Exposure

I have enjoyed each of Ms Ewens stories in her Love Story series...touched in one way or another...but this one, West and Meg's story hit, me on a whole new level. I cried (their challenges), laughed (the brothers), and sighed (their joys) a lot throughout the story. This book was a culmination of all the stories that have come before it.

There is no single hero or heroine here, West and Meg are both to each other. Just how the author created their dynamics and chemistry, that is so real you can feel it, speaks to the genius and wisdom of her writing. No characters have felt more real to me than these two. Sure there is the snappy dialog, wry and witty humor, but underneath it all is a love so deep and thorough that you can't help but let your heart and emotions be touched in a way that lasts long after the story ends.

I don't know if the Love Story series will continue, but if it does, Exposure will be a tough act to follow.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

My review is posted on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1948790159

Having read all the books in this series so far, I’ve found this author’s writing style to be very appealing. She tends to keep me engaged and her writing flows very well. It’s what keeps me coming back for more. Yes, there is a “but” coming. But sometimes main character conduct can ruffle my feathers enough I feel compelled to expose it so you can decide for yourself if it matters to you, as well.

Westin and I didn’t get started off on the right foot, folks. Even though he is a successful actor he came across at first as a womanizing manho. With his opening scene waking up in bed with a random OW from the night before that he knew was just using him for his connections so he felt turn about was fair play, I almost considered calling “cut” and ending things right then and there. Apparently, his dearly deceased Aunt Margaret taught him a lot of life lessons but not on how to say “no” to a too willing woman’s advances. Or how about “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Except for a knucklehead moment near the end and seemingly being resigned to not having a future with Meg, he did actually grow on me. However, a hero who isn’t willing to fight for his lady love right from the get go loses points at my book boyfriend box office, folks.

Meg was a well renown National Geographic photographer who is used to being nowhere near the lights and glamour of Hollywood movie stars. She’s more used to doing without lights all together, considering the primitive living conditions she’s had to endure to get her perfect shots. Very opinionated about global warming, she lives, eats, breathes pretty much by Greenpeace ideology.

Lengthy sisterly related descriptions/comparisons had me not really caring which sister was which. It happened when they were first introduced and at random times later on. Meaning, I felt Meg’s internal monologues when reflecting on her three sister siblings, their lives, and loves rambled on a bit too much and too often. I’m pretty sure I tuned those part out because I still can’t remember their names despite them being mentioned frequently. West’s brothers didn’t have the same issue.

The witty, flirtatious back and forth banter between this main couple reflected their scorching hot chemistry and attraction for each other. Meg was a breath of fresh air to West’s cloistered out of necessity lifestyle. She was blown away by his movie star looks, sex appeal, and genuinely liked to spend time with him.

With an “I want you” but “I can’t keep you” so “I’m going to watch you walk away” mantra, I started to have serious doubts these two lovebirds were going to make it. Sure enough the ending nearly done them in. Lucky for them hearts overruled knuckleheaded heads. Plus, Meg sure made things easy on him. Some may consider she was too soft and forgiving. It did lead to some relationship angst, a groveling hero, and a romantic wrap-up, which I’m always a sucker for.

Basically what you read in the synopsis is very accurate. If that appeals to you, this book is likely a safe bet. For the most part, I did enjoy it, my fellow romance book loving friends, except, of course, for the items I just mentioned.

Title: Exposure, Series: A Love Story (Book 8), Author: Tracy Ewens, Pages: 283, stand-alone but part of a series, famous actor hero, Very vocal global warming advocate photographer heroine, steamy scenes, no love triangle, no OM/OW drama, no cheating, relationship angst, reluctant to fight for love.

Book 1 - Premiere
Book 2 - Candidate
Book 3 - Taste
Book 4 - Reserved
Book 5 - Stirred
Book 6 - Vacancy
Book 7 - Playbook
Book 8 - Exposure
Book 9 - Brew
Book 10 - Smooth

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)