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Oxford #1

Irresistibly Yours

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Fans of Julie James, Carly Phillips and Chanel Cleeton - meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne's bestselling Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he's got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes-and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can't take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she's learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope's resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they're just fooling around - or starting something real.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2015

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About the author

Lauren Layne

56 books10.1k followers
Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,433 reviews
Profile Image for • Lisa •.
556 reviews1,562 followers
October 28, 2015
FOUR OXFORD STARS.

"Weekdays, we’re colleagues. Weekends, we can be—” “Fuck buddies.”

description

Sports themed? Romance? Opposites attract? Lauren Layne? Where do I sign up. Yes, readers I'm officially in sweet, fluffy cloud heaven and there was hardly a moment of this book that didn't have me giddy girl crazy with excitement. And this is just the beginning; Irresistibly Yours is set to be just the tip of the iceberg as my favourite author has planned a whole new series and if the rest of the books are as good as this one then I know I'm in for a huge reading treat.

What's it all about?
If you are already a fan of this author's work then I can only presume that you have already sampled her 'Stiletto series'. And if that is this case then you can only be ready to jump into this author's new spinoff series and be as excited as I was to join the crew at the Oxford magazine. In this new start to the series we meet Cole Sharpe the man who has been desperate to climb the Oxford ladder and leave his days of freelancing behind him. Convinced the job is already his, it comes as a shock as the attractive and determined, Penelope Pope breezes into his life and may just be the one who knocks him off the top spot. From day one, Cole can't help but be drawn to his competition and as the rivalry heats up so does their inability to stay away from each other. Jump aboard this brilliant tale of office colleagues to lovers and find out if Cole and Penelope both win out in the end.

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What did I love?
I'm a bona fide, 100% committed fan of Lauren Layne. There is nothing better than the feeling of knowing that I'm in for a treat when I pick up a book by this author, and I get that excited feeling whenever I start a new book. Layne must have a secret ingredient that she adds to her work that makes me fall in love. Every single time I get wrapped up in her characters and the stories that this author pulls together and I'm certainly in no shape to ever want to stop my enduring love for these books. As long as Layne is writing, I'll be reading. 'Irresistibly Yours, is the perfect antidote for those readers who want to ease themselves into a sweet meeting of lovers. It has the perfect mix of comedy, naughty antics, romance and inter office hanky panky. The book offers a brilliant tale of opposites attract and work place frolics. I loved that the heroine was a talented go getter, with a personality big enough to match her aspirations and like always I can't possibly resist a hero that is as cocky as he is adorable. Lauren Layne pitched these characters just right and by the end of this book I had fallen hard in love for them as a possible couple. Heartfelt, dreamy, steamy, entertaining, sports filled and full of perfect romantic one liners once again, Lauren Layne had me wrapped around her romance writing finger, and I loved it.

Why not five?
This is the hardest question to answer, especially when I hardly rate a Lauren Layne book less than a full five stars. 'Irresistibly yours' was all that I wanted it to be, it had everything that I normally love about this author's writing included, except for the feeling of missing out on that special spark. It took me a little time to warm up to the characters and then by the time i'd grabbed my reading Mojo I felt like the book was all over. Did I think the book felt a little rushed? Maybe. Would I have liked to have seen more from the characters? Yes. Is Lauren Layne my number one? Always. However, with all of the above being said this author consistently produces the quality romantic goods. I adore everything that Layne releases and although it didn't quite reach that five star mark this time, I'm sure it won't be long before I'm falling head over heels in love with another release from my favourite author.

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Final thoughts ...
Lauren Layne is my ultimate 'go to' author. This knock out romance author never gets it wrong, and I have to admit that once again I'm left weak at the knees thinking about the prospect of the other books that are to come in this series. 'Irresistibly Yours' can be read as a standalone, but you'd have to be crazy to not want to read other books by this author. With that being said my suggestion and best advice of the day is to go and add this author to your 'must be read right away' list, I can assure you that you'll be slaphappy after a fix of Lauren Layne and like me once you've devoured this particular book you'll be waiting just as impatiently as I am for book number two. Enjoy fellow readers, kisses.



Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,465 reviews5,297 followers
March 1, 2022
3.75 Stars

”You’re freaking adorable.”

description

Lauren Layne delivered a sports-themed story, centering around two sports writers vying for the same position at Oxford Magazine. Cole Sharpe believes he’s a shoe-in for the position until he meets Penelope Pope. Penelope is a wonderful heroine. She's so relatable and very cool. However, she's understandably guarded against Cole’s advances.

”You’re out of my league, Sharpe.”

Cole works pretty hard to win over Penelope. I truly enjoyed the sports talk, the Stiletto girls, Cole’s sweet way of wooing and falling for Penelope. I must mention that Penelope’s insecurities were understandable and her apprehension towards Cole reasonable.

”Unless Penelope figures out a way to play for the Yankees, she can’t hold Cole’s interest for more than a week. Nobody does.”

Lauren Layne’s writing was enjoyable and being a Yankee fan only added to my entertainment. Their fall into love was perfectly paced.

description

Cole and Penelope’s sex only on weekends deal was pretty interesting and well the ending was sweet. Overall, this was a good read and a promising start to a new series.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
Profile Image for Geri Reads.
1,232 reviews2,115 followers
October 7, 2015
This book was utterly delightful from beginning to end.

We met Cole Sharpe in Lauren Layne's Stiletto series. He's Oxford got-to sports writer but he's freelance and he likes it that way. But the rising cost of his brother's care led him to contemplate having a more permanent gig. Oxford magazine is expanding its sports section and they want a brilliant sports editor to handle it. Cole, of course, has an in since he's friends with a lot of the Oxford guys. He felt confident that he has the job, which wasn't the case at all because he has stiff competition coming from a female.

Penelope Pope (love the alliteration) is a brilliant sports editor like Cole but because of her sex, she doesn't get the same respect as her male colleagues. After a boyfriend and co-worker took credit of her ideas, edging her out on an opportunity, she decided to move to New York and try her luck there. The gig with Oxford was something she wants and she won't let anything like intense attraction towards her main competition get in the way.

Oh I loved the whole set up. Cole is such a man's man and it was so worth it seeing him get taken down a peg or two by the diminutive Penelope. Penelope wasn't the type of woman Cole usually go for but he was intrigued by her encyclopedic knowledge of every single player stats and her passion for sports reporting. She was his perfect match.

But they had a lot of things to work through. Penelope has been there, done that. Her ex-boyfriend in Chicago did a number on her. I was bit apprehensive because the first quarter of the book, I thought she was too hung up on this ex of hers. Thankfully, that part was settled quickly, and Cole and Penelope embarked on a sizzling affair.

But Cole has kept his heart protected for far too long. Love and relationship isn't a priority for him. His brother is, and has been since Cole was a teenager. Having a brother that needs care 24/7 made Cole realize that not many women might like being an afterthought. So he totally panicked when Penelope started pushing for more. I understood his reasons but he did take his sweet time coming to terms with his feelings. Some readers might not be down with that but I felt that it was totally in character for Cole.

I loved the banter in this book, not just between Penelope and Cole but also between Cole and his friends. We get a glimpse inside the Oxford office and it's so fun to read. I love the bromance between the guys and teasing. The Stiletto girls also made an appearance which was totally cool.

Overall, this fun and easy and light. Totally readable and totally fun to read. Highly recommended.

ARC provided by Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.



Gah!! I am so looking forward to this series!

I. AM. EXCITE.

EXCITE.

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Profile Image for Brandi.
640 reviews1,466 followers
September 14, 2015

3.75 Stars

description

Irresistibly Yours is a cute, sports-themed, romantic comedy. Cole Sharpe has been freelancing at Oxford Magazine for years, so when a new sports editor position opens up, he knows the job is his. Unfortunately for Cole, it looks like he has some competition.
Cole was the right man for the job. The only man for the job.
Penelope Pope is starting over, a new city, a new job, and a new attitude. She has always been one of the guys, and has learned the hard way – that wanting more usually ends with a broken heart. Specifically, her heart. So she has decided the friend-zone is where she belongs.
The reason she had insisted things not become romantic.
For Cole Sharpe, Penelope would have been one out of a million other women in his life.
For Penelope, Cole might have been one in a million. The only one.
While Cole is determined to get the job, he wasn’t expecting Penelope. She is easy going, fun and real. They quickly become friends, and Cole turns on the charm. When circumstances push these two together, they find themselves unable to fight their mutual attraction. I enjoyed Penelope and Cole, the progression of their relationship was perfect – friends, to a weekend hookup agreement, to more.
"Weekdays, we’re colleagues. Weekends, we can be—”
“Fuck buddies.”
I enjoyed this one, it's a fluffy, fun read with minimal drama - love blooms when we least expect it.
How had he ever thought a boring model-type could keep him happy? All he needed was a pint-sized baseball fan.


*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for S.M. West.
Author 39 books1,205 followers
September 12, 2015
4.5 "Tiny" STARS

This was a cute, feel good read and I just devoured it. And I must confess, this was my first Lauren Layne book.I know...



I don't know why it's taken me so long!

Both main characters were adorable. Penelope Pope is a sweet, feisty tomboy. She has a fierce love of all sports and is so used to being "just one of the guys" that she doesn't believe she has a sexy bone in her body.

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Cole Sharpe is funny, sexy, sweet and just loved his adoration and loyalty to his brother. Also loved his nickname for Penelope - Tiny! You must read this book to get it.

Really enjoyed LL's writing and Cole and Penelope were great together. And while the secondary characters obviously are from another series, I enjoyed their banter and scheming, it was rather funny! This book was perfect with the whole...

"...this push-pull thing they had going on, the sometimes kissing, sometimes arguing, sometimes platonic mess they had on their hands..."



I'm so looking forward to Lincoln's book and I'll most definitely be reading more Lauren Layne!

***An ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***

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Profile Image for Wendy'sThoughts.
2,665 reviews3,272 followers
August 19, 2020
4.5 Right on the Money Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
I think we all have those special friends... the ones who when you get together.... have the best stories to tell. They tell them with such charm and comedic timing that sometimes you almost wet yourself from laughing so hard. They could be telling you about an incident which, knowing them... you already have figured out exactly how it will end...But you don't care one little bit because it is in their telling which holds you captive...wanting to experience it from their perspective, in their voice and it is wonderful.


Lauren Layne is like that for me. I found her through her highly successful Sex, Love & Stiletto series. She created this group of Cosmopolitan characters living in a place I personally love, New York City, while working in the environment of Big Time Magazines....the type that stare back at you from the Newsstands. It had the flavor of Sex in the City and I ate it up with a spoon.

Now some of the installments were stronger than others but always there was heart, humor and amazing chemistry between our couples. We got to know these people because they all floated around in all of the books... and so it was a wonder and very pleasant surprise to see this new series out. Ms. Layne mentions in her acknowledgements that the readers forced her hand in creating Cole and Penelope's story. I am very glad she did.

What was wonderful in the creation of these two characters so immersed in the world of sports...was their passion for sports. It also was their livelihood. Both were journalists with reputations of merit and so for them to actually end up together was perfection.

I especially liked how Penelope was so talented and sure of her abilities in her profession. We saw she had worked hard and deserved any advancement she received. She had been smacked down in the image department early on and so to protect herself, she made sure she put herself in the friend zone before anyone else would. She learned early she did not fit the mold of what she thought all the hot women would look like... she was a Tom-Boy from the beginning so being "one of the guys" felt comfortable. She also suffered the emotional shock of falling for someone only to find out it was one-sided at best and she was used by her co-worker to further his career at worst.

We get to see her evolve and become more confident as the story progresses. She relaxes a bit, tries new things and with Cole learns to open up. This is a woman learning about herself; how to enjoy her sexuality, how to excel in her profession and most of all ... to accept who she is and know in her heart she deserves the best.

The best in her work, her friends and in her relationship with any man.

It was our watching her evolve which was captivating... a couple steps forward... some back but then when it was important- her speaking her mind and knowing what she wanted. Was the journey perfect, no... but it was the one she had and we were there with her.

Cole was a man smitten from the start.... and confused... because this woman was not his usual type. He liked blonde bombshells not tiny, petite, glasses wearing upstarts... And when he learns his distraction in the sky box from his Beloved Yankees on the field was his competition for the new sports editor's job for the magazine he has been part of as a sports reporter....he is even more confused.

For Cole has been with The Oxford for a while now and even though he is not "Staff", he has been a fixture there. He also thought it was just a formality posting the position with him as a shoe-in. Cole has a need to be part of this team; his brother is in a group home for Down's Syndrome adults and it costs a pretty penny. He is solely responsible and needs the steady income. He has worked hard to take care of his brother and in many was... he is the only family Cole feels he has. He also has kept his brother private without any of his friends knowing too much. History has not been kind with reactions regarding his brother in the past... Cole doesn't want to experience those hurts again.

These two characters each have their own issues and we are the fly on the wall watching as this friendship to lovers develop. There are laughs, surprises, very sexy times and the hiccups which will happen with relationships.... but through it all there is the sense of safety... for we are in the hands of Lauren Layne... and she definitely knows how to tell a story and keep us interested.

I loved all of the past characters mixing in with this... and Ms. Layne has laid the foundation for us to pine, yes, pine for Sexy Lincoln's tale.
Please get to it, Ms. Layne... I can hardly wait.

Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1) by Lauren Layne Irresistibly Yours (Oxford, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2) by Lauren Layne I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Someone like You (Oxford, #3) by Lauren Layne Someone like You (Oxford, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4) by Lauren LayneI Knew You Were Trouble (Oxford, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Think I Love You (Oxford, #5) by Lauren LayneI Think I Love You (Oxford, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~~~
Did you ever wonder what really went on at The Oxford magazine, that haven of sexy men from the Sex, Love & Stiletto series.....

Have a hankerin' to see Cole, the player and hot man meat meet his match...
(See how I did that, just couldn't resist)

Well, Lauren Layne read our pervy minds and has decided to go there...

The Oxford Series....and this is the first installment...

Cole...

Get ready, I think this is gonna be a hot one....


A gifted copy was provided by Random Publishing Group Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review review.

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Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,120 reviews13.1k followers
October 6, 2015
4 Stars

I will treat you with the respect you deserve at work, and then I will use your sweet body for sex AFTER work, but Penelope Pope, I give you my solemn promise not to fall in love with you."


Lauren Layne is my go-to author whenever I'm in the mood for a light-hearted, sexy and witty romance, and this book is exactly why. There's one thing that's guaranteed when I read one of her books; I'll read it with a happy smile on my face the entire time. While I haven't yet had the pleasure of reading her Sex, Love & Stiletto series, of which this is the spin-off, I had absolutely no problems keeping up with all the wonderful secondary characters or the story itself.
How had this happened? How was it this sweet, feisty tomboy could turn him on just as easily as she turned him completely inside out every time she looked at him?

Cole Sharpe is a sports editor that has been a freelancing for Oxford magazine for years. All his friends work there, and he happens to be friendly with the boss. So when a staff position opens up on the staff, he's got it in the bag...or so he thinks...
Penelope had no illusions about her place in the world of men: the friend zone.

Penelope Pope has always been seen as one of the guys. Her slim, boyish figure and love of sports pretty much guarantee it. When a man breaks her heart and steals a job that she was dreaming of in Chicago, she runs to New York to start fresh. And what's a better way than with the coveted position of sports editor at Oxford Magazine? She just has to beat out the devilishly sexy Cole with the position.
...what are you after?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm out to be an expert on Penelope Pope. Because, despite your efforts to prove otherwise, I don't believe for one second that you don't want me.

Penelope is nothing like Cole's usual type; of the blonde and leggy variety. So why is it he can't stop thinking of the petite beauty that seems to stir his blood just as much as she puts a smile on his face?

This is just one of those friends-to-lovers romances you can't help but love. Cole and Penelope develop a friendship all the while having this undercurrent of lust that runs like electricity between them. I loved how he calls her "tiny". And Penelope, although not a ravishing beauty and with her share of hangups was such a fantastic heroine. She's witty, funny, and adorably endearing.
You should know...I'm not very good at this," she said.
He smiled and ran a finger over her lower lip. "Don't worry. Because I'm VERY good at this."


All the secondary characters add to the story while the main focus remains on Penelope and Cole and their budding romance. We still get a taste for past characters, as well as Lincoln who I was clearly intrigued by (because I do so love me the broken manwhorish ones) but it never takes away from the story, only adds to it. It read like the perfect romantic comedy.

The chemistry between Cole and Penelope was utter perfection. Penelope doesn't want long term because she doesn't think Cole would be interested. Cole is adorably confused by the whole thing because his feelings for Penelope completely blindsided him. So they agree to be friends and coworkers on the weekdays, and work out their inconvenient lust for each other on the weekends. It doesn't take long for both of them to realize that they're far more than mere friends with benefits.
He didn't know exactly what THIS was.
But whatever they decided to call it- or not call it- he could all too easily get used to it.

If you're looking for a light, sexy, and witty romance, you can never go wrong with Lauren Layne. I'm hooked on this series and can't wait for more (ESPECIALLY if it's Licoln...because hello! Broken manwhore!)

A fantastic start to what's looking to be an even better series. Me likey!
I thought you said you were no good at this," he growled.
"Guess I just needed to do it with the right guy."



ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for Mo.
1,378 reviews2 followers
December 5, 2016
I did enjoy this one. The writing flowed, the story was good. I liked both characters and the background characters. Set in NYC, a favourite place of mine. Sports themed.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.




She could fall for this man.
She could so fall for him.


Couldn't we all, Penelope Pope? What a great name. I really liked her.


"I hear it's cloudy with a chance of popcorn showers."



He kissed her. He kissed Penelope Pope in the snow like his life depended on it.



Damn. She was cute.



The guy on the cover is cute, so lets just use him.

"Dubliner on 82nd and Broadway in a half hour?"


Profile Image for Catarina.
896 reviews2,209 followers
September 21, 2015
4 “Tiny” Stars.

Cole is a freelance journalist for Oxford Magazine, but although his position has been casual, now that the Magazine is hiring a sports editor for a new feature he knows that job belongs to him. What he didn’t expect was Penelope, a girl who loves sports as much as him and is applying for the same job.
When their attraction becomes too big to ignore they have to realize of they are things more important than a job… and if this is a game they’re willing to play.

description

As always happens with a Lauren Layne book, this was a delightful reading. Well written, engaging, very sweet with very sexy moments this a romance book that will keep you addicted from page one.
If you’re in need for a solid romance, well developed, low on angst with very good characters, this is definitely a very good choice.

description

Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: Penelope or “Tiny” was a nice heroine. She didn’t fit the “girly girl” cook cutter, but she was sweet and funny with a very typical personality and despite her stubbornness, easy to like. Cole was also sweet, with a great sense of humor and with his very sexy streaks. A very enjoyable hero. As always, one of the best parts were be able to see more of the previous couples.
Steam: Some hot moments.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
Profile Image for Carol Vickers.
414 reviews676 followers
April 30, 2023
OH. MY. GRACIOUS!! AHHH-MAZING!! I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!What a fun, spicy and heartwarming rom-com that will have you laughing, crying and swooning!! Oh! Why have I waited so long to read a Lauren Layne book?!? I have discovered a gem 💎and this book is chef's kiss👩‍🍳💋!! It deserves a million stars!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cole Sharpe has been a freelancer for Oxford sports magazine for years. When an opening comes available for a permanent staff position, he assumes the job will be offered to him. Oppositely, his boss makes a surprising announcement that Cole has competition. The person standing in his way from getting his dream job is Penelope Pope, a woman! Who will eventually get the job? Will they be able to be friends?

Penelope is sweet, self conscious and has a tomboy side. She knows her sports better than most men and is used to being "just one of the guys". Cole is charming, loyal and such a good guy. He stole my heart ♥️!! I loved the rivalry between them and the friendship that developed over their love for sports. Gradually, Cole realizes that he enjoys spending time with her but still doesn't want to be in a relationship. While Penelope has made presumptions in the past and was left heart broken, she refuses to let that happen again. Therefore, she has hard core placed Cole in the friend zone. The angst and tension between these two is top notch! Will they be able to keep the "promise" they made to each other or will it be broken?

Irresistibly Yours is a spin-off book from another series by this author but it is not necessary to read it before this book. Overall, I was completely captivated from start to finish! I started the book late one night and definitely stayed up till 3am to finish it. To say I highly recommend it is an understatement!
September 29, 2015
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I'd first been introduced to these endearing characters in the Sex, Love and Stilleto series. It had read much like the cast of Sex in the City acted. So when I'd seen that Lauren Layne had started a spin-off series, The Oxford Series, I signed up! I'll gladly take a Cole love story, though my heart is completely taken with Lincoln (up next in Playing for Keeps).


Irresistably Yours delivers such an all-around cute love story. Cole Sharpe has been a freelance sports writer for Oxford Press for quite some time, so when he learns of their hiring of a full-time Sports Editor, he knew the job was all-but his. I mean, it's his gig with all his buddies within Oxford Press- Alex Cassidy, Jake...Lincoln. Not to mention the sexy Stiletto ladies that share the building. What he didn't bank on was the cute little brunette giving him a run for his money vying for HIS job.


Penelope Pope recently moved to the Big Apple for hopes of a new start. Painfully rejected by her latest love interest who ended up taking her job in Chicago, she's ready for a promising career at Oxford Press. But she's got her work cut out for her beating out the renowned Cole Sharpe.





I loved the fact that completely hot and put-together ladies-man Cole cannot take his eyes off the simple, dressed down Penelope Pope. He admits she's everything he DOESN'T typically date yet her chipper personality and ease of banter between them sucks him in...she's just real.


There was something about her that demanded a second look but at the same time, there was nothing about her. She was utterly, completely unremarkable.



Couple his unforeseen attraction to her with the fact she's a sports fanatic like no other. She actually got more into a baseball game than he did. This is a professional match made in heaven. Because it could be no more. They were colleagues...he'd go as far as friends but nothing more. He has priorities in his life and a steady girlfriend is not one.


I loved the way the author made a heroine so completely real. She wasn't ashamed to go without makeup or eat a mammoth hot dog at Yankee Stadium. She was true to herself. Yet Cole, with all his good looks and wit, saw her for the perfect gem that she was. She was intelligent and so funny and Cole Sharpe didn't stand a chance...





Irresistibly Yours had the perfect slow build of romance. None of this insta-love, yet we stood by and watched two physically ill-suited characters find a perfect blend with each other. Their work complimented each other's strengths and weaknesses, their love of all things sports, and an undercurrent of attraction that gradually sizzled until things got a little more physical.


"You should know...I'm not very good at this," she said. You're going to be disappointed.

He smiled and ran a finger over her lower lip. "Don't worry. Because I'm very good at this."


Irresistibly Yours
was an enjoyable friends to lovers romance that packs a fair amount of humor, perfect secondary characters with witty banter, and a fair amount of steam. I deducted a star due to the ending/conflict resolution feeling a bit rushed. But I look forward to the next installment within the Oxford Series....LINCOLN MATHIS.


Irresistibly Yours is a standalone novel and a spin-off of the Sex, Love and Stiletto Series. I highly recommend that first series just because it's awesome- funny, charming, and totally entertaining in every way.





Advanced reader's copy received by Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.





Profile Image for Claire.
2,314 reviews724 followers
October 6, 2015
4 - "You are so out of my league." Stars!

For me reading a book by Lauren Layne is like the sun coming out on a rainy day, because even when I am in my lowest of moods, her story-lines and characters are pretty much are guaranteed to cheer me up. Irresistibly Yours was certainly no slouch in that department, and I absolutely adored Penelope and Cole’s coming together.



This was an easy-going read, about two people going after the same position at Oxford Magazine and ultimately realizing that after spent more and more time together, they have a lot more in common than just their love of sports. Cole has featured in the previous Sex, Love & Stiletto series as ’one of the guys’, so it was good to finally see him get his own story.

There was something appealing about a woman you could be yourself with.

And the author pitched it perfectly, a little drama but not excessive, plenty of sexual tension, sexy times and entertaining monologue. I liked the Penelope wasn’t as polished and buffed as the girls were from the Sex, Love & Stiletto books, it gave the connection between her and Cole a slightly different twist and depth to it.

”I don’t have any illusions about the fact that I’m a friend-zone kind of girl.”

Beautifully written, perfectly developed and just generally excellent, I cannot wait for Jackson to have his story told in Playing for Keeps, due for release in February 2016, but the one I am really hanging out for is Someone Like You, due in May 2016, this is Lincoln’s story, and to say I am more than a little intrigued by this guy would be an understatement.

”Resistance is futile.”

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Profile Image for ~♡AB♡~.
974 reviews687 followers
October 6, 2015
★★★ 3 Stars ★★★

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Cole Sharpe is a freelance sports editor for Oxford Magazine, who is hoping to become a permanent member of the team when it is decided that the sports section will expand. He thinks he has it in the bag, but soon gets a shock when he realises that he has to compete against another person, but not only that but she's a woman!

Penelope Pope is new in town, having moved to NYC form Chicago when she realised that she was in unrequited love. She is a tomboy and loves sports and is determined to start a new life. She knows that Cole is good at his job and has been a regular at the magazine for a long time, but she's determined to get the job.

Here-forth starts a rivalry that escalates into something neither of them were expecting. Penelope has self delegated herself into the eternal friend zone, and Cole finds himself attracted to a woman who is the complete opposite of his usual type.

I enjoyed reading this book, as I always do with Lauren Laynes' books. It was a light fun read, low on the angst and drama, sweet and sexy with likeable characters.

This is book 1 in a series of stand-alones, told in dual POV.

ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Profile Image for Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog.
1,260 reviews10.1k followers
December 30, 2018
*****4.5 STARS*****
{Netgalley ARC}




I have been reading Lauren Layne’s books for several years now and I’ll admit that not every one of her books has been a winner, but I’d say that nearly 90% of the time her books just do it for me! I’m a romantic comedy girl at heart. That genre will always be my top favorite and the ”Oxford Series” is one of Lauren Layne’s best!



I can’t believe it took me so long to get to this book!! The very first in the series and somehow, I managed to keep putting this one off till later. This was a sexy and heartfelt office romance that had a loveable Hero and Heroine with loads of chemistry, and enough angst to put a reader through sweet torture!



If you love romcoms that are set in NYC with charismatic Heroes who look downright lethal in a suit and tie, then this is a series you will want to add to your TBRs!



Here are my overall ratings:

Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 4
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5


IRRESISTIBLY YOURS is currently available.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VhDaWy




Profile Image for Pearl Angeli.
629 reviews1,001 followers
July 8, 2016
"I'm yours, Penelope. If you want me. Irresistibly yours."


This book was a fun and adorable read. Light, full of humor, and definitely HOT. This book will appeal to everyone who wants to read something entertaining and with a non-heavy drama.

Irresistibly Yours is very refreshing for me because it's all about two sports writers namely Cole Sharpe and Penelope Pope who are both aiming to get the title of Senior Sports Editor at Oxford men's magazine. They started off as strangers who eventually stepped up into the flirting zone. The moment Cole discovered that Penelope was his competition, he tried to resist his attraction towards her but failed eventually. When they worked together, the sexual tension between became more and more intense, to the point that there was no way out.

What I love about this book was the instant chemistry between the main characters. Cole Sharpe, with his smart personality and easy-going, irresitible charm, is a man of every girl's fantasies. He's determined to get the job because of his responsibility to his brother Bobby who has a Down's Syndrome. Penelope, on the other hand, is a witty and very likeable character. She's petite, a tomboy, and an absolute smart-ass. The two characters have differences but they're alike when it comes to their passion to sports.

I love how their relationship progressed from being strangers, to friends, to being lovers and how the romance bloomed between them. What made this book kind of a let-down was the last remaining chapters. It went a bit downhill when Cole became a jerk to Penelope. I was really shocked with the sudden change of attitude. In the end though, I was glad his character was put back into place.

There were also some parts that fell unrealistic-- like how every employee in the Oxford workplace appeared to be beautiful and perfect. I also could not relate to them. I understand that Alex Cassidy, Jake, Mictchell, and the Stiletto girls were main characters from Lauren Layne's previous series (which I haven't read yet) Sex, Love, & Stiletto, but still, I found myself a bit lost. Guess I should've read the said series first before delving into this...

Anyhow, the book is still surprsingly pleasing. This is my first Lauren Layne read and I must say that she has a great writing style, one that absolutely makes the book really entertaining and unputdownable.

Rating:

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(I receieved an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

My book review is also posted on my blog: https://bibliopearl.wordpress.com/201...

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Profile Image for Arena♡.
404 reviews712 followers
July 29, 2021
yall i am officially on a Lauren Layne spree and damnnn

books with << no cheating, a respectful guy, a heroine with a backbone and a hea?? >> yea i don't need to be told twice


p l o t
↳ Cole Sharpe and Penelope Poe are gunning for the same position at Oxford as a sports writer. the only problem? there is only one spot, and they both want it but with the irresistible pull between them, things are about to get a lot more hotter. Cole was sure he'd get the position but with his opponent being the brainiac and irresistible Penelope? maybe not.


so i enjoyed this one a lot. maybe not as much as Walk fo Shame but hey, im not complaining.

"Ah, the cute brunette who’s gunning for your job."
"Not my job yet," Cole grumbled. “Unless you two know something…."
Lincoln held up his hands. "Dude, believe me, I’ve tried. Cassidy’s tight-lipped on this one."
"Tight-lipped about what?"
Cole didn’t even have to turn around to know that Cassidy was standing in the doorway.
"Is this what you guys do all day?" Cole asked the group. "Just loom around other people’s office doorways and eavesdrop?"


Cole was such a cute angel and i loved how he always respected her wishes and was such a gentlemen. i may have hated him a little when he kissed another girl to make Penelope jealous but hey, no one's perfect.

Penelope hadn't seen the kiss coming. She'd been more focused, on, well...pizza. And baseball


she was more focused on the pizza. than the eye candy sitting on her couch. she didn't care bc pizza was her main concern. i— gasp do i have a girl crush??

He held fast, refusing to move. "The thing is, Tiny….When it comes to you, I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to stop and think about if I want to kiss you. I know. I know every damn day when I see you put on mascara in the reflection of your computer moniter because you forgot to do it at home. I know when we go get coffee together and you can recite every single thing that happened on ESPN the night before. I know when I share my French fries with you at lunch and you eat all of them. I know-"


like i said, he was so, so sweet. Lauren Layne is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and i can't wait to get to the next one!

He tilted his head and kissed her, and then lingered. And tried very hard to ignore the sudden, forbidden thought that he wished every day could be exactly like this one.


// 3.75 stars //
Profile Image for Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️.
820 reviews847 followers
October 2, 2015
4 "Irresistibly Adorable" Stars

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Friends to lovers.......when it's done right it's absolutely wonderful and Lauren Layne does it effortlessly. This is my 3rd LL book and I am a definite fan!!!

This story is written in the cutest way. Like I said, a friends to lovers story. Friends who have so much in common, friends who have a great banter, friends who respect each other and finally friends who are not looking for that someone special!! The flow of the story and the attraction between the characters is one that starts as a simmer and goes to a high boil. It's smooth and perfectly executed. I smiled, I laughed, and I just enjoyed this read very, very much!!!

Cole Sharpe is the man. He's pretty much perfect. He's a great sports writer, he's gorgeous, he's smart and he's sexy. But he's also kind and funny and when he meets a small, brunette with gorgeous big grown eyes, he's intrigued. Penelope Pope is also a sports writer and a darn good one. She's smart, she funny, she's the girl next door and she knows that Cole is a man who would never be attracted to her. These two meet as they start to work together and so goes the story. Sports is their mutual attraction. Their workplace, Oxford magazine, is a fun and endearing place. The secondary character are engaging and meddling. This book was the perfect mix of great chemistry, great workplace and great friendships. I know this book is a spinoff of the Stilleto series and I must say that I definitely want to go read that series now.

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If you like cute friends to lovers stories that are written well, one that leaves a smile on your face and just makes you feel good.....look no further.

ARC given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for [~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ .
501 reviews472 followers
August 27, 2015
5 stars

This book was sooo cute. Love LLs writing. I found Penelope very relatable and her insecurities felt justified. Cole was adorable and his loyalty towards his brother just made my heart melt. I loved how their relationship progressed.

It is exactly what I look for in a feel good book. I was happy with everything that happened in the book except one tiny bit but I'll give Cole the benefit of the doubt otherwise . Looking forward to Lincoln's book!

ARC provided by NetGalley
Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
854 reviews1,140 followers
November 16, 2015
♦ 5 "Tiny" Stars! ♦

ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 photo Irresistibly Yours - Lauren Layne_zpsa3caovqw.png

I still cannot believe this is my first Lauren Layne book. I want to thank her, the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to have and review this fantastic novel (one of my first ARC'S, yaaaaaaay!).

So, let's talk about the book. Irresistibly Yours belongs to the Oxford series, which (I discovered) it's a spin-off of another series of Layne's called Sex, Love & Stiletto (that, of course, I will read right freaking now!). But this novel tells the story of Cole Sharpe (a 'very-hot' freelance sports editor that is competing for the staff position in Oxford magazine) and Penelope Pope (his competitor and a very sweet woman who, by the end, will fall completely in love with Cole: I mean, who wouldn't, right?).

Penelope Pope was real.

What did I love about this book? First, the writing. I normally tend to go for very erotic books or series and this was a very good change for me. Irresistibly Yours has some smokin' hot moments but still is not considered erotica. And Lauren Layne is amazing at that. Her writing is very easy to follow, it's very well written and she gives her readers all types of moments: sweet, sexual-tension filled, hot, dramatic, romantic, etc.

“I will treat you with the respect you deserve at work, and then I will use your sweet body for sex after work, but Penelope Pope, I give you my solemn promise not to fall in love with you.”

Obviously, another aspect that I loved was her characters and their chemistry. Cole and Pen are super cute together and, as you can see, they have this 'promise' that, as you can imagine, will be broken ;) I really enjoyed their moments as friends and as a couple, as well as the moments with all the other characters (who I am so excited to read more about!!!).

“Here’s the thing, Tiny. A few months ago, I made you a promise that I wouldn’t fall in love with you.” [...]
“I’m going to have to break that promise.” [...] “I’ve fallen in love with you, Penelope. Yes, that scares the shit out of me. And yes, it caused me to freak out. But my head’s out of my ass now, and I just, I want... I’m yours, Penelope. If you want me. Irresistibly yours.”


Therefore, my rating for this book is 5 STARS. It was the type of book that I like (it has a little bit of everything) and I really enjoyed Lauren Layne's writing and characters as well. I liked them that much that now I am directly going to read her Sex, Love & Stiletto series (because I want to read the other's stories!). Also, I cannot wait for the next story in this series! So, if you are into contemporary romance and you want a sweet and beautiful story, Irresistibly Yours is perfect for you: highly recommended!!

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Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,010 reviews897 followers
October 1, 2015
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Lauren Layne is the author that can have me cheering for any kind of romance trope. ANY. Really.
It wasn’t so long ago I was talking all about my love for ‘friends-to-lovers’ tropes. Well I guess I like the ‘Just-Friends-Nothing-More’ trope just as much! Anything really, if it’s Lauren Layne style!

Irresistibly Yours was such a funny and light romantic comedy, mixing and switching smoothly between different romance tropes. All happily leading to the best kind of romance, the swooning kind!

We gradually could enjoy the basic rivalry between Penelope Pope and Cole Sharpe and I loved how quickly the author decided to show us Cole and Penelope true colors. The characters were what you see is what you get and I was glad not to fall into some complex mind games.

Cole did not expect to have to fight his way through the newly opened position of Senior Sport Editor for Oxford Magazine. After years of freelancing he thought the job will simply be his. Finally.
But plans never go quite smoothly and that’s with a great stupefaction that he realizes there is a competitor between him and his coveted job.
The female kind. The Horror!



From this moment on I was pretty much sold on the story. A woman fighting her way into a man’s world and expectedly falling for the big bad wolf. SOLD!

Cole Sharpe literally stole my heart! He’s a good guy through and through and though he’s ready to do anything for this job, he just can’t fight dirty. He could be a real ass, he was arrogant and cocky but underneath this alpha attitude he’s just your regular good guy and it was easy to love him. He’s also a natural born charmer and über sexy and I guess it helped!

Freshly arrived from Chicago, Penelope Pope wants a new start and she’s full on intent to get her dream job. Nothing more.
She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, she’s your regular good girl and resident tomboy. She was full of sass, snark and could stand her own job wise, yet, it was another story regarding her self-appreciation. Used to be one of the boys since forever, she developed insecurities, partly due to a bad history with men and the way she thinks she looks. While I thought it was understandable, I found it to be a little too pronounced and got annoyed with it.


When was the last time you've been decently kissed, Penelope?

What started as a rivalry between 2 colleagues quickly becomes a laid-back friendship, both characters reunited over their love for baseball and sports. That is until this great chemistry between them combined to Cole Sharpe’s irresistible charm become insufferable. Sparks fly and office shenanigans ensue.


I could torture you like this forever.

I loved the easygoing and smooth transition between the different stages of their relationship. Lauren Layne crafted a really nice and swooning story here, directing Penelope and Cole through the ‘enemies-to-friends’ stage to the ‘colleagues-to-lovers’ one and finally to the ‘lovers-to-more’, effortlessly.
Those damn eyes of yours. They undo me.

I just kept on reading, a smile plastered on my face, really enjoying their easy banter, the sexual tension, the sexy times and minor angst. I loved it all!

As with all her books, Lauren Layne laid out the foundations to what I’m sure will be another great series and I can’t wait to read Lincoln’ story very, very soon.
Here's the thing, Tiny. A few months ago I made you a promise that I wouldn't fall in love with you.
I'm going to have to break that promise.

If you’re a fan of office antics, sexy times and playful banter then please pick up this one soon. Good feels guaranteed!

Arc offered in exchange for an honest review

More reviews and book talk at :

Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,415 reviews85 followers
October 27, 2015
***4 "You know the game" stars from me***



Well, that was a very good, funny and sexy story...
It was an easy-going reading without too much drama and too many unuseful details...
It was a sweet, loving story about love, friendship, a dream job and... sports!!!
I had a great and carefree time while i was reading this book.


Well, first of all, i have to admit that i have never read the Stilettos series and all of their protagonists parade from this book, but there wasn't any problem to get into the story. Cole was friend with all of them and he had made an appearance on those series as i understood, but "this" book is a new chapter to his story...
Cole was working as a sport journalist and he just found out that Oxford magazine is about to extend his sports section and it was going to need a new sports editor...
The job was his. He needed it. But there was a small problem...
There was competition... and that compretition came with the tiny form of Penelope Pope.


Penelope had her own problems who forced her to got out of Chicago and to move in New York. She lose her dream job from an important person for her and she lost the possibillity to be with the man that she loved.

Now, she is in New York city and she is fighting for a chance to work for the popular men's magazine "Oxford" but Cole is getting on the way of her dream job...

Penelope was a really interesting character. She wasn't like the women that we used to know.

She wasn't caring about appearances so much. She was an authentic person with tiny frame and no curves on the wright places at all. She was a tomboy and she was acting like one of that. She was passionate with stats and sports. She was enjoying to eat hot dogs and drinking beer while she was watching a sports game in TV than to go for shopping.

She was a sweet and kind person. She was authentic and she didn't hide anything.
What you saw, it was what you were getting and i think that was the thing that earn Cole...
But she was so unaware for her beauty and she was not confident at all and that made me angry from time to time...

Cole used to be a womanizer and he didn't want to commit his life with a woman. He was just having fun. He was having pretty great friends and he was loving sports like a madman. His job was his greatest love since it envolved sports inside.
Penelope (or Tiny as he was calling her) was standing in his way but as much as he was trying to hate her, he just couldn't. He was fascinated by her and from her unusual ways.
He was feeling carefree and real around her... He was drown so badly toward her...


But Penelope got clear that she didn't want any kind of relationship...
So they are making an arrangement and they swear that they will never fall in love for each other...
They even put some rules that they both have to follow...

But life had other plans for them...
Will they manage to escape from fate??? Will they remain strict to the rules????
And when the feelings will take roots inside of them, they will manage to vanished them or they will get them big problems???



I really liked both Cole and Penelope. With their own way, they were unique and very loveable...
I liked the way they came closer and how easy was for them to be together...

I liked all the rest of the crue... They were all of them great...
I can not wait for the second book of Oxford series!!!

***ARC kindly provided for the exchange of an honest review***
November 24, 2015

Cole frowned, his eyes moving around the room until they met Penelope’s. He lifted an eyebrow as though to ask Do you know what’s going on here?
Julie leaned toward Penelope with a knowing look on her face.
“Betcha Cole’s kisses are better than nice,” she said quietly.
“I wouldn’t know,” Penelope responded.
“Oh, but you will,” Julie said confidently, as she sat back and sipped her wine. “You will.”


What a fool I am. A total moron. A real Magoo. It’s no surprise to anyone, apparently only me, that I loved yet another LL. Oh, hey, let’s play a game. I know for a fact that, even while I am trying to keep this review short and simple since I wrote a long, gushing review last week for her amazing Steal Me book, that I am going to be saying my favorite author’s name, like, fifty times. So, I propose that I should exchange her name for a different word. That way, for those people who consistently read my reviews, no one will have to damage their eye sockets as they roll their eyes repeatedly at the constant mention of LL’s name. Sooooo…..what word should I use?? Hmm. I think I’ll go with puppy. I don’t know why. *cough I totally know why *cough. Dogs sitting next to me *cough Phew. Had something in my throat. Anywaaaaaaay…my point?? As if this wasn’t yet another win:

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Shocker.


"Ah, the cute brunette who’s gunning for your job.”
“Not my job yet,” Cole grumbled. “Unless you two know something….”
Lincoln held up his hands. “Dude, believe me, I’ve tried. Cassidy’s tight-lipped on this one.”
“Tight-lipped about what?”
Cole didn’t even have to turn around to know that Cassidy was standing in the doorway.
“Is this what you guys do all day?” Cole asked the group. “Just loom around other people’s office doorways and eavesdrop?”



I think my biggest fear with these stories is the continuance of character worlds. I know. Weird. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t continue series if they aren’t about the same person/couple. I can’t commit to that type of relationship, if you will. I’m like… *light bulb goes off I’m just like Cole!! I don’t ‘do’ commitment for series that change hands every book. But, for whatever reason, my girl, puppy, gets me. The stories puppy writes are out of this world addicting, even if we’ve seen such stories done before. And, as I’ve mentioned in many of my past reviews concerning puppy books, even if it’s the most cliché storyline, she manages to make it…not…cliché. Oh shut up-like you’re all wordsmiths.


"Thanks for the kiss,” Penelope called playfully after Lincoln. “I think head-holding is definitely-"
She broke off when she saw Alex Cassidy standing in the doorway. His expression gave away nothing, but there was no way he hadn’t heard her loudly thanking her colleague for a kiss.
Penelope felt a blush rise to her cheek as their boss looked around at the four of them.
“We were, ah, doing some research,” Lincoln said, scooting by Cassidy.
Jake followed Lincoln, holding up his left hand innocently as he did so. “Didn’t touch her. I’m married.”
Cassidy narrowed his eyes at the two men before shifting his attention back to Penelope, then to Cole.
Then he merely rolled his eyes and walked away.


-okay, can you tell I’m obsessed with Cassidy? Lmao Because I so am.


And, just for clarity’s sake, I will say this again, because obviously not everyone will read all of my reviews or even remember what I said: Even if you are in the mood to be in one of her other worlds, or are obsessed with a certain hero in a previous work (hey…that’s totes me at all times) of hers, she makes you straight up forget. Or, rather, she makes you not care. And I won’t elaborate further, just know that even if you doubt her…don’t. Just….don’t. She-who-will-not-be-named is amazing. And I am always in awe of her.


Cassidy sighed. “Would you just sit down so we can do this damn interview?”
Cole eyed the door. “Do we have to do it now? You seem like you’re in a shitty mood."
“Of course I’m in a shitty mood,” Cassidy said, running a hand through his hair. “You just interrupted that woman’s interview. She could sue us.”
“Please,” Cole said with a scoff. “She wanted to go to coffee with me.”
“Only because she doesn’t know you,” Cassidy muttered.
“Yup, you’re definitely in a shitty mood. Maybe we should reschedule-"
“Sit,” Cassidy commanded.



Now, Cole is not a character I ever gave much thought to. Sure, he always made me laugh, and he was always a great friend, but I always had trouble imagining him with his own book. Yeah…I know. I’m weird like that. *sighs But, anyway, my point is: I wasn’t that….optimistic about what would come from this book. But, alas, puppy took my doubts and turned them to dust. As she usually does. Not only did I fall in love with Cole, laugh with Cole, swoon for Cole, bite my damn lip for Cole….he became one of my absolute favorite puppy male leads.


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He held fast, refusing to move. “The thing is, Tiny….When it comes to you, I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to stop and think about if I want to kiss you. I know. I know every damn day when I see you put on mascara in the reflection of your computer moniter because you forgot to do it at home. I know when we go get coffee together and you can recite every single thing that happened on ESPN the night before. I know when I share my French fries with you at lunch and you eat all of them. I know-"



And, more than that, he fit so seamlessly into the Stiletto/Oxford world with those characters that I couldn’t have imagined him without a story intertwined with all my past favorites: Alex Cassidy, Mitchell, Jake, Sam, Julie, Grace, Emma, and Riley. See? I didn’t even falter. Those names??? Engrained in my mind 4-eva. This series is dear to me, so seeing a spin-off makes me…queasy, to say the least. But like usual, I’m eating crow and adding yet another puppy favorite to my list. It’s getting sickening. Really. All these feathers in my teeth are starting to make me gag.


He tilted his head and kissed her, and then lingered. And tried very hard to ignore the sudden, forbidden thought that he wished every day could be exactly like this one.


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Penelope, while adorable and actually pretty relatable, wasn’t my favorite heroine. She had serious self-image issues and would degrade herself in front of people repeatedly.

"You are so out of my league,” she said, scraping her nails over his bare chest.
His eyes slitted. “Not from where I’m sitting,” he said, his voice husky.


I can’t say it bothered me that much, but I have to say this so that my friends who might (will) find this annoying (you know who you are) can avoid this or start it with eyes wide open. In fact, I actually find that I’ve always been that way. So, to me, this was relatable. But that doesn’t necessarily make that a good thing-I remember the looks on people’s faces as I would down myself openly or when I would downplay a compliment they paid me. It’s not cute, but I still can’t find it in myself to be annoyed by Penelope in this manner-it’s just too like myself to bash. She was sweet, innocent, cute, quirky, and utterly kind at all times…and I found it truly refreshing. This is what I’m talking about, though: Each character puppy creates is individual and so different than the last and I never once find myself saying, ‘Hasn’t she written this character before?’ And believe me, I’ve read all her works.

"But I am in an extra good mood,” she was saying. “Edgar’s alive.”
“Come again?” he said, following her into the living room where the TV blared the Boston/Toronto game. The Yankees were away, on the West Coast, so their game wouldn’t be on for another hour.
“Edgar,” she said, gesturing at the fishbowl. “My fish. I thought he was dead, because he didn’t eat his breakfast, and was just sort of floating there, but maybe he was only resting, because now he’s moving again.”
Penelope was staring down at the fish with an adoring look on her face, and Cole could have sworn that his heart squeezed.
So much damn affection for a fish.



Cole and Penelope were absolutely adorable together, creating a fun banter that had me giggling on every other page, begging for them to just figure it out already. Their friendship and work companionship was compelling and engaging, making the fact that they weren’t together all the harder to bear. And I LOVED that they were both sports nuts…that’s something you don’t get to see that often. And, even more importantly, I loved his nickname for her-‘Tiny’. I mean….come on. How cute. My husband always called me that, and it brought back so many warm and cherished memories. So…yeah. LOVED that.


Whether it was because he sensed the death glare from Cole or because of ingrained manners, Todd left Penelope’s side to shake Cole’s hand.
Cole might have shaken it harder than necessary. It was a clichéd move. Totally pathetic.
And absolutely unavoidable.
Cole did not like this man. He’d just now decided. Didn’t like his reddish hair. Didn’t like the preppy glasses. And his tie was the color of shit.
Penelope wouldn’t really date a man wearing a shit tie.
Would she?



So…all in all, I would say this is a story that, again, suited my mood. I need light, fun, and flirty. I need angst, jealousy, and longing. Not once is there ever a lack of any of these things when reading a puppy novel. In fact…I’d say that’s why she’s my favorite. I know, without a doubt, that whenever I pick up a Lauren Layne book (whoops) that I will find all of these things paired with easy banter, light-hearted friendship, and meaningful relationships. And, to me, that’s worth everything.

*Sorry if this was repetitive. Hubbs was watching a show that involved the killing of animals and I was in a humming frenzy trying to not ‘hear’ the dialogue about murdering innocent (okay, maybe not, I don’t know, I was humming) animals. I refuse to name the type of animal-the wound is still too fresh.


**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**


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Another book from Lauren Layne????

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And I got the ARC!!!

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Victory screeech!


I can't wait.


Profile Image for Sandy ღCoffee Addict Booksღ.
229 reviews256 followers
October 13, 2015
***3.5 stars***
description

This woman writes some majorly hilarious sassy books but of all, Stiletto series is my all-time favorite Lauren books, what can I say they were one of the best chick flick books I’ve read till date! It was a complete package of entertainment with swoon-worthy characters, snarky dialogues, loads of bickering and heart fluttering moments. I was more than happy when I heard she’s going to write spin off for this series and with that, we get to see the “stiletto-oxford gang” again!!!!

Cole Sharpe-the incredibly charming freelance sportswriter for Oxford magazine loves two things most in the world- baseball and women, well more partial towards the former. But during one of the baseball game he couldn’t take his eyes off this tiny brunette who kept scribbling in her notebook all the while during the game. Curious as to why any woman would be so engrossed in a game that she practically keeps the record of it, plus she’s eating a hotdog?!, that single reason was enough for him to go talk to her and more he spoke to her, more appealing he finds her. While he is completely taken by her unique persona soon this spell breaks when he learns that this baseball-hotdog-beer loving petite brunette is the sole competition for his dream job of senior sports editor at Oxford.

Penelope Pope is what you call a girl next door, she is smart, funny, a tomboy who prefers tennis shoes over heels, ratty oversized tee over glamorous dress and her love for sports is what brought her to New York. She might have gone all gooey inside when Cole approached her but she needs this job as much as he does.

But what happens when these two rivals have to share their dream job? As they work together day in day out they realise how much easy it is to be in each other’s company, no pretence no awkwardness, just a great time with a fellow sports lover. Both are very much attracted to each other but falling in love in not on agenda when they carry tons of baggage of their own.

What I liked about this book was the heroine, not a sexy fashion elite like Lauren’s Stiletto girls but a plain, determined, tomboyish feisty sports lover. Her character was relatable in so many aspects, she was insecure when it comes to her looks yet very passionate about her work. I liked the dynamo between Cole and Penelope, their banters and bickering was so much fun to read. While I enjoyed this book, it failed to ignite the spark between the MC’s towards the end. In every book Lauren adds these magic moments when she reunites her leading characters but this one was just Meh!

If you can overlook that part, Irresistibly Yours is full of laugh out moments and add to it the naughtiness of office sex! Trust me, you cannot resist them *winks*
Now where should I sign up for Lincoln Mathis?? Anyone...??!!

Arc kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley, for an honest review.


Profile Image for Jen.
727 reviews140 followers
August 25, 2015
4.5 Tiny Stars



Personally, I love all of Lauren Layne's books that I've read. Unfortunately for me I have not read the Stiletto series yet, but I will correct that soon. With that being said, I don't feel that I was missing out on anything major while reading this book.

The story starts out with Cole Sharpe sitting at a baseball game. He went to watch the game, but he's also there to spy too. He was told that his competition for the new senior sports editor position at Oxford would also be at the game. However, a tiny brunette who seems to be encompassed with the game is stealing all of his attention.

Before he knows he's moved, Cole is sitting next to her and has turned on the charm. To his dismay, she's not fazed by him and would rather watch the game. Baffled, Cole is interrupted by Alex Cassidy, the editor in chief at Oxford, who breaks the news that the tiny brunette sitting next to him, Penelope Pope, is his competition. And then things get interesting.

See, Cole has been working freelance for Oxford for the last few years. Recently the company decided to expand their sports division and they have an opening for a senior sports editor. Cole needs the stability that this job would offer because he is taking care of his brother too. He's also a charmer and can usually charm his way into or out of most situations. However, charm is not going to win him this job, especially not with Penelope gunning for it too.



Penelope Pope has just moved to New York City from Chicago. She may be tiny, but she grew up as more of a tomboy, loving all things sports, so it makes sense that she would want the new sports writer position at Oxford. Penelope can spout out statistics better than most men. She did notice Cole's good looks and charm that day at the game, but feels she's not anywhere in his league, so she befriends him instead.

"I don't have any illusions about the fact that I'm a friend-zone kind of girl, and I'm okay with that. Plus, lucky for you, I'm a darn good friend."


They both are hired for the job as co-editors and quickly become BFFs. It only makes sense since they are together a lot and love the same things. As much as they try to keep their relationship strictly friends, the attraction between them cannot be denied. When they decide to act on their attraction they have one rule...Promise to never fall in love with each other. The question is can they keep that promise?



This story was so sweet. It was funny and sexy and irresistible. The writing just flowed and kept me engrossed wanting to know more. I love how Penelope fit right in, not only with the boys, but with the Stiletto girls too. And of course I loved Lincoln too. Who didn't? I can't wait to read his story. I'm so curious as to what type of girl will catch him and make him a one woman man. I'm sure, if there are others out there like me, they will be catching up on the Stiletto series right away.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jo ★The Book Sloth★.
485 reviews441 followers
August 18, 2015
4 A Girl Who Loves Sports Stars

Requesting an ARC by LL is usually a safe bet and this time it once again paid off. This first book in the Stiletto spin-off series was just as good as its predecessor. It was sweet and funny and fast-paced and not at all original but still completely entertaining.



You would think that after so many book of LL and generally contemporary romance that follow the same pattern, the whole "only sex-no feelings" thing (that really never works out) would have gotten old. But nope. It is just as much fun now as it was 50 books ago.

Still, I did have a couple of issues with Penelope. She was such a sweet girl. She was funny and kind, with no pretense at all and not a single mean bone in her body. She should have been everything I like in my heroines , but for one detail that reduced her awesomeness. I hated the way she put down herself just because she was a tomboy with no bra size to speak of. I can understand believing you're not anyone's wet dream, but believing that no one could be into you because you enjoy sports more than make up and you don't have an ass that makes angels cry is a taking it a bit too far. Still, I did like her confidence in her professional skills. I like a girl that doesn't hesitate to play in a men's world.



Cole on the other hand was typical male awesomeness. He was a player but not really a jerk about it, he was the "always having fun" guy with the hidden depths and truths, and of course the one who had to actually back off when things got rough even though Penelope was the skitish one. He was generally a good character. I liked how responsible he was with Bobby.

All in all I did like the story. I liked Penelope's determination to work in Oxford, I liked how LL didn't take the hate-each-other's-guts road with this book, I liked the romance and how they had more in common that the sexual tension and I mostly liked the little stuff, how they watched sports together, how they ate pizza, how they remembered what the other enjoyed eating. It helped in making the relationship believable. I lso liked seeing my old friends from Stiletto and their significant others. But the person I loved most in this book was Bobby. It was really inevitable, he was such a sweetheart.



Looking forward to Lincoln's book. I can just see the angst coming with that one.

Profile Image for Dali.
1,924 reviews546 followers
January 11, 2016
An unputdownable, irresistibly charming, sweet and sassylicious romance. A heartfelt story I ate up while it gave me smile after smile.

For years Cole Sharpe had been happy as a contractor for Oxford men’s magazine. But a stable position as sports editor would help a long way in taking care and supporting his brother. He thought he had the job in the bag, but as it turns out he has stiff competition of the female variety. He should be keeping his eye on the prize and usually a tomboyesk woman wouldn’t distract him, but Penelope has totally taken him by surprise. Can he keep his relationship with the sassy Penelope strictly professional?
“He finally figured out what made her so damn arresting. Penelope Pope was real.”

Penelope Pope knows she’s an excellent sports writer, she can spout statistics and hang with the guys. She’s like one of the boys, but female. When it comes to love though, she’d rather put all men in the friend zone than have her heart broken again. And even though she’s sure Cole is way out of her league and he only sees her as an obstacle between him and the editor position, she’s having trouble resisting his flirty charm. Will she risk her heart on a man who promised never to fall in love with her?
“You don’t have to worry that I’ll get the wrong idea about what this is because I won’t. But in return, you have to promise not to flirt.”

I get giddy every time I see a new Lauren Layne book coming out. She has mastered the art of balancing humor, emotion and angst and I know I’ll love whatever I read when I open a book with her name on it. Her writing flows effortlessly and the sass, chemistry and romance between Cole and Penelope had me smiling and turning page after page well into the wee hours of the night.
“How was it that everything was so simple with her? Even with this push-pull thing they had going on, the sometimes kissing, sometimes arguing, sometimes platonic mess they had on their hands.

I had fallen for Cole long before when I met him in the Sex, Love and Stiletto series and wanted to get to know more of this magnetic, charming and sexy man with hidden vulnerability. It was endearing to see how this very confident man was constantly left baffled by the Tiny, perky baseball fan.
“Kiss me back,” he said against her mouth. “Kiss me back, Penelope. Please.” It was the desperation in his voice that did her in.

Penelope had hoped to get the guy she thought she loved and a job she had been working hard to get but all she got was disappointment. So she decided to uproot herself and move from Chicago to New York for a change in scenery and to fight for an even better job. She never expected to feel such an attraction and connection when she came face to face with her competition.
“We Chicagoens are a bit more openly friendly than you New Yorkers.”
“I’m friendly,”
he countered.
Tiny Brunette laughed. “No. You’re just incredibly charming and a smidgen good-looking.”

I liked Penelope instantly. She’s feisty, speaks her mind, she’s sweet and completely genuine. It was lovely to watch her confidence grow.

When Oxford decides to hire them both as co-editors, keeping well defined boundaries becomes impossible. They have so much in common, their relationship as co-workers and friends is incredibly easy and the sexual tension is almost palpable and impossible to ignore. So they reach an agreement to not fall in love with each other and to be lovers only during the weekends. As they spend more time together their hearts decidedly ignore their arrangement and lines get blurred and messy.

I loved watching them fall for one another. Their romance is a perfect match between two people who love sports. And as it happens, I wasn’t the only one that wanted them together. The entire gang from Sex, Love and Stiletto gang are back, and both the guys and the girls put their matchmaking hats on, getting crafty and helping along team Cole+Penelope. I just loved having that girl time, but what was even better was spending time in the boys club with the Oxford men.
“Regardless,” Emma said, “we don’t need a dozen guys to get your mind off this Evan.”
“Nope, just one will do,”
Julie said.

I’ve said this before, Lauren Lane has become a fixture in my book collection with the perfect blend between steamy playfulness, sweet affection and romance. I loved the hero and heroine, their story and back and forth. This is a brilliant launch for her new series and I can’t wait for more.
“The thing is, Tiny… When it comes to you, I don’t have to decide. I don’t have to stop and think about if I want to kiss you. I know.”

Irresistibly Yours is the first book in the Oxford series by Lauren Lane. It is a spin-off of her Sex, Love & Stiletto series. It is a standalone, full-length, contemporary romance filled with light sweet, tender moments, lots of fun and sexy times. Told from both points of view, with a happy ending.

Genre: Contemporary Romance.

Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1W0OwIc

* I was graciously given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *

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Profile Image for Jeanne .
306 reviews
December 1, 2015

4.5 stars!


Loved it! Lauren Layne is a classy romance author who never disappoints! Great dialogue and characters...can't wait for the next one.




Thanks for the br, Ami!!


*arc provided by NG

Profile Image for hala.
175 reviews
January 25, 2022
✩ 2.5 stars.

’Cole gave in to temptation then. Forgot about the whole kissing-in-hats-is-awkward thing. He tilted his head and kissed her, and then lingered. And tried very hard to ignore the sudden, forbidden thought that he wished every day could be exactly like this one.’


going through a lauren layne phase. it’s fun. <3
Profile Image for ~Stéphanie's Journal~.
620 reviews360 followers
October 5, 2015
description

OMG this book was a pure delight! I loved every minute of it!!

Lauren's writing is always easy to read. I've only read 3 books from her but I'm always having a good time.
Penelope and Cole story made me laugh, swoon and fall in love at the same time.

description

Penelope Pope is what I could call an average kind of girl. She is not beautiful but she has a girl next door look that made me connect with her right away. She is a tomboy and in some ways she reminds me of mysef. She doesn't like heels, she feels more comfortable in jeans and what seal the deal was that quote:

"They’re onion rings, not flowers.”
“I don’t like flowers.”
“What do you mean, you don’t like flowers?”
“I mean, I like flowers. But I don’t like to receive them."


description

Now let's talk about Cole Sharpe. I met the guy in the trouble with Love and my interest was picked. Both him and his friend Lincoln were man who swore themselves off relationship. So when Cole was the first to be tamed, I was all in.

Seriously, what's a better story than one with a man falling in love for the first time?

description

Cole has everything for him, the good looks, the charm that goes with it and a job as a sport freelancer.
But what he wants the most now is something getting a steady job. When his friend and boss, Alex Cassidy inform him that the Oxford magazine (the one is already work for) is looking for a sport editor, Cole knows the job is made for him.
He is less thrilled when he learns that he has competition. And he is completely baffled when he learns that it's a woman... even worse when he understand that it's one he just set his eyes on

"For the first time in his life, he was seeing a woman who was more absorbed with a baseball game than he was."

Cole easygoing demeanor and Penelope self-doubting attitude match so well. The evolution of their relation was a total pleasure.

Penelope might not have the confidence most women have but to me she felt more real. She is not a weak girl, she is smart and she has a lot of wit.
What picks Cole interest is how natural she can be. He can spend hours with her and never get bored.

As the pages turned, Cole can only realised that although he doesn't want a relationship, he likes to spend time with Penelope.
As for her, she had already her heart broken making assumptions where apparently there was nothing more than friendship. She is , then, not willing to let that happen again.

Lauren Layne makes me completely swoon with her story. I loved both characters and this book is also a perfect get together with previous character from her Sex, Love and Stiletto series

Now I can't wait to read Lincoln's story which I sense might be more sensitive and emotional...

ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review

description
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Profile Image for Jayme.
430 reviews465 followers
January 14, 2016
It would seem that this book has everything that attracts me. Very cool background story and an amazing group of friends, but well, that's all.

“Those damn eyes of yours,” he said roughly. “They undo me.”


About the plot: Cole Sharpe and Penelope Pope meet at baseball game. She draws his attention, not because of her beauty, which is not unusual, but the fascination with which she watches the game and what writes in her notebook. Then it turns out that they both compete for the same position sport editor in the Oxford magazine. The work they both desperately need.

The competition between them very soon becomes impossible. They have the same interests, a certain attraction to each other and loneliness. Luckily thing about work also resolved positively for both of them, so they quickly become friends. She immediately puts the wall and the status of the friends zone between them. And although he has no need to change it, their friends push them towards and things become more complicated, of course.

Final thoughts: It was my first book Mrs. Lauren Layne, and although this was not exactly the best for me, I really appreciate the way the author's writing and with great pleasure and curiosity reached for her next book. Because that's what this book especially done to me, it attracted my interest. And in some sense also is the reason for my lower ranking. Ironically? It because a great group of friends who has a story already described in Sex, Love & Stiletto series, and I had been strongly encouraged to read it. They and Lincoln Mathis (hero of the third book in the Oxford series) stole the show.

In addition, very rapid ending, there should be more. And even though I probably get more of this couple in the following books, things resolved too easily. What worries me more is weak moments of hot scenes. We have here really one and a half scenes that ignited the senses. A bit too little, and this meant that their relationship was more friendly than romantic. Though I love how he spoke to her Tiny, their inability to get along and be together, together and insecurity drove me crazy and this irritated me to the end.

But like I said. First of all, I am curious for something more and certainly reach for another book. This is definitely a book that the fans of the previous series should appreciate, because there are a lot here and these are the best moments. With not a small loss for the main characters, unfortunately.

***Quick Review:***

Series: The first in the Oxford series. Spin-off of the Stiletto series.
Grade/Tag Tabs: New Adult, Contemporary Romance.
Release Date: October 6th, 2015.
Main characters: Cole Sharpe and Penelope Pope.
Secondary characters: A lot of the characters from the previous series. They were great. Also, several new encouraged to read more.
Steamy:
Sensitive topic:
Love triangle:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:

Next in the series? Yes. I Wish You Were Mine, February 2, 2016, it's Jackson Burke story, and his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine.

For who I would recommend? For fans of the Stiletto series that's for sure.

***

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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