Reviewer: Rowena Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne
Series: Oxford #1
Also in this series: I Wish You Were Mine, Someone Like You, I Knew You Were Trouble, I Think I Love You, Irresistibly Yours, I Wish You Were Mine, Someone like You
Publication Date: October 6th 2015
Pages: 236
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Series Rating:
Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s 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.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Lauren Layne and it will definitely not be the last. This is also the first book in the Oxford series, which is a spin off of the Sex, Love and Stiletto series and it features a returning character from that series, Cole Sharpe.
Cole Sharpe is a freelance writer for the Oxford magazine. He’s a sports fanatic and when Oxford starts looking for someone to head up the new sports section of the magazine, Cole thinks he’s got the job in the bag. But he’s got competition and she’s pretty amazing at remembering sports facts and tid bits. Cole isn’t happy about this development but when he gets to know his competition, he likes her. A lot.
Penelope Pope wants out of Chicago so when she finds out about the position at Oxford, she’s all over it. She wants it bad enough that she’ll make the move even though her family is in Chicago. Getting this job will be the biggest break of her career and she really wants it but when she comes across the guy who is up for the job right along with her, she can’t help but be nice because Cole is real nice to look at.
Pen needs some friends and Cole isn’t asshole enough to deny her. She’s cute, she loves sports just as much as he does and with each passing moment, he starts to realize that she fits. With him. He likes having her around because she makes him laugh, she drives him crazy and he wants her. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable and I thoroughly enjoyed their romance.
Penelope was such a great heroine. She was such a likable person but wasn’t a push over and I liked her personality over the course of the book. She wasn’t blind to the way men viewed her and she wasn’t expecting anything more than friendship with Cole but when they grew closer and closer, I was all in. I was wrapped up in their romance and I loved seeing Cole jealous over everyone that came across Pen’s path.
I didn’t know Cole before this book but I adored him. I loved seeing him struggle with his feelings for Penelope, being a bonehead over keeping his personal business separate from whatever was blooming between him and Pen. I loved seeing him with his brother, with his friends and with Penelope. He was just an all around great guy, totally normal and I loved him. I loved seeing him trade insults with the guys at Oxford. They’re a fun bunch.
The addition of the Stiletto girls and seeing them bring Pen into their group made me want to read their books and now that I have them all, I’m going to dig into that series.
This was a good book. A great introduction to non-Stiletto series readers and I’m looking forward to the next book. Jackson Burke? Come to Mama!
Grade: 4.25 out of 5
Oxford
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