Review: To Have and to Hold (The Wedding Belles #1) by Lauren Layne

This story was just so entertaining and fun to read, I couldn’t get enough. I’m still smiling thinking about it!!! :-)

To Have and To Hold (The Wedding Belles #1)
by Lauren Layne

She’s going after a second chance at life…

Discovering her fiancé is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin’s business—and breaks her heart. Brooke thinks she’s found a fresh start in NYC with the Belles and her first bridal client, a sweet hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

But will she miss out on another shot at love?

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya’s wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving that Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing in his way is the stunning blond wedding planner who’s hell-bent on a comeback mission—and who both irritates and arouses him. Can he persuade her to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

5 out 5 stars

I love it when a story is just fun to read. When there are likable characters, it's super entertaining, sweet and sexy and it leaves you smiling big time at the end. That is exactly what this story did. It was wonderful and I was invested the entire time.

I loved Brooke and Seth. There was a lot of sexual tension happening and a bit of animosity which made their interactions really entertaining. I thought they had great chemistry. I thought Brooke was really strong and I liked her right away. A major curve ball had been thrown her way but she had such a positive outlook, it was hard not to love her. Seth seems to be so controlling but it came from a good place. I loved when he showed vulnerability, he could be so so sweet. I liked Brooke and her attitude and how she stood up to Seth and his controlling ways, that was awesome and creates simmering tension between the two. I enjoyed their ups and downs as they figure out what they wanted. It was just a great, solid story that had me rooting for them.

I like that this story had a nice, playful feel to it. The writing was extremely good. Fun and sexy. Descriptive, drawing you in, giving you enough to make you feel connected but still keeping it light. The interactions of the characters just made me smile. I thought it moved along at a great pace. I like the blend of animosity and sweetness.

The women who are a part of The Wedding Belles are fantastic. I liked getting glimpses of their personalities making me want more of them and to read their stories. I feel like this story really laid a great foundation for what’s to come next in the series, making me excited for more. I loved the other characters in this story as well. Seth's relationship with his sister was so sweet and I loved his interactions with his best friend Grant. I adored the side story happening in relation to those two as well. I might have cheered. ;-)

This story just had a fun vibe and I enjoyed reading it so much. It was solid throughout but the ending, I loved it big time. So sweet and loving and oh my goodness it just made me ridiculously happy. It was awesome. I was smiling big time! Yes there were hints of emotion but really it was just sweet and entertaining with these really likable characters and an awesome storyline. I couldn't get enough!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

Lauren Layne is the USA Today bestselling author of the Sex, Love, and Stiletto contemporary romances and the all-new Pocket Books series The Wedding Belles. She lives in New York with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. Visit laurenlayne.com, meet the author on Facebook at LaurenLayneAuthor, or follow her on Twitter @_LaurenLayne.