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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book....just I was more interested in Grant and Maya then Seth and Brooke.
heavenlyi's review against another edition
4.0
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. She never fails to deliver a well-rounded story, with characters that are relatable. To Have and To Hold is no different. With a great plot, interesting characters, and witty dialogue, this was an entertaining read from start to finish.
“”It’s not as though Brooke had meant to start dating a con man. She certainly didn’t intend to get engaged to one.”
Brooke has had her heart broken and her foundation rocked. Picking up her life and starting over in New York seems like the perfect way to move on from her past. I love Brooke’s attitude of always looking on the bright side. Even with all she has been through, she still believes in happily ever after and is not jaded about love. This goes a long way in helping her get far in her career as an elite wedding planner.
“But something about this man’s entitled attitude set her on edge. No, scratch that. Everything about him set her on edge.”
Brook crosses paths with Seth Tyler when he insists on being a part of the planning process for his sister’s wedding. Seth is a control freak, who is used to getting what he wants. Their attraction is undeniable, but neither can decide if they actually like each other. Thus ensues a lot of heated arguments and scathing banter, as these two lash out at each other while trying to fight their feelings.
“But this relaxed, friendly Brooke who was currently looking at him with un-shuttered eyes…he wanted to know her in ways other than just naked ways. Wanted to know what made her laugh, what made her cry…”
I enjoyed the slow burn of attraction between Seth and Brooke. It’s always fun to read about love/hate relationships because you know they will eventually combust. Unfortunately, Seth isn’t the type of hero that is immediately endearing. He takes some time to warm up to but eventually, we see his vulnerabilities come through. It is clear Brooke brings out the best in him.
The side characters were also well-rounded and were good sounding boards when the voice of reason was needed to knock some sense into the hero and heroine. There were a couple of instances where I thought Brooke’s actions were a bit over the top, but that didn’t detract from the overall story. At times, I struggled with the characters’ reasoning, but overall, I think both Brooke and Seth showed a lot of growth throughout the book. This was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading about the other characters in future books.
“He was better than good. He was better than he’d been in a long time, all because he was more alive than he’d ever felt. It was like some sort of damned movie where the character didn’t even know he was half whole until he met that one person who completed him.”
“”It’s not as though Brooke had meant to start dating a con man. She certainly didn’t intend to get engaged to one.”
Brooke has had her heart broken and her foundation rocked. Picking up her life and starting over in New York seems like the perfect way to move on from her past. I love Brooke’s attitude of always looking on the bright side. Even with all she has been through, she still believes in happily ever after and is not jaded about love. This goes a long way in helping her get far in her career as an elite wedding planner.
“But something about this man’s entitled attitude set her on edge. No, scratch that. Everything about him set her on edge.”
Brook crosses paths with Seth Tyler when he insists on being a part of the planning process for his sister’s wedding. Seth is a control freak, who is used to getting what he wants. Their attraction is undeniable, but neither can decide if they actually like each other. Thus ensues a lot of heated arguments and scathing banter, as these two lash out at each other while trying to fight their feelings.
“But this relaxed, friendly Brooke who was currently looking at him with un-shuttered eyes…he wanted to know her in ways other than just naked ways. Wanted to know what made her laugh, what made her cry…”
I enjoyed the slow burn of attraction between Seth and Brooke. It’s always fun to read about love/hate relationships because you know they will eventually combust. Unfortunately, Seth isn’t the type of hero that is immediately endearing. He takes some time to warm up to but eventually, we see his vulnerabilities come through. It is clear Brooke brings out the best in him.
The side characters were also well-rounded and were good sounding boards when the voice of reason was needed to knock some sense into the hero and heroine. There were a couple of instances where I thought Brooke’s actions were a bit over the top, but that didn’t detract from the overall story. At times, I struggled with the characters’ reasoning, but overall, I think both Brooke and Seth showed a lot of growth throughout the book. This was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading about the other characters in future books.
“He was better than good. He was better than he’d been in a long time, all because he was more alive than he’d ever felt. It was like some sort of damned movie where the character didn’t even know he was half whole until he met that one person who completed him.”
bookdevouringmisfit's review against another edition
3.0
Don't let the 3-star dissuade you because despite that rating, I still liked this book way more than any of Lauren Layne's recent releases.
-Brooke and Seth's chemistry took a while to convince me but it eventually did and I didn't even notice when it did because I was already too far gone with the two of them I was too busy swooning. Just TOO. MUCH. SWOON. guys.
-Lauren Layne's trademark humor is still there, thank goodness. I just know I can always count on that. (Although there were less laugh-out-loud moments here compared to her other books, imo.)
-Seth was controlling, yes, but honestly? I wasn't really bugged by what he did as much as Brooke was. I understood the reasons for what he did but of course not everyone's reaction towards it would be the same. It's just for me, the climax felt like a sorry excuse for a source of conflict between the two characters. I'm really protective over Seth lol. New book boyfriend alert!
-Seth has the tendency to say stupid things when his temper's got the best of him but I found Seth adorable. Like pinch his cheeks adorable. Most of my highlights basically consisted many of his lines. Especially those moments where he was being a dork around Brooke asgdklgdhdjdkkfl I just wanna quote them all here
-Although there were only a few sexy scenes, they were off the charts hot anyway so no complaints here!
-I think this book has the record of the longest time before the grand gesture lol. I mean, 2 months?! Then immediately moving in together after that? Must be really true love.
This is a high three for me (could be bumped to a 3.5) and after reading the preview for the next book in this series, my faith in Lauren Layne is now restored. It was never really gone actually, just wavered a little.
An ARC was provided by Netgalley.
-Brooke and Seth's chemistry took a while to convince me but it eventually did and I didn't even notice when it did because I was already too far gone with the two of them I was too busy swooning. Just TOO. MUCH. SWOON. guys.
-Lauren Layne's trademark humor is still there, thank goodness. I just know I can always count on that. (Although there were less laugh-out-loud moments here compared to her other books, imo.)
-Seth was controlling, yes, but honestly? I wasn't really bugged by what he did as much as Brooke was. I understood the reasons for what he did but of course not everyone's reaction towards it would be the same. It's just for me, the climax felt like a sorry excuse for a source of conflict between the two characters. I'm really protective over Seth lol. New book boyfriend alert!
-Seth has the tendency to say stupid things when his temper's got the best of him but I found Seth adorable. Like pinch his cheeks adorable. Most of my highlights basically consisted many of his lines. Especially those moments where he was being a dork around Brooke asgdklgdhdjdkkfl I just wanna quote them all here
-Although there were only a few sexy scenes, they were off the charts hot anyway so no complaints here!
-I think this book has the record of the longest time before the grand gesture lol. I mean, 2 months?! Then immediately moving in together after that? Must be really true love.
This is a high three for me (could be bumped to a 3.5) and after reading the preview for the next book in this series, my faith in Lauren Layne is now restored. It was never really gone actually, just wavered a little.
An ARC was provided by Netgalley.
nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book, passed by quickly. However, it felt a bit too insta love, there wasn't a lot of the two of them getting to know each other, I didn't feel like him hiring a PI was such a bad thing to be made such a huge deal out of and it was just... not enough.
thepaige_turner's review against another edition
4.0
Reminded me so much of Nora Robert's Bride Quartet series (which I adore). I can't wait to read the rest of this series
jnwunder's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this as a Chapters short story... was great to see it all fleshed out in a real novel! Great but th back and forth was a little much.
beckyrendon's review against another edition
4.0
We all know the phrase...To have and to hold, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, in handcuffs and in jail?!?
Definitely not the version that Brooke imagined on her wedding day, but fortunately the FBI got there before the vows and I dos. Lost in a chaotic haze, Brooke decides to leave her life, her now failing/defunct business, and her home for NYC. As a wedding planner whose own nuptials went up in flames so spectacularly and publicly, Brooke is trying to spread her wings again.
Joining the Wedding Belles is either going to make or break Brooke. Especially when her first client is "him". "HIM" would be the brother of the bride, the wallet holder, and overprotective stubborn ass. Aka Seth Tyler.
Fighting her feelings towards Seth, towards her ex, and fighting her need to believe in a happily ever after, Brooke is quickly finding she's losing on at least one front.
I look forward to seeing more fun with the Wedding Belles. I am hoping it will include a future look at these two. But of course I need to know about the other Belles, as long as there some room for Grant's story too.
If you too, are a sucker for a sweet story with some major foot in mouth action, one click now. If you need a super rich dude with an arrogant knowing attitude and a huge control issue, one click now. If you need a woman scorned but holds her head up high, hey, we have one of those too- one click now. If you want an inside look at the Wedding Belles, the premier wedding planners in NYC and even the east coast, one click now.
Reviewed for Reviews From the Heart
Definitely not the version that Brooke imagined on her wedding day, but fortunately the FBI got there before the vows and I dos. Lost in a chaotic haze, Brooke decides to leave her life, her now failing/defunct business, and her home for NYC. As a wedding planner whose own nuptials went up in flames so spectacularly and publicly, Brooke is trying to spread her wings again.
Joining the Wedding Belles is either going to make or break Brooke. Especially when her first client is "him". "HIM" would be the brother of the bride, the wallet holder, and overprotective stubborn ass. Aka Seth Tyler.
Fighting her feelings towards Seth, towards her ex, and fighting her need to believe in a happily ever after, Brooke is quickly finding she's losing on at least one front.
I look forward to seeing more fun with the Wedding Belles. I am hoping it will include a future look at these two. But of course I need to know about the other Belles, as long as there some room for Grant's story too.
If you too, are a sucker for a sweet story with some major foot in mouth action, one click now. If you need a super rich dude with an arrogant knowing attitude and a huge control issue, one click now. If you need a woman scorned but holds her head up high, hey, we have one of those too- one click now. If you want an inside look at the Wedding Belles, the premier wedding planners in NYC and even the east coast, one click now.
Reviewed for Reviews From the Heart
alwaysbooking's review against another edition
5.0
Every time I read a Lauren Layne book I feel like I’m diving into a giant hot fudge sundae. I want to savor each bite, and somehow devour it at the same time!
These characters had me crying, happy tears, frustrated tears… just tears. I don’t even know which character to start with I loved them both so equally which usually doesn’t happen while I read a novel. I tend to like one character more than the other.
Okay let’s start with Seth who was such a complex character. While of course being obviously hot, he was also very controlled. Everything in his life has to be controlled by him; he has a timeline for everything. Seth takes controlling everything in his life over the top. When he decides to propose to his then girlfriend and she turns him down he realizes that happily ever after does not exist. Then his sister comes to him and tells him that she is engaged to someone he hasn’t even met! This blows Seth’s mind because yes they are wealthy so automatically this guy is out to get Maya’s money. The way Seth demands things of people instead of just asking really goes to show how controlling his character is. He doesn’t learn how to ask for things until he meets Maya’s wedding planner. While Seth does come off as a person with severe “my way or the highway” attitude, he does have a real loving connection with those around him. That includes his best friend Grant who tells him like it is and calls him on all of his bull crap. My favorite person that he doesn’t realize he loves like a family member is Etta his assistant. When she is first introduced in this book and Etta brings in her intern to call Seth on his sappy lovesick face I almost died of laughter. I feel like in the beginning Seth has almost a frozen heart and as he continues to meet with Brooke it slowly un-thaws.
While’s Seth’s ex may have been a little cold and off putting Brooke’s ex did a gigantic number on her. Honestly if I could’ve reached through the book and smacked her ex I would have. Brooke is new to the Belle’s and the East coast. She originated from the west coast as a wedding planner, and then planned her own wedding which fell through in the most horrific way possible. Brooke’s happy go lucky perseverance is what got me to like her instantly. Of course she is running away from what happened back home but I think the Belle’s are the perfect fit for her. I am always in love with how Lauren Layne writes female friendships. These are real friendships, heck these are my friendships. Everyone has everyone else’s back which is fabulous. Brooke is denying her breakdown about her ex and things start to steam up with Seth. Can she maintain a one night stand or will she fall head over heels. How Brooke reacts to all of her true feelings is of course highly emotional (cue tears), however I love how she is woman enough to apologize when she is wrong. She is stronger than she realizes which is one of her best qualities.
One question to Mrs. Layne … how long until we get to see the accountant again??? I can’t stop thinking about him!!! UGH… don’t make me wait long!
These characters had me crying, happy tears, frustrated tears… just tears. I don’t even know which character to start with I loved them both so equally which usually doesn’t happen while I read a novel. I tend to like one character more than the other.
Okay let’s start with Seth who was such a complex character. While of course being obviously hot, he was also very controlled. Everything in his life has to be controlled by him; he has a timeline for everything. Seth takes controlling everything in his life over the top. When he decides to propose to his then girlfriend and she turns him down he realizes that happily ever after does not exist. Then his sister comes to him and tells him that she is engaged to someone he hasn’t even met! This blows Seth’s mind because yes they are wealthy so automatically this guy is out to get Maya’s money. The way Seth demands things of people instead of just asking really goes to show how controlling his character is. He doesn’t learn how to ask for things until he meets Maya’s wedding planner. While Seth does come off as a person with severe “my way or the highway” attitude, he does have a real loving connection with those around him. That includes his best friend Grant who tells him like it is and calls him on all of his bull crap. My favorite person that he doesn’t realize he loves like a family member is Etta his assistant. When she is first introduced in this book and Etta brings in her intern to call Seth on his sappy lovesick face I almost died of laughter. I feel like in the beginning Seth has almost a frozen heart and as he continues to meet with Brooke it slowly un-thaws.
While’s Seth’s ex may have been a little cold and off putting Brooke’s ex did a gigantic number on her. Honestly if I could’ve reached through the book and smacked her ex I would have. Brooke is new to the Belle’s and the East coast. She originated from the west coast as a wedding planner, and then planned her own wedding which fell through in the most horrific way possible. Brooke’s happy go lucky perseverance is what got me to like her instantly. Of course she is running away from what happened back home but I think the Belle’s are the perfect fit for her. I am always in love with how Lauren Layne writes female friendships. These are real friendships, heck these are my friendships. Everyone has everyone else’s back which is fabulous. Brooke is denying her breakdown about her ex and things start to steam up with Seth. Can she maintain a one night stand or will she fall head over heels. How Brooke reacts to all of her true feelings is of course highly emotional (cue tears), however I love how she is woman enough to apologize when she is wrong. She is stronger than she realizes which is one of her best qualities.
One question to Mrs. Layne … how long until we get to see the accountant again??? I can’t stop thinking about him!!! UGH… don’t make me wait long!
kate_and_books's review against another edition
5.0
Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. She manages in comparison to other authors to hit the right spot in it being sweet & funny but with a pinch of angst and a plus not so much fluff. Some authors tend to go overboard with the fluff which kind of makes me cringe. I am NOT a fluffy person.
Brooke Baldwin has moved from the West Coast to the East Coast due to some unfortunate event that made her flee. My heart went out to Brooke what with the embarrassment and the humiliation of the situation. So she starts over in New York as a Belle.
Her first big wedding is the wedding of Maya Tyler, a heiress of Hotels that belong to the Tyler Group. The thorn in her side? Seth Tyler the brother.
Seth Tyler the CEO of the Tyler Group is controlling and after the death of his father he has become even more so. When his little sister confesses that she is getting married after only three months? His temper is hard to contain. So what is a possessive, controlling yet adorable big brother to do but tag along to damage control the situation. What also doesn't help is that he is also an absolute cynic when it comes to love. But understandably so when he but his well you can't really say heart but was rejected in a cruel manner that has colored many an aspect of his life.
The mission for Seth is to implement stop sister marrying a dodgy bloke but the ditzy, bubbly wedding planner is in the way. He never expected to be instantly attracted to her. Brooke has in her opinion a conflict of interest and that conflict is Seth Tyler and his domineering ways. In the end they give into their attraction to one another and well they are a great couple. Seth did take some things a little too far.
The secondary characters are just as fleshed out as the main characters and I love how we get a feel for them to see them in their upcoming books. What I find pretty cool is that Ms. Layne has a writing bucket list. So expect more awesomeness from the author.
I am of the opinion that when I like an author I don't always like all of her books but so far the books that I have read by LL have been a winner for me.
Book received from Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blogspot.de/2016/07/to-have-and-to-hold-wedding-belles-1-by.html