - Naomi and Audrey- and they make a pact to not let each other date men like him ever again.

One year after his death, Claire decides that she is done being stuck in a drab "vanilla" existence of living day to day. In her process of rediscovering herself and her life outside of being a widow, Claire decides to renovate her house to make it more her style and less of her dead husband's. On the recommendation of Naomi's beau Oliver, she hires Scott, a gruff and handsome contractor to get the job done. He and his dog Bob soon become a big part of her life, which screams COMPLICATED! She knows he doesn't do serious, and will be leaving town as soon as her home project is finished. 

I highly enjoyed this book! The dynamic between Claire and Scott was dynamite. Their dialogue was so fun to read, and both characters were deep and relatable. Claire was flawed yet brave, and Scott was gruff but kind. 

The story made me laugh out loud a few times, and I even got teary-eyed at others. It was the perfect read I needed right now. I also really liked that although it is a romance novel, it hit deeper emotional levels with messages of reinventing yourself after struggles, or times of burden (in this case a double whammy of spouse death/spousal betrayal).

The vanilla vs. strawberry lemonade analogy was fun and relatable because I think everyone feels stuck in a rut or "vanilla" every now and again in our lives and want to feel more "strawberry lemonade." I also really love a well-written romance that doesn't need to be vulgar or sexually descriptive to be steamy and romantic, and Lauren Layne does this VERY well! Just the right amount of sizzle mixed with all the emotions to make a well rounded and beautifully written story.

I highly recommend this if you love a good contemporary romance. I am super excited now to read the first book, and look forward to reading Audrey and Clarke's story next!

*Much thanks to Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!*

Lacey

This series is SO MUCH FUN! Lauren Layne gives us a delicious grumpy hero of a contractor in this one. Just imagine a widow who's trying to make her life pop with lots of color (especially pink) and a grump who is very anti-pink together. Total opposites (she's very upper class and he is not) but perfect together anyway. If you liked Passion on Park Ave you will adore this one too! I'm dying to get my hands on Audrey's book now.

Jessica 

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here.

OH MY GOSH. This was such a fun read. Which is exactly what this quarantine mood called for--right? We could all use a little light. And, I'm always a sucker for Lauren Layne's romances. Ahem. Well, okay, fine, I use always loosely, as I've been fan for less than a year. Obviously, I'm giving her true ride or die status.

Starting Love on Lexington Avenue immediately after Passion on Park Avenue was absolutely essential. I mean, I was thoroughly smitten with the first installment of Central Park Pact and when have I ever shown an ounce of self control? Never. I closed Passion on Park Avenue and was like, "Well, time for Claire's story!"

Because... reasons.

I mean, hello? Give me all the unexpected, fluffy friendships and girl power! Give me feel good romantic comedies with sizzling chemistry! If 'romantic comedy' doesn't sway you, then the solid friendship within will. Naomi's story was everything I wanted it to be, but Claire's was even moreso.

While Passion on Park Avenue relied on tropes I love a bit more, rather than character development (this isn't to say that there wasn't character development: there is A LOT throughout the series), Love on Lexington Avenue was very much so dependent on the character archetypes I prefer. The development wasn't smooth and easy sailing (not that Passion on Park Avenue was, either) but it was exactly the kind I liked.

Claire's journey is a bit different from Naomi's. Lauren Layne crafts a cast of characters that each represent different parts of the narrative in a way that makes them feel real. Claire's journey represents many things: moving forward (the most common thread within the Central Park Pact) and stepping out of your comfort zone. Love on Lexington Avenue feels very much so like a classic rom-com in terms of the love story, but the real shining star is how much Claire grows as a person.

In a lot of ways, her story feels very obtainable and easy to connect with. I mean, a lot of us haven't found ourselves in her shoes re: the death of her cheating husband. That's true. But, her desire for change from an ordinary and 'beige' lifestyle hits home for me. Sometimes, familiar is a little too familiar and forms a rut. We've all been there--right?

That being said: I loved the relationship between Claire and Scott. Even if there were times when I'd want to clock Scott for being all grumpy and judgmental remarks--I think that he brought out the best in Claire and she truly brought out the best in him. I'm a sucker for romantic pairings that feature the classic 'opposites attract' tropes and Love on Lexington Avenue is an absolute pro at portraying this.

With romance and humor sprinkled in, this story is ultimately an easy-going tale of finding one's self again and the importance of friendship. Love on Lexington Avenue is truly a delight jolt of electricity and is truly the definition of feel-good romance. 

Lauren Layne has always been great at taking the familiar, cliche elements of love and bringing them down to earth. Love on Lexington Avenue feels familiar but fresh all at once; never failing to coax a smile out of me. This is one of her best novels yet and I'm so excited to see Audrey and Clark's story in the third novel.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

We finally have the Central Park Pact next installment and all the women are back with a friendship stronger than ever and a romance that is light and sweet and dreamy!

For this story, we have Claire Hayes, the widow. The betrayal from her cheating and dead husband scarred her a lot. Meeting and befriending the other two women her husband was with, makes her question herself. Sadly, her self-confidence plummets to the ground. She sees that she's very plain, not exciting, a first-class boring person. She wants to change aspects of her life to seem less of what she thinks she is. She also wants to dive into the "fling" part of dating so she turns to dear Scott for help.

In comes Scott, the dreamy contractor. He's willing to remodel her house, but he's so not what Claire imagined him to be nor what she normally liked in a guy. But slowly, this flannel-wearing man started growing on her.

I'm going to have to divide this review so I can actually form coherent thoughts.

The characters:
🌻 Claire is a beautiful women who I felt so much for her. I hated that she questioned herself so much. I just wanted her to see how truly astounding she was! (Also, am I the only one who pictured Claire Holt as her?) I mean, being frank, I love how vanilla she is. It gives this sense of innocence to this widowed woman that I found so refreshing. I utterly loved seeing Claire accept herself, while at the same time, blossoming into a better version of herself.

🌻 Scott is the complete opposite of Claire. He's abrasive, blunt, irritable, yet these qualities enhanced the allure surrounding his character that had me with heart for eyes!

The friendship:
🌻 I've said it over and over, but LAUREN LAYNE WRITES THE BEST FRIENDSHIPS! If it's even possible, the friendship was superior in this second installment. The women were closer and the friendship had this intimate feel to it that had my heart warming all over. These ladies keep showing that even if it was an undesirable circumstance that brought them together, they have left that long in the past, with no ill-feeling towards one another, and their focus is to see one another happy. I want to be a part of their friendship!!!

🌻 Something that shone bright for me was the male and female friendships! Usually, in LL's books, the male friendships are incredibly tight, as well as the female friendships. But in this novel, we have them coming together and I was loving every second of it! The male characters were so there for the female ones and that brought so much joy to my heart!

The romance:
The romance was definitely heightened in this novel. There were so many interactions between Claire and Scott that had me loving it all! Right from the beginning, there's tension, sass, spark, chemistry and snark between them. There was no denying that these two were holding on by a thread. And when they came together, it was ever so sweet! It was also explosive but the author doesn't go all that into details, which I'm so not agreeing with. Like, please give me all the dirty details. Sincerely, a pervy reader.

Once again, Lauren Layne created a marvelous and charming romance that warmed me all over. Not only that, LL created a world that I want to be a part of for the rest of my life!

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Love on Lexington Avenue

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