Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne - Book Tour, Book Review, Giveaway

ISN’T SHE LOVELY

Flirt New Adult Romance

 Lauren Layne

On sale: October 28, 2013

The rules are clear—until they’re broken. Lauren Layne puts a New Adult spin on Pygmalion, also the inspiration for Pretty Woman, and gives the classic love story its edgiest twist yet.

“Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?”

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

MY REVIEW -

If there is more mismatch couple than Stephanie Kendrick and Ethan Price.
  

Stephanie Kendrick would never go home – even if it means staying at her cheating ex-boyfriend’s apartment and put up with the agonizing sounds coming from his bedroom with the girl he cheated on her – it’s not paradise, but at least she has a place to sleep. Instead of coming home, she took a summer class on screenwriting with Hollywood’s best, but never expected to be paired with a preppy, spoiled, rich frat boy.
  

Goth girls were never Ethan Price’s type, but there’s something about Stephanie that draws him to her. Never mind the dark-make ups, combat boots, piercings and cargo pants. He wanted to spend time anywhere but interning at his father’s office. Infidelity was overwhelming him. Catching people close to him doing stuffs they shouldn’t do is just devastating for him. He thought he had the perfect family and the perfect relationship – oh boy, he was so wrong.
  

Not to mention, his mother is working overtime for a reunion between him and his cheating ex-girlfriend. So he did what a desperate rich guy would not normally do – ask the Goth-girl to be his girlfriend, offer a house to stay, pay for a make-over, buy new clothes, and an instant screenplay. What he doesn’t know is that she used to be one of those over-achiever normal girls, but things from the past (things she wouldn’t talk about) had made her an angry, isolated and sad person.
  

You will grow to love both characters as the story goes. They have been through a lot of pains and betrayals and have adapted differently to the circumstances. I understand why Stephanie didn’t want to come home – and where her hurt was coming from. It may have taken a broken heart for her to go home, but her homecoming was one of my favorite scenes in this book.
  

The more he knew her, the closer they get, the more kissed they shared – the more he like her. Sometimes their pretend game felt real rather than a charade. Kissing was no longer for the benefit of an audience, but a call of passion. Conflicts arise as reality sets in. Doubt begins to swarm: DID ETHAN FALL IN LOVE WITH THE GOTH OR THE BARBIE? Will she ever fit into his world? Will their attraction be enough?
  

I had fun reading this! A classic plot with a twist, interesting characters, witty banters, unforeseen turns, and great ending! I laughed, swooned, fell in love and well, broke my heart for both characters. 

RATING:

*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.

AUTHOR BIO -

Lauren Layne graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in political science that she has yet to put to good use. After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Layne moved to New York City, where she now writes full-time. She lives with her husband and their plus-size pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.

Connect with Lauren: Facebook | Twitter | Website

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