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