Isn't She Lovely
Redemption • Book One
🔥 Steamy
Ethan needs a fake girlfriend for his college summer break, and finds the perfect challenge in moody outcast Stephanie, but as he turns her into the perfect pretend Upper East Side princess, he begins to wonder if he might be falling…for the real her.
Isn't She Lovely
Stephanie & Ethan
🔥 Steamy
Trope: Opposites Attract, Fake RElationship
A Pygmalion Retelling
"Packs intelligence, wit, and an addictive romance into one fantastic read! I loved the bold characters, the slow-building yet steamy romance, and the raw and painful edge of self-discovery. I couldn’t put it down!” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack
The rules are clear—until they’re broken. The first book in Lauren Layne’s Redemption series gives a classic love story its edgiest twist yet.
“Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?”
Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?
As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.
But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?
about the story
if you're wondering...
Is this book for me?
This is New Adult! The characters are in college and act much younger than my other books.
Ethan is, how do I say this...an early 20s bro at the start of the story. But I promise he'll grow on you!
If you love Pretty Woman or She's All That, this is based on the same original story (Pygmalion).
There is a ton of banter in this one—some of my favorite lines I've ever written are in this book!
🔥 This book is steamy with explicit sex scenes.
Content warning: there are references to a sexual assault reference (happened before the story starts).
I TRY TO BE AS UPFRONT AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EACH OF MY BOOKS. EVERYONE HAS UNIQUE PREFERENCES!
reviews & praise
“Fresh and authentic, Lauren Layne’s Isn’t She Lovely packs intelligence, wit, and an addictive romance into one fantastic read! I loved the bold characters, the slow-building yet steamy romance, and the raw and painful edge of self-discovery. I couldn’t put it down!” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Carmack
“A fresh new voice in the New Adult genre . . . I loved this book! Such a fun read from start to finish. You won’t want to put it down!”—New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jen McLaughlin
“Isn’t She Lovely is full of complex characters you want to root for—and a hero that will make you swoon.”—New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy
“These two characters have chemistry, and the readers can feel it.”—The Romance Reviews
“[The] perfect combination of irreverent and serious . . . I adored this book.” —Penny Dreadful Book Reviews
“I really enjoyed going along for the ride on this one. So glad I took a chance on it!” —Examiner
“If you’re looking to escape with a quick and entertaining New Adult contemporary romance with real romance, humor, a touch of angst, a strong girl and a totally swoony guy, this is the book for you.” —Kimberly Faye Reads
“Perfect, and a satisfying ending.” —Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews
“The author does a great job with the book. I recommend this to any fans of New Adult, romance or just a great book.” —Racing to Read
“Amazing, fun . . . [a] great book.” —For My Love of Books
“Sweet, light, and tons of fun, Isn’t She Lovely was a brilliant New Adult read! The romance was sweet, the story was tons of fun, and I completely adored this book.” —Imagine a World
“This romance was filled with lusty moments of intense attraction, accidentally-on-purpose kisses, and ogling galore! Yum! There were also so many sweet moments between these two, that I couldn’t help but oooh and aww in some scenes.” —The Reader’s Den
Excerpt
"Some guys have a thing for cheerleaders,” he says, his voice easy.
I roll my eyes as I start tossing socks into the bag. “Let me guess. You want to know if I still have my old uniform.”
He sets the picture back on the nightstand and moves toward the door. “Nah. Not my thing. But I think I could develop a thing for girls in combat boots.”
I spin around in surprise, wanting to see his face, wanting to know if he means what I think he means. But he’s already gone.
New Adult Fairy Tales
Redemption
Early in my career, my publisher asked if I would consider writing in the New Adult genre that was super popular at the time. I said sure—if I could do it my way, a touch lighter than the typical genre.
The result is three fairy-tale inspired new adult roamnces!
❗️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.
The New Adult genre features late teen/early twenty characters. Please note that these books read much differently than most of my other books!
🔥 steamy
