by Lauren Layne
Series: Wedding Belles #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Discovering her fiance 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 fiance 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?
To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne is the first full-length novel in the Wedding Belles series. It’s a brand new contemporary series set in New York featuring highly successful wedding planners and their individual romances. I am already drooling in anticipation for one of the gals’ romances. A little humor, sweetness and a pinch of angst delivered the perfect recipe for romance.
Coffee dates with To Have and To Hold
- First Date: Brooke Baldwin has recently arrived in New York after her wedding business fizzled in Los Angeles not because she isn’t a competent and fabulous planner but because of the disastrous events at her own ceremony. I will leave you to discover those details. She has secured a spot with the Wedding Belles and due to unexpected complications, she ends up handling the Tyler wedding. Seth Tyler hotel tycoon’s sister is getting married and he is none too happy about it. One cannot blame him, since he has never met nor heard of the fiancé’ until his sister asks for a fairy tale wedding. Brooke may have a ton of baggage in her personal life, but I loved her initial meeting with Seth and his sister. Chemistry and snark let me know we are going to have fun.
- Second date: Seth is a bit of a control freak or perhaps that is too harsh, let us call him a fixer. Yep, that’s better. The man is also lonely although he probably will not admit that. Brooke and Seth tango verbally as the attraction between them continues. These two will tangle between the sheets and the anticipation was delightful. I loved the dance, the little jabs and enjoyed the buildup. Side threads regarding Seth’s best friend, Brooke’s ex and time with the girls at Wedding Belles all added depth giving this “Sex in the City” story a small town feel.
- Third date: Between Seth’s lustful thoughts about Brooke and his concerns over his sister we know he is going to muck things up. However, Seth is adorkable so be patient with him. The relationship experiences some hot and cold moments. Brooke struggles with her emotional scars and Seth tries to fix things. Need I say more? Thankfully, Layne kept the angst to a minimum. Side threads regarding the owner of the Wedding Belles and those regarding Seth’s sister will make readers all warm and fuzzy.
My coffee dates with To Have and To Hold ended on a high note. I am very glad fellow bloggers pushed me to try Lauren Layne and I cannot wait to get my hands on For Better or Worse the next novel.
Books in the series
Humor, sweetness and a pinch of angst Caffeinated shares To Have and to Hold by Lauren Layne Share on X
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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lorna
Today’s my day for finding emails that I didn’t know I still had. So I went and bought this after reading your review. I am a sucker for this kind of read, and I love your Date reviews! Thanks for the recommendation as always!
Nereyda Gonzalez
I gave this 4 stars too, it was a very cute and fun book. If you liked this you should definitely try her other books. I love Blurred Lines and her Stiletto and Oxford series.
Dani Chapman
This book is on my list… 🙂 Thanks for the great review!!
Theophania
I did make an exception. Read it, and enjoyed it. Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
YAY…I was on vacation but so happy to hear you tried it. Off to read your review!!
Theophania
I don’t read contemporary romance, but your review has made me think about making an exception! It sounds like I might actually like the characters. Might give it a try… 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
I love adorkable male leads! I haven’t tried Layne, I’m obviously missing something.
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds like a good read! Thanks so much for sharing. I think I’d enjoy books that follow wedding planners. I find party planning in general to be interesting.
Angela Adams
Unique premise and career choice for our heroine. Thanks for the post.
sherry fundin
Makes me think of Sex and the City. 🙂
Heidi
I have seen this one around, and everyone likes this author. I should give it a go, but I am absoultely drowning right now.
A Belle's Tales
Well, we adore the series title! This book sounds super cute and fun! On the list it goes 🙂
~Mckenzie and Michele
Katherine
Oh this sounds good! I always like control freak characters in romances because it’s definitely a personality trait I can relate too! This sounds awesome and definitely a book I need!
Mary Kirkland
Beautiful cover, too bad it’s not my type of book.
kindlemom1
Yay for those recommendations that really pay off!
Lekeisha
Okay, she seriously needs to let me at least start one of her series. LOL! I can never decide which I want to try first because they all look so tempting, and they release so fast.
Anna
Oh I know I’m going to love this one. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Rowena
Great review! I really love Lauren Layne’s books and this was no different. I’m so looking forward to Alexis and Logan. I need that book right now! I adored Seth and Brooke, even when they were being buttheads. Such a lovely book. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
This isn’t usually my cuppa, but I can see me enjoying it. I really need to check out this author’s books. I might need to read her work. 🙂
blodeuedd
Cute books 🙂
Nick
I’m so pleased you enjoyed your first foray into a full length Lauren Layne novel Kim! Now you must most definitely pick up her Sex, Love & Stiletto books because they are crack-worthy. If you loved this one, you are going to devour the heck out of the second book. Josh and Heather were AMAZING together!
Lovely review, Kim! 🙂
Leona
I have a Lauren Layne story on my kindle (maybe a few of them) just haven’t gotten to them yet, gonna have to change that soon. Glad this one was enjoyable for you.
Debbie Haupt
Oh this looks perfect for my end of summer next read, plus its number one in a new series and a new to me author to boot! Thanks Kim!
Julie
I’m going to have to check this one out! I’ve read books from her Sex, Love, and Stilettos series and also the Oxford series and really liked all of them.
Tyler H. Jolley
Sounds steamy! Thanks for sharing, Kimba!
Jenny
An adorkable hero and a minimum of angst? Sounds like a winner to me Kim! I’m all about low drama romances these days:)
Quinn's Book Nook
The covers for these books are just so pretty, aren’t they? Even if I haven’t heard amazing things about Lauren Layne and this series in particular I would have to pick them up. I’m so excited to read this one. They bring to mind the Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts.
Angela
Seth looks interesting. I like ‘fixers’ they make things interesting. I’ve noticed that wedding planners seem to be trend in romance books lately.
Verushka
Right now, a spot of humour sounds awesome, and this certainly sounds like it will deliver lol! Great review!