Review: Exquisite by Ella Frank (Exquisite #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Exquisite is the first novel in the contemporary romance series by the same title and penned by bestselling author Ella Frank. Funnily, I originally started reading this book back in 2012, but never finished yet because I had a lot going on with work at the time. With the series's re-release, I'm glad I was able to have the opportunity to make up for that lapse because I hate not finishing books I start. This one's got a fair bit of angst--most of it courtesy of the female main character, Dr. Magdalena O'Connell, for a great portion of the book, and the rest of it from the male main character, Mason Langley in the last few chapters. Me being the angst addict that I am relished all that angst.
Nine years ago, Lena suffered a loss that continues to haunt her--that of her younger sister. It's made her be less forthcoming and unwilling to invest in any one person emotionally, not if it means losing them in the end. She doesn't hesitate to say whatever's in her head, not really caring what someone may think of her. Clearly, Mason isn't much of a fan, not after she made him wait as he held on to a bunch of flowers his mother asked him to deliver and not after the ice princess vibe she was giving him. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't recognize just how attractive Lena is. But while Mason may want to go on a date, she would rather the man stay far, far away.
Okay, confession time: I wasn't a fan of Lena's for about three quarters of this book. I get it--she's got issues and they all stem from her loss. However, she made assumptions and lots of them when it came to Mason, and you know what they say when one assumes. I don't know if that can still be blamed on her still mourning her sister. It had more to do with her preconceived notions of Mason, notions that she probably convinced herself were true because it made it easier for her to keep her distance from him and to justify her thinking that he wasn't worth even thinking about. She did win me over, but it truly took a good, long while for me to get to that particular point.
Mason was...goodness, but how the man was all swoon-worthy! He also, however, made my heart clench in my chest over several of the latter chapters in the books. I had to grab a tissue because that sort of event in one's life is something anyone with a functioning heart can easily empathize with. This book, after all, was as much about putting yourself out there and falling in love was it was about family, forgiveness, and moving forward. This was very much an Ella Frank book, what with her brand of romance--both the sweet and steamy kind--indelibly marked on every page and it serves as a rather strong starting point for the rest of the series. I'm giving Exquisite 4.5 stars. ♥
Nine years ago, Lena suffered a loss that continues to haunt her--that of her younger sister. It's made her be less forthcoming and unwilling to invest in any one person emotionally, not if it means losing them in the end. She doesn't hesitate to say whatever's in her head, not really caring what someone may think of her. Clearly, Mason isn't much of a fan, not after she made him wait as he held on to a bunch of flowers his mother asked him to deliver and not after the ice princess vibe she was giving him. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't recognize just how attractive Lena is. But while Mason may want to go on a date, she would rather the man stay far, far away.
Okay, confession time: I wasn't a fan of Lena's for about three quarters of this book. I get it--she's got issues and they all stem from her loss. However, she made assumptions and lots of them when it came to Mason, and you know what they say when one assumes. I don't know if that can still be blamed on her still mourning her sister. It had more to do with her preconceived notions of Mason, notions that she probably convinced herself were true because it made it easier for her to keep her distance from him and to justify her thinking that he wasn't worth even thinking about. She did win me over, but it truly took a good, long while for me to get to that particular point.
Mason was...goodness, but how the man was all swoon-worthy! He also, however, made my heart clench in my chest over several of the latter chapters in the books. I had to grab a tissue because that sort of event in one's life is something anyone with a functioning heart can easily empathize with. This book, after all, was as much about putting yourself out there and falling in love was it was about family, forgiveness, and moving forward. This was very much an Ella Frank book, what with her brand of romance--both the sweet and steamy kind--indelibly marked on every page and it serves as a rather strong starting point for the rest of the series. I'm giving Exquisite 4.5 stars. ♥
Re-Release Date: 17 November 2017
Date Read: 09 November 2017
Learn more about Ella Frank.
Get Exquisite for free on Amazon.
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