by Lauren Layne
Series: Wedding Belles #0.5
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Up-and-coming wedding photographer Leah McHale’s career is on the rise–thanks in no small part to the Wedding Belles, the elite New York wedding planning agency that always throws top-tier business Leah’s way. So when one of the Belles asks Leah to fill in at the former First Daughter's wedding, Leah is overjoyed to say yes–until she finds out who she’ll be working with.
Jason Rhodes is the one man who was able to capture Leah’s heart and, once he had it, promptly stepped all over it and left her broken. Now he’s working side-by-side with her at the biggest wedding of the season and Leah is determined to give him the cold shoulder. Despite his persistence, she is not going to fall for his charming, impish ways again. Not even if he still has that killer, irresistible smile...
From This Day Forward by Lauren Layne is a novella introducing readers to the Wedding Belles series. It offers a delightful second chance romance between two stubborn photographers. Set in New York, Layne had me laughing and swooning as I devoured this heartwarming novella.
In From This Day Forward, we meet up and coming photographer Leah McHale. Part of her success comes from bookings through her friend’s business Wedding Belles. When a wedding falls through leaving her unexpectedly open for the weekend, she agrees to fill in as one of two photographers for a high profile wedding. This could launch her career the only downside to the event is the second photographer. Jason Rhodes is the man who broke her heart a year ago. The same man whose calls she has avoided and now they will be spending the weekend together. What unfolds is a delicious, sweet, heartwarming second chance romances.
This couple had incredible chemistry and both are terribly stubborn creating a fun, snarky dance with sizzling hot chemistry. Most of their issues could have been resolved by locking them in a closet but I must admit Layne’s way was a lot more fun. We watch them tango, drool, lip-lock and retreat. My kindle was sizzling when these two finally gave in to their physical needs. I really liked both of them despite their issues. I laughed, wanted to slap a few heads, swooned and sighed. All of these elements make From This Day Forward the perfect rainy day read.
While From This Day Forward is a novella, I found it to be well balanced and rewarding. Layne allowed me to connect with the characters and even introduced secondary characters. At times the characters stubbornness was frustrating but I understood their actions and found myself emotionally engaged. This was my first Lauren Layne book and I was delighted with her writing style.
Come spend the summer getting to know the Wedding Belles with me. To Have and to Hold releases July 26. For Better or Worse August 30 and To Love and to Cherish October 18. It will feature three high-powered women who plan any wedding—but can they plan their own?
Wedding Belle Series
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Trish
Sounds like a nice way to sample the series. And I don’t mind stubborn characters, I’m that way inclined myself!
kimbacaffeinate
It was and she managed a complete story..going with second chance was smart on her part.
Dani Chapman
I am hoping I can read this book this summer. I am so glad you liked it and am really looking forward to it now!
kimbacaffeinate
I am really looking forward to the rest of the books 🙂
Melissa
Snark and Sizzle and those gorgeous covers!!! Win, Win, Win!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed not to mention second chance romance..,,which I love:)
Cyn
Oh my gosh! This spy ‘s so cute (an d kind of like a Hallmark I watched once haha). The author is new to me, glad to see you enjoy this! Sounds like a good start to the series. Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Other bloggers have recommended her, so I am really glad I tried this one Cyn 🙂
Lorna
Just one clicked. This reminds me of another series with four best friends that ran a business like this and it had four books-one for each girl. I loved it and it’s driving me crazy trying to remember who wrote them! So yes I am sold! Thanks!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay..enjoy my friend. It reminded me of that Nora Robert;’s bride serie.
Lorna
That’s it! Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
sweet..i loved that series too Lorna!
Katherine
This sounds good! I’ve been wanting to try this author for awhile and I love the plot on this one. I love when a novella does a 2nd chance romance because it always seems to work much better. The characters have a history and emotions already there so they’re not going from “Nice to meet you” to “I love you madly” in 100 pages.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree second chance works well in novellas, I am excited to read the first book in this series.
Angela Adams
I love when you post a novella review. Thanks for the post, and have a great weekend.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Angela. I hope you are enjoying yours 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
I love it when you find a good novella. I think those are harder to write than full length novels. Tells me something about her ability! 🙂 Might have to check it out.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, and it gave me all the feels..so I am excited to try a full length novel by her 🙂
Mary Kirkland
This sounds like a good story and that cover is so cute.
kimbacaffeinate
It was and I agree about the cover 🙂
Leona
I have a Layne story on my kindle I just haven’t got around to it yet, definitely need to push it up closer to the top. Great review! There’s nothing I love more than a well balanced story despite its length.
kimbacaffeinate
I have heard so many wonderful things about her, so I am delighted to have started one of her series.
Quinn's Book Nook
This looks so cute. And I’ve been wanting to try out Lauren Layne. I’ve heard good things. I really like reading a novella by a new author. It’s a good way to get introduced to their style.
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Quinn, and this was my first go with this author. I plan to finish this series 🙂
Sophia Rose
Haha! Your reaction to their conflict had me laughing. Some second chance scenarios sure do make you want to intervene and organize them. 🙂 Sounds cute!
kimbacaffeinate
Right it was what they needed, thankfully other characters knocked some sense into them
Angela
I love Lauren Layne but I’ve not read this series yet.
It looks intriguing and I always find it interesting when the characters are photographers. I grew up surrounded by them, so it’s always nice to see them pop up in books.
kimbacaffeinate
This is just starting and since you love the author I hope you start them.
Tracy Terry
I suspect this one would appeal greatly to my friend who having set a date for her wedding is reading not only bridal magazines but wedding fiction every second she can.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh this would be fun for her!
kindlemom1
You know I love the snark along with the sizzle! Great review Kim, I hope you have a great weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali. We did so many days in the sun this week that I was a total sloth and read one book, a novella and finished another book. It was heaven
blodeuedd
Such a cute cover 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It really is, as are the other covers in this series :()
Ro
Yay to Lauren with her plus-size Pomeranian and being married to her childhood sweetheart! Because it’s a novella, I may not naturally gravitate to this one, but golly it sounds like the characters are having such fun, that I have to grab it! Love it when the chemistry just works! Great review Kim and Happy Friday!
kimbacaffeinate
For a novella it was really well done, I am exciting to see what the full length novels bring 🙂