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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Good Girl (Love Unexpectedly#2) by Lauren Layne

A Review by Wendy
3 Trying To Just Be Stars
* * *
Today's Notoriety is very different than the past. Before, people in the Entertainment Industry as well as those of Mega Wealth could live with an ability to control what the public thought of them. There was a distance and type of respect, whether merited or not, which caused a bit of awe. This made them even more intriguing... less accessible, I think. Today with the advent of the Net and 24/7 cable outlets combined with everyone with a blog and/ or smartphone...these people are now more like folly for whatever anyone wants to say... whether true or not.

This felt like the theme for this latest Lauren Layne book, Good Girl. We have this young, up and coming Country Star and she has been hit by a scandal Not of her making. She has been used as a way to manipulate the publicity machine by another in the industry with no regard for the impact it will have on her.  She has decided to go back to her roots, in a way... back to the place where she felt she had the strongest sense of self and her music...A place where the publicity machine would never think she would be.

As she settles the details of coming back to this estate which encouraged creativity and freedom to experiment musically, the new owner has his own issues. He has inherited the estate and is using it as a way to hide from the disaster his life has become. He is the mega wealthy, much sought after man who just wants to hide for awhile. He has broken his engagement to a society woman who has planned the wedding of the ages. He somehow was involved with her, didn't take charge and call it quits sooner than later...  and now is off the grid renovating the estate himself.

We meet these two...and instead of introducing himself as the one our songwriter had been emailing...he lets one of his friends who was out visiting take the roll... for she assumed it was him by his demeanor and dress. The real owner was in jeans and fixing something when she pulled up... so she had no idea what was up.

What we have here is this tale of immediate assumptions...
He takes offense right away...She is a big time country music artist, la de da...AND buys into all the tabloid BS being told about her...

She, on the other hand, hasn't a clue why he is acting this critical way until she overhears a snide remark...Hurt but strong, she struts into the house without a look back.

This lays the foundation for this relationship of bicker/banter/interest/want/REPEAT
There are moments of humor, of insight to what the issues are for the both of them and very strong attraction. These two have all the makings of a real couple...one which could actually work for them... Are they willing to give it  go...

There are many things to enjoy in this story, however, there were also things which did not sit right with me. Our gal keeps getting mixed messages from the owner of the estate. He is very interested in her despite him not wanting to be.... and there is this push/pull thing happening between them. At some point he realizes she is nothing like what has been plastered about her...and instead of rectifying some of the things he should... he continues on a path which would only be a bigger problem later.

His non actions in confronting what was the root of his own personal issues showed weakness and didn't seem like who he was at his core. Also his delaying in owning up to who he was to our gal took away my usual delight in Layne's crafting. As much as I hate to say it...I felt the guy overall was cowardly in his actions and should have Maned Up in so many situations.

Our gal had charm, talent and I liked that she knew what she wanted to do with her career no matter what the public thought of her. She was young, though, so her wanting to see a relationship when she was getting mixed messages was understandable.

Lauren Layne is an automatic click for me. She has an abundance of talent and creativity. Even when a book may not have the same feel for me as her others, I appreciate her writing and skill.  Many have loved this book and my personal take should not deter you from your experience with it.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.


Lauren lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian. 
Five years ago, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan. 
She writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush, and in her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books. 
When not bringing The Sexy, she likes to blog about her Instagram addiction, and why mean girls are the worst.

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