Hard Sell (21 Wall Street, #2)

by Lauren Layne

He’s a Wall Street wolf. She’s been hired to tame him. From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne comes a wildly sexy novel of business and pleasure.

Twenty-eight and filthy rich, Matt Cannon is the youngest broker on Wall Street. He may be a “boy wonder,” but he’s every inch a man. Ask any woman—any night. But when Matt’s latest fling makes scandalous headlines, his clients get anxious, and his bosses at Wolfe Investments level an ultimatum: keep his assets zipped, get a “real” girlfriend, and clean up his act. Only one woman can help Matt with something this hard.

For PR genius Sabrina Cross, the best fixer in Manhattan, playing Matt’s steady is going to be a challenge, even if it’s just for show. They already have an explosive history, she can’t stand the cocky party boy, and worse—she can’t stop thinking about him. So who’ll dare to break her “no touching” rule first? Because when that happens, Matt and Sabrina’s game of let’s pretend will get so hot it could set both their reputations on fire.

• ISBN10: 1503902846
• ISBN13: 9781503902848
• Publish Date: 4 September 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Montlake Romance
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 252
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Lauren Layne is just one of those authors, who always works for me.

I was happy to finally get the scoop on the animosity between Matt and Sabrina. I will say, I was not expecting that. I wasn't really expecting what I learned about their backstories either, but it really explained why they were the way they were.

It's always interesting to read a romance starring a hero and a heroine, who both don't buy into the whole love thing. It's also very gratifying, when they start to come around. I really enjoyed these two together. The attraction was there, but there was more to it. They were able to scratch beyond the surface of each other and see beyond the illusion they projected for everyone else.

Obviously, I got a little frustrated, but that whole set up at the end had me standing up and cheering. It was perfect.

Another successful LL book, and I CANNOT wait for Kate and Kennedy's story.

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[thebookdisciple]

I love the combination of tropes in Hard Sell! Layne mixes a bit of hate-to-love with a dash of fake relationship to create a really delightful story!

I adored book 1 in this series and knew I wanted more of Matt and Sabrina. Matt is Ian's coworker and friend and Sabrina and Ian grew up together. Sabrina and Ian like arguing and having sex together. If they aren't doing 1, they are doing the other! Sabrina is one of the women I have always thought were so cool-an NYC fixer with tons of connections and a very lavish lifestyle. In Hard Sell we get more background on her and see behind her facade. Matt, like Ian in Hot Asset, is a bit of a playboy (ok, he is a manwhore!) who is now weathering his own scandal. I'm not gonna lie, at times, its difficult to like Matt. He is so arrogant and self aggrandizing. He has to figure out how to fix his image or he will lose his job (which to him is his identity!).

Matt and Sabrina have a complicated past that created their disdain. Their relationship is twisty and strange and it just oddly works. Again, there were a few times I wanted to nut punch Matt for being a douche. Seriously, he was an idiot. Even when I hated Matt, I loved the story! I liked Sabrina way more than I expected because she is more than just this gorgeous, glamorous NYC woman.

Hard sell is perfect for fans of opposites attract, reformed manwhores, and successful women!

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: hate to love you, fake relationship


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes with epilogue

Christina Lauren's Josh and Hazels Guide to Not Dating, Emma Chase's Appealed (one of my all time favorite books!), Chantal Fernando's Conflict of Interest series...then you will probably like Hard Sell!

 

Hard Sell

 See full review on The Book Disciple

[Lynn]

After the highly polished and incredibility enjoyable beginning to the 21 Wall Street trilogy with Ian and Lara in Hot Asset. I've been looking forward to continuing the series featuring the second of the sexy trio of financial wolves.

Enemies to lovers, Nah! More like frenemies! Sabrina Cross and Matt Cannon have a history of hooking-up occasionally...they are part of the same social circle and Ian Bradley is Sabrina's best friend. So when The Sam's tell Matt to clean-up is reputation after his escapades in Vegas follow him home, Ian and Kennedy pursued Matt to ask Sabrina for help. After all, she is a fixer. Only neither of them, who detest each other realise a fine line exists between love and hate as the pair embarks on a fake relationship.

This was a fun novel to read. Matt and Sabrina may have thought they'd fooled everyone with their extreme dislike for one another, however, the only ones they are fooling are themselves. Their fake relationship works a charm and a complete PR success. Only everyone sees past their fake fascade even though neither are interested in anything more than a temporary arrangement until unexpected feelings creep in and change everything.

The path to true love is never easy, but for the protagonists to finally move forward with their relationship, misunderstands from the past need rectifying first. The Manhattan backdrop is gorgeous and exclusive, however, the deep routed negative feelings they both share are not. Despite the electrifying chemistry crackling between them, it isn't until they admit to themselves and each other that they want what their friends have, can they try to move on...together.

The narrative's glued together with witty and intelligent dialogue befitting the executive ensemble of characters. I've loved following both Ian and Matt on their journeys' to a 'happy ever after' but must admit I'm thrilled we'll get Kennedy's too. As a fan of LL's novels, I'm anticipating this one like I did for Lincoln Mathis in Oxford #3 and I can't wait.

***arc received courtesy of Montlake Romance via NetGalley***

[stacey_is_sassy]

What happens in Vegas…

First up, I have to say that I love the cover model’s outfit. Men around the world are probably cringing and shuddering at me calling a suit an outfit but it’s the whole package, not just the suit. I love the crisp white shirt, tie, vest and jacket. It helps that that it’s mostly in tones of blue contrasting against the white. Sure, the cover model is good looking, but his outfit completely distracted me from his looks. I love seeing a man in a suit but unfortunately, the chance of me getting hubby to dress up like this…slim to none.

So, a man in a suit is a BIG selling point for me. Luckily, Hard Sell gave me my suit porn and a great storyline. I’m loving the 21 Wall Street (still singing 21 Jump Street's theme song every time I read that) series and meeting the men behind the big money deals. Meeting the women in their lives have been an extra treat. These are intelligent, successful and determined women and they’re not going to just settle for money and a pretty face. It’s refreshing to love the heroines as much as the heroes, to be honest.

In Hard Sell, our couple of the moment is Matt and Sabrina who we met in Hot Asset. These two characters clash so we know from the beginning it’s not going to be all hearts and flowers. What we haven’t learnt up until now is why they clash. Sure, it’s a little frustrating that we have to wait to know, but we need to see where they came from and how they got here. When the truth comes out, you can’t help but feel a little battered from the blow that was unknowingly dealt.

Matt’s got himself in a bit of hot water when he’s filmed partying hard in Vegas. As per usual, the media has sensationalised it more than warranted which has unfortunately left Matt’s bosses very unhappy. It’s time for Matt to clean up his act…CALL IN THE FIXER-UPPERER!!

Sabrina can fix anything…well just about anything. It’s going to take all her skills to clean up Matt’s act seeing as she can’t stand him…most of the time (wink, wink). Well, it's more that she’s completely frustrated by his arrogant ways. Sabrina commits to helping Matt, but, only on her terms.

I really enjoyed Hard Sell. I loved seeing the working dynamics of these men and how Matt’s calculator brain got him to his level of success at such a young age. The connection between Matt and Sabrina jumped off the pages and the sexy scenes were HOT! Seeing Matt with Ian and Kennedy is mostly funny mixed with admiration for their support and closeness with each other. Each of their interactions with Kate (their shared secretary) is always one of the best parts of the story. When Kate, Lara (Ian’s fiancé) and Sabrina are together, it’s completely natural and something I recognised in my own friendship group. Wine and cheese are always good for female bonding.

I can’t wait for more in the 21 Wall Street (sing it with me now) series. Sure, I would love to see Kennedy and Kate together…but only if he loosens up a little. I’m kind of hoping that Jarod Lanham who we've just met, does his rich, manly matchmaker routine again. Or, maybe it’s supposed to be Kate and Jarod together forever…???

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[kymmiejournals]

Fun, fabulous and fascinating!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest book review.

I enjoyed the book so much that I read it all in one sitting! I like the story simply because it opens a world of business moguls who try to live as normal as they can be despite the scandals, dirty little secrets, love affairs, hidden agenda, stained reputation and such.

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[Rowena]

Loved it. Freaking loved it. Matt and Sabrina were everything I was hoping they’d be and their romance was just as steamy and passionate as I knew it’d be. Full review to come.