Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne + Excerpt & Giveaway!

18 April 2017

Happy Book Birthday to Lauren Layne's new romcom baby, Walk of Shame, her fourth book from her Love Unexpectedly series! Tasty Book Tours have brought you a release blast, featuring my review, an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC!

Walk of Shame
by Lauren Layne
Published by Loveswept on April 18th, 2017
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult
ADD TO GOODREADS

Sparks fly between a misunderstood New York socialite and a cynical divorce lawyer in this lively standalone rom-com from the USA Today bestselling author of Blurred Lines and Love Story.

Pampered heiress Georgianna Watkins has a party-girl image to maintain, but all the shopping and clubbing is starting to feel a little bit hollow—and a whole lot lonely. Though Georgie would never admit it, the highlights of her week are the mornings when she comes home at the same time as her uptight, workaholic neighbor is leaving to hit the gym and put in a long day at the office. Teasing him is the most fun Georgie’s had in years—and the fuel for all her naughtiest daydreams.

Celebrity divorce attorney Andrew Mulroney doesn’t have much time for women, especially spoiled tabloid princesses who spend more time on Page Six than at an actual job. Although Georgie’s drop-dead gorgeous, she’s also everything Andrew resents: the type of girl who inherited her penthouse instead of earning it. But after Andrew caps one of their predawn sparring sessions with a surprise kiss—a kiss that’s caught on camera—all of Manhattan is gossiping about whether they’re a real couple. And nobody’s more surprised than Andrew to find that the answer just might be yes.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author/publisher. This does not affect my opinion or views regarding the book whatsoever.

The romance comedy queen has done it again! Lauren Layne brings you an ‘opposites attract’ and ‘frenemies to lovers’ romcom featuring a carefree socialite and a jaded divorce attorney in Walk of Shame. Think Enchanted with a mix of Sex and the City—minus the evil queen, sidekick rodents and singing birds bit, because, really. This book made my cheeks hurt from all the grinning because this book would have to be her cutest to date!

Georgiana ‘Georgie’ Watkins might be a rich party girl, but she isn’t your stereotypical socialite. She’s an absolute sweetheart to everyone she knows. All except for her neighbor, Andrew Mulroney, the stoic divorce attorney who lives his life in a routine, which goes against every spontaneous bone in Georgie’s body. Add in the fact that he refuses to call her by her nickname and that he looks at her like she’s the most ‘ridiculous’ thing on the face of the earth.

I can’t express how much I love Georgie and Andrew. So far, these two are my favorite Lauren Layne couple yet. Although Georgie’s lifestyle differed from the typical heroine, she’s not hard to relate to. Despite being an heiress, this cupcake is definitely no spoiled brat. She’s charming, warm-hearted and absolutely lovable, and no doubt you’d surely want to be her best friend. Warming up to Andrew’s character wasn’t easy. He’s a tough nut to crack, and clearly, he's got issues. Think a more cynic version of Patrick Dempsey's character in Enchanted. He's aloof, stoic and adorably awkward when it comes to dealing with Georgie, which often leads to their daily 5 am sarcastic jabs and teasing at the lobby.

Lauren Layne's writing keeps getting better with every book she releases. I adored the romance in this novel, particularly the slow burn between Georgie and Andrew, coupled with hilarious witty banter. I can't stress how much I enjoy Layne's style when it comes to writing slow burn romances and Walk of Shame definitely takes the cake. The only problem I had with this novel was how their problems were resolved nearly a little too quickly.

If you're looking for a quick romcom read, Walk of Shame is the right novel for you. It's sexy, hilarious and has the right amount of angst—everything I look for in a romance! Perfect for fans of Julie James, Jessica Lemmon and Lauren Blakely!

Massive thanks to Loveswept for my ARC copy!




READ AN EXCERPT

And who is he, you ask?

Andrew Mulroney, Esquire.

I know this because we moved into the building on the exact same day, and right before we got into a horrendous fight over whose movers should have access to the building loading dock first, he handed me his business card.

The thick white card stock declared that he had a fancy law degree to go along with the fancy suit he was wearing on a Saturday.

Andrew handed it over with such superiority, I actually wished for a half second that I had a business card of my own that would somehow be better than his. Like, lined with gold or something. No, platinum. With a diamond in the corner. It would be too heavy for him to hold, and he’d drop it, thus having to kneel at my feet to pick it up.

But then I realized it was just as well that I didn’t have a business card.

Because it would say . . . what? Georgie Watkins, professional party girl?

Anyway, I digress. Despite the high temps of that swampy July morning, the encounter had been the start of an epic cold war.

Me, the socialite in apartment 86A against the uptight esquire in apartment 79B.

I’m not entirely sure I’m winning the war, but I’ll never tell him that.

I let my gaze drift over Andrew, even though his appearance rarely holds any surprises. The man’s a lesson in sameness, like some sort of anal-retentive version of Groundhog Day.

There’s always the black mug with some healthy gunk inside held in his right hand, Tom Ford briefcase and Armani garment bag in his left, containing what I know to be a perfectly tailored three-piece suit.

Andrew’s coppery hair is perfectly styled, although I’d swear that there’s some natural curl in there threatening to disrupt his perfect order. I imagine that annoys him, so it therefore makes me happy.

Let’s see, what else about my nemesis?

He’s got a hard, unfriendly jawline that’s perfectly shaven.

Dark brown eyes, cold and flat. Black gym bag over one shoulder.

I suppose you could say he changes up his attire, because he does alternate between black and gray gym shirts. But considering that they seem to be the exact same fit, both colors molding perfectly to his impressively sculpted upper body, we’re not giving him any points for variety there.

Same goes for the lower half. The black shorts worn in summer have given way to sleek black sweatpants now that October’s upon us, but they’re both black and Nike, so we’ll give him no credit for changing it up there either.

The shoes, though . . .

I do a double take.

Well, well, well . . .

Instead of the usual black gym shoes, the man’s shoes are red. I don’t know how I missed it before.

I drag my eyes back up his body with a grin, and he gives just the slightest roll of his eyes to indicate that he’s noticed my slow perusal and isn’t fazed in the least.

“You went shopping, Dorothy!” I say happily.

He stares at me. “I don’t shop.”

Of course not. Far too frivolous.

“No, that makes sense,” I say, pointing at his feet. “Glinda would have given these to you.”

Andrew looks down at his Rolex watch. “I’ve got to go. Have a good day, Mr. Ramirez.”

“You too, Mr. Mulroney,” Ramon says with a deferential nod. “Enjoy your workout.”

“Yes, do,” I say, turning and watching as Andrew moves toward the front door of our building. “What’s on the schedule today? Treadmill, or just skipping down the Yellow Brick Road?”

Andrew Mulroney, Esquire, doesn’t respond. He doesn’t even turn before pushing through the revolving doors and stepping out into the still-dark autumn morning.

Now come on. Tell me that wasn’t at least a little bit fun, despite the ungodly hour.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


LAUREN LAYNE 
Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL's ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

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