Name: To Have and to Hold
Rating: 3.5 (14 reviews)
ISBN: 9781501135132

Lauren Layne

"Discovering her fiancae is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin's business--and breaks her heart. Brooke thinks she's found a fresh start in NYC with the Belles and her first bridal client, a sweet hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who's holding the purse strings"--Page 4 of cover.

To Have and to Hold

USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne is the “queen of witty dialogue and sexy scenes” (Rachel Van Dyken)! Now, Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own. Discovering her fiancé is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings. Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

Connor 

3.5–a fun, fast paced read that really made me miss New York.

Becky

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

  "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."

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Lauren Layne is my go-to author for fun and flirty contemporary romances. She pretty much never disappoints, and she delivers another winner with To Have and to Hold! This book is the first in the Wedding Belles series, featuring wedding planners who witness not only others’ HEAs, but their own as well. I freaking adored this book, and I have no doubts the series will keep on getting better. If you’re a contemporary romance lover, you have to check this one out! I had so much fun reading it – Seth and Brooke’s way to their HEA is utterly sweet and romantic, with the perfect amount of steam to round it off.

After the wedding fiasco where her con-man groom gets arrested at the altar, Brooke’s wedding planner days in Los Angeles are over. Luckily she gets the chance to start again in NYC with the Wedding Belles, one of the most popular and top-notch wedding planning businesses there is. Her first client is a hotel heiress named Maya – but it’s Maya’s older brother who will prove to be a pain in Brooke’s side. Seth and Brooke get off to a rough start, mainly because Seth is nowhere near agreeable with his sister’s fiancé, so with every meeting there are lusty glares and a simmering tension between the two. Their chemistry is my absolute favorite part of the story – I was seriously hooked onto it and just waiting for when these two characters would finally act on their desires.

Lauren Layne had me glued to the pages as she builds up the romance and tension. Brooke and Seth are two wonderful characters, both strong, independent, yet vulnerable, and I loved reading how they broke down each others’ walls. And there’s also so much going on with Maya’s wedding as well that there’s really never a dull moment in this book. To Have and to Hold is entertaining from start to finish, and with a sweet romance that’s both intense and heartwarming, what’s not to love about it?

If you’re a fan of the author, you won’t want to miss this new series. There are weddings and love and romance and everything that makes for the perfect, sweet summer read. I’m already so excited for the rest of the Wedding Belles series – I have crazy high expectations for the next two books, and I know LL won’t let me down!

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1MG9L1z
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/20swlPb

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

Brooke's life made the top news when a scandal broke out about her fiance being a con-man. Her wedding day was ruined when the FBI arrested the guy at the altar! Seeking a fresh start, she moves from LA to NY to be a part of the Wedding Belles team. She wasn't expecting her fresh start to come in the form of her client's brother.

Brooke is a very relateable character. She's definitely not perfect and makes mistakes, but she's also a great woman who searches for the good in all the bad. Despite what happened to her, she still believes in happy ever afters. And she tries to show Seth that these happy endings do exist.

She was pretty sure the man next to her was every bit as intoxicating as the vodka. Maybe more so.

After getting his heart broken, Seth doesn't believe in happy ever afters. It's why his focus is always on work or his sister, whom he truly loves. He owns a chain of very successful hotels, and he's actually very rich. At first, Seth came off as a little arrogant when he met Brooke, and later we see his very controlling side. He wants the best for the people he loves, but sometimes his way isn't the best. Seth has a caring nature for everyone in his life and it was endearing to read about.

Seth didn't think Brooke was worth it. He knew she was.

When it came to Brooke and Seth, right from the start their chemistry was electrifying! Just by their bickering alone, you could feel the sexual tension between them. Brooke and Seth are so perfect together. She's the one who isn't afraid to tell him just how controlling he is and how it can affect his relationships with the people he cares about the most.

"I had to try to be more, because you made me want to be more."

You know there's always a scene when either the man or the woman has to win the other back. The way that Seth tried to win Brooke back melted my heart. I would keep messaging Lacey from Booklovers for Life all to get to that scene because I couldn't bear to read it alone. I needed to share my feels with someone else. It was the best thing he could have done for both of them.

"I'll take whatever you're giving. A drink. Dinner. A walk. Maybe a movie. Joint custody of the dog. Keys to the same home. [...] A wedding. Babies. Things like that."

I need to highlight Maya's character (Brooke's client). I want her as my best friend! Lacey and I kept saying how amazing she was. When she got friendly with Brooke, we just loved her even more! It's obvious Maya and Seth are siblings since they are the most caring characters in this book. Also, the women from the Wedding Belles received Brooke with open arms and they immediately clicked and became friends. I can't wait to read more of this friendship in the rest of the series!

"I don't think you realize just how much trouble you're in. [...] Let's just say when my brother wants something, he gets it. Always."

I'm pretty sure you guys have memorized what I'm about to say. Lauren Layne is the boss! I keep saying this because she always delivers with her stories. They are some of the best Contemporary novels I've read. Lauren Layne has a way with words that engages the reader and makes them feel so giddy and happy. If you're in need of a good dose of Contemporary novels that are cute, sexy, and with a fantastic cast of characters, never hesitate to read a book by this author. You will never be disappointed.

Overall, To Have and To Hold was all kinds of romantic—a romance that will tug at your heartstrings and make you fall hard.

I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

To Have and to Hold

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