Love on Lexington Avenue

Claire is the widow, wife to the philandering husband Brayden, who left her with more emotional baggage than junk in the spare room. Fortunately, her horrible discovery also came with a bonus in the shape of Aubrey and Naomi – both of whom were also ‘dating’ Brayden. None of them saw his deception or duplicity, and the three have made a pact to ‘screen’ all potential men to save their new besties the heartbreak. With Naomi finding her love first, and Aubrey still living in the ‘happily ever after, meet your soulmate’ cloud while not really extending herself, it is Claire who has decided to redecorate her brownstone, and take more chances with her life. In all respects. Enter Scott – best friend of Oliver (Naomi’s love interest) and a well-known contractor in his own right. Although Scott is one of those men who never stays in one place for long, he’s instantly seeing just HOW Claire’s house can be improved, even if he finds Claire attractive if a bit frigid. What he can’t (and won’t ) do is make a play for Claire. Female company is nothing he’s hurting for – it’s more keeping them at one night, or no attachments that creates his problems. And Claire, friend of his best friend’s girl and all buttoned up is not a girl one plays with. Sure, she’s saying she wants to ‘experience’ life, but she’s not really cut out for it. Just look at the way she’s taken to his dog, and his dog to her – and how she seems to delight in teasing him….. Oh this was fun – I love the friendship between the three women, the honest responses and Claire’s struggle with the simple loneliness and aimlessness of her life. As a wife, she had charities and shopping, with ready made friends. But as a widow, everything seems forced with the few friends who ‘try’ to stay in touch, and only Naomi and Aubrey seem to ‘ger’ her struggles and the grief that morphs from anger to hopeless. That and she’s tired of ‘safe’ choices, from clothing to men to…..well, everything. And Scott is just what she needs, and his dog is even more important as time goes on – from ‘girlie sleepovers’ to snack time and the series of ‘girly’ toys that Claire gets for her, Scott can’t help but find her attractive and open – even as she calls him on his own reluctance to commit. Of course, they figure it out – and see what everyone was ignoring or trying to protect her from being hurt. This is a series that not only gives a solid dose of laughter and friendship – but plenty of hope for everyone . Layne uses her humor, her deft characterizations and a story that isn’t too outrageous to be plausible to move into the ‘girl power’ support of true friends, taking a chance and love can bring. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

We met Claire Hayes in the first book in this series. Claire is the widow of Brayden, the man who was having an affair with a few different women. Outside of Brayden's funeral, Claire meets Naomi and Audrey, two of these women and a great friendship begins. It's been a year since Brayden's death and Claire thinks she is ready to move on with her life. First up is renovating her brownstone. When Naomi's boyfriend Oliver recommends his friend Scott Turner for the job you just know there will be fun. Scott has always been chasing something in his life, but he just doesn't know what it is. He prefers to keep life simple, including only one night stands. Imagine his surprise when he first meets Claire and she is not the old widow he thought she would be. She is also not the typical Upper East Sider. As Claire and Scott spend more time together they fall into an easy rapport. Claire even starts telling Scott how she wants his help to get her back into the dating world starting with finding just a one night stand. At first things are fun until Scott realizes that he may want Claire for himself. It will take a huge leap of faith for this wandering loner to realize that maybe what he has always been looking for is standing right in front of him! I just adored Claire and Scott. Claire's life was stuck in a rut and she desperately needed to redefine herself. I loved how she just jumped right in....sometimes a little hesitant but she still did it. I also really loved Scott. I love a man who can work with his hands....one of my weaknesses! I loved their banter back and forth and quite a few times I found myself laughing out loud! These two together were perfect and I just adored their happy ending.

Despite not having read book one in this series I had no problem picking up the storyline and fell headfirst into this one. What a great story. Claire is the widow of this trio of women, her not so dearly departed was an epic cheater and she forms a friendship with two of his mistresses, Audrey and Naomi. Together they make a pact not to let the other fall for another loser man. Naomi was the first to take the tumble in book one, leaving Audrey and Claire. Claire sees herself as decidedly vanilla and beige. She's living in her late hubs brownstone that hasn't been updated since the dark ages so hires Scott, recommended by a friend. Scott is a businessman who wanted a break from his "day job" to do something he loves, like renovate. He's surly, opinionated and a perfect match for Claire. She gives as good as that's for sure. When she decides she wants splashes of pink in the house, Scott blows a nut and waffles on taking the job, but decides to do it, seeing so much potential in behind the all things ugly in the place. These two take snark to a new level and I loved watching them spar on a daily basis, along with seeing their relationship unfold and Scott watching unhappily as Claire tries to dip her toes into the dating pool. She's decided she wants a one nighter and she is about as far from a one nighter woman as she can get, however she gets encouragement from Naomi and Audrey. Claire doesn't fare to well in the dating department so she decides to ask Scott since they're sort of on friendly terms now, despite Scott being warned off of Claire because of the bull her hub pulled and their mutual friends. You get the picture. Watching them do the dance around each other was done so well and I loved Lauren's writing and character development. Along with the friendships Claire maintains with Audrey and Naomi, who got on my nerves a little and their respective male friends and those relationships. Great dynamics between all of them. This is an easy read, with two likable and well written characters. I can't wait to read Audrey and Clark's story. I'll likely go back and read book one but again, it's not necessary to read it before this one. Long and the short is I loved this book.