Passion on Park Avenue (Central Park Pact, #1)

by Lauren Layne

Nancy Wu (Narrator) and Sean Patrick Hopkins (Narrator)

From the author of the New York Times bestselling Stiletto and Oxford series, Passion on Park Avenue is the first in a charming new series following the unlikely friendship of three Upper East Side women as they struggle to achieve their dreams and find true love and happiness in the city that never sleeps.

They vowed to steer clear of Manhattan's heartbreakers - but when it comes to love, some risks are worth taking...

For as long as she can remember, Bronx-born Naomi Powell has had one goal: to prove her worth among the Upper East Side elite. Now, as the strongminded, sassy CEO of one of the biggest jewellery empires in the country, Naomi finally has exactly what she wants - but it's going to take more than just the right address to make Manhattan's upper class accept her.

The worst offender is her new neighbour, Oliver Cunningham - the grown son of the family Naomi's mother worked for as a housekeeper. Oliver used to torment Naomi when they were children, and as a ridiculously attractive adult, he's tormenting her in entirely different ways. Let this sexy battle-of-wills commence...

'Strong characters and relatable situations elevate Layne's bighearted contemporary... This vivid enemies-to-lovers romance digs into class differences, emotional baggage, and the reality of dealing with aging parents' Publishers Weekly

Filled with charm and heart and plenty of heart and wit, this entertaining series will hook you from the very first page. Look out for the next two titles, Love on Lexington Avenue and Marriage on Madison Avenue.

Want more fun, fresh, flirty and very sexy rom-com? Check out Lauren's Oxford series and don't miss her warm, witty and sexy Wedding Belles series and the I Do, I Don't series, as well as the romantic standalones in the Love, Unexpectedly series.

• ISBN10: 1508285527
• ISBN13: 9781508285526
• Publish Date: 28 May 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Duration: 7 hours and 55 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

My motivation for reading this book was simply because Lauren Layne wrote it. I didn't even read the synopsis. I saw it was an LL book, and immediately added it to my TBR. This is my 24th Lauren Layne book, and it was yet, another solid read for me.

I have to give Layne some extra points for the premise. Whoever thought a friendship would flourish between three women, who were simultaneously having some sort of romantic relationship with the same man? Yep, they met at the funeral - one was his hook up, one was his girlfriend, and one was his wife. They were so different from each other, yet they were able to bond over their bad judgement, when it came to men, and from there, a fantastic female friendship was born.

Though all three women played a role in the book, the star of this story was Naomi. She was now an extremely successful business owner, but she was still nursing old wounds from her past. Olivia's journey was tough on me sometimes, but it was fabulous to see her working through her emotions and allowing herself to make peace with the past. She was also just such a vibrant and interesting woman. I wanted to know her better, and also had no problem cheering for her to work through her issues. She was tough on the outside, but had a heart of solid gold. What she was able to find in her heart was impressive, and there are some really touching moments in this story resulting from that.

And, who better to make peace with, than the lovely Oliver. What a wonderful hero Layne gave us! There were so many things I loved about this man. He was sweet and funny and a bit nerdy. He had put his on life on the back burner to first care for his sick mother, and later, to care for his sick father. It takes a special person to do something like that, and it takes an even more special person to love a person like that.

As I expect from every LL book I read: fabulous heroine, fantastic hero, stellar circle of friends, a heartwarming romance, and lots of feels.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[pagesbycyndy]

My Review Of

Passion on Park Avenue

Passion On Park Avenue is the first book in Lauren Layne's new Central Park Pact Series. In this first book in the series we get Naomi Powell's story.

Let me start by saying , this book and characters are addicting! Bronx-born Naomi Powell is one woman that is going to shed her not so happy childhood roots if it's the last thing she does. We meet Naomi as she is on her way to a funeral dressed to kill and feeling like killing the two-three? timing deceased ex-lover. Instead of staying at the funeral Naomi ends up in Central Park, meets and becomes insta friends with two of the most unlikely women, Claire and Audrey that she would ever expect to meet or better yet become friends with.

I met many interesting characters in this book like Deena , Naomi's brash but lovable assistant and Oliver, Naomi's childhood nemesis, who is now hot and ultra sexy. When Naomi and Oliver first meet again after so many years Naomi is shockingly still angry and I think that she is a bit surprised by her anger.

Passion On Park Avenue earns high marks from me for its witty dialogue, NYC setting, fashion references and a glimpse into the ultra chic and snobby Park Avenue living. The chemistry between Oliver and Naomi is HOT! The whole time I was cheering these two ex-nemesis, would be lovers to just get on with it but Naomi struggles with memories of past humiliation at the hands of Oliver and his parents. I had no real issues with this book aside from wanting Naomi to tell Oliver that she was Carrots (his childhood nickname for her) to his Ollie (hers for him). I just knew that when he figured this out it would not be pretty!

Naomi surprises me time after time in this book because despite her visceral first few reactions to Oliver she manages to keep focused on the present/ future and doesn't stay so stuck in the past that she cannot move forward with life, career and relationships. Despite Naomi's childhood and almost non-existent parenting, this is one gal that has her head on straight.

Lauren Layne has delivered for me big time with this book and I cannot wait to read about Claire and Audrey. I look forward to getting to know all of the characters that I met in this book a whole lot better.

This review was originally posted on Fictional Reviewer

[Lynn]

As my number one go-to author, any novel by Lauren Layne is a must read for me and this, I'm happy to say is exceptional. 

Naomi Powell is a self-made businesswoman and CEO of one of the biggest jewellery businesses in the country. Yet despite her success and wealth, she's shunned amongst the affluent residents of the Upper East Side of Manhattan. When fate brings an invitation and a chance to live in a building where she spent time as a child, she grasps the chance to attend the interview. Surprisingly, she's accepted and it doesn't take long to come face to face with her childhood nemesis. Only he's now grown-up, handsome, charming and can't remember the girl he once tormented. 

Oliver Cunningham was born into an affluent family and as an adult is rich and successful in his own right. To the outside world, he's every woman's dream but little do they know the secret he holds and the sacrifice he's making. When a new, young neighbour moves into his building, he's instantly attracted to her. Only, she's not very friendly. Can he change her mind and more importantly, will she run a mile when his secret is exposed? 

I love the unique and imaginative way we are introduced to Naomi and the two women who become significant in her life. It's tragic but hilarious how these women became acquainted due to a link none of them knew about before their chance meeting in Central Park. The result captures the essence of friendship as they turn a bad situation into a positive one. As I've come to expect from this author, these women work and help each other find 'the one' as they bond over similar experiences against the glamorous Manhattan skyline. 

Whilst retaining all the elements I love about Ms Layne's writing, this novel has a more grown-up feel to it. Besides the slow burn romance brewing between the protagonists, there's a powerful message about the realities faced by many people with ageing parents who need extra care due to health issues. It's a tricky topic and the author manages to balance this and evolving romance perfectly. Even injecting humour into an otherwise challenging situation for the protagonists. It highlights how circumstances can alter a person's life, resulting in selfless sacrifices and the need for compromise to fulfil basic requirements. It's a sobering dilemma for two people with far too many differences between them and yet Naomi and Oliver find their way eventually. 

To sum up, I'm hooked on this Central Park Pact series and can't wait to find out the fate of Claire and Audrey and read about their journeys to a happily ever after. 

Lastly, I'm very much a reader who is more drawn to the blurb than a book cover when deciding what to read, however, this cover is perfect for Passion on Park Avenue makes my heart sing and the kind I love to see on my own bookshelf...love it! 

***arc generously received courtesy of Gallery Books via NetGalley***

[whisperingchapters]

I truly fell so hard for Lauren Layne's writing. In my eyes, 99% of the time, she can do no wrong.

Naomi finds out she's the other woman when the guy she'd been dating for 3 months, Brayden, dies. She decides to go to his funeral, but she couldn't handle it so she ends up at Central Park. It is there that she meets Claire, the widow, and Audrey, the other woman. The three woman bond so fast and in no time, become the best of friends. Two months later, Naomi is handling her Maxcessory company and in the process of moving offices. She's also looking to change apartments, but she gets a call from 517 Park Avenue, letting her know there's an available space for an apartment and to go in for an interview. She immediately recognizes the name of the place because she used to live there. Naomi knows she never applied and when she arrives to the interview, she finds out it was her mom who sent the application. Not only that, it is there that she comes face to face with her past in the form of Oliver Cunningham, the guy who ruined her life and her mom's.

Never had she imagined that the boy who'd tormented her mercilessly during her childhood would once again hold her fate in his hands.

I got hooked on this story right from the beginning. I fell hard for Naomi. She's so captivating and intriguing. I completely love her nonchalant attitude, but how at the same time, she feels so much and so deep. She's so strong yet vulnerable, and that vulnerability is what makes her who she is and what kept drawing me to her.

Naomi, Claire and Audrey are such an amazing trio of friends. I honestly loved how they met and how they bonded right from the beginning. It's great to see how each one of them have a unique personality. I see Naomi as the badass of the group, very observant, fierce, forward, independent, and loving. Claire is someone who's very poised, put together and has a calming energy about her. I see Audrey as the wild card out of the three of them. She's not really a wild card but she has this free spirit about her, she's completely fun, outspoken, quirky, and she just brought so much lightness to the story. Lauren Layne writes the BEST FRIENDSHIPS! When it comes to her books, I'm always giddy in anticipation to read about the friendships. She makes them so real! I always want to be a part of the friendships in her books.

"Hands in, girls, we're making a pact, high school-style. May neither of you ever fall victim to a cheating bastard again. Not on my watch."

I was intrigued from the get-go with Oliver and what was going on in his life, especially with his father, Walter. Oliver has to go through so much to take care of his father; it's truly heart-breaking. He's very cautious in letting people into his life since someone had already bailed on him when he needed the person the most. Even with his cautiousness, he's so intrigued by Naomi and the hatred in her eyes towards him that he wants to peel all of her layers and little by little, he lets her in his life. I love how he keeps going out of his way to get to know her and woo her, even when Naomi treats him bad because of how mad she is at what he did. Two of my favorite scenes, involve the two first times they kiss. Oliver had me in love!

With Naomi, from when she found out Oliver was still in 517 Park Avenue, you could tell that Naomi's plan was revenge but as soon as she saw Walter again, her defenses started to lower and any thought of revenge went out the window. I loved the friendship that Walter and Naomi developed. It was so beautiful to read about it, so heart-warming. I love the path Lauren Layne took with this story, especially with how Oliver found out. She did such a wonderful job. I don't think this take is written much in romance books and Lauren Layne killed it. She added a twist to it that I just praise her for it.

I love how everything in the end came together. Every aspect of the story was done with perfection. There wasn't something I hated or disliked. I honestly loved everything! Lauren Layne is the only author so far that I don't have to read a book's description or see a cover to know if I want to read it. No. Everything she writes, I immediately want, no questions asked. She's so underrated as an author and I wish more people would read her books and put her name on high because she deserves it.

I urge you guys to pick this book up if you love contemporary romance, love friendship, love a slow-building second-chance intimate romance. This is another aspect of Lauren Layne that I love from her books. Her romances are always so character-driven and full of intimacy, which goes beyond just the sex. I really find it refreshing when an author can write such a brilliant story without needing sex scenes to make it stand out. No, LL's writing stands out on pure talent alone with the friendships and romances she writes.

I loved how hooked I got into the story from beginning. I loved how it completely drew me in. I loved how it completely stole my heart and I cannot wait for more!

I received an eARC via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.