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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Another 'girl realizes that her career isn't nearly as important as love' kind of books.
Characters: tabloid reporter, reclusive author
World Building: family camping and dynamics
Plot: renewing past relationship, personal growth, family issues
Sex: medium. lots of tension. a little euphemistic.
Read another: probably not
This was a very internal story, with excellent characterization. But the ending made me a little nuts. The characters never communicated to each other about what drove them apart. Then the formerly strong independent career minded person decided that she really wanted small town marriage and family after all. The end. There didn't seem to be actual compromise or discussion about it.
World Building: family camping and dynamics
Plot: renewing past relationship, personal growth, family issues
Sex: medium. lots of tension. a little euphemistic.
Read another: probably not
This was a very internal story, with excellent characterization. But the ending made me a little nuts. The characters never communicated to each other about what drove them apart. Then the formerly strong independent career minded person decided that she really wanted small town marriage and family after all. The end. There didn't seem to be actual compromise or discussion about it.
This was quite enjoyable and I'm definitely going to read more of hers. Not spectacular, but a very good no-brain holiday read, if you're so inclined.
DNF. Hated the story structure... hated the characters. Felt nothing but irritation at all of them. Sorry, but I need at least one character that I feel I can develop an emotional attachment to in order to continue reading a book.
"Exclusively Yours" is the kind of contemporary romance that I usually love to tears. It's humorous, comes across as family centric (meaning it revolves around characters within a family and their camaraderie), features a rekindling of romance, and has quite a few steamy scenes to match. But I felt there were things about the primary couple (Keri and Joe) that were missing that didn't quite pull me in as much as I would've liked to see in their relationship. There are several side stories to be had in this first installation of the Kowalski Family series, but I felt some of those stories could've been put to the sidelines in order to better develop the primary couple (though the secondary stories were intriguing in themselves).
Keri Daniels is a journalist who was once in a relationship with famous reclusive writer Joe Kowalski, but she broke his heart when she left to pursue her career. Now she's faced with getting an exclusive interview to dig up dirt on the author, or face losing her job. This was an interesting setup and I liked how Joe's intrigued when he finds out that she's back in the picture and wants an interview with him. But he's not handing over any answers, or his heart, easily. I understood how deeply in love he was with Keri still, but I couldn't for the life of me feel like I knew how she managed to fall for him again, and felt the tension could've been played up between them a little more considering their time apart. It's definitely a cute story and their intimate scenes are nice, but I found myself more invested - to an extent - by the family story and the surrounding characters in the Kowalski family. I figure some of this set up for future installations of the series, but I would've liked it a little more of the time could've been spent on tying some loose threads, including Keri's relationship with Terri - whom Keri had a falling out with and contentious relationship ever since, and playing up the backstories of Joe and Keri just to understand them a little more - especially Keri. I think the latter part of the story was a little rushed, but I appreciated the recon that Keri and Joe had. I would love to revisit the Kowalski family again in future books. It's a book I would recommend for those who like chick-lit romances with humor and a familial focus.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin.
Keri Daniels is a journalist who was once in a relationship with famous reclusive writer Joe Kowalski, but she broke his heart when she left to pursue her career. Now she's faced with getting an exclusive interview to dig up dirt on the author, or face losing her job. This was an interesting setup and I liked how Joe's intrigued when he finds out that she's back in the picture and wants an interview with him. But he's not handing over any answers, or his heart, easily. I understood how deeply in love he was with Keri still, but I couldn't for the life of me feel like I knew how she managed to fall for him again, and felt the tension could've been played up between them a little more considering their time apart. It's definitely a cute story and their intimate scenes are nice, but I found myself more invested - to an extent - by the family story and the surrounding characters in the Kowalski family. I figure some of this set up for future installations of the series, but I would've liked it a little more of the time could've been spent on tying some loose threads, including Keri's relationship with Terri - whom Keri had a falling out with and contentious relationship ever since, and playing up the backstories of Joe and Keri just to understand them a little more - especially Keri. I think the latter part of the story was a little rushed, but I appreciated the recon that Keri and Joe had. I would love to revisit the Kowalski family again in future books. It's a book I would recommend for those who like chick-lit romances with humor and a familial focus.
Overall score: 3/5
Note: I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Harlequin.
To think I never really read contemporary romance.
The premise is a little thin, but once the action starts this was a great way to spend a Friday night.
Downloaded the next two to read over the weekend.
The premise is a little thin, but once the action starts this was a great way to spend a Friday night.
Downloaded the next two to read over the weekend.
Horrible transphobic joke in the opening conversation between the hero and the heroine meant to establish rapport between them.
Mocking trans folks doesn't establish rapport; it kills MY rapport with the author.
Mocking trans folks doesn't establish rapport; it kills MY rapport with the author.
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey is the first of a contemporary romance trilogy starring the Kowalski family. I somehow managed to read this and the third book - but not the second. Of the two I read, this one is definitely my favorite.
Keri Daniels works for a big time magazine, and her editor discovers that she was high school sweethearts with Joe Kowalski...a famous and reclusive author. The Joe Kowalski whose heart Keri might have broken after high school graduation when she left town to follow her dreams. Now her editor is demanding an interview, and her job is on the line. Awkward.
Well, the awkward is just beginning for Keri. Joe decides to make things as difficult as possible and tells Keri he'll only grant her the interview if she comes along on his family's yearly vacation. Enter Joe's completely insane family - including his sister, Keri's ex best friend - and you have got a wild ride in store for you! I call his family insane, but I actually loved them. The characterization is extremely well done...from the main characters on down the line.
This is very much a character-driven novel, and luckily both Keri and Joe have fantastic and complex personalities worthy of carrying the book. Both their interactions together and those with the rest of Joe's family leave nothing to be desired. Keri's initial fumbling and anxiety at being around the Kowalskis turns quickly into her fitting right back in with them like she never left. Now she has to try and decide if she made a mistake back when she was eighteen - should she have chosen her career over Joe?
If you're a fan of contemporary romance, this is a book definitely worth reading! It has a slew of hilarious interactions, but mixed in are several very poignant moments exploring the different relationship problems some of the characters are facing. It has a little bit of everything, and I enjoyed reading all of it!
Keri Daniels works for a big time magazine, and her editor discovers that she was high school sweethearts with Joe Kowalski...a famous and reclusive author. The Joe Kowalski whose heart Keri might have broken after high school graduation when she left town to follow her dreams. Now her editor is demanding an interview, and her job is on the line. Awkward.
Well, the awkward is just beginning for Keri. Joe decides to make things as difficult as possible and tells Keri he'll only grant her the interview if she comes along on his family's yearly vacation. Enter Joe's completely insane family - including his sister, Keri's ex best friend - and you have got a wild ride in store for you! I call his family insane, but I actually loved them. The characterization is extremely well done...from the main characters on down the line.
This is very much a character-driven novel, and luckily both Keri and Joe have fantastic and complex personalities worthy of carrying the book. Both their interactions together and those with the rest of Joe's family leave nothing to be desired. Keri's initial fumbling and anxiety at being around the Kowalskis turns quickly into her fitting right back in with them like she never left. Now she has to try and decide if she made a mistake back when she was eighteen - should she have chosen her career over Joe?
If you're a fan of contemporary romance, this is a book definitely worth reading! It has a slew of hilarious interactions, but mixed in are several very poignant moments exploring the different relationship problems some of the characters are facing. It has a little bit of everything, and I enjoyed reading all of it!
Me gustó mucho esta historia sobre volver al primer amor y redescubrir las cosas importantes de la vida.
El ambiente familiar con sus cosas buenas y no tan buenas y la lucha de los matrimonios para superar las crisis de la convivencia son un marco adorable para la historia de Keri, una chica de ciudad cuya carrera lo es todo, y Joe, el solitario escritor de best sellers que nunca pudo olvidarla.
Puntos extras por el realismo y por las puntadas de emoción que me hizo sentir en algunos momentos :)
El ambiente familiar con sus cosas buenas y no tan buenas y la lucha de los matrimonios para superar las crisis de la convivencia son un marco adorable para la historia de Keri, una chica de ciudad cuya carrera lo es todo, y Joe, el solitario escritor de best sellers que nunca pudo olvidarla.
Puntos extras por el realismo y por las puntadas de emoción que me hizo sentir en algunos momentos :)
For the most part, I really enjoyed this story. I laughed and cried, so that must mean the author did a decent job.
In the first half, I had quite a few issues with the heroine, Keri. I would find myself liking her and then the author would put in something that made her seem super shallow and materialistic. I kept waiting for more information as to why she had left the hero, Joe way back when. I will say, that once we learn about her thoughts on graduation night, I did eventually get why she left. As an 18 year old I could see that she thought that way. It still didn't redeem her shallow thoughts, but after the first half the author finally stopped throwing those snippets into the text.
One other thing that bugged me was a quick part when they were talking about his books. It was such a blatant rip off of Stephen King that it felt very cheap and like a lazy way to handle that part of the book. I'm not sure why it bothered me so much, but it did.
Other than those minor issues, I liked how realistic I felt the dialog and feelings were. The fears and insecurities of the couples were handled well. And I adored the kids in the story. They really added a fun element.
In the first half, I had quite a few issues with the heroine, Keri. I would find myself liking her and then the author would put in something that made her seem super shallow and materialistic. I kept waiting for more information as to why she had left the hero, Joe way back when. I will say, that once we learn about her thoughts on graduation night, I did eventually get why she left. As an 18 year old I could see that she thought that way. It still didn't redeem her shallow thoughts, but after the first half the author finally stopped throwing those snippets into the text.
One other thing that bugged me was a quick part when they were talking about his books. It was such a blatant rip off of Stephen King that it felt very cheap and like a lazy way to handle that part of the book. I'm not sure why it bothered me so much, but it did.
Other than those minor issues, I liked how realistic I felt the dialog and feelings were. The fears and insecurities of the couples were handled well. And I adored the kids in the story. They really added a fun element.