{eARC Review} I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford #2) by Lauren Layne

I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford #2) by Lauren Layne

Perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne’s Oxford series heats up in this story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a woman who’s strictly off-limits.

A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.

Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details}ebook, 260 pages. Published February 2nd 2016 by Loveswept. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Jackson's life has been completely derailed and he's not doing well. He's anti-social. He's going through the motions. Mollie is a smart girl with a huge blind spot when it comes to her sister. I could see how her sister really is - everyone could - but Mollie is desperately loyal and thinks of her sister as the person who saved her, and I suppose she did, a little, but not to the degree Mollie has built it up in her head.

They have a lot working against them; he doesn't want to be in the city - or the same coast - in his job, he wants the life he, she's got a lot of guilt because of her sister. I liked them together. Mollie is good for Jackson, helping him build relationships, open up, have a life again even if it wasn't the life he intended to be living.

I enjoyed seeing the characters from Oxford, seeing my favorite couple Penelope and Cole still deliriously happy, and getting a little bit of insight into Lincoln, the hero of the next book in the Oxford series. 

While I didn't love this book as much as I loved book one, Irresistibly Yours, I did enjoy it and if you haven't given Lauren Layne, or the Oxford series, a try, I highly recommend it. 

{eARC 5 Star Review} Irresistibly Yours (Oxford #1) by Lauren Layne

Irresistibly Yours (Oxford #1) by Lauren Layne

Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real. (Blurb via Goodreads)

 

{Details} eARC, 236 pages. Published October 6th 2015 by Loveswept. Source: ebook provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

 

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

 

{Review}

 

They promise not to fall in love but some promises are made to be broken. I loved Cole and Penelope. I loved their friendship, their bantering, and the way they are together, fun and cute and hot.

 

Penelope is sweet. She's the girl next door, the girl you'd want to be BFFs with. She's smart, dedicated and feisty. She's also still dealing with a professional and personal betrayal, in a new city without friends, and has issues with confidence and self-worth. I liked how open and positive she is. Cole hides behind a mask of charm but he has an amazing heart; he's loyal, protective and devoted to his brother.

The chemistry between Cole and Penelope was evident in every interaction, you could feel the strikes they sparked off of each other from their first meeting, to competing for the same job and only intensifies as they get closer.

 

I loved watching Penelope and Cole fall in love and am now eagerly awaiting the next installment in the Oxford series.