To Have and to Hold (Wedding Belles Book 1)

Lauren Layne is one of my favorite authors. She never fails to deliver a well-rounded story, with characters that are relatable. To Have and To Hold is no different. With a great plot, interesting characters, and witty dialogue, this was an entertaining read from start to finish.

“”It’s not as though Brooke had meant to start dating a con man. She certainly didn’t intend to get engaged to one.”

Brooke has had her heart broken and her foundation rocked. Picking up her life and starting over in New York seems like the perfect way to move on from her past. I love Brooke’s attitude of always looking on the bright side. Even with all she has been through, she still believes in happily ever after and is not jaded about love. This goes a long way in helping her get far in her career as an elite wedding planner.

“But something about this man’s entitled attitude set her on edge. No, scratch that. Everything about him set her on edge.”

Brook crosses paths with Seth Tyler when he insists on being a part of the planning process for his sister’s wedding. Seth is a control freak, who is used to getting what he wants. Their attraction is undeniable, but neither can decide if they actually like each other. Thus ensues a lot of heated arguments and scathing banter, as these two lash out at each other while trying to fight their feelings.

“But this relaxed, friendly Brooke who was currently looking at him with un-shuttered eyes…he wanted to know her in ways other than just naked ways. Wanted to know what made her laugh, what made her cry…”

I enjoyed the slow burn of attraction between Seth and Brooke. It’s always fun to read about love/hate relationships because you know they will eventually combust. Unfortunately, Seth isn’t the type of hero that is immediately endearing. He takes some time to warm up to but eventually, we see his vulnerabilities come through. It is clear Brooke brings out the best in him.

The side characters were also well-rounded and were good sounding boards when the voice of reason was needed to knock some sense into the hero and heroine. There were a couple of instances where I thought Brooke’s actions were a bit over the top, but that didn’t detract from the overall story. At times, I struggled with the characters’ reasoning, but overall, I think both Brooke and Seth showed a lot of growth throughout the book. This was a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading about the other characters in future books.

“He was better than good. He was better than he’d been in a long time, all because he was more alive than he’d ever felt. It was like some sort of damned movie where the character didn’t even know he was half whole until he met that one person who completed him.”

***I received this book for free via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the work or the content of my review, which was first published on book blog Will Read for Feels.

For a lover of romantic fiction, it might be a little weird, but I’m not really a fan of weddings. I mean, I love it when people care about find each other, but I was never the kind of girl who dreamed about what her wedding day would be like and plotted it out from the flowers to the music to the games (do people have games at weddings? Doesn’t matter; I did). Incidentally, I did plan out my funeral. But despite never really being interested in what goes into a fabulous wedding, I’ve an abiding respect for wedding planners, and I’m fascinated by what they do. So of course when I heard about Lauren Layne’s new contemporary romance series, The Wedding Belles, I was instantly intrigued. And once I got my hands on book 1, To Have and to Hold, I pretty much raced through the read.

And let me just say it was charming. Wedding planner Brooke is on a mission to make a go of her fresh start in New York, and the first step to doing that is planning an awesome ceremony and reception for hotel heiress Maya Tyler. Which shouldn’t be too hard because the bride is the farthest thing from Bridezilla and the groom is actually pretty charming. Except that, Seth, the bride’s hotel magnate big brother and the guy footing the bill for the whole shindig is determined to see it—and consequently her—crash and burn. And it’s just Brooke’s luck that this jaded control freak is hotter than a Manhattan summer.

As far as romances go, this wasn’t really anything particularly groundbreaking, but I enjoyed the pacing of it, the way the characters danced around each other before coming together to tango. I also enjoyed seeing how they were headed for trouble, how they acted when the nasty stuff hit the fan, and how they worked their way back to a point where a happy ending wasn’t just possible, it was plausible.

Of course, it hurt not a whit that the supporting characters were all sorts of fun, too, and I can’t wait to read each of their stories! I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the unflappable Alexis, well, flapped by the love bug.

There were just two things that made me a little sad about reading this. One is that we didn’t see an actual wedding come together in this book. The other was missing out on the nitty-gritty of Maya’s love story. Other than that, though, Brooke and Seth were a great combination of sweet and steamy, and I closed the last page of the last chapter of this book with a smile on my face.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, much to my surprise - I mean how good can a book be about wedding planning? But Brooke was a pleasant surprise since she wasn't snobby like I expected, but rather a sweet and sassy LA woman who had her heart broken and is now in NY starting over. Seth was an incredibly sexy hotel chain owner who always had to have a plan and be in control and he met his match with Brooke, that's for sure. They were both instantly attracted to each other and at each other's throats the second they met, so it made for a great story.

Brooke was in charge of planning Seth's sister's wedding. He doesn't exactly trust that the guy she's marrying is on the up-and-up though, so he gets Brooke's help in trying to determine if there really is something else going on with the guy. Brooke's ex-fiance was arrested at the altar of their wedding because he was running a Ponzi scheme. So she's not exactly the best judge of character it seems, yet despite her being duped, she still doesn't see anything wrong with Maya's fiance (go figure).

Brooke also feels guilty about being attracted to Seth and sees it as a conflict of interest since Seth is technically paying her wedding planner fee. Her boss doesn't see an issue though and eventually Seth/Brooke hook up. These two were really hot together. I loved their interactions and the chemistry between them was great. Of course, Seth goes and messes things up by keeping a secret, but his grand gesture to win her back in the end was heartwarming.

I enjoyed the read and can't wait to read cynical Heather's story next.

Brooke Baldwin planned the best wedding of her career, her own, for everything to fall down around her when her ex fiancé turned out to be a conman and was arrested at the alter. Her career as a wedding planner in LA came to an end after that. To forget everything and move forward, she moves to NewYork and joins the wedding Belles. And her first job is to plan the wedding of Maya Tyler.
From everything Maya has told Seth Tyler about her fiancé , he doesn't trust him. And to prove Maya fiancé is a conman, Seth decides to micromanage the whole wedding. Which puts him in close proximity with Brooke.
The instant they meet, there are fireworks. Their chemistry is off the charts. But where Brooke is a happy and warm person, Seth comes across as controlling and cold. Can these two opposites find middle ground ?
This was a very sweet and cute read. The banter between the main characters is very sexy and enjoyable. Overall it was a fun read but not upto the mark set by Ms Layne's previous books. Having said that do I regret reading this book - definitely No, and will I read her future books - definitely Yes !

Lauren Layne has brought the fun and sexy back to the stressful venue of wedding planning with her new series The Wedding Belles. The first full-length installment delivers on the promise of the prequel novella, bringing fun, laughter, sexy moments and characters to adore.

Brooke was an up and coming wedding planner on the west coast, until her own wedding went south when unexpected guests, in the form of the FBI, arrived to arrest her groom. Reeling from the devastation, she’s landed a position with The Wedding Belles, and she’s determined to make her mark.

An unexpected change in plans leaves Brooke in charge of a high-profile wedding her first day on the job. When she meets the man she believes is the groom, she’s instantly attracted – a HUGE no no. Fortunately, the man in question turns out to be the brother of the bride, and is determined to have a hand in every moment of the planning. Oh, did I mention that Griffin is a control freak with serious doubts in his sister’s intended?

Oh this was SO fun. Mixing characters that are engaging, a touch of mystery, unrequited love and new supportive friends, the story brings all that I’d expect from a Lauren Layne book!

Griffin is the one who hates change, and always wants to fix things for everyone. He’s controlling and tightly wound, and while his intentions are good, his own issues are many. He’s a great friend and brother, though, and will always be overly cautious. With the unexpected death of his father from a health issue that everyone BUT him knew of, he’s also a bit of the little boy lost, play acting as the man he believes he should be, rather than the one he really is.

Mia, Griffin’s sister, is so far removed from the snooty society deb that one would expect, and she’s a breath of fresh air and very much in love. Still, it doesn’t allow for a bit of matchmaking for her brother and her wedding planner, and she’s a wonderful touchpoint for the relationship of Griffin and Brooke. And those two are explosive: Griffin wants ‘inside information’ on Mia’s fiancé, before he makes the big mistake of hiring a PI. While Brooke doesn’t want to touch that hot potato, she’s unable to get Griffin or his suspicions out of his head.

When everything goes spectacularly pear shaped, the women of The Wedding Belles step up and piece Brooke together again, all while pushing her to believe in her own platitudes and take a chance. A wonderful installment.

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.

I always go into a Lauren Layne book expecting great things and I can always count on her to deliver in every way. When I saw that her latest series was about wedding planners finding love in NYC, I knew I was in for a fun, romantic and feel-good kind of series. With To Have and To Hold, Lauren Layne delivered exactly that.

On the day of her wedding, Brooke finds out at the altar that her fiancee is a con-man when he is arrested by the FBI. To get a fresh new start, she moves to NYC and begins working at The Wedding Belles. Lauren Layne's characters are always fresh and loveable. Brooke, her newest protagonist, was very likeable. Her positivity despite how upside down her life had turned was very heartening. I love that she saw the good in people and that she was a girl who completely believed in the happily ever after. I'll admit, there were times when she came across as naive, particularly when it came to her latest client's fiancee, but I love that Lauren Layne's characters aren't perfect. It makes them relateable and much more interesting to read than perfect characters.

Seth was a pretty great male character, himself. He is one of the richest men in New York and owns a chain of hotels. Seth was a little controlling and had some temper issues, but they are explained throughout the book through his history and his background. He tries his best throughout the book to change that about himself and to become a better person. Even when he was being controlling though, his heart was in the right place. Even with his meddling ways, when it came to his sister, Maya, it was clear that he loved her dearly and would do anything and everything to ensure that she was happy. There is something very attractive about a guy who cares so much about his family.

Seth and Brooke's chemistry was off-the-charts amazing since their very first meeting. They were such a complementary couple and I loved watching them interact, especially when Brooke gets under the uptight Seth's skin. The I-think-I-don't-like-you-but-I-also-want-to-take-you-to-bed dynamic they had going on was so much fun to watch. They bicker, they banter, but they are so good for each other. Brooke allows Seth to realize how controlling he can be and she slowly manages to change his ways, without her really doing anything - he just wants to be a better man for her sake and it's very endearing to watch. I will admit that the misunderstanding that normally comes with romance novels at the 75% mark was a bit of an over the top reaction by one party, but thankfully, it wasn't stretched out too long and the groveling and Seth winning over Brooke scenes were so adorable and made me smile like a goofball.

Lauren Layne also writes fabulous girl friendships and bromances. Brooke may be new to The Wedding Belles, but she was easily able to settle in with the girls, who were welcoming and made me want to become their friends. I loved how close they became with one another and how they would give each other advice on their love lives. Seth, himself, had an awesome friend in Grant, who also gets his romance in To Have and to Hold - I liked him so much, I almost wish Lauren Layne would write a full-length novel or a novella for him and the girl.

The NYC setting was as always vibrant and engaging. Lauren Layne gives readers glimpses into the city with her books and you can tell that this is a city that is near and dear to her with the way she depicts all the locales and lifestyle in her books. I was expecting a lot of wedding planning shenanigans with To Have and to Hold, and the author delivered beautifully on that front. There's something very special about Lauren Layne's books that's impossible to put into words. All I can say is that you have to experience it for yourself and that they make me so darn happy. It's easy to become lost in her writing, her characters and her romances and I simply can't get enough.

Lauren Layne has written many wonderful novels, but To Have and to Hold is without a smidgen of doubt, one of my favorite books by her. I am so eager to see what she has in store for readers in the next two novels in the Wedding Belles series. In the meantime, I'll be re-reading all my favorite scenes from this one!

I am a romance bookaholic, I LOVE romance novels. I have a list of several author that I know that when I pick up one of their books I am in for an extremely emotional ride. Lauren Layne is one of those authors. To Have and To Hold is technically book one in the Wedding Belles series, but we were first introduced to the Wedding Belles in From This Day Forward (fantastic book as well by the way).
I am not going to rehash the blurb, you read it and liked what you read, so you are reading the reviews to see why and if other readers liked the book, so this is what I am going to do. Tell you why I liked, no, LOVED this book. This book took me thru the whole gamut of emotions, at times the things the characters did made me laugh, sigh, at times, they made me mad. The emotion that made me love this book the most, it made me cry. Ms. Layne has a way of writing a story so emotional and takes me so deep into the story that when something happens to the characters I will actually cry with or for them. There was a scene in the book when Seth asks Brooke what she is wants from a man in their relationship. Her answer: “That someone good will love us”, “I don’t think any women really want or need the roses and the fancy dinners or even the poetry so much as we just want the love.”
This book is most definitely an HEA book, don’t get me wrong. I did not say they were sad tears.
Thank you Ms. Layne on a most definite emotional roller coaster ride. It was a wonderful ride. I cannot wait to read Heather and Josh’s story.
Thank you NetGalley for listing this fabulous book on your site. Thank you Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for approving my request and gifting me with a copy of this fabulous book for my honest review.
Thank you for reading my review.

To Have and to Hold – The Wedding Belles- Vol.1) by Lauren Layne is a 2016 Pocket Books publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher as an XOXpert, the official street team of XOXO After Dark. This had no bearing on my opinion and is in compliance with the FTC and the store's TOS- including the new rules!!

I read “For Better or Worse”, the second book in the Wedding Belles series and absolutely loved it. So, I’m happy I was given the opportunity to read and review the debut novel in the series.

When Seth’s sister, Maya, announces she is about to marry a man she has only dated for three months, Seth is blindsided. After his father’s sudden death, it is up to Seth to see that Maya has her dream wedding. But, the thing is, Seth is a major control freak, and so insinuates himself into the wedding planning, which is how he meets, Brooke Baldwin.

Brooke is excited to have the opportunity to work for The Wedding Belles, especially after her own wedding came to a crashing halt when her fiance’ was arrested. But, she never anticipated her first client would have her brother tagging along, attempting to control the entire affair, which means she and Seth Tyler will be spending a lot of time together. What could possibly go wrong?

This first book in the series has two love stories in one book, which is always fun. Seth’s instincts about Maya’s fiancé may be spot on, but, he has to let her live her own life, except he can’t seem to let it go, prompting him to take invasive measures he rationalizes away under the guise of love and protection.
He’s also putting entirely too much pressure on himself, which, despite his lack of warmth, makes you want to hold him.

Brooke, is trying to put her past behind her, embrace her new lease on life, but her upbeat persona sometimes feels forced, as she tries desperately to shut out all the bad stuff, the hard parts, and live a life free of conflict. But, where’s the fun in that?

Playing in the background, is the wedding plans for Maya, who is perhaps holding a little secret in her heart we hope she will own up to before it’s too late.

I loved the immediate chemistry between Seth and Brooke and how they tried to ignore it and fight it, but of course it’s a losing battle. The banter between them is so funny, plus they have a palpable connection, despite having some real issues to cope with. So, there is a good deal of character growth and development along the way.

Seth, in particular, has some hard work to do for himself, but he does redeem himself in such a sweet way, you won’t be able to hold back a smile or a little sigh.

I’m glad I took the time to go back and check this one out. It was definitely worth it.

Lauren Layne`s new series, The Wedding Belles, is definitely a series worth reading right now. I love the whole concept of the wedding planners in New York City and their take on a bride finding their perfect wedding. Not only is this beautiful written but man Seth what a brooding hunky guy. Brooke is a woman who thought she had it all planning her own wedding but never imagined ending the way it did before the I do`s. Now Seth poor man is like all men who thought he was close to finding the one but got stepped back in life. These two definitely share one thing and that is being dumped yet somewhere inside they still want love. I loved how much they deny the attraction but man the chemistry is definetly one you can cut with a knife full of tension waiting to combust. Lauren Layne proves that this is one series you want to read full of love, hot men and yes even tons of passion.

In To Have and to Hold everything was just perfectly balanced to the description of the atmosphere, the personal problems of Seth and Brooke, secondary characters that were introduced slowly who readers are aware, at the back of their minds are going to get their own stories, but doesn't overwhelm the main protagonists journey in anyway.

Most importantly, Seth and Brooke are relatable, with imperfections that would have you siding with one character in one instance and totally getting the other's point of view in the next. There are still moments of sweetness, sexiness, sassy dialogue, divine wedding planning (a helpful hint for those planning to tie the knot!) and girlfriend power and bromance! Which are clearly trademark Lauren Layne but its Seth and Brooke characters, their love story developing well into the plotline ensuring that this book will become a keeper. As well as making readers anticipate the next one in the series!

*Copy provided*

This book is book # 1 in The Wedding Belles series, however, there is a prequel to help you get settled in with the characters. This is a standalone novel. I recommend reading series in order for reader understanding and enjoyment.

Brooke and Seth rub each other the wrong way right from the start. She is planning his sisters wedding, so she is basically hands off. Unfortunately for both of them - all they want is hands on.

Seth is busy trying to stay above water. He has so much going on he has no idea some days. With his sister springing an unknown fiance on him, his suspicions arise.

I am already loving this series so much! The characters are fun and original. I feel like they are very real. I could not put this book down. I cannot wait for the next installment. The sexy times & the banter are worth it.

***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher for an honest review.

Seth Tyler – Handsome, insanely wealthy global hotel chain heir, now CEO who barely has time to breath, let alone plan a dream wedding for his sister, Maya. He’s only too happy to pay for the wedding of her dreams, but his gut tells him she’s picked the wrong groom. He’s determined to expose Neil, her too sudden/likely a gold digger fiancée, for the fraud he likely is. With a glacial stare/cold demeanor that freezes most people in their tracks, Seth is the one taken aback by the sweet but firm way Brooke, the heroine, stands up to him and soon makes him long for a HEA of his own…with her.

Brooke Baldwin – Beautiful, recent L.A. to NY transplant, wedding planner extraordinaire, formerly duped fiancée of a likely soon to be jailbird con man, who finds herself caught in the middle of this mostly unspoken wedding standoff. Though she’s recently had her own life lesson in heartache, she stubbornly refuses to give up on the idea of forever love.

What do you get when you mix these two unlikely, destined to be lovebirds? Well, you’ll just have to read and find out for yourself, folks. Lauren Layne proves time and time again she can weave a romantic tale with steam, as well as substance. To Hand and to Hold is no exception. As the first kiss isn’t until around 44% and smexy time even later, there is plenty of dancing around each other and build-up of chemistry until the main couple gives in to temptation.

What puzzled me? The way Grant and Brooke slammed Seth for hiring a professional to confirm Neil’s true identity. Considering what he found out, you would think he should be congratulated for validating his suspicions. Even more surprising was what he did with that information.
The synopsis, my fellow romance book-loving friends, is a very good summary of the storyline. If it sounds appealing to you, with writing that flows and the engaging, but mostly predictable, uncomplicated, non-dramatic plot, you’ll likely enjoy this well-written romantic tale.

Title: To Have and to Hold, Series: The Wedding Belles (Book 1), Author: Lauren Layne, Pages: 384, stand-alone but part of a series, HEA, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM/OW drama (only references Brooke’s ex-fiance and Seth’s former girlfriend), some VERY steamy scenes which do not hijack the storyline, misunderstood alpha protective good guy hero, no major drama.

Book .5 – From This Day Forward, Pages: 100, 6/6/16 (Leah & Jason)
Book 1 – To Have and to Hold, Pages: 384, 7/26/16 (Brooke & Seth)
Book 2 – For Better or Worse, Pages: 368, 8/30/16 (Heather & Josh)
Book 3 – To Love and to Cherish, Pages: NL, 10/18/16 (Alexis & Logan)

(This review is based on NetGalley ARC issued in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was made to the reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and/or author/publisher.)

Brooke Baldwin just needs a fresh start—away from the glare of her scandalous wedding debacle, away from everything about that day and the time after. She can’t believe how naïve she was, and she certainly isn’t going to make that same mistake again! When she gets a chance to start over with The Wedding Belles, she jumps at the opportunity to continue working in the field she loves but now on the opposite coast.

Seth Tyler is at a crossroad. Due to his father’s untimely death, Seth finds himself now head of the family multi-million-dollar business and his family. When his sister, Maya, announces her engagement, Seth knows there’s just something off about her fiancé, Neil, and sets out to prove he’s right. Little did he realize how much time he’d have to spend with one Brooke Baldwin in the process.

Brooke and Seth are two such strong minded, strong willed individuals that when they come together, they’re like dynamite. Seth proves to be one of the most difficult clients Brooke has ever had to deal with, but she’s a firm believer in helping people find their “happily-ever-after”, even when she’s stopped looking for her own. Seth has his own set of issues—he’s used to being in control of all things and he’s been heartbroken before, too. Both Brooke and Seth need to get over their lingering fears from the past and allow love back in their hearts to move forward. Hopefully together.

Let me just start by saying how much I love strong female lead characters—this is something Ms. Layne excels at! I love when the women give back as good as they get in both snarky, witty banter and in the bedroom. Love it when there’s an even playing field. And Brooke and Seth are amazing together—even when they’re fighting over the most minute detail.

I loved Seth and his scowling, overbearing nature—he’s like a hard candy with a gooey, soft center. His heart is in the right place, it’s just his actions that are somewhat questionable. And Brooke. I found myself rooting her on to finally push past her own heartbreaking wedding. To realize that stuff just happens. It’s called life! ~ Missy, 4.5 stars

To Have and to Hold is technically the first book of the Wedding Belles series. It’s a great romance; it is very much a typical Lauren Layne story. I loved the characters, each with varying personalities that it keeps it interesting and funny but with the common ground of wedding planning, they all mix well together.

Brooke Baldwin ran from California, she was building up her own wedding planning business she planned on having hers the best example of what she could do, but it all blew up in her face when the FBI arrested her fiancé at the altar. Seth Tyler has a plan for everything but when his father died those planned got moved up by two years and now his sister dropped the bomb that she is getting married to a man she has known for only three months, he knows something is not right. Seth’s only way of proving Maya’s fiancé is a gold digging waste of space is to micromanage the wedding and that puts in in direct contact with the stunning Brooke. No woman has ever affected him this way before. Brooke was heartbroken and mortified by her last relationship so when the brother of the bride starts making her lady parts tingle she doesn’t know what to do. Her boss gives her the advice that just because he’s writing the check does not make him the client, if you have an itch scratch it just done make it complicated. Making it complicated was inevitable.

I loved the side story with Maya, her fiancé, and Grant. You could see it coming and it played out nicely in conjunction with the rest of the story. Brooke and Seth are perfect for each other she bring just a little bit of chaos to his otherwise orderly life. But when Seth does something, which I completely agree with, I would have done it too, and Brooke flips out completely overreacted to it and compared him to her ex she breaks it off only to realize she loves him and she just may have lost him forever.

Overall, it’s hard for me to hate this book it was just great! Everything of Lauren Layne’s that I have read I love and I can’t wait for the remaining character’s HEAs.

**I received this book from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books through NetGalley for an honest review.**

Brooke was a big time wedding planner in Los Angeles until she was embarrassed the night of her own wedding. She later moves to New York for a fresh start where she starts working with The Wedding Belles. Seth is Brooke’s newest client. He’s paying for his sister Maya’s wedding but he is none too pleased with her choice of fiancé.

This was good. As a big fan of LL, she didn’t disappoint. Loved the banter between new friends and the grumpiness of Seth. Brooke and Seth had a great back and forth dynamic to me. At times they were drama personified. I liked what their issues brought to the story and once everything was said and done, they did not disappoint. Brooke’s past and the scheming that Seth was doing made things a lot better as well.

I liked the wedding planning aspect of it all as well. I can tell that Heather and Alexis are going to have some good books as well. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Brooke Baldwin has recently arrived in New York after her wedding business fizzled in Los Angeles not because she isn’t a competent and fabulous planner but because of the disastrous events at her own ceremony. I will leave you to discover those details. She has secured a spot with the Wedding Belles and due to unexpected complications, she ends up handling the Tyler wedding. Seth Tyler hotel tycoon’s sister is getting married and he is none too happy about it. One cannot blame him, since he has never met nor heard of the fiancé’ until his sister asks for a fairy tale wedding. Brooke may have a ton of baggage in her personal life, but I loved her initial meeting with Seth and his sister. Chemistry and snark let me know we are going to have fun.

Seth is a bit of a control freak or perhaps that is too harsh, let us call him a fixer. Yep, that’s better. The man is also lonely although he probably will not admit that. Brooke and Seth tango verbally as the attraction between them continues. These two will tangle between the sheets and the anticipation was delightful. I loved the dance, the little jabs and enjoyed the buildup. Side threads regarding Seth’s best friend, Brooke’s ex and time with the girls at Wedding Belles all added depth giving this “Sex in the City” story a small town feel. Copy provided by publisher, full review at caffeinated book reviewer.

Romantic, engaging, and downright steamy!

This is a great contemporary romance story, set in the eclectic New York City, about family, friendship, heartbreak, trust, and true love.

The writing is well done. The plot is precise, intelligent, and captivating. And the characters, including a whole slew of memorable supporting characters, are charming, quirky, and endearing.

Overall, this is a sexy, intriguing, easy read, that I highly recommend.

*I received an arc in exchange of an honest review*

To Have and to Hold follows a wedding planner, Brooke Burke, and her client’s brother, Seth Tyler. Brooke aims to plan Seth’s sister’s wedding, but Seth’s interference doesn’t really help. Seth is convinced his sister is marrying a con artist and he is determined to stop the wedding. Brooke and Seth butt heads as they try to plan/unplan the wedding.

After her disastrous wedding day Brooke moves across the country and joins the Wedding Belles, an elite wedding planning agency. Her first client is an heiress whose brother, Seth, insists on being part of the wedding planning. There’s an instant undeniable attraction between the two, and the sass amplifies it.

When Seth finds out his baby sister is getting married to a man she’s only known for a few months and he’s not met, he can’t help but find the situation fishy. He believes the man is a con artist, who is marrying his sister for her money. He is determined to prove the truth of the man and unplan the wedding, but a certain wedding planner is getting in his way.

I wasn’t so sure how I’d feel about this because I wasn’t too fond of the novella, however, I quite enjoyed it. Seth and Brooke had instantaneous chemistry and the sexual tension between them was crackling. I loved how protective Seth was, sure it was kind of overbearing but it was the only way he knew how to show he cared. And, Brooke was too jaded from her fresh wounds to consider a relationship, which made their coming together even more special.

I couldn’t help but smile while reading this, it was such a delight. It felt like eating cotton candy. I literally devoured in a mere number of hours, I have dark circles to prove it. This was the perfect combination of heartfelt romance to sexy times. And, I, for one, cannot wait for the second one.

Flowers, dresses, invitations and a happy couple are all necessary parts on the road to wedded bliss. Brooke Baldwin believes in love. True, heart wrenching all encompassing love..just not for herself. She had her chance at her own happily ever after and it ended. Badly. Now she has a new city, a new job and is putting her past behind her. She loves weddings - the flowers, the dresses, the venues, the happy bride and groom preparing to share their lives… she loves weddings. She doesn’t believe her own happily ever will ever exist. Her first client as a wedding planner at The Wedding Belles - a high end business for the high end bride - is a hotel heiress.

Maya Tyler and her older brother Seth are the heirs to the Tyler Hotel Group of which Seth has served as the President and CEO since the death of their father. A quick courtship has led her on the path to the alter. A courtship so quick that her brother doesn’t fully trust her fiancé. Ok, to be fair - he doesn’t trust him at all. It may sound a little conventional, but Seth decides that if he is paying for the wedding (and as the head of the family - he is) he will tag along to her appointment and be a part of the wedding planning. The wedding/spying on the guy who is not good enough for is little sister/planning.

What generally happens when two strong willed individuals meet? Nothing good. Unless it happens in a book of any genre! Brooke and Seth have a lot of similarities in life. They both want to succeed. They both want Maya to be happy. They both don’t know what they want. Brooke is drawn to this attractive, demanding unapologizing man. Meanwhile, Seth is enthralled by the woman planning his sisters wedding.

Who would have guessed it?
The brother and the wedding planner.

What I liked about this book compared to others I have read is that the relationship that builds between the two over the course of this book is natural. Not something that happens too fast and seems rushed and like something that would never happen in real life. Their disagreements are real. The feelings they share are real. They both have real life concerns about their lives, their places in life and their future - together and apart.

This book does have a happy ending for all involved - but you’ll have to read it to get all of the details!

Seth's thoughts almost made me pee myself, that's how entertaining they were, "she looked at him in surprise. “I thought we were going to dinner?” Yeah, well, that was before I realized I couldn’t be around you without getting a effing hard-on." Seth doesn't mind reverting to begging if the occasion calls for it, “anything,” he said, his voice slightly desperate. “I’ll take whatever you’re giving. A drink. Dinner. A walk. Maybe a movie. Joint custody of the dog. Keys to the same home— this home. A wedding. Babies. Things like that.” I really liked this book, I loved Seth

This is courageous, enchanting, powerful, tender, and vivacious book. It includes GOD at every turn and so as it should be. This is three stories in one, about a wedding, and that what makes it so fascinating. It is a powerful book on love, hurt, and healing. A resurgence of love with the help of the LORD. They have been hurt and there needs to be trust again for Charlotte, the baker and Mom, and Nate. Then there is Amelia , the florist, who while snooping on, who? I shall not tell because you should get the book because it is interesting, she gets into a fender bender and the man she hits is Nate. Ante becomes a confidant of Amelia and something weird happens. Then the third story is about Holly, Brides side and Josh groom's side, also exes. Holly broke things off and Josh never knew why and Holly did not and does not want him to know, but will he find out and if he does what will happen if he does? Will the book end like you think it does or can it end fantastically? A Big surprise? Go Buy the Book and find out.

I absolutely ADORE this series. To Have and To Hold is the 1st book in the Wedding Belles series (there is a novella that is a sorta prequel to the series) & is such a fun & sexy read. Lauren Layne is fast becoming my favorite author.

Brooke is healing from heartache & has moved to NYC to rebound from finding out her soon-to-be husband (as in at the alter soon) is a con artist. Her first new client is Mya who is planning a wedding soon after meeting her groom. Her sexy & gruff older brother Seth is paying the bills & is none too happy about how fast the wedding is happening. Seth & Brooke have instant chemistry but their love story is anything but easy. But there is a HEA.

Great story & I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

The series, The Wedding Belles features a small group of wedding planners and their own way through love. Brook and Seth were a great couple to feature in book one. Brook was a very likable character, a fearless, fun and smart female lead. Seth was a sexy hotel owner-millionaire who liked to be in control of everything. The plot points were fun and unique, pulling in several secondary characters. One of the many things I love about Layne's novels is there is no shortage of an amazing supporting cast.

LL just can't stop writing romances that combine everything I love about romance...a very sexy, sometimes broody hero, a heroine who is sweet and a little badass, and a story line that keeps you hooked until the very end. Seth and Brooke definitely don't have an "Insta-love" thing happening. More of an "insta-lust" but NOOOOOO that is so not a good idea....WARNING WARNING WARNING signs flashing all around.

But they just have a magnetic pull that keeps them coming back to one another, and sharing those small, intimate moments is what kept me holding on to every word.

Simply put.....I love these Belles!

REVIEWED BY EMILY

Not gonna lie ... At first Seth was a little TOO alpha for me, and that is saying a LOT since I love me a strong alpha! On the opposite side of things, I loved Brooke from the beginning. She was fabulous and I’d totally pick her as a bestie. Honestly, I was more drawn in to her starting her life over and meeting her new co-workers than anything else in the beginning of this book. LL writes awesome females - I love how you get immersed in their friendships with each other and not just the romance aspects of her books. Happily, Seth grew on me, awkward, overbearing a$$ that he is and all. :)

I enjoyed the first book in this new LL series and can’t wait to read more!!

RATING: B+ (4½ stars)

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

Ahhh romance. Brooke Baldwin is a wedding planner who believes in romance and getting a happily ever after. Even after she had her heart broken on her wedding day. She's moved to New York to work with The Wedding Belles (I LOVE their name!). Her first assignment is the wedding of hotel heiress Maya Tyler. Maya's great, it's her brother Seth, who's financing the wedding that is the problem. Is he really a cold hearted jerk or does he love so much he makes a mess of things? Read the book and find out LOL

I loved both Brooke and Seth. They were witty and had such tension that usually exploded. It was great. I loved meeting the other Wedding Belles. I am looking forward to Alexis's story the most ;0)

*thanks to Tasty Book Tours for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review*

First of all, YORKVILLE! OMFG YORKVILLE!

I live there. This book takes place there. And can we talk about how much I love that it takes place there?

This is a tiny, quiet, beautiful neighborhood on the Upper East side that’s like a bubble from the rest of the upper class Upper East Side. It’s gorgeous. Everyone’s youngish, professionalish, and friendly. Have I mentioned it’s gorgeous? And best of all, it’s kind of a secret.

Guys, I love my neighborhood sooooooo much. And no one ever talks about it or has even heard of it – even people that live in other areas of Manhattan go “Yorkville, where’s that?” So the fact that this book specifically takes place in this neighborhood, that the hood was even mentioned at all, is amaaazing. ?

Now that that’s out of the way. (At least, I think it is…)

The book was really cute. The #girlgang vibes were strong, gotta love a good girl gang. Especially when the rest of the series will focus on the other characters. ?

Wedding planning is one of those careers I dream about having when things are crap at my actual job, one of those jobs I will always enjoy hearing and reading about.

Brooke was strong, funny, and when she let herself be vulnerable, you really felt for her.

And Seth? Honestly, I’m a control freak too. So while the two of us would make for a horrible match, at least I get him and understand him haha.

Note: I received this copy in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars!

Lauren Layne's romantic tales just keep getting better and better and her fans reap the rewards. I still have a crush on Vincent Moretti from CUFF ME! The Wedding Belles series starts off with a bang when wedding planner Brooke squares off with her bridal client Maya's surly and uptight jerk brother Seth. Yes, he is the one who holds the purse strings. The two are constantly butting heads, but man do they spark with chemistry.
Seth loves his sister, but he doesn't know that he believes in love because his ex turned down his marriage proposal. They are wealthy and he wants to protect his sister from possibly being taken advantage of by a fortune hunter. Brooke is starting over in NYC after having been humiliated at the altar by her con man fiance. There is something in her that HAS to believe in love, so when the opportunity comes with the Wedding Belles, she goes for it.
Neither of the two are perfect. Seth's heart is in the right place, but he's become cynical. Brooke is a talented woman who is smart, talented, and savvy. She also has blinders and ignores her gut instincts about Maya and her future marriage and she doesn't like that Seth wants the fiance investigated. With what happened to her, you would think she would liked to have known about her own deceitful fiance, but Layne makes her human. How many of us ignore red flags when dealing with those we love?
There are a lot of secondary characters that I enjoyed like Alexis, Heather, and Logan. (He has a British accent)! Sexy. I also liked Seth's sister, Maya. She is a sweet and fun young woman, but she admitted to herself that she was getting tired of some of the social scene. But when she needs to, she does have a strong back bone. Seth's best friend Grant brings some humor to the story. And he's not afraid to call Seth on his stuff.
The chemistry between Seth and Brooke is hot and fierce. Neither of them want more, but the heart has a mind of it's own. The heat and passion is alive one minutes, and then they are snapping at each other, not wanting to be vulnerable with each other. This is such a great romance with two stubborn people who really need each other. I know that I was rooting for them and their happily ever after. I can't wait for the next story coming out soon. I know this series will be another hit for Lauren Layne!

This book centers on 3 women who are wedding planners at Wedding Belles in NY. Lauren Layne is a new to me author and I was first intrigued by the synopsis.

I really liked the rapport of the 3 women which is also one of the reasons I enjoyed this book. Seth and Brooke's chemistry were sizzling and they had the perfect swoony romance.

With all the warm fuzzies and romance I was getting, I'm certainly anxious to read the subsequent books.

ARC requested via Netgalley, and provided by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this amazing book! What a great beginning for a new series!!

Loved the characters! Although they were flawed (aren't we all), I really enjoyed them!!

Three wedding planners that can make a bride's dream come true, but never theirs. That says it all about them! Poor Brooke, her fiance wasn't exactly who she thought he was. Seth is a gorgeous hotel owner, who happens to be a millionaire! He likes to be in control of everything. Well, Brooke is a very smart woman....will she let him control her?

Brooke and Seth's story was captivating and I look forward to reading the next installment of this series!!

Brooke fled to New York when her plans for marriage fell in a heap at the alter. Her fiance was carried away in handcuffs minutes before they said "I do". This effected her wedding planning business. So she applied for a job with the famed Wedding Belles. But her first client just may be the death of her dreams.

This was a fun, sweet story. It had some drama, girl talk, weddings, and lots of romance. The characters stood out and fit well with the plot. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters. There are a couple of bedroom scenes for those who need to know about that before reading. It was also fun to get a glimpse of who the next books might be about when reading about the secondary characters. The two main characters had some annoying traits for me, but I think it was a personality thing. They were both very bull headed and stubborn. But this was also a positive, since they weren't too perfect. Overall, this was an entertaining story that I was able to read quickly and really enjoyed.

Seth Tyler Ceo, controlling lost the girl he proposed to finds out his sister Maya is engaged and wants to get married right away first sight of Neil he doesn't like him and wants to know more then Seth meets Maya's wedding planner Brooke Baldwin and they click instantly but like Seth Brooke was just about to be married and her was fiancé is sitting in jail. Will Seth stop with his controlling ways? Will Brooke open her heart? Will Maya omit she loves someone else not Neil? Great romance story from beginning to end! 5/5 stars I received this book for a unbiased review

I generally like this author and enjoy her characters. However, I hated this book. The heroine was completely awful and treated the Hero like an angry child. The Hero was the only character that had a shred of common sense. Stupid story with girlfriend and friend dumping Hero for being protective and smart. I wanted the Hero to have someone that wasn't a complete moron for a girlfriend. Skip this one and read Lauren Layne's Oxford series instead.

If your go-to adult contemporary romance authors are Jennifer Probst and Julie James, then To Have and To Hold is the perfect book for you. It's a chic plus witty romance that'll have you crying, swooning, grinning mischievously, and eye-rolling all at once. The whole wedding planner romance thing never gets old, and a cute secondary romance as well as a potentially suspicious character seals the deal on this being a must-read for romance lovers.

What little girl hasn’t dreamt of her wedding? The groom, maybe not as early on, but definitely the ceremony.
What wedding planner doesn’t appreciate the dreams? They all do.

Wedding desired. Check
Unlimited funds to pay for wedding. Check
One of the best wedding planners in the country. Check

Easy peasy?

Well, not when there’s a bridezilla, or in this case, brozilla who happens to be paying, is suspicious of the groom, and has a best friend who’s in love with his sister, aka the bride.

Brooke has planned her share of weddings, including her own. Too bad the groom got arrested right before the I Do’s. At the altar. In front of everyone.
So Brooked picked up and moved clear across the country, accepted a job with the Wedding Belles, and got assigned a high-profile wedding for a hotel billionaire heiress, Maya Tyler, who gets a monthly allowance. The bulk of the money is controlled by her brother, who takes no prisoners, expects and gets what he wants, and trusts very few people.

Did I mention he’s handsome?

Ok, so Brooke is used to dealing with pushy family members. This particular family member, however, is just attracted to her as she is to him, despite the fact that they’re always throwing somewhat subtle insults at each other. Things get even trickier when Seth, the aforementioned handsome brozilla, asks Brooke to give him feedback on the groom. She agrees in exchange for Seth’s agreement that he’ll stop hovering over every detail, which happens to be ruining the planning fun for Maya.

Brooke and Seth’s wedding details meetings become personal, and soon they must do something about their physical attraction to each other. Get it out of their system. However, one night is not enough, and Brooke freaks out. She still hasn’t dealt with her very public and extremely humiliating breakup. Seth is used to controlling everything in his life. He’s dealing with loss, and he things if he can be in control, he can keep bad things from happening, and we all know that’s not the case. S*** happens. Period. But some of us have to learn that the hard way.

I really like Seth, and all his scowling and pushy behavior. Sounds weird I know, but read the book and you’ll understand. He means good, but his actions don’t always make his intentions obvious. I liked Brooke, but there was one moment when she irritated me to where I had to pause in my reading and regroup. She eventually redeemed herself, though.

I love Grant (Seth’s best friend) and Maya. There’s a story there, too, and I was actually more intrigued by them than I was the H/H. Grant’s carefree but caring behavior is just as refreshing and equal to Maya’s, and they really are a good match. Their story would’ve made a good book in the series all by itself.

I’m a huge Lauren Layne fan, but something was a tad off for me with this book. The writing is very good, and the characters are well-developed. I would’ve liked more in the relationship development between Seth and Brooke – for them to realize some other things they have in common, go on a few more dates, do something that wasn’t initially brought on by the wedding planning – like maybe agree to watch a movie, go bowling (which is totally out of Seth’s element), see a play, something.

This was a cute, easy afternoon read that would have been perfect for a pool or beach day! I'm interested in reading the subsequent books about the Wedding Belles, because each girl seemed different enough to have a fun story to share. I enjoyed the break from the "heavier" books I normally prefer, and loved the fun take on this wedding planner falling on love with her client's brother. There is much more to it than that, but I don't want to give it away!

Wedding planner, Brooke, has moved to New York for a fresh start and is thrilled to be working for the exclusive Wedding Belles. Seth, rich CEO, has been burnt in love and wants to make sure his sister isn't marrying the wrong guy. Instant sparks, great characters, hot romance - love it!