Walk of Shame, Lauren Layne

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, 

I loved Lauren's Oxford sereis, so really looked forward to this one. For me though it was a disappointment. Looking at early reviews I see lots of readers love it yet quite a few like me didn't. 

Georgie, she's not the usual type of heroine. I liked her cheery outlook, her friendliness and her general kindness to others. This character in books is usually the opposite to all that, though I'm not complaining, its what makes many books special ;-)
I think for me Georgie lacked any real character though, she seemed all light and fluffy, no real depth to her, just partying along, spending time shopping, lunching, gossiping, its all so vapid and hard to make a character with any depth of of one like that. 

Then there's Andrew, totally her opposite, and again we could see why he was that rigid persona, but it made it very hard to see what the connection was between the two, how they could make a relationship work. The colour red is a very tenuous connection...
I liked Andrew in the same way as I liked Georgie, but didn't see how either of them would work in a relationship, they have little in common, don't really know anything about the other, and I didn't feel that magic crackle of attraction.
I love the slow build up, the gradual dawning that each likes the other, then slowly they meet more and more and that deepens. None of that here. just some snark and lust and that doesn't make a relationship. 

I didn't dislike the book, just found it a hard read, didn't get properly engrossed in it and kept putting to one side.
I know its not one I've really enjoyed when I find myself glad I've reached the end...One of those reads that's well written but where the actual story just doesn't cut it for me. 

Stars: Two. :-( Sorry Lauren, loved other books of yours but not this one. Still, there's lots of other  readers for whom its perfect. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

At first I thought this was just going to be "Paris Hilton meets stuffy NY Lawyer and falls in love" but the book turned out to be so much more than that. Georgianna has a lot more substance than I was expecting and while Andrew's character wasn't developed completely, he turned out to be likable and sexy. This is a cute read about opposites that really do attract and I recommend it to anyone looking for something light and fun.

Walk of Shame was crazy addicting, laugh out loud hilarious and continually pulled at my heartstrings. And when I closed the book, I couldn't stop the happy tears! Here's a few reasons why this is definitely my new favorite LL book!

✮Fabulous Heroine -

I put on my widest, sparkliest smile, only because I know it drives him crazy.
As always, I see a muscle in his jaw twitch as I flutter my eyelashes.
“Good morning, Andrew,” I say sweetly.
“Georgiana.”


I loved Georgiana Watkin's voice, aka Georgie, and that her happiness and friendliness was infectious. She was this honest, bubbly, hilarious women who had the most generous heart. She was such a good person.....even though she loved to get under Andrew's skin. But besides all that, she talked directly to us readers, sporadically. It made me feel like Georgie was my bff and I happily listened as she poured her heart and soul out to me. I loved everything about Manhattan's famous party girl!

✮Rigid Yet Sexy Hero -

I pop another piece of donut in my mouth and smile. “It’s fine. I won’t tell a soul you checked me out.”
“I wasn’t—” He clears his throat. “Forget it. You’re ridiculous.”
I’m grinning outright now, because that’s two you’re ridiculouses this morning, and when he takes to repeating himself, I know I’ve successfully gotten under his skin.
Georgie, one; Andrew Mulroney, Esquire, zero.


Andrew Mulroney, Esquire...a famous divorce attorney.... was structured, rigorous and completely no-nonsense. Yet he captivated me, especially when he had his morning squabbles with Georgie. It was so much fun watching Georgie push Andrew's buttons, and getting glimpses into the other sides of him. Even if I was always left wanting to desperately know or learn more about the allusive Andrew. Because even though it seemed as though Andrew was always in control, he wasn't always on his game and he was insanely hot when jealous! And I have to put this out there, but I truly believe that fans of Michael from After the Kiss, will fall just as hard for Andrew!!

✮Fun and Flirty Vibe -

If I had even a lick of sense, I’d forget him and this weird game we’re playing. Instead I keep coming back for more.
I’ve been thinking about why, and, well . . . I’m simply not used to people not liking me. And yes, I know how that sounds. Diva much? But really, usually people at least want to be my friend. He hated me on sight for no reason, and I seem to be having a wee bit of a difficult time letting it go.


Georgie's party girl routine rubbed Andrew's off to the gym and then the corner office vibe at 5am the wrong way. Their morning confrontation in their lobby was always entertaining and the electricity running between the two of them was scorching hot. Well actually anytime they were near each other I always found myself smiling, laughing and then wanting to shove them together lol. Besides Walk of Shame being so much fun, LL writes some of the best banter, and she hit gold with Georgie and Andrew!

This book about polar opposites had me a giddy, laughing, crying mess! And I don't think I have ever happy cried so much, this book, oh, it made me a ridiculously emotional girl! *sigh* Walk of Shame was absolutely perfect! I loved it so much and I hope you do too!

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The link to my blog post will be live on my tour date with Tasty Tours - 4/18 6:30am PST

Lauren Layne strikes again. She has written another fabulous contemporary romance that hit me in my feels and made me laugh. She has a knack for writing great characters that are completely relatable and super funny and that's really my jam so I'm super happy that I read this one.

Georgie Watkins is a rich girl who is an expert in socializing. She spends her days recovering from her partying nights and when her neighbor Andrew Mulroney starts his day at 5AM, she's usually coming in from ending hers. On top of being a workaholic, Andrew is a health nut who looks down his nose at Georgie bringing in donuts every morning for the doormen that work at the front desk of their apartment building.

They meet each other in the lobby every morning and they share a witty banter that just filled me up with goodness and I enjoyed each of their daily chats. They don't like each other and they love to antagonize one another and I thought it was the cutest thing.

Georgie was a great heroine who seemed to sense in herself, a quiet unrest that she didn't understand until interacting with the snob, Andrew Mulroney. She realized that she was bored. She was growing up and she wanted more out of her life than nightly visits to the club where she danced the night away with her friends and flirted with cute boys who lived their lives, the exact same way that she lived hers. She wanted more and she also had a huge ol' crush on Andrew, who seemed to take great pleasure in putting her down every chance he got. She didn't understand her crush but ran with it anyway because it wasn't going anywhere. The best part of her days were her morning arguments with Andrew and she wasn't going to give those up.

Andrew doesn't like Georgie. At least, he doesn't think he does. She's everything that he doesn't have time for. A spoiled rich girl who isn't doing a damn thing with her life other than partying with her friends. He's too smart and too driven to throw away his life by doing...nothing. But that doesn't stop him from looking forward to battling wits with her at 5AM, every morning. It also doesn't stop him from admiring just how pretty she is. When a particular battle of wits ends with him challenging her to spend a day in his shoes (he doesn't think she'll last a day), she accepts and things change for the two of them.

The romance between these two was adorable and just so much fun. The chemistry was strong and the sexual tension made its presence known from the very beginning. They were both such great characters on their own that bringing all of that awesomeness together made for a very enjoyable story. This is a story that I didn't even know I wanted and I'm glad that Lauren Layne provided because she delivered the goods with this one. I definitely recommend.

<strong>Grade: 4.25 out of 5</strong>

Fantastic! I devoured this one in just a few hours! The last book in this series, I didn't connect with. It was good, just not my favorite. I loved this one.
Georgianna is so dang perfect! She is the perfect book girl! She's funny, witty, kind and smart. You'd expect coming from money she might be a mindless twit, she is the exact opposite. Andrew definitely thinks something of her and he can't figure it out. Workaholic Andrew and Georgianna spar every morning. She's coming in, he's going out. Georgianna is determined to get under his skin and see if he's so uptight as he seems.
A kiss gets caught on camera and here they are on the gossip column. Georgianna dubs them frenemies. Andrew isn't so sure he likes that title. He changes things. He knows the happiness he feels with Georgianna is limited because he has a secret that will break her heart.

Just so good. The book flows so fast. I was sad when the end came and I NEEDED MORE. I hate for great stories like these to come to an end. I need to know how their lives ended up years to come. It's just that good!

Perfectly ridiculous!

Lauren Layne delivers another feel good romance, with all the fun you would expect from her novels. LL is great at writing broody, overly grumpy men who fall hard for the heroine. Mr. Andrew Mulroney, Esquire, was no different.

A high powered divorce attorney, he has no time for the spoiled socialite Georgie Watkins, until one morning he finds he can't spend another minute without her. After months of exchanging snarky comments to each other in the lobby (while she's coming in from a night on the town, and he's heading out to start his day), the two finally come together in a heated sidewalk encounter that ends up on Page Six! With their time together, Georgie realizes that she actually looks forward to her morning interactions with him, and he realizes that he may want a bit of ridiculousness in his life.

As always, there's a tiny bit of angst, but nothing that makes you want to throw your kindle across the room. It's a blip in the overall happy story.

When Georgie, our effervescent heroine, verbally spars with Andrew, a stuffy suitor, sparks fly in the best possible ways. They may be on fire, but can they keep the flame burning or will their differences make them fizzle out? Perfect for romance fans seeking their next HEA...

To be honest, WALK OF SHAME wasn't one of my favorite books from Lauren Layne, but I did enjoy it. As always, the banter between the main characters was great! But I did feel like there was a little bit of *something* that was missing.

Socialite Georgianna "Georgie" Watkins life as a party-girl is starting to feel a little blah, and a little lonely. She's ready for some change. In walks the perfect distraction in the form of her neighbor Andrew Mulroney, a divorce attorney for the rich and famous.

Andrew and Georgie clash right from the beginning. She finds him to be too uptight, and he finds her to be ridiculous. All this clashing, however, just masks the fact that they are utterly and completely attracted to one another. But can two people who come from two totally different worlds make it work?

Walk of Shame was such a fun surprise of a read. I mean I've enjoyed other books by Lauren Layne, but this one just hit all the marks for me perfectly. The initial back-and-forth between Georgie and Andrew is absolutely delicious. I loved that even though they were unsure about each other and about their feelings for each at first, there was still this devotion they had to one another. Neither one was willing to let their feelings go, even when other opportunities arose.

I loved that Georgie kind of destroys all stereotype expectations that Andrew has about her in the beginning. Just because she comes from money, doesn't have to work, and enjoys staying out all night partying, doesn't mean that she's shallow, or brainless or mean. Georgie is sweet and vivacious. Able to make anyone her friend in a matter of minutes with her outgoing personality. It's not a faked personality either, she's genuine.

Once Andrew discovers this, he starts to look at Georgie in a new light, and thereby looks at himself in a new light. Andrew is not the typical, self-assured, handsome, ladies man. For one thing, he's pretty much a genius, and he's worked hard and skipped grades in order to graduate law school at an extremely early age, then making partner at his law-firm by thirty. These are wonderful accomplishments, but he's also been an outsider for most of his life. So his people skills aren't the best, which is clear in the way he deals with Georgie in certain situations, but he tries, and he too is genuinely a nice guy. Georgie helps him break out of his shell a little bit.

Of course there's going to be conflict, and I thought that the conflict that Lauren Layne threw into the mix was extremely plausible. It went along with the story and the characters very well and didn't seem to come out of left-field at all.

Walk of Shame was such a quick read. I would say the only downside was the limited fleshing out of the secondary characters. Namely, Andrew's brother and sister-in-law, and Georgie's mom and dad. They are integral components to both Andrew and Georgie, but I felt like there were a few areas and interactions that I wanted more from.

Otherwise, this was the perfect read for me. Despite the fact that this is #4 in a series, there was absolutely nothing that kept it from being a standalone. I haven't even read the other books, and I was still able to enjoy this one.

I absolutely loved everything about Walk of Shame. It was another amazing Lauren Layne book I can add to my collection that not only made me laugh and swoon, but one that put a big cheesy smile on my face the entire time I was reading it. This was a perfect enemies to lover romance that was sexy, snarky and so damn clever. It was one of her best books she has ever written and I never wanted it to end.

Andrew and Georgia were perfect together. But pure opposites at first glance. He was a rigid, follow ALL the rules, sarcastic and workaholic divorce attorney who looked at love as something that inevitably failed and she was a sassy, optimistic, sweet and caring socialite who was still waiting for her Prince Charming. But what happens when these neighbors inevitably clash and butt heads? Fireworks, folks! Ms. Sweet and Sassy and Mr. Control Freak go head to head in a battle of wits and antics that will have you dying of laughter and all of the swoons. But what happens when lingering secrets come to a head? Will Mr. Commitment-Phobic be able to give Georgie what she needs?

This was an amazing Lauren Layne book that I could not read fast enough. It had amazing chemistry, humor and a connection that was to die for. I can't wait for her next one!

4.5 Enchanted Stars!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

What’s this? Another raving review for a Lauren Layne book? YES! I was hooked to the premise of Walk of Shame even before I read the book. The synopsis immediately caught my attention with the description of what looked like a grumpy hero and perky girl falling in love with a NYC setting. I mean what’s not to love about that premise? As expected, Walk of Shame was another flirty and fun rom-com from Lauren Layne. It’s a book that’s delightful from start to finish and will have you smiling, laughing and swooning – honestly, could there be a better combo?

I was initially a bit worried that I’d find Georgie to be annoying, but I actually found her to be very lovable. She was a very happy-go-lucky character, and she has definitely got an effervescent personality, but never in an irritating way. She’s the kind of girl who brings sunshine to a gloomy room as cheesy as that sounds. I thought Georgie was funny, kind, loving and despite being a rich man’s daughter, very humble. Now imagine the complete opposite of that, and you’ll get her love interest, Andrew. This guy was a work-a-holic, a gym rat, and a grade-a grump, who fortunately has got a hidden sweet side to him, that he only allows his lady love to see. Of course that meant that I found him to be completely irresistible! Andrew was an introvert, who didn’t really allow his more sensitive (and secretly alpha) side to come to surface, until he became entangled with Georgie. I loved watching him peel off those rough layers and getting to know the great guy who resided within all those rough edges.

Georgie and Andrew together were just pure unadulterated fun. The banter, the bickering, and the longing between these two kept me hooked to Walk of Shame from the beginning. They had a great dynamic between them, and I loved watching Georgie get under Andrew’s skin. At first glance, they seem like a couple who would be completely at odds with each other, but as the story progressed, you see just how in actuality they fit like a lock and a key. They brought out the best in each other, and that made them a spectacular couple. Walk of Shame also had one of my favorite romance tropes ever: when a couple falls sick and they take care of each other, subsequently falling in love! Lauren Layne also always writes her couples with a hefty dose of chemistry, and the chemistry between Georgie and Andrew was red-hot. Under all that squabbling was a mountain of sexual tension that never fizzled out. Tell me that doesn’t sound ridiculously entertaining? And you know what was even better? How the kissing scenes were as steamy as the sex scenes! Walk of Shame book featured some of my favorite kissing scenes and you bet, I’ve re-read those scenes a million times already.

I love a lot of books by Lauren Layne, but Walk of Shame just shot up to the top of my favorites. I loved every moment that I spent with Georgie and Andrew and I have no doubt fans of Lauren Layne and fans of contemporary romance will love these two just as much as I did. If you’re in the mood for a sexy, frenemies-to-more type of book with plenty of entertaining dialogue, look no further – Walk of Shame is the book for you.

“Perfectly Ridiculous.”
5 Stars!!
Ok, I’m just going to say it; this is Lauren Layne’s best book! This was absolutely adorable. I loved everything about this book. I was feeling like a giddy little school girl reading it.

Andrew Mulroney and Georgiana Watkins are the perfect example of opposites attract. Georgia is a New York socialite who has nothing but time to play and enjoy life. Andrew, on the other hand, is a brilliant man who loves hard work and predictability. According to Georgia...“The man’s a lesson in sameness, like some sort of anal-retentive version of Groundhog day.” LOL. Sounds hot? Maybe not at first, but Andrew’s grumpy old ways start to grow on me and, of course, Georgiana! Together, they are the perfect mix.

“You can see why I don’t like the guy. I had a great thing going and he ruins it with every scowl.”

I’m a huge fan of love/hate relationships because I find the bantering the perfect foreplay. Georgiana and Andrew have the best foreplay. The bickering and witty comments to each other are not spiteful, but playful and fun. It was sexual tension with a sweet innocence to their attraction. It was all about the little things such as waiting for each other every morning just to have 5 minutes of bickering or the way he sends her flowers telling her she is “perfectly ridiculous.” SWOON. I got all the feels…the butterflies and the anticipation. This book brought me back to my girlish crush days of wanting of living for those small moments.

One of the best things about this book is the character development. Georgie has the potential to be annoying and spoiled, but she is painted in the best way possible. Despite being rich, she has a huge heart and she wears it on her sleeve. Her character really shines and I just love her. Andrew is incredibly well developed as well. I like the fact that he isn’t the typical hot rich guy. He’s rich, but he’s an introvert and socially awkward. This is why Georgie and Andrew are perfect for each other. They match each other’s weaknesses.

“More important, he wanted it. He wanted the happily-ever-after. He wanted it with her.”

I love this story. It has a fairy tale feel that leaves me feeling so uplifted. It is full of fun banter and sweet moments. This is a must read!!

“Love me back,” he whispers. “Please love me back.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I whisper. “Of course I love you back.”

This book was everything. Georgie and Andrew had sparks from the beginning and their story made me happy.

Opposites attract in a delightfully amusing way. I hated to see the story end.

I've been a fan of Lauren Layne since I discovered her books last year-and binge read them all in a week. Since then I've patiently (ok, not so patiently) awaited each new release, ready to dive in to the author's unique storytelling ways. I've enjoyed all of her books but this one had a little something extra to me and it is hands down my favorite Lauren Layne book.

Georgianna was such a fun, different character. I could relate to her always finding the bright side, for always believing in happily ever afters (thanks, Disney) and just her bubbly personality overall. Georgie is so much more than the party girl she's initially made out to be. She's smart, kind and funny. I just loved her.

Andrew-oh, Andrew. I fell for him hard and fast. Like Georgie, I wanted to see his smile, hear him laugh. I wanted to peel back his layers until I found out what made him tick. What I found when his layers were exposed was a sweet, shy, somewhat socially awkward man that I just couldn't help loving. He definitely is at the top of my book boyfriend list.

The dialog between these two characters is sharp and witty. Each little subtle dig exposed them more to each other. I loved feeling the chemistry between them, watching them finally figure out what they really wanted from each other and deciding whether or not it was worth it.

Lauren Layne has a way of creating such a community within her books that you can't help but feel you could be a secondary character. I felt like I could be friends with Georgie and her crew, that I could walk down the streets of NYC and find them in a club and they'd just welcome me in. At the same time, I feel I could work with Andrew as well. Theirs is a world I wanted to live in.

I devoured this book in one sitting. It appeared on my kindle and everything else on my TBR list got pushed back a bit-and it was absolutely worth it. This is a book I'll read over and over. It made me laugh, had me swooning and had heat to boot. Lauren Layne has knocked it out of the park with Walk of Shame. I highly recommend this book.

4.5 Stars!

As always, Lauren Layne crafted a beautifully written, entertaining story. I liked the way the narration in Walk of Shame was set up. Most of the story was in Georgie's first person perspective. She had this fun, overly cheerful way of presenting everything. It was a privileged but down to earth perspective. I don't know how Lauren Layne was able to combine those two things, but she did. Other, smaller parts of the story were told from Andrew's point of view. Instead of being in first person, his was in third. I liked the way Andrew's third person contrasted with Georgie's first.

The love-hate thing Georgie and Andrew had going on was awesome. I loved every minute of their witty banter and comebacks. The progression of their relationship was perfect. It was a sweet slow burn.

Georgie was your typical famous heiress. She didn't have a day job. She sent most of her time shopping, doing charity work, maintaining her beauty regimen, and partying with friends. Georgie could have easily been shallow, but she wasn't. She appreciated her life and was constantly examining it. There was a depth to her I wouldn't have expected. Georgie was always trying to prove herself.

Andrew reminded me a tiny bit of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory without all of the crazy ticks. He was a thinker. Everything was looked at logically, and his decisions were based on fact not feeling. Andrew was smart in everything except people skills. He had no clue what to make of Georgie, and his figuring it all out was so much fun. I would have liked a little more insight into Andrew's cynicism. I felt there should have been more to it than just his job.

I loved every minute of this cheeky romance. Walk of Shame was ridiculously fun, fresh and exciting. I couldn't put it down, and read it in one night. Fans of Layne's Love Unexpectedly series are sure to fall in love with Walk of Shame.

This is a book I have been so looking forward to and literally from page one, it had sucked me right in. I practically inhaled it within a few hours.

Snarky and feisty, the banter kept the story going. Snappy barbs and quick wit had the characters spinning and I absolutely loved it. From laugh out loud moments to moments where you felt the characters bruised pride, this book had it all. The characters were completely opposites but the author just made it work. She starts off flighty and ditzy, he comes across mean and boring and yet they somehow grow and show a deeper depth throughout the story.

If you want a light read that will keep you entertained then you have to pre-order Walk of Shame

5 'Perfectly Ridiculous' Stars!

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! I'm a Disney fairy tale fan to my core, so I adored every single page!!

Georgiana is a bright cheerful socialite in Manhattan who has a run in with Andrew, a serious, uptight divorce attorney. They share the same apartment building and have a run in each and every morning at 5am in the lobby, Georgiana just coming in from a night out on the town, and Andrew heading to the gym before work. The two worlds collide in a beautiful way that has their chemistry and sexual tension jumping off the pages!

I absolutely love Lauren Layne's writing style and have read quite a bit of her books. This one did not disappoint! It really was a excellent book that pulled me right in page after page! Loved it!

As with each book Ms Layne writes, I was captivated from the onset, drawn in to the nature of the characters creating emotions in an instant. Yet this story had a different tone to it than her others, with its carefree nature that was juxtaposed to its stringent aspect...perfectly describing Georgie and Andrew in that order. The counterpoint to her breath of fresh air persona was his logical well orchestrated personality. Their's was a rising to nearly boiling point attraction, denied by both long enough to create tension and an explosive chemistry. The build up to their coming together left me holding my breath at times, then whooping with joy at others...only turning it around and making my heart sigh.

Georgie and Andrew have to be one of my favorite couples...and this author is well know for creating some very memorable ones, all from what I perceive to be her vivid, romantic imagination. In Georgie Andrew found the gentle loving nature that he needed, all brought to life through this author's creativity, making them a couple not easily forgotten. The descriptions of Georgie's bubbling, laugh at her self perceptions was enough to bring her to life in my mind's eye. Andrew's stodginess (Georgie's charming tag) was so well created, it led to the visual of him as clear as if he was standing before me, scowl and all.

Georgie's first person narrative was genius...her inner monologue was tremendously wry, snappy, and full of wit with clear insight into human nature. Her outlook on life through her inner musings was entertaining and one of my favorite things about the story. The hilarity in her wonderfully wondering thoughts drove the course of the story, keeping it fresh and moving smoothly through to the HEA end.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Are you looking for a ridiculously good book? Then immerse yourself in Lauren Layne's latest offering, Walk of Shame. This is a fast-paced and well-written read that takes place in the bustling city of Manhattan. The plot grabbed my attention right from the start, while the characters made me laugh, smile, and tear up from time to time. This is the fourth book from Ms. Layne's Love Unexpectedly series, and it can be enjoyed as as standalone.

Georgianna Watkins, or Georgie to her friends and family, is a kindhearted socialite. She loves to party well into the night, and afterwards, bring warm, just-baked donuts to the doormen who greet her in the wee hours of the morning. Georgie is charitable, smart, and beautiful, and she has brunch with her parents on Sundays. She has not met the love of her life yet, however, celebrity divorce attorney Andrew Mulroney causes her heart to flutter, even though their interactions are far from civil.

Andrew, not Andy, is a workaholic. Not only is he good-looking and buff, he is extremely smart and controlled. He skipped two grades during grade school and made partner by the age of thirty. Andrew and Georgie usually exchange barbs at five o'clock in the morning, when he is leaving for his daily workout and she is coming in from a night of clubbing. They are opposites in every sense of the word and their attraction to each other is undeniable.

This was such a fun read! Georgie and Andrew have a love/hate relationship and their banter is quite clever. They are a hot couple, and their sexy times are replete with desire, intensity, and feeling. Overall, this is a terrific read that twist and turns in all the right places.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.