LAYERS
Stark Series #1
by Sigal Ehrlich
Publisher: Telemachus Press (Oct. 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult
Format: eBook (299 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 stars)
According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.
When Hayley makes a resolution to declare her loose lifestyle era R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…
That is until she meets Daniel Stark, a well-respected, mid-thirties business man who is known for his short temper, lack of steady relationships as well as his strict preserve of his private life.
Opinionated, sharp tongued Hayley accidently steps into his office leaving Daniel resolved to put Hayley in her place and have her in his bed.
Both Hayley and Daniel can’t avoid the immediate instigation of the attraction between them.
In a unanimously agreed upon verdict by Hayley and her two best friends, Ian the gay self-absorbed, aspiring model and Natasha the witty, borderline neurotic soul mate, Daniel Stark is to be Hayley’s pure physical attraction, emotions aside era closure.
Will it indeed be a closure, or a beginning to something neither Hayley nor Daniel ever bargained for…
At A Glance
Wow, so disappointed. What was the point of this book? I still don’t know.
The Good
This book would have been one star if not for the ending. The ending actually made me want to read the next book in the series. Hard to imagine, right, after giving this book 2 stars? But I liked how it ended on a cliffhanger (not a huge one, mind you). Even though I had so many problems with this book, the ending worked for me. It was the only exciting part of the book. Well, wait, I did love the first part of the book too. It really drew me in right away. Hayley and Daniel had some silly fun in the beginning chapters that just had me grinning like a dork.
The Bad
Layers was the manifestation of nothingness. I guess you can call it a romance but a bare minimum romance. The plot consisted of Hayley and Daniel getting together…and that’s it. If you want to spend 300 pages of watching a somewhat normal relationship manifest, be my guess, but from experience I can say it’s effing boring. NOTHING HAPPENED. There was literally no surprises or big drama until the last eight percent of the book, and even then I wasn’t that ‘OMG’ed’ by the whole situation.
Then we have the cast of characters. Bleh! Hayley, Daniel, and most of the other characters were so underdeveloped it was ridicules. They were all so one-dimensional. This affected my feelings for the romance. Maybe there was some cute moments between Hayley and Daniel, but I just couldn’t figure out why these two got together. Hayley was average in every way and Daniel was an asshat to everyone, even Hayley on occasion. I didn’t understand how anyone could love someone that could treat other people so horribly.
I could go on about the things I didn’t like about this book but these are the three main things that annoyed me and why beat a dead horse, you know?
The Snuggly
Worst. Sex Scenes. Ever! I was so bored during the sex scenes that I started skipping them one-third into the book. You guys know how important sex scenes are to me. 😉 In Layers they were all glossed over but tedious at the same time. I just wanted them to be over. Then again, it could be that I just didn’t like the couple and it affected my perception.
Final Thoughts
I didn’t see the appeal of this book. Nothing happened and the characters were BORING. But, oddly enough, I am kinda interested to see what is going to happen next. Jeeze, I am so conflicted. For now, I would not recommend this book.
“Hales,” he purrs quietly with closed eyes, his nose grazing my flesh. “I am so yours, more than I’ve ever been mine.”
“I can always take them off if they’re an issue.”
“If you put it that way I think all of your clothes are a major issue, Hayley. For f*ck’s sake, get rid of all of these issues.”
“In the comfort of my room, in front of god, myself, and my immaculate collection of shoes, I declare tonight the swan song of my sordid lifestyle. No more. I am not marching on that path, ever again.”
Amy Logg
I totally agree, if I don’t connect with the characters, then their romance and love scenes become tedious and boring. I need to feel the character’s emotions or everything just becomes flat. I also don’t like the sound of Daniel’s character, he doesn’t seem like a hero you’d want to swoon over. Hopefully the next book in the series will improve!
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, I really do think it came down to me not liking the characters. Especially Daniel.
Laura Thomas
Characters are my main focus in a book. If I can’t connect with them, the story line doesn’t matter. Sorry you didn’t find a winner. And I’ve been there where the very end hooks you, but I didn’t go on and read the next book. Just didn’t want to invest my time when there were so many others I was anxious to read.
Jennifer Bielman
I don’t think I will end up reading the next one even though the ending tempted me.
kimbacaffeinate
Well, this is in my tbr pile..*shuffles it to the very bottom* I think because you didn’t connect the whole thing went south..so sorry Jennifer and I am in no rush to read this.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, I wouldn’t be in a rush at all.
Talk Supe
Hahaha manifestation of nothingness… Very poetic I love it!
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, thanks!
Brandi Kosiner
Sorry this one wasn’t for you with the bad sex scenes and characters you didn’t like
Jennifer Bielman
It so sucked that this one wasn’t good. I was so excited.
sherry fundin
Sorry the book wasn’t good for you. I have to laugh along with TS – manifestation of nothingness. LOL Here’s hoping the next book will be a winner!
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, It totally fits though. Nothingness!
Christy @ Love of Books
hahaha … so it wasn’t good? 😛 Seriously, that sucks. I’ll be passing on this one, especially because Daniel sounds like a major douche.
Jennifer Bielman
So douchy!
Jaclyn Canada
Well, it’s a contemporary romance so it’s not my thing anyway, but I am sorry to hear that it disappointed you so much. I enjoyed your review like I always do though 😉 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, this is definitely not a shining endorsement for contemp romances.
Giselle
I’m not much a fan of those romances that seem to not be going anyways and especially in a contemporary story I get bored REAL fast. Unless I really connect to a character then I love to get some slow character building and a budding romance but it’s kind of a fine line. Anyways I totally get where you’re coming from. I haven’t read this series but I’m def. been made curious about it!
Jennifer Bielman
I never liked contemps but then I read some amazing ones. So they are fifty fifty for me.
Sarah Elizabeth
boring sex scenes? what a waste!
Jennifer Bielman
Exactly!
Lily B
oh gosh I am currently reading this but had to put it on pause cause I couldn’t wrap my head around this. It feels like a failed billionaire erotica. There was a lot of “Sex scenes” but I wouldn’t call them scenes.. just.. umm… yeah no
I don’t like Daniel. He sounds like he needs to get evaluated and possibly put in a mental institutions.
And this probably should have been done in first person POV cause the italics of her thoughts drove me a bit nuts.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, those sex scenes are an epic fail. And Daniel does need a psych eval for sure. Happy I am not the only one who didn’t understand the appeal of this book.
Mia Searles
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mia Searles
Ahhh, this is really a shame because I actually like the cover! I really hate when the actual story doesn’t live up to the cover art. So silly, but sooo glad I caught your review so I can avoid this one! 🙂
Mia @ The Muses Circle
Jennifer Bielman
I know, it was a great cover, but no so good on the inside.