HOT ASSET (21 Wall Street #1) by Lauren Layne-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 22, 2018

Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.

An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.

She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.

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REVIEW: HOT ASSET is the first instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult 21 WALL STREET romance series. This is thirty-two year old Wall Street investor Ian Bradley, and twenty-eight year old SEC agent Lara McKenzie’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lara and Ian) HOT ASSET follows the building but forbidden relationship between Wall Street investor Ian Bradley, and SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) agent Lara McKenzie. An anonymous tip to the SEC found our hero, Ian Bradley, being investigated for insider trading. Enter SEC agent Lara McKenzie, and the woman with whom Ian would fall in love. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between Ian and Lara, and the potential fall-out as Lara’s findings are ignored by the people in charge.

Ian Bradley grew up in the foster care system, and has worked for every penny and dollar he has earned. A womanizer by reputation, Ian struggles in his attempts to seduce the stoic SEC agent, but something about Lara gives him pause. Behind the librarian glasses, and professional decorum, Lara hides a goddess that Ian hopes to control. Someone is out to destroy Ian’s life using Lara McKenzie in the process, but Ian isn’t willing to go down without a fight.

The relationship between Lara and Ian begins acrimoniously when Ian discovers the reasons behind our heroine’s visit. Not only is Ian innocent of all of the charges but Lara insists that she must continue to investigate until the very end. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. There is plenty of back and forth, sexual banter between our leading couple, banter that crosses the line as Ian tries desperately to seduce the woman looking into his life.

There is a wonderful cast of secondary and supporting characters who are a little bit protective of our story line hero. We are introduced to his best friends and fellow investors twenty-eight year old Matt Cannon, and thirty two year old Kennedy Dawson; attorney Vanessa Lewis, fixer and PR Rep Sabrina Cross,PA Kate Henley; Lara’s boss Steve Ennis, and his brother in law Jacob Houghton. Matt and Sabrina’s story line is next in Hard Sell.

The world building looks at the close friendships between Ian, Kennedy and Matt, and their PA Kate Henley; Ian’s backstory and his struggles growing up in the foster care system; as well as Lara’s fight to prove she is worthy of working for the FBI.

HOT ASSET is a spirited and edgy story line. The premise is imaginative and engaging; the characters are colorful, energetic and charismatic; the romance is captivating and sensual. Lauren Layne’s HOT ASSET is a wonderful and sexy start to her 21 Wall Street series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt Link: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/hot-asset

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Lauren Layne is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen romantic comedies.

A former e-commerce and web marketing manager from Seattle, Lauren relocated to New York City in 2011 to pursue a full-time writing career.

She lives in midtown Manhattan with her high-school sweetheart, where she writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush. In LL’s ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.