Yours in Scandal is a charming romance between a young mayor and an event planner. Robert and Adeline have great chemistry and the anticipation is everything.

Robert is the youngest mayor that New York has had. His wit and charm make him irresistible. His time as mayor is coming to an end and he is planning to run for governor. He wants to throw a party to celebrate his term as mayor and hires Adeline Blake to plan his event.

Adeline is a great event planner that has handled some of the biggest events in the city. When she receives a call from the mayor she is hesitant to accept the offer. Why would someone so prestigious hire her when an event planner is already staffed?

Adeline and Robert didn't have the greatest start but as they spend more time together there is more flirting witty banter, and chemistry.

I give Yours in Scandal 4 stars. Lauren Layne wrote another captivating romance. I really enjoyed this read with its political theme, drama, romance, and overall charm.

Will be posted soon at Romance Reviews Today site: http://romrevtoday.com/

YOURS IN SCANDAL – Lauren Layne
Man of the Year, Book 1
Montlake Romance
ISBN: 978-1542018807
March 2020
Contemporary Romance

New York City – Present Day

Robert Davenport is the current mayor of New York City and also Citizen Magazine’s Man of the Year. Not that he embraces the Man of the Year title because he has more important things to do than being a hot celebrity bachelor. Robert is contemplating a run for Governor of New York, and his bulldog of a campaign manager comes to him with a way to get a leg up against his opponent, the current governor. The man has an adult daughter who was notorious a few years ago for her wild ways, but she suddenly disappeared from public view. Robert’s campaign manager has located her—Addie Brennan is now Adeline Blake, an event planner. There have been rumors that the governor is not the upstanding individual he claims to be, and what better way to get the dirt than pry the info from his estranged daughter? Add in that Robert currently needs an event planner, then it seems like Adeline has fallen into his lap.

Adeline hates her father because he’s a liar and is as devious as the devil himself. But she has no plans to divulge that info to the press because she’d rather be left alone doing what she loves, which is planning events. When the office of the mayor of New York City contacts her about doing an event for them, Adeline is both excited and apprehensive. She has changed her looks and doesn’t look like wild spirt Addie, but is she risking exposing herself if someone puts two and two together? However, she needs the money and agrees to the gig. Of course, Adeline didn’t realize it’d mean working very closely with the sexy mayor. Why is Robert showering Adeline with all this attention? Are the sparks that fly between them real—or is he only pretending to be interested in her?

Robert’s knowledge of who Adeline really is could destroy her, or at least expose her to publicity that she doesn’t want. Her relationship with her father was awful. He lied to her and did things behind closed doors that belied his stellar reputation. Instead of trying to fight him anymore—especially after she found out her mother was really alive despite what her father told her—she walked away and started a new life with a new name. Adeline is careful around Robert. She does find him attractive, but he is in politics—and it’s rumored that he will be running against her father for governor. Yet, Adeline can’t deny that she finds Robert attractive. How long will it take for her to give in to the desire she feels for the man. Can she continue to hide out from the tabloids who might have wondered where Addie Brennan is?

Robert is walking a dangerous line with Adeline when he soon realizes he likes her a lot and doesn’t want to hurt her. Yet, getting the dirt on her father would be just the thing to use in the governor’s race. As he gets to know her better, he begins to care for her more than he ever thought he would. Will Robert do the right thing? Can he win Adeline’s affection? Their fiery sparks soon turn in to passion. Will they both end up getting singed?

An intriguing and passionate tale based in the world of celebrity politics, don’t miss YOURS IN SCANDAL.

Patti Fischer

When I started reading this book I really thought that this could be it, another hit by Ms. Layne. I was digging the dynamic between the main characters and I especially liked that Adeline kept Robert on his toes. After a while, it fizzled out though, and I haven’t been able to figure out why yet 🤷‍♀️
I guess one of the reasons is that there was nothing specific that made the (extremely predictable) story or couple stand out to me. Everything was only so-so.

Yours in Scandal by Lauren Layne is the 1st book in her new Man of the Year series. Robert Davenport, our hero, is the youngest Mayor of New York city, has just been named the Man of the Year and he is single. As his term as mayor is about the end in a couple of months, he and his top staff make plans for him to run for Governor. As Robert plans to have a party to end his term, his campaign manager tells him to hire an event planner, who he says is the long missing daughter of the current governor, in disguise; the manager wants him to find out any secret information on her father. Robert is enticed to meet this woman, but is not keen on being sneaky.

Adeline Blake, has a newly successful Event Planning business, and we learn immediately that she changed her name and appearance, to get away from her mean father, the Governor. Adeline was Addie Bennett, the media’s wild child, who had left her life 5 years ago, as her father treated her very badly. She is surprised when the Mayor wants her to plan his event, and she is determined to stay out of the spotlight and anything political. But there is something about the Mayor that draws her attention, as he is not only charming, but very handsome
.
What follows is a slow burn romance between two unlikely people; the mayor and a political force and a woman with a bad reputation as a wild child. I loved Robert and Adeline together, as their chemistry was off the wall, and they were so good together. Will Robert succumb to his feelings for Adeline, especially with the threat of ruining his political ambitions? Will Adeline allow her feelings for Robert to be pulled back into the political field, which she ran away from?

Yours in Scandal was a quick read, that was a sweet, light, humorous fun story, which was very well written by Lauren Layne. I absolutely loved the wonderful epilogue which left me with a happy face. If you enjoy pure romances, great couples, and secondary characters, you should read this story. If you have not read Lauren Layne, you need to start now.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**

I was first introduced to Lauren Layne through her 21 Wall Street series and I enjoyed her writing style and those books so much. I was excited to see that she had a new series on the horizon and with Yours in Scandal, the Man of the Year series is off to a great start!

Robert Davenport is currently the mayor of New York, but his time in Gracie Mansion is coming to an end after two terms. He has his sights set on becoming governor of the great state of New York. His campaign manager is looking for any way that Robert can get a leg up on his opponent and so he targets the incumbent governor's daughter.

Adeline Blake is a party planner who is hired by Robert to plan his last party in Gracie Mansion before his reign as mayor is over. While Adeline is an exceptional party planner, she also happens to be the daughter of the current governor that Robert's campaign manager has a target on. All Adeline wants to do is live the life she's created for herself with her new identity out of the spotlight.

Will the fact that Robert and Adeline are working together help his campaign and allow him to defeat her father or will he end up losing both the election and the girl?

I enjoyed the slow burn of this relationship and the fact that it was about following your heart in the end regardless of the consequences. This was a different story than I've ever read and I loved it. I'm definitely looking forward to the next books in this series!

Yours in Scandal was fine. It was a quick read/listen and did the job of entertaining me on my commute.

Robert is the 35 year old hot mayor of NYC - about to finish his second term and is looking at a run for governor as his next career move. Adeline is the daughter of the incumbent governor. When Robert’s campaign manager convinces him to hire Adeline as his party planner and take the opportunity to learn more about her father, what could go wrong?

I love political romances and wanted to love this one but ultimately I never felt particularly connected to either of the characters, their romance or their challenges.

Thank you to Montlake, Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for the advance reading and listening copies.

Yours in Scandal was a fun, flirty love story. Layne crafted wonderful tension in the form of two characters coming together who shouldn't: a mayor and the scandalized daughter of his future governor opponent. While their motives weren't always above board or in-sync, Adeline and Robert had a wonderful banter and attraction that lit up the pages.

I loved the dynamic that brought these two together and how it played on their responses at every turn. There was this forbidden aspect politically that amped up the attraction and it was palpable. I adored how Layne wrote a female character that had agency even though her past actions were scandalized; that she was allowed to react to how her world was then and how she learned to be herself even in the present. That Robert was so accepting and warm to her only made him that much better of a character to root for. It was a quick read that checked all of my boxes, and while I wished it would've been longer, I really can't complain. This was a great opener and I can't wait to see where Layne will take this series next.

A friends to lovers slow burn trope involving political enemies, a party, and the secrecy that comes with forbidden love. A quick, sophisticated, and steamy read that does just the trick when you want a pleasurable and lighthearted read!

Blurb: Robert Davenport is the mayor of New York City and plans on running for governor eventually, so when a close family friend tries to convince him to date Adeline Blake, his opponents daughter, in order to dig up dirt on his rival, he decides to take the plunge and pursue Adeline against his better judgment.

Unexpectedly, Robert becomes fast friends with Adeline and even though he should stay away from her, he is drawn to the smart and sexy party planner.

This book has just the right amount of tension, steam, and banter. The characters are likable, I love a good friends to lovers dynamic, and I got my happy ending. I always love reading Lauren Layne when I’m in a reading slump because I walk away from every book feeling refreshed and happy. This one was delightful and fun!

I honestly loved everything about it the second time around as well.
I loved Addie so much, she is an easily lovable character. She masters sarcasm in the best way, she is a badass even when she believes otherwise, she turned her entire life around while fighting tooth and nail to not lose herself, even when it felt impossible sometimes.
I also loved Robert; he is so loyal, so honest and so true to himself, it is kinda refreshing to see considering he is supposed to be a politican.

Addie and Robert's relationship, although, to be completely honest, could've used a little bit more development, was one of my favorite things in this book. Their chemistry is pretty clear from the moment they meet. Robert never once judges her for her past or what people say about her, but rather makes up his own opinion on who she is and ends up loving every part of her. Which pretty much was the selling point for me. I truly adored them.

I also loved Addie's friendship with Rosalie and Jane. As well as Robert's and Kenny's. The support and loyalty these friendships is something that is often in most of Layne's books (or at least, those I've read so far) and it's always something I find myself looking forward to.

All in all, this, once again, is a solid Lauren Layne book, and absolutely one I would recommend. And I can't wait to read the other installements in this series.

I am going to preface this review with the fact that I am normally a big fan of Lauren Layne's books. I am fairly certian I have highly enjoyed all of the books I have previously read of hers, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to read this without a second thought. I did go in blind as I do most books. Unfortuntely, I had a really hard time connecting to the story line. It seemed to be kind to follow at the beginning or maybe somewhat all over the place, and I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I found myself struggling to stay invested in the story and wanted to skim at times. I will still continue to read the author's books in the future because as previously stated I have enjoyed them all, but unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me.

Thank you @netgalley for the gifted ebook. I am a huge fan of Lauren Layne’s books and thought this was a sweet predictable contemporary romance. The characters were likable but I felt Robert was just too perfect. I tend to prefer chacaters with dome flaws. I really liked Adeline and her conflict with her past as well as her relationship with Robert. ⁣

Not my firs read by the author, and I have read plenty of political romance and this one unfortunately was not my style of story.

Robert the hero is New York's mayor and an outstanding citizen. While our heroine Adeline is a event planner in NY with a past of a little bit of wild and crazy. Separately I was 50/50 on both characters, on their own I could make out of something but together, I just couldn't put my finger on it, they HAD chemistry but just wasn't a wild factor there. It could also be because this is a very slow-burn romance therefore I really didn't have much to go off of. Political romances to me have to have a balance of both and in this one TO ME it was more on the political actual aspect and therefore turned me off from the get go. There were parts that felt very slow until it picked back up. I was kind of hoping it being first book of a new series with the blurb that caught my eye, I would enjoy it more...I guess I was expecting more romance. It was a good story, amusing, entertaining and fun at times.
That said, even though this was not my style or type of read doesn't mean someone isn't going to enjoy it.

Rating: ★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

Ms. Layne has rapidly become one of my top go to contemporary romance authors since I discovered her a couple of years ago. Her latest story features wild child Addie Blake who has reinvented herself into a staid well respected business woman and the young charismatic mayor of New York. She's political suicide for a man who's looking to occupy the governor's seat but the heart wants the heart wants or does it?

For a man with a spotless reputation who has kept himself scandal free despite being the youngest, handsomest and richest mayor in history chasing Addie is definitely a first. He shows up in her office, escorts her to a hidden recital of one of the musicals that she's expressed a special interest in and does general sneaking around dates that are bound to get him in trouble when discovered and you can bet your sweet ass they will be discovered eventually right?
Addie on the other hand goes from trying to set him up on dates with her best friend who is the poster child of the perfect wife for a political leader on the rise to finally letting her hair down and losing her staid and confining jackets. She hates her father with a passion and definitely knows enough to cost him his governorship but will the honest mayor actually use the blackmail material that he started out plotting for but thinking better of.
This is a cute light hearted love story perfect for Valentines day or a summer beach read. I can't wait to see this series evolve.

I really enjoyed this book, like all of Lauren Laynes previous books, the character discription and development are spot on! The pace of the book really builds the characters up for continuing books.

Robert is the Mayor of New York but also Man of the year! As his term comes to an end, Robert has to decided where and what he wants to do with his life. Follow in his fathers footsteps and remain in politics or something else.. anything else.. but what else is there? All he has ever known and devoted his life to was politics. That was before he met Adeline Blake, the "wild child" of Roberts opponent. Adeline, Addie as she was previously known as has come back to new york to reinvent herself, putting her wild ways and her fathers politics life behind her. Life has other plans when she falls hard for Robert the Mayor and maybe the next governer of New York.

This book is not predictable at all, it is really sweet and all around easy and enjoyable read.

I recommend this book.

I LOVE Lauren Layne, but I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole political aspect of this book, that just wasn’t for me. However, don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed this story, it’s just not my favorite.
Yours in Scandal is an enemies/friends to lovers romance with a political aspect. Robert Davenport is New York’s mayor but with his term coming to an end, he has his sights set on Governor. Adeline is a former wild child who is back using a new name and a new look, she is also an up and coming event planner in New York.
Robert and Addie definitely had some chemistry, but it was a slow building romance. Addie isn’t a fan of politicians given who her father is (aka the current governor) and she lumps all of them into the same category. I love that Robert isn’t like the stereotypical politician. He is young, determined, and hard-working. He isn’t a fan of the dirty playing ideas. Addie was a wild child, but now that she is back in New York she is nothing like the girl she used to be.
I enjoyed the story, the chemistry, the dialogue, I just didn’t enjoy the political aspect of this story. It’s just not my thing but if you ignore that it is a great story. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of this series.

After eight years, Robert Davenport has to step aside from being the mayor of New York City, a job he has loved. The next logical step (at least as far as what his advisers are telling him) is to run for governor. But the man who is currently governor will be hard to unseat. But the man does have an Achilles heel; his daughter was a wild child and her name was splashed across the gossip columns for a long time. Five years ago, she abruptly disappeared. Robert's team has tracked her down and think that she might be convinced to release some of her father's secrets.
Adeline Blake changed her name, changed her hair color, and dropped out of sight. She did not have an easy childhood living with a man who was so dedicated to appearing like the perfect candidate to the world while living a completely different life behind the scenes. She just wants to plan events and stay out from under the microscope of public opinion. She definitely doesn't want to hop back into the political realm that burned her before. Working with Robert is starting to teach her that maybe not every politician is the same.
It's definitely smart to release a book about politics in the 2020 election cycle, especially with a politician everyone can connect to. Except I never really connected to either Robert or Addie. Even so, I don't think regular Layne readers will be disappointed.

Three stars
This book comes out March 10th
ARC kindly provided by Montlake Romance and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

4.5 Stars

Nearing the end of his tenure as Mayor of New York City, Robert Davenport is soaking in his last months at the job he loves. But where one door closes, another one opens, and everyone expects the golden boy of politics to set his sights on the office of Governor... and with it, usurping the long held position of a political snake.

Adeline Blake was once known as Addie Brennan, daughter of the Governor of New York, party girl and all around political disgrace. But Addie has put her years of living under the thumb of her domineering father behind her, and has started a new life for herself, that is blissfully free of the world of politics...

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

Yours In Scandal was an adorably entertaining read! Quick witted, triumphant and oh-so steamy, this is Lauren Layne at her romantic comedy best! Adeline and Robert's love story was not only fresh and fun, but deeply moving as well. In the world of politics, where each candidate seems worse than the last, Robert is a shining, scrupulous light... and all he wants is for Adeline to share in his bright future, right by his side...

Five years ago Addie Brennan was the party girl daughter of the Governor who seemed to be going off the rails. But with an epic falling out with the father she loathes, Addie disappears from New York and the scandal that surrounds her wherever she goes. But when the up and coming event planner, Adeline Blake arrives on the scene, with a new hair color and a whole new attitude, the last thing she wants to associate with is anything that has to do with the world she absolutely loathes... politics.

Robert does politics his own way, with principles and the refusal to fight dirty. But while this recently named Man of the Year is facing a new political challenge, his previous strategy might not cut it in the race for Governor, against a man who never lives an honest day in his life. But when he finds out that Addie Brennan is back and hiding in plain sight, Robert has to decide if his old way of campaigning completely clean is the way to win this race...

This was such a fantastic read! Sexy, funny and incredibly entertaining, Robert and Adeline's relationship does the impossible... makes politics refreshing and fun!

I loved both of these characters so much! Adeline was a changed woman, but behind her buttoned up blazers, the old Addie is screaming to get out. Robert was sweet and sexy, and was completely intrigued by Adeline and her reluctance to cash in on his position. And when the cutthroat world of politics intrudes on their burgeoning relationship, Robert and Adeline will prove just what amazing people they really are...

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

When I need a feel-good read, I can always count on Lauren Layne. She's been one of my go-to authors for a few years now and I don't see that changing. As expected, Yours in Scandal was exactly what I needed. I physically felt my heart and mood lightening up and I'm always grateful for that feeling.

This funny, sexy and heartfelt story includes a swoony mayor (of New York City nonetheless) Robert Davenport, and the once "ungovernable" daughter of the Governor, Addie Brennan, now reformed party girl Adeline Blake. These two are seemingly all wrong for each other, but Robert immediately feels something else and he is bound and determined to figure out what that is.

When the two meet, he feels an immediate and very deep pull to Adeline. As newly crowned Man of the year, he's every woman's dream catch. Adeline can admit to the attraction but she knows she can't get involved for a multitude of reasons. As hard as she might fight it, and notwithstanding Robert's "reason" for getting to know her, a romantic connection is inevitable. But first, they must become friends. And after some imprudent attempts to push Robert away, Adeline embraces her feelings instead of swallowing them.

This is a story is about wanting what you can't have, and the deep need to right the wrongness in that assumption. This is the story of sparks flying, only to be quickly extinguished by the nature of their relationship; she's been hired as his event planner and the very nature of his job and the future of his political career. This is the story of putting one's heart first. Taking the chance on the person you love, scandal be damned.

Like all Lauren Layne books, I simply adored this story. I adored how the author handles the messiness of relationships in the political arena. I loved how the author shows us a strong and honorable young woman who takes charge of her life, no matter the consequence. And I adored how two very likable characters found their HEA. Together.

4.5 stars and a recommendation!

2.5/5

I hate to say this about a Lauren Layne book, but Yours in Scandal was spectacularly underwhelming. I think all of her books are starting to blend together for me. 90% of her stories are about rich white New Yorkers falling in love and while it was very entertaining in the beginning, I'm starting to feel as though they are all blurring together. I would really love for her to maybe expand and venture into some new horizons because I believe she has the talent for it.

I'm also generally not a fan of romance novels where the basis of the relationships are lies of omission. In Yours in Scandal, Robert Davenport approaches event-planner, Adeline, when he finds out that she is the estranged daughter of his political rival in his future governor's race. The goal is to maybe discover a secret or two about her father that could potentially lead to his success in the elections. Adeline wanted nothing to do with her father and she had a built a life for herself outside of his circle. She was completely unaware that Robert knew her true identity. I think this was the primary reason that I could not get into the romance. These two were clearly lying to each other, so it was hard for me to root for them. Even if I was able to move past these lies, I found their relationship to be dull. The chemistry was non-existent, in my opinion, and there were, unfortunately, no moments that had me swooning like Lauren Layne's book usually have. Both Adeline and Robert were uninspiring characters. I needed to see more passion on both of their ends to root for them. Ultimately, I simply was not convinced by their happily ever after.

I'm sure other readers will enjoy Yours in Scandal, but it was lackluster for me. I'm not completely writing Lauren Layne off just yet. I do really love her writing as there's a warmth to it, and hopefully, whatever she writes next is a much better fit for me.

This is a classic LL book in that it's humorous, witty, but also rather shallow and materialistic. I find myself getting tired of reading about entirely unrealistic characters-- I get it, it's fiction, but there has to be a strand of relatability! This is why Elena Ferrante's books were so brilliant. I'm not Italian and have a completely different upbringing from Lenu and Lina, but somehow I felt like I understood them. I did not feel the same way with Robert and Adeline.

I wish LL would stop writing about these ridiculous Manhattaners (who don't even resemble real people from Manhattan!) and get back to writing about normal people again. Not everyone has to be rich and powerful, and obsessed with Stella McCartney and Gucci.