As Lauren Layne’s salacious Sex, Love & Stiletto series returns, a jaded columnist discovers a steamy way to get over an old flame: falling for him all over again.  

As Stiletto magazine’s authority on all things breakup-and-heartache, Emma Sinclair writes from personal experience. Five years ago, Emma was Charlotte, North Carolina’s darling debutante and a blushing bride-to-be. Now she’s the ice queen of the Manhattan dating scene. Emma left her sultry Southern drawl behind, but not even her closest friends know that with it she left her heart.

Now Emma’s latest article forces her to face her demons—namely, the devilishly sexy guy who ditched her at the altar.   After giving up everything for a pro-soccer career, Alex Cassidy watches his dreams crumble as a knee injury sidelines him for good. Now he’s hanging up his cleats and giving journalism a shot. It’s just a coincidence that he happens to pick a job in the same field, and the same city, as his former fiancée . . . right?

But when Emma moves in next door, it’s no accident. It’s research. And Alex can’t help wondering what might have been. Unlike the innocent girl he remembers, this Emma is chic, sophisticated, and assertive—and she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. The trouble is, Alex has never wanted her more.

 Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

After the epicness that was Winter (and the rest of the series) I was looking for a light and fluffy read to follow it.  I’ve really been in the mood for more adult romance lately and Nick has been recommending this series to me for a while now and I always listen to my co-blogger (eventually). I had also read her stand-alone a few months ago (Blurred Lines) and I really loved it so I thought, sure why not?  I caved and bought a copy of this book despite the fact that I haven’t really bought many books this year (less than 10).  I guess I should have done my homework because after starting this I realized that this wasn’t the first book in the series.  It’s actually the last book in the series (figures), but it was no biggie because a) I have this bad habit of reading companion books out-of-order, and b) there are no spoilers so you can read these books in whatever the fuck order you want!  What I was hoping would be a light and cute read ended up really surprising me, not only by how much I loved the romance and the main characters and the writing, but I also fell in love with the rest of the secondary characters.  So much that immediately after finishing this, I bought the other 3 books in this series as well as the first book in her spin-off series.  In fact, Lauren Layne makes up about 50% of the books I’ve bought this year

I’m such a sucker for second chance romance and this one may be one of the most unique ones I’ve read and probably one of my favorites.  Emma and Alex work in the same building for his/her type of magazines, and although their group of friends know that these two were not only in a serious relationship but engaged and oh-so-close to be married, they don’t know any of the specifics.  They’ve gathered that there was a fight the night before the wedding and that Alex possibly left Emma at the altar, but other than that, they haven’t given their (nosy but well-intentioned) friends any of the good dirt.  For months, Alex and Emma have maintained a completely professional relationship that it’s sometimes hard to believe they were ever an item.  But occasionally, they have their moments of weakness that start to happen more frequent than they both care to admit.  Not-so-stolen glances, lingering looks, and chemistry that never quite went away make it hard for them to keep ignoring the attraction that is still between them.  With one failed relationship under their belt, neither are eager for a go at attempt number two.

Reading this series out-of-order did not take anything away from my reading enjoyment, in fact, this was my favorite book of the series (although I loved them all) and Alex and Emma ended up being my favorite couple.  If you’re looking for great romance that is heavy on the chemistry and low on drama, this series is perfect for you.  Bonus reasons to read the Stiletto series?  Four kick-ass and confident women and the guys they drive wild, really great female friendships, awesome bromances, well-written sexy times and some really funny moments.  This is one of those series that I’m adding to my favorites and re-read lists.  I’m also hoping this series makes it to audiobooks.  What started off as a quick read to help me move on from Winter ended up being a favorite of mine and the beginning of an eight day reading binge.

Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and "I do"—she'll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie's "research." But what Julie doesn't know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he's looking for.

In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he's exactly what she wants.

After binging through The Trouble With Love, I knew I had to finish the rest of the series and since I had already read the last book of the series, I figured I may as well continue with book one and work my way through the rest of the series.  I was hoping that I would love this one as much as much as the other two Layne books I had read and was not disappointed.  I read so slow nowadays but I ended up flying through these books and I think I ended up reading most books in a day, two days tops.  I just love it when a book has me glued to my kindle, no matter if I’m making dinner, folding laundry, changing diapers, or eating dinner.  My kindle was pretty much at my side at all times, just like the good ol’ days.

I had already fallen in love with the rest of the Stiletto girls (as well as the Oxford guys) from the last book, but I wanted to know them and their stories more.  Julie is the resident ‘first date’ girl for Stiletto magazine.  She is a pro at flings, first dates and first kisses and wants nothing more out of dating past that.  To her, staying in to watch a movie on a Friday night with your significant other is pretty much the beginning of the end.  When Julie’s editor instructs her to write a piece about being in an actual relationship, she needs a mark to be able to complete her story.  Mitchell Forbes is exactly that guy.  Mitchel actually likes being in a relationship, but on a dare from a co-worker, he’s out to prove that he’s cut out for flings.  With both Julie and Mitchell playing their own games with their own agendas, things are sure to get messy.  Despite their reservations to not get close, they can’t help but fall for each other for real.

While this plot was a little cliché, I don’t even care because I enjoyed the hell out of it!  I loved seeing Julie and Mitchell pretends to be unaffected by each other and loved how the rest of the girls were always ready with either a plan of attack, a glass of wine to bitch over, or a shoulder to cry on.  Naturally, as soon as I finished this I was on to the next one, and the next one, and the two books from the spin-off and I had fun reading all of them!  I demand more Lauren Layne books!

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The post Reviews: The Trouble With Love & After the Kiss by Lauren Layne appeared first on Nick & Nereyda's Infinite Book List.