Layne never fails to write a smashingly hot book. Lucy and Reece were childhood friends, one time lovers and now road trip companions. Due to the fumblings of young manhood Reece made a few mistakes and Lucy did what any young woman would do, she ran. Forced together on a cross country trip to start new lives in California wine country was quite the experience. The banter, the snide comments and playfulness connected these characters like forever lovers. The uniqueness of their chosen careers was a pleasant change along with the lovable nickname for the car. It's little touches to the story that makes me smile and never want it to end. Always a pleasure. My review was written voluntarily after reading an advanced copy.

3 STARS

Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books

Parents mean well. They always want to help but sometimes they don't mind throwing you under the bus by doing so. Lucy is supposed to start her new job in California in two weeks - her car however decides to break down shortly before she wants to leave her childhood home. Her parents come up with a genius plan. Since her (secret) ex-boyfriend, the cheater, is heading the same way, why not share the family car to get there? Lucy is everything but thrilled but not much she can do as the car was promised to Reece to begin with.

Reece is seething. He has to deal with his ex for two weeks. The girl who used to mean everything to him. How are they supposed to stay civil when there is nothing but bad blood and hard feelings between them now. When they leave they both are dead-set on keeping away from each other. As their journey progresses each of them tries hard not to let the other one see what they both know is still there: their insane sexual chemistry and a hurt so deep that neither of them is over it yet.


"Go tell your family goodbye. Let's get this nightmare on the road."
Right. Right. Because heaven forbid we put off the inevitable of finishing what we started years ago: destroying each other.


This story is told in both first person POVs and in flashbacks outlining Reece's and Lucy's friendship from when they were kids to the day they fell apart. While this is always a bit hard to pull off it worked with this book and I attribute it to the length of the flashback chapters. They aren't overly long, just the right size. And through these chapters I learned who they were and it made it possible for me to view Reece in a better light. Because you see, he was really hard to love.

Lucy crawled on her hands and knees over to him, and he noticed the smashed Kleenex box in her hand. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, she sat beside him on the platform, swinging her legs around to dangle like his, and handed Reece the Kleenex box.


I'm usually very easy on the heroes in books and the heroines usually have it harder winning me over. This time it was the opposite. I love my alphaholes like the next girl but Reece was unfortunately too much of a jerk to Lucy and I just couldn't connect with him. Granted, he had abandonment issues and insecurities but boy, the guy was testy. If it hadn't been for the sweet connection of their childhood I would have given up on him. He was despicable to Lucy at times and he really deserved a casual hard kick in his family jewels.

"See, I just watched the way you attempted to juggle multiple girlfriends and failed, and then did the exact opposite."
He glances at me then, a mocking smile on his face.
"Oh sweetheart. When did I ever claim you as my girlfriend?"


Ouch.
He keeps repeating in his inner monologues that Lucy is a childish brat, when the only one acting like on is him.

"Bullshit," he snaps, before lowering his voice and leaning forward. "You're the reason we ... broke up. Shit, were we even dating?"
I lean forward. "I sure as hell thought so when I handed over my V card."
His eyes narrow. "You act like you handed it over easily. Like it didn't take me all goddamn summer to get into your pants."


Double - ouch.

Lucy didn't let him get away with it, thankfully. While she had big reservations in the beginning of their road trip she tried, yet and again, to be nice and stay civil. I really admired how she stood up to her ex-boyfriend who hurt her so badly and didn't let him drag her down. Which was a feat in my book since Reece really was an idiot a lot of times. I alternately screamed at my kindle or rolled my eyes at it. In the end I had a hard time rooting for them and thought Lucy deserved better.

While this wasn't a complete winner for me it still had a lot of enjoyable moments. It was a quick, surprisingly angsty read with the road trip feel when you get to travel through the country, driving in a car, listening to whatever is on the radio and without having to hurry to get to your goal. Again, the reminder to not let my review sway you. We all have different expectations from a story so it might be totally down your alley!

*Review to be posted on blog on 2/14 - signed up for book tour with Tasty Book Tours*

I quickly devoured Love Story in one sitting, and absolutely adored Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan. Their friendship was volatile, hot and filled with history that we got to witness through flashbacks. It was all centered around a road trip which made for a cute, fun read, that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside when I finished that last page.

He laughs, and my heart hurts at the flood of memories. Of how we used to talk so easily, how we used to laugh so much . . .


Lucy and Reece have known each other almost their whole lives, since Reece is Lucy's brother's best friend. After his mother died, when he was a little boy, he became an even bigger part of Lucy's world. Her family took him in, to a certain extent. But from the beginning, Lucy couldn't help fall for Reece. Even if she knew he only saw her as his best friend's little sister. They were the truest of friends, until they pushed their relationship past the friendship boundary. And from that point on, they barely spoke to each other.

“Not at all,” I say sweetly. “See, I just watched the way you attempted to juggle multiple girlfriends and failed, and then did the exact opposite.”
He glances at me then, a mocking smile on his face. “Oh, sweetheart. When did I ever claim you as my girlfriend?”
I suck in a quick breath, because it’s one of the more hurtful things he can say— dismissing that summer as though it were nothing.


Years later, they're both headed to California for new jobs, and they end up getting stuck together for a road trip. A two-week road trip. Oh this made me so giddy! Because from just those first few minutes being together in the car, I couldn't stop smiling. Sexual tension and friendship simmered and exploded between the two of them. So emotions definitely flew high, and it made for an exciting trip that was filled with tears, jealousy, anger, and lots of desire!

I glance down at my towel, considering throwing some clothes on first, but then I shrug. It’s just Reece.
My inner skank rolls her eyes. There’s never been anything just Reece about what’s between us.
A fact I’m reminded of when I open the door and his gaze rakes over me.


My favorite thing about this story was definitely the characters. They were the reasons I read this book in one sitting! First off, Reece. I love tortured men, and Reece played the part perfectly. He was highly jaded from his past, since everyone he loved except Lucy's family left him in one way or another. Yet he seems to harbors so much anger and hatred towards Lucy. And I was dumbstruck why . Things she would say or do would set him off so easily, he was so explosive towards her. Which felt ironic to me, since it was his fault their relationship blew up in a fiery inferno. So Reece was a fun mystery to unravel! And his moments of tenderness that alternated with want towards Lucy made me easily fall for him.

When she held out her small hand expectantly for the card, he took a deep breath and handed it over, meeting her eyes. “Thank you. For staying with me.”
Lucy blinked , looking a little confused, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world that she’d spend an afternoon with a crybaby.
Then she gave him a small smile, looking a little shy for the first time since going to him, as though she’d just realized something. “I’ll never leave if you don’t want me to.”


I liked Lucy from the get go. She was driven and knew exactly what she wanted in life. Whether it was her future job or Reece. But what made me really connect to her were the flashbacks. I loved watching their friendship unfold right from the start! BUT the flashbacks didn't feel seamless to me. Each and every time I desperately wanted to stay in the present, even though I loved the moments the flashbacks showed. I just wish they would have fit in a little differently to the story-line.

I blow out a breath. “Thanks.”
“For?”
I pluck at the hotel comforter. “For yesterday. For coming after me and holding me, even though I know you hate me.”
I hold my breath, waiting for him to confirm that he doesn’t hate me. Which is stupid. He has no reason to hate me. He’s the one who ruined things.
I hold my breath anyway. Deny it. Say you miss me like I miss you.
There’s a rustling noise, then the creak of a crappy couch. “Night, Lucy.”


So Love Story was an enjoyable, quick read that I easily devoured. While I guessed how a few things turned out, it didn't take away from how much fun their story was. And just so you know, each book in this series is a standalone and the characters don't interact with one another from book to book. Except they did listen to a Jenny Dawson song on the radio woohoo, which was a shout out to Good Girl. If you adore road trips and hate to love stories, then there’s a good chance you’ll like Love Story too!

PS The nicknames were kinda different.... Spock, Horny ummm okay lol.

*Quotes used from ARC and may be changed with final copy*
*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

What a beautiful story!

A two week road trip to the West Coast forced Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan to spent more time together than either would have liked.

Years ago, when both were still high school students they explored their feelings for each other, but uncertainty and Lucy’s plans to leave for college killed their fledgling love before it even had a chance to bloom.

Even years later both still blamed the other for their breakup. And subsequently neither of them really moved on.

The road trip not only forced them to spend time together, it also intensified the sexual tension between them. The close quarters just enhanced what was simmering. Temptation was found around every corner.

I loved the entire idea of a forced road trip. Especially when characters like Lucy and Reece had such amazing chemistry. Lauren Layne delivered a very sweet tale about high school sweethearts that needed help, in form of a road trip, to find their way back together.

It was all about believing in the other person and not letting fears and uncertainty dictate decisions and choices.

I especially loved the fact that both Lucy and Reece were on their way to new jobs in Napa and Sonoma. For anyone living in the Bay Area, Napa and Sonoma are great destinations, and wine tasting is always an excellent reason for a trip up north.

Lauren Layne ‘s writing was wonderful and fast paced. I loved Lucy and Reece’s interactions. They had so much history. Even so they were opposites at times, Lucy the one that always had a plan and endgame in sight, and Reece too afraid of planing because it did never turn out well for him. Their chemistry, live-long friendship and history, balanced out their opposite nature nicely and added to the reading experience.

I’m always a sucker for second chance romances and thought Lauren Layne did a fabulous job!!!!


Published on February 1, 2017

I really enjoyed this one. It's a wonderful blend of a second chance story and brother's best friend trope with lots of the usual Lauren Layne snarky banter between the H and h. A cross country road trip with your ex in a brown station wagon nicknamed Horny?? Sounds like loads of fun! They'll either have to deal with the past or kill each other. I thought this was a fun read and I was pulling for Lucy and Reece all the way.

I highly recommend this to everyone!

I'm a minority here but having said that, this book just wasn't for me. It barely held my attention.
While I did finish it, the end wasn't much different than the beginning. I'm not sure what this book is rated, maybe YA, but honestly these two characters Reece and Lucy could have been high school students.
The plot line was solid, that is was, but the characters lacked depth, of any sort. I couldn't count their constant bickering and picking at each other as anything other than immature juvenile behavior that was just redundant and annoying as hell. Everyday was the same for two weeks cross country.
Yup, I get the history, I get what he did. I get her hurt. I understand that. It's the dialogue or lack of between the two. I'm belaboring my point. It didn't work for me.
I gave it three stars and I feel that was generous considering.


**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review.**

4 HORNY STARS

I’m officially a Lauren Layne fan!


I read Love Story in one day, I’ve been a very bad freelancer, a very bad wife and a very bad mum those last 24 hours, so I really hope the author will appreciate my short review :D

All I can say is I was totally hooked, the road trip with two ex [secret]lovers, all the regrets, the angst, the hatred, the want, the insecurities, the lust, the flashbacks and the humor…. Oh, and scenes with little Lucy and Reece were heartbreaking.
It was just a perfect Romantic comedy.

And when I say “perfect romantic comedy”, I’m talking about great plot, perfect space, and of course great characters, with depth, emotional roller coaster, not the “romantic comedy” full of clichés and that had me rolling my eyes sooooooo high lately.

I read Blurred Lines, my first LL’s book, and I loved it.
I read Good Girl, and I loved it.
I read Love Story, and I loved it.

What does it mean?
That I cannot wait for Walk of Shame, the next Love Unexpectedly standalone!!

So please, Lauren Layne, bring it ooon!

She thinks he cheated. He thinks he isn’t good enough for her, but making too many wrong turn during their cross country road trip they finally make a right turn and find themselves getting a second chance at love in this agonizingly sweet story.

Lucy Hawkins is ready to start the job of her dreams in San Francisco she only has to get there, she only has one problem: her car died and the only way to get there is taking her family’s old station wagon along with her older brother’s best friend. The same friend she’s known since they were children, the one she had a crush on, the one no one knew she’d been in love with. The same friend who after taking her virginity shattered her heart six years ago.

After burying his father, Reece Sullivan has no one left and his small town only holds sorrow. Anxious for a fresh start in wine country California, he agrees to go on a two week road trip that promises long torturous days with the only person who’s ever seen past his surly façade and is now likely to kill him in his sleep. But the familiar connection he’s always felt with Lucy soon comes to the fore along with their explosive attraction. Can they forgive the heartache they’ve inflicted in the past to carve a happy future together?

I love Lauren Layne’s books. I haven’t missed a single one knowing they’re guaranteed entertainment because she’s adept at writing from fun, flirty and hot, to heartbreakingly tragic, to drive you crazy with antagonistic banter.

I really enjoy a frenemies to lovers story especially when there’s a shared history between the couple. I find the back and forth sparing and animosity wholly amusing and that it’s a good source for sexual tension. Right of the bat Reece and Lucy bicker like nobody’s business. The anger between them is palpable. They have a lot of unresolved feelings for each other but they also care deep down for one another and have an undeniable attraction. They’re perfect for one another, they just can’t see past their hurt feelings.

Even though they drove me a bit nutty with so much bickering, I couldn’t help but like both Reece and Lucy. I felt so much for all of Reece’s loss. He never had an easy life, but was happy to know that he had Lucy and her family there for him, of course he kept everyone at arm’s length to save himself further pain hiding behind a thick wall of stubbornness with a coat of hurtfulness which Lucy easily threw back at him with equal force.

As they travel through the country in close quarters they slowly let their guard down and begin to open up once again and through flashbacks that go way back to their early childhood we learn how their friendship developed and just how deep their connection is and eventually they learn navigate their turbulent relationship into a the beautiful one it was always meant to be.

As an aside that has little to do with the story but a lot to do with my personal enjoyment, I LOVED Lucy’s totally nerdy nickname: Spock. Yes, based on Leonard Ninmoy’s Star Trek character.

Love Story is book #3 in the Love Unexpectedly series by Lauren Layne. It is a standalone contemporary romance. Told from both points of view and has a happy ending.

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Do I recommend it? Yes
Genre: New Adult
POV: Dual
Writing: 4.5/5 stars. Very strong writing, as always from Lauren Layne
Story/Plot: 3.5/5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but it was pretty predictable.
Characters: 3/5 stars. Lucy was a fun heroine, Reece’s emotions were all over the place which made him a bit difficult to root for.
Emotions: 3/5 stars
Flow/pacing: 4.5/5 stars, this moved along very easily, again, as most Lauren Layne books do!
Steam: 4/5 stars
HEA: Yes
Will I read this author again? Definitely, I’ve read most of Lauren Layne’s books and find her a go-to author for me.

Really good story qnd I personally loved the ending of it!

3. 5 * * * 1/2- this is friends/foes to lovers road trip... we go back and forth from present to past and both of the characters take the time on the road to see what path they should take... right into each others arms...

I'm a bit of a Lauren Layne fan girl. I picked up one of her books in a previous series and have stuck with her ever since. She gives you that happy build up of emotions that you love in books. All the good, bad, happy, sad, in one.
Lucy and Reece are traveling cross country together, neither wants to, but it has to be done. I enjoyed the banter in this one. Sassy is a word I would describe on Lucy. Reece is very shielded. Their previous attempt at a 'relationship' went up in smoke. Each blames the other. No one really knows the truth. Stuck in a car for hours, stopping god knows where and meeting the new boyfriend are all forks in the road.
The road trip has to end, but their relationship as it stands will change forever.

Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan have know each other since they were children. Reece and Lucy's brother were best friends and Reece practically lived in the Hawkins home. Lucy has loved Reece forever and had hopes of a possible relationship. But just before she heads off to college he makes it clear nothing would ever happen between them and breaks her heart. Reece never felt he was good enough for Lucy and felt this was the best way to protect her. Lucy believes Reece cheated on her and Reece believes she's just a spoiled girl.

Years latter each has entered the wine country industry and are working to further their career with a move to the California wine country. Lucy's parents come up with a plan for the two to make a two week trip together down to California using their car as Lucy's car died.

The trip is one filled with a lot of sparing, sparks and animosity. The two are total opposites and have a lot of unresolved hurts and secrets.We have flash backs of their past childhood and the development of their relationship. As the trip progresses they begin to open up and old and new feelings are revealed, as well as past hurts resolved.

I found the second chance story line overall as good. But the characters to me were one demential with no real depth. Their sparing back and forth seemed juvenile and irritating. I didn't really come to care or like the main characters, especially Reece. I worked on finishing this one and found it disappointing.

Lucy Hawkins and Reese Sullivan are about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime.
Years earlier Lucy gave herself to Reece only to have him break her heart. Now here she is a college graduate and ready to make her move across the country to her new life and career…and she has to take it with Reece Sullivan.
Reece Sullivan knows all about loss. His mom died when he was very young, his older sister left him behind with a father that was less than loving and now he’s dead as well. Most of all, he lost the one girl he’s ever loved. Lucy was off limits for more than one reason, number one reason…she’s his best friend’s sister. He and Lucy crossed the line once and it’s haunted him ever since. Now he has to travel across the country with her.
If these two can make it to their destination without maiming or killing each other, it will be a miracle.
Totally enjoyed this Love Story; set aside the sexual tension and the annoying avoidance tendencies that these two have and you just can’t help but love them. I really didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. Flashbacks in a storyline can be very tricky but in this book, they worked. For me it gave that little extra something to really drive home how they felt about each other. This was an attraction that started when they were eight/nine years old and sixteen years later…they are just as attracted/in love, actually more.
There were times when I felt like Reece as a bit too mean to Lucy, but at the same time Lucy’s passive/aggressiveness was overboard. Funniest thing, the two thought they kept their attraction well hidden when everyone could see it. The two sweetest moments in this book, Zoey talking to Reece after his mom passes and Reece giving Zoey her first kiss….sigh.

Lucy and Reese, the antagonism is strong in this love/hate road trip. But when circumstances and the truth finally comes out you will be glad you took the time to read the book.

LOVE STORY is easily one of the best releases of 2017! Not only will you be unable to put down Lucy and Reece's story, but it will also stay with you long after you have finished reading. What an incredible read.

LOVE STORY is a hot, sexy romantic read with unforgettable characters and plenty of angst. Ooh, the angst! I love it and I love this story a lot. This is definitely going on my keeper shelf!

I've read a lot of Lauren Layne's books, ever since i first read and loved Isn't She Lovely. I don't remember what POV she used in that book, but as for the others, i find those books which she'd written in first person points of view to be the more unforgettable ones. I thought they came across as more intense and made me feel more. Then again, perhaps it's the theme: both are friends/enemies-to-loves, which I love.

Anyway...

I love the alternate first person points of view in love story. I love seeing the way they each viewed the same situation with different results, influenced as they were by their own experiences and insecurities. Beneath the bickering, both of them were hurting and doing their best to protect themselves. I love that the author gave us two individuals who are relatable in terms of financial and emotional aspects. Who hasn't scrimped due to budget considerations, or looked for cheap places to stay when traveling? I also love how human and flawed Reece is, a standout among arrogantly confident alpha males.

Definitely a must read! Looking forward to the next book in the series, Walk of Shame.

A second chance story, that is more young adult romance then I thought it would be after reading the description. Short chapters, so the book flows pretty quickly.

4.5 Stars!
This is a beautiful blend of the forbidden romance, friends to lover, and second chance romance. Lucy and Reece have known each other for years. Reece is her big brother’s best friend and has always been part of their family. Their friendship was always strong and as they got older they crossed the line to lovers. Through some misunderstanding, they part ways and have hated each other ever since. Can they find their way back to each other?
The story starts out with Reece and Lucy in present time. They have a burning hatred for each other, but buried down deep is also a burning love for one another. The key mystery in the story is what tore them apart; it definitely kept me reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed the flash backs of Reece and Lucy developing their friendship as children and then seeing their friendship develop into love. I’m a sucker for childhood love. It’s all so very sweet and innocent. It was well written and their love for one another was very palpable.
Eventually, the reason for their separation was revealed and honestly, it was a bit frustrating. It all came down to poor communication. If Reece and Lucy could have had one conversation about their insecurities, it would have solved a lot of heartache. I think Lucy had more reason to be upset than Reece. Both felt they were burned by one another, but while I hate to put blame, I think it was mostly Reece’s fault.
I’m happy to report that the ending is sweet and just my style. If you are a fan of friends to lover and second chance romance, you will love this story. It’s a sweet, feel good book perfect for snowy day. Happy Reading!!

​​​​​Romantic reads that are scheduled for release on Valentine's Day seem to be extra special. Love Story by Lauren Layne, is the perfect addition to the most romantic day of the year. This friends to lovers and enemies to lovers novel is passionate, angsty, and full of hope. The two main characters rediscover each other as they drive across the country in a classic station wagon.

Lucy Hawkins and Reece Sullivan have been friends since childhood. When Reece's mother died, he spent most of his time at the Hawkins's home. In addition, Lucy's older brother is Reece's best friend. Lucy has been in love with Reece for years, even after he emotionally hurt her before she left for college. Reece has always harbored feelings for Lucy, but he never felt good enough, so he never pursued a relationship with her.

Lucy and Reece grew up in the Virginia wine country and immersed themselves in various aspects of the business. Now they are both looking forward to their new careers in the California wine region, and Lucy's parents provide the transportation for them to make the trek. Two weeks on the road together is not something either of them is looking forward to, however, the trip results in unexpected pleasures and discoveries.

Love Story is another winner from talented author Lauren Layne. This slightly emotional romance captured my attention from the very beginning with its engaging plot and lively characters. The sex scenes are both hot and sexy. Lucy and Reece are well-defined, which made it easy for me to form a connection to them. I liked their taunting banter and the way they handled their different tastes in music. This is the third book in Ms. Layne's Love Unexpectedly series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.