Sabrina & Matt.
I am in love with this series and all of the great characters that it follows. Matt and Sabrina have a close knit circle of friends that they run together in. They have danced around their attraction to one another for years. Matt is the youngest and most successful broker at his firm which also means that he is constantly trying to prove himself. Sabrina is a social fixer and very good at her job.
When a bachelor party in Vegas goes a bit wild and compromising pictures arise in the media of Matt he realizes that he needs Sabrina's help. He deicides he needs to choose a woman that can play his fake fiancé that would never fall for him ….Sabrina .He is sure that no matter what happens she would never fall in love with him for heavens sake she doesn't even like him.
Sabrina is up for the biggest challenge and fix of her personal and professional life !
Loved the amazing sexual tension and chemistry with this couple . They had funny and sexy banter and where a joy to read !
~~Michele McMullen ~~

When will Lauren Layne write a bad book? I've been anticipating Matt and Sabrina's story for the longest. There was always this sexual tension there between the two but we were never fully aware of the issues between the two. Layne does a FANTASTIC job with the characters and their relationship in Hard Sell. I was immediately drawn into the characters. Both Matt and Sabrina have their own issues with the other relationships in their lives. They never had the best examples growing up. The connection between the two is sizzling. I could not stop reading the book and was so disappointed when it ended.

I thought this book was pretty funny and sweet. In some ways, it was a typical enemies to lovers story, but the history of their relationship and their vulnerabilities were an interesting twist that kept it from being stale. I thought Matt and Sabrina were really funny and had a lot of chemistry together. I always find the whole fake girlfriend plot to be a bit much, but i can let it go when the rest of the book can overcome that hurdle and be real and interesting.

Hard Sell by Lauren Layne was second novel in the 21 Wall Street series and personally I liked it so much better than the first one. Now, don't get me wrong here, Hot Asset was a good novel, but the chemistry between Matt and Sabrina is amazing. It's one of those enemy-to-lovers type-novels, except Matt and Sabrina were never really enemies, it's more of a "frenemy" type situation.

Sabrina is a strong and independent woman who we met briefly in the first novel as Ian's long time friend, but she's so much more than that. She is the best "fixer" in New York. She has made a name for herself just by knowing the right people and having an excellent judge of character.

Matt is a "boy wonder" when it comes to his job. However, his partying ways may have finally gotten the best of him. When Matt needs Sabrina's help to fix his reputation and save his job, the pretend girlfriend story develops. Begrudgingly, Sabrina accepts the proposition on one condition - no more hookups.

The slow burn between these too is hot! Even the banter between the two of them is as sexy as it is funny. It's clear that the feelings between the two characters is not recent, but have been lingering under the surface for years and years, but they were never given the chance to explore them because of an argument between the two many years ago.

I must say that I didn't want this novel to end, however the final chapter before the epilogue was perfect. It had me grinning so wide and I can not wait for the next novel that will be about Kennedy and Kate.

Highly recommend! 5/5 stars.

4 - 4.5 stars!!

This is the second book in the Wall street series and my first book by the author!!
This is a complete stand alone, And i really enjoyed this book that i cant wait to read the first book in the series!!!
This is an enemies to Lovers romance.. Not the usual typical one, but thoroughly enjoyable one..
Matt and Sabrina actually share a very unique relation.. Enemies with Benefits!!!
An incident in their past had made them bitter towards each other.. They make each other crazy but their attraction towards each other is off the charts!!!
Matt and Sabrina try to avoid each other... However, when Matt lands himself in a situation and ends up in a mess with his employment, he seeks help from Sabrina who is amazing with PR skills..
Matt needs a girl friend for a while to get his reputation intact in his firm Wall Street.. And Sabrina is the only one he trusts with that job!!
Both Matt and Sabrina are not much of believers in relationships and that is the reason they get into this pretending agreement.. However, once they get into the act, they realize they dont hate each other, but actually have more things in common including their past that made them hate relationships n love!!
Eventually they do fall for each other unknowingly and the whole way they realize and get their HEA was awesome!!!
I loved the writing and the flow of the story was so enjoyable that i couldnt stop until i finished it!!!
I cant wait for the next book about Kennedy and Kate!!!

I love the Wall Street guys, Ian, Matt, and Kennedy. We meet everyone in Ian’s story in Hot Asset. Hard Sell is Matt’s story. He’s a cynical workaholic who gets himself in trouble at a bachelor party. His bosses want him to clean up his playboy reputation or loose his job. Ian and Kennedy come up with a plan for Matt to fake a relationship with their mutual friend Sabrina. She’s a fixer of all problems and just as cynical as Matt. And her and Matt have history together, not the sweet kind, either. So she’s perfect for this ruse because no feelings will ever emerge between the two. Now you know what happens of course. But seeing how it plays out for these two is such a treat. It’s funny and sexy and towards the end frustrating. During the whole “relationship,” all the friends give their two cents. Love their roles in this story, too they were all perfect additions. The ending was perfect for Matt and Sabrina. And I hope we get to see a HEA for Kennedy and Kate. I wouldn’t mind a story about Jarod, too.

Matt is a Wall Street wiz kid and he has just been caught in a precarious situation at a bachelor party by a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He needs to fix his reputation fast, before his clients start jumping ship and there is no better way to do that then to seem like he is in a committed relationship.

Sabrina is the best fixer in town. If you have a problem she knows how to make it go away. She has known Matt for a few years, they even seem to end up in bed together from time to time. It’s not friends with benefits by any means. Matt gets under her skin and it is more like enemies with benefits. This makes her perfect for the role of fake girlfriend.
“And you think that’s me? Your mortal enemy?”
“I want you because you’re my mortal enemy, Sabrina.”
“Why?” His eyes lock on mine. “Because of all the women in my life, you’re the one I can count on to never fall in love with me.”

It is so simple or at least it should be there should be no way that anything becomes of this. But spending time together not fighting is making each see the other in a new light and they just might be more perfect for each other than either knew.
Hell, to be completely honest, I don’t know that he was ever my worst enemy, so much as my biggest threat. The person who I sensed, even from the very beginning, could destroy me. What I didn’t see until recently was how the person with the power to destroy you can also be the one to lift you up.

This a cute enemies to lovers tale and I liked getting into the history of both individuals to see why they have avoided each other until now. Matt’s reluctance for a relationship because of his childhood and current family situation completely made sense.

This is exactly the kind of story I expect for Lauren Layne and she is still my go to for contemporary romance since I know it will be a great blend of cute and funny.

I’m still waiting for Kennedy and Kate to figure out their situation, hopefully that book is next.

This series continues to be super entertaining. We met both Matt and Sabrina in the first book, but this time around Matt needs Sabrina's expertise to repair his damaged reputation. This frienemies-to-lovers story was jammed packed with delicious sexual tension, witty sparring words, and chemistry that lit the book on fire.

Both characters have emotional layered pasts that have them both refusing to fall in love. Too bad they're perfect for each other and this hatred is just a cover for feelings that won't be explored.

Matt and Sabrina continued to amaze me throughout the story with their understanding of each other but their reluctance to explore a real relationship together. But the HEA at the end is well worth the wait. Always entertaining, the Wall Street series keeps getting better, and I can't wait for Kennedy and Kate's story.

In her second 21 Wall Street novel, Lauren Layne takes readers on a witty, sexy slow burn journey about a hot shot broker and the woman hired to tone down his wild party image.
At twenty-eight Matt Cannon thought he had everything he ever dreamed of. He’s rich, smart, and looks that guarantee he’s in no shortage of female attention. But when a Las Vegas bachelor party gets a bit too wild and on the Wall Street Journal headlines, his bosses give him an ultimatum that will not only make him clean up but also rethink his priorities and view on commitment, because the only person who can help him is also the only woman he’s ever wanted.

Sabrina Cross is the most sought after PR fixer in Manhattan, so repairing Matt’s faux par should be a piece of cake, except the two of them have history, hot enemies-with-benefits history. But Sabrina has a solution for that as well. No benefits while she’s playing to be Matt’s pretend dotting girlfriend. Will they cross the line and put their hearts in danger when neither is looking of a happily ever after?

Both Matt and Sabrina are attractive characters that pull you into their lives and story. They’re both strong and independent, with a cynical view on love because of their dysfunctional family lives while growing up. And when it comes to one another, they’re blinded by fear.

The secondary characters Layne has developed in this series feel like old friends and are equally alluring. They’re loyal and supportive and perfectly compliment the main couple’s story. I can’t wait to read the next book and hope for more.

Lauren Layne has long been a fixture in my reading library with her well-paced stories expertly balanced with delightful wit, sizzling chemistry, delightful characters and a lighthearted plot. Hard Sell was a fun, delicious escape about two people who had found their person years back but hadn’t realized it.

Hard Sell is book #2 of the 21 Wall Street series by Lauren Layne. It is a standalone, contemporary romance. Told from both points of view with a happily ending, no cliffhanger.

Lauren Layne seems to like to push my literary romantic boundaries. She’s one of those authors whose writing is so engaging I find myself overlooking my normally strict character rules in return for a heart melting romance featuring a groveling hero who has to fight to keep his girl.

Matt is a math wiz who has made a ton on money on Wall Street. However, he is missing out on something he never fully realized..love. Too jaded by his parent’s fiasco of a complicated, hot mess of a marriage, he stubbornly refuses to entertain the notion of ever walking down the aisle and tying the knot. No, that would feel too much like walking the plank and drowning in a sea of certain despair. What he hadn’t counted on was his heart and head being tied up into knots by Sabrina Cross, the heroine. Her sassy, won’t take any lip from him attitude definitely keeps him on his toes and in his place. Their flirty, antagonist at times, back and forth banter just seemed to fit them perfectly.

When they met four years ago, it didn’t turn out so well, folks, and all their close friends knew it. What they didn’t know was Matt and Sabrina had been keeping a secret between them. After Sabrina is hired to help Matt out of a career ending type black hole, they truly get to know one another and love will no longer be denied. Well, except by one of them that is. After a knucklehead move, it takes a grand gesture to seal the deal and put them back on the right path to a HEA.

I simply cannot wait to see Kennedy and Kate get their HEA in the next book, Huge Deal. He’s the rich, more quiet, refined, blue blood of this posse of Wall Street broker best friends. Kate is the assistant to all three of them and clearly has had a thing for clueless Kennedy for some time.

Title: Hard Sell, Series: 21 Wall Street (Book 2), Author: Lauren Layne, Pages: 247, stand-alone but part of a series, enemies to in love, steamy scenes, great back and forth banter, afraid to love/marry hero, both marriage skeptics, knucklehead moment, previous booty call arrangement, no love triangle, no OW drama, one OM shows interest, humorous but relationship angst, as well.

Book 1 - Hot Asset (Ian & Lara)
Book 2 - Hard Sell (Matt & Sabrina)
Book 3 - Huge Deal (Kennedy & Kate)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley)

Matt and Sabrina's story may be my favorite Lauren Layne novel to date, and that's saying something! I loved the Stiletto/Oxford series, and enjoyed the first book in the 21 Wall Street series, too, but Hard Sell offers a unique frenemies to lovers approach that focuses on the power of a few "miss" interactions. It's a wonderful romance that's relatively light on the cliche. I chuckled, I smiled at my Kindle, and overall cheered for Sabrina and Matt to find their way. Highly recommend!

This is the second book in a series, but they are interconnected standalones, so it's possible to enjoy Hard Sell without reading Hot Asset first. That said, I recommended you do read the novels in order, as you get more out of the secondary characters that way! I can't wait for Kate and Kennedy's story, the third in the series.

Lately, I have been finding it hard to find time to read in large blocks of time, so I find myself sneaking in a few pages or a chapter at work in-between meetings, late at night when I head to bed, or early mornings if I wake before my alarm. But once I picked this book up, I could NOT put it down! I am pretty sure I missed half a night's sleep and even missed out on some family time to read this book! It was THAT GOOD! I read the first book in the 21 Wall Street series, Hot Asset, earlier this year, and I loved it!

Hard Sell follows Sabrina and Matt. She's the fixer of Manhattan, and he's the boy-wonder of Wall Street. When an ill-timed photo tarnishes Matt's reputation and risks his career, he turns to Sabrina to fix his rep. The only problem?! Sabrina loathes Matt. It was so much fun watching these two run in circles, chasing each other when they didn't realize they were chasing each other. Stolen moments. Were they for the cameras, or were they genuine? Can you turn hate into love? With Matt and Sabrina, it was fun to watch them fight back the inevitable!

When I read, my fiance can always tell when I am truly into something, or if I can just reading to pass the time. I find myself missing entire conversations, and find myself asking him questions to gauge his reactions. I'll ask him what he would do faced with a particular scenario, and see if his reactions match the characters in the books. While reading Hard Sell, I found myself engaging him in the story-lines, and asking him how he would react to such scenarios if it were me and him in real life. I also found him asking me how the story was coming, so even though he wasn't reading the book, I already had him invested in the story!

The tone has been set for the next book in the 21 Wall Street series, and I cannot wait for the next story!

Gah - I absolutely love how Lauren Layne writes enemies to lovers, although in this case, it's more frenemies-to-lovers, but it's still amazing! The chemistry between Matt and Sabrina was hinted at in Hot Asset, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on their story. And let me tell you, Layne did NOT disappoint and that hint of chemistry turns into a blaze.

Matt is a Wall Street wunderkind with an image problem and Sabrina is the "fixer" he hires to help salvage his reputation and his job. She's a friend of a friend and we learn that they have a bit of a messy history as well - which we also learn is why they seem to fight so much. The fact that she plays his girlfriend adds "fake relationship" to "enemies to lovers" which is another trope that I love.

I was bummed when Layne's Oxford series wrapped up (and if you haven't read those, what are you waiting for???) but 21 Wall Street has taken up the mantel. I can't wait for the final book!

Although this is a standalone, and can technically be read as one, I do definitely believe that readers would enjoy it more having read the first book (which was also freaking amazing).

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Hard Sell was a great enemies to lovers/friends to lovers romance. I've read every book LL has written in the past four years, and while this wasn't my favorite book of hers, it was still a great read. Sabrina and Matt definitely have chemistry. I love how close this group of friends are throughout the book and I'm kinda excited at the prospect of another character being added into the mix. Overall, a smart read and I can't wait for Kate and Kennedy's book up next.

Hard Sell is the second novel from Lauren Layne's latest series, 21 Wall Street. To begin with, Ms. Layne's writing style is always polished, evenly paced and modern. Secondly, the chemistry between the two main characters is steamy and seductive. Lastly, the combination of humor, desire and the excitement of Manhattan is nicely presented. This enemies to lovers romance may be enjoyed as a standalone.

Sabrina Cross is a public relations guru. She is intelligent, witty and beautiful. She is a known fixer, and because her expertise is in such high demand, she has a waiting list for her services. She has some good friends and does not believe she will ever find her forever love.

Stock broker extraordinaire Matt Cannon is smart, good-looking and very wealthy. Unfortunately, his womanizing and partying ways have finally caused him grief in his professional life, so now he has to reprove to his management and clients that he is serious about his job. That's where Sabrina comes in. Matt hires her to be his fake girlfriend, so that he can appear settled and committed.

Matt and Sabrina slept together about a dozen times four years ago. Due to a misunderstanding during that time, they can barely stand to be in the same room now. Since they share the same group of friends, they have no choice but to tolerate each other. So their new business relationship is both straight forward and complicated at the same time. In addition, their feelings from the past have never dissipated.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sexy and entertaining novel. Ms. Lane opens the story with a very exciting chapter, which sets the tone to this mostly upbeat romance. Sabrina and Matt are a hot couple, and the build-up to their sexy times left me longing for more. Their fake relationship evolved romantically, and I was cheering for them to find their happily ever after together. Overall, a solid read that will leave you smiling from ear to ear.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Hard Sell is the second book on the 21 Wall Street series. And this Matt and Sabrina story.
After an incident in Las Vegas Matt a broker on Wall Street has to clean up his act and polish that image of party animal and who better to help than Sabrina a “Fixer” but what happens when the lie becomes reality and you can’t fake attraction or even love anymore, what would be the outcome for this two?

I was very excited to read Matt’s story since I met him on Hot Asset (21wall Street #1). I knew there was more to him and Sabrina when the were first introduced and I was not wrong they were so much more than what they led to believe. Lauren Layne did very good with the creating such fantastic characters Matt really was a great hero and Sabrina was an even more amazing heroine. It was refreshing to read about them. The struggles and their flaws and why some actions impact your life and how you see it.
I really love this story I will admit I love a tiny more than Hot asset. I love me some enemies/with benefits to lovers. It was sexy, seeet fun story. Is definitely a favorite from Lauren Layne. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series Huge Deal I need more Kennedy and Kate. I’m hooked on this series Get It Now!!!!

I love a good enemies to lovers romance journey. They have the best tension.

I’ve wanted to read Sabrina and Matt’s story since Hot Asset. I just knew it would be crackling with tension. And Lauren Layne did not disappoint. AND she adds a little twist to their relationship that I think all of you will find as interesting as I did …..

I’ve said this many times before … this author just does not disappoint. Every time I pick up a title by her I smile. Her stories are just so easy to read and so complete. Her characters are real and relatable. You want to be their friend. This story wasn’t just about Sabrina and Matt finding a HEA … it was about their growth as individuals as well. And all of this was spectacularly woven together to make one heck of a read.

I read this story back in June for the first time and again about three weeks ago and both times I was happy and satisfied. This lady has serious talent you guys. READ ALL HER WORDS!

Hard Sell by Lauren Layne is book Two in the 21 Wall Street series. This is the story of Matt Cannon and Sabrina Cross. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Matt is one of the youngest brokers on Wall Street and at Wolfe Investments. So his parting ways ends up getting him in trouble and he needs to show a persona of a settled down young man. This leads him to Sabrina who they have had a hot and volatile encounters...but he needs her. Sabrina is the one person that has a knack for fixing the unfix-able situations. Sabrina agrees to help him but he has to keep his hands to himself....yeah that gonna be a problem.
Great hot read!

5 'Love negotiations' Stars!
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Can I just say, once again, that I am addicted to Lauren Layne's novels? Yes, I seem a broken record because I keep loving everything this woman writes. Yes, she did it again. I rated Hot Asset, the first in this series, with 5 stars also. So as you can see, I enjoyed Hard Sell just as much. An amazing frenemies-to-lovers romance that made me laugh, swoon and feel all the emotions. I thought Matt and Sabrina had something amazing going on when I first read about them and I am so glad I wasn't wrong.

So, Hard Sell is the second installment in the 21 Wall Street series by Lauren Layne and this time the story is focused on Matt Cannon and Sabrina Cross. Matt is the youngest in the three sexy suits we have in the series, he is very successful and he kind of messed up his reputation with news on a crazy night in Las Vegas. Who is about to rescue him and help him restore his image faking to be a loving girlfriend? His frenemy Sabrina, of course. This two have a weird, full of sexual tension relationship. And that gets even more tense when Sabrina imposes a "no hook-ups" rule. But no one is able to fight against explosive chemistry, right? Even more.. against love?

Matt’s entire life is a game. So is mine.
Only this one we’re playing together, which makes it all the more dangerous.

As with everything between us, though, sex is a war, and Matt’s determined to win this battle.

I ADORED EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS BOOK. Yes, I am shouting it all over the place. I don't know how Lauren does it but the majority of her books just click with me and my tastes in light romance. I love having a great list of characters, I love an entertaining storyline, I love a couple that tries to fight against feelings and isn't able to and I love a good dose of sexiness and emotions. Hard Sell has everything I just mentioned. Sabrina and Matt have this very especial connection. A connection that works oh-so-well. There is not an ounce of hate between them but there surely are lots of other feelings in the mix. And I loved every single moment of them in this love story. These two are burning hot and simply fantastic together. And their ending.. GAH! I am still swooning and melting!

The way he makes me feel has always made me want to run.
But not anymore. Now I want to... stay.

Therefore, I am rating Hard Sell with 5 STARS because Lauren just keeps surprising me with the creation of all these outstanding couples and their love stories. I am a fan of the whole 21 Wall Street crew and Sabrina and Matt did not disappoint with their story. I am just a huge fan of light romance but full with great characters, friendship, love and sexiness. I loved this couple and the development of their story, I loved their chemistry and their HEA. And I cannot wait to read the third book too (Kennedy and Kate, oh yeah!). Again, highly recommend!

This is the first book I have read by Lauren Layne and after seeing her writing style in Hard Sell, I definitely will be looking for more of her books. WOW, Eloquent, Tremendous, Magnificent; these all describe the storyline and plot for Hard Sell & 21 Wall Street Series. Matt & Sabrina have the hottest chemistry coming through the pages of this read, you can feel the sizzle through your Kindle! For most of the book, Matt & Sabrina banter back & forth and its humorous but fits their characters so well. Plus it doesn't hurt that their witty & snarky yet amusing banter is what makes it so hot between these two, the best makeup sex EVER. However, these two are not made for, nor looking for a HEA, neither believing in love & marriage so their hot & cold friends with benefits arrangement works. What happens when the friends with benefit arrangement no longer works because they opened up to each other, without the smokescreen of their banter? The decide to walk away, can they both figure out what they want out of relationship before its too late? Can they go from their love/hate friends with benefits arrangement that worked to something more? Can Matt get over his fears to consider love & marriage? Can Sabrina? Matt & Sabrina are two well-rounded & developed characters. Lauren Layne did an absolutely wonderful job conveying through her words the feelings of lust, hurt, betrayal, love making Hard Sell a must have for every Kindle library. Can not stress enough, Hard Sell is not only recommended but definitely worthy of the one-click! Amazing Job Lauren Layne but please bring your readers Kennedy's story!!
I am voluntarily leaving this voluntary review, but for full disclosure I did receive a review copy, ARC, of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.