Series Review: Modern Love by Piper Rayne

I’ve recently picked up this series and today I thought I would share my thoughts on it. I hadn’t read anything from Piper Rayne before this and now I cannot wait to read more. The Modern Love series by authors Piper Rayne follows 3 friends as they try and navigate love, life and finding their place. Charmed by the Bartender, Hooked by the Boxer and Mad about the Banker are the three books in this series.

Charmed by the Bartender (Modern Love #1) by Piper Rayne

Pages: 268
Publish date: January 30, 2017
Publisher: –
ASIN: B01MSD3OFL
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Who knew sleeping with the enemy could be this fun?

Was the one night stand a good idea?

Well, no. Probably not in retrospect.

In my defense I had just moved back into my grandparent’s house, I’d lost my dream job, and a guy on Tinder had stood me up. It was like life had suddenly stamped ‘LOSER’ on my forehead.

So when the guy behind the bar started giving me THE look… you know, the one that promised I’d be screaming his name into the wee hours of the morning? When that guy also has the perfect amount of scruff on his chiseled chin, biceps bulging out of his t-shirt, and a cocky grin you knew he’d earned in the sack… when he gives you that look, you don’t bother to figure out what your six degrees of separation are. You jump on that horse and ride it!

Pun fully and completely intended. And accurate by the way.

I fully admit to feeling sorry for myself and acting impulsively, but by the time I’d figured out WHO the bartender was, I was already falling for him.

Charmed by the Bartender:

Charmed by the Bartender follows Whitney as she tries to navigate her dating life. When her Tinder date stands her up, she wants to give up. But then she spots the guy standing behind the bar. A few drinks and let’s just say that she doesn’t remember much of the night before. But when she figures out who the guy really is – let’s just say she wants to stay as far away from him.

Whitney was an interesting protagonist. There was a lot of self-doubts and I could totally relate to it throughout the novel. She was also a really interesting character to read about and delve into you. One of my favourite things about Charmed by the Bartender was Whitney’s character arc, which I think worked really well.

It took me a while to really like Cole, but as the novel went on the reader is able to see a very sensitive side to him. A former manwhore, Cole wants to start getting his life together. And Whitney sure does take him by surprise. By the end of Charmed by the Bartender, I really enjoyed Cole as a character and love interest. The reader is able to see there is more to Cole then the front that he has, and Whitney is able to break it down.

Whitney decides that she wants nothing to do with Cole – they do have quite a past. But when Cole’s brother and Whitney’s best friend need some help with their wedding. They both can’t say no. As Charmed by the Bartender goes on Cole is able to break down Whitney’s walls and the hesitation that she has. While Charmed by the Bartender did include insta-lust, the romance was nice and slow and I really enjoyed that.

Overall, Charmed by the Bartender by Piper Rayne isn’t just a fun rom-com. It explores the notion of family, love and strong friendships. I loved the chemistry between Whitney and Cole and how the romance was a great build up. The humor was great, the friendship trio was fantastic and I just enjoyed reading Charmed by the Bartender.

Hooked by the Boxer (Modern Love #2) by Piper Rayne

Pages: 264
Publish date: March 1, 2018
Publisher: –
ASIN: B01MSC1E0E
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

What does a girl do after she discovers her fiancé is a cheating bastard?

In my case, I performed the ritual implosion of all scorned women. I drowned my sorrows in cases of white wine, wallowed in gallons of ice cream, and ignited a bonfire to burn away every damn remnant of his existence. Six months later, the only result was a permanent impression of my ass on the couch.

Adventure Dating my friends dared.
A new and exciting opportunity they said.

I thought they were crazy, but I’m not one to back down from a challenge, so I signed up for the entire four-week deal.

That’s where I saw HIM. Lucas Cummings. He isn’t the classic rich boy I usually end up with. The one whose idea of working up a sweat is waiting for his margarita to be served beachside. Nope. He’s a rough and tough bad boy that all fathers warn their daughters about. You know the type. Cocky swagger, chiseled jaw—the ‘V’.

SOLD, I said to myself, until I discovered he was so much more than just a BOXER.

Left Hook.
Right to the heart.

Hooked by the Boxer:

Talia’s world came crashing down when it was revealed that her fiancé was cheating on her. She thought she had it all, but it’s been six months and she can’t get over it. After eating enough Ben and Jerry’s for a lifetime, her BFF’s think it’s time for her to start dating. But when that doesn’t go exactly to plan they sign her up for adventure dating – and it’s there that she meets Lucus again.

Talia was an interesting protagonist. And overall, I didn’t mind her. There were parts throughout the novel that did really get me regarding Talia, but the reader is able to understand why. Talia went through a pretty bad break up. She is angry, hurt and wants to move on. But she is finding that pretty hard to do. As Hooked by the Boxer goes on the reader is able to see Talia grow and not only find herself, but someone who can be by her side.

I wasn’t a massive fan of Lucus and I can’t really pinpoint why he just rubbed me the wrong way. I loved that he was a boxer – you know me and my sports romances – but personality wise, I just didn’t like him. Throughout Hooked by the Boxer, the reader is able to see different sides to Lucus and for the most part, he seemed like a dick to me.

In saying that, I really did enjoy the romance of Hooked by the Boxer. While Lucus wasn’t my favourite, the way that he cared for Talia was nice. I liked seeing them fall slowly for each other and yes go through some up’s and downs. The reader is able to see that Lucus will stand up for Talia, but also she can stand up for herself.

Overall, I didn’t love Hooked by the Boxer. I really enjoyed the romance and friendships aspects of this one. While I wasn’t a massive fan of the protagonist. In saying that, I still really enjoyed it and left me hanging for more.

Mad About the Banker (Modern Love #3) by Piper Rayne

Pages: 332
Publish date: April 5, 2017
Publisher: –
ASIN: B06X1H3HHF
Purchase: Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Who knew my brother’s friend could be Mr. Right, and not just Mr. Right Now?

My brother refused to introduce me, so I blame him. If he’d just caved, and introduced me to Jasper, I wouldn’t be in this mess. I mean, really, what’s the big deal? I’m not interested in the guy’s looks.

Oh no, I want his cold hard cash. (Be honest, you were expecting that other four letter ‘c’ word weren’t you?)

Now, before you go getting all judgy, I’m not a gold digger. I have a legitimate business opportunity for Jasper to invest in. The problem is that my stick-up-his-ass brother is embarrassed that his twin sister invents kick ass sex toys. His problem, not mine.

So, I took matters into my own hands. Defeat isn’t a word in Lennon Hart’s dictionary.

Using my stealthy P.I. moves, I narrowed my search to a time and place where I knew I could find him. It was completely innocent. A chance meeting that would give me the opportunity to pitch my business.

It wasn’t until I sat down across from the gorgeous panty soaking man in front of me, that I realized I wanted so much more than just his money. I could very well want his heart if I wasn’t careful.

Apparently my P.I. skills aren’t as stellar as I thought because Jasper had his own secret — and it changed EVERYTHING.

Mad About the Banker:

The third book in the series follows Lennon as she tries to expand her business, and when her brother refuses to introduce his friend to her, Lennon takes this into her own hands. But Jasper isn’t what she expects and now she might need to choose between her dream business and the person that might be the man of her dreams.

I adored Lennon in Mad About the Banker. The reader is immediately able to fall into her and just go with it. As the novel goes on the reader is also able to see Lennon grow a whole lot and that was fantastic. One of my favourite things about Lennon was that she wasn’t ashamed. She loves who she is, and what she wants to do.

Jasper, I think he also might be my favourite out of the three love interest in the series. The reader is able to see how much he cares not only for Lennon but for his son. And that made my heart melt. I liked how invested he was in Lennon and who she wants to be. There were parts that he acted like a 14-year-old, but he sure did redeem himself.

The romance in Mad About the Banker was adorable. I just loved it. Lennon is outgoing and outspoken, while Jasper is more reserved. But together they are able to bring out sides of each other that shine. Lennon is not able to build a fantastic relationship with Jasper, but also his son.

Overall, Mad About the Banker by Piper Rayne is my favourite of the three. It’s fun, emotional, with sass and romance. Lennon and Jasper are just fantastic characters that made my heart pour with love. This book has so manty things that I love and made my heart so full.

And that is it! Wow. On the most part, the Modern Love series by Piper Rayne is a great read. There are many ups and down. But if you are looking for a fun, rom-com read then this is for you. Have you read these books by Piper Rayne? What did you think? Are you planning on reading it? Let’s Chat!