Loved loved loved this book & this series! Exception consumed me from the first page and I couldn’t stop reading until the last!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

This is the second book in the Haven Point duet. It is a must to read Curveball first.

This book is about Joey DeLuca, Coen's brother and Kennedy Wallace aka Jelly Bean. Joey is staying in the loft over the garage at his brother's home helping with the renovations. He has been suspended from his job as a Detective and is finding the peace he needs pending the outcome of his suspension. He didn't expect his peace to be shattered by Kennedy Wallace, but the more he gets to know the fiery spitball of a girl, the more he wonders if given the opportunity to stay in Haven Point, he may have found a reason to do so.

This is one of those books that once started, you really have to read straight through as it grabs you from the first page and leaves you wanting more when you finish.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kindle Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.5 Stars

I honestly didn't know what to expect while reading Exception. The fact that this story and these characters hit me deeply in the feels department was surprising. The only thing I knew for sure was that this was Joey's book. If you've read Curveball you know that Joey is Coen's older brother. Both books are about different couples, so you don't have to read Curveball to read Exception, but I definitely recommend you do. Why? Because Coen!!!!! Coen is just *heart eyes* Alright, back to Exception.

Exception was a story about discovering your true self and living without fears.

Kennedy Wallace has done the best she can do living away from home. But finding a decent job has been harder than she thought. When she left her small town she was destined for bigger and better. Voted most likely to succeed from her fellow peers in high school has made Kennedy want to achieve that and more. But her financial situation has become grim. So she decides to move back home for a couple of months and stay with her parents and help them out with their hardware store. She wants to save some money and get her life on track before deciding what to do. It's not what Kennedy wanted, but it's what's best.

Detective Joey DeLuca has seen better days. Taken off a very important case, Joey needs to clear his head, and what better way to do that than to visit his brother and help him remodel his new house. And in a trip to the towns hardware store he spots Kennedy. And let's just say their first meeting wasn't exactly smooth.

It was no surprise that Kennedy and Joey had chemistry. And their back and forth banter made it extra fun for when they finally gave in to their feelings. I relished their arguments because they were silly and brought the laughs. They were stubborn, but it was only because they didn't want to get hurt. But when they finally let each other in and break down the walls they had built it was exactly the way it was supposed to be.

“You could have passed me in the busiest city, during the busiest hour, with sirens blaring in the middle of a hailstorm, and I would’ve noticed you.”

Mariah, please tell me you're writing a book for Grace! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I need to know more about her story. I hurt for her so much, and I don't want to say goodbye without knowing certain things. *fingers crossed* for a Grace book.

I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. I like a story where the characters have to sruggle during their lives. Heck, that's usually real life. Don't get me wrong, I love the billionaire stories too, but this could happen to anyone... Read this book to find out what happens to Kennedy and Joey in their life struggles.

This was my first read by Mariah Dietz. This is a standalone with HEA. Kennedy is dealing with some employment issues and we come to find out, also some trust issues. Enter Joey. He breaks down her walls as she breaks down his all the while delving a little deeper into some more substantial issues some other characters are dealing with and how it affects Kennedy and her family. I enjoyed this book and how some serious mental issues were brought up and you saw them through someone else's eyes. I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

Exception has quickly become my favourite book written by Mariah Dietz!

When I first started reading this novel, I was immediately captivated. The characters are so intriguing, that you can't help yourself when you start to fall in love with them, or when you start to swoon and ooh and ahh over them.

I am in dire need of this book in paperback on my shelf. I need to swoon over it in person.

4.5/5 Stars!

Exception was a slow-paced romantic novel. It centered around small town living, family, friendship and finding your joy. The story also touched on the topic of mental disease. This was Joey and Kennedy's story and I have to admit I liked these two even when they at each other throats. I loved the small town closeness and the friendship shown in the story. It was a good read.

"I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review”

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the plot and the sweet romance between the characters. I'd high recommend.

Kennedy Wallace is buried in debt and can't find a job so she sublets her apartment in Boston to move back home with her parents in Haven Point for a couple of months. Kennedy thinks that she's in for a long boring summer working at her parents' hardware store but that was before she met the handsome Joey. Police Detective Joey DeLuca is put on leave after the case he was investigating got too personal so he sticks around to help his brother Coen renovate his house. Although Joey likes to tease Coen about living in the boondocks, he actually likes it, especially after meeting the beautiful Kennedy. After a rocky start, Kennedy and Joey start hanging out and things are going great until Joey finds out that Kennedy is going back to Boston for a job interview. Then Joey gets a call asking him to come back to work in DC. Is this the end for Kennedy and Joey?

Mariah Dietz delivers a fun, sweet and steamy story that will have leave you with the warm fuzzies

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book

This was a cute story about a small town romance. This is the second book in the Heaven Point duet. You don’t have to read the first one to follow along.

Joey is a detective on leave because he got too close to a case. Kennedy left town to find herself and follow her dreams only to have to return home. These two didn’t care for each other at all when they first met.

Kennedy and Joey can’t seem to stop running into each other in the small town. She loved Boston and isn’t a huge fan of small towns where everyone is knows your business. They are both in town for a short period of time and looking for distractions. It could never work with them right?

I really enjoyed these characters. This story is about finding yourself where you least expect it.

This novel grabbed me and I could not put it down. From the first page to the last this novel grabbed me and I fell in love with the characters. I loved Kennedy and Joey, I loved the dialogue and the banter. I also loved the secondary characters. I loved that the way the novel progressed and the way that the characters relationship developed. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.

3.5 stars but I round up.

What is it about men called DeLuca? First there was Brad, no relation and different author but hell sexy. Then there was Coen, who melted my heart with his love for a child who was not of his making (when you are a single parent, finding your Coen is EVERYTHING).

Along comes Joey DeLuca. He made me blush and giggle. Mr Angrypants.

Kennedy Wallace, deep in debt and feeling like she has failed at adulting goes home to mum and dad. Miss Bitchypants.

Angrypants meet Bitchypants! Throw in a pond, a fender bender, a storm and it is on.......

Exception is a sweet story. It made me want to live in a town where everyone knows my name and gives me jelly beans (I Flove jelly beans, and yes I eat them in colour order).

This wasn’t my favorite from this author. Good plot and well written but slow and difficult to get into. Didn’t really feel the connection between H/h. I did like the h and her drama but the H, not so much. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC thanks to NetGalley.

Oh the burn, the very, very slow burn!! This story was very much in the wheel house of Mariah Dietz's other books with having strong, independent, female & male characters. Joey and Kennedy have this hate to love relationship mixed in with an emotional connection that draws you in and tugged at my heart. I did wish for a little more drama with some of the subjects that were mentioned but that climax just never came. Overall, I did enjoy the slow burn love story about a small town girl looking for her happy and the big city guy that has trust issues.

Provided as an ARC for an honest and voluntary review.

This specific video review will be in the January 2018 Wrap-up.

I really enjoyed the last book in this series, Curveball. I thought it was well-written, well-paced, and overall, I really loved the characters. I wish I could say the same for Exception. But…

I really didn’t care for the hero, Joey, at all. When he first meets the heroine, he’s being a total jackass, bad-mouthing her family’s hardware store and small towns in general. It’s totally uncalled for, petty and snobby, and I kind of wanted Coen (his brother and all-around awesome hero from Curveball) to beat the crap out of him.
Then I wanted the heroine to knee the jerk in the nuts. It didn’t go down that way. I guess because Joey’s hot. Whatever. If he’d been a fat, homely dude with a paunchy belly and a comb-over I think everyone’s reaction to him wouldn’t have been as forgiving as it’s been among most reviewers. (It’s a sad fact in romance land that hot guys can get away with stuff that ugly guys just can’t.)

I didn’t mind Kennedy as a heroine. She was OK for the most part. At the beginning of the story, she’s fallen on some hard times and is leaving the big city to head back home to her childhood small town to mooch off her parents for a while and get back on her feet. I expected there to be some big reason why Kennedy felt she needed to get out of her small town to begin with and go into teaching when all she really wanted to do was open a bakery. As it turned out, there wasn’t really much reason for leaving in the first place. The town is charming, the people all adore her, and her family is mostly supportive (her dad is kind of a jerk, but no family’s perfect, I suppose). The fact that there really wasn’t any drama involved with Kennedy coming home, and she acclimated super quickly took me by surprise. It guess I just wanted...more of a story in the story, you know?

This is also a slow, slow, slow (did I mention slow) burn type of romance, with very little in the way of sexy times. I normally really enjoy a good slow burn, but this one was a little too slow, even for me.

Now, on the flip side, I did think Kennedy’s sister was super interesting. You don’t see too many heroines with mental illnesses in romance land, so if there’s a story in the works for Grace, I’m all in. I’ll 1-click the crap out of that one.

I also think the cover is super cool. This author likes to take chances with her covers and not go the traditional happy-couple-holding-hands-and-smiling-at-each-other or half-naked-hot-dude cover route. I totally dig her sense of style and adventurous spirit. If I were one to judge by covers alone, this one would’ve been a 5-star read for sure.

But long-story-short, this is the story of how a jerk and the town sweetheart (who everyone loves unconditionally, even though she’s kind of grumpy about being there at all) falling in love SUPER slowly. And they go swimming a lot. If that’s your kind of jam, 1-click away. But if you’re looking for more than that in the way of angst or story, you might be disappointed by this one.

Exception is another wonderfully executed slow burn romance from Mariah Dietz. An unexpected kind of love between Kennedy Wallace and Joey Deluca that took them both by surprise but could very well be the best thing to happen for them both.

Each in the small town of Haven Point, Virginia, fully expecting to go back to their city lives in Boston and D.C. within a matter of weeks. Kennedy as the small town girl back home with her tail between her legs because she can't seem to find a good job in Boston and Joey as the jaded but always loyal older brother to Coen (his story was told in Curveball) who is on a required break from his position as a Detective in D.C. Together they are uncomfortable at their current lot in life and seem to bring out the worst in each other. Neither will back down whether it's at her parents's store or at the pond she so fondly loves and the sparks are flying whether they want to admit it or not.

I loved that these two took their time and managed to figure out that perhaps staying in a loving small town and grasping the truth that they not only are attracted to each other but bring out the very best even when they feel otherwise, may just be the perfect ending for them both. Joey is one tough dude but the affection he has for his family warmed my heart. And Kennedy is a fighter and I felt for her as she doesn't know how to help her sister Grace when she is plagued so often with confusion. But there is a true love between the sisters and their parents just want what's best for both of them.

The addition of some crazy country characters who can't help but call their beloved Kennedy, Jellybean, rounded out a great story. Violet makes the perfect best friend to Kennedy and I'm glad she doesn't want to leave her bestie's side.

I do hope there is more since I have some unanswered questions wrt Grace and Ethan and wouldn't mind a love interest for Violet in Jackson.

Another wonderful read from an author I'm just getting to know, loving all of her words immensely.

5 solid stars!

Family dynamics are pivotal to the story told in this book. I felt the characters were both relatable and loveable---even those perhaps not meant to be. I felt for Kennedy' with her struggle with how her interactions with her family defined her outlook on life. The unfolding love story between Kennedy and Joey was cute. I liked their banter and that their relationship allowed them to realize about their place in life and whether or not it should change.

I'm 100% sure I'm a not an exception between the people who fell in love with this story.

And how could I be? If the words written in the pages grab you from the moment you start reading and don't let go because of how good and flawless they are.

The storyline is so interesting and keeps you at the edge of your sit trying to figure out how it will all fall in the right place or if it will. And of course you are so focused on other details of the plot that you don't even notice the curveballs heading your way, and when they hit you, you are blown away about how impressive the whole thing is.

Joey and Kennedy met on the most regular circumstances but a couple of their next encounters weren't so normal. They are both trying to understand what's happening bewteen then because there is a constant pull that brings them together without them being conscious about it. It's like they gravitate towards each other with the need to know more of the other, and it's in those moments that the connection between them leaves you breathless wainting for more. Because it's not just atraccion, or just a friendship. Their chemistry is so much more and far beyond that and it makes an appearance even when they are not together because of their minds being occupied by the other.

They are so good together, they help each other, are supportive of the other one and bring the best of each other too. They make an unexpected impact on each other's live, while being on a journey of self discovery, forgiveness and trying to understand what they want for their future and how the decisions they make will change everything.

Full of meaning, sweet and perfect.

*I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

4 “Jelly Bean” stars!

Graduating at the top of her class with honors and dual degrees, Kennedy Wallace had big dreams for her future. Moving out of her small home town and getting a great job was supposed to jumpstart her life, especially since she had everything she thought she needed to succeed. Ten years later, Kennedy isn’t where she had expected. She doesn’t have a well-paying job despite her qualifications, she’s left wanting more than a no-strings-attached relationship, and she can’t pay her rent. Reluctantly, she heads home to live with her parents in hopes of making some money from subletting her small one-bedroom apartment in Boston. Her plan is to stay in Haven Point, Virginia for a few months until she gets back on her feet. But you know what they say about best laid plans…

Joey DeLuca is a detective in DC; however, after he gets too invested in a case, he is forced to take a step back. During his leave, he visits his brother in Haven Point. When he first meets Kennedy there is an instant attraction no matter how much they deny it. Neither have plans for a relationship but they can't seem to stay away from each other and as they open up to one another, so do their feelings.

Exception is a story about letting go of fear, learning to trust, and finding love when you least expect it. Throw in two complicated characters and you get a whole lot of messy before things get better. It is more emotional and deeper than I expected but it has moments of fun banter that helps lighten the heavy themes.

In the beginning, you think you know where the story is going. But as it unravels it becomes more complex with every layer. The characters are well-developed and my heart hurt for what they go through.

Kennedy is defeated. Her self-doubt is devastating but she is determined to figure out her life. It takes going home and facing things head on to help her grow and learn what is important to her. She is feisty and funny especially when she stands her ground. She wasn’t easily intimidated by the sexy detective that seemed to be everywhere she looked and there was something about him that called to her. She doesn’t expect him to get under her skin but he does. I loved that Joey opened her eyes to what she wanted and offered his support even when they hit a lot of bumps in the road.

“Life isn’t about being comfortable. It’s supposed to hurt. If it were painless and easy, we’d forget why we fight so hard to live.”

Joey is great at his job but he takes it home with him and can’t separate work from life. It's understandable that everything he sees as a detective makes him skeptical of everyone around him. Unfortunately, he doesn’t usually see the good in people, leading him to act like a jerk a lot of the time. It takes him a long time to learn to trust and Kennedy is the stepping stones of his progress.

“You were right when you said it’s hard for me to trust people. Somedays it feels damn near impossible, and for some godforsaken reason, you just seem to bypass every single one of my barriers, and you’ve become my exception to literally everything.”

Kennedy affects him like no one else and he feels a pull toward her. His feelings are strong but he can’t always accept them. I loved watching him fall for her and wanting so much more than just another hook-up.

I want to know her past, and more than that, I want to be written into the Chapters of her future.

Kennedy and Joey clash from the moment they meet. Both have misconceived notions and it’s not until they really get to know each other that they realize how wrong they were. I loved watching them get to know each other and the surprise moments they found at the pond. Their feelings grow and felt real yet it takes a while before they can find a routine that works for them. They don’t always know how to express their feelings and often times they say the wrong thing sending them two steps back for every one step forward creating heartache. I wanted them to work through the details of their relationship sooner, and though I understand where each are coming from, they both pushed more than I would have liked. Kennedy jumps from hot to cold a few too many times and Joey questions Kennedy’s feelings a bit too much. When the lightbulb goes off though, they are all in and I loved the way the story wrapped up.

I loved the secondary characters in this story. Curveball, the first book in the Haven Point series featuring Joey's younger brother was wonderful and I was so excited to get more of the DeLuca clan. Coen, Ella, and even Hayden are back and I enjoyed the parts they played in this story. It was so nice to catch up with them. Seeing the strength of the relationship between Joey and Coen made me happy and gave us good insight to how Joey is with the people he loves.

I also love Kennedy and Violet’s relationship and I couldn’t keep from wanting to be part of their little group. They’re so much fun together but still can be serious when they need to be. They offer unconditional support while being rational.

Grace and Kennedy have a unique relationship that is very emotional and my heart physically hurt when I learned of everything Grace went through. The fear was very real and I wanted to cry for them.

Overall, I enjoyed this emotional read and I hope there are new Haven Point books in the future because I would love more of the DeLuca family, Grace, and Violet!

"I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review”

I absolutely loved this story! This is my first story I have read written by this author and it definitely won't be my last!! From the very first page it really sucked me in!

This story is about Joey and Kennedy. Haven Point, Virginia.

The story is an emotional love story and about mental illness.