Love & Stiletto Novel (Sex - & Stiletto Series Book 4)

A broken wedding from seven years ago and lots of regrets...their story starts slow and little frustrating, but ends sweetly and with lots of heat. The characters seemed little flat and juvenile in the beginning but they grow... Would keep reading and won't regret.

The Trouble With Love was hilarious, sexy, heartbreaking, and addicting. Emma and Cassidy's past has been dangled in front of us in the previous books, but we never really knew what happened to them. Why it all fell apart. But what made this book so potent, was not only the fact that we already knew both of them, but the idea that they could have a second chance at love. There is something extraordinary in the ability to resurrect something that was demolished. To find hope that love still exists after the insurmountable happens. And Emma and Cassidy's tumultuous journey is exceptional. It was the perfect ending to the Sex, Love & Stiletto's series!

I loved Emma! I understood her coldness, the fronts she always tried to display. The reason she wouldn't talk to her close friends about what happened. She tried her hardest to protect herself from anymore heartache. Because she had suffered more than one should. She had been madly in love with her college sweetheart, Alex Cassidy. Well, that is until he stood her up on their wedding day. To say that Emma is jaded, is an understatement. But Emma isn't just hurt, there's much more to her than that. She is an amazing friend, and I loved all of her interactions with Julie, Grace and Riley. But of course, my favorite interactions were between Emma and Cassidy.

Cassidy was sexy, dominating, and wounded. Although the wounded part could be hard to tell sometimes, because that man held himself together with steel. An amazing feat, since he lost the love of his life seven years ago. He stated that the night before their wedding, Emma told him that she didn't want to marry him. They never got to talk afterwards or have any type of closure. But he’s in luck, because he gets to force the issue. Camille, the Editor in Chief of Stiletto Magazine, decided to take a three month sabbatical and placed Cassidy in charge. He was now in the perfect position to tell Emma that her next article would be about her exes. Of course it was done in the desperate hope that he would gain some insight into everything that went down. But his plan just may lead them down a different path. Will he get even more than he bargained for?

When Emma and Alex were in the same vicinity, it was intense! Their hurt runs deep, jealousy was unavoidable, and the sexual tension between the two of them was through the roof! They try their hardest to ignore one another, but that never seemed to work out how they wanted. That is because they have too many emotions that are barely simmering below the surface. And each time those emotions tried to bubble over, I cringed, I gasped, I laughed, and I melted. I loved every moment that they were near each other, even if it was torturous at times!

This is a must read. For everyone who enjoys a good love story. For everyone that wants to feel love, hope, despair, heartache, giddiness and happiness. Looking back, I wasn't even a few pages into their story and I was already gasping and sucking in my breath! But what is also amazing about this series are the friendships. The male and female friendships play such a key component in each story. It's beautiful to watch true friends love and help each other. It's impossible not to become attached to them, to not feel as though they are your best friends too. Honestly,I'm not ready for their stories to end. I'm hoping we will get a sneak peak here and there of the Stiletto women in the Oxford Series, but if not, I'm more than happy with how each book in this series ended. But going back to Emma and Cassidy, their journey was beautiful. I loved Emma and Cassidy's story and I know you will too.

P.S. Did I mention that I read this book in one sitting? That is extremely rare for me! Emma and Cassidy refused to allow me to close their story, even if for a moment!

*ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

"There's always trouble with love."

There are a million reasons why Lauren Layne will always be a favourite author of mine and if I didn't think id bore you all to sleep I'd list them right here in my review. However, I can joyfully give you one of my reasons for my love of all things Lauren Layne and that my fellow romance addicts is this book right here. Yes, once again I have been well and truly swept up into the world of stiletto and the ever present appearance of sex (and love) in the city.

What did I love?
I know I'm going to sound like a stuck record but I can't quite help it. I was so excited to read yet another 'second chance at love' story especially one written by my most beloved author. In addition to all my excitement over this latest release it didn't harm my time spent with this novel that it had all the book bubbling sexual tension and fabulous 'don't want it to end' chemistry that you could ask for. Layne creates perfect stories with wonderful characters and yet again I'm jumping with absolute joy that I had the chance to fall in love all over again with one of this authors books.
Emma Sinclair and Alex Cassidy were two characters that I won't want to forget any time soon. Their story had me feeling like a love sick fool, I loved the slow burn nature of this fantastically produced contemporary romance. It had just the right amount of push and pull and will they won't they to make it feel wonderfully satisfying when this couple finally were able to confess to their unending love for each other. Triple Sigh, I could read books like this forever and still be a content thirty something. When all is said and done I doubt this author will ever go far from making me fall helplessly in love with her writing and I won't ever apologise for my gushing appreciation of all things Lauren Layne.

Final thoughts ...
If you enjoy a well thought out contemporary romance series then I would whole heartedly recommend this set of books to you. I say with a heavy heart that I believe this to be the last book in the series and I'm a little forlorn that I have to say goodbye. The stiletto series will always be a favourite of mine and this book ended the series in true Lauren Layne style. I'm jealous of all you readers that are yet to discover this authors books and for those that have already fallen under the Layne spell you won't be disappointed. Now all that's left to say is that I'm excited to see what this author plans to write about next and I'll be the first in line to be grabbing whatever she will offer. Enjoy ... Kisses

In the fourth book in the Sex, Love & Stilettos series, Alex and Emma have a complicated history together. In the beginning, all we know is they were engaged but never got married. Seven years later, they run into each other again as their jobs and circle of friends intercept. And then, romance happens...again.

The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between

-I’ve really enjoyed the Sex, Love & Stilettos series: I haven’t heard alot about this series on goodreads and that’s a shame because I think it’s a really good, character driven contemporary romance series. There are no flashy action sequences, or OTT Alpha-holes, and no real kinky eff-ery, but if you want to settle in for a good romance with some angst, between two characters who you get to know and understand before they fall in love, this is a great series to dive into.

It’s got a little bit of a Sex and the City vibe, since most of the characters live and work in NYC and the majority are writers or work at Stiletto, a women’s magazine and their brother magazine, Oxford. Their relationships have evolved over the course of the series, and their banter is definitely one of the highlights of these reads.

-Part of series, but works as a standalone: While I would recommend reading the entire series, and there are mild spoilers for the earlier books, you can read this book on its own. Since I have read the entire series, I definitely enjoyed seeing those couples enjoying their own HEAs while Alex and Emma work their way towards theirs.

-Alex and Emma’s relationship is complicated: Alex and Emma start in a slightly different place than the couples in the earlier books and the mystery of what exactly happened to break them up is a big part of what drove me to keep turning the page. Emma and Alex are closed off emotionally, and seeing them open up to each other and struggle to let go of the hurt was touching and made me root for them to work it all out. They’re definitely perfect for each other.

-Lots o’ sexual tension, not alot of sex: I was impressed at how much of the story had gone by before I realized that they hadn’t really connected physically. Of course, as soon as I noticed it, I wanted them to kiss immediately, so be forewarned it’s a slow burn. But when it kicks in, their love scenes do not lack the heat factor and it’s quality not quantity that I think matters the most.

-Both were frustrating at times: My main issue with the story would be that, while I enjoyed the mystery of finding out exactly what happened to derail their wedding, it made me super frustrated with Emma and Alex and I thought it was dragged out a bit much. It’s not until the final hour that I finally understood Emma and by then, I struggled to let go of my frustration. Alex is not blameless either. Frankly they were both hotheaded and young and I thought they foolishly lost seven years to stubborn pride and yes, basically I wanted to smack them both upside the head. I really would have liked to see them have their big conversation earlier in the story, instead of waiting almost until the end.

The Bottom Line
An excellent entry in an underrated series, I really enjoyed this slightly bittersweet second chance romance and I would recommend it for those just looking for a good old fashioned contemporary romance.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Emma is a writer for Stiletto, a popular ladies magazine, who specializes her columns in the subject of heartbreak … something she knows a fair amount about. Cassidy, AKA Alex Cassidy, is a former college star athlete, current editor in chief for Oxford men’s magazine, a sister company to Stiletto, and all-around hot, together, and in-control man. While both outwardly ignore each other, inwardly their thoughts about the other range from disdain to … well, that isn’t quite clear. At the end of chapter 1 we learn that Cassidy is Emma’s heartbreak – he left her at the altar. But at the end of chapter two we learn that Emma had told him that she didn’t want to marry him. Hmmm…what is wrong with this picture? As the book progresses, a closer working and living situation, brought about by circumstances and maybe a bit of coercion, leads Emma and Cassidy to spend more and more time together, eventually starting a thaw in their relationship. We also begin to learn a bit of their history and how they got to where they are today. A painful déjà vu experience reveals much of their history, and it is heartbreaking. More together time leads to them moving forward, or … not. More heartache ensues and both realize they need to discuss the past if they have any hope of moving forward in their lives, whether together or even separately. At a desperate last discussion, the final pieces of their heartbreaking story are revealed. Will it be enough to overcome a past of humiliating heartbreak, betrayal, and years of mutual wall-building?

I REALLY loved this book – it has easily joined my “favorite books” list, and I will read it again and again. The writing and storyline are excellent, evoking laughter and heartache easily. The conversations among the friends are funny and yet meaningful, making you want to be a part of their group. Many light-hearted moments add a splash of humor throughout – I especially love, for example, the topics and stories that Cassidy must review and approve for the lady writers of Stiletto – so good!

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lauren Layne has authored another fun and exciting novel with The Trouble with Love, the fourth and final book in The Stiletto Series. It is a captivating read, complete with an engaging storyline, well-defined main characters and lots of sexual tension. The four hottest female relationship columnists in New York City are back, and this time former debutante Emma Sinclair is in the hot seat.

Emma fled to New York City to began a new life after her groom-to-be never showed up at the altar. Now years later, she is successful and has a wonderful group of supportive friends. When it comes to personal relationships however, she is an ice queen, protecting her heart from ever being devastated again. Working at Stiletto is sometimes difficult, because Alex Cassidy, her former fiance, just happens to be the editor in chief of Oxford, Stiletto's brother magazine. Stiletto and Oxford are located in the same office building.

Talk about sexual tension, and this book is loaded with it. Emma and Alex are still in love, but avoid each other like the plague. With the help of Stiletto's master matchmaker, little by little they begin to let their respective barriers down and realize how much they want each other. Their break-up years ago was due to a logical, but huge misunderstanding, and now they are both finally in a place where they can work through the baggage of the past.

I loved this book and the entire Stiletto series. The Trouble with Love is well-written, has a Sex and the City feel, and the camaraderie between Emma, Riley, Julie, and Grace is dazzling. A few scenes had me laughing hysterically, while a few others caused me to shed a few tears. This book is the perfect combination of friendship, desire, forgiveness and love. Since Ms. Layne does a great job of filling in any crucial information from the past, this book can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend reading the entire series, because it is just that good.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Emma Sinclair has everything she needs, great friends, her dream job as a columnist for the women's magazine Stiletto and is living in New York City. But five years ago Emma was left standing at the altar on her Wedding day it was the most humiliating thing that a woman could experience, so after that she left town and became an expert on ex's and break ups at Stiletto magazine. Several years and many ex's later Alex Cassidy is again in Emma's life as Editor In Chief of Oxford magazine the male counterpart or brother magazine to Stiletto. For a year they have both pretended that the other doesn't matter and that their painful past doesn't exist. Although with having the same group of friends this is becoming quite a challenge. Then her boss Camille goes on sabbatical and asks Alex to stand in for her while she is away. Then Emma's apartment is flooded and all her clothes and furniture are ruined so Camille lets Emma use her apartment while she is gone, only to come face to face with Alex and his girlfriend coming home to his apartment across the hall. It seems fate is throwing them together but it is Alex who pushes Emma just a little more with her Holiday assignment of his request for her to write her column on "The 12 Days Of Ex's". How is Emma going to write this without interviewing Alex the most important ex of all her ex-fiancé. The chemistry between them is sizzling. This was my first experience reading Lauren Layne and I really loved this story. I loved the laughs, the bantering and it had just the right amount of everything as in hot sex, friendship and romance all combined and layered together to give me something that I really enjoyed reading not wanting to stop till I got to the last page and then wanting to start all over again. You have got to read this story. Loved this Fantastic Sizzling Chemistry Romance layered with great friendships.

The Trouble with Love made me laugh, cringe a time or two in sympathy, fight back a few tears and cross my fingers hoping that Emma and Alex find their love. I love the hustle bustle excitement of this story. Plus that these characters are everything cosmopolitan, not exactly my life in a rural area so it’s enlightening as well as enjoyable read. It is flirty but not fluff, emotional but not heavy handed.

I couldn’t help but like Alex, believing that there was more to him than merely the kind of man one thinks of who leaves a woman at the altar. I should have hated him but Lauren Layne didn’t allow that. Instead, I learned to love him and hoped that Emma would come around to my way of thinking. Emma is the contemporary superwoman who now needs not one but her best friends, the other Stiletto writers. Her independence is admirable but her cynicism is not. Still, I believed before she or Alex did, that this might be not just their second chance but also their last chance at happiness.

I have read other books by Lauren Layne but not from this series. Now, I’m wondering why. She writes sassy (without being snarky) independent female leads. They are funny, witty and fun to be with so you wish they were your best friends. They don’t have all the answers but aren’t afraid to keep asking the questions.

Of this new wave of contemporary romance writers, Lauren Layne is one of the best. She consistently writes a delightful page-turner of a story that is sure to be full of charismatic characters.
4.5 stars
Copy provided by Net Galley for an honest review.

A Lauren Layne Romance is the Christmas Hallmark Movie of Romance...Addicting, Heartbreaking and leaves you with a HUGE smile on your face! Her writing is flawless, her characters are sassy, sexy and fresh, and the Stiletto Series is seriously fun! THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE is definitely going to be a Top Tasty Read for 2015!!

So I have been waiting for Emma's and Cassidy (Alex's) story from book two of the Stiletto Series, when they first made an appearance as secondary characters...and so with much begging and pleading on the fan's parts, Lauren gave us THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, and man can she take my heart and mangle it into chop meat, only to make it into a melt in your mouth bacon cheeseburger of romance! That's right people, I said this book is the Bacon Cheeseburger of Romance...and make that a Blue Cheese Bacon Burger....now that is top notch!

The emotion was spot on, and at times devastating, the sexual tension/or pretend ignorance of the other was hysterical at times, but could take the pages from slow burn to sizzle, and the storyline was fresh and so real, you almost feel as if you are working alongside these fantastic characters!

As a whole, the Stiletto Series is one of my all-time favorites (#TeamMitchell), and as for THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE, well, you will have no trouble Falling In Love with this romance!

I for one am SOOOOO excited that the series is taking a spin in the Oxford direction and I am SOOOO hoping that Lauren is going to give Daisy (Emma's Twin) a story....Cole maybe or Lincoln??

Just read this book description! How can you not want to read this book? When Emma and Alex meet again five years after he left her at the altar to pursue a pro soccer career, you KNOW that sparks are going to fly!

I can’t say enough how much I LOVED this book. It was fun to read. Emma is no longer the soft, sweet girl with the southern drawl that Alex remembers. This Emma is all grown up – chic, sophisticated, not-so-sweet – and with no trace of a southern accent. Who is this woman? Alex intends to find out!

This book has just the right amount of “smart-assery” – as well as a sense of humor and some hot and steamy sex scenes. My favorite thing about the story is that it’s a second chance romance. For me, those are the very best kind.

Lauren Layne has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I love reading her work. She has a “voice” that is real. She makes you feel like you know her characters…as if you grew up with them. I love her humor. It shows through in her writing - and let me tell you…she knows how to write a sex scene! Whew! My Kindle is smoking!

This is the 4th book in the Sex, Love and Stiletto series, but you do not have to read them in order. Each one works fine all on its own. The characters are well developed and you will fall in love with them. I promise! Read this book! It is sexy and sassy fun! You will not be sorry.

*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've been reading quite a few second chance romance lately, and this one is one of my favorites. It made me laugh and it made tear up a bit at times. I loved the dual POV and all the tension between Emma and Cassidy. There is some back and forth between them as expected, but for me, that makes the HEA that much better. The cast of characters is great - I loved all the girls so much that I am going back and reading the previous books. Highly recommended for second chance romance lovers!

ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Ah! Lauren Layne is becoming one of my favorite authors!! She pulls it off again, I was crying and smiling and rooting for this couple!

Emma has such a tough exterior she doesn't cuddle she doesn't smile often and she definitely doesn't act like Alex Cassidy even exists! Emma escaped to NY thinking she could hide her broken heart, and it worked for some years until Alex comes back into her orbit.

Alex didn't come to NY because Emma was there. They ignore each other with icy glares and barbs at each other if words are spoken. She is the one woman who is capable of breaking his heart all over again.

The chemistry between these two is obvious in all the previous books(disclaimer all the stiletto books can be read as stand alone books). Yet you never know the full story, well until this book. The two have a good/bad history. Emma only wants to remember the bad, Cassidy can remember both. However their stories aren't complete and they need to hash it out. Let me tell you this book had me staying up late and crying in a good and bad way. I don't think I have read a Lauren Layne book that hasn't touched me deeply.

Lauren lane has done it again! The Trouble with Love is another stellar novel in the Sex, Love and Stilettos series. Emma is a star reporter at Stiletto, and she is stuck in a rut reporting on the joys of being single. Her editor/boss Camille, decides to go on an extended vacation with her new beau, and puts emma's ex fiancé in charge of her magazine. They have been in the same group of friends for a while but have managed to avoid each other. After Emma's apartment is flooded, she moves into Camille's place and guess who is her next-door neighbor. She and Cassidy run into each other and eventually begin to work out their complicated past. They work their way back to each other and earned their happily ever after.
I really enjoyed reading this novel, because it was funny, well paste, and had a realistic conflict and resolution. Many of the couples from previous Sex, Love, and Stilettos books make appearance and provide much of plot for the main couples reunion. I would recommend this novel two fans of contemporary and second chance romances. I was given an ARC for an honest review from netgalley.com.

Solid, solid, solid read. I am so enjoying this series. You dont have to have read all of them to enjoy the series, but why deprive yourself. Lauren Layne is a talented writer who offers smart women and men in fun situations and gets us emotionally involved. Crisp funny dialogue and quirky characters will keep you reading. This offering is no different. If I have any complaint at all, it's that the wait between books is too long.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Book 4 in the Sex, Love and Stiletto series, this book works perfectly as a standalone. The story is set in New York, mainly at the Stiletto magazine, where all the heroines from the previous books, as well as Emma, the heroine in this book, work. All the girls are sassy and funny, each one of them in her own way. The first page will pull you right in. I was smiling throughout the first few pages, imagining Emma in her funny outfit and bumping into the last person she wanted to meet—her ex fiancé, Alex Cassidy. The author enjoys keeping the reader guessing what exactly went wrong with them. I liked how the author inserted the flashbacks at the perfect point in the story, through Emma reminiscing about that day when her whole world fell apart. Using flashbacks it’s always a tricky technique, but Lauren mastered it. Kudos for that!
Page after page, I was pulled deeper into the Stiletto world, to the point that I wished my colleagues were as much fun as Emma’s friends. Although this is Emma and Cassidy’s story, the side characters play an important part in the book, so it’s almost as if it was the Stiletto’s team story.
When Emma and Cassidy finally decide to raise the white flag and call a sort of truce, sparks fly. At first it’s supposed to be one night, but then things get a little out of control and, oh my, you will need to fan yourself because there are some quite steamy scenes!
I enjoyed this story and I look forward to the next book in the series.
If you like sassy, funny and a little sexy reads, this series is for you. You can start with any book, but I suppose it’ll make sense starting from the first one, so as to meet each of the side characters that are in this book and connect with them a little better.

read my full review here: http://robertasdreamworld.blogspot.it/2015/03/blog-tour-trouble-with-love-by-lauren.html

***I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

My feelings are torn between really liking The Trouble With Love and thinking it was just ok. I think the reason that I’m feeling this way is because it seem like it took forever for the main couple to even get together or even beginning to talk about their issues, plus I also felt that the ending was rushed. Everything I’d been waiting to happen finally did and then the book was over. I like to see the couple as an actual couple in a book so when I don’t get that or it takes what seems like most of the book for them to get together then I start to lose interest or get annoyed with the book. I know some people like a longer build between characters, but for myself, I don’t but that’s just me.

What I did really like about The Trouble With Love, is we get to see the couples we love from the previous Sex, Love and Stilettos books. All the couples are in the book a lot and it was really nice to see how they have grown as a couple. Plus the silly banter between the girls of Stiletto magazine and their men had me cracking up.

The Trouble With Love is the last book in the Sex, Love & Stilettos series, but Lauren is coming out with a new series called Oxford, it’s about the sibling male magazine to Stiletto, so I really hope that old favorites from this series will make an appearance in the new series.

I think anyone who is a fan of this series and doesn’t mind a long build will really enjoy the second chance love story that is The Trouble With Love.

When I requested this book from Netgalley ( thank you) I thought I had read the Sex Love & Stiletto series but when I started the book, I realized that I didn't know any of the characters and checked my the store account, and I hadn't read any of these. Where was I???? This book made me realize that there is a whole series out there that will now be one clicked as I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the writing, the plotting, and the storyline. Granted you know that Emma and Alex are going to get their HEA and there is no mystery here, but it is a nice enjoyable romance. Unless you HAVE to have a lot of angst in your books, this book and I assume, this series, are great reads.

Wow! What an incredible read! Layne has a way of writing which touches the soul. The pain between the main characters was so palpable my heart broke a hundred times over throughout the read. This book was so much more than two people hooking up; it was about love and forgiveness and misunderstandings. This is a must read!

For more reviews, go to my blog bbsbookreviews.com

Love, love, love Lauren Layne's books and I highly recommend this book as well. I enjoyed reading about Emma and Alex who were previously engaged, but never made it down the aisle. It gets really interesting when Alex becomes Emma's interim boss he assigns her an article where she has to rehash all of her exes. Sparks fly in this sexy, romantic story. It's a great weekend read!

Loved Loved Loved! Finally we get Emma and Alex Cassidy's story and it is a great one! After their almost wedding blows up Emma and Cassidy effectively ignore each other. That was easier when he didn't work for the same magazine conglomerate as she did and it was impossible once he became her temporary boss. Cassidy thinks it's not only time to get over the past but to find out what really happened. He assigns a story to Emma that he hopes will help uncover all the past and help them both move on.

This entire series is fantastic and I think this may be my favorite of all. I definitely recommend it.

This was the perfect pick me up. I just finished two somewhat darker more serious books and was desperately in need of some light hearted fun. And that is exactly what I got. Although this is book four of a series I read it as a stand alone, and it was not necessary to have read the previous books. However I enjoyed this one and will probably be going back to read about the other couples in this series. Overall a fun read with likeable characters that I was rooting for. Somewhat predictable, but had me smiling through it.
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Received an ARC for review

LOVED IT! It was nice to find out all about Cassidy and Emma. Got to see all the peeps from the previous books, including a wedding. Great conclusion to this series. No epilogue, tears, but in her list of books...new series, Oxford. I'm guessing I don't need to email Ms. Layne and ask for Cole and Lincoln's HEA.

I was looking for a simple, contemporary romance that didn't involve the plain Jane woman hooking up with the rich, hyper sexual and completely messed up in the head dominatrix man and I found it in this series. It's funny, it's steamy, and all the characters are completely lovable.

Received an ARC for review

LOVED IT! It was nice to find out all about Cassidy and Emma. Got to see all the peeps from the previous books, including a wedding. Great conclusion to this series. No epilogue, tears, but in her list of books...new series, Oxford. I'm guessing I don't need to email Ms. Layne and ask for Cole and Lincoln's HEA.

I was looking for a simple, contemporary romance that didn't involve the plain Jane woman hooking up with the rich, hyper sexual and completely messed up in the head dominatrix man and I found it in this series. It's funny, it's steamy, and all the characters are completely lovable.