The Understated Honesty of "Good Girl" Translates Into Damn Good Reading

28185836Title:  Good Girl
Series:  (Love Unexpectedly #2
Author:  Lauren Layne
Format:  eARC
Length:  220 pages
Expected Date of Publication April 17, 2016
Publisher:  Loveswept
Rating:  5 Stars

Lauren Layne brings all the unpredictable heat of her USA Today bestseller Blurred Lines to an all-new cast of characters! Country music’s favorite good girl is hiding away from the world—only to find herself bunking with a guy who makes her want to be a little bad.

Jenny Dawson moved to Nashville to write music, not get famous. But when her latest record goes double platinum, Jenny’s suddenly one of the town’s biggest stars—and the center of a tabloid scandal connecting her with a pop star she’s barely even met. With paparazzi tracking her every move, Jenny flees to a remote mansion in Louisiana to write her next album. The only hiccup is the unexpected presence of a brooding young caretaker named Noah, whose foul mouth and snap judgments lead to constant bickering—and serious heat.

Noah really should tell Jenny that he’s Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott, the owner of the estate where the feisty country singer has made her spoiled self at home. But the charade gives Noah a much-needed break from his own troubles, and before long, their verbal sparring is indistinguishable from foreplay. But as sizzling nights give way to quiet pillow talk, Noah begins to realize that Jenny’s almost as complicated as he is. To fit into each other’s lives, they’ll need the courage to face their problems together—before the outside world catches up to them.  -Goodreads


My Thoughts
Slut, brat, home wrecker, and diva are all words that have been used to describe Jenny Dawson.
Just as playboy, trust-fund baby, and lazy have all stood in as descriptors for Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott.

Good Girl is the story of how, when a twist of fate and a couple of not so little 'while lies' find these two living together amid the ramshackle splendor and tranquility of a dilapidated mansion owned by Preston's father.  They begin to step out of the shells of who they have been made to be, and come to terms with the wounded, tender-hearted, love starved, and very normal people that they really are.

While leading man, Noah, is sure to garner major points on the "brooding, loner, distant lover with great hands and a hot body" scale.
The "down home" sweetness and very "Taylor Swift-esque" vibe to Jenny's story, make her character one that readers are able to take to heart almost without thinking about it.

There is no questioning the injustice of what she has suffered at the hands of the "spin doctors" of the great Hollywood publicity machine, the vicious gossip mongers of the tabloid press, and public opinion as per social media. 
So when Jenny's effort at finding heaven and herself, in the wilds of Louisiana, lead her into the path of the sinfully sexy Noah...

Preston Noah Maxwell Walcott is relatively new to all the pomp and circumstance that  his four names, and the legacy of power, wealth, and privilege that they signify has come to mean for his life.  The second son that his magnate father neither wanted nor acknowledged.  It was only the tragic death of Preston's half brother and claimed heir, that led to him being anything other than just Noah.  The real him. The son his mother raised, and the real man that this lost boy has been struggling to rediscover.

Setting plays a big part in the creation and maintenance of this story.  Because it is location that keeps
our two main characters in close proximity to each other, and provides them with their reason to be there.

The fun starts however, when the walls come down, allowing both Jenny and Noah to see that they are far less adversaries, and more kindred spirits than either of the two could have ever thought possible.
Special mention must be made of stellar cast members Ranger and Dolly.  Whose special brand of furry fabulousity, paired with their unequaled talent for charming their way into enemy territory goes along way in uniting our willing but wary lovebirds. 

It is very true that the chemistry between Jenny and her dark night in shining tool belt is very hot.  The secrets, interactions, and emotional investment that developments between these two inspires within the reader, makes the story even hotter.
This is a wonderfully light and engrossing look at what happens when the quiet truths of  love's warm glow outshine the fantasy of fame's spotlight.

*Reviewer's Note:  I was provided with copies  of the above referenced literary works for the express purpose of review.  All opinions expressed therein are mine, and have been in no way influenced by Loveswept or those acting on their behalf.



About Lauren

Lauren LayneLauren lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.
Five years ago, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan.
She writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush, and in her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.
When not bringing The Sexy, she likes to blog about her Instagram addiction, and why mean girls are the worst.

 


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