I made my name winning cases. Carter Sloane is known for being sharp, astute, and never taking no for an answer. At home, though, I’m fumbling my way through raising my two nieces and saying yes to far too many bowls of ice cream.If only I wasn’t so distracted by the woman across from my new office.Running a booming fragrance business gives Valentina Connor a great excuse to avoid dating. But I … avoid dating. But I see right through her. I’m not going to be another bad decision.
I can’t believe how easily Val slips into our lives, doting on my nieces and making me fall for her.
I’d move mountains to make her happy, but with Val’s career soaring, how can I ask her to commit to the chaos of my life?
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Layla Hagen does large family series super well. This is another addition to the Connor family group, and it feels just as sweet, steamy and lovable as the rest.
Carter is a hotshot lawyer raising his nieces after the tragic death of their parents. Val runs her own cosmetics company and knows a whole lot about the loss of parents herself. After a meet cute at the local coffee shop and sparks flying, you can tell that these two were meant to find one another!
Family is the thing that brings it all together in this sweet romance! Definitely a recommend if you need something a little more lighthearted with a happy ending.
No drama funny beautiful love story. Val and Carter met in the cutest way and found each other attractive. They started out as friends, banters and very funny moments which eventually developed into a beautiful relationship. They both had so much in common with things that happened to them in the past. Carter was raiding his two nieces and was afraid that Val will run for the hills; but he was so wrong. It wasn’t rushed it was just perfect. Loved these two and their flirty text messages. The Connor’s are always very entertaining.
Only With You is the story of Val (the Connor I have been wanting to hear about) and the sexy single father (Carter) who just moved into the office across from her office. Can they overcome the obstacles and the fear Val has of falling for another wrong man? Read to find out just what it takes to find happy ever after.
Love love love Only with You! Carter was just a whole around amazing guy. He is perfect for Val and was perfect for the situation he was unexpected thrown in. Yes I had a couple of tears come through due to their situation at the beginning story. I had a lot of laughs and a lot of love for their story. Before I knew it, I was done with this book in one setting. If you need some hot and feel good story, Only With You is the recipe you are looking for!
Another stellar story from Layla Hagen! She didn’t disappoint with Val and Carter at all!! This story was steamy and romantic, but still with some humor and angst too. Val is focused, confident and determined when it comes to work, but her love life is another story. When she spies Carter in her local coffee shop he definitely peaks her interest, but she’s leary after being burned one too many times. Their meet cute was adorable and I was absolutely rooting for Carter! He’s alpha in every way except when it comes to being the parent to his two nieces. He and Val connect over so many things. He woos her and I loved that their connection and attraction built over time and wasn’t some instalove situation. I adore this family series from Layla and the cameos we get from the Bennett cousins! So good!
This story introduces you to Carter Sloane, who’s been raising his two nieces for the last few years, while becoming a lawyer you don’t want to come up against. When he moves into a new office building across from Valentina Connor, the chemistry leaps off the page from the first moment they cross paths. While Val has had a past that’s taught her not to pin her hopes on a future, Carter has learned that not everyone is okay with a ready-made family.
If anyone can make you feel like a member of the family within a series, it’s Layla Hagen. I became hooked with the Bennett family and the Connor family is just as inviting, with occasional cameos from your favorites. Watching the characters fall for each other, while guarding their hearts is a romantic journey that’ll sweep you off your feet. Every time I finish a book in the series, I want to start all over again, just so I can fall in love with each character like it was the first time! Only With You reminds you what true love feels like, even through the ups and the downs.
Super sexy and all that goes with the Connor family! .
Valentina is the Matriarch of her family when her parents dies she and her twin took care of the siblings. Carter is one hot lawyer who had taken in his two nieces when his sister and her husband died. When these two meet they have more in common that death and helping to raise children. The sparks fly and the chemistry is off the charts! I love the Connor family and Layla does not disappoint with this couple.
I love the Connor family!!! Val and Carter’s story did not disappoint!
I have loved Valentina from the beginning of this amazing series. The way she always loves and cares for her siblings and through all of their journeys she has been there. She has such an amazing heart. Beautiful inside and out. Carter is strong, kind, bossy but sweet. Raising his nieces, making sure they have everything they need, is his goal. When these two meet though, they see so much more.
I loved every single word of this book!!! Val and Carter’s journey was so amazing to see unfold. My heart is so full for this couple. This is an absolute MUST READ!!
I just love this series.
I was looking forward Valentina’s story, she is a strong woman who gave up a lot in her youth to take care of her siblings and now at 36 is a successful business woman, living her life with her close family.
The Connors are very tight but something is missing in Valentina’s life. A family of her own and companionship. She has had some boyfriends and her latest attempt ended very badly. That is when Carter enters in her life… He is also successful and is bringing up his two nieces in a very sweet way.
He and Valentina are two peas in a pod and their connection is so strong.
This is a book that you will read over and over again.
“The soul never gets old. We just forget to be children.”
Only With You was a light and pleasant read. It had all the components to make your heart swoon. Sexy Lawyer. Single Uncle/Dad. Insta love. Val has always been one of my favorites from the Connor clan and I couldn’t wait for her story. It was every bit as sweet, passionate, and sexy as I thought it would be. But I found myself missing something. I felt it was a little tame to the other Bennett/Connor stories. I just expected a little more oomph when I thought of Vals story. It had plenty in the sexy department but I wanted more from the feels department. I was just craving a little more angst and build up at times. Sometimes certain parts came across a little rushed. Overall I really did enjoy this story and read it to the end. Val and Carter are a seriously swoon worthy couple. They took you on a fast paced, flirty, steamy ride. The passion and desire these characters shared sizzles from your kindle. Peyton and April was a nice sweet touch to this story. I loved getting to know them as well. Each brought their own flare to the story.
“I wanted to map her body with my hands and mouth, discover what made her wild with lust, and then I’d be the only one holding the key to her pleasure.”
Val is still one of my favorite Connor’s. Shes half the glue that holds her family together. She has always just been one of those heroines you can’t help but like. Everything about her screams girl next door, and innocent, but she is a complete contradiction. Val is fiesty, independent and strong. I admired her characters ability to face any obstacle head on, and with determination. I loved Val’s character wasn’t affraid to admit when she was insecure. She embraced her vulnerability and learned from it.
“Then his voice reached me too. That sexy voice that went with the rest of the package, exactly like caramel completed my cappuccino.”
Carter had me won over from the start. He charmed his way into my heart with his smooth ways. He is a hopeless romantic at heart, with caveman alpha tendencies. Carter knew how to command your attention, as if you was sitting in his courtroom. Some of the things out of his mouth could definitely make a women squirm. Plus he is one mighty good Uncle to his nieces. So many times my ovaries swooned over his fatherly ways in raising his nieces.
“With Carter I could be myself, and I loved it.”
*4 STARS*
As another Connor is off the market I truly cant wait to see which Connor will fall next. Will it be Hailey or Jace. I’m secretly hoping for Hailey.
I have enjoyed the previous Connor books and I couldn’t wait to read Val’s story. As one of the oldest-with her twin Landon-she was responsible for raising her four younger siblings. To me, Val had a tough exterior. Being a “mom” to her siblings can definitely bring that out and I wasn’t expecting a softer side. Boy was I wrong. In Only With You, I was able to see the other side of Valentina Connor-the warmer side. It was a perfect balance between a strong independent woman/business-owner and “mom” to the romance-loving, sweet woman. That balance showed the true Val. When Carter Sloane enters the picture, it was entertaining to see how he gets to Val and how he also gets Val. He was determined but he was also loving and caring to her. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship. There was a nice build-up of the interactions and banter and the steam. What I loved most about this book was the significant of family. Seeing the way Carter was with his nieces was endearing and I loved how Val seamlessly fit into their lives. Of course it is always great when the Connor siblings make appearances-it puts a smile on my face how much they love and care for each other. This was a great read about love between two people who were perfect for each other in every way. Carter and Val were fabulous characters and I enjoyed their love story. Only With You is a well-written balanced book. Layla is a great storyteller. I really hope Jace’s book is next-I’ve been waiting for that boy! 🙂
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
I absolutely couldn’t wait to read Val’s book! If you’re keeping up with the Connor Family Series you know that Val and her twin brother became parents to their younger siblings the second their parents died.
Since her dream was to make her own perfumes she started small in the family garage and worked her business into a success. With success comes some issues or trouble, if you will. There’s a company out to try and crush Val’s newest mass market scent.
While stewing on what to do about this other company Val bumps into a man at her local coffee bar. Cater is the new guy on the block, and is supremely handsome. Though Val doesn’t have time for “distractions.”
Lucky for her, though, Carter is a successful attorney and when the going gets tight with her case let’s just say Carter brings out the big guns. Their attraction aside, they have easy conversation. Their families mix well. He’s a single father and Val’s experience raising her siblings helps tremendously in the advice department.
Sometimes though all that packaged together can be a bit much for a couple. Especially a couple that wasn’t looking for a relationship much less falling in love.
I do hope you enjoy Val and Carter’s love story as much as I did. I didn’t want to put it down or for it to end. Definitely one of my favorites in the Connor Family Series to date.
I must say that I love all of Layla’s books and this one was just as good. They a fun, sweet, sexy reads. I love how strong yet vulnerable the characters are and how loyal the brothers and sisters are to each other. I love how the Bennett’s pop into the story as well. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
Original blog post at professorromance.blog.
I’ve made no mistake in the past that I’m a fan of Layla Hagen’s The Connor Family series. Check out my review here.
Like her series about the Bennett family, there is so much to love about this family. Orphaned in their youth, the two oldest siblings, Landon and Val, are responsible for raising their younger siblings. It creates a bond between them that continues into adulthood. As the first three books in the series show us, this family loves each other first and they find love later. For me, that engages me in the books in this series.
Only with You is Layla Hagen’s newest book. It follows the story of the oldest daughter in the Connor family, Valentina (Val). She is a successful, take charge woman. Having raised her younger siblings and running a successful company makes it difficult for Val to find her equal in a man. The few men she meets and begins to date disappoint her for their lack of commitment and their apparent inability to accept her need for control.
Enter Carter. Carter’s law firm has moved into a building near Val’s company. They meet in a local coffee shop, and they have instant chemistry. From there, Carter and Val feed their attraction to each other by randomly running into each, then arranging lunch dates, and eventually dating each other more formally. However, Carter’s life is complicated. He has two nieces who he raises, and Carter worries that Val, having already raised her siblings, won’t want that level of commitment. Similarly, Val worries that Carter may not accept her foibles, her messiness and the way she tends to take over situations. Will Carter and Val find their happy ending?
I think out of the first four books of this series this may be my favorite to date (I’m thinking Jace and Hailey’s stories may usurp this one…I guess we’ll see). One of the main reasons this is my new Connor family favorite is Carter. To be fair, Val is an amazing female character. She is incredibly successful, competent, a force to be reckoned with. What isn’t to love about a woman who can hold her own with both men and women? She is completely self-sufficient and emotionally mature. However, Carter brings a lightness to her. He is funny, engaging, fairly cocky (but in a sexy way), and he’s a gentleman. Due to Val’s experiences with the men in her life, she does not believe she can find someone who will accept her need to control or influence situations. Carter, however, loves this about her, accepting her as she comes. This is what makes him the perfect swoony book boyfriend. He sees her, cherishes her, and strives to take care of her.
I think the part of Layla Hagen’s books that I love the most is there is always a little bit of angst, but it never overwhelms you as the reader. It raises your heartbeat, unleashes the butterflies in your stomach for just a moment, and keeps you aware. Yet, it resolves quickly bringing about a happy ending. Only with You is a book that keeps you believing that love breeds acceptance, showing that love can overcome anything.
Overall:+
A great read! I was so excited to read Valentina’s story & it was hot! The steamy scenes will have u fanning urself! Carter is sweet, charming & his cocky attitude was a perfect for Val. His character has u swooning from the kinda single dad, but not – he’s that sexy uncle who stepped up. I love these stories that tug at ur heart strings. These 2 finding each other after both being hurt in previous relationships reads like the usual story, but these characters were written so well. I have enjoyed all of the Connor siblings books & Val’s is a great addition to this series. I highly recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
Smart, funny, arousing.
The usual, wonderful stuff with this writer 🙂
This romance exudes playful notes like a light yet sexy perfume. Valentina Connor is a determined woman whose sense of humor and beauty spark an interest in handsome lawyer Carter. I had a lot of fun with their teasing dialogues as they got to know each other over casual breakfasts at a café or flirty texts on the phone.
I think Val’s business is so appealing and I liked how she works to create new fragances or lines of beauty products. Another favourite part for me is Carter’s passionate nature. He lavishes Val with attention and wants to be exclussive from the start. He always puts her first even when he has to slow down because he thinks she wants to take things easy. It was endearing and hot 🙂
Many lovely moments pepper this beautiful romance. Family gatherings spiced with banter, food and humour always have a special magic. Val and Carter have to deal with some isues with their insecurities about past relationships. The process was real and emotional, so all the obstacles just proved how really committed and in love they were.
This is a very optimistic, sweet and passionate romance, and another favourite of mine in this series.
The Connors are back and this time we see well the matriarch of the family. Valentina is the responsible one, the one who took the young Connors under her wing as a young adult. She knows a thing or two about teenagers and with Carters nieces she’s a pro. Yet when it comes to love she has no idea how to well adjust. The love Carter has for her is strong and terrifying. Layla Hagen has created a strong one in Val yet we see a vulnerable side as well when it comes to her career being threatened. All in all these two complete each other in a way it is easy to see them fall for each other. This is one Connor sibling you don’t want to pass and we see the whole family including some Bennett cameos. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Layla Hagen does a beautiful job of painting the picture for my imagination. Her characters, the settings, the emotion and the love are written so well and vividly that my heart embraces it all. I can’t help myself when I read one of Layla Hagen stories, I am hooked, emotionally invested, I am all in.
Val has always been the one that is there for everyone. She put her own life and dreams on hold when she was younger, so that she could help raise her younger siblings. Even though everyone is grown and living their own lives, Val still puts 100% into everyone and everything. I am glad that Carter is the type of man that wants to take care of Val. She needed someone that would balance her nurturing ways with care and love for her. Another fantastic story! I can’t wait for more.
Sexy, romantic, fun and playful dialogue
Characters were career driven, successful, and knew their way around the relationship dance. This is a family driven story and it’s full of playful dialogue. The romance is woven with Carter and Val’s work lives, personal and family times. It’s an instant attraction, smoking hot romance for two characters that lots in common ranging from trust issues, raising or having raised family members, and being career driven. Only With You is an enjoyable, easy to read, romance. This is my first read by Layla Hagen and I am intrigued. I’m going to grab the first 3 books in this series and binge read!
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (March 4, 2019)
ARC provided by Inkslinger PR
I love the Connors family!! I love Layla Hagen’s books and Only with You does not disappoint!! It’s finally Val’s time to find love. I loved her in the previous books, her family and company always her priority!! Then she meets Carter at a local office shop!
Carter is the guardian to his 2 nieces, an attorney running his own business.
This book is beautiful. It wasn’t a rushed love story, Carter and Val fall for each other over time amongst their busy lives!! It starts with a connection, flirting, texting, then a date…. and they realize how they make life work together!
With love and family and a commitment to each other!! It just warms my heart how Layla Hagen takes readers on a simple journey of love!! Can not wait for more of the Connors!!