Really enjoyed this book it was definitely what I needed right now and I am looking forward to reading more books from Leah Marie Brown in the future.

This was a really fun and relatable book about growing up and learning to discover yourself. The characters have their flaws, but don't we all? Really enjoyed this one.

Leah Marie Brown writes fun stories of growing up and discovering new things about yourself. The characters make mistakes and missteps along the way. But they also show growth and forgiveness with a light, funny, flirty touch.

Delaney Brooks is a twenty-something girl who is out of control. Oh she’s not drinking or drugging – but she’s irrespobsible, immature and unfocused. So much so that after crashing her car and being evicted, she’s back with her parents who have said no more. They are tired of the constant worries and struggles as they watch her make one bad decision after another, and now seems to be inert. So an ultimatum is set: she must find a job and an apartment tout suite.

The one thing that has ever captured Delaney’s attention is art, her millennial approach to being “herself’ and expressing herself in all of her arty-ness is a hallmark of her approach to a meandering path to life, always to her own drum beats. On a whim she applies for an internship at a prestigious Paris Gallery, and the position is hers. YAY Laney – off she jets to Paris, determined to show her parents (and the world) that she is someone to contend with. An interesting premise that would take a delicate balance to bring this airy character to fruition and not caricature.

Unfortunately for me, Laney’s text-speak, her inability to seem to focus and a general over-indulgence in pop culture references, a tepid romance and a breezy (if wholly touristy view) of the city let me down. Laney came off as immature, not safe to be allowed out on her own without a warning label, and while I saw glimpses of her knowledge and appreciation of art and the pieces in the gallery took a far back seat of the bus to her immature communication and the fact that I barely passed a sentence without visualizing her face as an emoji.

Not having read earlier books in the series, I can’t say if this flat characterization and missing the high bar from promise of premise to actuality is the norm, or if as the latest in this series the story fell a bit flat – but I do know that it wasn’t for me. Suitable for fans of millennial characters and those who need, at both ends of the story, some significant development and growth.

I received an eArc copy of the tithe from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=”http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8X7/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

‘Owning It’ is the 4th book of ‘It Girls’ series by Leah Marie Brown. This was my first Leah Marie Brown book and I really enjoy her style. Now I will have to go back and start reading from the beginning of the series :) Before getting into the story let me tell you couple of my favorite things about the book. I loved ‘Laney’s Life Playlist’ which is the playlist given at the beginning of each chapter that gives you the feeling of the chapter. Also at the end of the book, there is ‘Tour of Artistic Paris’ info and I am definitely planning to use it when I visit Paris :)

Back to ‘Owning It’. Our heroine is Delaney Lavender Brooks, a.k.a. Laney, who is free spirited, talented, smart, funny and beautiful 25 year-old artist. Everything changes for Laney when she gets evicted from her house and wrecks her car. Because she doesn’t have a stable income, she moves back to her parent's house. Both of her parents are professors and according to Laney's mom being an artist is not a career. Deep down Laney always thinks that she is a failure and embarrassment to her parents and she feels really insecure about herself. Her parents thinks that because there are always there to support her, Laney will never grow up and act like a responsible adult that is why they gave Laney three months to get her life in order and move out. While she tries to figure out what she wants in life, her life takes a new turn with an acceptance letter she receives from a prestigious art gallery in Paris for an internship. Because she doesn’t have her parents financial support or any money in her bank account, in order to reach her dreams for the first time in her life she acts like a grown up and takes responsibility of her life.

When Laney moves to Paris for the internship, the story gets more fast paced. She will meet with Gabriel Galliard, a.k.a Monsieur Tall, Dark, and Hot at Gallery Cadre. Gabriel’s family owns Gallery Cadre and just like Laney, he is not really fitting his family. He is hot, smart, sweet, sophisticated and talented photographer. From the moment he sees Laney, he is attracted to her and he is not afraid to show his attraction and pursue her. It was really cute and sweet to read how their relationship evolves in one of the most romantic cities in the world but if you want more details about their relationship you need to read the story :)

I love the secondary characters Theo, Fanny, Vivia and Rigby, who are Laney’s close friends. First 2 books of the series is about Vivia and the 3rd one is about Fanny so I am glad that I will be able to read their stories and I hope to read Theo and Rigby’s stories in the future :) In some parts Laney’s insecurities were really annoying and you feel like shaking her so that she can see how dumb she is being. Also, I think it would have been nicer if reader could read what Laney wrote in her e-mails to her family and friends and not just the e-mails she received.

All in all, I enjoyed being part of Laney’s journey, while she proves herself to her parents, reaches her dreams and finds the love of her life. If you are looking quick read that will put a smile on your face, you will enjoy ‘Owning It’.

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

This is a great book; this is the fourth book in the It Girls series written by Leah Marie Brown. Delaney Lavender Brooks needs to grow up. At least, according to her parents. After getting evicted from her apartment and wrecking her car, Laney is almost ready to trade in her paintbrushes and surrender to a more sensible 9-to-5 existence. Almost. Until she’s awarded an internship at a prestigious art gallery in Paris. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

I think I might have liked this better if I weren't closer in age to Laney's parents but it's nonetheless a well written quick read that kept me engaged even when I was shaking my head. Laney does mature, which is a good thing, and her journey is a positive one. Brown has a nice way with words and a quick wit. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Laney Brooks, or Delaney Lavender Brooks as named by her two highly functioning, logical, and smart parents, isn’t your typical 25 year old. Oh, she walks the walk and talks the talk of a millennial, but she’s a dreamer, a painter, unfocused on the boring aspects of life ( like needing a paying job ) and a girl who’s trying to find what it is she wants to do in life. When she’s offered a prestigious internship at a French art gallery, she jumps at the chance to truly show her parents she can be a responsible adult, but still maintain her individuality and her Laney-ness.

Exit to Paris, the city of love and lights and Laney not only begins to live her dream, she meets a man who is her opposite in almost every way – family heritage, wealth, background and education – but, like all fabulous romance stories, they fall hard for one another.

There are a number of reasons they shouldn’t be together, and some of those reasons prove that Laney still has some “adulting” left to do, but, since she is a dreamer ( and a good one!) she’s determined to become the woman she knows she’s meant to be.

Leah Marie Brown writes with quick wit, gentle sarcasm ( which I lovelovelove), and actually puts a postage stamp on the current times in her use of music and millennial-speak. But she is a true art lover at heart, and that comes through with every passage about the gallery Laney works in, and all the precious and priceless art and art history she imbues Laney with.

I loved this book and I love Ms. Browns’ eclectic voice. Brava! 5 well deserved stars.

I know I’ve read Finding It, another in this series, but for the life of me, I can’t find my review. But anyhow . . .

This is a really breezy romance. Laney is a really fun character and I enjoyed her discovery of Paris and her romance with Gabriel. Laney’s quirky and not entirely put together. She’s often awkward, and she is genuine and kind. I came to care about her quickly. I like Gabriel as well, though for me, he was a little bit flat. Or rather, it felt like I didn’t get to know him very well. The book is far more about Laney’s journey and her maturing.

There are only two minor issues I had with the book. The first is that the slang gets a little bit much for me. I get a little bit overloaded. Not a big deal, though. The second is that I’d have liked there to be a little bit more to the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was looking for just a little bit more personal exploration.

All that said, Owning It was a whole lot of fun. It’s funny and sweet and joyful.

When Laney got evicted and wrecked her car, she moved back to her parent’s place. Her parents want Laney to fly out of the nest and not depend on them so much, therefore they give her few weeks to find a job and move out. Laney loves art and when she gets accepted as an intern in Paris, she is over the moon happy. Paris does good to Laney, she gets to do what she loves, makes new friends and meet her boyfriend. Life in Paris makes Laney independent and her parents are proud of her, but as the internship is only temporary, how will it all turn out eventually?

I loved the setting in Paris, it really felt like I was there myself. I found Laney a bit juvenile at first, but within the story she grew as a person and became an independent woman. The gem of the book was Gabriel, he was just magnificent. I really enjoyed Laney’s journey throughout the book and I finished reading the book with a smile on my face.

Loved... loved...LOVED it!
Ms Brown sure has a knack for creating gorgeous characters and breathing life into them...
The Gallery and Paris were two distinct characters in the story really!
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington! :)

P.S. Ms Brown.. can we have a book on Poppy soon?? Please!!