Monday, October 7, 2013

Review & Giveaway: After the Kiss by Lauren Layne


After the Kiss (Sex, Love & Stiletto #1) by Lauren Layne
Publication Date: August 26th 2013 by Random House Publishing Loveswept
Purchase Links: Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble| iBooks
About the book:
Julie Greene loves flings. Loves steamy first dates, sizzling first kisses, and every now and then, that first sexy romp between the sheets. Comfy pants, sleepy Sundays, movie nights on the couch? Shudder. But when Julie gets assigned the hardest story of her career—a first-person account of that magical shift between dating and “I do”—she’ll need a man brave enough to give a total commitment-phobe a chance at more.

Normally, Mitchell Forbes would be exactly that man. A devastatingly hot workaholic who tends to stay in relationships for far too long, he should be the perfect subject for Julie’s “research.” But what Julie doesn’t know is that Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once in his life. And the leggy journalist notorious for avoiding love is exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, Mitchell is the polar opposite of what Julie needs right now. And, at the same time, he’s exactly what she wants.

My Thoughts:
Lauren Layne is my new favorite author! After the Kiss was the perfect blend of sass, humor, and spice all wrapped around a romance that will make your heart swoon!  After the Kiss is only 180 pages long but I literally have nine pages worth of highlighted quotes/passages, evidence of how much I loved this story.

Julie is a writer for Stiletto magazine and specializes in writing about falling in love: the first date, first kiss, and all the highs you get from a new romance.  She’s had plenty of practice at this, and brings her personal experience to her readers.  But taking it to the next step?  Not so much. The thought of being comfortable enough with someone that you’d stay in, *gasp* wear the typical comfy clothes, and have a movie night, spells horror and boredom to Julie.  She’s content with having a few dates filled with fun and kisses, and then moving on.

This is where the trouble begins.  Julie’s editor wants a piece about taking the next step, with her hallmark personal touch bringing life into the article. How is Julie going to tackle this?  Well at the urging of her friends, and fellow Stiletto writers, Grace and Riley, she plans on snagging a typical “relationship” type of guy, and going through the motions for the purpose of the article.  Julie thinks Mitchell is the perfect test subject, a boring relationship type guy through and through. Little does she know that Mitchell has his own agenda, and things do not go as she’s planned.

Mitchell is the relationship type of guy.  He doesn’t want to waste time on someone just for a fling. When a co-worker eggs him on into a bet, saying that he can’t casually date a girl without having an eventual plan to marry in mind, Mitchell gives in to the taunts and agrees to the challenge.  Have a fling, move on after he’s had his fun, and then gain prime season tickets to the Yankees. 

Julie and Mitchell thought they knew what they were getting into, but when each of them plans to do exactly the opposite of their usual MO, both of them are surprised and unsettled.  Mitchell isn’t the type of guy Julie can woo and win over with her usual routine of flighty, fun, and flirty.  He only responds when the real Julie comes out and exposes her heart.  Julie, in turn surprises Mitchell when she doesn’t act as the girl he’s heard about, and he finds himself strangely drawn to her no nonsense behavior.

I loved that Julie and Mitchell’s plans are thrown out the window because they’re both so taken by each other!  The intensity of some of these scenes is toe-curling HOT!! I love that Mitchell turns out to be anything BUT the boring, safe “relationship” guy Julie assumes him to be, and she winds up craving the heck out of him! Same thing with Mitchell, he’s surprised and overwhelmed with how strong his feelings are for Julie.

“Julie. What the hell are we doing?” he whispered in her ear. She felt a stab of relief. So this wasn’t normal for him either. She liked that she made him lose control. Liked even more that he made her lose control.

I lapped this story up! Julie and Mitchell’s romance utterly consumed me!  I’m in love with Lauren Layne’s writing!  Her brand of humor, classy but oh-so-hot sex scenes, and gift for writing romance puts her in authors-I-stalk follow status.  I can’t wait for poor Grace’s story next: Love the One You’re With.  December is too far away *sobs*!!
5 Suns



About the author: Lauren Layne writes contemporary romance for Grand Central Publishing (Forever Yours) and Random House (Loveswept).

After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Lauren moved to New York City where she now writes full time.

Lauren graduated from Santa Clara University with B.S. in Political Science that she has yet to put to good use. She lives with her husband and plus-sized pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.
Connect with Lauren Layne:

I loved this story so much I HAD to run a giveaway!  Fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win an e-Copy from US Amazon, US Barnes & Noble, or Kobo.  Good luck!


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9 comments:

  1. I'm more of a relationship kind of girl - don't get me wrong, I like to flirt, it's like my second nature, but I don't feel comfortable if I know it's something that leads to nowhere.

    Great review, Rachel, as always.:)

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  2. Always the relationship kind. Altho there were many times guys thought I was flirting but to me I wasn't, I thought I was just being nice. :p

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  3. Relationship kind of gal who still fun and flirty... LOL Thank you for the giveaway.

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  4. Looks like a great book! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I'm the relationship kinda gal! Don't have time to play games!

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  6. Definitely the fun and flirty type!

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  7. Wow, Rachel! Your reviews have me so excited. I love that you've found a new favorite author. Great review!

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  8. Depends on the guy if fun/flirty or the relationship type!

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  9. I am the relationship type of person.

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