Meet Lauren Lynne, author of Only with You.
Lauren Layne graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in political science that she has yet to put to good use. After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Layne moved to New York City, where she now writes full-time. She lives with her husband and their plus-size pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.
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Rethinking the boss/secretary romance
Confession time: although I was never a big Harlequin reader back in the day, when I did get my hands on a “series” romance? The boss/secretary trope was my favorite.
Now, being a modern career woman, I feel weird admitting that. Because when I look back to some of those late-eighties/early-nineties plot lines, we were very much dealing with the rich, successful bossman, and the “little woman” who was his assistant.
At the time, they were probably fairly true-to-life, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. But in hindsight? They’re a little bit sexist.
But I loved them. I really did.
And so, when it came time to write my first romance novel, I knew two things:
- I wanted to write a Mr. Darcy-esque hero.
- I wanted to write a modern take on the boss-secretary trope
Only With You is that book.
Gray Wyatt definitely has shades of Mr. Darcy in his shy, cool exterior, and my heroine (Sophie) goes to work for him, though she does it more out of revenge and desperation than anything else.
The result, if I do so say so myself, is a lot of fun.
Here’s why I think the boss/secretary trope works so well: it’s because by putting having hero/heroine work together, we get to see them in their “regular life.” Some romances take place amidst an adventure or extenuating circumstance such as a destination wedding, etc, and those are great … but I love that the boss/secretary stories take place between 9-5 when people are real.
At the end of a boss/secretary romance, I’m always extra confident that they’re going to live happily ever after, because they already know what the other person is like at 9am on a Monday morning, they know who the other person is at 4pm on a Friday, and everything in between. Boss/secretary romances take place when LIFE happens, for REAL people. And is there anything sweeter than a real-life romance?
I’d love to hear your thoughts … do you enjoy workplace romances? Or does it bring up horrible memories of those 80s books in which the female characters wore shoulder pads?
Love is the Biggest Gamble of All . . .
Cocktail waitress Sophie Dalton doesn't exactly have a life plan. She's perfectly happy being everyone's favorite party girl. But when a Las Vegas bachelorette party goes awry and an uptight businessman mistakes Sophie for a prostitute . . . well, Sophie wonders if it's time to reevaluate her priorities. Swearing off her thigh-high boots for good, Sophie slinks back home with damaged pride-and a jackpot of a hangover.
Yet what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. On a trip to Seattle to open a new office, Grayson Wyatt meets his latest employee-who turns out to be the same woman he recently called a hooker. Wealthy and gorgeous, Gray is a man used to getting what he wants. And it doesn't take long to figure out that smart, sassy, sexy Sophie is everything he's been looking for. As their late nights at the office turn into hot morning-afters, they realize their Vegas misunderstanding may lead to the real thing . . .
Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |
Check out what's up for grabs.
Up For Grabs:- 1 $50 ZAPPOS Gift Card
To Enter:
- Please answer Lauren's question: do you enjoy workplace romances? Or does it bring up horrible memories of those 80s books in which the female characters wore shoulder pads?
- Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.
Good Luck!
Special thanks to Lauren Layne + Tasty Book Tours for sponsoring this tour-wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I do enjoy workplace romances! It's an interesting dynamic, especially when the characters are equals instead of one being subordinate. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWorkplace romances can be fun to read. They don't make me think of 80's shoulder pads. lol! Thanks for the great giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteVery "Working Girl" of you, Lauren.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting !!
hey, I wore shoulder pads in the 80s! love the trope.
ReplyDeleteSInce I met my husband of 22 years in the workplace, of course I enjoy them. And, yes I wore 80s shoulder pads too.... think I still have some hiding in my closet.
ReplyDelete