I WISH YOU WERE MINE
Oxford #2
Lauren Layne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Loveswept
Perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne’s Oxford series heats up in this story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a woman who’s strictly off-limits.
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.
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This book is messy. Not in a bad writing or terribly story way. I WISH YOU WERE MINE is a beautiful story of unrequited love and unforeseen chances. It is messy because of the thread of forbidden love. Jackson has been married and divorced. Nothing too bad. But when he decides to pursue a relationship he ends up with Mollie, a sweet young woman who has lived him from afar for years. Nothing crazy. But get this. Mollie is Jackson’s ex-sister-in-law. There is the kicker folks.
From the very first scene, Mollie and Jackson have a connection. For her it is something more, the makings of a crush that develops into real heartfelt feelings. For him it is an affection that is deep and sweet, completely platonic. Yet years later, after the divorce and tragic career loss for Jackson, these two just might have a chance. It was interesting to see how Mollie and Jackson navigate the whole situation. It is not an easy one to muddle through, especially with a vindictive ex that has no moral standards or sisterly affection to give.
When drama unfolds in this book, you see it coming from a mile away but nothing can seem to stop it. This situation bleeds confrontation and excessive dramatic moments. There is a messy quality that makes the angst so ripe. You cannot read this story without feeling something. At times I rolled my eyes when Madison, the ex, attempts blatant manipulation. My heart would hurt for Mollie and her deep unrequited love. I wanted to smack Jackson upside the head when his stubbornness takes the lead. This book causes your emotions to react in many ways, something that links the reader to what the characters are experiencing.
This story was yet another fabulous notch on Lauren’s write belt. It meets every single expectation that you come to look for from Layne’s writing. There is heart and emotion coupled with humor and love. I am beyond excited to see where the Oxford series leads and hope to see glimpses of Jackson and Mollie in the future.
To celebrate the virtual tour and upcoming release of I WISH YOU WERE MINE, Lauren is hosting an awesome giveaway! Enter his RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY for your chance to win a Ladies “TEAM” T-Shirt from Lady Fanatics Website (up to $40 Value- Winners Choice). Simply follow the instructions listed and you will be entered for your chance to win. Don’t miss out! Good luck!
“You seriously didn’t have to hire movers,” Mollie said for the hundredth time as she watched two burly dudes easily maneuver yet another stack of boxes to Jackson’s guest room.
Jackson pointed at a barstool. “Sit. Relax. Want a beer?”
“No, I still need to unpack,” she muttered, reluctantly plopping onto the stool.
“Have a beer, Molls. Unpacking your nightstand contents isn’t like operating heavy machinery,” he said, going to the fridge and pulling out two beers.
“Clearly you don’t know what’s in my nightstand.”
Jackson lifted his eyebrows. “Exactly how big is your vibrator?”
“I meant I have like a zillion books.”
“Which are not breakable,” he said, handing her a beer. “And is that a no on the vibrator?”
She gave him a look as she took the bottle from his hand. “I just want to state for the record that I have moved several times, on my own, without the help of movers, and I could have done it again.”
“Moving yourself is for college kids. You’re an adult. Hire movers.”
“No, moving yourself is for people without extra income,” she said. “Snob.”
“So what was the plan?” he asked, tipping the bottle to his lips. “You were just going to maneuver all those big-ass boxes around with those skinny sticks you call arms?”
“Don’t be silly. I was going to hire some big beefy dudes from campus to help me. Perk of working at a university.”
Jackson was about to set his bottle on the counter but his hand froze, just for a second, and Mollie felt a sting of regret as she realized she’d inadvertently hit a nerve. Not so long ago, Jackson Burke had been absolutely the type of muscled guy friend who’d’ve been really helpful to have around on moving day. Her eyes flitted to his shoulder. Now he was the guy who wouldn’t be doing any heavy lifting for a long time. Maybe ever.
She looked away, her brain scrambling to come up with a quick subject change.
Only maybe that wasn’t what he needed—for people to dance around his injury like it was the elephant in the room. Physically, he was on the road to recovery. He needed to get there mentally as well.
“You said the other night that it didn’t hurt,” she said. “Was that a big macho man moment?”
He stared at the counter. “I’ve told you. It’s fine.”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. Be a little more vague and manly.”
“Well, what do you want me to say, Molls?” he ground out. “That the pain wakes me up at night? That any motion more vigorous than brushing my teeth hurts like hell?”
“Are you going to physical therapy?” she asked, purposely ignoring the wounded-bear routine. That might scare off other people, but she was made of stronger stuff. Knew him better.
He looked away.
“Oh, Jackson.”
He shrugged. “What does it even matter? All the PT in the world isn’t going to help me play football again.”
“Well, gosh,” she said dramatically, “you may as well be dead.”
Jackson was in the process of taking a sip of beer and choked. “Jesus. You are such a smart-ass.”
“I’m just saying, you have a lot going for you,” she said, gentling her tone. “You don’t need a football in your hand or to help a girl move to be an amazing guy.”
“Yeah?” he said as he leaned on his forearms across the counter. “Want to tell me more about how I’m an amazing guy?”
If I did, I might never stop.
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 thirteen books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.
Lauren currently lives in New York City 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.
