I Wish You Were Mine: An Oxford Novel

Review
5 Touchdown Passes

I must admit that I am a fan of Lauren Layne. I have read several of her books and have never been disappointed. When offered the opportunity to read and review one of her books, I jumped at the chance. True to the expectations that I hold for this author, I Wish You Were Mine was well worth reading.
If you went by appearances Jackson Burke and his wife Madison are the perfect celebrity couple. When Jackson met Madison at college he was blindsided. Madison was everything he thought he would want in a girlfriend. He pursued her as he did everything else. Winning is the only option. Several years later, things are not what they seem and definitely not what Jackson wanted.
After a career ending auto accident, Jackson is served with divorce papers while still recovering in the hospital. Not only is his foot career over, but his marriage is over, and he is accused of having many affairs with different women. Leaving Texas to take a job as a fitness journalist with Oxford Magazine, Jackson keeps himself secluded in his office resisting the friendship of his fellow Oxford writers.
Mollie Carrington has looked up to her older sister Madison all her life. After their mom died of an overdose, Madison took over raising her little sister. Mollie has never forgotten how much she owes Madison for taking care of her, but Mollie has a secret. She has been in love with her sister’s husband since their wedding day. It is a love that Mollie never thought would be reciprocated. Jackson has always treated her as a little sister. They have shared a friendship and a sibling closeness. When they get together in New York City, Jackson sees the beautiful woman that Mollie has become. True, she is still a little awkward in a science nerd kind of way, but she has become a beauty and unlike her manipulating older sister Madison, Mollie has a wonderful loving heart, and a body that he can’t resist.
Unfortunately, Jackson wants to get back on the football field, and his ex-wife may have the ability to get him there. If he goes back to Texas he may have to give up Mollie, something that he does not want to do.
This is a taboo love story, but it works. Mollie and Jackson are wonderful together. If you are anything like me you will hate Madison and hope that Mollie and Jackson get the happily ever after they deserve.

ARC provided by Give Me Books via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club.

I Wish You Were Mine, An Oxford Novel,  Lauren Layne

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance,

 A new to me author, and I’ll love to read more from this Oxford series – might get round to book one too. Each book is stand alone but people from earlier books feature – it doesn’t matter if like me you hadn’t read book one.

So we meet Jackson, jock star who’s now retired thanks to a serious car injury. He’s on the surface fine, but under it still in pain both physical and mental from the loss of his career. Football is what has defined him since a child so he’s lost without it. Throw in a nasty divorce and its been a nightmare year. Now he’s joined the Oxford team and moved to NY to try to start a new life. Who’s in NY though but non other than his Ex’s sister, the delectable Mollie. They’ve stayed good friends, texting and calling but Mollie, wow Mollie, has grown up and in a dangerous way.
They’re a great pair, I loved Mollie, devoted sister even though Madison is nothing but a bi tch, she still sees the sister who was there for her when she was a teen and needed her. Mollie is super intelligent, loyal to her friends, and a bit of a geek. Now thanks to a lost bet with a friend and a makeover she’s a super hot geek, and Jackson can’t stop his feelings for her. But its wrong isn’t it? To feel this way about a close friend, someone who’s sister to his Ex, or is it? There’s no real bar except the mind.
Mollie thought she’d got over her crush, but meeting Jackson and being so close she’s solely tempted all over again. Can she hold out though when Jackson makes it clear he feels the same. And what about Madison who despite all the things she did, the lies and bad publicity, now wants Jackson back....what a triangle. It’s got some great sensuality, two fabulous people in Mollie and Jackson, some great characters among the Oxford crew ( and I look forward to who’s next!) and of course Madison, a woman unlike no other, perfect foil to Mollie, someone who puts her own wants and needs first every time, all the time. I love a person like that in a story, adds such drama.

Its a read I really enjoyed, sexy romance with some cutting edges and I look forward to meeting more of the Oxford gang finding romance.
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Stars: Five, a really fun read with some cracking drama.
 
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

 

Jackson Burke wasn't ready to say goodbye to football, but he had no other choice after a car accident took his option to play away, and left him a shell of the man he use to be. Not only did this accident steal his career, but it also became a selling point to his wife to up and walk away from their marriage. Their marriage was no where near perfect, but Jackson was willing to work on things, she however was reluctant, she enjoyed the glitz and glamour of being a football wife, and with him no longer on the field, that took away her opportunity to shine. Not to mention the fact that she had already made the choice to move on...with his best friend. Which left Jackson alone, and not sure where to turn, so, when a new job opportunity in New York was offered to him, he decided to leave his old life behind and start over in the big city. Moving to New York also meant he'd be closer to the one true friend he had left, the one person he was able to count on when everyone else walked away from him... his ex-wives little sister Mollie. Mollie and him have always been close, but since divorcing her sister and his downward spiral after losing his career, the last few months has left their relationship a little strained. He thinks about her all the time and would love nothing more to rekindle their friendship so he invites her out for dinner, but the sexy siren that shows up to meet him is not the same girl he always turned to... she has a hot little body and is dressed to kill, and has him looking at her in a whole new light...

Mollie Carrington has always adored her brother in law Jackson, and also harbored a serious crush on him since the day her sister brought him home. But watching him marry her sister pretty much closed the book on her every having anything other than friendship with the man. But when their marriage implodes and she watches her sister walk away from the best thing that has ever happened to her, she is given a little glimmer of hope that she may just have a chance with him after all. But could she really do that, date her sisters ex-husband? The thought of sharing something more with Jackson has her walking on cloud nine, but the question is does Jackson look at her that way, does he feel the same? When he calls to invite her to dinner to reconnect she decides to see just how Jackson feels about her, so she puts on her little sexy red dress, and decides it's time for Jackson to see the new Mollie. Now she just has to hope that her plan will have him seeing her in a whole new light...a light he can't resist!

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew it was going to be a good read, and I have to say my instincts were right...SO VERY RIGHT!! Jackson and Mollie's story captured my attention instantly and had me flying right through the pages to see if their sparks would lead to a happy ending, and I have to say Ms. Layne did not disappoint! This story had it all, and then some, and has me dying to read the next installment in the series!! I highly recommend you give this book a try, Jackson is sure to have you smiling and swooning the whole way through!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

*ARC provided by Publisher*

In I Wish You Were Mine, book two of author Lauren Layne’s Oxford series for Random House Loveswept, recently divorced ex-NFL star Jackson Burke has moved to New York and taken a job at Oxford magazine, despite his misgivings about finally using his journalism degree. He actively avoids getting to know his coworkers and tries his best not to like anything about the job or the city he’s now living in. He does, however, finally decide to reconnect with his friend and ex-sister-in-law, Mollie Carrington, whom he’s been avoiding for months now, and though they have a few rocky moments between them, he enjoys talking with her again. So much so that he offers her a place to stay when her own roommate situation goes a little sideways.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m a sucker for a good forbidden romance, unrequited love story and I loved that this one had elements of both, not to mention the whole friends to lovers aspect of it all. The conflicts that came from these elements really fit well with who Jackson and Mollie are as individuals, and lent that much more to their story and their growth as people because of it.

I Wish You Were Mine is a compelling, well-written contemporary romance story with angst, passion, comedy, and drama. I had fun reading this story even as my heart went out to Jackson and Mollie over the disaster that is Mollie’s older sister. I hated the wench, and that’s a testament to how utterly talented Lauren Layne is with her characterization and storytelling abilities. She creates real people on the page of every book and she makes me care enough about her leads to hate a character for being mean to them. I always know I’m getting a great story when I read her work, and that’s certainly true for this newest release.

I loved it!

Jackson Burke has had a good run at life – married to his college sweetheart, he’s a star quarterback with a half-dozen super bowl rings, he owns a beautiful home in Texas, and has the good looks and physique of a man who can do pretty much anything, not to mention anybody, he chooses. Yet reality isn’t always what it seems as his troubled marriage to Madison ends after a flurry of women come forward to claim an affair with him, and a car accident ends his football career. Jackson finds himself licking his wounds in New York City, and utilizing his journalism major when he accepts a columnist position at the famed Oxford magazine.

Madison’s younger sister Mollie has had a crush on Jackson since she first met him. They became close friends, and she was his “go-to” confidante when his marriage troubles took center stage in his life. And while Mollie has lived the majority of her life with this crush, she knows that her former brother-in-law is off limits. But since Mollie also lives in NYC, and Jackson needs a friend, and then Mollie needs a place to stay, Mollie’s crush comes rushing back, and Jackson finds he has new and different feelings for her. Unfortunately for Mollie, both Madison and a new football career step back into Jackson’s life, calling him back to Texas, just as things were looking up for her.

I have enjoyed all of the Oxford Novel series, and this one is no exception. In fact, it is my favorite, so I would have no trouble recommending it. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC, from which this review is based, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Oxford Series which is a spin off of the Sex, Love and Stiletto Series....one series is about the women who work and write for a women's magazine and the other series is about the men who work and write for a men's magazine. I have read all of these books and I have absolutely loved them. Lauren Layne's writing is great...it is humorous and sexy and the storylines are great. These are all stand alone books.....however, it is great to read them in order and once you read one you will want to read the rest because the characters are great and you want to find out what happens to all of them. This is Jackson and Mollie's story, and I loved it! Jackson is an ex football player that has his career cut short due to an injury caused by a car accident, and his ex-wife who is a bitch....dumps him during the worst possible time in his life. Mollie is his ex-wife's sister and she and Jackson have always been friends...but Mollie has felt a bit more for Jackson than she could ever show. I thought I may have an issue with the fact that she is the ex's sister....but the ex is so unlikable that it really didn't bother me. I adore this bunch of men...they are great friends and they are absolutely hysterical. I can't wait for Lincoln's story....I can't imagine what his will be but based upon past stories I have a feeling it will be the best of the bunch. I highly recommend this book and the rest in the series.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Overall Opinion: I put off reading this one because of the vastly different reviews for it, and the fact that most of them were not positive. I'm glad I did read it, because I did enjoy it for the most part. I liked their dialogue, I liked the side characters, and I liked the level of angst it provided (enough to give the magnitude of the situation it's due, but not so much it felt OTT). I found myself reading this very quickly because I was fully engaged and eager to find out what was going to happen. So, all of that's great... However, I did have some issues as well. The ending is my biggest issue. It felt abrupt and I didn't get nearly enough closure for it to feel like it balanced out all the conflict towards the end. One of my biggest pet peeves is when the big conflict is resolved and then we are thrown into the epilogue, and we get that here. It just isn't the stable ending I look for when we don't have at least some time of them making things right between that conflict and the end. I realize this very well could just be a me thing...and I'm okay with that ??‍♀️?

**Please see goodreads.com/NMmomof4 for my full review with spoiler tags**

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Mollie and Jackson's story. Mollie first developed feelings for Jackson when he was married to her older sister. They became really close during his unhealthy marriage. Even though Jackson only saw her as a friend, Mollie had always loved him. Years with a dramatic and very public divorce later, Jackson moves to New York for a new job as a writer for a men's magazine. Mollie is in New York as well, and they connect again. Jackson is lonely and struggling with his new life after a career ending injury as a NFL quarterback, and he ends up offering a spare bedroom for Mollie to move into. They fight their attraction for obvious reasons, but eventually can't fight it any longer and fall in love. There is a good bit of family/ex drama, some career problems, and some sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Mollie and Jackson in 3rd person narrative.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. The ending was too abrupt for my liking though.

Instalove: No -- but the h was already in love with him when the story begins, and the H did have some feelings for the h (not romantic).

H rating: 3.5 stars. Jackson. I liked him, but I also had some big issues with his own self-centered ways about his career.

h rating: 3.5 stars. Mollie. I liked her, but I also wanted to shake her when her sister was in the picture because she was a bit of a doormat with her.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Yes

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Yes

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: Not between mcs

Separation: Yes

Closure: This is my biggest complaint. We get their conflict resolved and then jump right into an epilogue. I wouldn't even say it was a very good epilogue either! I would call this a HFN ending, as there wasn't any big commitments made.

Review by Jennifer

ARC received via NetGalley for an honest review

I just finished this book a little while ago today. Can someone please tell me why my face is flushed and I still have that warm tingling fuzzy feeling inside me? Oh yeah! That’s right! This book will make you feel like that. I know that each time I read a Lauren Layne book I always say I loved this one the most but I am totally serious when I say I think this one is my all time favorite of hers. I absolutely cherished Jackson & Mollie’s love story. I never wanted to see it end.

I felt all the feels with this book. The nervousness of that first love, feeling. The butterflies in your stomach from hearing all the things you’ve wanted to hear for so long. The steamy.. like fog up your kindle screen sex scenes and of course the irritation of that one self- centered person. (You will know who I am talking about once you read the book and you will want to slap her just like I did!)

Jackson was purrrfect! He said all the right things. He said the sweetest things. He was bossy when I wanted him to be and sensitive when he needed to be. Just perfect! Mollie was just as great. She wasn’t afraid to tell Jackson how she was feeling, not afraid to put it all out there and take that leap of faith. Their friendship was funny, uplifting, sexy, hot and it made me feel all warm and happy inside. This was a fantastic, romantic read and one of Lauren’s best to date in my opinion!

LOVED, LOVED this book and Lauren Layne!!! What happens when a sexy ex-football player offers his younger ex-sister-in-law a place to stay in his luxurious condo? Only one of the sexiest, sweetest romances I’ve ever read!

In this latest book in the Oxford series, Jackson Burke is trying to adjust to his new life in New York working for Oxford magazine after overcoming an accident that took his football career away and moving on from a horrible breakup from his divorce from ex-wife, Maddie. However, it doesn’t feel like home to him. He misses Texas and being on a football field. He finally relents and agrees to meet his ex-wife’s younger sister, Mollie, for dinner one night. He was always close to her, but he’s stunned at how much she’s changed. He certainly doesn’t see her as a girl anymore; she’s all woman. Despite his better judgment, he offers her a room in his big condo. As the two spend more time together, the two can’t fight their feelings, especially since Mollie has always been in love with Jackson, but never said a word because of her loyalty to her sister. Will they finally cross that boundary, and what happens when the past threatens to tear them apart?

As with all of Layne’s books, she pulled me into the story through her characters. I loved them all, and it’s no different with Jackson and Mollie. I loved Jackson! How could I not? He’s sexy and sweet, not to mention all that he’s had to overcome. But, he really ticked me off at times. He had a great job, a woman who adored him, and people who really wanted to be his friends, but he always kept them at a distance. I understood he had trouble trusting others, but man I wanted to shake him and wake him up. Mollie was a sweetheart. There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about her. Just being around her helped Jackson open up more to his co-workers at Oxford who really wanted to be his friend. However, her sister, Maddie, OMG what a bi$$h! You will see what I mean when you read the book! UGH!!! As always, I got to catch up with the rest of the guys at Oxford and their ladies which I love!

I Wish You Were Mine was a romance with substance. It’s about overcoming your past pains and accepting the new path that life has mapped out for you! It’s filled with sexual chemistry, and Layne is a master at using that chemistry to keep you wanting more. I only discovered Lane last year, but she has become one of my favorite writers. I’m always waiting impatiently for any book she is writing!

***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***

I technically started the Stiletto/Oxford series out of order. I read I Knew You Were Trouble, the 4th Oxford book, a while back. It was a library check out, and the only one in the series available at the time, so when I recently checked out the 4-book Stiletto series from my library, I didn't realize at the time that I Knew You Were Trouble was connected - for which I'm glad. I thought it was good, but it didn't necessarily pull me in enough to make me want to go back and look up the other books in the series. But overalI, I really enjoyed the Stiletto series and the whole cast of characters introduced in those books (would rate them all 4/5 stars); so when I came to the end of them & found they continued into the Oxford series, back to the library I went. It wasn't until then that I discovered the connection to I Knew You Were Trouble; but since I liked the Stiletto books so much more, I decided to keep reading in the hope that perhaps I Knew You Were Trouble was just a one-off on the "just okay" chart. I still have the 3rd Oxford book to go, and I'm assuming in there is some kind of connection to I Knew You Were Trouble, because I don't remember the prominent cast of characters thus far playing a role as background characters in that book. Anyway, moving onto my actual review of I Wish You Were Mine:

I had a hard time settling on a rating for this book - I went with 3 because I didn't dislike it, but I also didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Stiletto series or Cole's Oxford story. Unlike most of the lower reviews of this book, whose main issue seems to be with the sister/ex-husband triangle between Mollie, Jackson, and Madison, that didn't really bother me so much. Yeah, it's a weird quirk to the story, but it's not the first time I've read a book with that twist, and I found Madison pretty dislikable. There were two main issues that didn't do it for me:
1. I get that there was already a very established history between Mollie & Jackson, but so was the case with Riley & Sam's and Emma & Cassidy's Stiletto stories. Whereas those two books still had a lot of present day interaction and current relationship development, I felt that was lacking in I Wish You Were Mine. I liked Jackson well enough, and there was plenty of the same entertaining banter like the previous books; however, I felt most of this book was spent on Jackson's inner monologues of wallowing in the past life/career he lost until the last handful of pages, and most of his present-day interactions with Mollie out of bed only involved them talking about her sister and his marriage to her incessantly. I don't recall any scene between them where Madison wasn't a part in some way, shape or form - she should have been a minor role, but in reality took up way too much of the book. One of the best parts of the 4 Stiletto stories, and Cole & Penelope's Oxford story, is the excellent job Ms. Layne does showing the reading the budding relationships, but she failed to do that in I Wish You Were Mine. I just didn't feel like I saw Jackson & Mollie's present relationship evolve - I didn't feel like I was given enough about Mollie herself to be overly invested in her as a character, and I was left wanting more that was about just her & Jackson in the present.
2. This is what really threw me off, and rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe this is me just being nitpicky, maybe it's because I've been reading them back to back in a matter of days rather than stretched out over months/years as they are released, so all the details are a lot fresher in my mind - but this book obviously takes place at least several months after Emma & Cassidy's book ends, yet a major secondary storyline taking place throughout I Wish You Were Mine is Cassidy planning to propose to Emma with popping the question & ring talk amongst the Oxford guys throughout the book and a proposal story included in the epilogue. However, the whole thing didn't add up to me, because Emma & Cassidy's book ends with Cassidy down on one knee, slipping their original engagement ring on Emma's finger, then discussing what kind of wedding to have, and Cassidy saying his only requirement is that they marry soon. Not only does the proposal story in I Wish You Were Mine not match up with the one in The Trouble With Love; but as I said earlier, the time frame of I Wish You Were Mine clearly does not overlap with The Trouble With Love, so I just did not understand the whole change in the Emma-Cassidy engagement story. Nothing irks me more than when authors write a series yet change details in later books! I let the little blip of her changing what the Oxford Magazine offices were on between the Stiletto series & the Oxford series go as just a minor detail; however, the complete change to the end of Emma & Cassidy's story was too much for me. Ms. Layne does a major disservice to her readers in making the assumption that they won't remember previous story details - it's either that, or she does a major discredit to herself & her credibility by not being able to correctly recall/reference what she's already written.

Up to this point, I've loved the Stiletto/Oxford cast, and have wanted to keep reading more about them, but perhaps after 5 books Ms. Layne has taken their intertwining storylines as far as she can.
***UPDATE*** Since leaving my review of I Wish You Were Mine, I read the next book in the series (Someone Like You, Lincoln's story) and re-read I Knew You Were Trouble. Someone Like You got back to all the things I loved about the first 5 books in the series, and - while not as up there as the others - I liked I Knew You Were Trouble more than I remembered from the first read, so maybe I Wish You Were Mine was just a blip in this series for Ms. Layne.

Jackson Burke finds comfort in the one person who is so off-limits. For years, Mollie Carrington has carried a torch for Jackson Burke. Besides their mutual obsessions, Jackson and Mollie have another thing in common, Madison. She is Jackson's ex-wife, Mollie's older sister, and a completely evil and manipulative B%^&*!

Jackson and Mollie have a shared history through Madison, but they also have their own relationship. As Jackson's marriage was falling apart, he found a friend in her younger sister. Jackson confided in Mollie his ambitions and day-to-day frustrations. Mollie relied on Jackson also as a confidant and supporter. When Jackson finds himself in New York, he realizes how much he has missed Mollie and her company. But, Madison is like a bad rash that just keeps coming back. Lauren Layne has created a fantastic villain. I despise Madison, and it is so much fun to hate a truly nasty villain!

I really liked Mollie and Jackson. I was rooting for them to find their happy ending. This book is angsty - way more than I was expecting! When they were struggling with their relationship and their own feelings, I could literally feel my heart hurting for them. My tummy filled with butterflies from all of the romance and steamy scenes. One of the best parts of this book and series is the Oxford-Stiletto gang. It was great to check-in with Penelope and Cole. I love how this group has formed friends/family bonds and how fiercely they care for one another. (I'm dying for Lincoln's book! I can't wait to uncover his back-story!)

I'm becoming a BIG fan of Lauren Layne! The Oxford Series books have everything I hope for in a romance novel. I Wish You Were Mine is well written, emotionally charged, character driven, passionate and delightfully sentimental. I'm anxious for the next book in this series and one of these days, I'm going to fit the Stiletto series into my TBR. If you love a really enjoyable, character-fueled romance, you should definitely one-click this today!

An advance copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review. This book received a 4.5 rating on the BFF Book Blog. BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: angst, butterflies, character development, romance, steamy and supporting characters.

A smoking hot forbidden romance between an acerbic and disgruntled ex-quarterback and the woman who’s always had his back but should be completely out of bonds to him since she’s his ex-wife’s younger sister.
"Tonight at her sister’s wedding, Mollie Carrington had gone and fallen head over heels in love. With the groom.”

Jackson Burke had it all. A successful career as a quarterback with a handful of Super Bowl rings and was married to his beautiful high school sweetheart. But car accident not only forced him into retirement, it also triggered a scandalous and bitter divorce. Far from home and unable to move on because he misses his life on the field, he’s barely existing and grudgingly passing time in New York as the new health and fitness columnist at Oxford magazine. But his life takes another turn of events when both Carrington sisters show up.

Mollie Carrington has always felt nerdy and awkward, especially compared to her beautiful and always put together sister, except when she around Jackson who’s always put her at ease. After all the years that have passed though, she’s finally over her crush on him. A good thing since they’ve reconnected and she’s moving in with him. But remaining on her sister’s side is increasingly difficult once she starts to view her long time hero for the pretender she’s become and the harm she’s caused Jackson throughout their marriage. Lured by Jackson’s Texan charm and for once wanting to come first, this time she’s playing to win.

I wasn’t completely sure how the dynamic between the ex-es and younger sister would work, but I know Lauren Layne is an expert at causing big smiles with her smart and sexy reads. Let me put you at ease, it totally worked!

While Mollie was still the sweet, caring younger sister who loved and was grateful towards Madison, she had also grown into her own and was now realizing that Madison had never truly loved Jackson. And although Jackson had loved his ex-wife through better and worse, he’s now recognizing how much he genuinely belongs with the younger Carrington sister.

Because of the seemingly prohibited circumstance they found themselves in, it took a while for Mollie and Jackson to acknowledge their attraction for one another and get over their past and insecurities. But the slow build was deliciously sweet and sexy. Their flirty, sassy banter along with their long standing friendship made me want to cheer them on together with the amusingly meddlesome Oxford men and their delightful wives and girlfriends.

Yes! The guys and gals from the Stiletto series make a wonderful appearance along with the characters from the precious Oxford novel making this a well-rounded steamy, fun page turner. I loved how all the Oxford guys and girl coaxed Jackson out of his crabby, I’m an island, self-imposed shell. And how their busybody actions translated into bringing Mollie into their fold. Reading about the goings on Stiletto-Oxford family was a total treat, just like all of Lauren's books with her impeccable mix of sweet, sassy and sexy romance.

I Wish You Were Mine is book #2 in the Oxford series by Lauren Layne. This is a sweet and sexy standalone book with charming characters. I can’t wait to read more about the other supporting characters, one in particular. This story is told from alternating points of view with a happy ending.

Love the Stiletto and Oxford people and connections! Another great Lauren Layne book about an ex-quarterback and his best friend. Trouble is she is his ex-wife's sister. So, why not invite her to move in when you have a four bedroom penthouse? So, what if she has always been in love with you. Her sister, the wife, knew, but the quarterback - nope. But, he realizes that she has always been there for him during difficult times, especially when his marriage to the sister is breaking up and afterward. Add to the mix an accident that ends his football career right before the divorce. Offer him a job at Oxford and bring in characters from previous books. This is a great story about personal choices, challenges, difficult decisions along with some steamy sex. The male bonding and rituals add to the testosterone level at Oxford. It all makes for an enjoyable afternoon read. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book with me. Looking forward to Lincoln's story!

This is the second book in the Oxford series, but I think you could also read as a stand alone.

I loved everything about this book! The characters were very well developed and the story line was great! You could feel the emotions coming off of the pages. This is a wonderful contemporary romance novel.

Jackson Burke is trying to adjust to his new life in New York after an accident ended his football career and his wife left him. He doesn't really want to move on from football and the only person who he could really talk to is his ex-sister-in-law, Mollie. When he finally agrees to meet her for dinner, he realizes that she is all grown up. When she mentions that she needs a place to stay and he is all alone in his big penthouse, Will they be able to fight their growing feelings for each other?

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Premise: Can you put aside your past, including your ex-wife, and be with the perfect woman for you? Even if she’s your former sister-in-law? Yeah, that’s a bit complicated. Ms. Layne tackles a very difficult setup for a romance, with mixed results.

The Setup: The second in the Oxford series ( a spinoff of Ms. Layne’s popular Sex, Love & Stilettos series) focuses on Jackson Burke, the new health and fitness editor at the magazine. Jackson’s previous career was as a multi-championship winning NFL quarterback, until a car accident brought an end to his life as he knew it. He’s come to New York to get away from his horrible ex-wife, the reminders of his past, and to see the one person he misses most - his ex-sister-in-law, Mollie. She’s a nerdy girl, in the midst of her post-graduate studies and she’s changed significantly since she left Texas. She’s had a makeover (natch), is more confident and happy...and pretty over her love for Jackson. Kinda. Ok, not really. So of course, if you guess this is where romance happens, you’d be right.

Standalone: You do not need to read the earlier books in the Stiletto series, or the first Oxford book to read this, though it would give a bit more weight to the couples that feature here, such as Cole and Penelope, or Alex and Emma, or even the ever-enigmatic Lincoln. If the premise of this story is what hooked you though, it would be easy enough to read on its own.

Familiar faces: Ms. Layne does well with her characters and their banter with each other and this is no different. As a long time reader of the two series, I think that the story is strongest when all the friends get a chance to get together. Their chemistry is what bring me back each time.

Jackson and Mollie, the newbies on the block: While the setting is Oxford magazine, Jackson’s still not fully committed to life after football. He works there, but it’s just a job. He’s adrift, and it’s clear that he hasn’t let go of his past. He’s basically just existing, seeing his co-workers, but avoiding actual interactions with them, and as a consequence, Jackson and Mollie feel a bit adrift from the main group of friends. That said, their sexual chemistry was sizzling and I truly did enjoy the setup, because I’m not against difficult. I’m just not convinced this path was the best choice.

Also, familiar plot points: A big part of why I didn’t enjoy this story was the big beats were a bit predictable. There are no real surprises and I didn’t connect with Jackson and Mollie as I’d hoped. A big part of the reason for that is the giant annoying elephant in their relationship was Madison. The choice to make Jackson and Mollie’s romance palatable by making his ex/her sister the very worst was a huge turnoff to me. Madison is hands down the conniving, self-absorbed fairly cartoonish villain of this piece. It is convenient to make her a horrible person and she was just unpleasant to read about. With a book that practically felt like a triangle with the interloper at the back of every scene, it didn’t make the story stronger, and it truly irritated me while reading this book.

The Bottom Line
This was just ok, which is a shame because I thought Jackson and Mollie had some good chemistry. Unfortunately, Madison was just the worst and she’s a not-insignificant part of the story. However, the stage is set for Lincoln’s book next, and I am definitely looking forward to that.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**

As an honorary member of the Lauren Layne Fan Club (Self made), I have to say, I wasn't sure if I was going to like I WISH YOU WERE MINE. After Cole and Tiny (IRRESISTIBLY YOURS) and my four other favorite couples (The Sex, Love and Stiletto Series), I was like...Jackson does seem interesting, BUT.....

What was I THINKING....I WISH YOU WERE MINE had me laughing, crying, swooning like MEGA-Swooning, and falling so hard for Jackson and Mollie, I was sure that my heart would burst! I WISH YOU WERE MINE has some of the BEST "lines" that will stick with me always, and will definitely be a re-read when I am in the mood for a Sexy, Steamy (like who LL....can we say it's getting HOTTT in the kitchen), and completely heartwarming romance.

I love when I am so invested in a hero and heroine's story that I can't stop until I am at the last page, with tears streaming down my face, when things have gone black, I am literally in physical pain from the heartbreak. Lauren Layne makes her characters come alive, and that is what a true writer does, they make the characters feel real to us, making us feel the high's and low's and all in between!

I WISH YOU WERE MINE is classic romance at it's finest! Lauren Layne shines, her writing is superb and if you don't become a fan after this ....well...it MUST be you!

Jackson Burke's life has always been about football, but after a car accident leaves him unable to play quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Not only was his career over, so was his marriage to his high school sweetheart of eight years. With a ruin career and reputation, Jackson is in a new city with a new job and completely lost until – Mollie Carrington.

Mollie had always been in love with Jackson, because to Mollie he was not only HOT, kind, smart, fun, and her first love. The problem was Jackson did not see Mollie with the same eyes as she saw him and fell in love with her sister, Madison, instead. Now with Jackson and Madison divorce, Jackson seeks his sister-in-law, Mollie, to rekindle his friendship or maybe a little more since they both live in New York.

While their relationship takes a complicated turn of events, Mollie feels torn for still wanting Jackson even though her sister has divorce him. Mollie is struggling with her feeling, because she feels as if she is betraying her sister.

Lauren Layne’s novel, I WISH YOU WERE MINE, is AMAZING! ‘One-Click’ I WISH YOU WERE MINE today and you too will also find yourself cheering for a second chance romance for these two!

Lauren Layne’s novel, I WISH YOU WERE MINE, receives – 5 AMAZING STARS!

I really enjoyed this book, and I almost loved it, but there were a couple things that I didn't quite like, which I'll get to in a little bit; they are sort of spoilery so I'll give warning when I do.

Jackson was living his dream as a quarterback for a pro-football team in Texas, but then he is in a car accident, which causes injuries to his shoulder and hip, so he can no longer play football, and to top it off, Jackson's wife, Madison, also divorces him shortly after the accident. Jackson is now working at Oxford magazine in New York, which is a great opportunity, but he is in a pretty down place, and is having a hard time adjusting to his new life.

Mollie is Jackson's ex-wife's sister, who lives in New York and Jackson has always felt a connection with Mollie; Mollie is someone he could always talk to, and for him it wasn't necessarily a romantic connection, more of a friendship connection, but for Mollie, she feels more for Jackson than just friendship, and when Jackson and Mollie meet up for dinner, Jackson realizes that he may feel more for Mollie than just friendship, but both are trying to brush off their feelings because Jackson was Mollie's sister's husband.

I loved the chemistry between Mollie and Jackson, and I liked both of them as characters. Mollie is feisty, smart, and I like her confidence. I like how she brings out the best in Jackson, and doesn't let him wallow around. They are definitely adorable together, and they have some great spicy scenes. The author did a great job of balancing story and romance. Despite the sort of taboo aspect of their relationship, I really wanted them to work out.

There are characters from previous books, so you may want to read those first, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary, but there are some spoilers for the past books in this book, so you may want to take that into account. I love the scenes with the other guys and Penelope at the Oxford office. Those scenes were so fun, and all the characters are great!

I'm really enjoying this series, and I look forward to more!

Okay Spoiler Time!!! SPOILERS!

I get that Mollie's sister, Madison, is sort of vile; she cheats often on Jackson and lies to the tabloids, and she only cares about herself, but I still wasn't in love with Mollie getting with her sister's ex-husband. Jackson really loved Madison; he says so in the book, and they were married for years; it wasn't just a flash in the pan type of thing, and even though Jackson wasn't happy in the marriage since almost the beginning; he still stayed married to Madison, and Madison was eventually the one who got the divorce. I think I would have liked for Jackson to not put up with that crap, and left at the first signs of how devious Madison is. It would have been better if Madison and Jackson's marriage was a fluke, or something.

I also wish that Jackson had felt more for Mollie in the past. It seemed to me like he was only starting to notice her because she got a makeover. I know they always had a connection, but he never really noticed Mollie, so it made feel like Mollie got a bit of a raw deal.

4.5 Stars!

Ms. Layne definitely knows how to write a story that's equal parts sweet and sexy with some fun thrown in, even when the story-line is one that could qualify as messy.

Jackson Burke had it all once - the successful career as a star quarterback, the beautiful wife, access to all the right people and places but he lost it all as a result of the car accident that cost him his career and the scandal that blew up his marriage. These days, he calls New York City home and his job as a columnist at Oxford magazine is the only thing that occupies his days.

As far as Jackson is concerned, this is only temporary until he can return to his home state of Texas and reclaim a part of his life. He'll take the football career but he'll pass on the now ex-wife who checked out on him and their marriage while he was still incapacitated. His fond memories of his marriage are tied to the one person who brings a smile to his face, the person that has been his staunchest supporter, the one person he should not want: his ex-wife's younger sister, Mollie. And with her within reach, keeping his hands off her will be his biggest test ever. Just when he's settling in to his new life, his ex has returned like a bad habit to scheme her way back into his life by tempting him with the one thing he wants above everything else.

Mollie Carrington was convinced that she had gotten over her huge crush on her ex-brother-in-law. Until she reconnected with him and found herself under the same roof as him. Torn between her loyalty to her sister and her desire for Jackson, Mollie has to decide if she's content with second place or if she'll go all in for the win.

This situation is always a very sticky one, fraught with drama and tension and I'm usually very wary of reading books with this story-line, but I don't think I really paid attention to anything beyond the fact that Ms. Layne was the author and I would get a chance to catch up with the Stiletto/Oxford crew. I'm glad I didn't miss this story because it's everything I love about Ms. Layne's writing: a fresh and fun take on romance, adorable characters and really great dialogue and connections.

Geeky, sweet and down-to-earth Mollie was so perfect for Jackson and exactly what he needed to wake all those protective and possessive feelings in him. She was also what he needed to take the next step in his life and give up his dead dreams. It's so easy to get caught up in Mollie's quandary - having to choose between the sister she idolized and the man she loved and I can understand why she didn't stand up to her sister when she had so many opportunities to do so. Even Jackson's longing for his old life is something anyone can relate to. When you lose everything that defines you and get a chance to get it back, it's hard to turn away, even if the cost might be too much. My only complaint is that evil sister Madison did not get hers.

Mollie and Jackson came close to toppling Emma and Alex as my favorite couple in the Stiletto/Oxford series, not an easy thing to do. I had so much fun reading this book and I'm looking forward to Lincoln's story with a lot of anticipation.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I’ve read this series from the beginning after really enjoying the ‘companion’ series of Sex, Love and Stilettos. Lauren Layne has a way of making you believe that the ‘in office’ romance is not only not dead, but can lead to some really wonderful things (against all advice). Full of characters who clearly enjoy one another’s company and have built solid relationships and friendship, you don’t have to be familiar with the world or the people, but you most certainly will want to discover everyone’s stories.

In a bit of a twist from the ‘norm’ for these stories, this book is playing with a relatively new character in Jackson, his ex-wife Madison and her sister Mollie. With the other characters that are the focus of this series, we already have a ‘sense’ of their personalities and how they interact with the group, but Jackson is new and a bit untried. A former football player who is retired due to an accident, he’s establishing his bearings in this new group as he recovers from a contentious and scandalous divorce.

Mollie was the geeky sister who was always in Madison’s shadow, and some things in their relationship have never changed. She’s always been in the background should Madison need her, waiting, ignored and underappreciated. She’s tried to help, but she also deserves a chance: one she is taking by moving to New York for her own career. Running into Jackson, someone she has always had a good relationship (although secret crush) with, he offers her a room in his Park Avenue penthouse until she finds her own place. And we’re off …..

In the years since Jackson last saw her, Mollie has grown up and appears both more confident and eye-catching. He always appreciated her sense and heart, and if truth be told, he enjoyed time with her perhaps a bit more than time with her sister, his wife. Now she is here in New York, his new friends and colleagues have accepted her, so why not? This could be a bit of a squidgy sort of relationship with the sisters and the same man, but Madison is so very wrong for Jackson (and perhaps everyone else) that her cajoling Mollie into making a reconciliation possible only highlights just how wrong she is, much to Mollie’s consternation and confusion.

But Jackson has none of that confusion, even if he doesn’t fight the whole ‘we really shouldn’t’ vibe that pops up early on. They are adorable together, and the tacit (and not so) encouragement from the Stiletto and Oxford crew is just enforcing that fact, even as they add huge humor and interest to the story. Mollie helped Jackson to be more outgoing and open with his new colleagues / friends, and we see him grow and develop a sense of ‘acceptance’ to the change of direction his career and life have taken. What could have been an uncomfortable tale was lightened with humor, peppered with solid characters and brought together with friendship and love. And don’t forget the heat that highlights the passion and attachment between the two.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Falling for your sister’s ex-husband, or ex-wife’s little sister? Talk about a tricky situation. While my first reaction might be “this isn’t going to go well”, it’s a lot less creepy than I would have imagined. A situation like that is always complicated, there is no denying that, but the way it’s presented in I Wish You Were Mine made it approachable.

It’s quite helpful that Madison is a lying, cheating, money digging witch with a capital B. To top it off, she’s not a really good sister as well. While she was still married to Jackson, the connection between Mollie and him was never more than friendly. He and Mollie got along great, though nothing ever happened back then.

Now though they’re both in the same city, and Mollie is still Jackson’s little confidant. After a career ending accident, a bitter divorce, and nasty rumors, life isn’t ideal for him. He hates that he had to leave his football life behind, there is a lot of anger in him. Jackson doesn’t like being a reporter in New York, though with the help, and company of Mollie, things are starting to look up.

While Mollie has had a crush on Jackson for ages, she never expected anything to ever happen. Not even after the divorce. The way their relationship developed was certainly not something she planned, though she can not deny her feelings for Jackson are stronger than ever. While Mollie is conflicted when it comes to her sister, due time this becomes easier thanks to Madison’s character.

These two main characters were good together. There is a natural, and steady flow to the story, and the development of Jackson and Mollie’s relationship. It’s still a touchy subject, but I believe Lauren Layne pulled it off. For me Jackson fell a bit flat as a main character. He was a nice guy, though he was at a point in his life where it was difficult for me to see the appeal. Mollie of course has a deeper history with him, so I do understand why she could.

Mollie was definitely a fun character. A big geek, with a friendly disposition, and a sweet heart. It was easy to see her appeal. Though I am a bit put off with the fact that she had to undergo a makeover for Jackson to really take notice of her. Before she was a nice, attractive girl, and now she’s an amazing, sexy woman. There were of course other factors in play, but the first time they reunite it felt forced to me.

I Wish You Were Mine was an enjoyable read, with an interesting plot, and relatable characters. While probably not the most rememberable story for me, I was still very much entertained. Lauren Layne writes excellent romantic fiction. I like her writing style, and her stories are entertaining.

I really enjoyed the premise and there were many good aspects to the story but the biggest fallout for me was that there was just way to much droning on and on and on about Jackson not loving his job and Mollie being upset about Madison finding out about her and Jackson's relationship. I totally understand that these were major plot issues but I felt like this book cold have been like 50-75 pages shorter without all of the repetition of these concerns. I loved the chemistry between Jackson and Mollie and would have loved to see A LOT more interaction and relationship growth between them. I feel like they did not get near as much "on screen" together time as Jackson got with his co-workers or even Madison got. I have read many Lauren Layne books and I would say that my biggest complaint that always keeps me liking her books vs. loving her books is that 1) her books tend to be a bit too drawn out without enough grit mixed in and 2) once we get through all of the drawn out parts I always feel a bit let down. For example, she tends to really drag out the building of chemistry between her main characters before they get together. This is not always a bad thing and I have read tons of books were when done right this only adds to the excitement of the book but I feel it has become pretty standard in Lauren Layne's books that she drags things out a bit too much to the point I start to lose interest in the characters even getting together because it is taking so long without enough interaction or other things going on. THEN when the characters FINALLY get together for the long awaited love scene it always falls flat for me. If you are going to make the readers wait for over half the book to see the characters finally come together in their passion you better make that scene worth it and hers are always so anti-climactic. I could not wait to see Jackson and Mollie finally give into their feelings for one another and once they did it was a couple pages of what seemed VERY quick sex and then that was it!!! These two characters LIVE TOGETHER and there is only like 2 other love scenes of them together. Really? I really enjoyed the dynamic between Jackson and his co-workers but I felt like those relationships saw more growth and passion then his did with poor Mollie. Finally, I was so disappointed that Madison never got what she deserved or even a good "telling off". There is only so long that the "she is my sister and took care of me" story holds up after how horrible she treats them and not one of them ever put her in her place. Even at the end Mollie is all giddy that Madison sent her a wedding invitation that says she forgives her. Really??? This sounds like a lot of complaining I realize but the book did have its good moments. My favorite scene was actually the first one where Jackson goes and finds Mollie outside during his wedding to Madison. That scene was done so right. The second half was better but I would loved to have seen more intimacy and "moments" play out between Jackson and Mollie.

** I was given a free advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **

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[...]

I Wish You Were Mine is the second novel in Lauren Layne's Oxford series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but I think these books are so great that you should read them in order. You also get a sense of the all the characters (past and future books) and their relationship as a group. If you have read Irresistibly Yours then you probably remember "meeting" Jackson Burke in the epilogue of Cole and Pen's story. Fast forward about 8(ish) months and Jackson is now living in New York City and is working for Oxford Magazine as their fitness editor.

Jackson Burke is living in the past. All he wants is his old life back. He wants to be back in Texas being the Superbowl winning Quarterback for the Texan Redhawks. But a car accident ruined this throwing shoulder, taking everything with it... including his wife. Although losing Madison wasn't necessarily a bad thing, since she checked out of the marriage shortly after their vows were exchanged. But here his is, stuck in a city he hates and in a job that isn't his job-of-choice, feeling sorry for himself. He has even been dodging the one person who he could ALWAYS talk to, his ex-wife's little sister Mollie, who also lives in NYC.

After months of avoiding all her attempts of contacting him, Jackson finally agrees to have dinner with Mollie. But he didn't quite expect this Mollie to walk into the door or to be instantly attracted to his ex sister-in-law. And when dinner turns into having a new roommate, Jackson KNOWS that he is in trouble.

It takes a while for both Jackson and Mollie to acknowledge their attraction for each other, but by then, Madison has been trying to weasel her way back into Jackson's life (at the expense of her sister). Madison is a complete nightmare that wouldn't end. I REALLY wanted Mollie to stand up for herself with Maddie (or maybe just give her a good swift kick to the ass, either one...).

And just as Jackson is coming to accept and enjoy with his new life and that his feelings for Mollie are long term, he gets a opportunity to go back to his old life comes calling.
Will Jackson and Mollie be able to leave the past behind them, especially when Jackson wanting his old life back? Or will they let their share past drive them apart?

Next up is Lincoln Mathis. You get a lllliiiittttttle glimpse into Lincoln and it looks like his story going to be good!! His book is coming in December!! WHY SO FAR AWAY!?!?!?!?

Rating: 4 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**

My Review:
This was a book that started out amazingly well. I literally was left gasping simply after the prologue.

But the prologue happened 8 years before the actual story and in that 8 years, things have changed a LOT for Mollie and Jackson.

For Jackson, he's won several superbowls, had an amazingly successful career and marriage...and lost it all. Now he's in NYC starting off a new career in journalism working as the fitness guy for Oxford magazine.

Mollie lives in NYC, too. And after several months in the same city, he finally stops avoiding her calls and meets up with a very different Mollie than he remembers. No longer is she the geeky, awkward, younger sister. Well, actually, yeah she is still all those things, but now she's uber-hot and for the first time, Jackson sees her as a woman, not a little sister.

For Mollie, she's always seen Jackson as someone that she really cares for...and yes, is attracted to. Over the years, these two literally have been best friends in that they bonded over their issues with Madison, who was always difficult.

The real heart to this story is Jackson. He lost his football career because of a car accident...and he's floundering without football in his life. That's always been his focus. He doesn't know who he is without his identity as a quarterback. He's so lonely and honestly depressed, but he's wallowing in that fact. Mollie doesn't let him do it and neither does his boss, Cassidy. I love that Cassidy calls him on it.

Then there's the difficulty with this taboo relationship. Both Mollie and Jackson know it's a bad idea, regardless of how much they are drawn to one another...but you know, it's going to happen. In the middle of all that are all the amazing Oxford guys and the Stiletto women. The guys are still my favorites...I love the bromances between them and just how much of a hard time they give each other. There are some great scenes once Jackson begins to relax with them a little bit.

After the prologue the story lost a little of its punch and I'm not sure why...although, it was still an amazing story. I just think maybe the ex-wife played a little too much into the story so I had a hard time truly feeling like Mollie and Jackson had a connection that could last and make it through all the conflict that will continue to arise. Madison was just so good at manipulating both of them...it's hard to see that this won't continue with her and that just makes me say, "ugh".

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

*I received an ARC of this book free from NetGalley on behalf of Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review*

Jackson Burke had all he wanted in life. That is until his career ended with a car crash and his love life ended in a nasty divorce. Jackson is now working as a fitness columnist for the Oxford magazine. Getting his new start in New York has been rough to say the least. That is until he decides to meet his ex-sister in law for dinner. Jackson and Mollie have always been close even when everything started to turn bad for Jackson. However he never noticed she looked this good until now.

Mollie Cunningham is the sister to Jackson’s ex-wife Madison. Mollie has always had a crush on Jackson. Who wouldn’t? He looks as good as he always had and now he is single. Knowing she should stay loyal to her sister’s feelings she knows the worst move in the world would be to take Jackson up on his offer and move in with him as a roommate.

Oh dear…..This could be a very sensitive subject to read and I thought it would. However I loved this book. Mollie feels she owes her sister everything since she forced to raise her once her parents died. Jackson knows the real Madison as a lying evil person. But once thing is for sure, if Mollie wants Jackson then you can bet Madison will step in and claim what is hers. The only problem with this is Jackson knows without a doubt that he does not want Madison back.

This was a fun read for me. And one thing stands true. The heart wants what the heart wants!

Happy reading my friends, this one is a hot romance!

My Favorite Moment: I thought it was perfect when Jackson landed in Texas then went right back home.

I am really enjoying the Oxford series and this book is a great addition. Jackson Burke's football career came to a screeching halt when he was involved in a bad car accident. His marriage blew up at the same time when his nasty wife dropped divorce papers on him while in the hospital. Only, she had her sister Molly do the actual dirty work. Molly has had feelings for Jackson for years but kept them quiet. Now she is in NYC working and so is Jackson. They get together for a friendly dinner and he discovers his feelings are more than friendly. When he offer to let her be his roommate in his huge penthouse, they act on the attraction they both feel.

Molly is in heaven but she is unaware that Jackson still wants to return to Texas and get involved with his old team as a coach. Molly's sister Madison also add drama to the story because she has decided she wants Jackson back, even though she lied about his cheating and put hin through hell.

This story has it all, nasty sister, handsome QB, little sister in love with BIL, should he stay or should he go, all of the drama you could ask for in one book. Jackson is a great character because he is so conflicted about his life and his future but he recognizes that Molly has always been a touchstone for him in some capacity. Molly is torn between her love for the two most important people in her life. The other great component of this book is the relationship Jackson builds with the Oxford staff. We get to see plenty of them and the Stiletto girls as well and it really adds to the book.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Not only is the book great reading, the audio version is also great. Lucy Malone does a wonderful job of voicing the characters and showcasing the emotions of everyone.

Although I had some trepidation about reading this book (love triangles usually scare me off) something in my gut heart told me to just go for it because it was a Lauren Layne novel... and Lauren Layne novels do some lovely things to my heart and never disappoint.
I WISH YOU WERE MINE definitely continued her streak for me.

From the beginning there's no real question of connection or chemistry between the characters. It's there. It's palpable. But there's no action. The story builds on this simmering tension that is absolutely undeniable.

Jackson Burke has lost a lot in the past year. His dream job. His wife. His reputation. He's in NY to try and come out of the shadow of all that but his heart is in Texas on the field with the team he used to be a part of. It takes a whole new kind of team (one that I absolutely freaking adore - can I work at Oxford magazine? pretty please?!) and one special woman to wake him up to the life he could have if he would just open himself up to it.

Mollie is funny and quirky which adds to her characters beauty. With a heart as big as hers, it's nearly impossible for me not to love her and cheer for her to get the guy. She brings the light to the story in more ways than one.

The bromance is strong with this one and I am loving it. I lived for the office scenes with the quippy humor and the sense of family and true camaraderie that hooked me on the entire series with the read of just one book. I truly can't wait to see what comes our way next.

LOVED!! As with every Lauren Layne book I've read this one just made me smile and kept me completely entertained from beginning to end. The characters in this series feel like your best buddies and the story is light, witty, and warm.

After a devastating car accident put an end to his NFL career, Jackson Burke is Oxford new health and fitness columnist. He's hoping it's a temporary gig until he can get his foot into the coaching door. Not only did he lose his career but as soon as the verdict came that he would never play again his marriage imploded.

Mollie Carrington has always had a crush on Jackson. Him being married to her sister made that just a bit awkward. Luckily she was over that now. Right?? Now that he's in New York they have a chance to reconnect. That shouldn't be a problem. Right??

You definitely want to grab a copy of this one. I highly recommend it.

So I've yet to be disappointed with anything author Lauren Layne writes. She may be my writing hero. I Wish You Were Mine was an excellent read. I love this Oxford series. But I with everyone I read, I realize how badly I need to go back and read the The Sex, Love & Stiletto Series. Since the Oxford series is a spin-off, the original cast is featured.

What I love most about this series is the character development. I love the chemistry between Mollie and Jackson. And I LOVE books with a great supporting cast. And groups of friends that have each other's backs are like my book kryptonite. There is a great story line here and I wonderfully annoying villain...the ex-wife/sister. The writing is wonderful and the pacing is spot on.

To read more reviews like this one, check out my site, www.ObsessiveBookNerd.com

3 "Long Time Coming" Stars

I Wish You Were Mine followed Mollie Carrington from school girl crush to full blown infatuation with her sister's fiancee turned husband. After the divorce that made tabloid fodder out of the former pro-QB, Mollie has always maintained her friendship with her ex-brother-in-law. After eight months of him dodging her following the divorce though, Jackson Burke finally starts letting her in again. This time without the influence of her older sister and Jackson's ex-wife Madison's interference. While Mollie and Madison may never have been really close, Madison is all Mollie's had. When Jackson moves to New York from Texas after the car accident that preceded his lost career and divorce, they are getting to see a lot more of each other. Jackson offers Mollie a room in his apartment and both their latent feelings start bubbling up creating a new and exciting friction that both are hesitant to acknowledge.

Jackson has always like spending time with his ex-wife's litter sister. But she's always (mostly) been just that. A sister figure who he has always been able to talk to. But when his marriage started falling apart, it was Mollie that he turned to for advice and not his wife. Now that the divorce is behind him, he finally sees what he always kept himself from seeing before: Mollie should have been his all along. But with that realization comes the knowledge that their relationship could never really work. Plus he's bitter and disappointed that he's working at a magazine instead of on the football field. Now with Mollie back in his life, he's got decisions to make that he can't take lightly. And just when he thinks he's got everything figured out, he realizes that he's not as ready to let go as he thought he was.

This is was a standalone novel in an interconnected series. While book 1 was about a different couple, at times I felt a little lost regarding the secondary characters and their roles since I haven't read that story yet. Also at times it felt like Jackson's story already started and I missed the beginning. Even so I was able to really enjoy the tension between Mollie and Jackson. This story was a bit lighter on the angst than I was anticipating and at times I even forgot the reason they "couldn't" be together. When I remembered, I did get that taboo/awkward feeling back for a bit, but Lauren kept this story really fairly light. I really liked both Jackson and Mollie though and am interested in all the side characters and what their stories hold.

ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley for honest review.

3.5 stars
Copy received through Netgalley
The premise of this book was hard to work around. Ex football player falls for the sister of his ex wife. my first thought was eew. Who wants a man your sister has already been with. But the story followed the usual storyline. The sister really wasn;t really very nice, so it made it not as bad. It wasn't like Molly set out to steal Jackson from from her sister. she loved her sister but they were divorced and the sister did initiate the divorce and left the marriage while destroying Jackson's rep. There were times that you just want to grab Jackson by his shoulders and shake him. It was hard for him to adjust to life after football but he took Molly for granted and it took too long for him to realize the grm he had.I do wish we could have seen more of Molly's nerdiness. It was cute and funny. Molly has always loved Jackson but she struggled with the fact that he is her sister's ex. Once the line is crossed she was all in, but Jackson held back. I loved her exit when she laid it on the line and her did not make the right move. I love the series, the cast of characters are so much fun.

I wish You were Mine 4 stars

Jackson Burke had once it all. He had married the love of his life and was the starting quarterback for the Texas Redhawks with six Super bowl rings to prove that he was one of the best. Now though, things weren’t so great. A near fatal car accident ended his career and as if that weren’t bad enough, his wife served him with divorce papers while he was still laid up in the hospital and thanks in part to her lies, his chances at being a coach were also blown to hell. He’s now living in New York working as Journalist for Oxford magazine. New York of all places, crowded, congested, loud with suits and ties rather than jeans and cowboy boots. He hated every single minute of it except for the fact that Mollie Carrington also lived in New York. Mollie, his one constant for the past eight years, one would say that she was like a best friend because he could talk to her about anything and he pretty much had. Mollie, who he had blown off for the past eight months or so but she still hadn’t given up on him . Mollie, who just so happened to be his ex-wife’s little sister. Mollie who looked nothing like the little sister that he remembered.

Mollie had been in love with Jackson for so long that she didn’t remember a time when she wasn’t. She knew that loving him was wrong with him being married to her sister and all but she couldn’t help it, he understood her better than anyone else. Even now with Madison and Jackson divorced, she knew that she should stay away from him because of her loyalty to her big sister but she just couldn’t. Not when just hearing his voice was enough to be able to paint the perfect picture of him in her mind. Not when just the sight of him was enough to make her want him all the more. Not when he seemed so sad now that his career had tanked and the love of his life had abandoned him. Maybe she could help him see that New York wasn’t so bad, he only had to give it a chance.

I’ve followed this series from the beginning which is a spinoff from a another series that I’ve also read and while I will admit that I was a little upset that we weren’t getting Lincoln’s story yet, I really liked this one. I really enjoyed seeing the old gang back together again and I would have happily given it five stars since I love Lauren Layne’s writing style but I just couldn’t and that was in part to Madison and everything that surrounded her. I did not like that women one bit but what I disliked even more was the fact that Mollie wouldn’t let go of her hero type worship of her. I get that Madison dropped everything at the age of 20 to come home and help raise Mollie but good god to put that evil women on a pedestal and keep her there when it was obvious to everyone else that she needed to be knocked off was just too much for me. I couldn’t understand it one bit and unfortunately it did effect the rating by knocking it down a star.

Up next in the series is Someone like you which is set to come out in December 2016. Finally we will get Lincoln’s story! The Drop dead gorgeous womanizer that I thought I had figured out but it seems that I had it all wrong. I can’t wait!!! I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review

Mollie and Jackson have been friends for years, ever since he started dating, then marrying, and eventually divorcing her older sister Madison. While she might have had a teeny tiny crush on him when they met, she was years younger, and never acted on that crush. They had a strong friendship that survived the breakup of his toxic marriage and now they are both in New York City, where Mollie finds herself in need of a new place to live and Jackson offers her a room in his penthouse suite. But suddenly Jackson is seeing just how grown up Mollie is, and realizing how she's always been there for him. And Mollie's crush never went away, becoming much stronger feelings over time. Can they find a way to get a happy ever after out of a situation they never expected to find themselves in?

I love Lauren Layne books! She's one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance, with just the right amount of humour and sexiness, tension and sometimes tears to make for a compelling story. If you're worried that there is cheating or inappropriate behaviour during Jackson's marriage to Madison, there isn't (well, not between Jackson and Mollie anyway, Madison is a whole other ball game). I liked seeing how Jackson came to realize how important Mollie really was in his life, and finally seeing her as a woman. The attraction between them startles Jackson, but it's not long before they are headlong into a fling that they both know is going to cause them problems down the road but one they just can't resist. Because being together just feels so right.

There is no hiding the fact that Madison is the third wheel in this story. She was a frustrating, vindictive woman, and while Jackson knows her true self, time and time again Mollie gives her older sister the benefit of the doubt, feeling a sense of obligation to her because when her parents were gone it was Madison who raised her. I wish we'd gotten more of a sense that Mollie was finally seeing Madison's true character, but it never really happens. I loved seeing the guys from Oxford (where Jackson has taken a job after an injury ended his football career) and the gals from Stiletto, their camaraderie makes for the best scenes, and lots of laughs. It takes some time for Jackson to realize that Mollie is everything he really wants, and we have to get to some grovelling for him to make up for some serious mistakes that he makes. But in the end we get our happy ending. 3.5 stars.

I love unrequited love stories. I supposed I’ve suffered through a few times in my life. The scenario in Lauren Layne’s I Wish You Were Mine is not one I’ve some across as a plot line all that often, and it's probably one of the most heartbreaking kind. It’s riddled with taboos and social no no’s. I mean, who ends up with their siblings ex and how uncomfortable is that? Lauren Layne knows exactly how to paint the situation and twist it on it’s head where not only do you want it, but you demand it.

A year after Jacksons’ divorce from Madison, Mollie’s older sister, Jackson finally decides he can face Mollie. When Jackson and Mollie reconnect the friendship that they’ve built over the years is easily refreshed. One of the other elements I love in unrequited love story is the young girl who blossoms from a shy and geeky wallflower to a woman who lets her natural beauty shine and embraces her brain power. This is precisely what’s happened to Mollie. Her transformation is a wake up call to Jackson and wake up call that there’s a new element in his attraction to her to contend with. The dynamic of their relationship is totally upended. Jackson and Mollie share the same temperament and values and the playful banter works into the everyday ease they feel with each other. They just mesh.

The trouble is, Jackson thinks he wants something else for his life. He’s just a man who feels like he’s failing. He’s a fish out of water and does very little to accept his new reality. Mollie’s reemergence in his life does add a new sense of comfort but he’s got his mind made up. For Mollie’s part, her path is firmly defined. NYC is where she belongs and her time with Jackson, away from her sister's house and drama, allows them to explore more. But Mollie is still a bit naive and gives her sister far more leeway than she should. I like that she’s an dutiful person, it’s what makes her so easy to champion. But she allows her sister to play her. To play on her “blood’ loyalty. She just doesn't seem to question her sisters motives and she makes some gross assumptions as to what Jackson must be feeling.

Layne creates a rather despicable antagonist in Madison. She’s one of the most dreadful female characters I’ve come across in a while. She pulls some stunts that just solidify her as the self-centered *bleep, bleep bleep bleep* that she is. Her treatment of both Jackson and especially Mollie is reprehensible. Her early motivations to catch Jackson are pretty transparent but she’s a liar and schemer who professes to be one thing, but is quite clearly another.You’ll have no trouble wanting to see her efforts fail and hoping Mollie see’s the truth in her sister's actions.

I Wish You Were Mine is packed with emotional ups and downs. For Jackson, this is a second chance at love and a chance to reinvent himself. For Mollie, it’s her opportunity to explore and see if what she’s always wanted is really good for her. It’s also her chance to cut the apron strings from someone who is so clearly undeserving. Unfortunately some people never learn and all opportunity to show she has a soul and to better herself is lost on Madison. This is the first book by Lauren Layne that I’ve read and I quickly found I like her storytelling style. She creates characters that are filled with conflicting emotions and lots of chemistry.

5 Stars and Recommendation

Let me preface this review by saying: Oh My Gahhh…*drooly face*

Okay, now I can get back to the review. Mollie and Jackson have a problem. A forbidden sort of problem. See, Jackson Burke is the ex-husband of Mollie’s sister, and let’s just say that their marriage did not end well, for either of them. A tumultuous, media-blitzed divorce has tarnished the reputation of Jackson, helped along by the devastating reality that his accident forever altered his ability to be a quarterback. As any man who has lost his dream, he’s displaced and severely unhappy. Add to that the breakup heard ’round the world and he just wants to escape it all. Enter New York and a columnist position at Oxford, which ultimately brings him back to Mollie. His ex’s little sister who is not so little anymore.

Mollie has been in love with Jackson since she was a teenager. The two of them formed a strong bond of friendship from the beginning that became both of their safety nets for years to come. Until he’s no longer there, and she’s awkwardly forced to side with her sister when the divorce becomes nasty. The same sister who dropped everything to raise Mollie when their mother died growing up which leads to Molly being unbelievably torn on who to trust. When she reunites with Jackson in New York that deep, dark spark is still there, and it’s apparent the attraction is on both sides. The only problem? The elephant in the room: her sister. His ex-wife.

Oh I LOVED this book. It had the perfect amount of angst mixed in with a sexily forbidden romance that was just delicious to devour. Mollie was a kickass heroine that was the perfect mix of nerdy, uninhibited, and brave. She never cowered or played demure; she went after what she wanted with a surety that couldn’t be rivaled. And Jackson needed that surety to settle him out, to make him feel at home again. The sexual tension hidden behind the friendliness was irresistible to read. I ate it up! And what I always love about a Lauren Layne book is the great humor she injects into all of her characters. It lightens up and rounds out each character, and each character has this perfect quirkiness that makes them real, relatable, and giggle-worthy. I can always count on LL to make me fall in love with her men and, most importantly, her women, which is not something I can say that often. If you love sweet mixed with the unbridled passion of a spicy forbidden romance, I WISH YOU WERE MINE is for you!

**Received an early copy in exchange for an honest review; this is now way changed the outcome of my review**

I Wish You Were Mine – Lauren Layne

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This is the first book I've read by Lauren Layne and, as with any new to me author, I had no expectations. I also didn't realize it was the second book in the author's Oxford Series. Although it can be read as a stand alone, I always try to read series books in order to be familiar with the characters who pop up now and then from book to book. I searched my Kindle to find I also have book one, Irresistibly Yours, which I have now started to read.

I really enjoyed Ms. Layne's writing style. Nothing complicated, no endless paragraphs, but just a nice easy pace. The story itself is sweet and sexy. Jackson Burke was an NFL quarterback at the peak of his career when a car accident ended it and everything changed. Married to Madison Carrington, one of the stars of a Housewives TV show, she divorced him when he was no longer in the sports limelight. With his football career over, he takes a job in New York at Oxford Magazine as a fitness editor but his heart is still in Texas hoping for a coaching job with his old team.

Molly Carrington is Madison's younger sister. She's had a secret crush on Jackson since forever. They found being around each other was always easy and comfortable. Now that her crush has worn off and her job takes her to New York, Molly agrees to move into a room in Jackson's spacious penthouse.

After spreading rumors about Jackson's infidelity during the divorce, Madison decides to come clean as part of her plan to get him back. But when she arrives in New York, Molly has to decide what is more important to her...her sister or her realization that she never got over her feelings for her sister's ex-husband.

I would definitely recommend this book as a nice sweet love story of second chances and realizing that what you want has been right there all along.

Reviewed by Rachel McEwan and Sharon Thérèse Nuttall

* ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Excellently narrated in third person from both protagonists’ point of view, we can’t say how much we enjoyed this standalone. We have never read works by this author, so therefore we were delighted to read a story embroiled in moral ethics. A subject not at all new to the non-fiction literary world of ways of the heart; nevertheless, this one is really worth reading. Love triangles have never been an issue for us since it is well-known that for one reason or another, this happens. However, here we have a classic example of you can’t have your cake and eat it, too! Of course, the individual in question managed to make us want to knock her on the head with our Kindles! Not only that, the leading male character exasperated us to the point of shouting at him... yeah, making him see reason would push us to the limits.

“Madison would kill me.”
“Do you care?”
“She’s my sister.”

Now then; why did we request to read this book in the first place? American football is more comparable with rugby than soccer in our book. And anyone who knows us, know how much we love a good ballgame. The implications in the blurb for a story revolving around a sportsman trying to make up his mind as to whether or not his ex is worth even thinking about, whetted our appetite. Jackson Burke’s very being revolves around this sport, so when this elite quarterback had an unfortunate accident, not only would his personal life take a turn for the worst but more important to him, a passion second to none died a sudden death.

“You want to talk about it?”
“That’s the strange thing about our history. You know everything.”

Trying to get around the fact that Jackson was far too generous for his own good was for us, hard work. Standing up for himself, coming clean and even voicing his opinion about an omnishambles of a marriage he had had, wasn’t an option. Or was it? Given the opportunity in his new job to tell all, his indecisiveness was such a huge part of what we thought, his downfalls. We felt that this gorgeous guy lacked backbone. Wait and see though. His childhood sweetheart and love of his life who cries crocodile tears, is more conniving, bitchier and status grabbing than anyone we have come across in a while. Oh boy, was she going be in for the surprise of her life! Neither do they have any urges for truths to be revealed. Obviously, strangling them wasn't an option, either. For my man of the day, this was the once bitten syndrome…

“Cut me some slack, here, Mollie ! I don’t exactly know protocol. A year ago you were my wife’s sister, and now you’re …..”
“I’m what ?”
“****ing hot!”

Sweeter than sweet is Mollie Carrington. She is quite honestly the girl next door and her personality outshines her sister, Maddie, without even realising it. Mollie is an awfully grateful person. Her sister is a huge driving force in her life as you will see when you read this book. She has everything to thank her for. And much to our consternation, feel guilty for. Connecting to anyone else other than her best friend who has her heart in his hands, made us cry no end. Upsetting the status quo and believing in her sister’s selfishness at times was very frustrating for us. Mollie can’t help thinking the best of her sister which ultimately gave her sister the upper hand!

“ I’ve always, always loved you. Even when it was a really, really bad idea.”

When the sugar hits the fan, coming to terms with the truth is not going to be an easy task for either party. First love, a love forever which has always been kept guarded on the same lines as a Shakespearean tragedy with all its twist and turns, flowers into something special. We loved to hate Mollie’s sister. Well done to the author’s construction of all the characters, primary or secondary. We must add that we thought the dialogue between all the characters was excellent! The banter flowed brilliantly which for us made the story!

Hmm, hot… yes; and in the right moment without any holds barred. Suspense, not too much but this read will have you guessing as to what is going to happen next. Summing up, quite a brilliant read Ms Layne. Bravo!

Confession time. I have a slight addiction to Lauren Layne and her books. And as fan, I knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest release I Wish You Were Mine but at the same time I was a little nervous. So why was I nervous? Well, honestly I was a bit apprehensive and worried when I first read the blurb of a sister falling in love with her sister's ex-husband. But I didn't have to worry that much since Lauren Layne was able to manage to give her readers a full scope and understanding of the hero and heroine's relationship and why this couple's love for one another was honest and raw.

“ Her brain might be over her crush on Jackson, but her heart . . . Her heart was still hung up big-time on this guy she could never have. ”

Mollie Carrington first love was Jackson Burke. He was handsome, kind, gentle, funny, smart, and sinfully sexy but the only problem was Jackson was in love with her sister, Madison. Eight years ago, Mollie watched her crush and first love marry her sister. But what happens when Jackson and Madison are divorced and Jackson is living in the same city as Mollie?

Jackson Burke thought he married the love of his life but sadly his marriage to Madison wasn't what he thought it would be. And with his NFL career gone and a failed marriage under his belt, Jackson felt it was time to relocate and start a new career in journalism. So when Jackson finds himself in New York, he reunites with his former sister-in-law, Mollie. Mollie has always been special to Jackson. She was someone he could confide in. And so when he meets up with Mollie, he begins to see her in a new light. No longer the friend or sister, but as someone he wants.

The relationship of Mollie and Jackson can be summed up as complicated. No matter how you look at it. It's just complicated. Mollie is torn for wanting Jackson and being loyal to her sister. Mollie can't deny her attraction and love for Jackson but at the same time she worries if she is betraying her sister. The sister who helped raised Mollie. As Mollie and Jackson juggles this new found attraction and budding romance, how will Mollie's sister react to the revelation that her ex-husband and baby sister are a couple? How can something so wrong feel so right?

While this book is dripping with angst and sexual tension, Lauren Layne was able to balance the story with the tangible and palpable bond of Mollie and Jackson. As a couple, Mollie and Jackson were perfect for each other. They were truly meant to be. They indeed had chemistry. But what I really loved about this book was Mollie. She truly was the heart of this book because she allowed readers to feel her pain, vulnerability, conflict and love. I loved no matter what Mollie didn't hold any resentment to her sister and that epilogue ending was bliss and hopeful.

I Wish You Were Mine was indeed a second chance romance story but with an added twist and angst that will surely have you glued to your e-readers as you await what will become of Mollie and Jackson. I loved that Lauren Layne was still able to make hearts race in this new second chance romance that is filled with hope, new beginnings, and love. So if you are looking for a book where something so wrong is right then I would definitely recommend you to read I Wish You Were Mine.

~Michelle of Four Chicks Flipping Pages

Lauren Layne's second book in her Oxford series and no, still not Lincoln's story. But Jackson so makes up for it. This book was a quick and easy read I practically inhaled it. I love Lauren Layne she is my go to author when I want chic and sleek characters without the cliche billionaire/fashionistas that usually annoy me. Jackson is annoyingly frustrating you want to reach into the book and smack him; but he's a good guy and he's just stuck in the past he just needed to look forward instead of behind him and Mollie is the perfect person to show him. Mollie is geeky and shy and absolutely adorable at times. You really root for her throughout the book.

Mollie and Jackson have quite a past they were in-laws. Unfortunately Mollie fell in love with Jackson the night he married her sister. Through the marriage Jackson and Mollie became close they became best friends. When Jackson started having problems with Madison, Mollie was the one he went confided in. Madison became a manipulative, cheating, spotlight hogging b***h. She loved the notoriety she got being married to a NFL player. She started horrible rumors about him just to make her cheating self look good to her fans. When Jackson was in a horrible accident and was forced to retire, he wasn't even out of the hospital before she served him divorce papers. Jackson was devastated by the end of his career and his marriage he found himself with a wide open future and no idea what to do. He finds himself moving to New York with the new job as fitness editor for Oxford magazine; he picked New York because that's where Mollie was.

Mollie had mixed feeling about Jackson being in town she was happy he was here but sadden by the fact it meant it was because his career and marriage were over. Mollie was looking for a place to live and Jackson offered one of his spare rooms until she could find another place. Both Jackson and Mollie didn't want to feel the way they felt because Madison. But passion overrides any doubt and they end up in bed together. Jackson's hesitancy to move forward and face the fact that his career in football is over comes between him and Mollie as well as Madison who always has an ulterior motive.

Overall, this was a great one and it sets up a little for Lincoln's story which I'm happy to say will be the next book.

I Wish You Were Mine – Lauren Layne

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This is the first book I've read by Lauren Layne and, as with any new to me author, I had no expectations. I also didn't realize it was the second book in the author's Oxford Series. Although it can be read as a stand alone, I always try to read series books in order to be familiar with the characters who pop up now and then from book to book. I searched my Kindle to find I also have book one, Irresistibly Yours, which I have now started to read.

I really enjoyed Ms. Layne's writing style. Nothing complicated, no endless paragraphs, but just a nice easy pace. The story itself is sweet and sexy. Jackson Burke was an NFL quarterback at the peak of his career when a car accident ended it and everything changed. Married to Madison Carrington, one of the stars of a Housewives TV show, she divorced him when he was no longer in the sports limelight. With his football career over, he takes a job in New York at Oxford Magazine as a fitness editor but his heart is still in Texas hoping for a coaching job with his old team.

Molly Carrington is Madison's younger sister. She's had a secret crush on Jackson since forever. They found being around each other was always easy and comfortable. Now that her crush has worn off and her job takes her to New York, Molly agrees to move into a room in Jackson's spacious penthouse.

After spreading rumors about Jackson's infidelity during the divorce, Madison decides to come clean as part of her plan to get him back. But when she arrives in New York, Molly has to decide what is more important to her...her sister or her realization that she never got over her feelings for her sister's ex-husband.

I would definitely recommend this book as a nice sweet love story of second chances and realizing that what you want has been right there all along.

Reviewed by Rachel McEwan and Sharon Thérèse Nuttall

* ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Excellently narrated in third person from both protagonists’ point of view, we can’t say how much we enjoyed this standalone. We have never read works by this author, so therefore we were delighted to read a story embroiled in moral ethics. A subject not at all new to the non-fiction literary world of ways of the heart; nevertheless, this one is really worth reading. Love triangles have never been an issue for us since it is well-known that for one reason or another, this happens. However, here we have a classic example of you can’t have your cake and eat it, too! Of course, the individual in question managed to make us want to knock her on the head with our Kindles! Not only that, the leading male character exasperated us to the point of shouting at him... yeah, making him see reason would push us to the limits.

“Madison would kill me.”
“Do you care?”
“She’s my sister.”

Now then; why did we request to read this book in the first place? American football is more comparable with rugby than soccer in our book. And anyone who knows us, know how much we love a good ballgame. The implications in the blurb for a story revolving around a sportsman trying to make up his mind as to whether or not his ex is worth even thinking about, whetted our appetite. Jackson Burke’s very being revolves around this sport, so when this elite quarterback had an unfortunate accident, not only would his personal life take a turn for the worst but more important to him, a passion second to none died a sudden death.

“You want to talk about it?”
“That’s the strange thing about our history. You know everything.”

Trying to get around the fact that Jackson was far too generous for his own good was for us, hard work. Standing up for himself, coming clean and even voicing his opinion about an omnishambles of a marriage he had had, wasn’t an option. Or was it? Given the opportunity in his new job to tell all, his indecisiveness was such a huge part of what we thought, his downfalls. We felt that this gorgeous guy lacked backbone. Wait and see though. His childhood sweetheart and love of his life who cries crocodile tears, is more conniving, bitchier and status grabbing than anyone we have come across in a while. Oh boy, was she going be in for the surprise of her life! Neither do they have any urges for truths to be revealed. Obviously, strangling them wasn't an option, either. For my man of the day, this was the once bitten syndrome…

“Cut me some slack, here, Mollie ! I don’t exactly know protocol. A year ago you were my wife’s sister, and now you’re …..”
“I’m what ?”
“****ing hot!”

Sweeter than sweet is Mollie Carrington. She is quite honestly the girl next door and her personality outshines her sister, Maddie, without even realising it. Mollie is an awfully grateful person. Her sister is a huge driving force in her life as you will see when you read this book. She has everything to thank her for. And much to our consternation, feel guilty for. Connecting to anyone else other than her best friend who has her heart in his hands, made us cry no end. Upsetting the status quo and believing in her sister’s selfishness at times was very frustrating for us. Mollie can’t help thinking the best of her sister which ultimately gave her sister the upper hand!

“ I’ve always, always loved you. Even when it was a really, really bad idea.”

When the sugar hits the fan, coming to terms with the truth is not going to be an easy task for either party. First love, a love forever which has always been kept guarded on the same lines as a Shakespearean tragedy with all its twist and turns, flowers into something special. We loved to hate Mollie’s sister. Well done to the author’s construction of all the characters, primary or secondary. We must add that we thought the dialogue between all the characters was excellent! The banter flowed brilliantly which for us made the story!

Hmm, hot… yes; and in the right moment without any holds barred. Suspense, not too much but this read will have you guessing as to what is going to happen next. Summing up, quite a brilliant read Ms Layne. Bravo!

Confession time. I have a slight addiction to Lauren Layne and her books. And as fan, I knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest release I Wish You Were Mine but at the same time I was a little nervous. So why was I nervous? Well, honestly I was a bit apprehensive and worried when I first read the blurb of a sister falling in love with her sister's ex-husband. But I didn't have to worry that much since Lauren Layne was able to manage to give her readers a full scope and understanding of the hero and heroine's relationship and why this couple's love for one another was honest and raw.

“ Her brain might be over her crush on Jackson, but her heart . . . Her heart was still hung up big-time on this guy she could never have. ”

Mollie Carrington first love was Jackson Burke. He was handsome, kind, gentle, funny, smart, and sinfully sexy but the only problem was Jackson was in love with her sister, Madison. Eight years ago, Mollie watched her crush and first love marry her sister. But what happens when Jackson and Madison are divorced and Jackson is living in the same city as Mollie?

Jackson Burke thought he married the love of his life but sadly his marriage to Madison wasn't what he thought it would be. And with his NFL career gone and a failed marriage under his belt, Jackson felt it was time to relocate and start a new career in journalism. So when Jackson finds himself in New York, he reunites with his former sister-in-law, Mollie. Mollie has always been special to Jackson. She was someone he could confide in. And so when he meets up with Mollie, he begins to see her in a new light. No longer the friend or sister, but as someone he wants.

The relationship of Mollie and Jackson can be summed up as complicated. No matter how you look at it. It's just complicated. Mollie is torn for wanting Jackson and being loyal to her sister. Mollie can't deny her attraction and love for Jackson but at the same time she worries if she is betraying her sister. The sister who helped raised Mollie. As Mollie and Jackson juggles this new found attraction and budding romance, how will Mollie's sister react to the revelation that her ex-husband and baby sister are a couple? How can something so wrong feel so right?

While this book is dripping with angst and sexual tension, Lauren Layne was able to balance the story with the tangible and palpable bond of Mollie and Jackson. As a couple, Mollie and Jackson were perfect for each other. They were truly meant to be. They indeed had chemistry. But what I really loved about this book was Mollie. She truly was the heart of this book because she allowed readers to feel her pain, vulnerability, conflict and love. I loved no matter what Mollie didn't hold any resentment to her sister and that epilogue ending was bliss and hopeful.

I Wish You Were Mine was indeed a second chance romance story but with an added twist and angst that will surely have you glued to your e-readers as you await what will become of Mollie and Jackson. I loved that Lauren Layne was still able to make hearts race in this new second chance romance that is filled with hope, new beginnings, and love. So if you are looking for a book where something so wrong is right then I would definitely recommend you to read I Wish You Were Mine.

~Michelle of Four Chicks Flipping Pages

Lauren Layne's second book in her Oxford series and no, still not Lincoln's story. But Jackson so makes up for it. This book was a quick and easy read I practically inhaled it. I love Lauren Layne she is my go to author when I want chic and sleek characters without the cliche billionaire/fashionistas that usually annoy me. Jackson is annoyingly frustrating you want to reach into the book and smack him; but he's a good guy and he's just stuck in the past he just needed to look forward instead of behind him and Mollie is the perfect person to show him. Mollie is geeky and shy and absolutely adorable at times. You really root for her throughout the book.

Mollie and Jackson have quite a past they were in-laws. Unfortunately Mollie fell in love with Jackson the night he married her sister. Through the marriage Jackson and Mollie became close they became best friends. When Jackson started having problems with Madison, Mollie was the one he went confided in. Madison became a manipulative, cheating, spotlight hogging b***h. She loved the notoriety she got being married to a NFL player. She started horrible rumors about him just to make her cheating self look good to her fans. When Jackson was in a horrible accident and was forced to retire, he wasn't even out of the hospital before she served him divorce papers. Jackson was devastated by the end of his career and his marriage he found himself with a wide open future and no idea what to do. He finds himself moving to New York with the new job as fitness editor for Oxford magazine; he picked New York because that's where Mollie was.

Mollie had mixed feeling about Jackson being in town she was happy he was here but sadden by the fact it meant it was because his career and marriage were over. Mollie was looking for a place to live and Jackson offered one of his spare rooms until she could find another place. Both Jackson and Mollie didn't want to feel the way they felt because Madison. But passion overrides any doubt and they end up in bed together. Jackson's hesitancy to move forward and face the fact that his career in football is over comes between him and Mollie as well as Madison who always has an ulterior motive.

Overall, this was a great one and it sets up a little for Lincoln's story which I'm happy to say will be the next book.

Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. Easy style, quick wit and charming personalities by both the men and women, and just enough angst to make you feel for what they’re going through without reaching for the tissues and whiskey (I’m looking at you, Kim Holden!).

Layne’s new series focuses on the men of Oxford, and with that, we get the women from Stiletto thrown in to the goodness. For those new to this series, Stiletto is the women’s magazine that introduced us to Julia, Grace, Riley, and Emma. Along with these hilariously fun women, came their men, some of whom worked in the same building for the men’s magazine Oxford.

The last Stiletto novel focused on Alex Cassidy, the editor of Oxford. As he’s trying to rebuild his magazine to a broader range, he’s bringing in new men to manage different sections of writing. Enter Jackson Burke. Star quarterback. Texan. 6’3” of manliness. Buff. Oh, and he’s also no longer able to play due to a car accident that ended his career. He takes a job as a Fitness Editor at Oxford to find something to do with his life, get away from his ex-wife, a scandal, and the loss of being “Jackson Burke Star Quarterback.”

Jackson is in New York and meets up with his ex-wife’s younger sister, Mollie. That’s where things get complicated. While they’ve always had a connection and have been friends, she was off limits. Now, she’s all grown up, no longer his sister-in-law, and he’s seeing her in a whole new light. She is smart – she’s a researcher, ready to apply to a Ph.D. program, and loves her life in New York. Oh, and she’s been in love with Jackson since the day she met him.

Jackson is a bit of a hot mess. He hates his job, is sulky and withdrawn, and doesn’t want to be part of the gang at Oxford. He’s hoping to get hired by his old team as a coach, except scandal and rumors are tarnishing his good ol’ Texas boy image. He’s conflicted about Mollie. Jackson denies his feelings for her, and even tries to set her up with Lincoln. Lincoln is on to him, and sets him up!

You get the entire gang here – the Stiletto gals, their men, and the Oxford new additions as well. Of course, all of them are up in each other’s business. The question is: Will Jackson run back to Texas the first chance he gets, or will he settle into his new life in the big city, and with Mollie.

Along the way, you get a deeper glimpse into Lincoln. LINCOLN! I know his book will be the last in this series, and I’m eagerly anticipating that release. That boy has some secrets!
Fans of Layne will enjoy this one, and for those new to Lauren Layne’s writing, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. While this can be read as a stand-alone, you’ll have more fun doing a marathon read of the entire series from the sexy Stiletto start.

Letting go doesn't mean giving up but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be. - Unknown

Easier said than done, maybe, but progress in life doesn't happen until one fully acknowledges and accepts this. Such was the case with Jackson. Once a famous quarterback who had the perfect life, he's now a shadow of that man. An injury to his throwing arm lost him his career, his wife, his life. Accepting a position as a fitness writer for Oxford in New York gave him the chance to escape the mess created by his ex's vicious lies in Texas. Except he made no move to better himself after arriving. He clung to past so hard his knuckles turned white and he growled anytime dared urge him to let it go.

It kept him a prisoner and blinded him to what was right in front of him: Mollie.

Mollie loved Jackson for years. A schoolgirl crush exploded into grownup love. But her sister is Jackson's ex-wife. The chances of anything happening between them is hindered from the get go because of that, at least in Mollie's mind. Her loyalty to her sister stems from the care Madison gave her after their mom died. For a time, I agree, Mollie's desire to side with Madison was well-placed. But after Mollie grew up and made a life for herself, I would have thought she realized she no longer owed Madison anything. Seems I was wrong because Mollie refused to acknowledge the bad in Madison and stand by her instead.

That little decision almost wrecked Mollie's relationship with Jackson.

It's one thing, I think, to have "other" people listen to and agree with rumors being told about you. It's another thing when your best friend, your confidant, does. That was a major bridge Jackson and Mollie had to cross. Not just Mollie admitting she did but Jackson forgiving her.

But this isn't just about Mollie and Jackson experiencing real love together. It's about Jackson realizing the life he had can't be his anymore. The life he has can be everything he wants and needs but only if he would let go of the past before it's too late.

They almost missed their chance too. It took a flight back to Texas, an airport conversation with his conniving little ex-wife, and a one-way ticket to New York for that chance to actually happen. And they deserved their chance together.

If you haven't read the first book in this series, don't worry. This is a solid standalone in this series. Definitely worth read, worth experiencing the laughter, heartache, the longing for more, and the happiness that came with finally getting what Jackson and Mollie deserved.

4.5*
Received from NetGalley via Tasty Book Tours for an honest review

Jackson Burke had the absolute best thing happen to him after a car accident ended his football career his wife filed for divorce. Now don't get me wrong, it was a terrible thing to do...how do you leave your husband when he is in the hospital recovering from a devastating accident...BUT, she was all wrong for him. Madison Burke was (and still is) a selfish, stuck-up, self-centered, cheating, lying biotch; definitely not the person that Jackson should have at his side for the rest of his life. She did him a favor by divorcing him although he didn't think so at the time.
Jackson always had a close friendship with Madison's younger sister Mollie, and during that time Mollie harboured a major crush on Jackson. Now here we are some time has passed since the divorce and Jackson is starting his new career in New York at Oxford Magazine writing the health and fitness column leaving his ex-wife and his former career behind in Texas. Mollie is also living in New York working as a Scientist so they decide to meet up for drinks. Let's just say that Mollie has defiantely grown up while in New York.

I loved Mollie and Jackson together, Mollie had to knock down a lot of walls that Jackson had built up during his time with Madison but when she did the reward was oh so sweet!

***I have received this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept through netgalley in exchange for my honest review***

REVIEWED BY SUNNY (originally posted on Goodreads and mentioned on Kindles & Wine Book Blog)

Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her Sex, Love & Stiletto series was awesome, and when Irresistibly Yours: An Oxford Novel came out as the first amazing book in the Oxford series with many overlapping characters, I couldn’t wait to read more! I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the second book in the series, I WISH YOU WERE MINE and once again was super impressed!

I couldn’t help but love Mollie. She is sweet. She is kind. She is smart. And she is in love with her sister’s ex-husband. Ouch! She hasn’t ever had a lot of strong relationships, but one of the strongest she has had in her life was with Jackson, her brother-in-law. She could always go to him when she needed someone to talk to, as her family life was non-existent other than the person they had in common, Madison. My only issue with this book was Madison. She was an awful human being and it was sad how she dictated so much in Mollie’s life. So when Mollie couldn’t deny her feelings for Jackson any longer, things got a bit tricky in her life.

Jackson’s character was also well-written, although he was very different. He was a professional athlete who’s career was cut short by an injury and had to change his life and take a job he wasn’t really interested in just to make it through the days without football. Even though he was constantly looking for something different than he had, he transformed tremendously throughout I WISH YOU WERE MINE and I loved every written word that led to that transformation.

I loved Mollie and Jackson together. They just seemed right, even though they had to deal with the awkwardness of the situation with Madison and that was always in the forefront. They enjoyed each other in a non-committal way even though feelings got stronger quickly. As usual, their relationship was guided (in hysterical and beautiful ways) by the many secondary characters that made the Sex, Love & Stiletto series and now the Oxford series what they are; complete awesomeness!

The only element that got in the way of a 5-star rating for me was Madison. She was a vital part of the story, but because she was such an unlikable character, she had the ability to take the spark from Mollie and Jackson that was so special. That being said, this was an excellent book and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

RATING: A- (4½ stars)

Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.

Actual Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

I’ve really enjoyed all of the books in the Stiletto-Oxford world and I knew that Jackson and Mollie’s story would be just as enjoyable. I have to admit, I was a tad bit worried since we really didn’t have any kind of history with either character. Jackson is mentioned at the end of Cole and Penelope’s book, but that’s about it. I shouldn’t have been worried at all. Jackson, despite his reluctance, fits right into the Oxford world. And Mollie fits right in with the ladies of Stiletto. Although I admit it is nice that she isn’t an employee of either magazine. I like that she’s a big science nerd. That grounded her character a bit, which I really liked.

Mollie and Jackson’s love story was incredible. I absolutely loved them together and I felt so bad for Mollie living with those feelings for as long as she did. Especially since Jackson was married to her sister…a sister that she was blindly loyal to despite how horrible her sister was. Madison was wicked. I can’t believe the things she did to poor Jackson. We had one thing left open that I would have loved to know. Did Madison sleep with Mollie’s boyfriend? Mollie and her best friend Kat suspected it, but only Madison and Mollie’s ex know the truth. But given all the other dastardly things Madison did, I wouldn’t put it past her.

My emotions were all over the place in this book. I wanted to hug them both and I wanted to punch Jackson in the throat for being such a dummy. I loved them together though and I loved the way their relationship progressed. It was so great that they had each other over the years when neither had anyone else, but Madison. They were ridiculously hot together too. And I loved how they were embraced by the rest of the Stiletto-Oxford group. This book was nearly perfect.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series. We got another glimpse at what could be in Lincoln’s past and I am dying to find out. Lauren Layne has done an amazing job of building the suspense with Lincoln. I adore him and I can’t wait for him to find his happily ever after, but I am dying to know what happened in his past.

Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review

Of course I liked this book. Lauren Layne wrote it so that is kind of a given. I do have to say that this is my least favorite Lauren Layne book that I have read so far. I will admit that I didn't read the description before grabbing it. I saw the name on the cover and that was the end of my thought process when it came to selecting this book. This was probably a mistake on my end because I may have thought twice about reading this book if I had known that it was going to be about sisters.

I should probably say up front that for me there are certain lines that are never to be crossed. Never. Dating your sister's former husband isn't even in grey territory for me. It is way over the line that should never be crossed. I do try to just go with a situation in a fictional book because...well, because it is fiction. I had really hoped that the focus of the book would be squarely put on Mollie and Jackson and I could just kind of forget about the sister/ex-wife. Nope. The sister/ex-wife was in the book all the time so there was no forgetting about it.

There were parts of the book that I did really like. Jackson's personal growth during the story was really nice to watch. I loved it when he realized that his dreams had changed as his life had changed. Mollie was really pretty awesome when she wasn't being walked on by her ridiculous sister. I did sense the chemistry between the pair from the very beginning of the story.

Madison was really a piece of work. She was actually pretty easy to hate in this story. Madison and Mollie were definitely at opposite ends of the sister spectrum. I didn't like her presence in the book. I don't think that she added anything to the story except a level of discomfort. I get that she was not a nice person and that she was very self centered but that didn't make me feel any better about Mollie starting a relationship with her sister's ex-husband.

I would recommend this book to anyone who can overlook the sisters angle. I did enjoy many parts of the book. I do plan to continue to read Lauren Layne's work including future installments in this series. I am ready for Lincoln's story!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Review originally posted on [...]
Going into my favorite authors’ books, I have certain expectations. From K.A. Tucker, I expect complex characters, a strong emotional pull, and exciting twists. From Nora Roberts, strong females, vivid settings, and family dynamics. When it comes to Lauren Layne, I expect engaging banter, sexual tension, and happy feels. She hit that in the bull’s eye with her new novel I Wish You Were Mine.

This is the second book in the Oxford series, but it’s the first–and I believe, the only one–that features a male character we didn’t meet in the previous Stiletto series. Jackson Burke’s a newbie to the team, one we met in passing in the prequel Irresistibly Yours. Because of that, there’s more mystery to him, especially since he didn’t exactly make an ideal first impression, having been introduced as a player, both on the field and off. In I Wish You Were Mine, Lauren Layne reveals otherwise, showing us the truth behind the tabloids.

Jackson is a tough man to love, having grown pricklier and more cynical after his losses, but he possesses a strong sense of loyalty and honor that I admire him for. As with some of Lauren’s other books, his relationship with his ex-sister-in-law Mollie is rooted in friendship, and the dynamic between them was funny and touching even as their attraction to each other simmered.

Mollie reminds me of Chloe from Crushed. She’s quite awkward and brainy, yet amusing and insightful, and like Chloe, she has an older sister who treats her more like an enemy, especially when it comes to men. Come to think of it, there are other similarities between the two books, with the men having to come to terms with their personal conflicts and hurting their ladies because of their self-interest. I did like how Mollie knows who she is and doesn’t pretend to be someone else to capture Jackson’s attention. Though as with Crushed‘s Kristin, I wished that Chloe’s sister Madison had more dimension to her and that we got to understand why she is as selfish and uncaring as she is.

I have to mention that I liked seeing how Jackson struggled to adjust to life in an office where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Not only is that very relatable, but it gave him another level of vulnerability. Of course, I loved that the Stiletto/Oxford gang is still very much alive and kicking–and growing, too! The last book in the Oxford trilogy, Someone Like You, will finally give us the inside scoop on the hot and enigmatic Lincoln, and I. CANNOT. WAIT. He actually plays a special role in this book–one that isn’t exactly new to him. (Clue: set-up). Too bad the release of Someone Like You has been pushed back to December–but at least we’ll get other books from Lauren before then. Yay!

I was pretty surprised after reading Cole's story in Irresistibly Yours, that we didn't get Lincoln's story next. Nope, instead we get former All-Star Quarterback Jackson Burke. Formerly being that after an accident injures his throwing arm his career is over. Now, after an extremely bitter divorce, he's working as the fitness editor at Oxford Magazine wishing for life to go back to what it used to be. While Jackson still feels like and outsider, he find comfort in his former sister-in-law Mollie.

Mollie has been in love with Jackson for years. Of course she's always kept him firmly in the unobtainable category, seeing that he was married to her sister, so she settled for being a good friend to him. When she meets up with him in New York she realizes that he needs a friend now more than ever. But when their feelings for one another move to serious territory will they be able to handle what comes next?

I think the risk, albeit small, that Lauren Layne took in making a character that the readers were not wholly familiar with into the main character of this book paid off. I was unprepared at how much I really enjoyed Jackson's story. He's introduced very minutely in Irresistibly Yours, but not enough to form a connection (such as with, say, Lincoln).

I do like reading about an unrequited love in my romances. It's even better when there's a chance for it to become requited. The twist here being that Mollie and Jackson are former in-laws which doesn't make it easy when they acknowledge their feelings are more than friendship. The chemistry between these characters is undeniable, but I did like that the complications their relationship could cause were taken into consideration.

Mollie's sister Maddie was a real piece of work. Her manipulations were so irritating and I found myself not understanding why Mollie continually fell for her sister's lies, but when I take a step back, and think about the sister / familial dynamic, I could see why Mollie's hope for her sister's love could cause her to overlook her sister's less than positive qualities.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. There are quite a few side comments about Lincoln in this one, which makes me all the curious to find out what his story will be.