I have to admit that it took me a little longer than it usually does to get into this book. But I eventually got to the point that I couldn't put it down. I spent the first part of the book wanting to smack Lucy and Reece. I was finally thrilled when they got to the point they weren't fighting all the time. But the sexual tension was crazy good. And when they finally got together, holy hot momma! You need a cool drink. I really enjoyed how this book ended up. You appreciated the journey that the author had to take them through to get there.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I was intrigued to read this book because of the blurb. I love the brother's best friend trope and I also love road trips in books. Those two things alone sold me on taking a chance on this new-to-me author.

Love Story was an interesting read. I enjoyed the chemistry between Reece and Lucy. I also liked the angry tension that came from their past. Watching them fight it out while stuck together in a car for two week was amusing. It also felt real and I could sympathise with both characters.

Saying that, this book did lose me for a few chapters when the sex was introduced. For me it felt a little stilted, like the characters were just going through the motions of a romance book. That might not be down to the book though, I just feel every sex scene is the same in romance nowadays. I did end up skimming these chapters, since they went on a bit too long. I wanted to get back to the banter and fighting as they struggled to admit what they both felt.

Nonetheless, this book did win me back after those chapters had ended. I did enjoy the book and I'd recommend it to those who like the tropes I mentioned above.

I have come to realize that I have a love/hate relationship with second chance romances.

I LOVE the idea of a couple who gets a second chance at getting it right and finding their way back to each other. Lauren Layne did a good job at reuniting Reece and Lucy. I loved the premise of this storyline. The second chance love story that is also a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers again.

What I hate about second chance romances is all the excess drama and angst that can be written into the story between the characters. And let me tell you this one is full of angst and drama. Truthfully it is my only negative about this book. I would’ve liked to see Reece and Lucy actually work things out way sooner then they did. I felt Lauren dragged that out for way to long, so by the end of the story I was rolling my eyes way to often and it made the I Love You’s at the end seem unrealistic and rushed.

Now I know what you are thinking….I didn’t like this book. That is not the case at all. I love Lauren Layne books and will read anything she writes, but this one just wasn’t my favorite of hers. Now don’t shy away because of me, because this could very well be a 5 star read for you.

As with any Lauren Layne book, she gave us an interesting storyline and is able to hit on many of the readers emotions. I laughed, blushed and yelled while reading this book. I did however miss her oh-so-swoony Hero that she is known for. Reece just didn’t do it for me. I never warmed to his character and I couldn’t get the connection from him. I felt he was way to closed off and there weren’t enough “sweet” moments. But Lucy….I really liked. She had drive and ambition and was willing to do whatever she had to to get what she wanted out of life. Yes she had a communication problem. They both actually needed to open up more with each other. Things would’ve been solved much sooner ;)

So if you are a fan of a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers second chance romance, then you should give this a try. If you like a lot of drama and angst between two characters, then this is definitely the books to read. This was just a little too much angst and drama for my taste. I still look forward to the next book Lauren releases….she will always be an auto read for me.

Who on earth names a car “Horny”?

Lucy Hawkins’ brother that’s who. I can’t believe I just read a book with a car by that name. Our hero Reece Sullivan isn’t crazy about the name either.

I’ve never hated the nickname of this stupid car so much as I do right now, on the verge of a full-blown (no pun intended) erection, in front of my pseudo-parents, all from a memory of a girl I don’t even like.
And this is before either of our romantic leads step a foot in the car for their two-week, cross-country adventure. This is going to be fun, right?

So Lucy and Reece have a bit of a history. He was her first. Too bad everything went downhill from then. Six years later, they find themselves carpooling to California to start new jobs, both in the Sonoma area. You see, working in California wine country has always been Lucy’s dream and after the death of his father, Reece is more than ready to make a fresh start far away from his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The sexual tension masked by their overt animosity toward each other is evident from the start. Even before they actually see each other in the first scene of the book. My favorite kind of romance. I love a good fight with all that simmering heat and lust in the mix. Their exchanges are sharp and filled with many hurtful and hurt-filled jabs and digs. That they both appear to be equally upset with each other is a head scratcher at first. To me, it was clear who was at fault for their unceremonious breakup—who the villain of the piece was.

“What’s in Wilmington?” he asks, after a few more tense moments of silence. “Another boyfriend?”
“Yes, another boyfriend,” I reply snidely. “Didn’t I mention it? I have four.”

He changes lanes. “Hard to juggle?”

“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?”

As you can see, Reece can be cruel when he wants. But as time went on, I began to wonder and second guess myself. What really happened between them? It’s obvious they were both hurt. What’s also clear is that they’re still really hot for each other, their love scenes sizzling, their emotional connection strong. I wondered how they managed to get through those six years without tearing each other’s clothes off.

I would say they’re both stubborn, but more than anything else, they’re human, both possessed with all the flaws, insecurities, jealousies (ex-girlfriends and current boyfriends) and frailties that come with the human condition. And when they first got together, they are so young. Teenagers. Better to make “relationship” mistakes then.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy and Reece’s journey—literally and figuratively. If any two people were meant to be together, these two are. If I had to gripe about anything, the one thing I found a little distracting were the flashbacks. Constant flashbacks have never been a favorite of mine but it’s the fact that they don’t appear in chronological order that had my mind see-sawing a bit. They are sixteen and seventeen in one place, then later on, they are eight and nine. Of course these aren’t deal breakers for me, but it’s the reason I probably didn’t give this one a Top Pick. Regardless, Love Story, like the vast majority of Ms. Layne’s books, come with a highly recommend, one I’d read again in a New York minute.

As for now, I impatiently await her next release Walk of Shame in April. It’s tops on my must-read upcoming releases list.

~ Beverley

Review will also be posted on the blog closer to release date

Love Story is the heart-rending relationship between Lucy and Reese. These two have basically grown up together which you see through a well-written present day vs. flashback style book. You feel their love as it develops between Lucy and Reese even as they both believe they cannot and should not be together until finally they are. And, you, also, feel the pain of betrayal and hurt pride they have and are still suffering.

Their cross country journey is a challenge in itself with the pain they have put each other through in each’s own personal heartbreak. Lucy’s parents have promised Reese the old family vehicle, but then decide to give it to Lucy so the two of them can take it to California. But, first Lucy wants to stop by to visit her current boyfriend in Florida before heading to California. Well, her parents are unaware of the very secretive relationship Lucy and Reese had right before she headed off to college. Her parents do not know that the two of them will not do well on a road trip together. What were her parents thinking? Can they not see that Lucy and Reese no longer even talk to each other? How are they supposed to drive to wine country together?

It is a tumultuous and hot journey with their bickering, wit and love. Ms. Layne places you right there in the car with Lucy and Reese. At times, you want to tell them to just ‘use their words’ as you would a couple of bickering children. Pride is a huge problem in any relationship. These two have their fair share to get in the way.

You will love Love Story! Ms. Layne writes such unique books and I have enjoyed them. Each series brings you right into the office, apartment or vehicle almost as if you are part of the family or one of the friends. So, check out Love Story and enjoy. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this sweet book in exchange for an honest review.