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A review by lenoreo
Hot Asset by Lauren Layne
4.0
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/03/28/21-wall-street-series-by-lauren-layne/
4 stars — I was worried about this one! In the first chapter, I was NOT getting a good feeling for Ian. Like, he seemed like a self-involved douchecanoe. I was contemplating DNFing…but I persisted, b/c it’s Lauren Layne. And while she’s not a guaranteed win for me, she gives me enough success to push further. And I’m so glad I did, b/c despite a few twigs here and there, I really ended up enjoying Ian and Lara’s story!
There was a lot more to Ian than met the eye. I mean, we’re told a bit of his backstory in that first chapter, but his actions didn’t always match up, you know? Or rather, someone can have depth and still have douchey moments…and that was Ian at times. He wasn’t a jerk per se, but he was wrapped up in playing the Wall Street game. And I can understand where some of it comes from, but still not like it you know? There were moments with Ian…things he said or thought about Lara that slightly rubbed me the wrong way. I think I’m trying to be super conscious of things, and be better about recognizing acceptable behavior, so I might have my sensitivity meter just up too high, you know? Because there were a lot of good things to like about Ian too — and it mostly came out around his friends, or when he finally started to figure out that Lara was different for him.
Lara was an intriguing heroine in herself! I loved seeing a woman who was passionate about her career, and had strong convictions (even if she needed to learn there are shades of gray). I felt like she grew throughout the story, but I always appreciated her level mind and her attempt to balance her feelings with her integrity. Which probably doesn’t make much sense without context, but whatever. Honestly, she’s what made me keep going in the book — I got to her POV, and I saw that she would make a good match for Ian and call him on his bullshit. I loved that. It’s like I would get sensitive about something, and Lara would read my mind and call it out. I loved that.
They were an interesting pair together. I loved how much they struggled with their feelings, and they definitely had chemistry. I will admit their feelings developed a bit fast for me, but sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief you know? I guess I wanted to understand the other ways they were connecting a bit better.
As with so many of Ms. Layne’s series, the “cast” of this book truly made it. I LOVED all these characters we got to meet, and I love knowing that I’m going to get their stories. And she writes friends like no one else, honestly. I love seeing all these wildly different personalities connect and work and push at each other, but inevitably care about one another. Also, they made me laugh so many times. It was my highlight for sure.
So yeah — a shaky start, but Ms. Layne brings it in like I’ve come to expect from her. Can’t wait to read the next 2.
4 stars — I was worried about this one! In the first chapter, I was NOT getting a good feeling for Ian. Like, he seemed like a self-involved douchecanoe. I was contemplating DNFing…but I persisted, b/c it’s Lauren Layne. And while she’s not a guaranteed win for me, she gives me enough success to push further. And I’m so glad I did, b/c despite a few twigs here and there, I really ended up enjoying Ian and Lara’s story!
There was a lot more to Ian than met the eye. I mean, we’re told a bit of his backstory in that first chapter, but his actions didn’t always match up, you know? Or rather, someone can have depth and still have douchey moments…and that was Ian at times. He wasn’t a jerk per se, but he was wrapped up in playing the Wall Street game. And I can understand where some of it comes from, but still not like it you know? There were moments with Ian…things he said or thought about Lara that slightly rubbed me the wrong way. I think I’m trying to be super conscious of things, and be better about recognizing acceptable behavior, so I might have my sensitivity meter just up too high, you know? Because there were a lot of good things to like about Ian too — and it mostly came out around his friends, or when he finally started to figure out that Lara was different for him.
Lara was an intriguing heroine in herself! I loved seeing a woman who was passionate about her career, and had strong convictions (even if she needed to learn there are shades of gray). I felt like she grew throughout the story, but I always appreciated her level mind and her attempt to balance her feelings with her integrity. Which probably doesn’t make much sense without context, but whatever. Honestly, she’s what made me keep going in the book — I got to her POV, and I saw that she would make a good match for Ian and call him on his bullshit. I loved that. It’s like I would get sensitive about something, and Lara would read my mind and call it out. I loved that.
They were an interesting pair together. I loved how much they struggled with their feelings, and they definitely had chemistry. I will admit their feelings developed a bit fast for me, but sometimes you just have to suspend disbelief you know? I guess I wanted to understand the other ways they were connecting a bit better.
As with so many of Ms. Layne’s series, the “cast” of this book truly made it. I LOVED all these characters we got to meet, and I love knowing that I’m going to get their stories. And she writes friends like no one else, honestly. I love seeing all these wildly different personalities connect and work and push at each other, but inevitably care about one another. Also, they made me laugh so many times. It was my highlight for sure.
So yeah — a shaky start, but Ms. Layne brings it in like I’ve come to expect from her. Can’t wait to read the next 2.