Book Review: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

This story has likeable characters, family involvement and a second chance romance.

Exclusively Yours (The Kowalskis) 
by Shannon Stacey

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books; Reissue edition (December 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373776780
• ISBN-13: 978-0373776788

    Genre: Contemporary Romance
    My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
When Keri Daniels's boss 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. He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping trip, Keri can ask one question.

The chemistry between Joe and Keri is as potent as the bug spray, but 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?

Review:
Keri and Joe were best friends and first loves in high school. Joe was sure they would go to college, marry and settle down in their home town. Keri realized in her senior year that she didn’t want to be like her mother: so and so’s wife, so and so’s mother. She wanted her own name to be recognized. As soon as they graduated she lit out of town to California to make her way as a news journalist where she could see her name in print.

Joe was left behind with no explanation and a broken heart. He buried himself in a bottle and only stopped when his drunken belligerence brought injury to one of his own family.  But during those dark hours he found wicked characters and dark plots that made him a famous horror author.

Twenty years later Keri is sent to get an exclusive interview with Joe. He makes a bargain with her - she must come along on the annual family camping vacation for two weeks. He’ll answer one question for every day she stays and participates under Joe’s “rules.” Keri reluctantly agrees since she has to get the scoop or lose her job.

Keri must face the full Kowalski family. Joe’s mother is convinced the two were always meant to be together. His sister Tara was one of Keri’s good friends until they suffered a falling out. She is suffering through a separation from her husband and is more than willing to take her anger out on Keri. Tara is intent on avenging Joe’s broken heart and making sure that Keri has no chance to hurt them all again.  Joe’s younger brother Kevin, although a couple of years younger, is all grown up and handsome and has a way with the ladies. He wouldn’t mind having some time with Keri if Joe would let him get near her.  Joe’s other brother, Mike, and his wife, Lisa, are busy with three lively boys and disagreeing on whether they should have another child. The kids are popping up unexpectedly taking pictures, splashing Keri at the pool or getting sticky marshmallow on her.

Keri insists that she is going home after the two weeks but Joe is hopeful that their sizzling chemistry will win her over. The story is full of emotional conflict, family friction, family fun, male jostling and sensual foreplay and fantasies, a few of which become reality.  The dialogue is real and snappy and the reading is light and fun. I first read this author in the Holiday Kisses Anthology and am glad to have read more from her. I think this would be a fun series to follow.

Fun phrases:
Keri to Joe:
“If I stand in one place too long the bugs will hang an all-you-can-eat buffet sign on me.” Location 548.
Joe to Keri:
“Dirty face. Dirty thoughts. I’m a guy– it all ties together pretty naturally for me." Location 1388

I received a Kindle copy of this book from Harlequin through NetGalley.

This book is set primarily in New Hampshire and will be listed there for my Where are you Reading list.
This will be added to my ARC challenge.