Passion on Park Avenue

i don’t know? i kinda wanted more? i did, however, enjoy all of the anne of green gables references.

love the girls friendship!! Even though the way they became friends was unconventional, it doesn’t make the camaraderie the girls developed any less genuine. also the romance plot was unique too and I ATE IT UP

just here for the audreyclarke crumbs,,, heard theyre gonna serve childhood friends to lovers omg im coming for u babies???? 😩

3.5

Passion on Park Avenue is as entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance that shows us the friendship between three women that find out that they're boyfriend is the same man. Naomi, a successful self made entrepreneur, runs into Oliver, the son of the man that took advantage of her mother and fired her. Once a ruthless man, Oliver's father has now Alzheimer and needs constant care. Although Naomi hates Oliver's family, as time goes by, she discovers that her nemesis is no longer a spoiled cruel kid and starts to fall in love with him, and even starts to care for his father. It's a cute love story that will entertain you until the next book comes.

I truly fell so hard for Lauren Layne's writing. In my eyes, 99% of the time, she can do no wrong. Naomi finds out she's the other woman when the guy she'd been dating for 3 months, Brayden, dies. She decides to go to his funeral, but she couldn't handle it so she ends up at Central Park. It is there that she meets Claire, the widow, and Audrey, the other woman. The three woman bond so fast and in no time, become the best of friends. Two months later, Naomi is handling her Maxcessory company and in the process of moving offices. She's also looking to change apartments, but she gets a call from 517 Park Avenue, letting her know there's an available space for an apartment and to go in for an interview. She immediately recognizes the name of the place because she used to live there. Naomi knows she never applied and when she arrives to the interview, she finds out it was her mom who sent the application. Not only that, it is there that she comes face to face with her past in the form of Oliver Cunningham, the guy who ruined her life and her mom's. Never had she imagined that the boy who'd tormented her mercilessly during her childhood would once again hold her fate in his hands. I got hooked on this story right from the beginning. I fell hard for Naomi. She's so captivating and intriguing. I completely love her nonchalant attitude, but how at the same time, she feels so much and so deep. She's so strong yet vulnerable, and that vulnerability is what makes her who she is and what kept drawing me to her. Naomi, Claire and Audrey are such an amazing trio of friends. I honestly loved how they met and how they bonded right from the beginning. It's great to see how each one of them have a unique personality. I see Naomi as the badass of the group, very observant, fierce, forward, independent, and loving. Claire is someone who's very poised, put together and has a calming energy about her. I see Audrey as the wild card out of the three of them. She's not really a wild card but she has this free spirit about her, she's completely fun, outspoken, quirky, and she just brought so much lightness to the story. Lauren Layne writes the BEST FRIENDSHIPS! When it comes to her books, I'm always giddy in anticipation to read about the friendships. She makes them so real! I always want to be a part of the friendships in her books. "Hands in, girls, we're making a pact, high school-style. May neither of you ever fall victim to a cheating bastard again. Not on my watch." I was intrigued from the get-go with Oliver and what was going on in his life, especially with his father, Walter. Oliver has to go through so much to take care of his father; it's truly heart-breaking. He's very cautious in letting people into his life since someone had already bailed on him when he needed the person the most. Even with his cautiousness, he's so intrigued by Naomi and the hatred in her eyes towards him that he wants to peel all of her layers and little by little, he lets her in his life. I love how he keeps going out of his way to get to know her and woo her, even when Naomi treats him bad because of how mad she is at what he did. Two of my favorite scenes, involve the two first times they kiss. Oliver had me in love! With Naomi, from when she found out Oliver was still in 517 Park Avenue, you could tell that Naomi's plan was revenge but as soon as she saw Walter again, her defenses started to lower and any thought of revenge went out the window. I loved the friendship that Walter and Naomi developed. It was so beautiful to read about it, so heart-warming. I love the path Lauren Layne took with this story, especially with how Oliver found out. She did such a wonderful job. I don't think this take is written much in romance books and Lauren Layne killed it. She added a twist to it that I just praise her for it. I love how everything in the end came together. Every aspect of the story was done with perfection. There wasn't something I hated or disliked. I honestly loved everything! Lauren Layne is the only author so far that I don't have to read a book's description or see a cover to know if I want to read it. No. Everything she writes, I immediately want, no questions asked. She's so underrated as an author and I wish more people would read her books and put her name on high because she deserves it. I urge you guys to pick this book up if you love contemporary romance, love friendship, love a slow-building second-chance intimate romance. This is another aspect of Lauren Layne that I love from her books. Her romances are always so character-driven and full of intimacy, which goes beyond just the sex. I really find it refreshing when an author can write such a brilliant story without needing sex scenes to make it stand out. No, LL's writing stands out on pure talent alone with the friendships and romances she writes. I loved how hooked I got into the story from beginning. I loved how it completely drew me in. I loved how it completely stole my heart and I cannot wait for more! I received an eARC via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

undoubtedly a cute read. i cannot wait for audreyclarke

3.5

Damn it, Naomi, open your eyes. I've been right here. It was too damn late. He was already falling for her. Falling for every one of her moods, and there were many. Falling for her strength and her vulnerabilities, falling for the fact that she was kind even when she didn't want to be... This one was fun!! Naomi moves to the building where her life pretty much ended, where she and her mother were put in the streets after an affair her mom had with the boss, and her mom was totally looked down by everyone in the city, losing her job and not getting another one cleaning houses ever. It made Naomi's life bad and she moved in to let the family who "destroyed" hers, see that she was better than them and how she owns a big company and showing them she has it good! But what she found was actually a family heartbroken and a kid who's not a kid anymore but this kind, funny, cute, flirty man! When she meets Oliver again she is rude to him and he can tell right away she doesn't like him and he doesn't know why because he doesn't remember her and to be honest it was 20 years ago so, it's kinda normal! But yeah he was intrigued anyway and the more time they spend together the more they knew each other the more attracted to each other they got!! Oliver fell fast and first for sure, for Naomi and I liked Naomi I truly do, but the way she treated Oliver and not telling him the truth was stupid and childish and I know she was afraid and she was so afraid to be vulnerable in front of him but god he truly liked her and he cared for her and tried to show her the best version of his self, and I do respect her, I know it's hard but she knew he wasn't the little kid she knew back then, twenty years ago and also him finding out from another was bad so I don't blame Oliver but they were fun and cute together to be honest! Also loved the friendship Naomi has with Claire and Audrey, even though the way they met wasn't the best way possible, at least they were alone and now they have each other!! Can't wait for Audrey and Clarke's book, god their banter was already so good in this book, can't imagine in their own book!! And also can't wait for Claire's journey to finally have her happy ending with someone who deserves her and I can't wait to meet more of Scott Turner, uh such a hot name I don't know!! This one was a fast paced funny rom com romance book, with a good neighbors, kinda frenemies to lovers type!! I had fun and it was good I guess!! “I don't know. I just... well, I guess I missed him a little. I don't have family, and he needs someone, and I think I need someone, too.” “I love you, Oliver.” “I love you, too, Naomi.

Loved this book as it was different and cute, but it felt like something was missing.

as referências a anne e gilbert simplesmente tudo pra mim

Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Netgalley for sending this to me!! I really enjoyed this one! It was super fast paced, addicting, light, and reminded me a lot of Sex and the City with a splash of Gossip Girl! I blew through this in two sittings and was surprised at how quickly I devoured this one! This follows extremely successful Naomi as she comes to term with her past. She makes two of the best of friends in the most strangest circumstance. I love how unique the situation was and the friendship aspect in this book was a huge highlight. I loved how they all built this bond from such an awful situation and I’m so excited for Audrey and Claire to find their happily ever after. When Naomi moves into Park Avenue, which was a place that has a lot of history for her and her mom, she has to come face to face with the man who betrayed her mom and his son, who was a schoolyard bully all growing up. The only thing is that what she finds isn’t who she expects and she has to come to terms with learning how to forgive and move on while falling in love with the boy she thought she knew. I really enjoyed the relationship between Oliver and Naomi but I wish it wasn’t as much fade to black as it was. They didn’t have as many “sexy” scenes as I was hoping for, but they did have a lot of great banter and chemistry. I just felt like it went in circles a lot of the time and I just wanted them to be together already!! This is where my problems really were, especially with Naomi. I thought she was frustrating at times and I just wanted her to TALK TO OLIVER! The biggest conflict was miscommunication between them and it was just driving me insane. That being said, when we finally did get it, I was so excited only to realize I was way past the 80% mark and the book was almost done. I would have loved to stay with their relationship for a bit longer but I’m excited that this is a series and I’m hopeful we’ll get to see more cuteness from them in the future. I really appreciated that this book dealt with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. My grandmother suffers from this disease and I felt so deeply for Oliver. I’ve never read a book before that featured that and it was such a huge part of Oliver’s life. All the times when he couldn’t go out or do normal things because he had to take care of his dad, I completely understood that because that’s how it was like for me and my family when my grandma lived with us before we had to put her in a home. I was personally able to connect with all those moments and I really loved all the family scenes with Walter! I also loved the Anne of Green Gables mentions! It was so cute!! The writing was great as well and I’m so excited to read more from this series and watch all the girls find their happily ever afters!

Such a cute and sweet rom com. The story about Naomi becoming a girl boss and how she fell in love she spent her whole life hating was just lovely. Also my favorite thing was the way the friendship with Naomi, Aubrey and Claire started. If that is not how women should support each other, I do not know what is

My Review Of Passion on Park Avenue Passion On Park Avenue is the first book in Lauren Layne's new Central Park Pact Series. In this first book in the series we get Naomi Powell's story. Let me start by saying , this book and characters are addicting! Bronx-born Naomi Powell is one woman that is going to shed her not so happy childhood roots if it's the last thing she does. We meet Naomi as she is on her way to a funeral dressed to kill and feeling like killing the two-three? timing deceased ex-lover. Instead of staying at the funeral Naomi ends up in Central Park, meets and becomes insta friends with two of the most unlikely women, Claire and Audrey that she would ever expect to meet or better yet become friends with. I met many interesting characters in this book like Deena , Naomi's brash but lovable assistant and Oliver, Naomi's childhood nemesis, who is now hot and ultra sexy. When Naomi and Oliver first meet again after so many years Naomi is shockingly still angry and I think that she is a bit surprised by her anger. Passion On Park Avenue earns high marks from me for its witty dialogue, NYC setting, fashion references and a glimpse into the ultra chic and snobby Park Avenue living. The chemistry between Oliver and Naomi is HOT! The whole time I was cheering these two ex-nemesis, would be lovers to just get on with it but Naomi struggles with memories of past humiliation at the hands of Oliver and his parents. I had no real issues with this book aside from wanting Naomi to tell Oliver that she was Carrots (his childhood nickname for her) to his Ollie (hers for him). I just knew that when he figured this out it would not be pretty! Naomi surprises me time after time in this book because despite her visceral first few reactions to Oliver she manages to keep focused on the present/ future and doesn't stay so stuck in the past that she cannot move forward with life, career and relationships. Despite Naomi's childhood and almost non-existent parenting, this is one gal that has her head on straight. Lauren Layne has delivered for me big time with this book and I cannot wait to read about Claire and Audrey. I look forward to getting to know all of the characters that I met in this book a whole lot better. This review was originally posted on Fictional Reviewer

I could’ve finished this in half a day if I had more reading time. But this book is perfect. Naomi and Oliver are perfect in an imperfect sense. I was hooked from the very first page.

Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads. Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors, so naturally I was thrilled she was writing a new series. The early teases sounded so good. When the cover for Passion on Park Avenue was released, I basically swooned. (I'm a little bit in love with NYC, ok?) I started hearing early buzz for the book that slightly tamped down my excitement, but I still wanted to read it. I'm glad I did, too. It was a wonderful book, even if I thought it felt a little more like women's fiction than romance with the fade-to-black. (Not that it's a bad thing, mind you. It's just not what I've come to expect from her.)  I really did love Naomi and Oliver. Their story had plenty of ups and downs. Emotional roller coaster, anyone? But with the angst was a healthy dose of chemistry, laughs and a slow burn that I just couldn't wait to catch flame. Unfortunately it never really exploded because of the fade-to-black. BUT, the characters (including the ladies Naomi made the pact with) and storytelling made up for that and made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. All in all, the Central Park Pact series is off to a promising start, with wonderful writing and characters I definitely want more from. I can't wait to read the next book! I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Favorite Quotes: "The next time you look at me like you want me to kiss you, I will." "You're no longer a puzzle I'm interested in solving." Her heart might belong to Oliver. But her pride was still her own.

This one, shrug. Naomi grew up the daughter of a live-in housekeeper who got fired from her job and was then blacklisted from getting another job as a housekeeper. She then went into a downward spiral and never recovered. Why? She was caught having consensual sex with the husband by her kid and his. Not really a victim exactly when his wife fired her. The son Oliver, 10 at the time, didn’t jump to defend the adulterers when his mother (the wife) confronted them. When Naomi's mother was fired, that meant they also no longer had a place to live. So she hates that family including the son. This whole basis of the entire plot was a giant wtf for me. What does grown-up Naomi expect that 10 year old Oliver could have done? Did she expect Oliver's mother, the wife, to allow a woman who was sleeping with her husband to continue living there until they found another place to live? The person that Naomi should rightfully blame is her mother, who put her employment and their housing on the line when she decided to sleep with her employer's husband. Second in line for Naomi's ire should be the husband. The only 2 people who are blameless in the situation are her and Oliver (I would even say a 3rd person, the wife - I would have fired her ass too if my kid found my live-in housekeeper doing it with my husband in my house). Grown-up and still-bitter Naomi ends up moving into Oliver's building where he and his father live. The mother died, and the father now has Alzheimer's. Oliver takes care of him. She moves into the same building as a revenge plot against Oliver but revenge is complicated when you're attracted to your nemesis. But she can't act on that attraction since she still blames 10-year-old Oliver for her and her mother being homeless and then struggling for years. I just couldn't even with Naomi and her stupid ass grudge against the wrong person and then doubling down on stupid by being all "but he's sooooo dreamy!" . There were some elements of the story I liked, but the entire core of the plot just didn't work at all for me.

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life How freaking CUTE was this book!? Lauren Layne has yet to disappoint me with her fabulous contemporary romances, and Passion on Park Avenue, the first in her new Central Park Pact series, is no different. I had such a fun time with Naomi and Oliver, as well as the women Naomi makes a pact with: Claire and Audrey. The series centers around these three women who had a relationship with a man… unknowingly at the same time. I loved that they made the most of it and became such good friends. I adored this start to a new series! I know I can always count on LL to deliver a feel-good yet meaningful contemporary romance with a strong heroine and swoony hero. Naomi is the rags-to-riches CEO of a jewelry company she started from the ground up. She thought she had the perfect life, career, and boyfriend… until that boyfriend died, and it turns out not only was he married, he also had another girlfriend in addition to Naomi. Lauren Layne could’ve taken the women’s first meeting in all sorts of directions, but I loved the one she took: Naomi, Claire (the wife), and Audrey (the other girlfriend) bond and make a pact to help each other when it comes to seeing men for who they are. This girl-bond is probably my favorite part of this book. They are all so loving, sarcastic, and supportive of each other – everyone needs friends like these women! Now onto the romance… The chemistry between Oliver and Naomi is delicious. There’s a bit of hate-to-love going on, with lots of great banter and sexual tension. I wouldn’t say this book is incredibly steamy, but LL knows how to write tension! All of their scenes were so much fun to read, and I even loved Oliver’s grandfather, who has Alzheimer’s. Passion on Park Avenue is a quick and delightful read. I zipped through it so fast and easily. Fans of the author will definitely have fun with Naomi and Oliver. It’s the perfect summer-y read and I can’t wait for the next two books! Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review. Amazon Ebook: https://amzn.to/2KbJDPy Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2MfBDQb Audible: https://amzn.to/2MebwsV Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tik Tok | You can find my review here. Oh, Lauren Layne does it again! The first few chapters of this book didn't have me hooked and it worried me there for a minute. Luckily, the story really kicked into gear and once it did so it stayed there! Passion on Park Avenue was truly a blast and a breathe of fresh air that had me chuckling, swooning, cringing and jumping around. Passion on Park Avenue is a true and pure form of a love story that leaves readers feeling as though their grin is set to permanent. Honestly, if not for the slow start, Passion on Park Avenue is the perfect romance novel. Tied into one of the most beloved cities in the states, and rooted in unlikely and sweet friendships, sprinkled in with flawed and likable characters, Lauren Layne writes more than just a love story and it really, truly, works. Passion on Park Avenue feels like several types of love stories rolled up into one. Learning to love yourself. Learning to love and forgive those who've wronged you. Loving your friends. Falling into romantic, lifelong, passionate love. This is where Layne excels beyond just vividly drawn characters: love. It's all about the heart and soul of life. This definitely wasn't what I was expecting from Layne after reading a few of her books last summer and autumn--Passion on Park Avenue wasn't just as light and dishy. Instead, it was a story filled with heart and hints of real emotional human complexities. Naomi and Oliver, and their history, were truly an outstanding and well-developed relationship that all but sizzled off the pages and into our finger tips. I loved the fact that their relationship was slow-burn and electrifying without being blatantly in your face. Further, the friendship that formed between Naomi, Claire and Audrey was truly what dreams are made of. There's so much humor to be found in the bond that they formed. After all, it's not everyday that you become tight with the women who were all unknowingly involved with the same man. You know, after his funeral. (Iconic!) While it was nowhere near as steamy as I'd expected, compared to some of Layne's other novels, it was still an absolute delight. Layne's prose has become more polished and in depth, lively to new degrees, which makes for a compelling and swoon-worthy story. As for familiarity, this definitely feels like a classic Lauren Layne read that's been elevated to new levels. And, in so many ways, reading Passion on Park Avenue feels a little like falling in love itself. One thing is certain: I can't wait to dive into Claire and Audrey's stories, ASAP!

I truly fell so hard for Lauren Layne's writing. In my eyes, 99% of the time, she can do no wrong. Naomi finds out she's the other woman when the guy she'd been dating for 3 months, Brayden, dies. She decides to go to his funeral, but she couldn't handle it so she ends up at Central Park. It is there that she meets Claire, the widow, and Audrey, the other woman. The three woman bond so fast and in no time, become the best of friends. Two months later, Naomi is handling her Maxcessory company and in the process of moving offices. She's also looking to change apartments, but she gets a call from 517 Park Avenue, letting her know there's an available space for an apartment and to go in for an interview. She immediately recognizes the name of the place because she used to live there. Naomi knows she never applied and when she arrives to the interview, she finds out it was her mom who sent the application. Not only that, it is there that she comes face to face with her past in the form of Oliver Cunningham, the guy who ruined her life and her mom's. Never had she imagined that the boy who'd tormented her mercilessly during her childhood would once again hold her fate in his hands. I got hooked on this story right from the beginning. I fell hard for Naomi. She's so captivating and intriguing. I completely love her nonchalant attitude, but how at the same time, she feels so much and so deep. She's so strong yet vulnerable, and that vulnerability is what makes her who she is and what kept drawing me to her. Naomi, Claire and Audrey are such an amazing trio of friends. I honestly loved how they met and how they bonded right from the beginning. It's great to see how each one of them have a unique personality. I see Naomi as the badass of the group, very observant, fierce, forward, independent, and loving. Claire is someone who's very poised, put together and has a calming energy about her. I see Audrey as the wild card out of the three of them. She's not really a wild card but she has this free spirit about her, she's completely fun, outspoken, quirky, and she just brought so much lightness to the story. Lauren Layne writes the BEST FRIENDSHIPS! When it comes to her books, I'm always giddy in anticipation to read about the friendships. She makes them so real! I always want to be a part of the friendships in her books. "Hands in, girls, we're making a pact, high school-style. May neither of you ever fall victim to a cheating bastard again. Not on my watch." I was intrigued from the get-go with Oliver and what was going on in his life, especially with his father, Walter. Oliver has to go through so much to take care of his father; it's truly heart-breaking. He's very cautious in letting people into his life since someone had already bailed on him when he needed the person the most. Even with his cautiousness, he's so intrigued by Naomi and the hatred in her eyes towards him that he wants to peel all of her layers and little by little, he lets her in his life. I love how he keeps going out of his way to get to know her and woo her, even when Naomi treats him bad because of how mad she is at what he did. Two of my favorite scenes, involve the two first times they kiss. Oliver had me in love! With Naomi, from when she found out Oliver was still in 517 Park Avenue, you could tell that Naomi's plan was revenge but as soon as she saw Walter again, her defenses started to lower and any thought of revenge went out the window. I loved the friendship that Walter and Naomi developed. It was so beautiful to read about it, so heart-warming. I love the path Lauren Layne took with this story, especially with how Oliver found out. She did such a wonderful job. I don't think this take is written much in romance books and Lauren Layne killed it. She added a twist to it that I just praise her for it. I love how everything in the end came together. Every aspect of the story was done with perfection. There wasn't something I hated or disliked. I honestly loved everything! Lauren Layne is the only author so far that I don't have to read a book's description or see a cover to know if I want to read it. No. Everything she writes, I immediately want, no questions asked. She's so underrated as an author and I wish more people would read her books and put her name on high because she deserves it. I urge you guys to pick this book up if you love contemporary romance, love friendship, love a slow-building second-chance intimate romance. This is another aspect of Lauren Layne that I love from her books. Her romances are always so character-driven and full of intimacy, which goes beyond just the sex. I really find it refreshing when an author can write such a brilliant story without needing sex scenes to make it stand out. No, LL's writing stands out on pure talent alone with the friendships and romances she writes. I loved how hooked I got into the story from beginning. I loved how it completely drew me in. I loved how it completely stole my heart and I cannot wait for more! I received an eARC via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.