I found this book extremely weird and wasn't appealed to it at all. I don't think I would recommend this to anyone. Sorry.

My Review of EXES - A Second Chance Billionaire Romance Novel by Aria Hawthorne
My Rating 3.5 Stars

Exes was a fun and sexy story, There were many elements in this story that I really enjoyed. The text messaging, the total set up. The banter amongst Alma & Harvey kept me turning the page. This was a fun and entertaining twist to the typical second chance romance.
** I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of his book in exchange for an honest review from the Author , Publisher & Netgalley**

This is the first book by the author and I really enjoyed it.
Harvey and Alma are intense, hot, witty, deep, sexy, strong and so much more.
I really enjoyed reading about their path and how twisty it got
It was fun to learn some Chicago history as well.
Definitely will be reading more by this author.

Alma is a woman stuck in a rut. A year after her divorce, she's stooped to sexting a mysterious man...which actually may be the best thing going in her life. This guy has to be better than her ex, even though he's a rich powerful ass.

Her ex is Harvey Zale. A man who used to be blue collar and sweet. He turned into a real estate tycoon and has lost his flair for finding treasures in the rough and fixing them up with Alma's help. It became more about the money to him, which Alma couldn't get behind.

NO SPOILERS!!!

And all I want to do is spoil...because it was that good of a story.

I will say that Alma and Harvey keep having run ins, especially when she's brought in as an expert on Tiffany glass to valuate and guess if the building Harvey is going to tear down is really a historical monument.

What I enjoyed about this was how Harvey kept trying to win her back. He was sweet and sultry and so in love with her. She loved him, just hated what he became. The story had a real romantic flair. The steamy parts weren't just physical descriptions but had the characters' own feelings and thoughts brought into the mix...something not too often touched upon in the books I've read. Not until afterwards, usually.

This is one I would recommend for the feel of a great love story meets a National Treasure type hunt around the city of Chicago. It was fun and mysterious and just a really good story.

Thanks again, NetGalley and French Kiss Press, for the advanced copy of this one!

This book had me at treasure hunt. Add in some downright steamy sexting, heaps of dirty talk and a big ass money-making man child and Aria Hawthorne’s Exes had me more than a little bit hooked.
It did start off slow to me thought. Harvey is a real estate tycoon, and I do mean tycoon. The man was so focused on making money and being the best that he ignored his marriage and his now ex-wife Alma, antiques expert. Fast forward a bit and the two are reunited…though not for love.
Harvey wants to buy some land on which a building sits but, and it’s a big one, Alma is called into evaluate the windows on said building which—may or may not—be the “Eternal Love” Tiffany window with which she’s been professionally obsessed. This was my favorite part of the story, figuring it out and exploring like an honest to goodness treasure hunt.
And it presented some of the right kind of drama. Sure Harvey is pissed that he can’t just demolish the building but it also puts him and Alma together again and he’s never stopped loving her. So he says but I’m of the mind that you don’t treat someone you care about the way he did. There isn’t just the tension between Harvey and Alma but there’s the almost-triangle with Jacques who seems to have a more than professional interest in Alma.
Then there’s Alma’s family who are firmly on team get Harvey & Alma back together. And that’s where the other, sexier part of the story comes in. A scheming sister, Conchita, hooks Alma up with a number of a gentleman friend with whom she texts, sexts and flirts like crazy. The catch? No names, no job talk and no meeting in real life.
Sounds like a fun, non-committal way to pass the time, right?
I thought so too. But…guess who?
I was reluctant to read this at first because sometimes I get so sick of asshole billionaires being passed of as ‘alpha’ when they are really bullies. But I got this from NetGalley and I figured it was worth a read. And I’m happy I did. I didn’t like Harvey or Alma that much at first but I quickly warmed up to each of them as I learned more about them. I began to understand them.
This is one of those stories that has everything; a bit of adventure, tons of steam, love and some funny family members to break up the drama.

Although this book started off a bit slow in the beginning, it ended up being a really great book. I loved the sassiness of the characters, even though they had divorced a year earlier, you could tell they still loved each other. Harvey is a guy who even though he screwed up a lot, he was still head over heels in loved with Alma. I really enjoyed the history of the Tiffany legend throughout the book, and the relationship Harvey had with Alma's dad and sister. Loved the last few chapters of the book, it was the perfect ending to this pretty funny and sassy couple.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book

I started to put this book down after the first few chapters and not finsh the book. Why? I found the book too close to erotica instead of romance which is what I usually enjoy. But I decided to stay with the book and give it a chance and I am so glad that I did. Staying with the book I learned what's not to love about a hot, cocky billionaire and a really cute and sweet antigue hunter. Oh yes and the hot sexting. Only at the time they did not know that they were sexting with each others ex. Harvey, the billionaire, and Alma, the antique hunter were meant to be together. Harvey is willing to give them another chance, but Alma is not so sure. The story has plenty of ups and downs with a lot of pain and past hurts that need to be forgiven and worked out. It's all about a secong chance and new beginnings. It is a book that I am so glad that I stayed with and finished.

Real estate tycoon, Harvey Zale, can have any woman he wants, except his ex-wife who served him divorce papers a year ago. He's not been the same since the love of his life left him. To occupy his time he's been sexting a woman he nicknamed, Contessa, since part of the deal was to not reveal their names and identities. With their nightly confessions, and sexual fantasies, Harvey can't seem to get enough of her, he needs to meet her. Ever since Alma left him, all he cares about is building the tallest buildings and making more money, but none of this has brought him any happiness. Maybe his Contessa can change that.
Alma Castillo is considered the Lara Croft of antique hunters. When she finds out that Harvey is going to destroy an old building that could possibly have Tiffany glass, Alma takes it upon herself to stop him. If she didn't despise what he represents, they could possibly get along. The one thing that keeps her strong is the new sexting relationship she's developed with a mysterious stranger.
As Alma and Harvey decide to meet, unbeknownst to each other who they really are. As Harvey arrives at their appointe location, he realizes that his sexy Contessa is no other than his ex-wife. He knows he should tell her, but as she agrees to be blindfolded for their first meet, Harvey decides this may be way to win Alma back and convince her to marry him again.
What I loved about this book first of all was the hunting of priceless artifacts that was going on thru the story. A little bit of mystery and a whole lot of humor on Harvey's part. Even thou he was a greedy Billionaire bastard at times, I fell in love with him. This is a must read, I can't say enough good things about it!

Second chance books are my jam. Love when people find what they need and it's been there all the time. Never get over your one love.

When billionaire tycoon Harvey Zale pings a "friend of a friend" with a flirtatious text, he never expects to start an addictive sexting affair with a complete stranger. He's a billionaire who can get any woman he wants, but he can't have her--his mysterious, sultry Contessa, who inspires his nightly confessions and soothes more than just his conscience from the consequences of his own shallow ambitions.

He's determined to build the tallest towers in the world and he needs to sell his Chicago riverfront property to finance it. But when Alma Castillo, the Lara Croft of antique hunters, shows up on his land, claiming the existence of a priceless Tiffany stained-glass window and doing everything in her power to muck up his deal, he knows he's got more than a stray cat to collar and tame. She's not only on a mission to save long-lost antiques; she's also on a personal crusade to hate his guts.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like the author drew me into the story and I was center stage in the ups and downs between Harvey and Alma. I also enjoyed the treasure hunt for the Tiffany stained-glass. This was a well written and very interesting story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great romance book! Can't wait to read more from this author!

Perhaps even as naughty as his Contessa, who unlike Alma, doesn't know anything about his real identity or flawed, billionaire reputation, which flames his desires to escalate their fantasy relationship into the reality of one scorching night of mindblowing...

If he could only get his mind off his ex-wife--the only woman he's ever truly loved. God, woman...if she would just let him pleasure her scornful frown and turn it oh, oh, oooohhhh so upside down, maybe he could convince her to marry him again.

But no one ever said it was easy being a greedy opportunistic billionaire bastard, especially one who happens to know there's nothing better than make-up sex with an ex...

This was such a joy to read. Funny, intense, mysterious and romantic.
Enjoyed it would look for this author again.

What a great second-chance romance with a terrific history of Chicago!

Harvey is a billionaire who is recently divorced. He has begun a sexting relationship with someone he has never met. His mystery woman keeps him hot and bothered and keeps his interest like no one has since his divorce.

Alma, Harvey's ex-wife, is an expert in stained glass windows, antique jewelry and other sparkly things. Alma has also been having a sexting relationship with someone who is making her evenings hot and spicy. Little does Alma know, but the man keeping her her up at night is Harvey - which is unknown to him as well.

As the two of them try to figure out who is heating up their phones, there is mixed in some Chicago history and a mystery regarding Tiffany windows and various sites around Chicago. I learned so much about stained glass windows and Louis Tiffany that a trip to Chicago might be in short order.

I loved the chemistry between Alma and Harvey and the scene near the end literally had me laughing so hard I cried. I look forward to more books by this author!

So I really wanted to like this book. I read it in one sitting. The main characters started out kinda funny. They had the kinky sexting going on, but after the first two chapters I felt my impulse to stop the reading the book was getting the best of me--but I kept on because I was committed to it. By the time each main character of Harvey and Alma were introduced, I thought that maybe the reader would really get into how each one was great in their own way...nope! It's like each character, especially Alma, was so contrived, from the work she did with her father, to the way she divorced Harvey. Clearly it was mostly sex that bound them--pun intended for later use! :) At any rate, Harvey was no fun either. I wish that there was more to him than the vapid real estate developer that the author envisioned--again, NOPE! To round it out, each of the characters introduced were stereotyped and didn't hold any real interest for the reader. I wish that the author had done more. The plot was formulaic, and is best reserved for a harlequin quick read than a full length novel.

Review of The Exes by Aria Hawthorne

PAC in exchange for an honest review

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!

From the first few chapters I was totally rooting for Harvey & Alma to get back together. They have been divorced about a year & not seen each other. You can tell they still have feelings for each other as well as unresolved issues.

Harvey is a self made billionaire who seems to have lost what's always been most important to him- Alma but how to win her back ? Alma is an expert with antiques specifically Tiffany stained glass. They are thrown back together when Alma is called in to inspect some potentially priceless artifacts on some property that is Harvey's latest BIG deal.

A secondary character hatches a plan to get them both back together ! This book is laugh out loud funny , seriously romantic & sexy as well as having a really interesting plot! There is also one of the best HEA !!

Highly recommend this book & now have discovered a new author. I definitely want to check out more books by Aria Hawthorne

5 star read !!!

Ooh, I just loved this book! The main character is Harvey Zale, a billionaire real estate tycoon and I immediately am reminded of the tv show Suits! Suave or so he thinks, hot and he is, and vulnerable but don’t tell anyone! This is a must read so expect to stay up late or spend all day immersed in the world of Harvey and Alma Castillo.

They are divorced and she wants none of his money, which he simply cannot understand. If she would just take it, he could move on and feel that he did right by her. She’s got a job of her own and she’s not willing to compromise her value or morals to accept the work he does. In her opinion, he’s ruining the history of Chicago by demolishing buildings of historical significance and replacing them with monoliths of concrete and steel. He’s trying to make money because he grew up without it, even though he now has enough to last more than a lifetime.

And then he starts having a sexting relationship with a friend of a friend. And so does she. And you know where that is going as well. He finds out first that she is on the other end of his messages before she does. The dilemma is that he wants her but now that he knows what she wants, he if afraid that if he gives it to her, she will be out of his life forever.

It’s a fun yet complicated story of two people who want to love and be loved but they each guard their hearts because they know the pain of it being broken. Well written, entertaining tale, and cuddly story with the requisite HEA!

I was provided a copy of the book by the author for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received in exchange for the review.

I was seduced by the references to a sassy heroine akin to Lara Croft. Unfortunately, within the first few chapters it was obvious that I had very little connection to the main character. While I liked the flirty, dirty text banter knowing it is the Ex and that they really are perfect for each other made the plot superfluous.

I was really excited to read Exes as the blurb drew me in right away. A second chace romance of sorts between exes? Yes please! And Come on?! Let's be honest. You know those Billionaire stories are pure kindle crack. We've read so many of them but have to read just one more! #theaddictionisreal. Exes was a great story and I absolutely loved Harvey and Alma.

One of my favorite tropes or common storylines out there is the inclusion of technology in stories. Maybe it was 50 Shades of Grey and all the emails between Christian and Ana but I absolutely love the use of technology in books (texting, emailing, chatting) as it brings an added dimension to the story. In this case I loved the dual perspectives readers received as Alma and Harvey spoke and interacted not only in person but on line. It was a fabulous bonus to the story.

I thought Harvey and Alma had great chemistry and enjoyed this story thoroughly. All in all, it was a great read!

I would like to thank NetGalley and French Kiss Press LLC for generously providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

Just couldn't get involved in the story. It was a promising plot and well written, but felt a little derivative to me. There was nothing to lift it above others in the genre.

So I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review... you know the drill.

But seriously, I don't know what it is but I have such a weakness for stories where exes find their way back to each other. And this did not fail to deliver. There were definitely some major plot holes like how the hell did Alma not recognize her husband's voice on the phone? But whatever, this is a romance novel not a murder mystery. A few plot holes never hurt anyone. The banter and wit was fun. Harvey was perfect. Alma was a little annoying. But the chemistry and tension was exciting. Definitely a fun read between classes or for travel.

I liked Harley and Almas story. I like how this was a second chance romance since i am such big fan of them. And he was a ceo billionaire I'm a fan of those two. So I love the fact both aspects was brought into one book.

They wanted to hate each other so much but just coudn't. So much they coudn't avoid like the feelings and angst and lust felt.

Highly recommend