Review: Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne

Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne
Published October 28th 2013 by Flirt
ARC provided by Netgalley
Buy Links: Amazon / B&N

About the book:
The rules are clear—until they're broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.

"Who knew that pretending you're not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?"
Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she's pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn't exactly Ethan Price's type, either. He's probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund... or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie's a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan's brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan's privileged world, the "acting" begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating "them." And Stephanie faces a question she's too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

My Thoughts

I have a new favorite author to add to my list. I absolutely loved this book!

They say opposites attract and boy do they ever! Stephanie is attending a summer college class to avoid going back home and Ethan is attending the same class to avoid working for his dad's firm all summer. They couldn't be more opposites - her as a goth and him as a preppy jock. And as fate would have it - they get paired up as partners for the class project.

Full of witty banter so hilarious I was chuckling out loud and tons of sexual tension - this was a page turner I didn't want to put down! As Stephanie and Ethan start to get to know each other (grudgingly), Ethan proposes that she helps him out by pretending to be his girlfriend for a few weeks, just to get his parents off his back. What they didn't bargain for was the fact they may actually end up liking each other, let alone falling in love.

Stephanie is snarky and bitchy and I LOVED HER. I could relate to her and she was awesome. And Ethan was not the preppy frat boy she pegs him as in the beginning. He was so sweet and swoony and I absolutely adored him. There were a few sizzling hot moments between them that had me holding my breath with my heart racing! This book has everything I love in a story - humor, sex, romance, friendship. A must read!

Definitely going to read more of this author's work asap!

5 Suns