ARC Review: Someone Like You by Lauren Layne

Book Title: Someone Like You
Author: Lauren Layne
Series: Oxford Series #3 - Standalone
Release Date: November 27th, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance

Lauren Layne’s bestselling Oxford Series continues with the poignant, heartwarming story of New York’s most eligible bachelor, Lincoln Mathis, a man who’s living a lie—until his dream woman takes away the pain.

Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy. In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have.

After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.

Spoiler-free review I must admit, I was almost scared to start this book. Lincoln Mathis had captured my attention early on in the Oxford series and there's this thing called high expectations. I had that for him. I WANTED his story... his happily ever after. The hottest male employee at Oxford, Lincoln Mathis was never at a shortage of female attention. But he never seemed to settle down- ever the playboy. What was it going to take? Who would finally settle him down?

Another interesting tidbit while preparing to read and review this book prior to publication was the insane secrecy of this story. The 'don't post spoilers' warnings everywhere. I must say that peaked my interest even more! And now I know why. You do not want this story spoiled for you. Not an ounce. So, take my word for it, just read it and be shaken to your core. Lincoln's story is unlike any other book in this Oxford series or the Sex, Love and Stiletto series. And it's simply riveting to its core.

Someone Like You is a story of two characters with very jaded backgrounds. Backgrounds that can rock a person for years...a lifetime. But finding that right person, can each be the balm to the other's broken dreams and hearts?

This book is most definitely the most angsty emotional of all the books I've read by Lauren Layne. Prepare for that. Prepare for your heart to be so emotionally invested fairly early on. But, rest assured, things are also lighter and more comical once the cast of characters from both Oxford and Stiletto come into play. I loved revisiting all these couples- and it's one big group! Their friendships have stood the test of time, relationships have ensued, families started. I loved catching up with them all. And I'm so so glad that my high expectations for our Lincoln Mathis were met. Well done.

Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren's gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.