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kara_hildebrand's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
To Have and To Hold is book 1 in the Wedding Belles Series by Lauren Layne. I'm a big fan of Lauren's and I love reading books about weddings, so this is the perfect combination for me. Wedding Planner, Brooke has just moved to New York City from LA following a devastating break up at the altar by her con man Groom. She's looking for a fresh start and jumps right in planning the wedding for Maya Tyler, heir to the Tyler Hotels. The problem is Maya's brother, Seth, wants to control the wedding since he's paying for it. His sister is the only family he has left and he needs to control everything.
When Brooke and Seth meet for the first time it's chemistry city! He doesn't do relationships and she's fresh off her heartbreak. Even when they fight and bicker they can't ignore the sparks that fly when they are together. They both have major trust issues and when Maya's fiance doesn’t appear to be who he says he is, Seth takes matters into his own hands. Will Brooke be able to forgive Seth? Will Seth step up for the first time in his life and get his woman? This couple is sexy, funny and complicated. Brooke is independent and sassy and Seth is a smooth talking walking ad for hotness!
To Have and To Hold is book 1 in the Wedding Belles Series by Lauren Layne. I'm a big fan of Lauren's and I love reading books about weddings, so this is the perfect combination for me. Wedding Planner, Brooke has just moved to New York City from LA following a devastating break up at the altar by her con man Groom. She's looking for a fresh start and jumps right in planning the wedding for Maya Tyler, heir to the Tyler Hotels. The problem is Maya's brother, Seth, wants to control the wedding since he's paying for it. His sister is the only family he has left and he needs to control everything.
When Brooke and Seth meet for the first time it's chemistry city! He doesn't do relationships and she's fresh off her heartbreak. Even when they fight and bicker they can't ignore the sparks that fly when they are together. They both have major trust issues and when Maya's fiance doesn’t appear to be who he says he is, Seth takes matters into his own hands. Will Brooke be able to forgive Seth? Will Seth step up for the first time in his life and get his woman? This couple is sexy, funny and complicated. Brooke is independent and sassy and Seth is a smooth talking walking ad for hotness!
readbooks_eatapples's review
1.0
DNF, and early. You can lightly scratch a fingernail across this one and hit the bottom.
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
5.0
I love it when a story is just fun to read. When there are likable characters, it's super entertaining, sweet and sexy and it leaves you smiling big time at the end. That is exactly what this story did. It was wonderful and I was invested the entire time.
I loved Brooke and Seth. There was a lot of sexual tension happening and a bit of animosity which made their interactions really entertaining. I thought they had great chemistry. I thought Brooke was really strong and I liked her right away. A major curve ball had been thrown her way but she had such a positive outlook, it was hard not to love her. Seth seems to be so controlling but it came from a good place. I loved when he showed vulnerability, he could be so so sweet. I liked Brooke and her attitude and how she stood up to Seth and his controlling ways, that was awesome and creates simmering tension between the two. I enjoyed their ups and downs as they figure out what they wanted. It was just a great, solid story that had me rooting for them.
I like that this story had a nice, playful feel to it. The writing was extremely good. Fun and sexy. Descriptive, drawing you in, giving you enough to make you feel connected but still keeping it light. The interactions of the characters just made me smile. I thought it moved along at a great pace. I like the blend of animosity and sweetness.
The women who are a part of The Wedding Belles are fantastic. I liked getting glimpses of their personalities making me want more of them and to read their stories. I feel like this story really laid a great foundation for what’s to come next in the series, making me excited for more. I loved the other characters in this story as well. Seth's relationship with his sister was so sweet and I loved his interactions with his best friend Grant. I adored the side story happening in relation to those two as well. I might have cheered. ;-)
This story just had a fun vibe and I enjoyed reading it so much. It was solid throughout but the ending, I loved it big time. So sweet and loving and oh my goodness it just made me ridiculously happy. It was awesome. I was smiling big time! Yes there were hints of emotion but really it was just sweet and entertaining with these really likable characters and an awesome storyline. I couldn't get enough!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
I loved Brooke and Seth. There was a lot of sexual tension happening and a bit of animosity which made their interactions really entertaining. I thought they had great chemistry. I thought Brooke was really strong and I liked her right away. A major curve ball had been thrown her way but she had such a positive outlook, it was hard not to love her. Seth seems to be so controlling but it came from a good place. I loved when he showed vulnerability, he could be so so sweet. I liked Brooke and her attitude and how she stood up to Seth and his controlling ways, that was awesome and creates simmering tension between the two. I enjoyed their ups and downs as they figure out what they wanted. It was just a great, solid story that had me rooting for them.
I like that this story had a nice, playful feel to it. The writing was extremely good. Fun and sexy. Descriptive, drawing you in, giving you enough to make you feel connected but still keeping it light. The interactions of the characters just made me smile. I thought it moved along at a great pace. I like the blend of animosity and sweetness.
The women who are a part of The Wedding Belles are fantastic. I liked getting glimpses of their personalities making me want more of them and to read their stories. I feel like this story really laid a great foundation for what’s to come next in the series, making me excited for more. I loved the other characters in this story as well. Seth's relationship with his sister was so sweet and I loved his interactions with his best friend Grant. I adored the side story happening in relation to those two as well. I might have cheered. ;-)
This story just had a fun vibe and I enjoyed reading it so much. It was solid throughout but the ending, I loved it big time. So sweet and loving and oh my goodness it just made me ridiculously happy. It was awesome. I was smiling big time! Yes there were hints of emotion but really it was just sweet and entertaining with these really likable characters and an awesome storyline. I couldn't get enough!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
sjhastoomanybooks's review
4.0
This is a quirky, adorable, low-stakes chick-lit (with a little romance thrown in). I really liked the characters and the tension. The description ("Wedding Planner meets Sex and the City") is an apt one. I quickly read the other two in the series after this, but this one was my favorite.
sblyon's review
4.0
The Wedding Belles, an elite wedding service in NYC has recently hired Brooke Baldwin who recently closed her own boutique wedding shop in California after her fiancé was arrested at the alter! Brooke is handed her first major wedding in NYC in her first day with the Belles and is determined to make it the brides fantasy wedding. Maya’s romance has been a whirlwind, so much so that her older brother Seth has some major concerns and is determined to be involved in every part of the planning, all while trying to keep his sister from actually getting married.
anabelsbrother's review
4.0
me: is always trash for everything Lauren Layne writes, tbh
still bitter that I got rejected for the ARC lmao anyhowwwwwwww
I FINALLY got to read this and man I really think with time the Belles are gonna surpass the Stiletto gang as my faves because they're all awesome.
still bitter that I got rejected for the ARC lmao anyhowwwwwwww
I FINALLY got to read this and man I really think with time the Belles are gonna surpass the Stiletto gang as my faves because they're all awesome.