A political golden boy and the woman of his dreams take the risk of their lives in a sexy romantic comedy of strange bedfellows and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.Fresh off being named Citizen magazine’s Man of the Year, New York City’s youngest mayor, Robert Davenport, decides it’s time to strategize. Next move: a bid for the governor’s seat. In his way: an … governor’s seat. In his way: an incumbent with a flawless reputation. He also has an Achilles’ heel: an estranged wild-child daughter with a past so scandalous it could be Robert’s ticket to victory. And a charm so irresistible it could be Robert’s downfall.
Rebellion is a thing of the past for Adeline Blake. As New York’s premier event planner, she’s all about reform and respectability. Then she’s approached by Robert to organize the party of the season. Curious, considering he’s her father’s most formidable opponent. And alarming, too. Because Addie can’t help but fall for the righteously popular candidate with the movie-star smile.
Now it’s Robert’s choice. Does he pursue a future that holds his legacy? Or the woman who holds his heart?
more
Winning “Man of The Year” didn’t do Robert Davenport any favors, in his opinion. He was already the youngest mayor New York had ever had and his favorable record is what he is going to run on in his bid for governor. But he has two problems, being single in your twenties isn’t frowned upon in politics, remaining so… not so much and the current governor’s reputation in public is flawless. Enter Addie Blake. Addie is the governor’s wayward daughter, who used her teen years causing as much scandal as she could before realizing that she was only hurting herself. Remaking who she is, she becomes an event coordinator and is brought to the attention of Robert by his campaign manager to dig for secrets on Governor Brennan.
I will start out by saying that I enjoyed Yours In Scandal overall. The characters are well developed with a real-life feel to them that makes them relatable. Addie is the woman hoping to live down her past mistakes and make a life for herself. Like anyone who didn’t think before they acted in their late teens/early twenties, she did stupid stuff, believed people she thought were friends and went a little wild. Unlike most of us, it was done in the public eye. Robert is her polar opposite. He is the guy who toed the line, did the right thing, made all the correct steps. Following in his beloved father’s footsteps after he died, Robert was myopic in what he thought those were. Robert becomes a man at a crossroads; continue with the narrow plan or find life’s balance.
The story meandered a bit as Robert keeps his knowledge of Addie’s true identity to himself, longer than he should and Addie let fear keep her from spreading her wings and being a fully rounded person. The interplay between the two ramps quickly from flirting to hot, while outside forces move them toward an inevitable conflict of what Robert knew and what his purpose was and its effect on Addie. I would have like to see more action between Robert and Addie and the Governor but that took a backseat to the romance and happily ever after for the leads.
If you are in the mood for quick-paced, fun romance read with a nice bit of steam, Yours in Scandal is a good choice.
I am an immense Lauren Layne fan. Therefore, I was thrilled to receive an advance reading copy of ‘Yours in Scandal.’ This book is the first of a new New-York series. She hasn’t left the Big Apple in a while, and it suits her. This time, she’s taking us in politics in a variation of Cinderella. I am a lover of political shows like the West Wing or rom-com movies like The American President.
Nevertheless, it’s a tricky subject for romance as the author has to find the right balance between making it politically believable and still keep it at the love and comedy level. I feared that the story wouldn’t go into enough political details. I should have known better. Lauren Layne is skilled at giving just enough specifics to keep the story believable, but not too much that the reader would lose track.
Moreover, Lauren Layne always knows how to surprise her readers. When you anticipated a kiss, you get a hug, there’s still a surprise on the next page. In my opinion, it’s what makes a great romance writer. The way she makes you feverishly turn to the next page.
I’ve read so many books in which I could tell you what was going to happen in the next chapter. We, romance lovers, all know that there’s always a crucial turning point at 80% of the book, but then it will end with an HEA. With Lauren Layne, it doesn’t matter because you keep reading, feeling for the characters. You just want to know how they will manage the obstacles to their happy ending. For instance, all along with the reading, I kept asking myself how Robert would manage to overcome what seemed to be a massive obstruction.
I can’t say much more without spoiling, just that I’m impatiently waiting for the second book of this series.
Robert is having to give up his job as Mayor of New York City and planning to run for governor. The current governor has always seemed to be untouchable except for his daughter Addie who went wild for a bit and disappeared from the radar. Robert’s sleazy campaign manager has found Addie with a new look and a new name Adeline Blake and he wants Robert to hire her party planning business to get dirt on her father. Well nothing goes the way they expect and everyone is going to get hurt but it was a great story and the results were great.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Robert, the hero, was a good guy politician talked into blurring the lines in the name of helping his campaign and preventing a corrupt, lying adversary from remaining in office. That opponent just happens to be the heroine’s estranged father. Instant attraction on both sides sets the stage for loads of relationship angst as these two perfect for each other lovebirds think they can’t and/or shouldn’t be together. Adeline squares off and puts up quite a fight at first. Robert may seem resigned at times but keeps coming back for more of this lady love. He feels she’s the first woman to see right to his soul.
Upon meeting, Adeline and Robert were like two magnets you couldn’t pull apart. No matter how hard they tried to resist their attraction, the desire to be together was too strong. It took putting self-sacrifice and love first to save the day.
The writing flowed, and I stayed fully engaged. Sure, knuckleheaded moves/decisions sometimes popped up, but I still rooted for them.
Here’s to hoping the next book will feature Rosalie, one of the two best friends of Adeline. At one point she was caught in the middle but played it cool and supportive as a true bestie should. I’m looking forward to seeing her get her own HEA.
Title: Yours in Scandal, Series: Man of the Year (Book 1), Author: Lauren Layne, Pages: 263, stand-alone but part of a series, conflicted good guy mayor politician hero, event planner heroine with complicated past, relationship angst, think they can’t be together, HEA.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
This was a fast, easy, very enjoyable read from Lauren Layne who certainly knows how to write contemporary romance novels. I loved Robert Davenport’s character and his integrity and honesty and I completely understood and related to Addie’s character. This wasn’t your typical political romance because there were definitely some twists thrown into the mix! I would definitely recommend if you like this author’s writing. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
New York mayor Robert Davenport, has reached the end of his two terms and is planning to try his hand at being governor next. But first he must defeat his fellow well liked incumbent, which shouldn’t be too tough since he suspects the man has some dirty little secrets that need to come to light… with his help of course.
He has the perfect plan in place to gather intel on his opponent, which involves getting friendly with event planner Adeline Blake, which also happens to be his opponents daughter. It seems like a fool proof plan… until he starts to spend more time with her, and feelings start to take hold!
Yours in Scandal is a delightful little political romance story that comes brimming with heart and humor! What started as a way for Robert to gain some usable knowledge about his opponent quickly became something else entirely when he learned some unexpected secrets about Adeline. As much as he wanted to bring them to light, he just couldn’t do and watch it break her heart. These two don’t have a instant love connection, it’s more of a slow burn romance, one that takes time to foster and sort out. I enjoyed this newest offering from Ms. Layne, it was entertaining, heartfelt, and riddled with lots of swoon-worthy material! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley request, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.