🔥 Steamy
Forced into early retirement, NFL quarterback Jackson reluctantly takes a job as a sports editor in New York City, where he finds himself spending time with the one woman strictly off-limits: his ex-wife’s younger sister.
🔥 Steamy
Trope: Forbidden-Romance, Friends-to-Lovers, roommate romance
“When it comes to Lauren Layne, I expect engaging banter, sexual tension, and happy feels. She hit that in the bull’s eye with I Wish You Were Mine.” —Will Read for Feels
A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for /Oxford/ magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.
Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game.
The hero falls in love with his ex-wife's sister. That's a no-go for some readers, so I'm warning you up front!
This book is written in third-person, with alternating POV. Some people only like first-person. You've been warned!
This series is great for fans of "found family" where friendships build over the series in FRIENDS-esque style.
I wrote this a "forbidden romance" story, but a lot of readers call it a "friends-to-lovers" story, and that totally fits too!
🔥 This book is steamy with explicit sex scenes.
Love forced proximity? Mollie and Jackson share an apartment—think sexy pajama scene 😏
“A smart, sexy, and absolutely irresistible read!” —USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly
“I Wish You Were Mine is a sizzling-loud friends-to-lovers story with a unique twist of my-sister’s-ex-husband. A hot and sexy read with a strong bond of friendship make this a book you don’t want to miss.”—Keri Ford, author of the Turtle Pine series
“I loved this book! I Wish You Were Mine is the perfect combination of sexy and sweet—with a refreshing dash of humor that had me laughing out loud. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait to read more by this talented author.”—Mari Madison
“Fans of Layne will enjoy this one, and for those new to Lauren Layne’s writing, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” —Naughty Professora
“There is a great story line here and a wonderfully annoying villain . . . the ex-wife/sister. The writing is wonderful and the pacing is spot on.” —Obsessive Book Nerd
“When it comes to Lauren Layne, I expect engaging banter, sexual tension, and happy feels. She hit that in the bull’s eye with I Wish You Were Mine.” —Will Read for Feels
“So if you are looking for that friends-to-lovers romance that will have you laughing, blushing and maybe even yelling a little, but that leaves you with a smile on your face, then this is the book to read!” —Book Bitches
“I am so excited for the rest of the world to read this book. As always, [Lauren Layne] knows how to bring it!” —Real Talk, Book Talk
“If you haven’t read anything by Lauren Layne and are a big fan of romance, well, what are you waiting for?! Go! Shoo! Buy her books—you won’t regret it!” —Mischievous Reads
“Friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and I Wish You Were Mine delivered that in spades.”—Manga Maniac Cafe
“Of course I’m not jealous,” she said quickly. “I care about you, Jackson, you know that, but you’re like my brother.”
He stiffened slightly. “Your brother.”
“That’s what you were,” she said softly. “For years.”
“Is that how you’re thinking about me right now?” he asked, easing toward her just slightly. “Do I feel like your brother?”
Sexy, witty, and addictive. If you love glamorous office romance set in New York City, women in high heels, men in suits, and found-family, this 9-book series makes for the perfect binge-read!
❗️This series is not available as a paperback or print version. Penguin Random House controls the print rights, and has declined to make a paperback available for my readers.