Book Review: Steal Me (New York's Finest #2) by Lauren Layne

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.

I fell in love with author, Lauren Layne, when I read the first book in the New York's Finest series, Frisk Me. The way Layne writes just pulls you in and won't let go until you're reading the last sentence of the book. I have been looking forward to reading Steal Me for months and when I finally did get to crack it open, I read it in less than a day. 

My first thought when I started this book was that the main character, Anthony, has a weird-ass nickname. Anth. I'll be honest ... it was SOO irritating. At least it was until something funny happened. This nickname is dropped on you from the very beginning of the novel and then a little ways in, a character in the book ALSO thinks that this nickname is weird as shit and comments on it. No joke ... from that point on, I was okay with the nickname. I don't know if it was because Layne acknowledged what I found to be an issue and then gave reasons as to why you should dismiss it or what ... but all was good after that. 

Really, the only issue (that quickly became a non-issue) was the Anth thing. Everything else about the book is absolutely stellar. I really enjoyed catching up with the characters from the previous book, Frisk Me. Layne writes a book that is pretty all-inclusive, character wise. And by that, I mean that the book isn't just about the two main characters. There are quite a few little sub-plots going on at the same time and thankfully, they actually contribute to the completeness of the story and it doesn't detract in any way. 

Just like the last book, all of the characters are completely unforgettable. I would get so excited when Anth's grandmother, Nona, was in a scene because she is a foul-mouthed busy body that you can't help but love because she has only the best intentions. She's a firecracker, that one, and I can only hope that I'm half as awesome as she is when I'm that age. The rest of the Moretti family is just as memorable and make me crave the next book. Which won't be out until March. Which is bullshit. 

The story itself was absolutely perfect. I couldn't imagine it ending any other way, I couldn't imagine one scene not included or one sentence worded differently. I have a feeling that Lauren Layne's other books are like this as well. She is amazingly talented and I know that my reading year wouldn't be nearly as fantastic without her. Make sure before you start this one that you pick up Frisk Me!! That story with Luc is just as perfect! Come on March ... I want Vincent's story!!

* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *

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