Matchmaking the CEO

By: Layla Hagen

Narrated by: Jacob Morgan, Emma Wilder

Jake Whitley and I start off on the wrong foot. And then it goes downhill from there.

After my career implodes, I’m determined to make a living with my new event planning business.

But Jake and I are at odds from the moment I step on his private plane.

He wants to get rid of me. I want to throw his grandmother the celebration of a lifetime…on his property in Martha’s Vineyard.

He’s arrogant and a grump and acts like he owns the world. He’s also hot as hell, but I’d never cross that line. I can’t afford another mistake in my professional life. Not that Jake is attracted to me.

Just when I brace myself for another heated conversation, I discover a completely different man under the façade he’s created. He claims he’s always wanted me.

The last thing I need is for this gorgeous man to tilt my world on its axis. But Jake has other ideas, and so does his matchmaking grandmother.

©2022 Layla Hagen (P)2022 Layla Hagen

Loved the first story in the Whitley family series!!❤️

I got the ebook and audiobook day one. Layla Hagen is an auto download for me (and it only made it better that Jacob Morgan was one of the narrators). I LOVED this story!

If you enjoyed the Maxwell family series, you will be just as happy with this one too. Jake and Natalie are a great pair and looking forward to seeing cameos of their life, if LH continues the tradition of bringing them into the other family stories. I like the set up of the 8 brothers and the dynamics of the different components of the families brought together. And you will love the easy grandmother.

LH books got me through the worst of covid. If you are looking for a contemporary romance, with low drama/angst, great chemistry and a strong family positive vibe (plus a HEA), this is a perfect start. Totally worth a credit. 5 stars for sure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can’t wait for the next t story - and please keep the narration team!!

Ah, the grumpy CEO

Cute story. He’s that workaholic CEO who needs to slow down. She’s looking to start her own party planning business and his grandparents anniversary party is just the thing! They have chemistry but is that enough for an HEA?

Great story! And characters!

Oh… my.. word!! I love this book! I am very, very drawn to Layla Hagan books…. And I have gone back and read every one of them. The characters in this book are so down to earth and easy to love. Jakes Grandparents, and his brothers… you might want them as family.

It’s an excellent read, with characters you will want to know more about. Every situation, every conversation, every minute of this book will make you want to read more and know more about all of them. I want to know more about this family, because of the family history. Each of these brother/half-brothers have stories and histories that you want to know more about. I hope this is a series, so that we can know about all of them!!

The narrators were excellent. Jacob Morgan is a favorite of mine!

Cute and fun

Finnaly a man who gets it and wants to keep it. Low on the drama between the lowers. Fun and sweet.

Grumpy Jake meets his match

This book was so good! I can’t wait for the next one to be released! The grandmother in this book is so sly and smart trying to bring her 2 families of grandkids together one way or another. She also wants to help heal her grandson Jakes heart! Her little scheme to hire a party planner is brilliant! I think when Natalie is hired for the party she gives Jake a run for his money the whole way through planning which is the kick in the butt he needs lol. Jacob and Emma did a kickazz job telling this story and Layla wrote an awesome grumpy successful business owner love story.

Heartwarming and Steamy Romance!

This grumpy-sunshine romance was such a joy to listen to! Jake has his own business in NY and works nonstop. When his grandparents need his help with their own business, he can't say no, and reluctantly moves to Boston temporarily. His Grandmother also wants to have a party at his home in Martha’s Vineyard, and asks him to show her party planner around. It is totally out of character for him and he is not happy but does relent. Natalie is planning events after losing her job. She helped her mom plan events while in college and enjoyed it. When she and Jake first meet, it did not go well. When Jake is his growly self, Natalie calls him out on his attitude and gives it right back to him. He is shocked and impressed, and they soon begin to work well with each other. The more time they spend together, the more the sparks fly. Add in their meddling family and they can't keep away from each other, and start falling hard for each other. They know they need to protect their hearts with Jake's life in New York and Natalie not knowing where her next job will take her. When Natalie's past begins to make trouble, will they fight for each other, or is it better to stop before their hearts are completely shattered? I really loved Jake and Natalie, they were so perfect for each other. They challenged each other, loved their families, and their chemistry was off the charts! I loved Natalie's strength and determination, and Jake was so swoony with his soft spot for his grandparents, and his protectiveness of those he loved. I really loved all the meddling and supportive family and friends who made this story even more fun and authentic.
Jacob Morgan, and Emma Wilder did an incredible job bringing this story to life, immersing me in their world, and making this feel good, sweet, heartwarming, and steamy romance even more irresistible!

Meddling grannies for the win!

When her volatile relationship with her ex got her to lose her job, Natalie resorts to making a living by following her mother's footsteps in event planning. So, she's thrilled when Mrs Whitley, an adorable soon-to-be-90 hires her to plan her birthday party. What Natalie doesn't know is that the adorable old lady has her matchmaking hat on. 

Jake Whitley hasn't been in Boston for a while. Though he misses his grandparents and his brothers, he wants distance from his half-brothers: all products of his father's secret second family. He can't say no to his grandmother, though, and when she asks him to let her use his Martha's Vineyard estate as the venue for the party, he reluctantly says yes. That means having to deal with the bubbly event planner...

This books surprised me. I thought I was going to read a very light rom com but it deals with some heavy family dynamics. Jake is not the grump everyone seems to think he is and he falls pretty quickly for Natalie. There is some secondary plot with the ex that was totally unnecessary though, imho. Pretty low angst, considering the themes. A nice book to spend an afternoon with... and the narration is pure gold.

Narration: Emma Wilder as the bubbly and caring Natalie and Jacob Morgan as the workaholic, soft on the inside billionaire. You can't go wrong with this duo. 

Possible triggers: toxic relationship with an ex, complicated family dynamics, cheating (secondary character - mention)

Love!!!

Seeing the reviews I was confused but I have to say this was an amazing story, and can’t wait for the next book in series, the Whitley brothers are definitely a great story to hear!!!

Loved This First Installment!

I love starting a new series, and this book did not disappoint! The characters were fun, funny, and I enjoyed watching this love story play out. I can't wait for book 2! I listen to audible books every day, and always enjoy listening to Jacob and Emma narrate, they never disappoint!

New series - The Whitley family

I liked this first book in this series about a matchmaking grandmother and her grandsons. Because of the bad actions of the grandsons' father, he had two separate families at the same time. Needless to say that caused some problems. Grandmother wants them to get along and find love and give her great-grandchildren. Her 90th birthday is coming up and she's hired Natalie to plan it. Grandmother thinks that her oldest grandson, Jake, is a match for Natalie and sets them up for a meeting. Jake doesn't want to be in Boston when his business is in New York but he's promised to help with one of the family businesses in order to keep his grandfather from being stressed and hurting his health more. Are Natalie and Jake's family enough for him to stay? Will grandmother's matchmaking work?
Wonderful narration by Jacob Morgan and Emma Wilder. I'm looking forward to more of the brothers' stories.