A second chance at first love…
Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother’s best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night—but he broke her heart and she had to move on.
Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. Kat can handle that because she’s totally over him… right?
Except, he still makes her laugh, and he remembers all the things she likes. Not to mention that he’s even more handsome now than he was then. Then there’s the spark between them—the simply undeniable chemistry, and the tender ways he shows he still cares for her. Can they resist each other the second time around or will first love trump all?
Paperback, 240 pages
Setting: Paris, France / New York, United States
What’s It About?
“He was my first favorite mistake…”
Kat began a jewelry business inspired by a break-up with her first love, Bryan. For five years, she juggles classes, makes jewelry, and builds her business, moving past her first big love. In graduate school, she is paired with a business mentor, who to her complete surprise, is Bryan! 
She needs to pass this class in order to graduate, and her professor won’t allow her to swap mentors. Kat is stuck.
Old feelings return, but Kat fears the feelings are only one-sided. Is Bryan toying with her?
Then, Kat feels unwanted eyes on her. Somebody is watching them and that could be bad news for both Kat and Bryan. Are all the signs pointing to her and Bryan being an impossibility?
My Thoughts
I enjoy Author Lauren Blakely’s novels and was delighted to read Caught Up In Us in exchange for an honest review. I loved the main character, Kat. Kat is a young, yet savvy business woman who knows what she wants and does everything to achieve her goals. Kat Harper is the furthest thing from a “damsel in distress” type heroine.
The POV is told strictly through Kat. You feel for her, and experience her highs and lows throughout the novel. She is a sweet girl who loves Hello Kitty, doesn’t drink alcohol, and cares about her family. You WANT her to succeed. This was so refreshing. I can’t tell you how many romance novels I have read where I couldn’t stand the heroine because she was manipulative/whiny/weak, etc. Author Lauren Blakely features strong women characters who are not only likable, but relatable!
I did find the story line unique, and enjoyed the way Caught Up In Us flowed. The erotic scenes were superb, and peppered throughout the novel. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy new-adult, erotic romance that features a strong heroine!
Quotables
“I understood the meaning of the word swoon — I had become the very definition.”
“I make jewelry. I drink caramel machiattos. I wear Hello Kitty to bed. Of course I love romantic comedies,’ I said with a smile as we neared my house. But I didn’t just love them. I wanted to live within them. I wanted a love like in the movies.”
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Lauren Blakely is an unabashed fan of clever jokes, toast, and good guys in novels. Like the heroine in TROPHY HUSBAND, she thinks life should be filled with hot men, cool clothes, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband and children, and spends her days writing both true stories and make-believe ones. —Goodreads Author Bio
A Well Read Woman 
I love your reviews! you have me wanting to read this one ☺️ I usually shy away from romance novels because the of how the female leads read but I’m excited to hear that this woman is comfortable in herself. I also like that she doesn’t need a man to succeed but doesn’t hate them. too many independent characters also hate men which just makes them read bitter. I might have to buy this one!!
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Thank you! And EXACTLY, I hate the whole “damsel in distress” role most romance heroines fall in! If you do buy it, let me know what you think! 🙂
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will do!!
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