Central Park Pact by Lauren Layne follows three women who become friends after finding out that their dead husband/boyfriend/lover was cheating on them with the other two. They quickly become good friends and promise to help each other from falling for another Brayden. Each book follows on of the characters:

Passion on Park Avenue — Naomi and Oliver

Love on Lexington Avenue — Claire and Scott

Marriage on Madison Avenue — Audrey and Clarke

Passion on Park Avenue

Before starting this book, I had been reading books that I wasn’t enjoying, at all. It was a chore to read, and I wasn’t having any fun. But as soon as I started reading Passion on Park Avenue, I knew this was going to be a favourite.

This book had all the classic Lauren Layne story elements that made me love her books: sassy and badass, successful and vulnerable female character with a kind and loving male character. Both characters have immense chemistry with each other, and they get plenty of screen time together while also dealing with their own issues on the side. This story isn’t as explicit as Layne’s other books, and has a fade to black for mature content.

I loved the interactions between Naomi and Oliver. They bickered, teased, and talked to each other. They were friends and lovers, and they were just so cute. They worked well together, and the slow burn and anticipation until they finally got together was both painful and enjoyable. I loved it.

The characters development, and the way they finally realized they deserved to be loved and appreciated, was heartwarming and I can’t wait to see cameos of them in the next books!

I also enjoyed the set-up for Claire’s and Audrey’s books.

The one thing I would’ve wanted is more of them being a couple. I would’ve enjoyed another chapter or so before they “break-up” or a chapter or so after they got back together.

All in all, this book picked me up from falling into a reading slump and I loved it!

Love on Lexington Avenue

Lauren Layne delivers once again with a fantasy love story that doesn’t suffer from second book syndrome.

Claire was an amazing character that I really loved and had fun following her journey. I was rooting for her to move on from her asshole of a husband, and to find the life that she deserves.

Scott was also another great character. A wonderful love interest that worked well with Claire and had his own stuff to work through. Although, his plot line isn’t as developed as Layne’s male characters’ plots usually are. He didn’t have a very big problem he had to work on. His past didn’t really play as big a part in the problems he did have as I would’ve expected.

I enjoyed many things with this book, mainly the friendship between the girls. It has defiantly developed even more than the first book, and the girls are so obviously great friends. It’s a group anyone would be lucky to have.

Like with the first book, I wish there was more with Claire and Scott together as a couple. It can feel a bit abrupt at times how they would fight and be tense with each other, only to be all easy around each other again. The big event that usually happens in the last part of the book to make the characters separate felt a bit underwhelming. It didn’t make me feel like “oh shit this is bad” like with Naomi and Oliver.

The plot for this book wasn’t as strong as the first one, but it was still really enjoyable. I could overlook all that because at the end of the day Claire and Scott were really cute, and had great chemistry between them!

All in all, loved this companion novel and I can’t wait to read about Audrey and Clarke!

Marriage on Madison Avenue

This is the last book in the series, and it was such a sweet ending!

I really enjoyed this book, even though I had a harder time getting into it like the previous two. But nevertheless, it was still a swoon-worthy romance.

At first I thought this was going to simply be a friends-to-lovers romance, and I was hesitant. I’m not a big fan of that trope. But the synopsis said that it has a fake dating/engagement? SIGN ME UP!

The fake engagement element of the book was done quite well. The hesitations of Clarke and Audrey, the slowly realizing they love each other, the confusion at what they’re feeling, it was all very good.

I also especially loved the ending, and the way they professed their love for one another. Clarke’s desperation to find Audrey, to not lose her, it was excellent *chef’s kiss*

Bonus points for the cameo of Alexis Morgan and the Wedding Belles business! I loved that little glimpse of the characters from another story.

All in all, this was another well done book by Lauren Layne that I really enjoyed!

The Central Park Pact was a heartwarming trilogy about three women who become friends in the most unlikeliest of ways. And of finding love when you least expect it, with people you don’t expect.

Thank you for reading and see you next time ❤