A Goodreads Best Romance “Fans of The Devil Wears Prada will flip over Love on Lexington Avenue.” –Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne comes the second delightfully charming installment in the Central Park Pact series, following a young widow whose newfound cynicism about love is challenged by a sexy, rough-around-the-edges … cynicism about love is challenged by a sexy, rough-around-the-edges contractor.
There are no good men left in New York City. At least that’s Claire Hayes’s conviction after finding out her late husband was not the man she thought he was. Determined to rid her home of anything that reminds her of her cheating husband, Claire sets out to redesign her boring, beige Upper East Side brownstone and make it something all her own. But what starts out as a simple renovation becomes a lot more complicated when she meets her bad-tempered contractor Scott Turner.
Scott bluntly makes it known to Claire that he only took on her house for a change of pace from the corporate offices and swanky hotels he’s been building lately, and he doesn’t hesitate to add that he has no patience for a pampered, damaged princess with a penchant for pink. But when long workdays turn into even longer nights, their mutual wariness morphs into something more complicated–a grudging respect, and maybe even attraction…
Filled with laugh-out-loud scenes that blend perfectly with the touching friendships Layne brings to life on the page, this “hugely entertaining” (USA TODAY) novel is perfect for fans of Lauren Weisberger.
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Love on Lexington Avenue is a very delightful addition in Laurens Layne’s latest series, The Central Park Pact. I loved the unique premise from the very start of book one, and as the Jilted wife in this series, I felt the worst for what Claire experienced. I am so excited that we got her story and I loved getting to know her. But it is a rough road to her HEA. There’s so much to love about the connection and misconnection between Claire and the enigmatic Scott Turner, a man who entered Claire’s life as they are both in the middle of personal transformation.
Meeting in this time of their lives isn’t ideal, but Layne does an amazing job advance the plot through their business relationship. The story is formed around Claire preparing to move on without Brayden and deciding to renovate the home they once shared. Enter playboy contractor Scott Turner. While the two share friends who share the same social circle, she discovers his bad manners and he discovers the depth of her pain. But Scott brings with him an adorable female dog named Bob who quickly wins Claire over and a friendship between Scott is not far behind. The two, Scott and Bob, help Claire think outside the “vanilla cupcake” rut she’s been stuck in. After Scott plays her wingman he imparts a bit of wisdom that I think hits on everything Claire needs to hear at this moment of her journey (and gave me food for thought) too:
“I learned early on that we create our own narrative. It doesn’t matter what other people say about us as long as we know who and what we are. And here’s the other thing people don’t want you to know: you don’t have to be the same thing all the time.”
With that to mull over, Claire allows Scott in a little more, knowing the risk she’s taking. She’s the type of character that I really enjoyed getting to know. I love how empowered but still vulnerable she was. As always, Layne throws out a gut-wrenching moment where the hero royally messes up. Claire uses it as a learning moment and with a stiff upper lip she swallows the pain and starts to recognize her strength. More importantly, it’s a learning moment for Scott too as he realizes the impact of his words on his own heart.
Love on Lexington Avenue is among my favorites from Layne. I have already taken the privilege afforded of having an early copy and have now read it twice. I highly recommend the series and well, everything by Lauren Layne.
After reading Passion on Park Avenue I was eagerly awaiting book two of the series and Claire’s story. Love on Lexington Avenue was fantastic from start to finish.
Claire just turned 35 and she wants more than just a vanilla cupcake in her life. Scott is the contractor Claire hired to redo her brownstone. He is accomplished and hardworking and definitely has his own opinions when it comes to the renovations. Claire and Scott couldn’t be more different from each other, but I loved their relationship so much. Their chemistry and banter were great throughout.
The thing I loved most about this story is the friendship between Claire, Naomi and Audrey. I loved it from the start, but I felt in this book there was more of it and more time to really see the bond they formed.
Love on Lexington Avenue is a sweet, romantic and a fun read.
You know that feeling when you’ve just eaten the perfect bite; it hit all the right flavor notes and personified why you chose that particular thing to eat in the first place?
That feeling is exactly how I felt at the end of Love on Lexington Avenue!
I’m an admitted Lauren Layne lover, I’ve yet to read a word by her that I didn’t love, but there was something a little extra wonderful about Love on Lexington Avenue. We first met Claire in Passion on Park Avenue when she, Naomi, and Audrey discovered they all had relationships with the same man, Claire’s husband, on the day of his funeral. She was easily the one you could feel the most sorry for and see as fragile. But she’s so much more and now it’s her turn to shake off the past and find love again.
What I love most about this series is that it’s very much a romance series, Claire and Scott’s journey from home owner and contractor, to single lady and wingman, to friends, to lovers is so beautifully done. But at its heart, this series is about finding and loving yourself with the support of your people…and a dog named Bob, who’s a girl. The journey that Claire takes is at turns funny, sad, and, empowering and her girls are there for her at every one of those turns. So, while the steam that LL does so well is missing the heart and feels are there in spades!
I absolutely cannot wait for Audrey’s book!!!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
4.25 stars–LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE is the second instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult CENTRAL PARK PACT romance series focusing on three friends: Naomi Powell, Audrey Tate and Claire Hayes-three woman who would discover there were all in a relationship with the same man. This is thirty-five year old, widow Claire Hayes, and renovator Scott Turner’s story line. LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading book one PASSION ON PARK AVENUE for back story and history.
SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately one year earlier, Claire Hayes, newly widowed discovered that her husband of seven years was having numerous affairs including affairs with the two women who would become her best friends. The Central Park Pact was an agreement to never let one another fall for a womanizer like the man with whom they had all fallen in love.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Claire and Scott) LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE follows Claire Hayes, one year after the death of her philandering husband. Having just turned thirty-five years old, wanting something new in her life, Claire decides to renovate her Lexington Avenue home with the recommendation of her new best friend Naomi Powell. Enter contractor/renovator Scott Turner, and the man with whom Claire would fall in love. What ensues is the acrimonious but building relationship between Claire and Scott, and the potential fall-out as the renovations to Claire’s home, come to a close.
Scott Turner never expected Claire Hayes- a smart-mouthed, young widow who struggles with her place in the world. Not one to do relationships, Scott finds himself attraction to Claire Hayes, but a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship is all he is willing to offer. Having been burned in the past, Scott isn’t willing to lose his heart to anyone else. Claire Hayes has struggled with what happened and why. Having turned what could have been a disaster into a triple friendship with the other women scorned by her cheating husband, Claire battles her attraction to Scott knowing their time together comes with a deadline.. Believing herself too vanilla and boring, Claire begins to step out of her comfort zone with the help of the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are all implied.
We are reintroduced to Naomi Powell, and her significant other Oliver Cunningham (Passion on Park Avenue #1), Audrey Tate and her best friend Clarke West.
LOVE ON LEXINGTON AVENUE is a story of friendships, support, struggle and love. The premise is engaging and energetic; the romance is passionate and sweet; the characters are a little broken, colorful and fun.
Scott is totally risk adverse as is Claire, but boy does this make for a slow burn wonderful romance by the incalculable Lauren Layne. I have almost fun out of superlatives for her books. There is not a one I haven’t read. I always know that I will always have major “feels” for any book she writes, but must say i am absolutely loving this series. A series of three women all wronged by the same guy who become friends and find their HEA. Wasn’t sure how Claire and Scott were going to get there, but loved how the story progressed and stayed entertained the entire time!
Layne’s newest is packed with fabulous characters, funny moments, and of course, romance. Love this new series so much and highly recommend.
I couldn’t wait for book 2 in this series! After both getting to know the girls and getting Naomi’s story, I knew that I couldn’t wait for Claire’s especially with her role in the trio. After taking a look at her life and the betrayal she endured, Claire has decided to get out of her comfort zone and do things that are less “vanilla” and more out of the box. In an attempt to implement that into multiple aspects of her life, she decides with her upcoming home renovation, she will throw away the home dreams she’s had for years and yet start fresh and with whatever comes to mind. Referred by Oliver, Scott is determined not to take this job, but one look at the house and the woman who owns it and he’s already lost his battle. As the two get to know each other, both being unforgiving and abrasive in their personalities, they develop a common bond and friendship, which quickly turns into more. But with Scott never staying in one place for too long and denying the relationship and feelings he has for Claire, the ultimate question is if they will end up together or implode. I love Lauren’s storyline ideas and her style of writing. After reading book one, these things are what kept me coming back and anticipating book two and beyond!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
5 STARS
Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne is such an awesome book ! This is a standalone but since I somehow missed Book One I now have that also on my TBR list. ( Passion on Park Avenue )
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review – opinions expressed are my own & have not been influenced in any way.
I am giving this book a Night Owl award because I was up into the wee hours of the morning to finish – just could not put it down.
This is not your typical romance ; yet there is plenty of sizzling chemistry & an amazing HEA. Lauren Layne has written some really outstanding romances & this is definitely one I would like to re-read as I was so hooked on Claire & Scott’s story !!
Claire Hayes is changing her life from vanilla to strawberry lemonade – beige / cream / vanilla to pink / fuchsia / magenta !!!
Why … you ask ? The past year she has spent in emotional limbo grieving the death of her cheating husband Brayden the guy that was the love of her life – or so she thought until discovering his secret life of girlfriends & mistresses …
Scott Turner is hired by Claire to update & renovate her brownstone on Lexington Ave – NYC. He is very well known in his field & would normally be priced out of Claire’s budget but something really challenges him to take on this project & it might just subliminally also have something to do with feisty Claire.
I do not get emotional when reading a book very often – but I did actually tear up a few times & felt like my heart was breaking as well for these characters. There are some completely laugh out loud moments ( Hamptons – Beach scene what a way to exercise the spirit of a cheating husband / boyfriend / lover ) … but it’s also so true to life & often about how difficult it is to start over.
I love that Scott actually listens to Claire – proven several times but specifically with how “spot on “ his renovations to her home are that they allow Claire to move forward in her life.
Not only is this book a great romance but there are definitely some life lessons to learn as well about getting your heart broken but being brave enough to change & go for what you want – so happy that Scott & Claire get their amazing HEA
Love on Lexington Avenue is an absolutely delightful read !! Don’t miss it !! I think you will become a HUGE fan of Lauren Layne’s as well !!