To Have and to Hold is the first book in The Wedding Belles series by Lauren Layne.

Brooke Baldwin is a wedding planner. She had her own top-notch business in LA but everything went pear-shaped when her own carefully planned wedding ended up in tears. Her fiance was arrested at the altar just before they exchanged their vows! In order to move on with her life, Brooke decides a fresh start in New York would be the answer. She interviews for and accepts a job working for the top wedding planning agency there. Her first job is to plan the wedding of socialite and rich woman Maya Tyler.

Seth Tyler is head of the family and a multimillion-dollar business since his father passed away 8 months ago. He is getting over a break up with his girlfriend who practically laughed in his face when he asked her to marry him. He doesn't plan on falling in love again ever. He isn't happy to hear Maya, his sister is getting married especially after such a whirlwind romance to a man he hasn't even met. Maya asks him to pay for the wedding and he is willing but insists on attending the meetings with the wedding planner. He hopes to get an insight into the man that his sister has fallen for.

When Seth and Brooke first set eyes on each other sparks fly, there is an instant attraction between them. It's one that neither wants to pursue though because of what they've been through in relationships and in Brooke's case, Seth is the person paying the bill. So it wouldn't be ethical to get involved with him anyway.

What follows is the intriguing story of not only the budding relationship between Seth and Brooke, with some very hot bedroom scenes, but also finding out if Maya's boyfriend is who he claims to be. If Seth can prove that the man is no good will he be able to convince Maya, or should he let her learn for herself? Such a huge dilemma for him because he is convinced the man is lying to Maya about who he is.

I enjoyed this story. The wedding planning aspect was great, the mystery around Maya's BF had me hoping that Seth was wrong about him, but just knowing he wasn't. I loved how Seth and Brooke learned to open up to each other about their pasts and the worries they had about not being able to offer more than sex to each other. It might have been hot, steamy sex, but is that enough, or would one of them end up wanting more?

All in all, this was a good read that held my interest throughout. I enjoyed the ending A LOT, although I think that a certain somebody didn't get enough punishment for what he did. I won't say who, no spoilers. You will work it out for yourself I am sure.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I had read another book in this series awhile ago – To Love and Cherish – and really liked it! And this book has been on my list to be reviewed since back in 2016, but luckily one of my goals this year is to read a book a month from my backlog list! Sinace I’m reading another upcoming Lauren Layne release this month too it seemed like a great time to read one of her backlist books. The characters in this novel were really well drawn out, the relationships came alive for the reader. I didn’t necessarily agree with all the pieces of the plot. There’s a point where Brooke compares Seth to her ex- Clay, and I thought was a little over-dramatic. Seth and Clay were not really comparable, even with their actions at that moment. Other than that though the plot line was interesting and kept me wanting to read throughout. I especially liked the side-plot going on with Maya and Grant. And having already read Logan and Alexis’ book, it was interesting to see them mentioned right at the beginning of the series. I enjoyed this book, though not as much as I enjoyed the later book in the series I’ve read previously. I’d still recommend it as well as the rest of the series.

Actual Ratings : 4.9 bridal stars!!

Do you have some of those books where you simply love them? Without any inhibitions? Where every single word is amazing? Well that was it for me from the moment I started this book. I just loved everything. And as I’ve read somewhere else Seth really remind you of Mr. Darcy who happens to also be one of my favorite Male characters. Ever. Compile that with an amazing crew of female staff? This book is every woman’s dream. At least for me. Ok maybe I’m exaggerating it a tiny bit but I loved the concept for this.

Even the secondary characters were amazing. I loved the girls at Wedding Belles. Loved Maya and loved Grant and can I say I loved how that ended up? I really wish we can get at least novella based on them? They were such cuties.

Also it really sucked that we got excerpt of the second book cuz I’m already in love with Josh Tanner from just one chapter!!! Frenemy neighbors? Bring on that romance please!!!

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD - Lauren Layne

#1 in the Wedding Belles romance series

LIFE ISN'T ALL ROMANCE - 4.5 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Seth is the head of his wealthy and well-known family, but he's shocked to find out his baby sister is getting married soon, which makes him suspicious of the groom's intentions. Enter Brooke, the wedding planner, who is fun and bubbly, but someone also with a secret in her past.

Writing - 4.5 stars - As always, Layne grabbed my attention from the first page. She writes in a strong yet approachable style that always touches me. Her characters are people I'd like to hang out with because she has designed them so well, and her settings are easy to slip into because they are described clearly but without so much detail that I become bored.

Characters - 5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Seth, although tough and hard and controlling, also has his vulnerable moments. He's definitely alpha, but his apparent confusion about his immediate chemistry with Brooke is cute. And his continued mistakes in the building of their relationship make him seem much more approachable. Brooke is a strong and competent professional woman, but it's obvious that she's recovering from a devastating situation with her fiancé, so she's certainly shaken and much more appealing because of her vulnerability. When they get together--wow!

Title - 4 stars - Well, the wedding-related phrase definitely leads us in the direction of a wedding-related book. But that's not really the main focus of the story, for me, although it is certainly the reason why Brooke and Seth met and found each other.

Cover - 5 stars - A beautiful cover. This look is so different from the usual cover for this genre that it's very refreshing.

Overall - 4.5 stars - A wedding story is always entertaining, and this one is no exception even though the main characters are on the edges of the wedding and not the bride and groom. Add to that the well-designed characters, complete with interesting back stories, plus a well-crafted scenario involving a mysterious groom, and you have another Lauren Layne winner.

Really cute story about losing one love and finding a next. It has a few surprises, and other things you'd normally expect. Highly recommended.

I ADORED this book!! It was super entertaining, sweet and sexy!! The writing was very good! I loved the characters! Brooke was strong and knew what she wanted. And Seth was your typical Alpha, controlling and so very loyal! Looking forward to reading more from this series!

I had big hopes for this series after reading From This Day Forward (#0.5) and To Have and to Hold - was everything I was looking for and more. Lauren Layne has a hit on her hands with this series and I just want more and more!

Brooke Baldwin is new to the Wedding Belles - Wedding Consultants extraordinaire of New York City. She's moved across the country from California after the biggest wedding of her career crashes and burns - Her own. She's ready to start over and make a new life and New York City seems like the place to do that.

On her first day she lands one of the biggest accounts - Hotel Heiress - Maya Tyler. What she didn't expect was her overly controlling big brother Seth Tyler to throw kinks and curves into all of her plans. He doesn't know anything about his sister's fiance and he's going to get the facts before his sister walks down the isle... but can he get the gorgeous wedding planner to help him uncover what's really going on?

The sexual tension between Brooke and Seth radiates from each and every page. The push and pull between them keeps the pages turning making you want more and more.

This series is definitely one of my favorite of the year!

I absolutely love Lauren Layne's writing style. She writes characters that are smart and whitty along with stories that will have you hooked from the first page. Brooke and Seth have an explosive chemistry that jumps off the page. But each of the secondary characters were equally developed and I can't wait for their books!

4.5 Stars!!

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a big fan of Lauren Layne, especially her stiletto and oxford series! So, I was excited to learn about a brand new series, with brand new characters that I can love! This book did not disappoint.

Brooke just moved to New York from L.A. to put as much distance between her and her past as possible. I could imagine how having your fiancé arrested during your wedding for fraud could cause a person to do such a thing. Brooke was an amazing wedding planner on the west coast, but has now joined The Wedding Belles on the east coast. Her first client? A hotel heiress. The only problem? The brides brooding brother doesn't approve of the groom. Seth is the CEO of the Tyler Hotels. He doesn't understand how his little sister can be marrying someone she's been dating only 3 months. He hasn't even met the guy! He decides to include himself in all the wedding planning, so he can see for himself what his 'future brother in law' is all about. Little does he know, the damned wedding planner is more than he bargained for, and soon they find themselves talking about more than just his sisters wedding.

Really excellent read. Looking forward to reading the next two books in the series. I've gotta say though, I'm really hoping for a novella (or full novel) of Grant's story! I really loved his character, and would love to see what all went down between him and Maya!

This was a cute, easy afternoon read that would have been perfect for a pool or beach day! I'm interested in reading the subsequent books about the Wedding Belles, because each girl seemed different enough to have a fun story to share. I enjoyed the break from the "heavier" books I normally prefer, and loved the fun take on this wedding planner falling on love with her client's brother. There is much more to it than that, but I don't want to give it away!

This book has all the makings of a great story – an overprotective brother who doesn’t trust the naiveté of his sister or, more aptly, her new fiancé, a wedding planner with a failed almost-marriage, and the bright, twinkling lights of New York City. I was completely intrigued by the story and couldn’t put it down, but found myself wanting more from its characters. If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would; “To Have and to Hold” is a good book, but it doesn’t stand up to Lauren Layne’s other works.

Brooke Baldwin was one of LA’s premier wedding planners, until she found out her fiancé was a con man. The most important wedding of her career was a spectacle for all the wrong reasons: instead of her walking down the altar to start a life with him, the FBI dragged him down the altar to a jail cell. She ran to New York City to get away from the spotlight and quietly rebuild her career. When she’s picked up as a planner for Wedding Belle’s, one of the city’s high-profile wedding planners, and lands society girl Maya Tyler as her first she thinks she’s on the right track. And she is, until Maya’s “doting” big brother Seth decides to step in.
Seth is jaded, no question about it. He’s been scorned before and thinks “happily ever after” only happens in books. He prefers partnerships of mutual benefit, no more, no less. When he learns Maya is marrying a mysterious Neil after only three months of dating, he decides to take the reins. He’ll fund the wedding only if he’s involved in every detail. He loves his sister, but it’s a ruse to figure out the truth about Neil. Brooke and Seth’s chemistry is immediate and strong, but so is their disdain for each other.

I admit that I was caught up in the story, but it’s a stretch to believe that Brooke would have the misfortune of landing a client who is potentially making the same mistake she did only a few months earlier. It took a bit of suspension of disbelief to get past this, but the rest of the plot makes up for it. It was compelling to see how Maya’s wedding would play out, particularly with Seth breathing down her back about the suddenness of her engagement. I loved that you got just enough of the wedding planning process without it feeling like a bride’s checklist. As someone who doesn’t get really excited about Say Yes to the Dress and Four Weddings, I felt like the book had enough of the wedding planning to be a clear tie-in, but it was never overwhelming. Heck, Layne had a hilarious dress-shopping scene that I would have paid to see play out on the big screen.

Layne was on a good path with character development, but I was hoping for more of them. Perhaps it was her approach to foreshadowing for later books, but I just wanted more depth to others, especially Heather and Alexis, the other Wedding Belles. I loved the banter between Brooke and Seth, which was sexy and playful, but they seemed to only fight or be in love. That’s just not totally realistic, so the black/white of their relationship seemed less realistic.

Overall, I think this is a good start to a series that I think will be pretty fun and interesting to read. I recommend “To Have and to Hold,” and look forward to the next books in the series.