Review: "Entice" by S. Layne (The Affair #1)
Note: This ebook was provided by Book Enthusiast Promotions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Laurie Baker wants just three days to herself, to be away from the husband she still loves but whose indiscretion with his secretary has left her with a broken heart, a wounded soul, and a mind filled with too many questions and thoughts focused on self-doubt. She gets those three days by way of a work commitment that requires her to be out of town. James begs her to come back to him after the three days and what she promises him instead as that she'll come back with a decision as to what will happen next.
While in the hotel where she and her boss are checked in, Laurie meets Liam Parker and an invitation for a drink turns into an invitation to one night together with the only promise made is Liam bringing Laurie enough pleasure to erase the pain she's experiencing. But all it takes is that one night to change Laurie's forever, and she finds herself making choices that she would have never even considered in the past, wanting to grasp at what she had for a mere moment and hold on to it for as long as she possibly can.
Entice is the first book in The Affair series by S. Layne, a pen name used by bestselling author Stacey Lynn, and is the story of Laurie Baker, a woman reeling from the discovery of her husband James's affair and then proceeding to have an affair of her own with Liam Parker. This book surprised me (in a totally good way) in the manner in which the story started as well as with the twists I didn't see coming. There's no sugarcoating involved, no over-romanticizing of affairs that could very well cost Laurie her marriage.
I liked how real Laurie felt as a woman whose life in emotional limbo. She made the decision to go with Liam that night because she wanted to be with someone who looked at her the way Liam did and to experience simply being wanted as a woman. James's affair made her feel as if she wasn't enough for her husband. Her affair with Liam may appear like an act of selfishness and revenge, but I think that there's more to it than wanting to hurt James, especially since Laurie knows firsthand what betrayal feels like.
The series title should clue readers in on the fact that there is cheating in this book and while I don't condone cheating, I don't have an aversion to reading about it especially because there's often a story behind the cheating and I'm a firm believer that it takes both parties to make a marriage work and for it to not work. I do encourage my fellow bookaholics to read the book because it isn't the usual story about cheating that you often find in other books nowadays. It does end in a cliffhanger of sorts, so be aware.
This is the first book by Stacey Lynn that I've read, though I am aware of her past titles, and I enjoyed her ability to tell a provocative tale but still evoke a feeling of empathy and understanding from readers. None of the lead characters--Laurie, James, or Liam--are faultless but that's just part of what makes them very human. I am quite glad that I had the sequel ready and waiting for me because this first book definitely whetted my appetite for more of the lead characters and their very enticing story. Entice = five stars! ♥
Date Read: 02 May 2015
Learn more about S. Layne (Stacey Lynn) here.
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