Oooo I loved this first book in a brand new series. Political romance? Sign me up! I love how this one was the perfect blend of romance and character development.  I really felt like we understood the two leads and why they were hesitant to jump right into a relationship. I can't wait for book 2's baseball lead! Hoping we get some cameos from book 1.

This book read ass standalone, Lauren Layne's latest novel, Yours in Scandal. It was refreshingly unpredictable in a lot of ways, especially towards the end. Robert, good doer politician, falls hard for his corrupt opponent's daughter. It's a fun and entertaining read that touches the reality of politics and scandals well, giving readers a taster of both the good and bad.

Robert Davenport is the youngest man to be the Major of New York and not only that he’s also just been voted man of the year in a popular magazine which basically makes him America’s most eligible bachelor. Now, he’s decided to make his next move and become the governor. He needs a plan to win and the only way to do that is to get some dirt on the undefeated governor. Roberts team search and discover that the governors wild child daughter who disappeared from the face of the earth has changed her name and is now an event planner in New York. When Adeline is approached by Robert to plan his party she knows she shouldn’t get involved given her fathers position but who is she to turn down an offer to plan a party for the major. Planning the party wouldn’t have been an issue until she finds herself falling for the mayor.

Overall I liked this book, though for me it’s falls into the category of I liked it and I’m glad I read it but I probably wouldn’t read it again. It was a slow build romance which actually worked really very well in this story. I liked the characters both Robert and Adeline – though I wasn’t completely on board with Adelines level of forgiveness!

I like the storyline. I do think it’s quite interesting that Robert initial hires Adeline for his own personal gain but then ends up falling for her and not exploiting her. You see where his loyalties lie and I think that makes you really like him as a character. Adeline on the other hand is so fixated on the fact that Robert will find out who she really is that she leaves herself quite closed off at times. She seems to be having an identity crisis about the person she is today and erasing every part of her old life. Though once you are given her backstory you can completely understand why she does this. I am intrigued about if this story will get a sequel as it is perfectly laid out for a book two.

Overall this is a cute, quite, but rather predictable romantic read. I did enjoy reading this book and I am very glad I did but as mentioned earlier it isn’t a novel you can pick up to read time and time again. If you’re looking for something that’s a good story that you want to read quite quickly but you know you’ll enjoy then this is the book for you! This book is released in March 2020 so it’s perfect to pick up to keep to one side ready for your holiday reading!

4 Timely Stars
Lauren Layne does not disappoint with this stand-alone. With everything being political today and no escaping tabloids, she takes a man who has done right as the mayor of NYC with eyes for the Governorship and pairs him with a woman who could hold the keys for everything.

Exellent

I really liked her other books but I did not vibe that well with this book. I will probably try this author again though.

I really enjoyed this slow burning, political romance from Lauren Layne. I can always count on her to deliver a well-written, intriguing story. Yours in Scandal is the story of Robert Davenport in the last months of his tenure as mayor of NYC and Addie Brennan/Adeline Blake, event planner and estranged daughter of his rival in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Robert hires Addie to plan a party with the intention of getting the dirt on her dad but instead ends up falling for her, even though her wild child reputation could cost him the election. The two characters have chemistry that sizzles from their very first meeting and the slow build of their relationship makes it that much more satisfying when they finally get together. Although the story could be a bit predictable at times, it was an overall enjoyable read. I can't wait to see which of the side characters introduced in this book will eventually have their own. 4/5 stars.

Wow. Just wow. Robert and Addie are simply amazing. I loved this story, and can’t wait for more from the series!

I really enjoyed this book. It had all the right ingredients. I loved Robert and Adeline immensely.
The story had a little bit of everything : cute, funny, heat-tugging.
I loved it all really and yet, something's preventing me from giving it 5 stars.
I didn't like the fact that Robert was in politics. There is a "crooked" aura to the profession that I can't get passed. Add to that the fact that he lied to her a good bunch of the book and connected with her under false pretense...
This all left a bad after taste in my mouth. Too bad because the writing was excellent.

I love everything by this author, and Yours in Scandal is no different. Both main characters are dealing with fathers that loom large in their personal history and continue to impact their daily lives. The story that unfolds is nuanced and layered in beautiful ways.  But the highlight of this book for me was the BANTER! The banter is off the charts fantastic. These characters flirt like it's their job and I was there for it. Highly recommend!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MontlakePublishing for the ARC 
#LaurenLayne #YoursinScandal

I really enjoyed Yours in Scandal. As someone who did an ill-advised thing or two in her youth (thankfully no drugs, and blessedly before Facebook was a thing) the heroine resonates with me. Yes, she has a rebellious phase, but now she’s a (mostly) well-adjusted adult, who gifted and passionate about her career. The hero is all things swoon worthy. Handsome, loyal, kind, smart, and gaga over the heroine. Watching them fall and risk it all for each other is a day of reading, well spent. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Lauren Layne. However, this book didn't work for me. I think because it was a romance with the mayor of NY as a character. The politics turned me off.  I'm still giving it 4 stars it's written well. Just not my favorite of hers.

In an age of political cynicism, ‘Yours in Scandal’ is a more lighthearted take on politics and an incidental romance that develops out of it, never steering too close to the deep divisiveness that dominates the headlines these days. 

That said, I am familiar with Layne’s style which does have a certain smartness and intelligence to the modern-day rom-com. But in recent times, they’ve sort of faded for me and I’d hoped that ‘Yours in Sandal’ would be a perk-me-up. As a result, I’m mixed with this one, even though this has a delicious premise of fraternising with the enemy, a slow burn and a hard juggle between professional facades and personal feelings. 

Subterfuge underlaid Robert’s and Adeline’s relationship both ways and I struggled with this majorly when it became obvious this was going to be the part where the lack of communication would blow up in their faces. Clearly not all was as it seemed—and both Robert and Adeline carried on that way for yonks—and if there was some hint of attraction in their interactions, nothing was too hot and heavy such that I was squinting by the halfway mark to feel a chemistry that wasn’t quite there. I didn’t get the anticipatory sense of sexual tension or build-up; instead I got a pursue-and-dodge pattern which got tiresome after a while. 

I generally liked Robert’s principled nature as mayor of New York, his determination to be a clean politician—though he was dragged by some forces to not quite do some right things. At the start, there was also such an appeal of wanting to know how Layne would reconcile the wild girl rattling against the cages demanding to be let out and the prim and proper event planner that was intriguing both Addie and Adeline. 

Sadly, she merely ended up as a frustratingly opaque character, constantly pushing Robert away with excuses about his chosen career not being for her. In fact, she was a player of games because she wanted to hide behind her past, coupled her inability to put herself out there and be emotionally brave was off-putting. I found her, in essence, a huge flight risk (and was proven correct) with a foot ready to step out of the relationship when she could. 

‘Yours in Scandal’ was a personal disappointment, but I’ll be first to say that it’s classic Lauren Layne in many ways as well…and will probably guarantee stalwart fans a better time than I had with this.

Lauren Layne is a familiar author to me. I have read many of her books. I was very happy that I received this book as an ARC. Yours In Scandal is the first book in the upcoming series Man of the Year. It is a light, feelgood contemporary romance. 

Robert is New York mayor and Adeline is a party planner he hires to organize his last party as a mayor. She is also the daughter of his political opponent. Robert's political adviser wants him to use her in the battle for the governor's seat. All Adeline wants is to do her job and stay out of the spotlight. 

It is very difficult to love completely this book or dislike it. I'm somewhere in between. Besides predictability, there is nothing really wrong with this book. Also, predictability can bring a certain comfort while reading. I guess I can argue both sides. Then there is a fact that I had a feeling that Lauren Layne already wrote this book. I am sure there is an entire series about wedding planners. The characters, the plotline, the upcoming series - it all feels very deja vu. Maybe if I cared more for these characters I would love it more. 

This a well-written book, with great pace and it is really easy to get into it and finish reading it. But I wish I loved it more. Nothing really stood out. A solid read that I am sure many readers will enjoy. 
I would recommend this book to all the readers who enjoy cute, comforting and light contemporary romance books. 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this book copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Robert Davenport’s campaign manager talks him into hiring event planner Adeline Blake. Of course it’s with an ulterior motive but Robert goes along with it but when meeting her you know it’s going to be more. But it was more than just that. I swear I could actually hear him literally fall for her in that first meeting. Of course it takes leery Adeline longer, but their story was delightful, not without a little suspense and a completely surprise ending for me.
I love Lauren Layne’s books and when she starts a new series, I’m all in. When you add in hunky politicians who take a risk, especially in their personal lives, you have a great combination that can only mean a five star read.

This is the first book in the Man of the Year series, and what a way to kick off the series! As always, Lauren Layne creates characters that I want to be friends with in real life - full of humor, sass, and style. The chemistry between the main characters is off the charts! I also really enjoyed the political theme, especially the bad girl vs. good politician dichotomy. A reformed party girl and an honest politician? Love it. And nothing can beat the witty dialog between all the characters and the strong friendships. 

Overall I would definitely recommend reading this book if you're in the mood for a light, fun, and romantic read, as well as other books by this author. Lauren Layne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review*

There is always something special about a Lauren Layne book. She has the uncanny ability to create dynamic characters with stories we wish would go on forever. Yours in Scandal had those signature traits, but had an extra layer of emotion, I think. Robert and Addie’s story is a beautifully emotional journey of two guarded people – for different reasons – and how they learn to trust themselves and each other. All wrapped up in witty banter, swoon worthy romantic moments and, of course, sexy times. Robert and Addie’s story is the first book in this series and is a powerful start to what I am positive will be an incredible series.

I want to thank NetGalley for giving me an ARC I exchange for an honest review as I'm a big Lauren Layne fan. And she did not disappoint! This was a one-sitting read as I couldn't put it down. This is the first book I've read in a while that had a political backdrop, which I enjoyed. The love story of a mayor and a party girl and Lauren Layne writes captivating characters that make you want to keep coming back for more!

What a terrific book!  Robert Davenport is the youngest mayor of NYC who has a spotless reputation.  Adeline Blake is  the daughter of the current shady governor of NY who hides her past. The relationship buildup between Robert (who is torn between being the upright politician and going after Adeline to get damaging information on her father) and Adeline (who has left her rebellious teen years behind) is perfect.  I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the the two of them.  The ending is a bit predictable but still satisfying!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Apparently Robert's wooing skills are crap, "he scratched his cheek. “I can’t figure out if you’re being deliberately obtuse or if my game is really that stale.” Robert likes to remind his woman  that she doesn't always need to be formal, “still with that? You’ve seen me naked. I think we’re in a first-name kind of place,” he said, his lips closing over hers." I liked this book, I loved Robert.

I want to thank Montlake Romance, NetGalley and the author for providing me an Arc. I am grateful.
This book was a total surprise. The evolution of a love story, developed on a political background, has totally captivated me. We have a female protagonist (Addie) that fights to conceal her true nature in order to protect herself from her father and from everyone's judgement. I have loved her with everything I have. She evolved understanding who she really was, choosing to be HER. The male protagonist (Robert) finds himself in front of a choice. A life changing choice. His job or his personal life. In a world in which every mistake is judged, he has to be the one to change the perspective. It was my fists book by the author! I am satisfied. The writing style is perfect, the events are narrated coherently and perfectly. I highly advice it! 4 starts !!!!!