To Have and to Hold (The Wedding Belles, #1)

by Lauren Layne

[Lynn]

I was eager to begin this series after reading the novella taster From This Day Forward. Who doesn't love a wedding and a happy ever after?

Seth Tyler became CEO of Tyler Hotel Group after his father died from a heart attack. It's a career move he aspired to, but not so soon and now he's head of the family too. When his younger sister announces her engagement, he's suspicious about the true intentions of the groom. After all, Maya Tyler is a rich woman and the timeline for a wedding heightens his doubts about Neil Garrett's integrity. When the wedding planner mistakes him for the groom, he hopes the stunning blonde will help him prove his suspicions, only the outcome has consequences he never envisaged.

When her ex-fiancé is arrested at the altar just as they were about to say their wedding vows, Brooke Baldwin is left humiliated. With a new job at The Wedding Belles, she's determined to make a fresh start in a new city. Her first assignment is to arrange the wedding for the Tyler family, an opportunity to organise the nuptials with an opened ended budget. Only she doesn't expect the man holding the purse strings to have a strong influence over her too.

As heroes go, Seth is flawed, cynical to relationships and likes to take control. He makes choices based on his belief of doing the right thing but somehow his best-laid plans are opposite to the desired effect. His imperfection are adorable and deep down his heart is always well meaning and sincere, if only he could change his way of doing things...he's direct and too opinionated.

I adored the fact Brooke tried to look past any negativity about Maya's fiancé Neil. She's a woman who had her dreams destroyed by a fraudster, yet she still believes in love...at least for clients.

"No man at all, really. No falling in love. Not ever again."

Seth and Brooke have an instant, intense attraction that neither can deny. I like that both the protagonists are honest about the sizzling chemistry between themselves.

"I'm not looking for anything...romantic. Or sexual. This thing between us-I'm not going to pretend it's not there, but I'm also not going to act on it….."

Both are often blunt with their opinions of situations and each other.

"What?" she asked. 
"A dirty vodka martini...Somehow that seems to be exactly the perfect drink for you." 
Brooke tilted her head. "Do you always mean for things to sound the way they do when they come out of your mouth?" 
"How's that?" 
"Provocative." 
"What's provocative about repeating your drink order?" 
"The dirty part," she muttered, looking away.

To Have And To Hold is full of the elements that I've come to expect when reading a Lauren Layne novel. The witty dialogue, sexy scenes and secondary characters that pull together to create a wonderful literary scene. I'm left with an overwhelming feel good feeling and a desire to read more from the series...Hello, Logan! 

4.5 stars

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