I couldn’t have scripted a more perfect night.For one fantastic evening, at a masquerade party in the heart of Manhattan, I’m not the millionaire everyone wants a piece of. Fine–multimillionaire. But who’s counting all those commas? Not me, and not the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met, who happens to like dancing, witty banter, and passionate up-against-the-wall sex as much as I do.There’s no … do.
There’s no need for names or business cards. And that’s why I’m eager to get to know her more, since my mystery woman seems to like me for me, rather than for my huge…bank account.
Everything’s coming up aces. Until the next day when things get a little complicated. (Newsflash — a lot complicated.)
**
He’s charming, brilliant, an incredible lover, and right now I want to stab fate in the eyeballs.
I’ve had one goal I’ve been working toward, and lo and behold, my mystery man is the very person who stands between me and my dream job. A job I desperately need since my hard-knock life has nothing in common with his star-kissed one.
But it’s time to put that fairytale night behind me, and focus on learning what makes him tick. Too bad it turns out his quirks are my quirks, and his love affair with New York matches mine.
And as we spend our days together, I discover something else that feels like a cruel twist of fate — I’m falling for this modern-day naughty prince charming, and that’s not an ending I can write to our story.
A standalone contemporary romance!*
more
Ehh…kinda slow. I give it a Meh…
I really enjoyed this book by Lauren Blakely! I loved this story about a young man named Flynn Parker who is a good looking, a nerd, and founded a tech company with his identical twin brother, Dylan, and then they sold it to become a multi-millionaires. Flynn has recently had his heart broken by his best friend from college, who he had a crush on for years, but who kept him in the “friend zone” until he ended up with lots of money. As soon as he realized that she was just after him for his bank account, Flynn broke up with her, but his heart was crushed. Now he would like to find a girl who wants to be with him just because she likes him, and he doesn’t know who he can trust. Flynn is going to be attending a masquerade party where he is to be one of the keynote speakers, but he hasn’t decided yet what his costume will be since he finds out the afternoon of the day of the party that one of his employees is going to be wearing the costume that he had planned to wear.
The story is also about a girl named Sabrina Granger, who was recently dumped by her ex-fiance two days before their wedding was supposed to be, after he announced that he needed a change and was moving to China and he didn’t invite her to go with him. Sabrina has also recently been let go from her job as a reporter for a print publication, as were half of the other employees there, because the publication is losing money. Sabrina has lots of bills piling up and she needs to find another job as soon as possible. She is currently living in a tiny apartment in Manhattan that belongs to her cousin, who is currently traveling in Europe, and Sabrina’s afraid of becoming homeless when her cousin returns from her trip. Sabrina gets invited to attend a masquerade party by her best friend, Courtney, who is a venture capitalist and is determined to get Sabrina out to have some fun since she’s been living like a hermit since her break up. Sabrina decides to attend the party because she has nothing to lose by going, and can maybe do some networking while she’s there since a bunch of people from tech publications will be at the party, too. Before she attends the masquerade party, that afternoon Sabrina is contacted by the owner of a magazine where she has always wanted to work, and she is asked to set up an interview with Flynn Parker, one of the latest young tech geniuses, so that she can write an article about him for the owners magazine. If the owner of the magazine likes what Sabrina has written, he will offer her a job at the magazine and she will land her dream job. Sabrina calls Flynn Parker’s company and sets up the interview for two days after the masquerade party. Sabrina feels that finally her luck may be changing.
When Sabrina goes to the party she meets a very handsome man dressed in black, who she is immediately attracted to because of his kissable lips, gorgeous green eyes, and his great sense of humor; she ends up having sex with him in the library of the hotel. Coincidentally, Flynn meets a a woman at the party, dressed like an angel, who he ends up having sex with up against the wall in the library in the hotel, and he desperately wants to see her again and get to know her better. But when the couple agrees to meet each other again the next day at a bar called The Dollhouse, Sabrina is confused because the man who meets her there turns out to be Flynn Parker. Sabrina explains to Flynn that she really didn’t know who he was at the masquerade party, (because Flynn becomes suspicious of her motives), and so they decide that they cannot possibly see each other again socially since she doesn’t want her new employer to think that she is writing a biased article about Flynn. Once again Sabrina feels that she can’t have it all since she meets the man of her dreams, but this man comes between her and her dream job.
Lauren Blakely has written a modern Cinderella story that is steamy, but filled with humor and possible heartbreak. This book is extremely entertaining and so I highly recommend it! I can’t wait to read her next book!
5 ‘Knock, Knock’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author via Ink Slinger PR in exchange for an honest review.
This is how it is done, guys! If you don’t know who Lauren Blakely is by now, well.. you are missing out because this woman knows how to write one hell of a love story! Are you in the mood for something light, sexy and funny? You like swoony, hot AF nerdy multimillionaires? You ready to love another sassy and strong as hell heroine? You ready for some mystery, sexy masquerade party rendezvous and lots of laughter and romance? If your answer is yes on all those questions, you don’t have to search anymore your next read because Come as You Are will deliver all those amazing things!
So, Come as You Are is Lauren’s newest standalone release (LIVE TODAY!) and as I said it starts with two people who are not looking for a relationship at the moment, two strangers from very different worlds that collide in a sexy and unforgettable evening in a masquerade party. Imagine their surprise when they discover their identities and they have to start working on an interview together for two weeks. Yep, not mixing pleasure with business according to these two! But, the chemistry between Flynn and Sabrina is strong, the sexual tension is palpable and their beautiful connection cannot be stopped. Will they fight for what they feel? Find out reading Come as You Are!
“Once upon a time, there was a woman at a party who wanted to be kissed,” I say, walking to her, the pages open.
[…] “That sounds like a very scintillating tale.”
I seriously don’t know what magic powers Lauren Blakely has but she is one hell of a talented romance writer! She kills it every single time and always with something original and so well developed. This book was simply delightful: it was sweet, hot, light in drama and lots of fun! Flynn and Sabrina are such outstanding characters as individuals but together.. they will make you melt all over the place because they are sugary and adorably sweet. I loved their first night together (that instant spark!), the friendship they develop even though they are extremely attracted to one another and I loved how they grow into a fabulous couple that will burn your Kindle with their connection!
I am a massive fan of light romance. I always gravitate towards it. I do have my moments and enjoy a tear-jerker and highly emotional creations but I always come back to this type of romance. Lauren Blakely is, for me, one of the best authors in rom-com and no matter what she writes, I will read it and I am pretty sure I will also love it. Come as You Are checked all my romance expectations and I confess it’s one of my favorites writtten by this author. I loved the couple, the theme and how the relationship was built. I loved the chemistry and, of course, the ending. This book has absolutely everything!
“With me, you always have an invitation to come as you are.”
Therefore, my rating for Come as You Are is 5 STARS because it was a beautiful, sweet and sexy love story that gave me all the good things I enjoy in Lauren Blakely’s rom coms: two outstanding main characters, lots of laughter, sweet and swoony moments and lots of sexual tension and sexy times! Lauren never disappoints on any of that and she definitely did not fail with this novel. I loved Flynn and Sabrina so much that they have become one of my favorite couples by this author. And, as always, I can’t wait to read what is next! Highly recommend this one!
I absolutely loved the story between Flynn and Sabrina! It was written almost as a modern day Cinderella, only it wasn’t a glass slipper she left behind! This story had me laughing, swooning, and overall, just feeling good! Watching the relationship between Flynn and Sabrina evolve from how they started when they first met, not even knowing who they each were, to falling in love as she did her interviews, even though they were trying hard not to. I read this book in one day because I just couldn’t put it down!
I liked that there was no violence and I liked that the didn’t have the cliche ending of her getting pregnant. Pregnancy and babies are NOT sexy. The characters were great, it was well written with just a few typos. The hero was endearing and the heroine was likable. The sex scenes were hot, hot, hot. It was fun to read.
I like that Lauren Blakely always gives us the hero’s point of view. However, I wish she’d give the heroine’s also. This was a good book. I liked the premise and found it completely believable that a billionaire would have issues dating. There was lesssex than usual in LB’s books, but it fit. Overall, a solid read!
I love Romantic Comedies… so it only makes sense I love Lauren Blakely novels. They are always wickedly funny, and hot as hell. Come As You Are is no exception. Witty, sarcastic and S.E.X.Y! — Alice Bello is the author of Hate Him XOXO and Holding onto Hope.
Loved that this was a love story between two people and their love affair with NYC.
Falling in love can be magical. Flynn and Sabrina have all of the real life issues surrounding trust, confidence, family, love and money. But their love story takes on the magic of NYC. Magical because of who they are. His ability to see numbers in things and the enjoy the simpler things in life. Her ability to see beauty in art that many might find they don’t understand. Everything has a greater meaning and together they see it and feel it.
Unique museums and store fronts, walks in the park, a lightpost or a park bench. There is beauty and romance and magic and these two are spellbound by it and in it.
I enjoyed reading this story of two hardworking, good people who find magic in doing together what fascinates them and finding their hearts and souls connecting in sweet simplicity.
Predictable.
Five Key Takeaways from Come As You Are:
1. Flynn will have you swooning.
2. Sabrina will have you grinning.
3. Witty banter is hella hot foreplay.
4. Masquerade parties can be fun AND sexy.
5. Lauren Blakely has another hot, steamy, FUN book that is sure to be a bestseller.
So it’s no secret that Lauren Blakely is my favorite author. When I pick up one of her titles I know I’m going to laugh, probably cry and I’m definitely going to swoon. I definitely laughed, sighed and had a major swoonfest going on in Come As You Are.
I adored Sabrina. She is one of my favorite female characters from this author. Sabrina is smart, sassy and fiercely loyal. I felt her struggle as she was stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place but I really appreciated how she handled the situation. I liked her sense of self, too. She knew what she wanted and worked hard for herself to get there. She is someone I liked, respected and would definitely want to hang out with.
Flynn brought the swoon to this book for me. There was something just magnetic about him; I was drawn right into him. He’s smart, witty and incredibly hot. He has some trust issues-which completely make sense-and I liked seeing him understand he could trust Sabrina. I really loved seeing him put himself out there for Sabrina.
These two just about melted my kindle. From the moment they met the spark was there and it led to a flame that neither of them could put out. They tried, really they did, but that slow burn and simmer just never went away. Their sex was definitely hot and steamy. Have a fan nearby-you’ll need it. But the connection between them was more than just sex. I loved every moment of them learning about one another and seeing how well they truly fit together.
The writing in this book was phenomenal. I felt like I was in NYC every step of the way with Flynn and Sabrina. If you’ve never been to New York City you’ll definitely feel like you have been to parts of it after reading this book. The supporting characters are fun and I personally love how this author sprinkles in characters from her past books at times. It’s fun to sneak peeks back into those other character’s lives for a moment. That being said, this is a standalone so if you haven’t read Lauren Blakely books before (though what are you waiting for????) you’ll be completely fine reading this book.
I loved every moment of this book. I was completely charmed and captivated with this story. It’s a unique storyline-fresh, fun and interesting. If I could give Come As You Are more than five stars I would-this book deserves it; it was the total book package for me. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.
Lauren Blakely always gets me with her covers. She has the most sexiest covers EVER and I always want and need to read her books once I see those delicious abs or sexy as sin men on her covers and as I start reading the story, I just picture that gorgeousness as the lead character.
Come As You Are was one sexy little stand-alone with some crazy funny banter between Flynn and Sabrina. They meet at a masquerade ball, both wearing masks and have one crazy night of sex against the wall that leave them both wanting and wishing for more but Sabrina takes off like Cinderella. Good thing they did get each other’s digits and they were able to schedule a date to meet face-to-face. But Sabrina is asked to cover a story on none other than the multimillionaire, who happens to be none other than Flynn. So obviously there is a conflict of interest so they can’t pursue what they wish they could because she has to cover a story on him.
But Sabrina and Flynn spend a ton fo time together so she can get her cover story and she wants to get it perfect because it’s for a publishing company that she’s hoping she will get hired permanently by impressing the owner with a kick-ass article.
But as much as Sabrina and Flynn try to suppress their feelings for each other, it keeps getting harder and harder because they’re spending so much time together. Flynn is also skeptical because he’s had women proposition him because of his money. He just wants to find a girl that will like him for him and not for his wallet size and he’s starting to slowly realize that Sabrina could be the one for him.
Sabrina and Flynn were the perfect nerdy couple that I’ve ever read! They were both sexy, funny and smart people that made a perfect fit. How can this relationship go wrong??
I was so enamored with this book. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end and I just couldn’t stop laughing at how crazy these two were together. I loved all the smartness that was going on in this book!
Lauren Blakely knows how to write a kick-ass book! A book that will have your undivided attention at all times!!
Another spectacular 5 star book for this amazing author!
Come As You Are is a story that movies are made of!! Total Swoon-fest!!!
This is what I’ve come to expect when I pick up a Lauren Blakely novel. An engaging storyline, lovable characters and a story that will help me escape for a couple of hours.
This book is kind of an opposites attract story, but loosely. It is more of a other side of the tracks story. You have a multimillionaire who meets a down on her luck woman who is struggling to get by. But what I loved about these characters was despite their financial differences, these two were so alike. Which help their connection. Their banter was funny and witty. And their chemistry was off the charts. This book isn’t filled with a lot of outside drama (which I prefer) but there was enough angst to keep the reader turning the pages. Oh and did I mention this is a forbidden office romance as well.
In this story we follow Sabrina and Flynn. We met Flynn in Studfinder by Lauren Blakely, but you don’t have to read that book first to enjoy this one. It is just a story that connects Flynn and Dylan (Hero in Studfinder). They are identical twins. Flynn is a multimillionaire who started his own company and continues to rock the tech world. Sabrina is a tech journalist, who was stood up at the alter, and has just recently lost her job. So when she is given the opportunity of a life time she can’t refuse. Little does she know that the subject of this new article is non other than the sexy masked man she met the night before!!! Can these to figure out a way to make their HEA come true?? Read this enjoyable read to find out.
I thought Come As You Are was a perfectly paced story and the flow worked well also. This story will entertain you all the way through. I was laughing throughout the majority of the book….Even told my family some of the witty jokes Lauren put into the storyline. You can’t help but be invested in this couple and their journey together. I was praying throughout the book that they would find their way to being together.
This book is a complete standalone and is told in Dual POV. This is the perfect book to start your Lauren Blakely journey if you haven’t already. If you are a fan of this author then you don’t want to miss this fun, sexy and entertaining read!!!
Loved this book! Finn is the sweet, sexy, nerd who happens to be filthy rich. But when a sexy Angel sees him for who he is, not his bank balance…Can he trust her with his heart??
Another steamy friends to lovers story that will melt your heart. The fun they have, the conversations, the flirting. This is what we dream of when we think of Prince Charming. And to find their happily ever after
Come As You Areby Lauren Blakely is a contemporary standalone romance told in dual POV between Flynn Parker, a multi-millionaire tech genius and Sabrina Granger, a poor but excellent reporter with a passion for masquerade balls and dirty dukes.
Flynn has had enough of being chased for his money. Once bitten, forever shy as far as he is concerned. When a charity function hosts a masquerade party this is his chance to meet someone who doesn’t see him as his financial worth but sees him for who he is. Little does he expect to run into his Angel and play Dirty Prince Charming to her Dirty Cinderella.
Sabrina has been through the wringer as far as relationships go. Her mother is a piece of work who abandoned her & her brother, leaving him in her care. Her fiancé up and left to China TWO WHOLE DAYS before her wedding, and now her job as a reporter is gone thanks to the company going out of business. Attending a charity masquerade ball her best friend co-ordinated is a chance for her to network and get back out there… For work and maybe for a date too. She doesn’t expect the biggest opportunity of her life to happen not once, but twice that same night. Shame one comes in direct opposition to the other. Now Sabrina has to make a choice – love or money…
Well-written, perfectly-paced, this story was cute, quirky, sexy, and a wonderful insight into some of the lesser known sights in and around New York. I absolutely enjoyed this – hope you do too!
A funny, sweet rom-com from Lauren Blakely!
The title of Flynn and Sabrina’s book speaks to the people they are beneath their professional personas…the ones who don’t have to consider the risks…who adore witty grammar exchanges, willingly follow their heart instead of their head, and dirty each other up in all deliciously decadent ways.
But that’s not Flynn or Sabrina’s reality…
In the real world, the in-your-face New York City business world, Flynn Parker is a visionary – one who has made millions due to his brain power…one who endures impromptu wedding proposals and countless business pitches from almost everyone who crosses his path…one who doesn’t know who to trust when it comes to the opposite sex because he’s been burned before with someone’s desire over his money more than anything else. He’s ‘millions’…he’s polished…he’s a self-driven multi-millionaire.
And, it’s the man who Flynn is in the business world that Sabrina Granger can’t allow herself to fall for…because she’s ‘pennies’ and ‘do-it-yourself’ attire, and she doesn’t add up to anything close to who and what Flynn has in his life…at least when it comes to the numbers and the professionalism she must exude in order to take care of herself and her brother and given the disastrous state of her circumstances, the reward of her attraction to Flynn is not worth the risk that comes with it, not because she doesn’t want him or think about him all the time, but because in the grand scheme of things, they come from two different worlds and she just can’t find a way to fit into his without compromising her principles and becoming someone she vowed she never would be.
Regardless of Flynn and Sabrina’s differing lifestyles, their chemistry and attraction cannot be denied, so while they ‘try’ to be professional and not cross the line that Sabrina needs to remain behind, it’s clear that they’re falling for each other and complement one another in so many ways. The struggle they both have to not go back to Duke and Angel is always festering just beneath the surface, and Lauren Blakely does a great job of illustrating both Flynn and Sabrina’s internal struggle. There’s so much more on the line for Sabrina when it comes to her profession, but there’s just as much for Flynn to lose, even if it comes in a much different form of loss and Blakely examines all of the whys and why nots and then allows the hero and heroine to make up their minds and truly figure out the risk versus the reward…the idea of what taking a chance could cost them, and ultimately, they both realize things about themselves, their lifestyles, and their hopes/dreams and the only reason they do is because they took a chance that first night, even behind masks and no names, to be honest and to free themselves of societal constraints, so the crux of the story focuses on how to come to an equal balance when it comes to Sabrina’s career and the fact that they’re falling for one another regardless of the conflict of interest that compounds all of Sabrina’s decisions. Because when it comes down to it, their grammar games, Flynn’s knock, knock jokes, their dirty Cinderella and dirty Prince Charming experiences clearly illustrate just how perfect they are together and just how much they want to be themselves – the ones who met at the masquerade party and ended up unmasking each other to the point that they both wanted more.
Lauren Blakely has a way of making her readers not only fall in love with her hero and heroine but also with the story’s setting, and New York City is the perfect place for Flynn and Sabrina’s love story because not only does it show the endless possibilities that are at their fingertips, both in life and in love,=, but it also illustrates their love affair with their city itself, not just the sights that everyone knows, but those secret and hidden places, which makes it that much more amazing to be able to truly experience a side of NYC that most can only dream of seeing.
‘Nerds for the Win!’
That’s exactly how I felt after I finished reading Flynn and Sabrina’s story, and because I’m quite the nerd myself, I could not get enough of Flynn’s hot and witty nerd game as well as Sabrina’s love for words and historical romances.
Such a great story!
4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
I loved this enchanting, fun & flirty forbidden romance! Ms Blakely gave us a refreshing, sexy romance with irresistible characters who will steal your heart. Sexy millionaire nerd, Flynn, and down on her luck, Sabrina, have a chance meeting at a masquerade ball. They both want to be liked for who they are, not for their wealth or circumstances. With masks on, their attraction heats up, and they can’t deny the intrigue of a clandestine affair. Without exchanging names, they plan to meet again. But When Sabrina’s new job puts her and Flynn together, motives are questioned and they are forced to put their affair aside.
There is so much I loved about this story, from the witty grammar banter, to the fun ‘Duke & Angel’ texts, to the non-dates where they explore their favorite, and unconventional New York spots, to their hot and steamy passion. Flynn and Sabrina are so perfect together, and are my new favorite couple! I was totally captivated by this clever, irresistible, sexy romance!
This is another great stand alone from Lauren Blakely that will have you laughing a lot.
I love how Sabrina and Flynn meet. They met at a perfect time, even if it doesn’t seem so perfect a little later on.
Flynn is a multimillionaire. He is huge in the tech world. Haven is awesome, even if I would be a little scared to have a home that is that smart. Flynn is a complete nerd. A hot, rich, loveable nerd. But I think that’s why I love him so much. He isn’t your typical alpha male. He’s a great guy. He’s caring, will listen to every pitch, even if it is horrible and he tries to give constructive feedback.
But he can’t really trust anyone. Are they there for him? Or are they there for his wallet? He’s learned that lesson the hard way.
Sabrina was basically left at the altar. Her life has been the opposite of Flynn’s. it’s made her stronger. She is a reporter for the tech world. She has her geek moments also.
These two are perfect for each other. It isn’t all easy though.
You will laugh and learn some new things also. I never knew about pineapple math or the benches. You’ll see what I mean when you read this.
Go one-click now! You won’t be disappointed at all.
Another amazing read by Lauren Blakely! A chance meeting at a costume masquerade ball makes for a fun, flirty read you can’t put down. From the start their chemistry is electric and their banter is witty, swoony and steamy. I loved both Flynn and Sabrina so much, their characters and the tidbits about New York are unique and so much fun to read. I highly recommend this book!