TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

The Wedding Belles Volume 1

Lauren Layne

Pocket Books

ISBN# 9781501135132

August 2016

Contemporary Romance

The first book in this series (there was a prequel but I'm not counting that one here), starts with one of the Wedding Belles wedding planners, Brooke Baldwin. Recently coming from California to New York City, she left behind her almost wedding and a con-man who she thought she knew well enough to marry. Still reeling from that, Brooke is hired by the Wedding Belles because she is one of the most talented wedding planners in the country. Her first assignment is Maya Tyler, a hotel heiress who has an overbearing brother, Seth, who is footing the bill. Instant attraction aside, Brooke cannot fathom why Seth is so arrogant and rigid, as well as determined to find out if Maya's sudden engagement means the would-be groom is up to no good. Brooke feels something for Seth as their time together becomes more intense, but is she ready to trust again this soon? And even if she does, is she willing to trust him with her heart?

Seth Tyler tries to steer clear of Brooke, but he finds himself making her schedule times with him to discuss Maya's fiancé and the (hopefully not) wedding plans. He wants to believe in the guy, but his gut instincts have never let him down yet. And his gut instincts are also telling him that Brooke wants him as much as he wants her. Yet when he finally thinks they are on the same page, she bolts. Working around schedules, appointments and trying to figure out where his best friend fits in all this, Seth is about as un-organized as he's ever been. Will his last decision cost him more than he's prepared to lose?

This was the first book but I read it last. I have to say this was my favorite of the three. Talk about heat, sizzling sex and yummy alpha male hero! Seth was definitely used to getting what he wanted and as a result, he comes across as arrogant and stiff. Enter Brooke, who doesn't take any crap from him and he doesn't know what to do with that. Maya is a sweet, somewhat naïve girl, but she comes into her own during this time. We meet the other two Belles, and while they aren't dominant in the book, it's enough to give a background for the next two. I seriously liked this one a lot!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4.5