4 stars.🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romantic comedy, an enemies to lovers story and book two of the series.
Lighthearted and easy reading.🌞
Lauren Layne does this style of rom-com so well. She had me thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
I have noticed that her books always seem to be full of attractive characters, the pretty people, no plain Jane's but I couldn't care less about that fact as they are so engaging and simply fun to read .💕
Matt and Sabrina were explosive 💣💥together whether they were flirting or fighting .
I liked this story a lot. 🌼
Now, I am really looking forward to reading the next book "Huge Deal" and finally getting Ellie and Kennedy's story. I loved all the glimpses we get of these two characters in the first couple of books, so I have very high hopes for this romance.
This is DEFINITELY one of her best series, my other favorite being the AMAZING "Love Unexpectedly" series.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this series. The first book in this series Hot Asset was Ian and Lara's book. I loved that book it was a 5 star read. This book Hard Sell just blew me out of the water from the very first chapter. I have to say that Matt and Sabrina's story was a least a 10 star read if not more. Matt and Sabrina both came from different but not a really great family life growing up. Both of them had walls so high and so thick that they did not even realize the extent of what they had been feeling for each other since the moment they meant. Instead they let a misunderstanding put them at odds and they had this enemy and friends thing going on. When Matt finds himself in hot water he goes to Sabrina for help. She agrees to helps him. Somewhere along the way the reasons for doing what they are doing gets forgotten. Feelings become involved and then all the drama starts. During all this you have your best friends who love you and guide you in the direction you really do not understand. I found this book to have it all and then some. Honestly I cannot wait until Kennedy and Kate's book because I have a feeling it will blow this book out of the water too. I find whenever you start a series by Lauren Layne each book in the series becomes better then the last. She never ever disappoints. Thanks so much NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this. I'm very picky and impatient with romances, so it says something that I read the whole thing and in one weekend. The ending was a little abrupt and disappointing, and the heroine's friendship with Ian was a lot of telling not showing, but for the most part, it was really enjoyable. The female friendships were great. Sabrina and Matt are likeable and have great chemistry. Layne has been compared to Julie James, which is quite accurate, although Layne's style is more angsty. I've discovered that her other books seem to contain quite a lot of my specific brand of catnip, so I will be reading more from her and I look for forward to Kate and Kennedy's book in this series.

This is a tough book to review because I LOVE this author A LOT. She is an amazing author and she is great at creating wonderful characters in NYC. On one hand I loved this story between two enemies Sabrina and Matt, but on the other hand it was never explained what actually happened.. It is left very vague and so we really miss the why and what happened.

Essentially Sabrina has been besties with Matt's bestie and they had a one night stand some 4 years ago where Matt offended Sabrina and since then its been HATE. Matt lands himself in a PR mess and asks for Sabrina's help and she agrees to for a price.

Meanwhile their friend is getting married so they are thrown together for that. This was a wonderful story. It is well written with wonderful characters I loved getting to know. But I felt the depth of getting into the characters heads was not there. And it all starts with what happened 4 years before.

I did enjoy the story, but some things were missing from this authors normal work.

I liked this book very much.

Matt is a very successfull broker with a penchant to get in trouble.

And Sabrina is a sassy woman, full of life who doesn´t let her feelings for Matt get in the way of what she wants. She was a firecracker and was always saving him from his own stupidity.

We could say he was the damsel in distress and she kept saving him. Hilarious.

If something is going to capture my attention, it is an enemies-to-lovers romance between a scandalous investor and sassy public relations specialist. And that is what happened here with Hard Sell, my first, but not last read by Lauren Layne.

However, while the characters are engaging, there were certain areas within the story that needed some finessing to make this, what to me would be, a more complete and gripping romance.

"Who else, besides Matt Cannon, would ruin my appetite for a perfectly good croissant?"

Charming and wealthy, at twenty-eight year's old, Matt Cannon is Wall Street's youngest broker. Numbers come easy, women easier. But when Matt makes headlines featuring his latest fling, his clients become anxious and his bosses propose an ultimatum: appear to be settling down with a "real" girlfriend, or leave the company.

Easier said than done.

"The hardest thing is going to be keeping my hands off the only woman I've ever wanted."

One woman is capable of keeping her distance and maintaining professionalism: Sabrina Cross, PR specialist and known fixer in Manhattan. Everyone knows they detest each other though. He's too conceited, she's too stubborn. While Sabrina agrees to assist in cleaning up Matt's sordid reputation, she has a stipulation of her own: no more hookups.

Posing as Matt's pretend girlfriend should be easy.

"She is the last woman on earth to be at risk of falling for me. Because Sabrina Cross hates my guts."

Sabrina and Matt have very interesting chemistry, or rather a long history of loathing and antagonism. What makes an enemies-to-lovers story gripping and captivating is witnessing the angry banter, experiencing the passionate animosity and seeing the conflict the characters undergo.

I loved the premise of Hard Sell, but the execution fell flat. I'm still unsure what actually transpired between our leading characters to make them intense enemies, or rather, I don't understand what prompted Matt to be an abhorrent jerk towards Sabrina.

My favourite thing about enemies-to-lovers romance is watching the relationship transition. I crave that intense passion and the burning hatred shared between the two characters. While the mutual love-hate transformed, I wish I knew more about their history to really connect with that change.

"At least you acknowledge that it'll be the end of the world before I feel anything other than tolerant loathing for you."

This was a surprise. Sometimes I get a Romance book and I'm so hopeful it's going to be a good book and then I'm so disappointed. The book was NOT a disappointment. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and characters and thought the dialogue was brilliant.

Book Review: Hard Sell by Lauren Layne

A few months ago, I read and reviewed Hot Asset by Lauren Layne which is book 1 of the 21 Wall Street series.

Characters: This book follows Matt Cannon a Wall Street wunderkind who has a crazy weekend in Vegas that is featured in the Wall Street Journal. Matt's bosses give  him an ultimatum find a girlfriend or you would get fired.

Matt is anti-relationship so he has to find a woman who would be open to play the role but not get attached. Here comes Sabrina who is Matt's frenemy. Both Sabrina and Matt has an explosive relationship, they are frenemies who have each other's back. 

Plot; Over the course of a month, the relationship progresses from a fake girlfriend to a true a relationship. I love how much Matt and Sabrina fought. It made the relationship interesting. Their chemistry was explosive. 

Romance:  The romance was on point. This was a steamy book and the chemistry between Sabrina and Matt was perfect!

My feels; I love that we got to see Ian and Lara as they plan their wedding. I really want to read Kate and Kennedy's book. I read this book in one sitting just like other Lauren Layne's book. They are my favorite kind of books. 

Book Review will be posted on September 4, 2018 on What to Read Next Blog.

This is the second in the 21 Wall Street series. We met Matt Cannon and Sabrina Cross is book one, and the best way to describe them is frienemies-with-benefits. Matt is a boy wonder broker and Sabrina is a fixer for the rich. Matt comes back from a Vegas bachelor party to find a picture of him getting a lap dance splashed across the pages of the Wall Street Journal. His bosses let him know that he has to turn his image around, or they will let him go. Of course, he goes to the one woman he fights with and periodically has sex with, Sabrina. Sabrina agrees to act as his girlfriend, but only if they are hands off. This is the set up to their happily ever after. I thought all of the characters were well developed and their backstory was compelling. This book is a lot of fun.
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley for my honest review.

I just love every single book Lauren Layne writes. I always love the hate/love stories. Or in this case, frenemies to lovers as Lauren put it!

Matt and Sabrina were funny and frustrating together, as every good book should be. Can't wait for Kate and Kennedy!!!

Really, really good! This book has everything a fun summer read should! A great hero, an unannoying heroine, and plenty of lighthearted fun.

This is the second installment of LL latest Series, 21 Wall Street.
In this book we'll meet Matt Cannon, the 'boy wonder' and his long time 'enemy', Sabrina Cross.

Growing up in the not-so-happy-family makes both Matt and Sabrina have no interested in romance. They don't even believe in love.
That's why when Matt got in a big trouble and desperately needs a help from Sabrina, the fixer, to pretend to be his girlfriend to clear his reputation, he has no worries that their fake relationship will just stay as a business. Since they're on the same page when it comes to relationships.
But after weeks spending time together?
They're not so sure anymore.

From the first book of this series, Hot Asset, I already love the love-hate relationship between Matt and Sabrina. That's what makes their chemistry is interesting.
I've been so curious with what actually happened to them god-knows-how-long time ago that made them like they want to kill each other every time they are in the same room.
And finally we can find the answer in this book.

Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite kind of stories. This story is so captivating with the hate banter that slowly turns into romance.

I really love Sabrina's character. Smart, sassy, very independent woman who is really good at her job.
And besides the playboy who never wants to settle down side, there's nothing to hate about Matt.

Great characters combine with the LL-like writing—Smart, sassy, refreshing, and good amount of sexiness.
No doubt that this book is a must read for all new adult contemporary romance fans.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is my absolute favourite in romance. It just makes sense when two people who have a burning hatred for each other end up passionately in love. Although Sabrina and Matt's story isn't quite enemies-to-lovers, Lauren Layne definitely delivered in Hard Sell. 

We are first introduced to Matt Cannon who is "boy wonder" at his job on Wall Street, but also a partier, a player, and cocky. Thankfully, Matt doesn't demonstrate typical male lead characteristics such as objectifying women, slut-shaming women, boasting about his "conquests", etc. He turns to Sabrina Cross to help repair his image and she is a great match. Sabrina is tough and confident and she worked hard to get to where she is. I liked both characters and how they had a history that was slowly revealed throughout the novel. Their romance was both cute and fiery and it progressed really well. I also really enjoyed the involvement of all the other characters introduced in Hot Asset.

I wasn't too fond of Hot Asset, so I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable I found Hard Sell. The characters were much more interesting and dynamic and not as problematic. I can't wait for the next book with Kennedy! (Also hoping for one with Jarod.)

The second 21 wall street book is great. From book one we know Matt and Sabrina was a thing but they are too frisky for love. Now we know their past and comprehend why they need each other. I enjoy reading this book and recommend it. Matt and Sabrina have their HEA with a hard road.
I received a ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.

Book 2 of the 21 Wall Street series was a fabulous read. Matt & Sabrina’ story is sizzling hot & romantic, funny, & does not disappoint! With the supporting characters of Ian & Lara (#1 Hard Asset), Kennedy, & Kate, i look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
Enemies to lovers is a more difficult road to get to HEA. It is filled with hurt, insults, tears, hot sex, & free falling into love. This is of course once you realize all the insults, almost hatred, has just been a prelude to finding the one for you. To find out what made Sabrina & Matt tick, pick up Hard Sell by Lauren Layne!

A fantastic enemies to lovers story with a twist, this book had a bit of everything. I love Sabrina, she is strong, independent and secretly vulnerable. And Matt, can I just say swoon. I’m not going to lie and say there wasn’t a few times when I wished I could slap him or shake him, but he little peek of alpha possessiveness was super hot!

And this book just made me even more excited for Kate and Kennedy’s story, and I’m hoping we get a story in the future about a certain billionaire!

After reading Hot Asset, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the 21 Wall Street series. Hard Line is Sabrina and Matt's story. She's a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who's finally made her dreams come true in the big city by fixing other's messes. He is the wild party boy that needs his frenemy to help him redeem his image. As they navigate their fake relationship, Sabrina and Matt realize that the tension they've been fighting for years is the result of deeply rooted feelings. I absolutely loved their love story and how well their characters, relationship and ending was developed. This is a perfect sexy, sweet read that will give you all the feels... 5 chilli peppers of hotness from me! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

This is my favorite Lauren Layne book so far. Matt and Sabrina have great chemistry but can't seem to get along outside the bedroom. When Matt is in need of Sabrina's help, they get a second chance to break down their walls with each other. I love their evolution from friends/enemies with benefits to much more. The story was very well paced and the dialogues are funny and witty and true to each character. Also, I love how each character, beyond Matt and Sabrina, is well defined. I am really looking forward to Kate and Kennedy's story and I hope Jarod will get his own book too!

"Hard Sell" is the second book of the 21 Wall Street series by Lauren Layne, which I decided is going to be one of the authors I'll be reading this summer. I loved the first book, "Hot Asset", and I couldn't wait for this one because the author made me curious by introducing us the main characters of this second installment.

We met Matt Cannon and Sabrina Cross in "Hot Asset", but for those who don't know about them, Matt is a brooker who used to be an enfant-prodige, a boy wonder but also a famous womanizer. Sabrina is a wonderful woman in her right, since she became an influential "fixer" in NYC's élite.

Matt and Sabrina have known for four years, but there has always run bad blood between them because of what happened right after they met. They can't tolerate each other but bad press forces Matt to ask for Sabrina's help or he'll lose is prestigious job. Why Sabrina, of all people? Her profession is subtle, but basically she fixes situations. An husband is cheating? She knows the right people who would out him on his behavior. A man needs a beautiful woman to push a flame away? She has the connections. This is why Matt goes to ask for her. She's the last person he wants but he needs a fake girlfriend to make everyone believe he's settled down and he needs a person who won't be attached to him when the contract is up. But he may develop feelings of his own...

What I loved about Matt and Sabrina is their personality. They're both very complex compared to Ian and Lara, and unpredictable. Both have been hurt and have an interesting but traumatic family background, Matt because of the infidelity of his parents and Sabrina because of her uncaring mother. They are soulmates in that regard, because they don't want a serious relationship until they try it. Once the charade is put into action, Matt and Sabrina can't deny the attraction between them. It's been there since the first day they met, and perhaps they can't settle down because they have feelings for each other. Being in close proximity for a few weeks allows them to explore this relationship and see that they can become lovers.

The story itself is quite simple because there aren't a lot of complications for the couple besides themselves, but what I like about Lauren Layne's writing is that is never boring despite the plot has been used before. The author is able to create relatable characters and enjoyable banter, and like I said above I'll surely check more books by her. I'll also wait for Kennedy and Kate's story, but who knows when that will come out, since the author is not sure when she'll publish that one. Sigh! But in the meantime I can catch up with her other books. ;)

This is recommended for lovers of contemporary romance but also those who love romantic stories with not so much drama.

I really enjoyed this read, Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine and this read fit the bill. I liked both Matt and Sabrina. The author did a great job fleshing the characters out and their traumatic childhoods added a layer of believability to the story. I'm interested in the next book, which is hopefully about Kennedy and Kate. If you're looking for a great summer read, this is one I'd recommend!