HARD SELL (21 Wall Street #2 by Lauren Layne-a review

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Excerpt Link: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/hard-sell

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 4, 2018

Twenty-eight and filthy rich, Matt Cannon is the youngest broker on Wall Street. He may be a “boy wonder,” but he’s every inch a man. Ask any woman—any night. But when Matt’s latest fling makes scandalous headlines, his clients get anxious, and his bosses at Wolfe Investments level an ultimatum: keep his assets zipped, get a “real” girlfriend, and clean up his act. Only one woman can help Matt with something this hard.

For PR genius Sabrina Cross, the best fixer in Manhattan, playing Matt’s steady is going to be a challenge, even if it’s just for show. They already have an explosive history, she can’t stand the cocky party boy, and worse—she can’t stop thinking about him. So who’ll dare to break her “no touching” rule first? Because when that happens, Matt and Sabrina’s game of let’s pretend will get so hot it could set both their reputations on fire.

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REVIEW: HARD SELL is the second instalment in Lauren Layne’s contemporary, adult 21 WALL STREET romance series focusing on best friends and Wall Street investors-Ian Bradley, Matt Cannon and Kennedy Dawson who work for Wolfe Investments. This is twenty-eight year old Wall Street broker Matt Cannon, and PR ‘fixer’ Sabrina Cross’ story line. HARD SELL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sabrina and Matt) HARD SELL follows the fake relationship between twenty-eight year old Wall Street broker Matt Cannon, and PR ‘fixer’ Sabrina Cross. At his cousin’s recent Vegas bachelor party, Matt’s behaviour and ultimately his reputation made headlines in the world of Wall Street investors. Precariously straddling the line between employment and not, Matt is desperate to restore his reputation, in order to rein in the billionaire clientele. Enter ‘fixer’ and PR specialist Sabrina Cross, and the woman with whom Matt will fall in love. What ensues is the acrimonious and fake relationship between Matt and Sabrina, and the potential fall-out as Sabrina wants something more, and Matt is unable to give her what she wants.

Matt Cannon doesn’t do love; his parent’s dysfunctional relationship has damaged Matt’s view for a happily ever after. A friends with benefits arrangement with Sabrina, is as close to a relationship that Matt is willing to cross. Sabrina Cross’ childhood was plagued with hardship and neglect a childhood that has burned a hole into our heroine’s heart. When Matt Cannon begs Sabrina to help him clean up his tattered reputation, Sabrina struggles with her growing attraction to a man who isn’t willing to give love a chance.

The love-hate relationship between Sabrina and Matt is contemptuous; their acrimonious back and forth is riddled with insults and accusations so much so the emotional fall-out is painful and wrong. As days turn into weeks, Sabrina begins to develop feelings for the man that calls to her heart as Matt reconsiders what it is he truly wants. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The world building continues to look at the friendships between Kennedy, Ian and Matt, as well as the ramifications and repercussions of crossing the line where Wall Street is concerned. The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Ian and Lara (Hot Asset), as well as Kennedy Dawson, and PA Kate Henley; Sam and Samantha Wolfe, and billionaire Jarod Lanham.

HARD SELL is a sexy and sassy story line about friendships, family, heart break and love. The premise is spirited and engaging; the characters are dynamic and energetic; the romance is sensual and captivating. HARD SELL is a breath-taking and delightful addition to Lauren’s 21 Wall Street series.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HOT ASSET.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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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.