This is the third and final book of the series. It definitely did not disappoint. This can be read as a stand-alone. I love books set in NYC, to me these are the “fantasy” books, in a nutshell this is about 2 best friends who get engaged out of convenience. The book is predictable, but I still loved it. I highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh Central Park Pact series.... how much of a surprise that I would love you so much and how SAD I am to have to say goodbye!!

First, we had Naomi and Oliver, then we had Claire and Scott (which was my absolute favorite).. and now we had Audrey and Clarke. Ok.... my favorite story out of the three was Claire and Scott BUT doesn't mean I didn't love the other two as much!!!

I was SOOO ecstatic to get this galley on my hands and within the same week knew I had to read it! If you've read the first two books then you know that Audrey and Clarke have been best friends for the longest time. Sometimes... this makes the best love stories!!

Lauren Layne once ago shows off her snazzy voice and talent through this book. Layne truly knows how to have the perfect balance of romance, humor, and a tad bit of drama. It's an absolute delight to dive into any book by Lauren Layne and I highly recommend this series if you love romance!!

4.5 lovely stars!!!

Thank you so much to Gallery Scout Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 1/28/20
Published to GR: 10/19/19

Audrey finds herself in an unusual and heartbreaking situation, running away from her boyfriend's funeral and bumping into Claire and Naomi, his wife and another mistress. Feeling devastated she makes a vow with her new friends to protect each other from men like Brayden Hayes. It's been one and a half years, Claire and Naomi have both found love and Audrey's content living her life as an Instagram influencer and spending time with her best friend Clarke. Lately, the rumors about Audrey and her personal life have been flying, fueled by one social media troll. Clarke's ex-girlfriend Elizabeth is back in town and his mother wants nothing more than for them to get back together. Both needing a reprieve from the pressures of others Audrey and Clarke decide that a fake engagement will get the rumors to settle down and Clarke's mom to take a step back. What they don't plan on are some very not fake feelings.

I adore a good friends to lovers story, and this one did not disappoint (but confession, every time I read one I can't help but picture the scene from When Harry Met Sally where they're arguing over if men and women can be friends). I loved Clarke and was sorry for him when he confessed that he didn't see himself getting married because of what happened with Elizabeth, he was trying to change and be what she wanted but it still wasn't good enough for her. I could completely understand where Audrey was coming from feeling like she stole Claire's happily ever after, but at the same time wanted to shake her for holding on to that for so long. Despite their baggage, which was justified, I love them as a couple, their banter, how easy the relationship (for the most part) was. This is a super sweet, slightly angsty with a fantastic ending. Definitely recommend.

The Central Pact series is back in a cloud of Tiffany blue boxes and champagne bubbles!

Marriage on Madison Avenue is the perfect inclusion into the series, following Lauren Layne's popular books, Passion on Park Avenue and Love on Lexington Avenue. This story follows Audrey Tate, an Instagram influencer who finds herself in the thick of a romantic tragedy...again. She thought it was bad enough when she learned that her boyfriend, Braydon was married...after he died tragically, but she was oh so wrong. Now, she is involved in another scandal with a married man. The solution? Pretend to marry her best friend, Clarke to keep her reputation intact. Audrey learns much about love and acceptance while galavanting with her bestie, drinking with her gal pals, and dodging her adoring (and critical) followers. It is a delightful, New York City romp.

Layne delivers another strong story in this series. Her writing is clever and quick which makes her rom coms so easy to devour with pleasure. Her humor is intelligent and sets her apart from her popular colleagues in this genre. Her characters are loving and hapless. Audrey develops a pretty thick skin in this book which is nice to see her growth while pretending to be married to her childhood best friend. Clarke is a "book boyfriend" worthy character with his easy charm and loving spirit. Both of their families are hilarious and well-captured through I Love Lucy-type bumbling scenes. Claire and Naomi, who appeared and are featured in their books in the series, are delightful counterparts to Audrey and make readers want to join their trio for champagne and gossip. The plot is fun and breezy and all the best things about romcoms. New York City breathes alive and well as a setting and the perfect backdrop for a wonderful set of characters. The humor behind pretending to be married to someone you are not in love with at first is classic, but Layne makes it more unique with the relevant social media trailing the couple's every move. It is a book you would love to see Reese Witherspoon direct and produce (and of course, star in) for her next movie project.

This book earned a 4.5-star rating. Marriage on Madison Avenue hits shelves on January 28, 2020.

Thank you Netgalley, Gallery, Pocketbook, and Lauren Layne for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The premise of this book has been done before with varying degrees of success. So, I wasn't sure I would be able to get into this book, especially as I didn't read the first two in the series. I have to say that most contemporary romance novels I have stopped reading as I prefer the romantic suspense genre. Not I have to go back and read the first two books in this series as this book was as good as any book I have read recently. Strong characters and a solid plot line remind me of one of my favorite authors of contemporary romance, Catherine Bybee. I definitely would recommend this series, starting with the first book I think would help. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Lauren Layne brings her Central Park Pact series to a conclusion with Marriage on Madison Avenue, a light and fun friends-to-lovers, fake-marriage, rom-com.

Audrey Tate and Clarke West have been best friends since they were kids. They’ve always been able to count on each other for everything from TV binge watching to last minute dates, and especially warding off unwanted attention from the opposite sex or meddling mothers. But Clarke uses her as her fake-fiancée, Audrey wants to use take advantage of it to defend herself against a nefarious online troll.

What started out to be a few days of being fake-engaged escalates to an engagement party, cake tastings, wedding planner interviews, dress shopping and most serious of all, kissing and touching for the cameras that don’t feel fake at all. Can the two figure out a way to go back to the way things were and salvage their friendship or realize that they’ve loved each other since the beginning?

Since Audrey and Clarke had been friends for years, theirs was the slowest of burns. It took them forever and a day and lots and lots of meddling to realize they were perfect for each other and their romantic journey was delightfully fun.

Marriage on Madison Avenue is book #3 of the Central Park Pact series by Lauren Layne. It’s a standalone, contemporary romance, told from both points of view with a happy ending.

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

I love Lauren Layne's books! She really knows how to write fun, upbeat, romcoms! I loved Love on Lexington Ave, and when this one came out I knew I'd love it just as much. I love Friends to Lovers Tropes, I think a lot of readers can relate to that type of love story because most people who fall in love, fall for their best friend. I was hoping Audrey would get her HEA! She definitely deserved it! And I love how Audrey and Clarke's relationship felt like a friendship, and how they really knew each other and cared for one another!

There isn't any steam (just kissing)
& it's a quick read!

I felt like to read this book, you definitely have to read the prologue at the beginning to understand whats gone on in the other books, but you do not necessarily have to read the other two books in this series to fall in love with this story!

Such a great followup in this series! Couldn't put it down and read it quickly in a weekend. If only I didn't have other responsibilities, I would've read it in a day!

This was overall a fun breezy read, but I will say I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope. It feels like a cop-out to create the big conflict near the end, and the pay-off is far less satisfying.

This is the third and final book in Layne's Central Park Pact series. I have not read the other two but was able to easily get into Audrey and Clarke's story without feeling like I was missing anything essential.
Audrey, Naomi, and Claire met at the funeral of Claire's husband and Audrey and Naomi's boyfriend. Feeling like they will never trust a man again they make a pact to protect each other from heartbreak and the bad guys on the dating scene in NYC. Audrey is the last to find love, and her story starts with a rumor. When her best friend Clarke tries to avoid an ex-girlfriend the tabloids think he and Instagram influencer Audrey are engaged. Through the magic of a good rom-com, Audrey and Clarke try a fake engagement, but soon there are real feelings attached to each other. I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves a romance. If this were a movie I'd say it were PG-13 (it avoids some of the romantic details, but the heart and emotion are there).

I have to admit, I had never heard of Lauren Layne prior to coming across this book on Netgalley let alone read the other books in this series, but the cover was adorable- maybe the cutest cover I have ever seen- and I was going through NYC withdrawals (which normally starts around October) so I knew I had to read it. I absolutely loved the cute best friends story going on here although it was a little crazy how they just didn't talk to each other about how they feel but it did make for some great tension in the story and I loved watching it unfold. I enjoyed the dynamic between Audrey and Clarke (and love is sweet nickname for her- Dree) and it aboslutely makes me want to go back and read the other books in the series not only to see their relationship even more but to learn about her friends' relationships as well! I recommend this book to anyone wo loves a good romance!

There is nothing like a Lauren Layne story. Marriage on Madison is a wonderfully simple love story full of interesting and funny characters you can't help but fall in love with. In an era where we have a ton of romance novels to choose from, Lauren's stories are elegant and captivating and seriously refreshing. Clarke and Audrey are unbelievably adorable and fantastic all on their own, but together they are so much more. Which is why their story is so special. The Central Park Pact Series is incredible. Clarke and Audrey's story was the perfect ending to the series and really made the much larger story of the friendship between Audrey, Claire and Naomi super special. You can never go wrong with Lauren's stories.

Side Note to anyone who hasn't read Passion on Park Avenue and Love on Lexington Avenue, but thinking about reading Marriage on Madison Avenue. I'd highly recommend starting at the beginning with Passion on Park to get the most enjoyment. But that's totally my opinion.

The best end to this series. Clarke and Audrey are best friends since kindergarten. He is her prince charming, she is her beautiful princess, but life make us blind to true love, This story is funny and predictable, but we knows it from book one.
I enjoy reading this book and recommend it. Receive an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.

I loved this latest installment to the Central Park Pact series! Audrey is my favorite of the women so far and I loved this depiction of some of my favorite tropes (friends to lovers, fake engagement). Lots of cute banter, swoony moments, and emotional moments—Lauren Layne has yet to disappoint me. Thanks to the publisher for the eARC!

Omg....im so glad I got to read this book early. I absolutely love this series and Lauren. Each of these books are funny, witty, romantic and fun. I'm glad Audrey got her book. If your looking for a steamy romance, this is not your book. If you're looking for a fun and entertaining book, then don't pass this up. I definitely recommend this series as each book is amazing.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another LL book? Don't think twice about picking up the third installment (& final!) Of this series. Audrey and Clarkes friendship to lovers is one of the BEST I've read to date. This is my favorite trope and I swear, no one does it better than LL. Her writing is like no other and I'm constantly comparing other books to her! I loved how Clarke and Audrey didnt realize how much they actually meant to one another and it was so fun wathing it unfold. My favorite author, my favorite series. Pick up this book if you want to stay in the loop from your favorite Manhattan peeps, xoxo, Reader Gal.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of Marriage on Madison Avenue (Central Park Pact Book 3) by Lauren Layne in exchange for an honest review. Audrey Tate and Clarke West have been best friends since they were children. As adults, both have successful careers; Audrey is a popular social influencer, and Clarke is set to take over his father’s media company after using his computer science degree to bring the business up-to-date. Occasionally, Audrey finds out she’s been engaged to Clarke; Clarke sometimes publicly claims they’re engaged to get out of sticky situations. Clarke makes another public declaration of their betrothal in response to his mother’s pressure for him to permanently pair off with an ex-girlfriend. When a malicious gossip blogger starts a campaign to damage Audrey’s brand, Audrey and Clarke decide to maintain the pretense. As they work to convince the public of their love and commitment, will they end up convincing themselves, instead?

I liked this book a lot. I haven’t read either of the other books in the series, but I will, now. The story was sweet though there were scoundrels aplenty. This is a tale about blooming romance between two people who truly like each other. Also, there was no gross explicit sex. I really, really, really liked that the pages were reserved for telling the romance instead of the eroticism. I recommend this book to those actually interested in reading a romance.

Marriage on Madison Avenue. Fans of Lauren Layne already know her books never disappoint. They are clever, flirty, emotional, dialogue driven and don’t drown readers in angst. This book is the last in Ms. Layne’s series about the three women who had been involved with Brayden Hayes: Claire, the wife, Naomi, the mistress, and Audrey, the girlfriend. The three had bonded on a park bench the day of the cheater’s funeral, vowing to always protect each other from future scumbags. This is Audrey’s story...sweet, vulnerable Audrey who really does want the fairytale, but is forced by circumstances into a fake engagement with her best friend and lifelong buddy Clarke. Readers are in for a treat as Audrey and Clarke try to convince the online world that they are madly in love. Along the way there are discoveries that won’t be spoiled by this review. I loved this book was absolutely thrilled when NetGalley selected me as an advance reader. If you love romance novels, but have not yet discovered Lauren Layne you are in for a treat..and I suggest you get right to reading. My review is completely voluntary. Most highly recommend.

Glamorous spotlight of towering skyscrapers and notorious, entertaining, shiny, individual, fast, cruel, exhausting life of NYC plans intercepted with the third book Central Park Pact. It’s swoony, funny, romantic, passionate, soft, sweet reading, kind of book well fitted with your cookie dough ice cream or chilled refreshing glass of Rose (all those Valentine day images made me change my drink selection)! Eat, pray to the publishers for ARC COPY and love every page of it!

So let’s say 3.75 rounded up to 4 shiny, child-hood love, best friends to fake fiancées to lovers stars!!!

What I dislike about this book:
Having hard time to connect with heroine: Naomi and Claire are far better heroines for me. I was always doubtful to read about Audrey’s own story because I always found her a little pretentious, spoiled brat, Barbie doll, living in her fake social media world. But I loved her change, growing up, shaping her decisions about life. She was still reminded me of those drama queens on TV shows of course Audrey is not heartless, opportunist, self-obsessed young woman like it is characterized by Ryan Murphy shows (mostly played by Emma Roberts) her sweet, vulnerable sides mostly reminds us more Clueless character “Cher” than Channel characters from Scream Queens.

What I liked about this book:

Even he seemed like down to earth, party boy and a real womanizer, Clarke was the mature, caring, affectionate man. I loved their connection and hardly deniable attraction. They really complete each other. The parts they start to realize they were their person from the beginning and they spent their times to deny their feelings were so sweet moments of the book.

There is last moment dramatic part as we expected but it also ended with one of the most romantic hero speech which warm my heart and made me sigh a couple of times.

This is sweet, foreseeable book had a little clichés but good kind of clichés we enjoy at all those rom-coms!

Sometimes the human soul needs to read or watch something terrifying to bring out the adrenalin rush! And sometimes we need to take a break from the life and lie down on a comfy couch and read or watch something sweet, heart-felting and relaxing to lighten our mood. This is definitely a mood changer like somebody turned on the lights at your happy place located in your mind. So if you crave something soft, light to bring out your inner happiness, go and read this book!

So much special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books to share this enjoyable, sweetest ARC COPY in exchange my honest review. It made a hopeless, undeniable romantic’s (of course that’s me) day!

I've been enjoying Lauren Layne's book a lot recently, and was excited to see the final book in her Central Park Pact trilogy on NetGalley. This is a fitting end to that series, which is more "chick lit" or women's fiction than a lot of Layne's other work. The books in this series, including Marriage on Madison Avenue, refer to sex but don't explicitly describe sexual encounters as a typical contemporary romance would. Like the other books in this series, this one works out the way you would expect it to, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment while reading it. Audrey and Clarke are likable characters whose appearances in earlier books in the series really set the plot up nicely for this book. In my opinion, pacing is a strength for Layne, and this plot moved quickly without feeling insubstantial. Overall a fun and enjoyable read, though moments of seriousness (like the reminders that the three central women in the series met at the funeral of a man they were all romantically involved with - as wife, long-term girlfriend, and mistress) keep it from being entirely frothy.