DNF Review: Steal Me (New York’s Finest #2) by Lauren Layne

IN HOT PURSUIT
Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti's blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that's just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony's morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn't exactly Maggie Walker's dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she'd really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss. ~ Goodreads


Source: e-arc provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Review: Lauren Layne is an author that several of my followers recommended to me so I snapped up this book when it became available for review.

I barely made it it to the 100 page mark though, so this is a DNF review, based only on what I read & why I didn’t finish - not the book in it’s entirety.

We’re introduced to the hero, Anthony, while he’s having dinner with his family at a local diner. He is supposed to be gruff and under stress from his job as a cop but he was such an asshat – especially to the heroine - that I disliked him instantly.

Anthony comes off as a throwback to the Neanderthal hero type from older romances and Maggie is the sweet heroine who is a clumsy waitress, spilling things all over Anthony because he’s…good looking? I don’t really know because otherwise he’s such a jerk. He’s super mean to her but then of course the clumsy waitress says something plucky and then BING! he wants her!

I do understand that there is a character arc. The hero is a Mr. Grumpy pants and the love of the heroine softens him. He'll end up nice. It takes a little time for all of that to play out and usually I’m patient but I just couldn't connect to either of these two.

During the scene at the diner with Anthony and his family, I found ALL of his siblings more interesting than either Maggie or Anthony so I wouldn’t mind trying a different book by the author with a different couple. Maybe this just wasn’t the one for me.

If you’re a fan of Layne, feel free to recommend your favorites to me in the comments.

* One of my fave bloggers Anna, at Herding Cats & Burning Soup loved it so check out her Quote-tastic review before deciding to read/pass.