ASKING FOR A FRIEND (Boyfriend Material #1) by Lauren Blakely-Review and Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2019.

I was only trying to help a friend. I swear. I was legit asking for a friend who was finally ready to date again.

I knew what she wanted in a man — smart, funny, ambitious, well-read (no, the sports section doesn’t count), and plays a wicked game of badminton.

So I did what any good friend would do. Posted it for her. It seemed like a good idea at the time — I’d weed through the candidates, and bring her my top picks.

But then he responded.

Is it wrong to date the guy I screened for my bestie? Not asking for a friend.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ASKING FOR A FRIEND is the first instalment in Lauren Blakely’s contemporary, adult BOYFRIEND MATERIAL romance series. This is junior editor Amy Summers , and senior editor Linc Silvers story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Amy and Linc) ASKING FOR A FRIEND follows the forbidden relationship between junior editor Amy Summers, and senior editor Linc Silvers. Linc Silvers is the new senior editor at the New York publishing firm of Bailey and Brooks, and finds himself immediately attracted to junior editor Amy Summers, an attraction that is threatened by the company’s new ‘no-romance’ policy forcing Linc to look elsewhere using the ‘Boyfriend Material’ online app. Meanwhile, Amy’s friend Peyton has just come off a disastrous relationship and Amy takes it upon herself to find Peyton her happily ever after by weeding out the candidates on the same boyfriend app, the same app her co-worker Linc is secretly enrolled. What ensues is the back and forth text and flirting, and building relationship between Amy and Linc, texting and flirting between friends who are unaware of one another’s identity.

Meanwhile, an opening for a new senior editor finds Amy preparing to fight for a position she desperately wants, a position that is also threatened if her relationship with Linc is not brought to management’s attention.

The relationship between Linc and Amy is one of mutual attraction but our couple battle between head and heart with respect to the company’s office romance policy. The back and forth texting is flirty and fun, and suddenly familiar for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Amy’s co-workers Juanita, Baldwin and Rainey; Amy’s best friend Peyton; bartender Truly Goodman; competing editor Madison Turnbull; bar owner Tristan, as well several characters from some of the author’s other series and stories including Amy’s sister Quinn from the author’s Special Delivery (Always Satisfied #5). Tristan and Peyton’s story line is next in Sex and Other Shiny Objects.

ASKING FOR A FRIEND is a story of family and friendship; competition and love. The premise is captivating and engaging; the characters are energetic and fun; the romance is seductive and sweet.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

“No. I was just getting the lowdown on office allergies.” He moves closer, leaning against the bar, looking like a tall drink of man. I break out my mental yardstick. Yup, I’m betting he’s over six feet. I’m going with six foot one. Which might even push him to a fifteen on the goes-to-ten babe-o-meter.“So you’re on drinks detail,” I say, trying to sound all cool and casual, like I’m not busy sizing him up.

Not consumed with checking out his arms.
Not occupied admiring his blue eyes.
Not tied up enjoying his smile.

He points his thumb at his sternum. “New guy. That means I fetch all the drinks and buy them too. And you? What put you on errand duty?”

“I made my friend snort her drink out her nose.”

He looks impressed. “You officially have the best reason for being on drink detail.”

I preen, enjoying his praise. “Why, thank you. I was hoping to win that contest.”

“What was the snort-inducing remark, may I ask?”

Flashing back, I recall the culprit—my “you need V-time” comment to Peyton—but that’s too personal to share. I give him another one. “I referred to her ex-fiancé by his proper name.”

Clark Kent gives me a curious look. “Is his proper name amusing?”

“Of course. It’s Richard Cranium,” I say, and I wait. Will he pass the test?

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In October she’ll release HARD WOOD, a sexy, standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

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