I received this book for free from Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A sexy agent hounds Wall Street’s hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.

Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.

An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.

She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.

Lauren Layne has slowly become one of those romance authors I can count on to deliver a book that will sweep me up by my feet. Her characters tend to have good chemistry, great banter and just generally good personalities. When I read the premise for Hot Asset, I was immediately intrigued but overall, the book wasn’t what I had come to expect from Lauren Layne.

It started off really rough with me wanting to DNF a chapter or two in but I persisted and slowly became more attached to the secondary characters and the general world Layne had built. I finished the book on a much stronger note than I had begun it although I am still not sure if I even really liked it??

My biggest issue with the book was Ian Bradley. Lauren Layne writes cocky love interests and that’s never been a problem for me. Ian Bradley was a problem. I hated him. I hated how obnoxious he was and I hated his woe is me attitude about everything that had ever happened to him. From the get go he is framed as “the rich successful man with a sad backstory” and tbh, I am not really gonna feel bad for the rich successful man. I hate how his backstory and his charitable work is seen as an excuse for his shitty behavior. It isn’t. He seems incredibly entitled to Lara’s (the heroine’s) time and gets upset when she is trying to stay true to her job. It was never the least bit endearing and mostly wanted to make me scream that Lara deserved better.

So am I just a masochist to have kept reading? Maybe? But also, I genuinely adored all the secondary characters and even liked Lara and her plot. I just despised Ian Bradley and didn’t understand what Lara saw in him.

Maybe this review is getting a little convoluted and now I’ve confused everyone reading it. I am sorry. I am just a terrible person. So. Hot Asset. The book I am reviewing. It follows the stories of Ian and Lara. Ian is a rich wall street type and Lara is the one investigating him for fraud. Interesting right? Potential for sparks and an angsty romance? Yup. Potential reached? NOPE. Because Ian is a piece of shit who were are supposed to feel bad for because he had a rough childhood. I am sorry. Your rough childhood doesn’t entitle you to my sympathy if you’re a jerk. WHOOPS.

I think the book is worth a read though if you are a fan of Lauren Layne and also if you have interest in the series because I can promise you, the secondary characters are absolutely worth sticking around for and I cannot wait to read their stories.

2.5 Hot Espressos