USA TODAY BESTSELLER • In this charming Oxford Novel, hailed by Keri Ford as “a sizzling-loud friends-to-lovers story,” Lauren Layne poses a provocative question: What do you do when you fall in love with your sister’s ex? A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his … accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.
Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.
Praise for I Wish You Were Mine
“A smart, sexy, and absolutely irresistible read!”—USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly
“I Wish You Were Mine is a sizzling-loud friends-to-lovers story with a unique twist of my-sister’s-ex-husband. A hot and sexy read with a strong bond of friendship make this a book you don’t want to miss.”—Keri Ford, author of the Turtle Pine series
Lauren Layne’s New York Times bestselling Oxford Novel series can be read in any order:
IRRESISTIBLY YOURS
I WISH YOU WERE MINE
SOMEONE LIKE YOU
I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE
I THINK I LOVE YOU
Don’t miss any of Lauren Layne’s hot reads:
The Love Unexpectedly series: BLURRED LINES | GOOD GIRL | LOVE STORY | WALK OF SHAME | AN EX FOR CHRISTMAS
The Sex, Love & Stiletto series: AFTER THE KISS | LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH | JUST ONE NIGHT | THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE
The Redemption series: ISN’T SHE LOVELY | BROKEN | CRUSHED
The I Do, I Don’t series: READY TO RUN | RUNAWAY GROOM
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Favorite Quotes:
“She loved her sister, but the closest her sister ever got to science was her monthly chemical peel.”
“Jackson, no offense, but that’s the most constipated non-compliment I’ve ever heard.”
“He hated interruptions – hated these well-dressed colleagues with their easy confidence and witty repartee who had him feeling helplessly out of place and longing for a beer and a porch swing like some sort of backwards hick.”
“Mollie still loved her sister. But liking Madison… that was harder.”
“I’ll have you know that I have the deluxe man card. I can 007 it up right now baby.”
“Say the word ‘coitus’ again and I pretty much guarantee you’ll never get any. Ever. From anyone.”
“’Sam, honey, we need whiskey and girl time,”
My Review:
I Wish You Were Mine kept me feeling a bit anxious through much of the book, and then it broke my heart. My experience with this author was limited to only one prior yet highly satisfying book in this same series, but I wasn’t trusting where she was going to take me or that I would get my highly prized HEA. No spoilers here, but I was more than happy by the last page, even though Ms. Layne made me work for it with her broody and conflicted main characters and their complicated relationship… although their sensual chemistry and sensual scenes were off the charts. Mollie was at times annoyingly naive and blind to her heinous sister, although she was sweet and endearing overall. I was most entertained by the humor and easy banter between the co-workers and found them highly likable characters. I enjoyed my time in the Oxford offices and definitely want to spend more time there.
3.75 STARS
“You want me to talk your language? You’re my worm, Mollie. The creepy, mate-for-life variety. I’m here to stay, Mollie. Because of you. You, who’s always been there. And no, my romantic feelings for you don’t have the long roots that yours do for me, but that doesn’t make them any less intense. And they are intense, Mollie.”
I love you sm, Molls! She’s a gorgeous woman, loyal as hell and strong. I’d love to have a friend as good as her. And Jackson, I truly understand his suffering, but he freaking annoyed me at some points while he was insisting on wanting his “old life” and thinking that he’s too old for Mollie, like??? Man, you’re 35, not 60 years old, stop acting like a grumpy old man.
I liked their relationship a lot, I mean all the friends to lovers thing. I loved that they always had and always trusted each other a lot, even when they were only friends. And I definitely wish they’d met under different conditions, because having Madison in their lives—even more in the position she’s for both—has always been and will be a fucking pain in ass, but I’m so glad they’re both over this bitchy and insufferable woman.
And ma’am, I love that Emma and Cassidy are officially engaged (life’s good!!!) again. Also, I love that Riley is pregnant (hopefully it’s a girl, I can totally see her and Sam parenting a girl). Oh, and I freaking and absolutely love that all guys from Stiletto/Oxford are so close and love the others so much—their friendship makes me feel very happy and alive, and they’re the main reason I enjoyed this book tbh.
Love the dynamics between the characters, specially between the guys at Oxford magazine. I got a little tired in some parts, there was much to insight into the character’s thoughts and Jackson’s fixation on returning to his life before the accident..just tired me up some times. Nevertheless, it’s a good book to pass the time and has some sweet and steamy scones. All in all, it was a good read
Might be good for Candace Bushnell fans.
Mollie Carrington has been in love with Jackson Burke forever. The big problem? He married her older sister, Madison. So she became his friend and was always there when he needed her. Jackson’s marriage was never happy. His wife changed when he married her and became selfish and unfaithful. So after a car accident that ended his football career, she divorced him and moved in her lover.
Jackson moved to NYC to start working at Oxford as a Health and Fitness journalist. Mollie lived in NYC. After meeting for dinner, Jackson offered her a room in his penthouse when she needed one. Then the drama starts. Like Real Housewives type of drama.
This was my least favorite story of the Oxford series. I am just not into stories where the main character falls for their ex-brother-in-law. Just not my thing. I thought the drama was cringe worthy. And I really didn’t like that it took Mollie FOREVER to see that her sister was a complete selfish ass and didn’t really love anyone but herself. The writing was good, but I just didn’t like this story type. I can’t wait for Lincoln’s story next!
Listened to this on audio. Was cute and sexy
Another great book in this series. Definitely recommend this book, this series and this author.
A former football player and his ex-wife’s sister…seems like trouble, but this story makes it all work out. He is more than what he seems and she also is. The chemistry works out, the guilt is resolved, with dash of steaminess and happily ever after.
This is the second installment for the Oxford series, a spinoff from LL’s Sex, Love, & Stiletto series. I Wish You Were Mine is about one of those forbidden, breaks every sister/girl code stories. The book opens with the wedding of Jackson Burke and Madison Carrington as Mollie, the maid of honor and Madison’s little sister, sneaks off from the reception to find some quiet time alone. Only she isn’t alone, Jackson follows her to make sure she’s doing OK. Don’t worry, it’s purely a brother/sister relationship. Jackson is totally head over heels for his bride….
Fast forward six Super Bowl rings and about eight years and Jackson is now divorced, no longer a star NFL quarterback, and is trying to reestablish himself in NYC. Guess who lives in NYC? Yep, Mollie. And they’re meeting for dinner to reconnect. You see, throughout his miserable marriage, Jackson always leaned on his one confidante, Mollie. She’s been through it all with Jackson and Maddie. Only Jackson didn’t share everything with Mollie and Maddie did. Or at least Mollie thought Maddie shared everything. Mollie owes Maddie everything, doesn’t she? Mollie and Madison are an unbreakable bond. Madison would never lie to Mollie or set someone up. Right?
This is pure rom-com mixed with some pretty tough stuff. It’s pure Lauren Layne and everything you’d expect it to be. This is a story of betrayal, lies, and deceit, but who’s really the deceiver? This is a story of a sister who takes loyalty, family, and love seriously and one who is manipulative, selfish, and has absolutely no shame. It still has all the familiar characters with a few new ones added in. It’s still got that wonderful LL style but shows a little nastier side of relationships.
Jackson Burke wasn’t ready to say goodbye to football, but he had no other choice after a car accident took his option to play away, and left him a shell of the man he use to be. Not only did this accident steal his career, but it also became a selling point to his wife to up and walk away from their marriage. Their marriage was no where near perfect, but Jackson was willing to work on things, she however was reluctant, she enjoyed the glitz and glamour of being a football wife, and with him no longer on the field, that took away her opportunity to shine. Not to mention the fact that she had already made the choice to move on…with his best friend. Which left Jackson alone, and not sure where to turn, so, when a new job opportunity in New York was offered to him, he decided to leave his old life behind and start over in the big city. Moving to New York also meant he’d be closer to the one true friend he had left, the one person he was able to count on when everyone else walked away from him… his ex-wives little sister Mollie. Mollie and him have always been close, but since divorcing her sister and his downward spiral after losing his career, the last few months has left their relationship a little strained. He thinks about her all the time and would love nothing more to rekindle their friendship so he invites her out for dinner, but the sexy siren that shows up to meet him is not the same girl he always turned to… she has a hot little body and is dressed to kill, and has him looking at her in a whole new light…
Mollie Carrington has always adored her brother in law Jackson, and also harbored a serious crush on him since the day her sister brought him home. But watching him marry her sister pretty much closed the book on her every having anything other than friendship with the man. But when their marriage implodes and she watches her sister walk away from the best thing that has ever happened to her, she is given a little glimmer of hope that she may just have a chance with him afterall. But could she really do that, date her sisters ex-husband? The thought of sharing something more with Jackson has her walking on cloud nine, but the question is does Jackson look at her that way, does he feel the same? When he calls to invite her to dinner to reconnect she decides to see just how Jackson feels about her, so she puts on her little sexy red dress, and decides it’s time for Jackson to see the new Mollie. Now she just has to hope that her plan will have him seeing her in a whole new light…a light he can’t resist!
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew it was going to be a good read, and I have to say my instincts were right…SO VERY RIGHT!! Jackson and Mollie’s story captured my attention instantly and had me flying right through the pages to see if their sparks would lead to a happy ending, and I have to say Ms. Layne did not disappoint! This story had it all, and then some, and has me dying to read the next installment in the series!! I highly recommend you give this book a try, Jackson is sure to have you smiling and swooning the whole way through!!