For Better or Worse (The Wedding Belles, #2)

by Lauren Layne

Will a budding wedding planner and her bad boy neighbor stop banging heads and start hearing wedding bells in the sexy second novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Lauren Layne's irresistible new series that marries Sex and the City with The Wedding Planner?

When small-town girl Heather Fowler finally gets promoted from assistant to actual wedding planner, she's determined to make it as one of Manhattan's elite Wedding Belles. Unfortunately, her first client demands an opulent black-tie affair at the Plaza...in five months' time. Heather's days quickly become a flurry of cake tastings, dress-fittings, RSVP cards, and bridal tantrums. But what she's really losing sleep over is the live music blaring from her playboy neighbor's apartment all night.

Five years ago, Josh Tanner was an up-and-comer on Wall Street, complete with the penthouse and the migraines. But a grim cancer diagnosis made him realize there is more to life than the corner office. If only he could convince his pretty, workaholic neighbor to let loose, too. As Heather lets down her guard, Josh is surprised when he starts falling for the sweet, vulnerable woman hiding beneath those power suits. Soon, it's Heather's turn to convince Josh to take the biggest risk of all: love.

• ISBN10: 1501135155
• ISBN13: 9781501135156
• Publish Date: 30 August 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I love Lauren Layne's books, and I am happily working my way through her back catalog. As always - great hero, great heroine, fantastic chemistry. The interactions between these two were fun and sassy filled with great banter, but you know what I really liked? Watching them become friends. There was a wee bit of drama, and UGH! I just wanted to smack Josh, but when the book ended EXACTLY the way I wanted it to end, I forgave all his pigheadedness.

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[whisperingchapters]

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


I don't know what magic Lauren Layne possesses to write alluring, engaging, fun-filled stories. She always succeeds at delivering a masterpiece and always leaves me amazed. I enjoyed To Have and To Hold so much that I thought the first book would be the best one of the series. Ha! Cue moment of laughter for my incredulous nature. This sequel threw the ball out of the park, if that's even possible. Usually sequels tend to be over-shadowed by the other books in the series, but this?! No no no, my friends. For Better or Worse has to be the best one yet! I don't know how the third book will top this one, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Heather is a very passionate and dedicated woman. She thrives to be a wedding planner and not be an assistant anymore. She's given the wedding of the year and she wants to give it her all so she can finally have that title she desires. I think we can all learn a lot from Heather. She went from having nothing to packing her bags and moving to New York to follow her dreams. Her only flaw—that's not really a flaw since we've all been through it—is wanting to prove to her mom, her boss, anyone, that she can be successful. I say it's a flaw because she felt like she needed to keep going up and up. She would never take breaks for herself to enjoy life. Her devotion to her job was so much that she didn't have a social life.

Josh used to have a job at Wall Street, but he resigned due to an illness. He started focusing on his music and "living life", but he's not really living it. He's also a little bit of a man-whore, but it's not fully shown in the story. When it it is, he tells the women that it's only sex and that's it. When Heather can't go to sleep because Josh is her neighbor and is playing music so late at night, she decides to give him a piece of her mind. The bickering and flirty banter is immediately thrown into the story and I was loving it! Once Josh got a taste of Heather, he couldn't get enough.

I was shipping Heather and Josh so hard! Their antics had me laughing, giggling and grinning all the time. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, yet they are also so very adorable and cute together. The talks they would have about banana bread (double meaning) had me in a laughing fit. Heather and Josh go so well together and complement each other a lot. As I mentioned before, Josh had an illness, and I was so scared for Heather to find out. I didn't want this to be a reason they would split. Heather, once again, shows the level of maturity she has and handles it incredibly. I was so happy she did because it showed just how much this couple is meant to be together.

Don't get me started on the ending! That was THE most beautiful thing ever! There's an airport scene that you guys need to read. You will adore it so much! I wanted more and more of it. I re-read that scene quite a few times because it was wonderful!

For Better or Worse is a rom-com that will charm you and give you all the feels!

I received an eARC from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Coffee Dates with For Better or Worse

• First Date: While the series is set in New York and has as Sex and the City vibe, the characters and their close connections to each other and family really give this a small-town feel. Heather Fowler is our heroine. She is an assistant wedding planner at Wedding Belles and is working hard for a promotion. Heather is a small-town girl who dreamed of living and working in Manhattan. She has worked hard to make her dreams a reality. Recently she made the move to her own apartment. Bliss! Or maybe not. Her neighbor Josh Tanner is an overgrown playboy who jams with his band all hours of the night. From the moment they meet, the zings are flying and the chemistry is sizzling. I am all in.


• Second date: Oh man, I didn’t read the synopsis and Josh’s backstory and actions packed an emotional punch. I am swooning and wanting to hug him even if he is a player. Josh and Heather continue their dance in this “haters to lovers” romance. I love the banter, obsessive talk about coffee and obvious attraction. On the work front, Heather is dealing with a strange high-profile bride who wants a wedding at the Plaza in three months’ time and she wants it ON A SATURDAY! Epp! However, this is Heather’s chance to shine and she will enlist any help she can get. Layne took her time allowing us to get to know Heather and Josh. I enjoyed their budding friendship and teasing. When these two finally give into their attractions Layne heated up the pages making it was worth the wait.


• Third date: These two are perfect together, only Heather has no idea about Josh’s past and he shuts down when she asks. We spend time with them,  their family and friends.  What began as a no-strings affair is turning into anything but. The last part of For Better or Worse had my heart in my throat. I experienced so many emotions as our couple had to grow, trust and more. Of course, in the back of mind I knew we would get our HEA, but I became swept up. All I can say is that, “It was worth the truffles.”

Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer