Irresistibly Yours (Oxford #1)by Lauren Layne
Release Date: October 6th, 2015 by Loveswept
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Humor
Format: eARC (260 pages)
Source: Publisher
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Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.
Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.
Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.
My heart jumps every time Lauren Layne comes out with a new novel, like a kid up on Christmas morning, because every single one of her books has struck an arrow to my heart, and made me fall in love. This is how much I love Lauren Layne's writing and how much I look forward to every new release.
Irresistibly Yours, the first book of Layne's new upcoming spin-off series, Oxford, definitely lives up to it's name. [Lauren Layne] gives you a friends-to-lovers romance that will make you swoon and feel giddy--about 80% of the time--and expect a few giggle fits and lots of steamy moments--every thing I look for in a romance!
Cole Sharpe is no new character, he's been introduced in the previous books as a contractor at Oxford, and an absolutely stunning man, too. Tall, blond, and handsome, and let's not forget, he's one of the best Sports Editors out there. So, when he finally gets the opportunity to land his dream job at Oxford, he finds out it's not all that easy because for the first time in his life, he's got competition; an unexpected one: Penelope Pope. A tiny, doe-eyed brunette.
Once again, Lauren Layne never fails to catch your attention with captivating characters. Cole will definitely sweep you off your feet with his irresistible charm, and so will Penelope. I've never been so fond of a heroine the way I adored Penelope. She's incredibly witty and smart, knows her sports stats like the back of her hand. I loved how she was so different from the ladies of Stiletto, due to her tomboyish nature, but she was such an adorable character, with an absolute vulnerable side.
"You're out of my league, Sharpe."
In regards to the romance, Cole and Penelope were a hoot as it all began from a office-partnership friendship to friends with benefits. There was hilarious banter, and lots of bickering and teasing, and most definitely, there was a lot of steamy moments that made every turn of a page sizzle, just what I expected from a Lauren Layne book.
"Penelope. Are you physically shaking it off right now?
"Don't judge, it helps."
"You're right. It does."
"What are you shaking off?"
Cole shrugged. "Nothing. I'm flawless."
Of course, you are.
If you're a newcomer to the Lauren Layne circle, don't fret! Her books can be read as a standalone, but of course, it would be best to read the Stiletto series for the full experience. Irresistibly Yours is a fun read, with moments of giggles and the right amount of drama, you'll want more!
*I received a review copy courtesy of the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or views regarding the book whatsoever.
**Quotes are taken from the uncorrected copy of the novel and are subjected to change.
EXCERPT
But before Cole could make the call on whether or not to die curious about that damn notebook or risk rejection by Tiny Brunette, his best friend and co-worker was holding a fresh beer in front of his face.
“You look like you need it,” Lincoln Mathis said, sipping the foam off his own beer.
“How would you know?” Cole said. “You’ve been chatting up Jonas Leroy’s wife for the better part of four innings.”
“Had to,” Lincoln said with a little shrug. “She was bored. Her husband’s completely preoccupied with whatever’s going on with that ball down there.”
“As he should be at a baseball game,” Cole said pointedly.
Cole didn’t know why he bothered. His friend was already back on his cellphone, not the least bit interested in the game.
Lincoln Mathis looked like the type of man who should enjoy sports: tall, athletic, well muscled from their early-morning gym sessions. Carelessly styled black hair and friendly blue eyes that screamed guy’s guy just as loudly as they did ladies’ man.
But, much to Cole’s dismay, he’d never been able to get his friend to invest more than a passing interest in sports—any sport. Lincoln was always happy to tag along to a game when booze and women were involved, but ask him who he thought this year’s MVP would be, and he’d say Babe Ruth without the smallest hint of irony.
Still, tonight, Cole couldn’t exactly lecture Lincoln for not paying attention when he himself was having a hell of a time keeping track of the score.
Once more, his eyes found Tiny Brunette, who was . . . yep. Writing in her notebook.
“Hey, Sharpe. Do you know where they keep a fire extinguisher in here?” Lincoln asked, looking around the luxury suite of Yankee Stadium.
Cole tore his gaze away from the woman and her damn notebook. “What for?”
“If you stare at that girl any harder, she’s going to burst into flames,” Lincoln said, jerking his chin at Tiny Brunette.
“I wasn’t staring.”
“Don’t insult our bromance,” Lincoln said cheerfully.
“Keep running your mouth and we won’t have a bromance.” Cole forced himself not to look at the woman again.
“Hey, if you’ve got a crush on the wee lass, you can tell me,” Lincoln said, taking another sip of beer.
“I don’t have a crush. And wee lass? Really? You’re Scottish now?”
“Sometimes. Chicks dig the brogue. You should try it on your girl over there.”
“She’s not my girl. She’s just . . .” Interesting, Cole finished silently.
“Good,” Lincoln said, clapping him on the shoulder. “So you won’t mind that she left.”
Cole’s eyes flew to the seat where the woman was sitting, annoyed to see that his friend was right. She was gone.
“It’s just as well,” Lincoln said. “We have bigger things to focus on. Say, like how we’re going to annihilate the bastard who’s out for your job.”
“It’s not my job,” Cole said, carefully keeping the tinge of bitterness out of his tone.
“Not yet,” Lincoln said. “But it will be. Taking your competition out of the picture is the only reason I’m at this barbarian event.”
“Remind me never to take you to a hockey game,” Cole muttered.
Still, he appreciated his friend’s loyalty. And Lincoln was right. Tonight wasn’t about petite female baseball fans and their damn notebooks.
Tonight was about Cole’s professional future.
The key to that future? Oxford magazine.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LAUREN LAYNELauren Layne is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren's gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.
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