Review: Exrated by Stevie J. Cole

Exrated is a standalone contemporary romance novel penned by Stevie J. Cole and is also my first read from the author. Fast-paced, flirty, frustrating, and fun are four words that pop immediately in mind when I think about Tyler Westbrook and Jemma Morgan's second chance love story. These two grew up next door to one another and become each other's firsts--first best friend, first kiss, first love, and eventually, first heartbreak. Things ended when Tyler's full scholarship to New York University meant he would have to leave Jemma behind. Four years later, they see each other again, and it's clear that Jemma has never really forgiven or forgotten Tyler's perceived abandonment. Neither one has loved anyone the way they did each other, but finally getting their happily ever after may not be in the cards for them, not when Jemma learns how Tyler's been making a living and not when Tyler finds out Jemma's infamy. Between one being a porn star and the other a viral video celebrity, their love story is definitely rated ex. 

With his 4.0-grade average and a full scholarship, Tyler Westbrook already be well on his way to a law degree. But college life got the better of him and while stripping pays the bills, the opportunity to earn even more than he dreamed possible comes in the form of an offer to be a porn star. Johnny Depth is born. When Tyler unexpectedly bumps into his ex-girlfriend and former best friend, he acknowledges that she's the one that got away. He may want to make sure she doesn't get away this second time around, but once Jemma Morgan finds out that he's a porn actor, he falls even lower in her eyes. But Jemma's got her own moment of porn, albeit one that she never gave consent to being made public, and with her gig on a children's show and no acting opportunities on the horizon, her agent gets her a job as production assistant...in a famous adult film production company whose star draw is none other than Johnny Depth. Now, Jemma's unsure if she's disgusted Tyler has sex with different women or if she wishes it was just her.

I was this close to giving this gem of a lighthearted read with just a hint of angst five-plus stars because it really is one of the best second chance romances I've read this year (and I've read a hell of a lot and it's only May!). But there was just one time too many that I found myself wanting to bitch slap Jemma--an action that would have been aptly named because she really was somewhat of a bitch to Tyler. I get that their break-up was hurtful, but the guy had a full scholarship to one of the top universities in the country and they were teenagers fresh out of high school. What did she expect him to do? I understood her being upset with how she found out he was a porn actor, but for her to think of him as unworthy simply because he was doing what he was doing to earn money, bugged me to no end. I honestly don't think she deserved him, not with the way she handled things even up till the last chapter. That epilogue, though, was the perfect rom-com end and dear Tyler is on my list of 2016 book boyfriends. Exrated gets a five-star rating. ♥

Release Date: 02 May 2016

Date Read: 02 May 2016

Learn more about Stevie J. Cole.

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