Review Tour and Giveaway: Birthday Suit: Lauren Blakely
Lauren Blakely
Add to Goodreads
Amazon | Amazon PB | Apple Books | Kobo | B&N | Google Play | Audible
Release Date January 17, 2019
She’s the ultimate off-limits woman...
There are only three rules in life you should truly follow to the letter.
One: Always make time to help a buddy.
Two: Definitely turn down that last tequila shot.
And three: Absolutely, no matter how beautiful, smart, clever and witty she is, do not--under any circumstances--fall in love with your best friend’s woman.
Oops.
Seems I missed following that last one. And the trouble is, she just walked back into my life in a big way….
Pass the tequila.
***
There are three things I've never been able to resist -- my friends, my family, and chocolate. Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He's been a friend and only that. A friend who walked through hell and back with me.
Now, I'm stepping into my new future, and I didn't expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City.
With Leo.
Suddenly, I'm looking at this man with new eyes...
But I can't risk a temptation as I start over and Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety.
More delicious than chocolate...
There are three things I've never been able to resist -- my friends, my family, and chocolate. Leo Hennessy? He was nowhere on that list. He's been a friend and only that. A friend who walked through hell and back with me.
Now, I'm stepping into my new future, and I didn't expect it to include a riddle-filled, race-against-the-clock scavenger hunt across New York City.
With Leo.
Suddenly, I'm looking at this man with new eyes...
But I can't risk a temptation as I start over and Leo is most definitely a temptation of the sexiest, sweetest, and most dangerous variety.
More delicious than chocolate...
Oooh! A new charming man and a vibrant woman in a Lauren Blakely rom-com with some more emotional undertones....and Chocolate! What is not to like?!
Leo Hennessy is an executive at a chocolate company named Heavenly. He is smart, handsome, driven, introspective, and loyal.
Leo Hennessy is an executive at a chocolate company named Heavenly. He is smart, handsome, driven, introspective, and loyal.
Lulu Diamond has been friends with him for over a decade. She used to be his best friend's girl. But now years later she is following her dreams with her own chocolate shop and hoping to partner in a venture with Heavenly Chocolates. This brings them back in close proximity again and brings back all of Leo's old feelings for her that he buried.
Lulu is bold, fun, and quirky. And she lights up Leo's safe, predictable, stable world. As they are thrust together during various activities, their attraction begins to grow--something totally new for Lulu. Something that Leo has kept hidden for years. There are reasons to be wary due to the past and present circumstances. But these characters are mature enough and close enough that they actually talk.
Living with regret is hard. Life is about choices and it is not always easy to make the right one. Letting go of the past to live in the present can be challenging, but succeeding can open up possibilities.
I really liked these two together. Leo was so swoony, caring, selfless, and thoughtful. And Lula was so fun and so smart. They were just adorable together. They had a great rapport, witty humor, and snappy banter. They shared common interests and were both so sharp. They had sexual tension and chemistry. But they also had a shared history and baggage that had the potential to weigh them down.
This is a sweet, flirty, humorous, unique, best-friend's-girl and friends-to-lovers and workplace romance. But it also has some serious and emotional situations that were part of the character development. It is full of colorful, dynamic side characters that added humor, drama, and depth to the story. I loved some of them and totally hated one of them so freaking much.
But I enjoyed this whole new world the author created and I felt like I was part of this story and the adventures they went on during it. I liked how the story was structured and timing and separation of some events. I can't say much due to spoilers but timing was really important in this story. I enjoyed the dual points of view and a special one as well.
But seriously heed my warning--there is copious talk of chocolate...all kinds of yummy flavored chocolate...so have some nearby to satisfy your cravings. You are welcome!
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Leo Hennessy, executive for a chocolate company, has been in love with his best friend’s girl, but kept it secret. The bro code was strong, and as soon as Leo knew Tripp was interested in Lulu, Leo placed her firmly in the friend zone. A decade later, they are still friends facing a year of working closely together as Lulu enters a partnership with Leo’s company to launch new products.
Lulu has no idea that Leo ever had a thing for her. She values his friendship and the history they have. She also looks forward to the exposure she will have by working with Heavenly for the coming year.
Both of these characters were fun to read. Lulu is such an off the wall, strong willed woman. She has come through challenges she never imagined she’d face and hasn’t dealt with all the emotions she has remaining. Leo was by her side through all the worst moments of her life, as well as the best. His loyalty and love for both Lulu and Tripp extends well and deeply into the present. There were times I wished he had an easier time putting the bro code aside, but in the end I love the way it all worked out.
Lulu has no idea that Leo ever had a thing for her. She values his friendship and the history they have. She also looks forward to the exposure she will have by working with Heavenly for the coming year.
Both of these characters were fun to read. Lulu is such an off the wall, strong willed woman. She has come through challenges she never imagined she’d face and hasn’t dealt with all the emotions she has remaining. Leo was by her side through all the worst moments of her life, as well as the best. His loyalty and love for both Lulu and Tripp extends well and deeply into the present. There were times I wished he had an easier time putting the bro code aside, but in the end I love the way it all worked out.
I loved the banter between these two as they enter a riddle filled competition for bragging rights and extra vacation days between Heavenly and several other snack food companies in New York City. As the attraction between them ramps up, I couldn’t help but root for them to figure out the hangups keeping them apart, namely Leo’s dedication to the bro code and a promise made.
Lulu and Leo have Lauren’s classic swoon factor going on. Great chemistry, great friendship, but that worry that feelings might not be reciprocated and ruin a perfectly good (and important) friendship. These two work together, and have a history together that included Lulu’s ex-husband and Leo’s best friend that makes them question if what they have can withstand the addition of something new.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lulu and Leo have Lauren’s classic swoon factor going on. Great chemistry, great friendship, but that worry that feelings might not be reciprocated and ruin a perfectly good (and important) friendship. These two work together, and have a history together that included Lulu’s ex-husband and Leo’s best friend that makes them question if what they have can withstand the addition of something new.
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
~LEO~
Let’s get one thing out of the way real fast. Regret is a waste of time. I don’t believe in it—never have, never will. I try to live my life without that useless emotion.
You know those articles where the journalist asks old people what they would have done differently, and they list all sorts of stuff—be a better friend, call your mom, tell the woman you love her? You don’t want to be that person.
There’s a simple way to avoid it.
Do the good shit now.
Say yes to that crazy job offer, ask out the girl who’s out of your league, climb the mountain and kiss the sky.
You’ll thank yourself later.
But the flip side of that kind of life is this: you need some rules. A few basic guidelines to follow to navigate the potholes.
Over the years I’ve assembled my top picks. Some from experience, some from listening to others.
Allow me to share my hard-won wisdom.
1. If you have to sniff the food in your fridge to decide if you can eat it, just toss it. You’ll be glad you did tomorrow.
2. You can tell everything you need to know about a person by how he or she treats the waiter.
3. Turn down that last tequila shot. Trust me on this one.
4. If your woman sends you to the store to pick up something, get that something, not another version you think is better. Her version is always the right one.
5. You can’t put your foot in your mouth if it’s closed.
6. No dude ever gets in trouble while cleaning the kitchen.
7. Don’t live to work; work to live.
8. If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
9. Don’t get a tattoo that’s longer than your dick.
10. Men should never wear black jeans.
That’s my list and I’m sticking to it. Those mantras have served me well. They’ve made me the man I am today—successful, wise, and satisfied.
There’s one more though. An addendum, if you will. The postscript you need to achieve a life well-lived. This ought to be so damn easy that no one makes this mistake.
Gather close.
Write it down.
Follow this one to the motherfucking letter.
No matter what, don’t fall in love with your best friend’s girl.
Too bad that ship sailed long ago for me.
**AUDIO**
✦Performed by Andi Arndt and Sebastion York, with a Full Cast including Joe Arden, RC Bray, Jason Clarke, Shane East, Dion Graham, January LaVoy, Erin, Mallon, Robin Miles, Savannah Peachwood, and Julia Whelan✦
✦ Audio ➜https://blkly.pub/
✦ Audio ➜https://blkly.pub/
"A cast of TWELVE narrators work together to deliver an unforgettable performance!"
—Yvette at Nose Stuck In a Book
"The best audiobook of 2019! Blakely has set the bar with this audio production."
—Joc, The Audio Flow Bookin Around Town
Lauren BlakelyWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | Goodreads
A #1 New York Times Bestselling and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that's sweet, sexy and witty. Her heroines are strong and smart and her heroes have hearts of gold and fantastic funny bones. She lives in California with her family, including her smoking hot and hilarious husband and her two brilliant and kind children. She has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs -- she might have four dogs, or maybe five. If she's lucky, she'll soon have six 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 100 times, and she's sold more than 3 million books. In January she'll release BIRTHDAY SUIT, in March BEST LAID PLANS and in April THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/
✮✮✮A Fabulous Birthday Present for You! ✮✮✮
Let’s celebrate the release of BIRTHDAY SUIT
with the cupcake of the month club from Wicked Good Cupcakes and a Subscription to Audible all wrapped up in a Michael Kors Handbag ($500 value)!
https://laurenblakely.
with the cupcake of the month club from Wicked Good Cupcakes and a Subscription to Audible all wrapped up in a Michael Kors Handbag ($500 value)!
https://laurenblakely.
0 comments