Exclusively Yours

By: Shannon Stacey

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

When Keri Daniels’ editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive best-selling 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 10. 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.

©2010 Shannon Stacey (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Stacey’s writing is sharp and sexy and this second-chance story is perfectly hilarious... I enjoyed this book so much - if it were printed on paper I’d hit people with it until they read it." (Sarah Wendell, Salon.com)

Funny&Sexy

I love this family. They make me laugh alot. The couple were definitely the center of attention but the family makes the story. I recommend this book. Thank you Shannon Stacey for this family of books I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Exclusively Fun

This first book in the series was fun, light and filled with humor. The author creates interesting characters that charm readers. The narrator did well with so many distinct voices. This was a treat to listen to.

...a good summer read!!!

A lovely light summer read! Good values of keeping friendships safe & sacred & love conquering all!

Very good start to the series :D

4 stars

This was a very good story. I liked the characters and the story was fun and interesting. It's the first story I've read by this author and based on this I'm sure I'll try more of her work in the future.

Keri is a writer for a magazine in LA. She's worked hard to get all the way to an editorial position when her upcoming promotion to that position is put on hold by her boss because her past relationship with Joe (who's now a famous writer) in high school had come to light. Her boos is pissed she kept it a secret and threatens her job unless she goes and gets an interview from him. Keri's not happy about this. She loved Joe but left to build her career and a life she could be proud of and now this one thing stands in her way. She doesn't want to bother Joe (or have to deal with him again after the heartache of their split up) but goes because she feels she has little choice.

Joe is a writer but he likes his privacy. He can't understand why fans are so hot to know all sorts of stuff about him and just wants to write his book and answer fan mail and not bother with interviews and the media. He loves his family and spends a lot of time with them. He's getting supplies for a 2 week family getaway when he hears that Keri is back in town looking for him. He ends up proposing a deal where she comes on the family outing with him and she'll get answers to interview questions. He also feels the old attraction to her still as strong as ever and wants to explore possibilities...

When Joe proposes that Keri comes along on their outing, he isn't very clear on what she's getting in to. She certainly isn't ready for a 2 week trip to the wilderness (well a campsite with no cell reception) with Joe's whole family (including a niece and 4 nephews). Things are rather bumpy starting out. Joe's family knows he was heartbroken when they split up before and have varied reactions to Keri being on the trip, the worst of these is Joe's twin Terrie (who also used to be Keri's friend) who goes out of her way to make things difficult on Keri for a while. Joe and Keri have difficulties themselves as Joe tries to get close to Keri again and she tries (rather unsuccessfully) to stay professional. It's hard though because the longer she's there, the more Keri realizes just how much she missed Joe and wondered if she'd made the wrong decision all those years ago. Although she's confused, she still makes it very clear to Joe that she's only in town for the interview and is going back to her career after the 2 weeks are done.

There are a lot of emotions in the story, not only between Keri and Joe but also in two other couples in the family having their own issues and trying to work through them. This is counteracted by fun/humorous times dealing with the family interactions and family outings (with Keri thrown in to the mix of course). As time progresses, Joe and Keri end up in a fling which Keri is sure will end (even though she's not sure if that's the right move any more) and Joe doesn't want to end, hoping it'll turn in to more. In the end, although they want to be together, they can't agree on things and Keri goes back to her job. Unfortunately, her boss isn't pleased with the lack of drama/scandal in the interview she wrote and Keri has some very hard decisions to make. Luckily for us, Keri's a good person and makes the decisions that lead us to a very nice HEA for Keri and Joe.

I really liked this story. It has a very good mix of the emotions and fun as the story progresses which makes it a good, engaging read. I enjoyed the story and the characters in it (even the secondary characters) and will probably read the next book in the series. I'd recommend this book. Thumbs up. :D
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love it

This was a great book......It was funny and sweet......I really was on the edge of my seat .......

Another Great Listen

Second listen to this author. She carries a similar conceptual theme to the first book but buries it deep within a completely different storyline. Love her ability to wind family into her storys so that you can see yourself playing a part also. Narrator does a great job of keeping to the emotions which make for a great listening experience.

Really enjoyed this one

What made the experience of listening to Exclusively Yours the most enjoyable?

The narration was wonderful, and believable, and not all the characters sounded the same.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe, he was stable, successful and madly in love without being a pushover.

A Sweet Romantic Story-Mild in the Hot Sex Genre

What made the experience of listening to Exclusively Yours the most enjoyable?

It was a nice story with interesting and funny characters.

What other book might you compare Exclusively Yours to and why?

Not quite up to the level of Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes-but fun.

What about Lauren Fortgang’s performance did you like?

She did a great job with male and female characters-hard to do, but she did it!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure, but I could leave it and come back

Any additional comments?

I will probably buy the remaining in the series but only on sale.

Not quite the Harlequin of yore!

happy (you know how it ends) story with a past and present and lots of rounded out characters. of course not to deep or complicated.

not my thing

I wanted to enjoy this but it wasn't my thing. I don't like pranks, or family getting too involved in each others shit. It felt manipulative towards the heroine.