FOR BETTER OR WORSE is book two in Lauren Layne's "Wedding Belles" series. When former Wall Street hotshot Josh Tanner and wedding planner extraordinaire Heather Fowler meet, it is when they are at very different points in their lives. Josh is a cancer survivor, and part of his coping has been to give in to his impulses and not be restrained by any set plans. Heather, by contrast, is very goal-oriented and striving to get a promotion and go from assistant wedding planner to full-fledged wedding planner. When they wind up as next door neighbors in their apartment building sparks fly.

From the moment Josh and Heather meet, there is a definite physical attraction, but they initially clash over his noisy wild ways. I don't normally like stories in which the hero and heroine argue, but Lauren Layne quickly moves Josh and Heather's teasing from being snarky to being more playful and flirtatious. The sexual tension between Josh and Heather skyrockets in a very short amount of time and makes for some truly electric moments between the two. Heather's loneliness is palpable in FOR BETTER OR WORSE. Lauren Layne perfectly captures how seductive Heather finds Josh's support and friendship. Josh's amusing antics and sympathetic ear mean more to Heather than any sexual technique.

Since Josh's true feelings are often an enigma to Heather, it's great to have part of the story told from his perspective. The appearances of Josh's sister and parents give a little more insight into what makes him who he is, and why he feels as though he has to keep his past a secret from Heather. The friendships between all the "Wedding Belles" provide a little humor in a story that has some very serious moments. Lauren Layne manages to balance sexiness with tear-jerking moments and keep me reading way past my bedtime.

FOR BETTER OR WORSE is a story of family, friendship, and an unexpected but utterly fabulous romance. Josh and Heather are both characters you delight in getting to know better, and their love story is thoroughly engrossing. Josh is a guy whose charm grows on the heroine and the reader. I can't wait to read about what's in store for Alexis, and enjoy the next "Wedding Belles" story!