Note: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Release Date: August 3, 2021

Blurb

Ian Gallagher loves taking risks. It’s how he turned the business he’s built with his brother into a success. But even he can’t cross some rules. His best friend’s sister is strictly off-limits, but when Ellie moves to New York, he jumps at the chance to help her settle in.

One look at her, and he realizes that not flirting with her will be a lot harder than he thought, and not just because she’s stunning. He enjoys her laughter and merciless teasing. How can he stay away when all he wants is to get closer?

Ellie Cavanaugh is living her dream. She’s finally working in a Michelin starred restaurant in New York. Her plan is to get as much experience as possible before opening her own place. Kissing her brother’s best friend is definitely not part of the plan. Neither is opening up to him in ways she never did with anyone.

Ellie knows that Ian isn’t looking for forever though. After all, her brother warned her that Ian was a sworn bachelor. And if she’s honest with herself, Ellie isn’t ready for love either. She’s never let anyone in before. But she can’t help giving in to the growing bond between her and Ian, even if it means putting her heart on the line.

Review

A steamy, quick, 3-star read!

Ian crushes on his best friend Henry’s little sister Ellie from the moment she lands in New York City to do a rotation in a fancy restaurant. Ellie’s been crushing on her older brother’s hot best friend for years.

These two seemingly hit it off. Ian connects Ellie with his sisters who both live in the city. He comes to her rescue as a handyman at her apartment. He picks her up from the hospital when she slips and falls at work. Ian becomes quite possessive of Ellie, and Ellie loves that someone is finally taking care of her. When they finally give in and decide to be together, it’s definitely steamy. Ellie, the virgin, submits to Ian in a way that makes their connection more powerful and beautiful.

Something that bugged me: Ian has been friends with Henry for YEARS. Ellie has known Ian for YEARS. Yet, they take 80% of the book asking the same questions about growing up, their families, etc. I felt like we should have been able to assume that Ian knew certain things about Ellie through his relationship with Henry. Ellie cared about Ian in a way that Ian’s never experienced or allowed another woman to, and that was sweet.

Both of these characters are immature when it comes to relationships, and I sadly just couldn’t get into this story as much as I wanted. There was too much repetitive dialogue and unfortunately a lot of the conversations were centered around their insecurities and inexperience. Both characters were too self-aware. I don’t need a character to TELL ME everything about themselves (mostly through the narrative). Show me through actions or help me learn about them through other characters.

Rating: 3 Stars

Buy Links:

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✦ Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TsVhfF

✦ Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3cFRsup

✦ Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3pULhIs

✦ Nook: https://bit.ly/3zmfdl3

✦ Kobo: https://bit.ly/3cGOtli

✦ Apple: https://apple.co/3xoWTFN

Meet Layla Hagen: 

Welcome! My name is Layla Hagen and I am a Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it 😀

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