agrutle's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Kensington and Net Galley for the book in exchange for a honest review!
Heather wants to get a promotion at work, she's always wanted to be a wedding planner and right now she's just an assistant. This new job though may make all her dreams come true. The new client wants her, specifically. The client is completely hands off weirdly so. I mean if you're gloriously happy and getting married to the man of your dreams you'd want to plan your wedding right? Not this client. Heather is a pro though and will soldier on, doing what she's gotta do even if its picking everything for a strangers wedding. Her life is going in the right direction, she's even got the apartment she's been dying for. The only problem with it is the neighbor. He's in a band, a loud band. A band that practices late into the night. When she goes to let him know that he needs to knock it off she's met with a very good looking man. It gives her pause but not enough to let him have his way.
Josh lives life the way he wants not. He has a band, he drinks the best coffee and he indulges in one night stands. He doesn't get attached, ever. His new neighbor intrigues him. She's feisty and doesn't fall at his feet like most women do. While he gets that she's not his old deaf neighbor he doesn't see why he should be quiet. He's attracted to her but not the way she acts. He doesn't like talking about his past, he basically shuts her down anytime she asks him a question. She makes him think though, that makes him uncomfortable. He soon finds out that pushing everyone away doesn't make them stop caring.
I really enjoyed Josh and Heather. Maybe Josh a tad bit more because he was just living life. Sure he kept people at arms length but he didn't want anyone having to deal with a relapse of his illness. Heather was a little stringent, she worked hard and that is totally admirable but she was so focused on getting to a certain place in life she was missing things. Josh opened her eyes and she opened his. That's what love is, not changing people but showing them what's out in the world that they're missing. Leave a review for the author, it shows you care and it helps!!
Heather wants to get a promotion at work, she's always wanted to be a wedding planner and right now she's just an assistant. This new job though may make all her dreams come true. The new client wants her, specifically. The client is completely hands off weirdly so. I mean if you're gloriously happy and getting married to the man of your dreams you'd want to plan your wedding right? Not this client. Heather is a pro though and will soldier on, doing what she's gotta do even if its picking everything for a strangers wedding. Her life is going in the right direction, she's even got the apartment she's been dying for. The only problem with it is the neighbor. He's in a band, a loud band. A band that practices late into the night. When she goes to let him know that he needs to knock it off she's met with a very good looking man. It gives her pause but not enough to let him have his way.
Josh lives life the way he wants not. He has a band, he drinks the best coffee and he indulges in one night stands. He doesn't get attached, ever. His new neighbor intrigues him. She's feisty and doesn't fall at his feet like most women do. While he gets that she's not his old deaf neighbor he doesn't see why he should be quiet. He's attracted to her but not the way she acts. He doesn't like talking about his past, he basically shuts her down anytime she asks him a question. She makes him think though, that makes him uncomfortable. He soon finds out that pushing everyone away doesn't make them stop caring.
I really enjoyed Josh and Heather. Maybe Josh a tad bit more because he was just living life. Sure he kept people at arms length but he didn't want anyone having to deal with a relapse of his illness. Heather was a little stringent, she worked hard and that is totally admirable but she was so focused on getting to a certain place in life she was missing things. Josh opened her eyes and she opened his. That's what love is, not changing people but showing them what's out in the world that they're missing. Leave a review for the author, it shows you care and it helps!!
litloulou's review against another edition
4.0
Four Stars
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway in the mail on Saturday and had finished it by Sunday night. I read it in one sitting. I had plenty else to do that day, but I read instead. I think that says something about the book!
I found this to be fluff... but good fluff. I thought the characters were pretty likable, interactions were cute and sweet and the angst was pretty much non-existent. It was a nice easy pleasant read, but I just don't imagine in a few years I will remember it as being a book I must reread or dust off my shelf and lend to a friend. I liked Layne's style, nothing in her writing bothered me and even in some of my favorite books, I generally find something I don't like (although my favorite style is a chapter by chapter alternate point of view and this mostly followed her with a few scenes of him, sort of imbalanced). Oh, lastly, the ending was super predictable, but super sweet too, so I was totally ok with it. I forget that sometimes it is good that you can figure out the ending, means the author is setting you up rather than pulling things out of nowhere.
So in sum: read it super quick, nothing I didn't like about it, but not shouting from the roof top about it either. I would Definitely recommend to someone who is just looking for a pleasant low drama romance. I don't give 4 stars super easily, but it exceeding my expectations. Good read!
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway in the mail on Saturday and had finished it by Sunday night. I read it in one sitting. I had plenty else to do that day, but I read instead. I think that says something about the book!
I found this to be fluff... but good fluff. I thought the characters were pretty likable, interactions were cute and sweet and the angst was pretty much non-existent. It was a nice easy pleasant read, but I just don't imagine in a few years I will remember it as being a book I must reread or dust off my shelf and lend to a friend. I liked Layne's style, nothing in her writing bothered me and even in some of my favorite books, I generally find something I don't like (although my favorite style is a chapter by chapter alternate point of view and this mostly followed her with a few scenes of him, sort of imbalanced). Oh, lastly, the ending was super predictable, but super sweet too, so I was totally ok with it. I forget that sometimes it is good that you can figure out the ending, means the author is setting you up rather than pulling things out of nowhere.
So in sum: read it super quick, nothing I didn't like about it, but not shouting from the roof top about it either. I would Definitely recommend to someone who is just looking for a pleasant low drama romance. I don't give 4 stars super easily, but it exceeding my expectations. Good read!
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of For Better or Worse from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So I liked [b:To Have and to Hold|27271035|To Have and to Hold (The Wedding Belles, #1)|Lauren Layne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446598399s/27271035.jpg|47324612] but I loved For Better or Worse. This book was exactly what I wanted.
Heather Fowler is about to lose the assistant in her wedding planner title. Being promoted has one tiny catch, she gets to plan a reality star’s wedding, without help. Heather knows she can do this and that it will be perfect but nothing is going right. The reality star won’t communicate with her, and her mom won’t come to New York for the holidays and her stupid neighbor is playing his loud music while she’s trying to sleep.
Josh Tanner is a cancer survivor and is living life in the moment. There is a different girl every night, he’s in a band and with no job, comes no expectations. Josh harbors the possibility that his illness will come back and so he doesn’t do relationships. When the girl in 4C knocks on his door to complain about his music, he finds that he wants her but she doesn’t want him. Josh is determined to get to know Heather but it may take him out of his bubble of now and he’s not sure he wants to leave it.
These two are adorable. Heather is sassy and fun. Josh is flirty and ridiculous. Together they were funny and cute and steamy. The banter between the two of them was awesome. Heather knew what Josh was and was wary about getting involved with him. As she got to know him, she knew that she falling in love and there was the possibility that he wasn’t. Heather wanted to give it a chance because even though there were issues she wanted to work through them and they did. It was sweet and bit angsty but well worth it.
The title to this book is spot on and really fits this book well. I had a blast reading this book. I devoured it in one sitting.
Here’s to banana bread.
I received an e-ARC copy of For Better or Worse from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So I liked [b:To Have and to Hold|27271035|To Have and to Hold (The Wedding Belles, #1)|Lauren Layne|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446598399s/27271035.jpg|47324612] but I loved For Better or Worse. This book was exactly what I wanted.
Heather Fowler is about to lose the assistant in her wedding planner title. Being promoted has one tiny catch, she gets to plan a reality star’s wedding, without help. Heather knows she can do this and that it will be perfect but nothing is going right. The reality star won’t communicate with her, and her mom won’t come to New York for the holidays and her stupid neighbor is playing his loud music while she’s trying to sleep.
Josh Tanner is a cancer survivor and is living life in the moment. There is a different girl every night, he’s in a band and with no job, comes no expectations. Josh harbors the possibility that his illness will come back and so he doesn’t do relationships. When the girl in 4C knocks on his door to complain about his music, he finds that he wants her but she doesn’t want him. Josh is determined to get to know Heather but it may take him out of his bubble of now and he’s not sure he wants to leave it.
These two are adorable. Heather is sassy and fun. Josh is flirty and ridiculous. Together they were funny and cute and steamy. The banter between the two of them was awesome. Heather knew what Josh was and was wary about getting involved with him. As she got to know him, she knew that she falling in love and there was the possibility that he wasn’t. Heather wanted to give it a chance because even though there were issues she wanted to work through them and they did. It was sweet and bit angsty but well worth it.
The title to this book is spot on and really fits this book well. I had a blast reading this book. I devoured it in one sitting.
Here’s to banana bread.
milkteajeon's review against another edition
5.0
4.5; i adoreeeee these two. such a fun and easy dynamic
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
5.0
Can LL do any wrong? Seriously, FOR BETTER OR WORSE was absolutely fabulous. LL is brilliant with the witty banter and at capturing playfulness between two people who are dancing around one another while continuing to keep it fun and the sexual tension flowing. I’m going to have to say that so far it’s my favorite in the series. And I know you’ll agree.
Heather and Josh have a magnetic chemistry that just flies off of the pages, and is trapped under the dislike they have of one another which helps to ramp the intensity up to crazy levels. One’s more carefree while the other is career-driven and that contrast allowed for both to be shown what was lacking in their own lives. What grew from a dislike of one another, morphed into a slow, passionate burn. I so enjoyed the lead-up to their getting together because it was filled with fun banter, ripe sexual tension, and beautiful friendship. There’s a youthfulness to Josh’s outlook that can’t be ignored, while Heather’s drive and fierce independence is admirable and will hit home for a lot of readers.
I’ll never get how LL can instantly captivate me from page one, but she continually does. The dance and the lead-up are the best part of her books and FOR BETTER OR WORSE has that in spades. I really honestly couldn’t put it down because the story was so well crafted, and both it and their chemistry pulled at me continuously. She writes characters that feel so real and are just incredibly likable, another thing that LL does well. It was absolutely fantastic and this series is one not to be missed.
**Received an early copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Heather and Josh have a magnetic chemistry that just flies off of the pages, and is trapped under the dislike they have of one another which helps to ramp the intensity up to crazy levels. One’s more carefree while the other is career-driven and that contrast allowed for both to be shown what was lacking in their own lives. What grew from a dislike of one another, morphed into a slow, passionate burn. I so enjoyed the lead-up to their getting together because it was filled with fun banter, ripe sexual tension, and beautiful friendship. There’s a youthfulness to Josh’s outlook that can’t be ignored, while Heather’s drive and fierce independence is admirable and will hit home for a lot of readers.
I’ll never get how LL can instantly captivate me from page one, but she continually does. The dance and the lead-up are the best part of her books and FOR BETTER OR WORSE has that in spades. I really honestly couldn’t put it down because the story was so well crafted, and both it and their chemistry pulled at me continuously. She writes characters that feel so real and are just incredibly likable, another thing that LL does well. It was absolutely fantastic and this series is one not to be missed.
**Received an early copy via the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
For Better or Worse is the second book in The Wedding Belles series. I'm really enjoying this series. I'm a sucker for books about weddings and wedding planners. This is Heather's story. Heather moved to NY to follow her dream of being a wedding planner. She believes she's just about to get the promotion and she's offered a huge celebrity wedding which is the perfect way to prove herself to her boss. She finally finds the apartment of her dreams, but her new neighbor is a nightmare. A tall, sexy, one who sings and can play the guitar. Swoon! She has to constantly complain about the noise which starts their relationship off to a rocky start. Josh is a total player. There are girls coming and going. They dislike each other until one night she goes over to complain and his bandmates invite her in. She makes herself comfortable and Josh gets jealous. That's when he realizes he wants her. She's sexy and funny and smart and he's attracted to her. Since his scare with cancer years ago, he's been living in the moment. Thinking that quitting his job, starting a band and sleeping around is living. Then he becomes actual friends with Heather. They laugh together, have fun together and then finally sleep together. He likes her. A lot. They both think it's going to be just sex, but you know how that works out. When Josh starts to feel sick again, he gets scared and pushes her away. He can't stand the thought of hurting someone else he care about. Will Josh realize he loves Heather before it's too late? Will Heather fight for their future? I loved this couple! I admit it started out a little slow and seemed like a familiar plot, but I was soon hooked and loving Josh and Heather. I loved their banter and flirting. They have great chemistry and even greater friends. I laughed out loud, cried and laughed more! Looking forward Alexis and Logan's story!
His mouth was warm and firm, and he tasted a bit like chocolate and a really good time.
"Morning 4C. Aren't you pretty in the morning. And by pretty I mean your hair is enormous."
"Yellow carnations? Jesus. It's a good thing you're pretty," Heather said.
"Seriously, 4C, don't be weird. Don't overthink this. Look, big diamond. Swoon."
His mouth was warm and firm, and he tasted a bit like chocolate and a really good time.
"Morning 4C. Aren't you pretty in the morning. And by pretty I mean your hair is enormous."
"Yellow carnations? Jesus. It's a good thing you're pretty," Heather said.
"Seriously, 4C, don't be weird. Don't overthink this. Look, big diamond. Swoon."
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent characters. Awesome story. Great build. Lots of humor. Great mix of emotion. A nice amount of hotness. A little drama. This story checked every box that I could hope for in an fantastic read. :-)
I absolutely adored Heather and Josh. I loved Heather, so sweet and determined. She was just so feisty and I loved her attitude and awesome comebacks. Josh was so great too. Guarded but so sexy and playful. Their first meeting was priceless! Right from the start I was so pulled in and was just excited to read their story. They're animosity is fan-freaking-tastic. Flirty, funny, and challenging. I loved Josh and Heather’s building chemistry. I loved it all! It's a true romance building from friendship. Every single thing just had me smiling and rooting for them. I love that the author pulled me in, making me feel everything they were going through. There is such a vulnerability to Josh and Heather’s characters that made them so real and endearing.
While there are lots of entertaining parts throughout, this story is also laced with emotion and it really pulled on my heart strings. I loved Josh and got him and where he was coming from but just wanted to shake him and give him a hug all at once because he was being all manly-noble at times. I liked the hints throughout the story about his past and how everything development.
There are so many little details to this story that come together that make it perfection. I loved Josh's mom. The relationship the Belles have. How we got more of Logan, making me excited for his and Alexis’s story next. I loved Heather's back story and her determination to make it on her own. I loved the story of her working on a wedding and how that worked into her relationship with josh. Every thing together just made for this excellent build so by the end I was laughing, crying, and smiling! It was just wonderful.
Loved the writing. So many details pulling me in. Really likable and interesting characters. Excellent pace and build. I was just so entertained while reading. Seriously excellent read! I absolutely loved every single second of this. Heather and Josh's story was really perfect to me. 5 stars all the way!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
I absolutely adored Heather and Josh. I loved Heather, so sweet and determined. She was just so feisty and I loved her attitude and awesome comebacks. Josh was so great too. Guarded but so sexy and playful. Their first meeting was priceless! Right from the start I was so pulled in and was just excited to read their story. They're animosity is fan-freaking-tastic. Flirty, funny, and challenging. I loved Josh and Heather’s building chemistry. I loved it all! It's a true romance building from friendship. Every single thing just had me smiling and rooting for them. I love that the author pulled me in, making me feel everything they were going through. There is such a vulnerability to Josh and Heather’s characters that made them so real and endearing.
While there are lots of entertaining parts throughout, this story is also laced with emotion and it really pulled on my heart strings. I loved Josh and got him and where he was coming from but just wanted to shake him and give him a hug all at once because he was being all manly-noble at times. I liked the hints throughout the story about his past and how everything development.
There are so many little details to this story that come together that make it perfection. I loved Josh's mom. The relationship the Belles have. How we got more of Logan, making me excited for his and Alexis’s story next. I loved Heather's back story and her determination to make it on her own. I loved the story of her working on a wedding and how that worked into her relationship with josh. Every thing together just made for this excellent build so by the end I was laughing, crying, and smiling! It was just wonderful.
Loved the writing. So many details pulling me in. Really likable and interesting characters. Excellent pace and build. I was just so entertained while reading. Seriously excellent read! I absolutely loved every single second of this. Heather and Josh's story was really perfect to me. 5 stars all the way!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
gracieyue's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
sjhastoomanybooks's review
3.0
I liked the story - especially the characters back story. But I wasn't as into it as the first one in the series. The male lead - Josh - really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't mind an alpha/cocky male lead, but this guy was a bit too full of himself in an annoying way. The ending also felt a little too rushed for me.
sblyon's review against another edition
4.0
Heather has been an assistant wedding planner to Alexis, owner of the Wedding Belles, for the past two years and has shown what an asset she is to the boutique shop. Now it’s her turn to step up and be the lead on a wedding to show that she is ready to move up from assistant status to full on wedding planner. Heather is living her dream, except her new neighbor Nate is a musician that plays music at all hours of the night and her new client is completely disinterested in the details of her own wedding.