A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first in a new series. It is a fun, fast paced book. The chemistry between Lara and Ian is great, and I really liked the characters. In the end they get the bad guy and find love!! Fun book for all romance readers.

Lauren Layne does it again. Lauren has been one of my go to authors for years and this book didn't disappoint at all. Ian is a hotshot on Wall Street. One day he see this woman and can't stop himself from flirting with her. What he doesn't know is that Lara the person he was flirting with is with the SEC and is investigating him for insider trading. Ian knows that he didn't do anything wrong. Both Ian and Lara are very attracted to each other but they both know they can't do anything about it because of the investigation. When Lara realizes that Ian didn't commit the crime she turns in her report and they finally can be together and Lara can be one step closer to her dream job as an FBI agent. But when she turns in her report her boss tells her that they are going to go forward with charging Ian with insider trading. Lara knows something is up and quits her job. With the help of Lara and his friends and lawyer they found out why Lara's boss is really out to get him. I inhaled this book in just a matter of hours. I can't wait to read the other books. Thanks Netgalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of this book!

4.5 stars

Hot Asset by Lauren Layne is a beautifully written, entertaining contemporary romance and I really enjoyed it.
I loved Ian and Lara together, they were smart, likable and entertaining characters that made me smile, they made me laugh and they made me swoon.
I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and the storyline held my attention from start to end.

Hot Asset is a great start to the 21 Wall Street series, looking forward to Matt and Sabrina's book next in Hard Sell coming this September.

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

Hot Asset was what I might have expected from Lauren Layne; assured, sophisticated and humorous. I enjoyed the characters and can see where subsequent titles might go. In some this served as an introduction to what I assume will be a short series. However, it stood up well on its own and had strong leads in Ian and Lara. If you want some work-related tension creating sparks all round this is probably for you.

Hot Asset is the first book in Lauren Layne’s new series set in Wall Street and this first one started with a bang. A fun, sexy, fast pace story that is full of great banter.

Ian Bradley is a Wall Street Golden Boy. Everything he touches seems to turn to gold. But the SEC is never far. Lara McKenzie is one of the best SEC investigators out there and if there is any insider trading going on, she will find it. And when she is sent to investigate Ian, their adversarial nature creates for an exciting enemies to lovers story. Ian and Lara are both strong, loyal, workaholics and believe in hard work. While they are on opposite sides, they are each attracted to one another and there in lies the problem......no improprieties can happen while on the job!! But the lust and attraction is strong and barriers begin to crumble. You can’t help but to root hard for Ian and Lara.

Ian’s hot shot Wall Street buddies add humor and fun banter as well. Knowing that each of them will get their own story adds an excitement for the series. This book was fun, slightly angsty and a great start.....
Looking forward to more with these Wall Street Hot Shots!!

*advanced copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Really loved this one, it was funny and sexy as hell. From the beginning, I loved Ian. Sure, he was cocky and could sometimes be a SOB but he was funny. Lara, not so much. But she grew on me and I ended up loving her in the end. She was just pretty judgmental in the beginning which I did not appreciate. But hey, I ended up loving her.

I loved the friendship in this book. Matt, Kennedy, and Ian may be competitors but they are still best friends. Hell, they might even see each other as brothers. Then there's Kate, who's their secretary! I adore her. I really liked how this book made the secretary a part of the scene. Secretaries are usually brushed off but she loves her job and her boys. And she might have something for one of them. And then there's Sabrina who Ian has known for forever. Ugh, I just loved the characters in this book. I'd say this is a very character driven book because they're all amazing.

Great start to the 21 Wall Street series!

Ian Bradley is a hot, sexy, rich Wall Street hotshot and while many think he is an egotistical, womanizing jerk (ok, he can be that too) he is actually a sweet, loving, and considerate man. Lara McKenzie is an SEC agent with her sights set on becoming an FBI agent. Just one major case can make her career and Ian Bradley and insider trading can be the stepping stone to her career job.

Ian has a past that allows him to have great respect for the truth and loyalty. When Lara shows up with her accusations and investigations, Ian will do everything necessary to prove to her she is wrong in assuming his guilt. Lara needs this case but it's appearing to contain no substance. On top of that she can't decide if Ian's interest in her is to distract from his guilt or a true connection the two share.

Things get heated between these both professionally and personally. What happens when they are having a hard time separating their chemistry from the job that must be done on both parts. When the investigation takes a twist and Lara must make a stand will her choice put herself and her future job first, or will Ian have someone finally in his corner.

The secondary characters are amazing and add dynamics to the story that have this reader anxious for the rest of the series. Great read!

I just love Lauren Layne's stories. They are so fun and have such great characters!

Ian Bradley is our first Wall Street Wolfe. He is sexy, gorgeous, cocky and rich....all the things that make him delicious. Ian may have had a hard life growing up, but now he is a very successful man. On the outside most people see Ian as a cocky, playboy SOB, but to those who know him realize there is much more under that sexy, expensive suit.

When Ian is investigated for insider trading, it is a shock to all his close friends and co-workers. But to Lara McKenzie, an SEC investigator, she is not shocked. As the daughter of two FBI agents, along with her dream to be in the FBI herself, Lara has seen his type many times, and she doesn't mind putting them in her place.

Lara is told by her boss, Steve, that this case could be the break she needs to get into the FBI so she is determined to do her best to find the evidence that Ian is guilty. Ian is just as determined to prove his innocence. Too bad fate has other plans.

As these two spend more time together, the sparks begin to fly and things become much more personal.

I just loved Ian. Tall, dark, handsome, sexy and even funny....but underneath it all he has a heart of gold. He may be cocky, but most of that is for show. Lara was fun too. Such a by the book character who thought she liked he neat little world to find out that she was missing out on a big thing called life. Together they worked. It was such a fun trip they went on to get to their happy ending. I highly recommend this book!

I'm a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers stories. Hot Asset was that, plus a little touch of insta-lust (and just the barest touch of suspense, but I wouldn't categorize this as a romantic suspense story).

I loved that Lara was a strong, independent, and driven character. She knew what she wanted and while she wasn't about to let anything stop her from achieving her goals, she also refused to compromise on her ethical standards.

I also like how it turned out that Ian wasn't the schmuck you might have initially thought he was going to be. He was willing to own his immediate attraction to Lara and wasn't afraid to commit to her.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next two books in the series!

hot asset kicks off a wall street based trilogy for layne. someone has set the sec on ian bradley's case, even though he's innocent. they also put their most doggest agent on the case with the carrot being a letter of recommendation to the fbi.

the more digging lara does in this case she had been so convinced would be a slam dunk, and the more she gets to know ian, the worse she feels about the case. but does she trust her bosses at the sec who tell her he's guilty, or should she trust the lack of evidence and trust her gut, or should she trust the guy who is telling her he's done nothing wrong.

the heart of the relationship is watching ian and lara come to terms with the circumstances that thrust them together and figuring out how to accept that together they can have it all.

**hot asset will publish on may 22, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/montlake romance in exchange for my honest review.

What a book this book starts with Ian living it up from his high paying job and having all the assets to go with it. That is until he finds out he is being investigated by the SEC and Lara McKenzie. She sees right through him the first time she meets him, however soon lines may begin to cross. As Lara and Ian start spending time together she realizes her investigation may not be what it seems. Together they work with some help from a few good friends to get to the bottom of it.

This was a great book it had sexual tension that just lingered. suspense, and humor. It is a book you can read over and over again.


** I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

21 Wall Street #1, A new series for Lauren Layne with the focus of the people at Wolfe Investments. First up is Ian Bradley. It's Ian's fault that I didn't like this book as much as I hoped I would have. He is unabashedly a manwhore, he takes pride in the fact that he's never slept with the same woman twice. I just don't think that's an attractive male trait. He happily admits that he's a "douchebag" and a "Wall Street dickhead". After that I kept picturing him as a not quite psychotic version of Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) or even Jordan Belfort (Wolves of Wall Street) minus the drugs. At least Lincoln from the Stiletto series wasn't as manwhoreish as he wanted everyone to believe. He does have some redeeming qualities, but I just can't quite comprehend why he wants people to think he's a stereotypical "Wall Street dickhead". My other issue was the whole finance thing, I was hoping that like with Sports Romance I could find that romance takes out all the boring parts of sports at least enough to enjoy the story, nope I still find finance boring. The first part of the book is very dry and with Lara being SEC with hopes of getting into the white collar crime division of the FBI LL gets into finance to explain and even in layman's terms I still felt my eyes glazing over but as soon as she started to focus more on the romance bit it picked up and she stopped trying to explain things and got down to the who and the why of things the whole thing became interesting and I enjoyed it.

Lara I liked, she is headstrong and determined to get what she wants and what she wants is to be FBI he ticket in is through the SEC, even though both her parents are FBI she wants to get in on her own merit. Her boss promised a letter of recommendation if she can find the needed proof that Ian Bradley was inside trading, he's got a witness that says he did they just need her to make the informal inquiry a formal one and they have a slam dunk case against him and she gets her way into Quantico. The only problem is Ian's not guilty.

Overall, even with the slow beginning and me not really liking Ian, I did enjoy the book as a whole. I mainly liked the secondary characters, their loyalties and how they all fit together and the hint to their future HEA. I am really look forward to those. Lauren Layne as always has witty banter and is posh and sophisticated with smokin' hot romance.

Ian Bradley has come along way since his days as an unwanted kid in foster care. Now he is a hot Wall Street broker with a great job, great apartment, great sex life, in short he has it all. Then, Lara McKenzie comes through his door. Lara is an investigator with the SEC and she is investigating him after they received a tip that he did insider trading. She’s convinced he’s a fast and loose player and he sees her as an uptight rule bound spoiler.

As Lara investigates, she discovers Ian has loyal friends and coworkers who help her see another side of her target.Ian, in turn finds out hat Lara is an honorable person with a specific life goal and a woman who might just need someone like him to have a life not just a goal.

I loved the bantering between the two characters and their friends. Ian and Lara have a ton of chemistry between them and when they finally connect, they burn up the pages. There are also lots of secondary characters who make me want to know what is going to happen with them.

This book has it all, hot romance, great characters, intrigue, and bits of humor all wrapped up in a great story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I just can't get enough of this author!! Her books keep me glued to my seat and keep me up at night, reading well into the wee hours. This one is no exception and again, can't wait for her next book out!! Thank you Lauren Layne, keep em' coming!!

Ian Bradley is a hot shot wall street broker and he has made millions by buying and selling at just the right time but he is also a first rate womanizer. Now the SEC is after him. The only problem is, he is innocent, or is he. Lara McKenzie is a buttoned up, eyeglass-wearing, and play-by-the book investigator for the SEC and her task is to find the goods on Ian. This is the case that could set her on the track she really wants which is a career in the FBI. Sparks are evident as soon as they meet and the chemistry continues to ramp up until it explodes but not until Lara finally concedes there is nothing to find. Who is framing Ian and why? Will Ian and Lara get together. What about the secondary characters who are just a hoot? This is a well written and character driven story and I am definitely excited to read more in this series!

**Received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley**

Hot Asset was my first Lauren Layne book and I’m so happy I picked it up! It was the perfect swoony romance. It reminded me of those original indie romances I was reading 5 plus years ago. Intriguing plot, great dual POV, sizzling chemistry, and delicious slow build. Awesome supporting characters. The whole package!!!

Ian Bradley has it all, a self-made millionaire. A Wall Street broker on the top of the world, nothing can touch him. Until SEC swoops in and he is accused of insider trading. Investigated by non-other then Lara McKenzie, the chick he just unsuccessfully flirted with. <— loved their first encounter!!❤️

Lara is on a mission. She needs this case to propel her into her dream job. She is driven and determined to get a conviction.
Ian is smitten and trying to prove his innocence all while fighting their attraction.
Ian met his match in Lara. ITS ON!! Enemies to lovers never felt this good! Ian is hard to resist, underneath the player exterior there is so much more. Once Lara gets a peek, she is doomed.
Their attraction is undeniable and steaming hot!!

“His lips own mine with complete possession, his kiss as confident as it is skilled. But it’s the need that undoes me piece by piece, the desperation in the way he holds me close . . .”

Lauren Layne mixed SEDUCTIVE ROMANCE and CAPTIVATING SUSPENSE seamlessly in Hot Asset giving readers an irresistible story😍 .
Not only did I fall in love with Ian and Lara, I’m already swooning over the characters in the next two books in this series!! I can’t wait!!

I love Lauren Lane books. They're always smart, sexy and fun with characters who have soft centers and loyal friends. Early on, I was worried about the hero, Ian. He came off so smarmy in the beginning and I thought, "Oh, no!" Thankfully, Ms. Layne didn't disappoint me. Ian showed himself to be a wonderful character, who was a lot playboy, but also just a guy trying to succeed and enjoy what he's been able to shape into a life for himself. The heroine was amazing and the chemistry between the two, off the charts. It's so good, you really just need to read it for yourself. I’m already chomping at the bit for the next book in the series!

I received an ARC of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

<strong>Perfect start to a new series!! </strong>

What a fantastic start to anew series from Lauren Layne!!

I’m a huge fan of Ms. Laynes’s writing style. She is one of the best at the slow-burn romances that have you waiting on the edge of you seat for the tension to finally break.

I loved the chemistry between Ian and Laura. The banter between them throughout the story was fantastic. I was rooting for them but also very impressed with Lara’s conviction to do remain as professional as possible while still allowing herself explore the attraction between them.

I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed the non-romance element of the story. I felt like Ms. Layne was giving just the right amount of info about insider trading, the SEC and the investigative process without putting so much emphasis on it that it took away from the romance.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the story, the smartness of it and the way the secondary characters played into it and how excited it got me to read their stories. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mostly excited for Kennedy’s book though. If you haven’t read Lauren Layne yet I highly suggest you make her a must read author ASAP!

I discovered Lauren Layne’s books a while back and it’s safe to say that it was pretty much love at first sight (or should I say first book). For starters they’re just so damn funny and yet they have the right amount of swoon and feels, so really it is just the perfect book for when you want some light quick reading that just makes you feel all fuzzy and warm after you’re done reading them. And Hot Asset is no exception. I was honestly laughing out loud on the first chapter. Lara is a badass girl who doesn’t take crap from anyone and dreams of being an FBI agent one day, even if the road to achieve that could be a very hard one. Meanwhile Ian is your classic Wall Street asshole, but he’s fought with everything’s he’s got to get where he is right now and he’s definitely not going to let some SEC agent take everything he’s built for himself, but what neither one of them expects is the attraction that comes between them and then it starts a very fun game of cat and mouse between the two of them where Lara wants to catch another Wall Street bad guy to get closer to her goal and Ian wants to prove his innocent and keep the job he fought so much to get, but it seems that neither one of them can actually manage to get what they want, especially when feelings start to get involved.

I honestly couldn’t put this down, it was just so incredibly funny and amazing and I have a hard time telling which one of her books is my favourite. I loved the two main characters and I loved the side characters (I think Kennedy might be my favourite, but then I have a soft spot for the nerds) and I can’t wait to read the next books in the series and see where they go (I honestly can’t wait for more Matt and Sabrina banter). Definitely a great read.

HOT ASSET is the first instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult 21 WALL STREET romance series. This is thirty-two year old Wall Street investor Ian Bradley, and twenty-eight year old SEC agent Lara McKenzie’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lara and Ian) HOT ASSET follows the building but forbidden relationship between Wall Street investor Ian Bradley, and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) agent Lara McKenzie. An anonymous tip to the SEC found our hero, Ian Bradley, being investigated for insider trading. Enter SEC agent Lara McKenzie, and the woman with whom Ian would fall in love. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Ian and Lara, and the potential fall-out as Lara’s findings are ignored by the people in charge.

Ian Bradley grew up in the foster care system, and has worked for every penny and dollar he has earned. A womanizer by reputation, Ian struggles in his attempts to seduce the stoic SEC agent, but something about Lara gives him pause. Behind the librarian glasses, and professional decorum, Lara hides a goddess that Ian hopes to control. Someone is out to destroy Ian’s life using Lara McKenzie in the process, but Ian isn’t willing to go down without a fight.

The relationship between Lara and Ian begins acrimoniously when Ian discovers the reasons behind our heroine’s visit. Not only is Ian innocent of all of the charges but Lara insists that she must continue to investigate until the very end. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is plenty of back and forth, sexual banter between our leading couple, banter that crosses the line as Ian tries desperately to seduce the woman looking into his life.

There is a wonderful cast of secondary and supporting characters who are a little bit protective of our story line hero. We are introduced to his best friends and fellow investors twenty-eight year old Matt Cannon, and thirty two year old Kennedy Dawson; attorney Vanessa Lewis, fixer and PR Rep Sabrina Cross, and PA Kate Henley; Lara’s boss Steve Ennis, and his brother in law Jacob Houghton.
Matt and Sabrina’s story line is next in Hard Sell.

The world building looks at the close friendships between Ian, Kennedy and Matt, and their PA Kate Henley; Ian’s backstory and his struggles growing up in the foster care system; as well as Lara’s fight to prove she is worthy of working for the FBI.

HOT ASSET is a spirited and edgy story line. The premise is imaginative and engaging; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic; the romance is captivating and sensual. Lauren Layne’s HOT ASSET is a wonderful and sexy start to her 21 Wall Street series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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