Hot Asset was a love at first sight kind of book wrapped in a slow burn romance. But for me, the insta-love didn't work here.

Was it well written? Sure!
Was it romantic? Yes.
Were the characters likable? Yup. They were fun to read. I LOVED Ian's friends—the author definitely knows how to write friendships. And I was here just for that!
But even with all the great characters and the funny banter, the story was just good for me. I understand it was a kind of introduction to the series, but I think that Ian and Lara's journey deserved more!

Overall, Hot Asset was steamy, funny, and all around entertaining read. I enjoyed the writing style and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

4 1/2 Stars! A great start to a new series!

Ian is one of the Wolves of Wall Street ... a powerful, handsome, rich stock broker. And he enjoys his life and thought he had everything he wanted, that is until Lara showed up at his office. Lara works for the SEC and is here to investigate allegations against Ian for insider trading. If this tip pays off and she can find evidence to have him charged, she could be one her way to her dream job at the FBI in their white collar division. But when Ian and Lara meet the chemistry between them can't be denied. And the antics they get into will have you in stitches laughing.

I just love the characters in this book! Not only did Ian and Lara captivate me ... but the whole crew - Matt, Kennedy, Kara, and Sabrina. The banter between them was just so realistic - the kind of banter that you would see between best friends and people who would be in your inner circle. This book made me laugh so hard I had tears coming down my face. The romance ... just made me swoon. And the sex scenes ... there are no words! If you are looking for a book to really get into and have a good time reading it ... then this is that book! I can't wait for the next book book, as Ms. Layne gives you a little taste in Max and Sabrina's story.

I received an ARC courtesy of Montlake Romance through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I have to tell you that every Lauren Layne book I read lately is starting to fee the same. It's the same push/pull between a forthright heroine and womanizing hero who's never had a relationship. I liked the sound of the premise of this book but it pretty much just went through the motions. The ending was cute but most romance endings are cute. I don't know, I remember recently reading in LL's newsletter that she is taking a bit of break and I think that may be a good thing.

Hot Asset comes out soon on May 22, 2018, and you can purchase HERE.

My love life's not exactly what you'd call thriving. My longest relationship was last year, lasted five months, and ended with about as much excitement as it started, which isn't saying much.

Let's just say life as an SEC agent doesn't seem to spark much chemistry on the romantic front. Even when I do manage to put work out of my mind, I think guys smell the workaholic on me.

Ian Bradley has worked hard to get where he's at as a Wall Street hotshot and is in no way modest about is successes. When he finds out he's been accused of insider trading and is being investigated by the SEC, he's not going to let anyone take away his career on a set of lies. Now, he has to somehow convince the SEC investigator of his innocence, which might prove a bit more difficult than he planned as Ian is finding it hard to separate the attractive woman before him from the investigator who could send him to jail.

Lara McKenzie wants nothing more than a position in the FBI. Cracking a potentially high profile case such as Ian Bradley's will give her the experience to apply with a greater chance of being accepted. The only problem is: Lara cannot find a smidgen of evidence against Ian. But with her boss vouching for their source, Lara knows there's more going on behind the scenes of this investigation than she's been given access to. It doesn't help that she find Ian charming and attractive - like almost every other woman he meets - but she knows how to be professional and she knows how to get the job done.

Hot Asset is probably my favorite Lauren Layne book thus far. I absolutely loved it! The writing, the romance, the conflict, everything was spot on.

I loved the enemies to lovers trope that is utilized because it's so clear that Ian and Lara are on opposing sides. I loved that, just because she's attracted to Ian, Lara doesn't suddenly become incompetently lovesick. Even though readers can be pretty positive that Ian is innocent, I was never irritated that Lara was sticking to her guns and making sure she did her job to the best of her abilities. I liked her even more for it. The real kicker is figuring out what evidence is behind the accusation of Ian's supposed guilt.

For Ian, I loved the way he starts out the book as this untouchable hotshot. Loves to party. Loves women. Then he's potentially facing jail time, and it kind of puts things into perspective for him. Meeting Lara and acknowledging their chemistry makes him realize that maybe he doesn't have everything he's always wanted. Maybe he could want things he never really dreamed of before. And Lara represents that for him. You know, unless she finds him guilty.

Something I really loved about Ian and Lara's relationship was that they didn't have to give up their dreams in order to be together. They just had to figure out a way to make it work for them. I think this story wouldn't have had such an impact if it came at the cost of something that would make either one of them happy.

Lauren Layne has begun a wonderful series. She also blatantly sets up who the other couples will be in the next books. I won't spoil it for anyone, but once you read Hot Asset you'll see who has a connection. I loved that she chose to set things up from this first book. It makes the enticement of waiting for the next books that much stronger.

If you love contemporary romances, you'll find a lot to love in this new series. Lauren Layne has hit it out of the park with Hot Asset and I can't wait for the next book!

MORE PLEASE!!!!

This was a cute but different read. Typical playboy, flirt, rich guy falls for....wait for it.... the woman who is trying to prove he's guilty of a crime. When his typical flirting techniques don't work, he's forced to take his friends' advice and handle the issue from a legal perspective. That doesn't stop him from wanting Lara though; she's all Ian can think about day in and day out despite knowing that she's the last person he should be thinking about.

I absolutely CANNOT wait for the next book in this series. Dying for everyone's story, but especially Matt and Sabrina! Dying to know what happened between those two that makes them at each other's throats constantly. I think Kennedy's story is going to be a big one too.

Next please!

Hot asset is sooo good. Ian Bradley known for being rich and making it known and for having a different women every night admits to being a dick. But losing his parents when young then being in foster care with parents who didn’t care and having nothing he made a name for himself. He worked hard and played even harder. It is what he hides behind for not feeling wanted except by one guy who never adopted him but took him and took care of him. Then Lara McKenzie shows up who can take everything he worked so hard to become and do all away. This could be her big break also to get into the FBI. She doesn’t fall at his feet like all the other women but she isn’t unaffected either. Lara is working hard to find the truth and Ian is fighting to clear his name. Both of their jobs on the line. Both tryin to fight the attraction. Book given to me by author on netgalley

Ian sums himself up in the first chapter – “I’m basically the poster boy for “Wall Street dickhead.” Or is he? He’s a curious mix of summa cum laude Yale graduate, hot playboy, rich corporate lawyer but he’s done it all with smarts and hard work. His childhood was anything but a lead in to the Ivy League. One strong foster parent gave him the support he needed to work his way into a directorate in his firm.

Lara is just as smart with one goal in life – to be an FBI agent like her parents. She’s a no-nonsense investigator for the Securities and Exchange Commission, gaining needed experience to land her dream job.

From the first chapter, the banter between these two was fun and funny. Ian tries so hard to get Lara to go out for drinks or even accept the coffee he buys her but Lara is too professional to mix work and pleasure especially with a manwhore like Ian.
I love watching these two. There was just enough back and forth before they finally get together. The story has lots of intrigue too and Ian as Lara find the real reason behind the trumped-up claims that Ian was using insider tips to dump a soon to be discredited stock.

It’s hard to tell for much of the story who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. Mainly because of their respective roles. How can Lara’s respected boss at the SEC be pushing charges against Ian without real evidence? Can the wheeling and dealing broker, Ian, really be innocent? What’s really going on?

I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the push and pull and the mysterious back story. Hot Asset is sure to please readers who enjoy a bumpy ride to the happily ever after. I look forward to the rest of the series.

reviewed by Jem

"Hot Asset" is the first book in Lauren Layne new series 21 Wall Street.

Ian Bradley, unapologetic and cocky 32-year-old broker for Wolfe Investments, meets Lara McKenzie, SEC agent, in the lounge of his office building. Ian is the poster boy for the work hard, play hard, party harder mindset that goes with his position. But when Lara doesn't fall immediately on her knees to worship him, Ian realizes he met his match and his next challenge.

Lara McKenzie is definitely not impressed with Ian Bradley's smooth lines. And how could she when she's investigating him. She knows that in Wall Street's world there's only right and wrong. She still doesn't know on what side Ian is. Proving him guilty could be the big win she needs to finally get her dream job. However while trying to uncover the truth about this case, Lara also uncovers the one about Ian. Things only get more complex from here.

Lara's sassiness and Ian's arrogance coupled with the loyalty of the side characters make for a book that had me smiling and laughing more than once. The story was not what I expected and I mean that in the best way possible. This first book predicts great and intriguing things for the rest of the series. I already know I'll love the next books as much as I did this one.

*I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley*

Lara McKenzie takes her job as an Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigator very seriously. Her latest case is for a typical slimy, Wall Street hotshot accused of insider trading. With a first impression cementing her assessment of his character, she has no doubt that Ian is too slick for his own good...

Ian Bradley has worked hard to get where he is. When he is accused of cheating by way of insider trading, he is determined to prove his innocence. It doesn't help that he is infatuated with the SEC investigator working his case. Sure, she's looking to pin some hefty charges on him, but Ian is used to getting what he wants, and the no nonsense Lara is something he can't seem to stop himself from wanting...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really enjoyed this book! Lara and Ian's combative relationship made for a sexy and fun break to the weighty investigation that could end up costing Ian everything...

Lara's job at the SEC is a stepping stone to her dream of working for the FBI. Being a part of a high profile case like Ian's would solidify her chances of being noticed by the agency she longs to work for. With so much on the line, being attracted to the one man who she needs to keep a professional relationship with is a serious problem.

Ian prides himself on being an honest and giving man. Being investigated for insider trading is bad enough, but having his character tarnished in the process is especially hard to deal with. And even though he doesn't take his situation lightly, his desire for Lara is something that could quickly getting out of hand. 

With Lara and Ian in an impossible situation, when things start to get heated between them, what will happen if the truth of their relationship is exposed... 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

Hot Asset is more than hot guys in suits. It's the underdog story. Ian is the guy men want to be and ladies want to have...at least for the night. He's charming, sexy, and WEARING a suit!!! He's the guy everyone warns you about...but only because they don't know him.

Ian is a surprise and the kind of guy you can't help but want to hold, snuggle, and...(whoa! Edited to keep it PG. 😉) He may seem like an @ss but that's only part of the picture...and boy is it pretty! (Men can be pretty!)

With a charming man, a warm fuzzy inducing back story, and friends like these, the only thing you are going to be asking for is...MORE!!

As the start of the series, Hot Asset is definitely a commodity. Grab it fast before Ian slips away. I am excited for the rest of the series. These guys have my attention and probably more of my heart than I want to admit.

SEC vs Wall Street

I was excited when I heard about this series. Wall Street (yes!!) New York City (yes!!). Ms. Layne is one of my favorite authors..
Ian believes in working hard and playing equally as hard. So imagine his shock when he is accused of insider trading. Lara is equally as ambitious as Ian. Working at the SEC is a stepping stone. to the FBI"s White Collar division.
The storyline moves at a great pace. The banter between the two equally good. And of course there is great chemistry .He's attracted but doesn't want to be. She's looking for evidence but can't find any.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Ms. Layne as I love her characters and the how she can patiently build a storyline where you are feeling the anxiety and tension as intended.

Ian is a Wall Street Investor who has gone from a childhood in foster care to success in a competitive world. He is unapologetic about his detachments to relationships, except for his very close friends who have shared in the same success. His world is about to become upended because he learns the SEC has opened a formal investigation against him and they believe he is guilty of insider trading.

Lara is the SEC agent who knows a case like this could propel her to her dream career as an FBI agent and she is determined for a win.

Lara is not impressed with Ian who tries to flirt with her and she lets him know that she is unaffected by him and that she will find that he is guilty when she is done with her investigation. Ian is certain that he is not-guilty and believes he is being set-up, and in the competitive world of Wall Street, the enemy list could be long. Ian is beginning to have feelings for Lara, which makes him uneasy because he doesn't do relationships, but the more time they are together, the more he doesn't want to be apart. Lara, too, is starting to see her walls come down and she is also uncomfortable about the feelings that are beginning to develop between the two.

The story takes a turn in the second half where the momentum picks up. Their banter from the first half of the book is soon replaced by their feelings that they can no longer ignore, but they learn that both have a lot to lose and how can they navigate through that?

This is the first installment of the 21 Wall Street series, and it is clear from the development of the supporting characters and how they bridge to #2 and #3 installments, leaving you wanting more.

Ian is a ladies man. He flirts and they all fall over themselves to get to him. Unfortunately, Lara doesn’t even come close to falling for his one liners. Her lack of interest only makes him want to get in there more. Then he learns the woman he’s unsuccessfully flirting with is an SEC investigator and she’s here to find evidence that he is guilty of insider trading. What follows is a chemistry laden story of two people on opposite sides. I do enjoy an enemies to lovers trope.

I actually loved Ian, despite his previous manwhore ways. Once he saw Lara he was pulled to her and continued to want more although she wasn’t giving him anything but a hard time. It was endearing watching him fall and my heart hurt several times for him throughout the story. He has a past that leaves him feeling not worthy enough and unwanted.

Lara was totally career focused and I wasn’t sure how their relationship was going to end in a happy ever after. She was smart and snarky and a tad geeky. Everything I enjoy about a heroine. I wanted her to triumph but not at the cost of Ian’s freedom. Because, you know, I liked Ian. I liked Lara. I especially liked it when they finally were able to be together. Unfortunately, their coming together did not fix all of their problems.

This was such a well thought out, fast paced read with some fun and interesting secondary characters. It never bogged down and I was never tempted to skim. When this couple were free to give in to their desires the heat level was quite intense. The ending had many layers to it and I appreciated that this author didn’t take the easy way out. I’m especially excited to learn that there will be more in this series with Ian’s friends being the focal point. Altogether, this was a great read that quickly pulled me into the suit wearing world of Wall Street and I cannot wait for more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. This one grabs you from the beginning and you are invested.

Ian is a stockbroker, he is successful, he's cocky, and he is incredibly good at what he does...partly because when what you do is something you love, you do it on knowledge and on instinct.

It's this instinct that makes the SEC, and it's investigator, Lara think that he is guilty of insider trading as he did not lose any money when a large client filed for bankruptcy...even though other traders in the firm did.

The problem? At least at first, Lara is convinced he is guilty. There was a tip, it was anonymous, and in her experience these tips always turn out to be credible.

The reader knows, from getting inside Ian's head, that he isn't guilty, and Lara comes to suspect as much as she is not able to find any evidence of his guilt. (No, not a spoiler as, really, there is no chance the hero of a Lauren Layne romance is guilty of a federal crime.)

This book felt a little different than other books by Lauren Layne, although I am not actually able to decide why that is. It's well written, the characters are wonderful and well developed. Their chemistry is strong and believable, and the plot and story is well done, and it moves quickly so you never lose interest in the story. All of this is classic LL, yet for some reason, the tone and the feeling of this is different.

I say read it, and let me know if you feel the same, as I definitely recommend this title.

Ian is a Wall Street Broker who has a different woman every night but when he meets Lara, a woman investigating him for insider trading, things change rapidly. Lara can't be charmed into letting Ian get away with a crime even if he is handsome and charismatic. Ian has never felt this way about anyone before. Fun opposites attract romance!

I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it to everyone. The characters in this one are intriguing and you are curious right from the start how the author is going to make this work. No fear! She does an excellent job making it a fun slow build. Ian Bradley is a Wall Street whiz. He's worked hard to get where he is and resents anyone implying he got there by cheating. So when the beautiful and sassy SEC investigator Lara McKenzie shows up to investigate him for insider trading he's none to happy with her. He may have found her attractive and interesting when they first met, now she is simply completely off limits! Right??

A fantastic read that I highly recommend.

Lauren Layne sure knows how to write a lovely romance novel. There's humor, suspense and a bit of angst and when you finish reading you want just want more. Ian and Lara were great together and especially love the friendships that evolved.

I can't wait to read Matt's book especially from the glimpse we got from this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first in a new series, and this is my first book by the author. I enjoyed it, but something kept it from clicking over into love for me. I'm still not quite sure what it was.

Ian Bradley is a Wall Street hotshot. He's worked hard and played hard for years, and made millions doing it. He's one of the best working for his firm, and he can do no wrong. So, when the SEC starts investigating him for insider trading, he's shocked, and angry. He knows he's innocent, but how can he guarantee the investigator feels the same way? Especially when he's more attracted to her than he's been to anyone in a long, long time.

Lara McKenzie is an SEC investigator, and she LOVES her job. She especially loves that it's a stepping stone to her dream job, the FBI. Both her parents are FBI agents and she's always wanted to follow in their footsteps. The SEC is her way in, as she wants to work in white collar crimes, so there's a lot of overlap with her current position. She goes into the investigation assuming someone as good looking, rich, and slick as Ian is guilty. But she's not expecting her visceral attraction to him, or her gut instinct that they are after the wrong guy. But, above all, she has to keep things professional. Her dream job could be on the line.

Ian and Lara's banter was fabulous, and I loved their connection. Their chemistry was strong, and I enjoyed watching them fight it, as long as they could. Ian found he wanted something much different from Lara than he's ever wanted from a woman before, and Lara was at a loss as to how to proceed once the investigation was over. She wanted Ian too, but she had to complete her report and be sure, before she could truly get involved. When it becomes clear that Ian has done nothing wrong, it appears someone has been trying to set him up. But who, and why? They need to figure that out before they can settle into any sort of real relationship. I felt the connection between the characters, but I just didn't fully connect to them myself. I'm still not sure why.

I really enjoyed the side characters in the story, and I am actually very much looking forward to the next 2 books. Ian's best friends and co-workers, Matt and Kennedy, were both intriguing in their own ways, and I LOVED their assistant Kate, and Ian's best friend Sabrina as well. I'm hoping I connect more with those books than I did with this one. I liked both characters, and I believed in their connection, but I just couldn't relate to them for some reason. To be honest, it makes me upset that I can't better articulate what my issues were with the story, but there wasn't really anything specific. It was just a general feeling of disconnect. I'm hoping that will change, as the series goes along, as I am very interested in the future stories.

Hot is the right title word, folks, for a couple of reasons. #1. There’s no wonder Ian, the hero, is getting so hot under the collar. That’s bound to happen when you are openly being investigated by the SEC for a crime you didn’t commit. Despite not a trace of solid evidence, it just didn’t seem fair Lara was sent to find him guilty. Sure, she still seeks the truth, but since her boss tells her failure isn’t an option and she’d benefit greatly from a guilty verdict, it felt like justice was taking a back seat to hidden agendas.

Despite the hot seat he was in, Ian couldn’t help but feel sparks fly every time he looked at or even thought of Lara, who was the face of the law determined to put him behind bars, which brings me to reason #2. The chemistry between this main couple was hot and very graphically steamy.

Ian was not only the poster boy for Wall Street success but he was the king and master of ONS with beautiful women. Yeah, he was gorgeous and knew how to work it. The way Lara was portrayed though kind of left me wondering exactly why she was his kryptonite. Boring, frumpy suits and shoes hardly set her up to be a walking, talking sex goddess. It actually made me feel kind of sorry for her. Why couldn’t she have wowed him dressed smoking hot each and every day? Just a thought and a reminder that I’m not a fan of downplaying the heroine’s character in any manner.

From his rags to riches background, Ian did come across as self-entitled and shallow, mainly when it came to women, before Lara, that is. She somehow opened his eyes to how empty his life was despite his overflowing bank account. Though he was very generous with his salary in regards to charities, Ian lived for the job and spent his free time enjoying a nightly revolving door of top shelf liquor and easy women.

Thankfully, the lust and loving is kept between the main couple, but you’ll definitely have to wait for it until near the end, for obvious reasons. Lara does try to control her feelings and keep things professional until her job is done. Ultimately, a not too surprising big reveal offers a solution to all their problems.

Title: Hot Asset, Series: 21 Wall Street (Book 1), Author: Lauren Layne, Pages: 266, stand-alone but part of a series, SEC but wants FBI job sassy heroine, rags to riches/gorgeous and knows how to work it hero, VERY graphic steamy scenes with lusty language, changes him for the better, no cheating/no love triangle/no OM/OW drama after meeting.

Book 1 - Hot Asset (Ian and Lara)
Book 2 - Hard Sell (Matt and Sabrina)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

GAH!! Hot Asset was just pure Lauren Layne goodness! What do you get when you cross a hotshot Wall Street trader with the SEC agent investigating him for insider trading? PURE FIREWORKS folks!! Ian and Lara were sexy and fiery and their banter was just on point. I really enjoyed their chemistry and the unique storyline. This was such a breath of fresh air and a promising start to a new series!

You guys! I am still so swoony over this story!! It was just so fun. Lara was very smart and witty and Ian was full of all the alpha goodness we love - charismatic, sexy and fall of the cocky goodness we love in our Lauren Layne heroes. But past the designer suits and luxury highrise apartment is a kind and caring man with a giving and vulnerable heart. GAHH!! He was just so delicious. I will admit this story started a bit slow for me but before long I was just swept away.

And honestly the best part of the story? The bromance between Kennedy, Matt and Ian. I could not get enough of their spitfire banter and back and forth and am SOOO excited for their books!! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula