Series Review: Girl in Luv by Jay Crownover & Rebecca Yarros

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Girl in Luv (from Goodreads):

Langley Vaughn is in desperate need of a date.

But not just any date.

She’s looking for a date to the wedding from hell. It isn’t every day you’re forced to be in the bridal party while your first love marries your arch nemesis… otherwise known as the world’s worst stepsister. The entire situation is a nightmare, and Langley is sick and tired of taking orders and forcing a fake smile. She’s done being the bad guy when she was the one who was wronged.

She needs to find a date who’s not afraid of her family’s money and someone who is willing to shake things up. She needs someone outside of her normal social circle, someone ready to go to war with the well-to-do. She needs someone who won’t back down. Someone willing to play the complicated game of tug of war she’s been engaged in with her family for years.

Never in a million years did she think she was going to stumble across her very own heroic heartthrob when she set her crazy plan in motion.

Not only does Iker show up for her time and time again, he also forced her to finally fight for herself.

He says he’s only there for the money… but his actions speak so much louder than his words.

Iker Alvarez would do anything and everything to get his hands on some quick cash.

Not just any cash, but enough to make sure his younger brother gets into the college of his dreams.

Thank goodness for a desperate, pretty little rich girl with too much money and her heart set on an outrageous scheme. Being in the right place at the right time might just be the answer to both of their prayers — and this smart soldier has never let a golden opportunity slide by.

Iker doesn’t mind coming to Langley’s rescue and being her plus-one… as long as the price is right.

Only, he didn’t plan on liking the blonde socialite as much as he does. He is totally unprepared for the pull he feels toward her, coupled with his growing desire to protect her from the vultures and villains living under the same roof.

He wants to be the guy who keeps her safe and gives her the courage to fight back that she obviously needs… But someone else, someone far more powerful and influential than Langley’s wealthy family, has dibs on Iker’s time and on his future. He knows he isn’t the guy Langley can count on in the long run, but damn if he doesn’t want to do everything in his power to be that man.

Series: Girl in Luv Duet
Author: Jay Crownover and Rebecca Yarros
# of Books: 2 (Full Reading Order)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: October 2019
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I really enjoy both of these authors’ individual books so I was excited to see what they could to together. They write such solid characters with tragic pasts and the right amount of angst, so I knew what to expect going in.

The Plot:

At times, I felt like not a lot was happening in this book. I honestly think you could have condensed both books into one novel and cut out some of the drier parts. There are some great scenes along the way but other parts just felt like filler to me.

The Characters:

This story could have been a super angsty read but there was just enough to drive this story. It brought these characters down to earth in some ways and I appreciated that. Both of our leads are sweet people with chips on their shoulders so watching them find that middle ground with the other was great.

The Romance:

I really loved the chemistry between these two. I understood the draw to each other and how they could fall in love. And that tension and burn between them really helped to drive the story.

My Audiobook Experience:

I probably could have read these books much faster than I did by listening to the audiobook but I still enjoyed the production and how it provided some depth to the characters by hearing their conversations and inner monologues.