Hot Asset – Lauren Layne
***This review is based on ARC generously provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was paid to the reviewer nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher***
“Hot Asset” is the first of author Lauren Layne’s 21 Wall Street Series, and what a way to start!
To those readers who have read Ms Layne’s previous work , you will not be disappointed. Hot Asset follows the semi-enemies to lovers trope featuring the cocky, investment banker Ian Bradley and the tenacious and prim Lara McKenzie.
Their book basically starts the series off with a bang, as Lara, white collar crime expert who is aspiring to join the FBI tries to crack her biggest case of the year, which is finding Ian guilty of insider trading.
From the get go these characters are at logger heads, they have competing interests and they definitely have conflicting personalities. The more they interact though the clearer it is to see that they’re ideal for one another. Unfortunately Lara , who follows the rules to a T, is duty bound to keep her hands off Ian throughout the investigation process. This only serves to increase the tension that these two characters have to contend with and it sets readers up for a great solution to said tension in chapters to come.
In and amongst the romance element of this premise is the element of suspense-ish , where we/ Lara / Ian try to solve who exactly started this whole investigation process in the first place. It’s this complication that really draws the two protagonists together and along with them are Ian’s close friends Matt , Kennedy, Sabrina and Kate.
I guess this is best part of this book for me, I mean I really loved the romance between Lara and Ian but even more so I loved finding sneak peaks essentially for the books to come in this series.
For devoted fans of Lauren Layne this was just trademark Layne brilliance, with witty banter, and hot and ambitious heroes/heroines. I really really can’t wait for Hard Sell – Book 2 in the series to be released later this year! For readers who are new to Ms Layne’s work, I seriously envy you, this is just a taste of her brilliant work, but the great thing is that she has an amazing backlist full of heroes and heroines with the same snark and unique wit and you should probably stop reading this review and start reading those books!
Also the only reason I feel like this is enemies to lovers-ish is because I feel like the next book is going to definitely be enemies to lovers and this probably has elements of the trope but isn’t 100% that.

Another amazing book by Lauren Layne, who has quickly become my favorite author. Loved every page of this one. Predictable happily ever after but who cares? There's enough non happy endings out in the real world and it's nice to have an escape and that's just what this is. I loved all of the characters and I can't wait to find out what else happens to them as the series continues. As long as Lauren continues to write, I'll continue to read her books! 5+ stars!

Another absolute knockout from Lauren Layne and the start of another fantastic series! LL has been an instant one click/preorder for me for years now and I am never disappointed. This series combined the strong friendships and banter similar to the Stilettos and Oxford series and added a touch of mystery and a whole lot of intense chemistry and sexiness to produce this fantastic story. I loved the way the story flowed and Also the introduction of the side characters that I can’t wait to find out more about in future books in this series.

After recently devouring most of Lauren Layne's Oxford series, I was a bit disappointed with this one. I was not a fan of Ian's character. In romance novels, it's a common cliché for the male protagonist to be a womanizer and simply treat women as sexual objects. It's tiring and I really hate seeing men who treat women this way being rewarded by getting the woman who is way too good for him. Lara was a decent protagonist, but I felt like her character could've had a bit more depth. Since I wasn't into Ian, their relationship didn't really do anything for me. Maybe the following books will be more promising.

I have said it before and I will say it again….I LOVE Lauren Layne books. I am never disappointed when I pick a novel written by Lauren Layne.

Hot Asset is the first book in 21 Wall Street Series and it was AMAZING!! I am in love with this story and I can’t wait to see where she goes with this series. I loved all the characters that were introduced in this book. I also found the storyline refreshing. It is about a subject I haven’t seen in most books.

To me Hot Asset felt like a different kind of story from Lauren Layne. Yes we have everything we come to expect from a book of hers, but in this one she added a suspenseful element that had me turning the pages so fast to find out the answers to my questions. I loved that she had me guessing until it was all revealed.

Hot Asset is an opposite attracts forbidden romantic suspense novel. It is told in Dual POV and is a standalone novel. This series will have interconnected characters, so if you can I would start with Hot Asset and read them in order. I found the flow and pace of this story worked perfect. If you like a slow burn story then this is the one for you. Even if you aren’t a fan there is so much more to this story that the pace she takes Ian and Lara won’t bother you. The storyline is so captivating that you won’t even miss all the sexy scenes. Now don’t get me wrong, when these two do hook up they steam up the pages. I loved their chemistry.

In this book we follow Ian and Lara. Ian is a top Wall Street broker and Lara is SEC investigator assigned to investigate Ian. Ian is thrown off his normal “player” game when he first meet Lara and she isn’t instantly swooning over him. But he isn’t deterred even when he finds out what Lara is there for. He is actually more determined after that. I loved their banter. I also loved that Lara didn’t stand for an of Ian’s male magnetism. She put him in his place when need be. So what happens when they start feeling more for each other?? Will either of them be willing to forget about the job they both love to get their HEA?? Read this book to find out.

I would recommend this book to everyone. This is a great and fun start to a Lauren Layne series and one you don’t want to miss!!!!

Lauren Layne's back with a new series and I couldn't be more excited about it! Hot Asset is the first book in the 21 Wall Street series, and it was so much fun! I was and wasn't surprised by that. I wasn't surprised because Lauren Layne can do no wrong in my book. She consistently makes me smile with her writing. I always know what I'm going to get when I pick up one of her books: a fabulous time. Hot Asset was definitely a fabulous time!

As for being surprised, I was only surprised by how much I enjoyed the Wall Street setting. Wall Street is something that sounds a little boring to me, but L.L. made it exciting! Who knew Ian being investigated by Lara could be so entertaining? This storyline was something I haven't read before, and that was so cool.

I could not get enough of the characters and their relationships in this book. I adored the love-hate relationship that began between Ian and Lara when she started investigating him. There was some great banter between them. It made their road to love so much fun! I also really appreciated how supportive they ended up being with each other when it wasn't an easy thing to be.

I also really loved the other relationships in this book. The relationship between Ian and his best friends / co-workers, Matt and Kennedy was hilarious. The three of them were quite the group of cocky, wealthy men. They, along with their other friends Sabrina and Kate, were the perfect little group of friends. I loved the dynamics between all of them!

Obviously, I thought Hot Asset was amazing. It was the perfect light, fluffy, upbeat romance read. It was exactly the book I needed to put me in a great mood and get over a book hangover I had going on. After reading Hot Asset, I can't wait to read the rest of the 21 Wall Street books! I'm so excited for Matt and Sabrina and Kennedy and Kate's romances! They need to hurry up and get here.

This might be my favorite of Lauren Layne's series to date. The characters were so well-conceived, I had no problems picturing them all (and enjoyed listening to them banter back and forth.) I'm actually really excited for the next couple of books in the series, too!

I loved the hero in this story. This author is great at creating male characters who have the usual traits in romance books--sexiness, wit, and arrogance--but she always manages to make them three-dimensional in a way that not a lot of authors can. Ian was all of those things I just mentioned, but he was also kind, sweet, and so goofy around Lara; it was very endearing.

Lara herself was a great heroine. It was refreshing that she dressed a little conservatively and always put her career first, and that those things didn't change throughout the book; she remained herself the whole time. I was wondering how the conflict between her relationship with Ian and her SEC investigation of him would play out--if she would throw her career away simply because she wanted him--and she didn't disappoint me! Integrity through and through.

LL's books always come with a large helping of humor, which I appreciate. (I even laughed out loud a few times.) I would recommend this book to any and all romance fans; I guarantee that if you haven't read this author before, you'll be hooked for life!

Another 5 Star Book from LL!

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

Lauren Layne is at it again, and this time it's in the world of Wall Street. The wolves of Wall Street are 3 rich, sexy men on the top of their game. Ian is one of these men who ends up under a microscope for possible insider trading. The SEC sends in an agent to investigate Ian. Lara is all business. She doesn't have time for charming playboys. She's there to discover the truth. Ian is drawn to Lara. From her blonde ponytail and glasses, she is his fantasy librarian.

This was a great read. The side characters introduced in this book are so much fun. I'm glad this is a first in the series. Though it can easily be read as a stand alone, I am really looking forward to reading their stories.

Wow! I love Lauren Layne's writing so I knew I'd love this book but she really outdid herself with Ian and Lara, as well as the secondary characters in this one - outstanding well-developed characters! Lara and Ian begin on opposite sides but quickly move onto being on the same side that takes the reader on a "slow burn" which was quite enjoyable. Sometimes the slow build-up between the main characters makes it even steamier and sexier - although Ian and Lara smolder from the moment they meet! And I really enjoy reading books with dual POV's like this one. Interesting storyline involving the SEC and the FBI and Wall Street without it taking over the romantic aspect of the book. I can't wait to read Matt and Sabrina's story in Hard Sell and Kennedy & Kate's journey as well! Excellent read-most definitely recommend!

I loved this book! It is one of my favorites this year. I had never read a Lauren Layne book before but she is going on my auto-busy list now.

The hero, Ian, is a hot shot on Wall Street. He’s handsome, rich, and everything goes his way. Until he meets Lara and their meet-cute goes awry. The situation goes from bad to worse when he releases that Lara is a Securities and Exchange (SEC) investigator looking into charges that he committed insider trading. Total catnip!

I loved everything about this book. The chemistry between Lara and Ian is amazing. Layne spends a lot of time developing an amazing case of secondary characters. The writing was really good and there was a well thought out plot. I’d highly recommend this book!

I am so freaking happy that I got to read this one before the release date.

I loved it, I loved it, I loved it.

It had all the Lauren trademarks and I savored the book. The pacing was well and the book flowed smoothly.

I can't wait to read Matt and Sabrina's story.

I got a review copy from Netgalley.

This is my first book by this author. I didn’t even realize that I have 2 other books by her in my never ending tbr pile. I hang my bookworm head in shame. I can’t believe that I’ve been missing out, I really like her writing. Ian and Lara have this great witty banter and I love that in characters. I think it makes the story fun and I always want to keep reading to see what they will say and do next. I enjoyed the storyline and I can’t wait to read more about Ian’s sexy Wall Street besties.

In “Hot Asset”, Ian, a wealthy investment broker with a tortured edge and a broken past falls in love with Lara, an ambitious white collar crime investigator.
Ian is a hot, intense and successful man, but Lauren Layne shows us there are other sides to his “flirtatious womanizer” persona, and that he’s also “kind, and generous, maybe a little bit vulnerable”.
He and his friends are interesting characters, their bonds solid and the affection between them a lovely thing to watch. I was smitten with the hot geek, Kennedy.
I liked the characters (Ian more than Lara), the writing style and the vivid dialogue.
Yet, I would have liked to see Ian and Lara get to know each other a little better before they fall for each other. There was also a too quick shift in the group from wariness and animosity to seeming to be best friends and sharing confidences that I didn’t appreciate.
The modus operandi and rules of Wall Street world and investment brokerage seem well fleshed out, but the characters’ behaviors and some attitudes are often at odds with their own backgrounds and goals, especially Lara. I had a hard time accepting her unprofessional behavior and her constantly blurring the lines when we were told from the beginning the very opposite (about her professionalism and ambitions). So, I found this a bit thin as finance fiction.

4 stars.
There is just something about the Lauren Layne brand of lighthearted romance that I fall for every time, she can even make Ian our aspiring hero and previous manwhore appear adorable.
I love this woman's writing. You can sign me up anytime for a book written by her.
This was also such a great start to her new series featuring the "Wolfes of Wall Street". As well as Ian and Lara's story we are introduced to Matt and Kennedy who will each be getting a book of their own.
Such a quick, interesting and entertaining read. Read it in one sitting.
Fabulous book, great characters and storyline.
This is the 13th book that I have read by Lauren Layne and she doesn't disappoint.

ARC gratefully received in exchange for an honest review.

When Ian hits on Lara, he doesn’t realize she is an SEC agent tasked with investigating him for insider training. Once he does, he knows he should stay away from her, but he has never been good at doing what’s expected of him. And Lara fascinates him like no other.
For Lara this investigation is an important step to Quantico and FBI, and she can’t mess it up, no matter how big or handsome the temptation is.
I loved reading Hot Asset. It has everything to keep you enthralled, witty banter, funny moments, suave men, a kind of enemies to lovers office romance, and tension of the best kind. In short a highly entertaining and enjoyable read !

4.9 Stars

Ian is 32 years old. He and his two best buddies are very rich & successful brokers at a NYC firm.

He's had to work hard for every single thing he has. He didn't grow up with a silver spoon - he was a foster kid - going from one home to the next.

But now he's living the life. .... until she shows up. Lara. She's the SEC agent sent to investigate him ... Insider trading? He would never do that. He worked too hard for everything to lose it with stupid, criminal shit like that.

Who is trying to pin something on him???
And does Lara believe him???

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Well, that was adorable. Funny and sparky and cute and exciting.

Ian is your typical NYC money business millionaire manwhore. Never sleeps twice with the same woman. But he's also such a good guy in private. Giving money to charities and buying his foster dad a new TV every time he throws his beer at a sportsgame! He's great with his friends. And Lara sees all that, but she also trusts her boss. And her boss is the one who will send a recommendation letter to the FBI - for her dream job. What to do?? Who is the bad guy here??

Very adorable Manhattan romance. Cute, funny, exciting, lots of sparks and foreplay fighting☺!
I really enjoyed reading it.

Can't wait for the other 2 guys' & girls' books!

I have come to realize I totally enjoy Lauren Layne's book. Seriously, they are fun and entertaining. Yes, Hot Asset has a extremely rich hot guy, who has more money than he needs, but I actually loved Ian Bradley. He does start off as a man about town. He can get any woman he wants. He's a hot asset on Wall Street, but there's a complication when he comes under fire by the SEC for insider trader. His world comes crashing down by a cute SEC investigator, Lara McKenzie.

Lara is trying to work her way into the FBI, after all her parents are agents and she wants to be an agent too. She's waiting for her big break, Ian Bradley might be the key. However, there was a complication she didn't see coming, she's attracted to the "Wall Street dickhead". He's totally wrong person for her, he's just too much for her.

Hot Asset is definitely entertaining when it comes to Lara and Ian. In some aspects they aren't good for one another, I mean Lara is trying to find out if Ian is guilty. Ian is trying to keep himself out trouble, but it's hard when he's attract to the SEC girl. Here is our conflict through most of the book. She's a good SEC investigator, but it's hard to investigate someone who's clean.

Truth be told, I felt bad for Ian, because he was under such scrutiny for no reason. Overall, he's a decent guy. Lara starts to question why her boss wants to get Ian so bad. Hot Asset is a pretty good read, and Lauren does a pretty good job with this story.

Copy provided by Montlake Romance via NetGalley

Rating:
4 1/2 Stars

Ian is caught off guard by a tantalising woman, Lara. Lara is definitely not the type of woman that usually would cross Ian's radar. The sexual chemistry is steamy between Lara and Ian right from the get go. Ian is also not someone that would cross Lara's radar. There is no mistaking that he is sexy and delicious though. Lara is much more devoted to her desire to level up at her job at the SEC and end up at the FBI. Life changes for Ian when he is investigated by the SEC. Lara now learns all she can about the man and makes a judgement about the guy based on the person she believes he is. The love that grows between the two is undeniable. It makes one think that even though we have it in our minds that we are going to set off on one path towards a final goal, life definitely sometimes has a different path for us all together or a different path to that goal. Loved the book.

What's it like to have women practically throw themselves at you and fall over their own feet to get to you? Just ask Ian Brady. Wall Street Tycoon. He has it all because of hard work and determination. When he meets a new woman at the office who doesn't fall all over herself from his attention he's completely bewildered. His bewilderment is thrown in his face when he discovers she is SEC agent Lara MacKenzie.

Ian is completely floored when he finds out that he is being investigated for insider trading on a deal where many lost big money. No matter the cost Ian will make Lara see that he is telling the truth because if she doesn't trust him he'll never make her see that there's a lot more to him that he would like to share with her.

Lara has her eye on the prize and if she can get a close on a case like Ian's it might be just what she needs to land a coveted job at Quantico. The harder she looks into his case it's quite clear that someone is trying to sabotage the case and that no matter how hard she tries to ignore the sparks flying between them she knows that there is something brewing between them that she may not be able to stop.

Wow this is my first book by Ms. Layne and I just loved it!! The interactions between these two was just so perfectly written. It didn't feel forced, it was seamless and just worked so perfectly.

The secondary characters added so much additional dimension to the storyline and plot. I loved the interaction these characters had with the main characters. I loved them so much that I will be eagerly awaiting their stories as well.

**Received ARC from publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review**

This is exactly the kind of book I've come to love and expect from Lauren Layne. Witty and strong female lead and a sexy cocky hero. This is a story of opposites attract. The smolder is instant as you get to know the characters and get drawn into their individual stories the fire only gets hotter between these two. I enjoyed every second of this read and would recommend to anyone looking to read a smart and sexy romance.