Book Tour with Review: For Better or Worse (The Wedding Belles #2) by Lauren Layne

 

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.

My Review

No one and I mean no one does sweet and sexy quite like author Lauren Layne. For Better or Worse is the second book in The Wedding Belles Series and is a truly delightful read. This book is fun, flirty, sexy and thoroughly entertaining.

Told from dual points of view, For Better or Worse follows the story of Josh and Heather. Heather has always loved planning weddings, so went off to New York to pursue the career she always wanted. Heather is on top of the world. She has the job she wants, with a promotion just in her grasps, she’s planning the wedding of the season, and she’s got the apartment she’s always dreamed. There’s just one problem….Her loud neighbor….If you asked Josh, he would tell you that he couldn’t be happier with the state of his life. He’s in a band and no longer deals with the stress of the normal 9-5, he’s got his choice of women and is just living the kicked back, relaxed lifestyle. He didn’t realize he was missing anything until his new neighbor came along. At first his feisty neighbor, is nothing more than a nuisance to him, but the more time he spends with Heather, the more he can’t get her out of his head. He feels a pull towards her that he can’t explain, but his past keeps him from letting anyone get close. Will Heather be the star of her own dreams? Will Josh finally take a chance on love? Will Josh finally wake up and start living?

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with Josh and Heather from the very beginning. Their banter was just so much fun. They both gave as good as they got, and I loved the way that they challenged one another. Josh did frustrate me at times. Sure, he was broody and private. But, I hated how closed off Josh would get with Heather. The moment she tried to ask for details in his life, he would just clam up or snap at her. However, once I learned the secret that he was harboring, I began to understand this quiet, brooding man. I wanted to reach into my kindle and give him a hug. I wanted to tell him that everything was going to work out and that he can’t be afraid to live his life.

What I really loved about Josh and Heather, was their chemistry. The minute they got around each other, you could just feel the sparks flying.  When they weren’t fighting or challenging one another, they made their “relationship” look effortless.They were like magnets, they couldn’t resist the pull they felt for one another. Josh and Heather didn’t plan on falling in love, but a connection like theirs could not be denied. And before either one of them realized it, they ending up doing the very thing they set out to not do.

For Better or Worse is a wonderful enemies to lovers/second chance romance. Josh and Heather’s story is well written and will take you on an emotional journey. Lauren Layne has once again provided me with a beautiful story and characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with. For Better or Worse has just the right amount of humor, angst, drama and romance. And while this book does deal with some serious subject matter, there is just the right amount of humor to balance out all the heavy.

For Better or Worse is a fantastic addition to The Wedding Belles Series and I can’t wait to see who’s story will be next!

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

Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart–cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.

In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.

In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

For a list of all her works, please be sure to check out her official website!

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