This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

I love pretty much everything Lauren Layne writes, and Love Story was no exception! Fantastic characters who I was rooting for from start to finish.

Let me just get this out of the way: I love Lauren Layne's books.
 
She tells Hot Romance stories in a way that makes you sigh, swoon, and squeeze your thighs. And you'll laugh some, too.
 
Lucy loved her brother's best friend Reece for years. He was The One, even though he dated other girls and only hung out with her in secret. She loved him the way you love someone when you're sixteen and convinced that you will never love like this again. Reece, though, made sure that Lucy knew that, despite the plethora of mixed signals he sent her way, he would not choose her.
 
And so Lucy left home and went away to college, set on achieving her dream of running a vineyard. More content to let life happen to him as opposed to charting his own course, Reece continued working for a local winery, not particularly driven to look beyond today. He and Lucy maintained exactly zero contact.
 
Having graduated from college now, Lucy is set to head out west, leaving behind her Virginia home and, she thinks, all residue of Reece. Ah, but Lucy, this is a Lauren Layne book, so you know you won't get too far without your true love, right?
 
Lucy's parents have arranged for Reece to accompany her on her drive to Napa, where he, too, has a new job. Over the course of those 14 days, Reece and Lucy fight and argue, argue and fight, and then do it all over again. They also realize that maybe - just maybe - they still care about each other.
 
Lauren Layne sort of gives away the ending with her title, but this book is about more than Lucy and Reece's feelings for each other. The titular love also reflects the love of ambition, the love of family, the love of friendship, and even the love of a shared history. Yes, there is some hot headboard rocking. Oh, YES, THERE IS. Lauren Layne delivers the quiver, so be warned: you will need to strap on your vibrator for this one.
 
If you're new to Lauren Layne's books, this is a fine starting point. Do not be surprised, however, if you find yourself craving more.

Love Story is a great one by Lauren Layne! It has a sweet romance, while at the same time being very funny. I loved the two main characters, Lucy and Reece, adversaries who are put in a situation where they are forced to drive across the country together. The great characters, entertaining storyline, and cute romance make this one a winner!

Lauren Layne is one of those authors that has been kind of hit and miss for me. While I have absolutely loved some of her books, others were just okay for me. Love Story had so much promise though, as the brother's best friend trope is one of my all time favorites! Unfortunately though, this one was just okay for me even though I desperately wanted to love it.

Lucy Hawkins is ready to start her life and leave her hometown behind after getting a job offer on the other side of the country. But with that she quickly realizes that the car her family gave her to start the trip comes with a companion that she hadn't expected, her older brother's best friend. Reece Sullivan is also the guy that took her virginity before breaking her heart. Reece has put up walls to keep others out, especially after spending years caring for his sick father. But no matter how hard he tries to keep Lucy out, she has a way of getting under his skin. Can these two find a second chance at love together?

I will admit that my biggest issue here was Lucy and Reece. These two were immature and acted so childish at times. While I love some good banter, this was more like juvenile bickering and it honestly drove me nuts! There was so much push and pull, that I had a really tough time getting into the story or caring about the characters. I didn't dislike them, but I didn't feel as though I could relate to them and I wasn't invested in their story. While they did have chemistry and it was clear there were feelings between them, they just irritated me too much to ever really get behind their story.

Overall, this one was just okay and wasn't quite what I had been expecting. I really did want to love this one, and I know that Lauren Layne has a lot of talent. Love Story just didn't do it for me though, and I just couldn't get past the immaturity and constant push and pull. I know this won't be the last I read from Lauren Layne, and like I said I really have enjoyed much of what I have read from her. If this one sounds like something you might like, I recommend giving it a shot.

I was instantly intrigued when Lauren Layne started dropping hints about this story in her newsletter and on social media. The idea of a second chance romance with a friends to lovers aspect AND a road trip forcing the hero and heroine together just sounded like a fun read to me-and it definitely was.

I enjoyed the way the author used alternating first person POV to tell this story. Alternating POV can be tricky at times; sometimes I feel like just when I’m getting to understand a character the POV switches and I’m stuck trying to reorient myself. Not the case with this book. The switching was effortless. I felt connected to both characters and understood where both of them were coming from.

This book also contained numerous flashbacks to our hero and heroine at different ages, really giving us a glimpse into the whole of their relationship. I’m such a sucker for a good flashback-and I loved every one of the ones in this story. Some made me smile, some made me swoon and there may have even been a few that had me shaking my head, but they all really worked here.

Love Story left me with a satisfied smile on my face. The pacing of this book was spot on to me, the writing flowed easily and was just fun. I would definitely recommend this book! Lauren Layne is a one click author for me, and this book further proved to me why she’s earned that distinction.

Typically, I don't enjoy stories full of miscommunication or second chance romances BUT this one was so easy to read that I flew through it and ended up adoring this pair of ignorant idiots. Actually, I've really enjoyed the whole series so far.

Second chance romances are my go to romantic dramas. There is always that question: will they or won't they take that second chance in falling back in love again? In most romance stories, the hero and heroine should (and will) get back together...but in some cases they may not. It all depends on their back story. The foundation of the story sets it all...it's how they proceed from there that determines their fate. Of course there will be ups and downs to any love story...question is how will they bounce back from their pit falls.

What I love most about second chances are the flash backs to their first chance at love. Lauren Layne definitely gives you some memorable moments...hot and heavy, soft and sweet, and a dash of fun and laughter. You can't help but fall in love with the characters from their beginning. Reece and Lucy have a tension you want to tug free. Will they or won't they act on their feelings? Who will they hurt in the process? Will they hurt each other? If so, is it worth hurting each other?

Love story will give you the feels and you will just simply want more. The protective nature given off by Reece makes you want to have a Reece in your life. Everyone needs a Reece in their life. Swoon-worthiness is ranked high for this one. Can't help but give you guys a little taste of the feels.

Love Story was a really great story until it wasn't but then it was and then it wasn't but then it was ..... what I did right there is kinda what I read between Lucy and Reece thru the entire book. These two went back and forth from sweet to stupid stubborn faster than I can roll a yo-yo, for most of the book. I'm not saying this to illustrate the book was bad per say, it's just a fact. And it annoyed the frikk out of me many many times. IMO, there was entirely too much push-pull. Their bad history was well in the past and it should have stayed in the past. But it dragged and dragged and dragged! **sigh** So I basically wasn't in love with either lead.

The story is told in dual POV and Lauren Layne does an excellent job of intertwining the past with the present to make sure we as readers get a very clear picture of how Lucy and Reese got to today. That was very well done. It was the today part that just kinda annoyed me LOL However, on the flip side of that it could be said that because of their constant push-pull is what made their chemistry spark so well, so there's that ...

Overall, I didn't hate the story and I understood Lucy and Reese, I just didn't love either.

Copy provided for blog tour

I think I am the only one who liked the hero more than the heroine. That doesn't say much though because I didn't love Reece. He is not the kind of book boyfriend I want for my Valentine's Day or any other day.

Early in the book I searched for one of my trigger words, so I was prepared for everything that came as the story was possessing. In the end I ended up feeling more sorry about Reece than I felt for Lucy especially after learning everything. I never warmed up to Lucy for some reason. For me she wasn't the best kind of heroine and she needed a development that never came.

The pace felt too slow to me and I wanted to see these two talking about their feelings and everything from the past, earlier than they did. I feel like the hate for each other went away in the days that weren't mentioned in the book. They had a much needed talk too late in the book. The character development never happened and I was left wondering where all the romance went.

The story includes many flashbacks and some of them weren't necessary for me. They showed how the friendship between Lucy and Reece started, became something more and then was ruined, but I would have appreciated it more if I had gotten to see the two characters having something that resembled a relationship in present time.

Love story is the third book in a series, but it can be read as stand alone. As someone who hadn't read the other two books I am not even sure how they are connected, so no worries about missing anything if you decide to read just this book. I wouldn't recommend it.

Lucy lands her dream job on the other side of the country. Her parents decide to let her use their station wagon to make the trip but they want her to take her older brother’s best friend with her. Reece is the guy that took her virginity then turned around and broke her heart. She wants nothing to do with him.
Reece has the spent the last four years taking care of his dying father. He needs a break and a chance to escape reality for a little while so he jumps at the opportunity to go on a cross country trip even though it’s with the one girl who truly knows him. There is a lot of bickering at first especially since Lucy thinks he cheated on her all those years ago. But once they get past that, they spend their nights in secluded motel rooms. Will they finally get their happily ever after?
I really enjoyed this book. Lauren Layne always writes sweet romance with the perfect amount of chemistry. That holds true in Love Story. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

I have to be honest, it may have been the state of mind that I was in at the time or the fact that there were so many other romantic comedy books that I was reading at the time, but I did not like Love Story at all. The overall story was great. I just did not resonate with the characters at all. You could see where this story was going in the very first chapter. I like it when stories grab me within the first few chapters and then take me on a journey that is unexpected and intense.

My thoughts are not indicative of my overall feelings for Lauren Layne's work. In fact, I have read many of her books and I have LOVED them. Love Story was just not the book for me. I'm sorry Lauren. I have even writing those words.

* I will not be posting review links for you as I am not planning on posting this review given that it is 3 stars.

So we are back with a short romance from Lauren Layne; and I have to say that the author has out done herself on this story.

The loved Reese's character and I have to admit, that my heart 100% broke, when you find out all the losses in his life. But what actually broke my heart and quite frankly reduced me to tears, was when he realized letting Lucy go was a mistake and saw her outside the library! OMG!! It was truly a ugly cry moment. Lucy's character I found it a little tougher to like; I found her whiney and childish and a couple of times I wanted to yell at her to grow up! But I do have to remember this is a New Adult book, and not my normal sub-genre I tend to read.

Now, when it comes to the writing and plot, you can tell it's a Lauren Layne book. It's beautifully written, with a heartwarming plot, that basically leaves you spellbound.

I give Love Story 4 stars!

Lauren Layne has become one of my to-go authors when I need a great love story that will warm my heart while making me smile and laugh.
And this book was everything that I expected! A really good friends to enemies to lovers story :)

Here are some of my favourites things:
- the road trip! What is the better way to force together two people that can't stand each other? A two weeks long road trip! Lots of bickering (just think about a different music taste!), but also time to remember the past and many small things about the other person;
- the flashbacks: I loved that we got the possibility to read about their past friendship, see firsthand what made them close and so special to each other;
- sexual tension: oh yeah, I always love some good sexual tension between the main characters :P
- the fact that even if they hurt each other, they still care for one another (see what happened in Miami)

The only thing that I would have liked is more dialogue and honesty about important topics that were the cause of their problems: it could have avoided incomprehensions and heartache! But I understand that life is life, people make mistakes, but the important thing is that they were able to explain themselves and reach their happy ending.

I did not finish this book as I did not engage with this story at all.

Love Story is a road trip, second chance, romance told with bits of flashback tucked into current scenes. It's full of tension and lust and frustrating bits. In the end, it is the story of two people who are destined to be together.

Lucy fell in love with Reece at a very young age. One day, she learned the love and affection wasn’t one-sided, but mutual. She and Reece began a brief but consuming love affair that ended badly. They went their separate ways but fate and family meddling have brought them together again for a cross country road trip to start the next chapter of their lives.

There is so much tension involved in this story. I wouldn't say it rises to the level of angst but there are some heartbreaking bits where the characters go back and forth about their feelings for one another. In the end, their desire for one another and wish to be together is stronger than the personal issues that have kept them apart.

Love Story is the tale of two people searching for their place in the world and with one another. It is full of both tension and light-hearted-moments in equal measure and it’s an enjoyable read. I am a big fan of Lauren Layne's writing and this is another solid story added to her catalog of great romances.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆☆
I've read several books now by Lauren Layne and quite enjoyed them all, Love Story doesn't disappoint either! It's a great stand-alone romance novel with perfect amounts of humor and heat.

I loved both the characters, Lucy and Reece. Their unwinding backstory/history together was the perfect soundtrack to their road trip across the country together and ultimately their love story. I'm a softie for a first love reunited and this story really scratched that itch. With the usual miscues and hurt feelings that taint each of their perceptions, the story begins with the two having to share a ride in a car nicknamed "Horny" to save money. They are heading to their new jobs in California and wine country, where they both plan to start fresh. Reece is an up and coming grower in a vineyard. But he also wants to get away from the town where he lost both his mother at a young age and his father later to cancer. But also, to losing Lucy to college, a town where everyone seems to leave him. Lucy plans to start her new career after getting her fancy degree in wine merchandising. The two have been apart since the summer Lucy graduated and they had their "summer fling." While still trying to get over the hurt they caused each other way back when, they're also learning more about the man and woman they've become since being apart.

I felt for Reece, trying so hard to deny that Lucy has been it for him since the night he took her virginity. I felt for Lucy too, as she tries to remember that Reece "cheated" on her and isn't the boyfriend material to her endgame. The two collide with sex appeal and great chemistry across the long road trip, where they vacillate between remembering how good they were together to hating one another for leaving/cheating. Lauren Layne is fast becoming my go-to author for fun and romantic quick read stories with characters who have perfect depth and emotion, with the dash of humor that keeps things lighthearted.


Jacki – ☆☆☆☆
I really liked this one. It was mildly predictable, but the ride from A to B was definitely entertaining.

Reece and Lucy definitely have a complicated and emotional past. They have been putting off some very serious conversations for the past few years and it has created a mess for their loved ones to deal with.

An odd turn of events has them where they are forced to interact and rehash the past. Can they actually sort through it all, or will they destroy one another trying?

Overall, I found this to be a nice and sexy read. I didn't have any problems getting through it. The author created plenty of strife and struggle, mixed with humour and sexiness, which created a good read for me.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third in the series – but each story is independent of the other; linked by the theme. I have enjoyed them all, and recommend them to you.

In this story we get to join Lucy and Reece as they travel across the country in an old car which holds lots of memories for them both. Friends forever, almost a couple in high school, many years of keeping their distance have left them in a less than perfect place to share a road trip. But Lucy's parents have engineered this and we can only hope that they know what they are doing.

As we get to understand why things went wrong first time around, and get to know them both, we are just as invested in wanting a happily ever after. We also get to see some of the States, and the inside of some very insalubrious motel rooms. As well as a hot and steamy romance, there is some great humour here too.

Another hit from Ms. Layne, no doubts at all.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆
This was an okay read. The two main characters spend 80% of the book in their car and I think it took away from the storyline and I found myself skimming to get to the next “good part,” which was the stopping.

Lucy and Reece were best friends as children and high school sweethearts once they reached their teen years. Then Lucy catches Reece with another woman and dumps him – heading off to college. Now, a few years later, Lucy is headed to start a new life in California… only her car breaks down shortly before she’s supposed to be leaving. So her parents come up with a plan to have Reece drive her. Now the two are stuck on a two-week journey across the country with one another – neither being able to stand the other on the outside, but unable to deny their feelings on the inside.

I am not a fan of books that flip back and forth from present to past and this book does that a lot. Though I really like both Lucy and Reece’s characters, their story just didn’t develop quickly enough for me. I really like how it ends though, and that though I found myself skimming through the “car rides,” it wasn’t a book I could put down until the end.

Perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day, Love Story is a beautiful unexpected standalone second chance story. Featuring a sassy heroine who knows what she wants and a hero who can’t make up his mind from one of my favourite contemporary authors. Lauren Layne

Layne always has a beautiful story to tell and she characterizes her characters well. It is always easy to fall in love with her latest characters thanks her superb storytelling and well thought out plots.

Lucy and Reece have always been there for each other since they first met. With only a year apart and Reece being her older brother’s best friend. It is easy to see why they gravitated to each other from a young age. There was a special bond between these sweethearts and they had their up’s and down’s together

Until he broke her heart mere hours after he took her virginity. Fast forward to the present and Lucy one step closer to her end game. She got the job of her dreams that will help her. Only thing is getting there and getting there means taking the old family car and being stuck with Reece who she has tried hard to forget about for all these years.

Reece has got his offer out town and he happy that it a chance to break free of the childhood that defined him. He always keep things closed to his heart. Lucy has the only person who ever got through to him and learned his deepest secrets. She was there for him when no else could and understood him like no one else.

So spending two week road tripping her isn’t his ideal situation. Even if means finally getting to spend the first time in years quality time with the one girl that got away…..

A sweet yet angst second chance romance, I loved the direction that Layne took with this novel . It was obvious these two were made for each by the way they were easily switching from being angry to bantering over the radio. It was swoony yet it was heart breaking as Layne weaved through their whole story seamlessly from childhood to the present . Addressing the issues that made them who they were and showing that this wasn’t the end.

It was a fun second chance roadtrip romance with two people who have sworn off each other to the point of frienemies. It made for some interesting times and I loved how the author took them on a journey of self discovery to rekindle things and allowed them to grow as people. This book is a beautiful love story and it sums up perfectly. It light yet tender hearted the perfect mix for Valentine Day.