Lauren Layne is one of a handful of authors that can break your heart, while keeping you smiling the whole time. Readers don't have to like every character, but by the end, it's hard not to love them. I Knew You Were Trouble is an ideal example of that. Taylor is a little much at first meeting, but as more is revealed about her, it's easy to understand why. She hides painful insecurities. Nick pushes her, because he sees the beautiful woman behind the abrasive attitude. Another winner. ( )

I love the Lauren Layne Oxford series! And she has blessed us with another book in the series. But I will say that this book broke my heart in so many ways! It's complex, it's gritty, and it has the ability to send you to you bed for the day, totally heartbroken.

Because the story is so intricately woven, I don't think I could tell you the story from my perspective, as I would give away too much of the story, but the character's Taylor and Nick are perfect for each other, but their lives are far from it. Nick is funny, but has a deep side, one that has been so hurt. Taylor has been labeled the ice princess for years, but one she has been tried to change, but also it's one that doesn't fit her. And of course, we get to see all out favorite character's at Oxford Magazine...its kinda like a home coming.

When it comes to the writing and story...well, I can only describe it as a Lauren Layne masterpiece! Divine, flowing, and has the ability to rip your heart out!

I give I Knew You Were Trouble 5 stars!
( )

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers story. This was a pretty quick read and I found myself flying through this fun little book. This is the fourth book in the Oxford series and while fans of the series will enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters, this book could easily be read as a stand alone novel. This was one of those books that I could just totally lose myself in and ended up reading it for hours at a time. It definitely lived up to all of my expectations.

This book is about Taylor and Nick. The book starts out with short chapters showing some of their history with each other which I thought really set the stage of the book quite well. Taylor is planning to move in with her boyfriend, Bradley, but is surprised to find a break up note at the new apartment. When Taylor starts looking for a roommate, Nick decides to taker her up on it and the stage is set for a whole lot of fun.

I thought that Taylor and Nick had wonderful chemistry together. Each of these characters had some very painful moments in their past that really shaped how they deal with life. It became quite apparent that Taylor was very misunderstood because of how she was raised. Nick is a really good guy and sometimes others have taken advantage of his kindness. These two just seemed to fit together perfectly once they gave each other a chance.

I really liked the way this book was written. The characters were wonderfully developed. Their chemistry with each other was intense and their banter was a lot of fun. I liked the fact that it took this pair some time to really get together since it felt more realistic. I must admit that I was pretty sick of Bradley before the book was over but Taylor and Nick seemed to feel the same way so I guess that is okay.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This is a fun little book that tells a really wonderful story. Lauren Layne is one of my go to authors when I am in the mood for contemporary romance and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley. ( )

Taylor has a life she happy with, a great job, Bradley, her man who's perfect and a fantastic apartment they've picked out together and plan to move into. Except plans go adrift when Bradley changes his mind and tells her on moving in day there's another woman. Taylor isn't too upset, but she now needs to find a roommate.
Nick Ballantine needs a temporary place to stay. He's a freelance writer and he bar tends, he also always seems to rub Taylor the wrong way and it drives her crazy.
Living together does something they both had not expected, it's not long before they are drawn together and Nick feels a need to eliminate her ex when he comes crawling back...the fear of losing Taylor is just not acceptable.
The sexual chemistry between them is phenomenal and the bantering and bickering was great, and enjoyed mostly by Nick and frustrated Taylor.
A good book, I highly recommend it! ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I need to stop reading Lauren Layne - either I've aged a lot suddenly or her characters have become more and more immature. Here Nick, a part-time contractor for Oxford magazine, and Taylor, a full-time member of the advertising department, are endlessly and needlessly rude to one another. (This is when they are not mentally assessing the attractiveness of every other character they encounter - "hotness" seems to be a defining personality trait in this book.) It was petty and unpleasant to read - not "banter". Nothing happens at all plot-wise apart from people having relationships and breaking up with people and then getting back together with them etc etc. Bradley, a sometime love interest of Taylor's, who she comes to realize is "boring", is the character on whom the storyline hangs. Literally nothing happens until about a third of the way into the book, when things pick up slightly.

I disliked the last few chapters in many different ways. I just don't think this is a match made in heaven. ( )