Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

Keri Daniels and Joe Kowalski's book




Exclusively Yours (Kowalski book 1)

by Shannon Stacey

Book Blurb:
When Keri Daniels’ editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe’s never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he’s intrigued to hear Keri’s back in town and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he’ll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan - for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she’s worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe’s sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri &
Joe 2gether 4ever.

I was lucky enough to have picked up Exclusively Yours for free quite awhile ago on Amazon Kindle. I had it sit for a long time on my TBR (to be read list) until the right moment came along to read. I had just finished a suspense romance and then I read an awesome historical romance and I was craving a sweet contemporary story that would leave me smiling. Shannon Stacey totally delivered! I am still smiling. 

I am a total sucker for a romance that started way back when the protagonists were teenagers. I am also a total sucker for a romance novel where the protagonists are almost forty and mature but playful. So I just knew that Exclusively Yours was right up my alley. 

Let me start with Keri. I loved Keri and I could relate to her often. I personally hate camping and all that is associated with camping. With Exclusively Yours taking place almost entirely during a huge family camping trip I could understand all that she experienced. Complete with tents, cabins, campers, RVs and ATVs, there was no shortage of sticky marshmallows, rain, shared bathhouses and camp fires; I loathed it all. So every time the city slicker Keri had to endure a communal bathhouse for a shower, an uncomfortable bed or stinking bug spray, I was right there with her. It was fun to read about but I sure have no desire to experience it. 

The Kowalski family are a riot. They provided great comic relief but of course the quiet Joe Kowalski was my favourite. Joe is a great character because he is just an ordinary guy. No major alpha thing going on. No bulging muscles or He-man attitude. He is a very successful writer who loves his entire family and in terms of scandal, Joe is rather boring. In fact, I found him rather sentimental in regards to all his teen-aged memories of Keri. Although they were only eighteen (and I have kids this age) it appears that Keri and Joe's romance was pretty deep. 

Joe was a softy and it is great to read about a beta male every now and then. Their kindled romance made for an awesome read and if you love a story about second chances or a more mature romance with a real life edge, Exclusively Yours is right for you. 

There are a lot of secondary character stories included in Exclusively Yours as well. The story had a huge mixture of different types of marriage relationships. I think it would be a great romantic comedy movie. 

Teasers: sister with an attitude, rooter tail, a question for a question, family is everything