A USA TODAY bestseller! One of O, The Oprah Magazine’s “22 Romance Novels That Are Set to Be the Best of 2020” and one of Goodreads’s “28 of the Hottest Romances of 2020” From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne, the “queen of witty dialogue” (Rachel Van Dyken, New York Times bestselling author), comes the final installment of the Central Park Pact series, a heartfelt and … final installment of the Central Park Pact series, a heartfelt and laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that’s perfect for fans of Sally Thorne and Christina Lauren.
Can guys and girls ever be just friends? According to Audrey Tate and Clarke West, absolutely. After all, they’ve been best friends since childhood without a single romantic entanglement. Clarke is the charming playboy Audrey can always count on, and he knows that the ever-loyal Audrey will never not play along with his strategy for dodging his matchmaking mother–announcing he’s already engaged…to Audrey.
But what starts out as a playful game between two best friends turns into something infinitely more complicated, as just-for-show kisses begin to stir up forbidden feelings. As the faux wedding date looms closer, Audrey and Clarke realize that they can never go back to the way things were, but deep down, do they really want to?
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I don’t often read series, but when I read the first offering in Lauren Layne’s trilogy, I knew I’d be eagerly awaiting the successive ones. And they didn’t disappoint! The forever-friends Audrey and Clarke had to get together, of course, but Layne arranged it in a charming an unexpected way. A one-day read for me, I couldn’t put it down and will go check out her back list! Side note – I appreciate the author’s restrained close-the-bedroom door approach to writing romance. I’ve avoided a lot of contemporary bestselling romances because they are just a bit over-the-top in that department.
Simply stunning. Layne’s new series is fresh and addictive, and I can’t wait for more!
4.5 STARS!
Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne is the final installment in the Central Park Pact series. Here, we follow Audrey and Clarke’s story, two best friends who later realize they’re in love.
Audrey Tate is the fun-loving one amongst the three women. She blames herself for Brayden’s actions thinking she ruined Claire’s happiness, so she begins to believe she doesn’t deserve her own happily ever after.
Clarke West is your typical single man living in the social light of the Upper East Side. He’s a womanizer who hasn’t settled down yet despote being in a long relationship previously.
Audrey and Clarke both face a dilemma. An internet troll is bashing Audrey and spilling the tea, while Clarke’s mother is trying to get him back with his ex, Elizabeth. So these two best friends decide to help each other out and get fake engaged.
The more time Audrey and Clarke live up the farce of their engagement and wedding planning the sooner they realize what was in their faces the whole time; the fact that they’ve been in love with each other all this time. There’s always that ex that has to stir the pot and in this story it was no different.
Overall, this was a sweet, fastpaced slow burn romance with just a touch of angsty feels at the end. Such a fun series! I’m going to miss these characters and their friendship/bond. Thank you so much to Gallery Books and Laurne Layne for the chance of discovering these books. I’m excited to read more from this author!
This series has been such a delight! From the unlikely but deeply rewarding sisterhood, to the sweet and sexy romances that each of these women wound up with – it’s just been so much fun to read. And Marriage on Madison Avenue, the finally installment in the Central Park Pact series was no exception.
I mean, everyone knew that Audrey and Clarke were made for each other. Literally. Everyone. Except, that is, for Audrey and Clarke themselves. I so enjoyed watching their chemistry fire up basically without them even being aware of it. It was adorable to watch them fumble their way towards the realization that they were meant to be together, and completely rewarding when they finally figured it out.
That said, I might have liked a little more depth to them. Their struggles were similar, but I felt like they never did a deep dive into their feelings for each other (or, more importantly, why they resisted those feelings so hard). The whole thing wrapped up neatly and sweetly, but I felt like I was missing a little grit along the way.
That said, this was still a solid, swoony, completely enjoyable read. As it happened with each book in this series, the sisterhood stole the scene on more than one occasion and I adored how Ms. Layne brought their stories full circle in the end. If you’re looking for something bubbly and sweet? Do not pass this series by!
I received an early review copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are freely given .
I hadn’t read the previous books in the series but this can easily be read as a standalone. The author did a good job explaining who everyone was within the storyline.
I loved Audrey”s quirky character, She was fun and the relationship between her and her two friends felt real and the banter between them was entertaining and heartfelt at times. Clarke is Audrey”s best friend and they stage a fake engagement with the intention of it being temporary. This was beautifully written , with engaging characters and I read it in a day as it was addictive reading once I’d started it. I thoroughly recommend it and will definitely read more by this author in the future.
Audrey Tate and Clarke West answer the age-old question of whether or not men and women can be friends. They have been best friends since childhood and have never dated or kissed or even thought about either. They support one another and are there for each other. Like when Audrey found out her boyfriend of one year was actually married. And when Clarke’s long-term girlfriend took a job in another city and left without asking Clarke to go with her.
But they also are a guaranteed plus one for each other. Or, in Clarke’s case, when his mother tries to force him to see his ex, or when internet trolls start posting about Audrey’s horrible dating record, they can simply pretend to be in a relationship. Get people off their backs and then the coast is clear, “break up” still friends. They’ve used this tactic a number of times, but this time, when they pretend to be engaged, things start going a little too far. Soon there are engagement parties and cake tastings. They just can’t seem to pull the plug on their charade this time, but maybe it’s not because they’re afraid of what people will say, but they’re afraid to voice what they’ve both been feeling for so long.
Anyone who has read this series has been waiting for Audrey and Clarke’s story. I think this is one of the best built-up relationships. You know, there’s always one that starts in the background of another couple’s story, only to build momentum each time the characters are in the same room together until the inevitable happens and they finally get their own story.
With the Central Park Pact series, Clarke and Audrey are that couple.
I loved finally getting inside Clarke’s head a bit. He’s been, somewhat, mysterious throughout the books with the series focusing more on the women and their friendship after finding out they all had relationships with the same cheating slimeball. It was quite an interesting way to start and carry a series, and Lauren Layne handles all the emotions with care. So I was really happy when Clarke finally got his own chapter(s) from his point of view. Finding out his true thoughts about Audrey and processing the whole fake engagement/marriage situation they find themselves in.
I loved the easy way their relationship moves from one thing to the next, very unobtrusively and almost like nothing changes (well one big thing has to change, but still). They’ve built such a strong friendship foundation even when they fight or disagree, there’s never a moment where you think “this is the end” because no matter what, they will always be apart of each other’s lives.
I think it was a surprise how much Audrey’s relationship with Brayden (the cheater) effected her. There were more hints given in the second book that this was the case, but she was in a relationship for about a year with a man who was married. She didn’t know about the marriage and in her mind, she’s ready herself to start talking about marriage and the dream life. To have that come crashing down really shook Audrey to her very being and made her question everything she always thought she wanted out of her life. It was a very interested perspective after Claire’s (the wife) and Naomi’s (the other mistress).
Again, I love the dynamic and the friendship between the women Audrey, Claire, and Naomi. As I said it’s a kind of strange premise to start out a series, but with Lauren Layne at the helm it worked. The dedication they have to one another, to ensure that each of them finds their happiness in whatever form that may take, was really nice to read about.
I probably say this about every Lauren Layne series ending, but I think this one is positively, definitely my favorite. This series is highly recommended.
What a fabulously fun book! I absolutely adored Audrey and Clarke and their journey from friends to lovers.
I did not read the first two books in this series and I don’t feel like I missed out on anything, but I will definitely go back and read them soon because I really liked Naomi and Claire.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fake Relationship Romance | Marriage of Convenience | Friends to Lovers
It looks like Marriage of Convenience romances are going to be a “thing” in 2020 as I have already read 3 or 4 books within the trope! I’m not mad about it either. I’m really enjoying the ones I have read already! If that trope is your cup of tea you won’t want to miss Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne! This is an interconnected standalone in the series. Each book CAN technically stand alone, but I personally recommend reading them in order because the drive behind these books is connected to each of the characters. Plus, possible spoilers from previous novels may take away from your enjoyment of this one (the spoilers are only WHO they end up but now HOW they get there).
That being said, this is a wonderfully sweet series and I’m bummed that this is the final book. I’ve come to really love all three of these women and seeing them basically rise above has been a powerful experience. This particular book is Audrey’s (if you’ve read the other two or even the first book, you’ll know who she is) and I loved the friends to lovers, marriage of convenience trope between her and Clark. While the ending felt a bit too rushed for me (especially when it comes to the “situation”) the overall story is pleasant. I recommend it to readers of both romances and chick lit. This one felt more like a romance than the other two FYI.
Marriage on Madison Avenue was more most anticipated story of this series. From the first moment we met Audrey and Clarke I was dying for more and their story does not disappoint.
Audrey and Clarke have amazing chemistry and a great friendship, so what happens when you add in a fake engagement? Well, you’ll have to read this one to find out. This story is a great friends to lovers romance that is fun, sweet, flirty. There is so much to love about this story.
Audrey and Clarke have been friends forever and you can feel their connection jump off the pages. Their banter was great and everything just felt so easy and effortless between them. Though, I did get a little frustrated that it took them so long to realize their true feelings for each other. I get that Audrey had some insecurities though because of the whole Brayden situation.
If you’ve read the previous books in the series you know that Audrey, Claire and Naomi formed an amazing friendship and with each story their bond continued to grow. I am sad to say goodbye to these women.
Marriage on Madison Avenue isn’t full of steamy scenes, but honestly, this story doesn’t need it. There is so much love and romance throughout that it will leave your heart full and you won’t miss anything. This is another amazing book by Lauren Layne.
I absolutely love best-friends to lovers trope in books. It probably has a lot to do with a fact that I married one of my best friends in the world.
Audrey and Clark were each other’s safe haven when the vultures came swirling around. I found their transition to lovers to be unenviable. Your simply can not go through life without falling for your closest friend. I even like the drama throughout the book. And let’s talk about the epic speech Clark delivers after she was on the verge of walking out from their life together. Swoon with a capital »S« .
I really liked this book and I’m adding book 1&2 to my TBR and starting them ASAP.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
A best friends to lovers story like this one is a slow burner because it takes our couple so long to see what everyone around them already sees.
The whole premise behind the Central Park Pact is really clever and this was Audrey’s story. She seems to have carried the effects of her affair with their mutual partner Braydon more than the other two women believing that she stole someone’s happiness.
Clarke isn’t the best at communicating with his best friend, his ex, or his parents. Things get complicated even more by the fact that he doesn’t know his own feelings for Audrey.
What makes this a great story is it is a fake engagement that just keeps getting more and more complicated with the meddling, misunderstandings, and feelings that people aren’t sure what to do with.
How do you feel about spoilers? I have this really weird quirk about myself where I HAVE to google a movie before/while watching and read the entire plot online or I can’t enjoy it. I can’t stand not knowing what’s going on. I never spoil things for other people and I’ve saved myself from watching some bad movies this way, but it drives my fiancé Marc CRAZY. All this to say, I actually, maybe, kinda enjoy spoilers? I’m not sure how I managed it, but I read book #2 in this series first and now book #3 second. Knowing how the first books end isn’t necessarily the end of the world with romances. It’s not often things don’t wrap up nicely so I knew what to expect anyways.
Audrey Tate and Clarke West have been best friends since childhood, never once crossing that line into something more. That hasn’t stopped Clarke from telling women he wants to avoid that he and Audrey are engaged to be married. This time, he’s trying to avoid his mom and his ex, Elizabeth, who are in cahoots to get Elizabeth and Clarke back together. Audrey is still reeling from finding out her dead boyfriend had a wife and another mistress. After her latest breakup, tabloids are calling her out for not being able to keep a man. Together they decide to keep the engagement charade up, but how long can they pretend they don’t love each other?
I’ll be honest, I am usually not really a fan of fake relationships/engagements only because I just can’t see that actually being a thing in real life. However, I could totally see two upper crust people who are in the media spinning stories to suit them. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s already a thing. The dynamic between Audrey and Clarke is so fun and fresh. I love reading friends to lovers romances because the chemistry is always off the charts good! I could read five more books about these two without getting sick of their witty banter and easy connection and I’m honestly sad the series ends with this book!
Lauren Layne is on my Must Read Authors list and this book is just another example why!
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways, I was not required to give a favorable review. This is the 3 book in the series, and if you have read the others it will help you with some insight on the characters in this one and if you have you should, each one is great. Three women meet by accident at the funeral of one of the women’s husband, unfortunately the other 2 are his mistresses, but they become fast friends. This is about Audrey, she is the last of the girls to really fall in love, but what is funny is, it is with her best childhood friend, Clarke. He tells his ex-girlfriend who is back in New York that he is engaged to her, but then she is being Cyper-bullied, so are they going to pull it off or call it off. Or will the two of them realize they have been friends for so long that they really love each and it takes them to have this shake up to really know it.
Love Lauren Layne books
So here’s the thing… After binge-ing Passion on Park Avenue and Love on Lexington Avenue, I was SO ready for some Audrey and Clarke friends-to-lovers fake relationship yumminess. And perhaps all of that anticipation set me up for a bit of disappointment, because what should have been my favorite book of the series just ended up feeling sort of meh for me. Audrey’s feelings about her own HEA felt out of proportion, Clarke’s relationship with his parents and ex could have been expounded on more, the whole situation with Gossip Boy (or whatever he was called) was a missed opportunity for more umph, and don’t EVEN get me started on how fade to black this fade to black was (and I was semi prepared for fade to black because that’s how the other two books were handled but this one felt even more faded to blackness if you catch my drift). All that being said, I did like the book… I just wanted more. But all’s well that ends well I guess. I am interested in reading more from Lauren Layne, as I did enjoy how she handled female friendships as such, but I’ll definitely go in with different expectations. 3.5 out of 5 wine glasses.
I love all her books . This one was not my favorite as I don’t feel we really got very in depth with the characters and overall the book felt rushed . I don’t feel we got an answer to who the mysterious person was that was casing the drama was it the ex … was it the mom or some stranger ??? Would have nice to have had that revealed . Otherwise it’s a great book and I again love her books and hate that the series is at an end .
This is Lauren Layne’s final installation of the series and this one did not disappoint. I loved the friends to lovers trope, fake boyfriend or fake fiancée trope. This was definitely a swoon worthy read that will have your heart fluttering and rooting for this cute couple. I loved all the characters and really enjoyed them. Each of the book in this series could be read as a stand alone and I did read this without having read Book 1 and 2 and it did not change the way I loved and enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this amazing RomCom.
This was such perfection.
This time we have Audrey and Clarke, they’re best friends and swear that’s all there’s between them. We saw a little bit of their interactions in previous books, so we KNOW there’s a spark there, lol.
I loved these two, Audrey is so much more than meets the eye, and I hated that’s all people saw. She was smart, fun, gentle and wicked caring towards the ones she loved. And I was so happy to see Clarke saw all of those things about her and more.
Clarke was so charming, I seriously swooned every time he showed on the page, lol. And then pretend to be engaged to him? Talk about my day made. He was such a sweetheart, and a gentleman, and smart, how could you not fall for him?
Well, I loved seeing these two falling deeper in love to each other. This book was such a delight, like most of Ms. Layne’s books. And I couldn’t put it down. It’s sad this is the last of the series, but that also means there’s new series to come from Ms. Layne!
I strongly recommend reading this and the entire series, for that matter!
*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
Marriage on Madison Avenue is a clever and witty story with charming characters. It has great dialogue and I especially loved all the banter between the characters. This is a carefree and fun story about two best friends who pretend they are engaged and along the way, realize they are in love with each other.
Clark and Audrey have been best friends since childhood and decide a fake engagement will solve some of their problems. As they spend time pretending to be in love, they discover they really do love each other. Everyone around them seems to realize this before Clark and Audrey do and they all wait and watch as Clark and Audrey slowly discover how much they care about each other.
Audrey comes from a wealthy family and has lived a pampered life. Unfortunately, her wealth didn’t insulate her from being hurt by a cheater. She has never recovered and finds it hard to trust again. Clark loves his privileged playboy lifestyle but he also has been hurt in the past. Clark and Audrey help each other overcome their issues and are good for each other. I enjoyed Clark and Audrey and all the other characters involved in this engaging story.
Audrey Tate is heartbroken as the man she was seeing fell off a boat and drowned. That is until she learned that he had been married and had yet another girlfriend! Audrey meets his widow, Naomi, and his other girlfriend, Claire, and they become friends.
Audrey is from a very wealthy family in Manhattan and works as an influencer where she receives free items and evaluates them. Her best friend since childhood is the very handsome and wealthy Clarke West. Now, it appears that someone on social media has said that they are engaged. When she asks Clarke to stop the rumors and set the story straight, he tells her that they need to pretend to be engaged for awhile. His very pushy mother is once again trying to pair him up with Elizabeth, a young woman she feels would be perfect for him. Clarke disagrees.
As the pretend engagement becomes more real, Clarke and Audrey realize that unless they call a halt to the wedding, they might actually find themselves married. Can friends become lovers and have their happily ever after?
Very cute, thoughtful, clean, and funny. Kinda silly at times, but that’s what makes this book lighthearted, while imparting some truths for everyone to consider. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading even more books by this author.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.