Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor
stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells?
FOR BETTER OR WORSE
The Wedding Belles #2
Lauren Layne
Releasing Aug 30th, 2016
Pocket Books
Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne’s irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?
When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she’s determined to make it as one of Manhattan’s elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza…in five months’ time. Heather’s days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she’s really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor’s apartment all night.
Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it’s Heather’s turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.
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REVIEW
Another fantastic read from Lauren Layne!For Better Or Worse is the second book in the Wedding Belles series about a group of successful wedding planners in NYC.I loved To Have and To Hold and was dying to get my hands on Heather's book.As soon as I started reading, I was hooked!Josh swooped in and stole my heart <3.I didn't think I could love a book more than To Have and To Hold, but now do.
In this book we have Heather Fowler, assistant wedding planner at the Belles who has been tirelessly working in order to get promoted to wedding planner.She is a small-town girl who has been dreaming of planning weddings and making it big in the New York City since she was a little girl.Slowly they are starting to come true.She has finally gotten an apartment and the promotion also looks within reach.She has been assigned as the only wedding planner to socialite Danica Robinson's wedding.Her only problem is her neighbor who blasts music and practices with his band at odd hours, causing her to lose much needed sleep.
Josh Tanner just wants to live in the moment and enjoy life as it comes.He was the rising star on Wall Street before he was diagnosed with cancer.Going through the grueling process and beating it made him realize the error of his workaholic ways.So, he spends the days enjoying, playing music with his band, having short flings and spending time with his family.He isn't looking for a long term relationship since he doesn't want someone he loves to deal with the probability of losing him as the cancer might strike again.Too bad the old,deaf lady who used to bake banana bread is gone from 4C.
His new neighbor is would up as tight as a spring and spends her time working tirelessly or yelling at him for keeping her up.So, what does he do to shut her up?Kiss her of course ;)
Though, Heather and Josh have a little disagreement in the beginning, there is no denying the attraction between them.As they form a truce and start spending more time together, the closer they become.Josh helps Heather out with Danica's wedding(she is his ex-gf and he knows about her choices) as she is totally disinterested in the planning and has left everything upto Heather.Soon their friendship turns into something more.But, will Josh let down the walls around is heart and allow Heather in or will he push her away forever?
Heather and Josh were amazing in this book.I loved how Lauren Layne portrayed their hopes,dreams and fears.Josh's family was also a great addition.Everyone from Josh's mom to his twin sister and niece added wonderful dynamics to the story. Though some of his actions were irritating at times, you could understand the reason behind them.Points to Heather for supporting Josh but at the same time not taking crap from him when he got moody and shut her out.The relationship between Heather and her mom was also well done.It was wonderful seeing Brooke and Seth again!And the proposal was amazing!
So, what are you waiting for?Grab this book as soon as it releases on the 30th and read it!Believe me, Josh Tanner will steal have you swooning in no time!
P.S. I'm so excited for Alexis and Logan's story in To Love and To Cherish!The series keeps getting better with each book and I love the slow progression in the relationships.Can't wait to see how this sexy, Britsh accountant finally manages to make the stubborn wedding planner fall in love with him.Alexis appears to be so oblivious to Logan's feelings, but is she really?
EXCERPT
“So this is where the noise happens, huh?” she asked.
Josh’s eyes narrowed as his friend’s hand touched Heather’s back briefly. “Absolutely,” Trevor said. “We’re sorry it keeps you up though.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” she said, waving her hand. “I mean . . . it’s not. But tonight I couldn’t sleep anyway, so you get a free pass. What do you all play?”
“Donny’s bass, Felix is on drums. Josh is lead guitar, and I, as the most important member, have the pipes.”
“Oh! I thought Josh was the singer,” Heather said with a quick glance over her shoulder at him.
Their eyes locked, and Josh felt a flicker of . . . something.
“Ah, is that what he’s telling the women these days,” Trevor joked.
“No, I just . . . I hear him, singing sometimes,” Heather muttered.
“Our boy can carry a tune well enough, but wait until you hear me, love,” Trevor said.
Josh turned away in mild disgust, pulling a beer out of the fridge as Trevor and the other guys coaxed Heather into the practice room, thrilled to have any sort of audience, even a reluctant one.
“Yo, Tanner,” Felix called.
“What,” he called, popping the lid off the bottle and tilting the beer back to his lips as he tried to shake off whatever was bringing down his mood tonight.
“Let’s show Heather here that we’re more than a bit of noise coming through her bedroom wall.”
Josh turned around to see Donny dragging one of his kitchen chairs across the room, disappearing into the practice room.
“All right, love, you just sit down and get comfortable,” Trevor said. “Tanner! Come on, man.”
Josh heard the low strum of Donny’s guitar, heard Felix do a little warm-up rhythm, and knew there was no way of getting out of it. If he refused to play a song now, he’d look like an ass.
Still, his feet didn’t move, and he took another sip of beer.
Feeling eyes on him, he glanced up to see Heather in the doorway, leaning one shoulder against the doorjamb as she studied him.
“Okay, 4A?” she asked.
Her tone was lighthearted, almost slightly reluctant, as though she didn’t want to care about why he was out here alone, feeling oddly itchy with his life.
He appreciated it. He’d spent enough time in the past few years dealing with people who walked on eggshells around him, cooing sweetness. Some of it genuine, some of it not so much.
Heather’s no-nonsense question was refreshing—and exactly what he needed.
He was happy and healthy and living the dream, damn it.
Even if he was no longer sure it was his dream.
“You going soft on me?” he asked, taking one last sip of his beer before setting it aside and strolling toward her.
Heather’s eyes narrowed. “Hardly. I just wanted you to get your shit together so I can see your cute lead singer work his magic.”
He deliberately stepped into the doorway so she couldn’t move in either direction without brushing against him, grinning at her discomfort.
“You’re in a better mood tonight,” he said, his eyes skimming over her crazy curls and relaxed expression. “Why?”
“Believe it or not, I’m not a shrew.”
“Huh.”
Heather shoved his shoulder with a little scowl. “I’m not!”
“Does that mean you’re going to start making banana bread like Mrs. Calvin?”
“Yes, definitely. And coffee cake and sugar cookies and whatever other goodies you might like. All while wearing a frilly, feminine apron.”
“Dare I hope there’s nothing under the apron?” he asked, leaning in slightly.
“Right again!” she said, in mock delight. “I just love to bake naked.”
Josh’s pulse leapt, but Trevor interrupted before the sudden X-rated picture in his mind could turn into a full-fledged fantasy.
“Dude, we doing this or what?”
Josh looked at Heather.
“One song,” she said, holding up a finger. “I may as well see what the music sounds like on this side of the wall.”
Don't Miss Any of the Wedding Belles Novels
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen romantic comedies. She lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
In 2011, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan, and never looked back.
In her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
GIVEAWAY
Lovely review of FOR BETTER OR WORSE! Thank you for hosting on your blog today!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Tasty Book Tours
The vows are my favorite part. On a side note, we received an invite for a couple to recite their "vowels" and we got a lot of mileage out of that.
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