The Exception (The Exception Series) Paperback – September 7, 2016

These two were meant to be! Her marriage and divorce a nightmare. His rivalry with a man who will stop at nothing to get revenge. The twists and turns made great reading! Thank you Adriana for a pleasurable distraction from real life!!

I've been sitting on this one for quite a while and am just beside myself for taking so long to read it. Adriana Locke, in her debut novel, wove an enchanting tale of love between two people who had been badly burned in the past. I loved the dual POV as it really helped me connect with what the main characters were feeling, even if their actions were showing something different.The Exception follows the story of Jada and Cane. They were both beautifully flawed. I fell for Jada pretty fast. She was brave enough to get herself out of a bad situation and start her life over again on her terms. Of course she had the help of her sister, Kira. Their relationship was very realistic and only added to her likeability. When they're out one night, Kira's current fling, Max, stops by and brings with him the one and only Cane Alexander. That man is something else and it took me a little bit to warm up to him. Hot as sin and not shy to admit it. He flaunts it and wears his cockiness as a badge of honor. That is until Jada wants nothing to do with him. Too bad for her that he has other plans to get her out of his head. It becomes too bad for him when she continually gives him the brush off. But this is Cane and he is used to getting what he wants so he works his magic to make that happen. Unfortunately that little stunt he pulled ended up putting Jada at risk, something he needed to rectify. As they spend time together, they form a friendship of sorts. But there was always this underlying sexual tension radiating. I enjoyed the banter between them as it showed a lighter side to their personalities- one that had been dormant for quite some time. Jada brought out a softer yet protective side to Cane, it was a side reserved only for her.As the story continues, things start to spiral out of control all around Jada. There is an unknown threat and Cane is acting differently. Cane is hiding things from her and it sends her back in time to the way her last relationship ended. Torn up about what to do, Cane is forced to make some hard decisions. Even though he didn't like them, they were the right ones. He did what he had to do to protect what was his, Jada. My heart hurt for both of them when they were suffering. They were better versions of themselves when they were together. At first, I thought the way that part wrapped up was a bit anti-climatic and was feeling let down. But oh no! There was one more BIG and unexpected twist coming. I didn't see that coming at all. It was intense and had me holding my breath. I liked that it got a bit gory there. Oh and that ending, absolute Jada and Cane perfection.

I literally just finished reading The Exception. I am on my feet whistling and hollering; giving Adriana Locke a STANDING OVATION!!! I can’t believe this is her debut book, she has BLOWN. ME. AWAY!!! Adriana has a special gift of making the reader FEEL every emotion the characters are feeling. I laughed my butt off at the banter between the characters and cried my eyes out at some sad and happy moments. I screamed and shouted WTFs, NO’s and whispered HOLY SH*T’s, OMG’s, and YES’s! My heart, body, mind and soul was consumed by this story, these characters and the author behind it all!I really don’t know where to begin…. I’m so upset it’s over because I can’t get enough of these characters. I want MORE…more of Jada, Kari, and definitely Cane and Max!! The funny jokes, the banter between each other, the chemistry, the playfulness- ALL pulled me in from start to finish.Do you believe there is always an exception to every rule? I do, and sometimes rules are meant to be broken. When you break the rules you vowed to live by, will your heart break in the process or will it be complete again?Meet Jada Stanley“I need to start fresh and charge into the future with a clean slate and clear head.”She vowed to never let another man control her and make her question everything, especially herself. She lost herself in the process and was robbed the happily-ever-after every woman craves, wants, needs, and desires from a man. She is a woman, just like the rest of us ladies. She wants to feel like she is his everything and won’t settle to be anything less. She wants everything she NEVER had with a man before and wants NOTHING to do with the ones in her past.It’s simple, right?“I want kisses in the rain. Flowers for anniversaries. Texts for no reason. I want things I have never had.”Meet Cane Alexander“You shouldn’t try to play games with me because I’m not a player. I’m a coach.”He is infuriating, sexy, frustrating, stubborn, cocky, arrogant, lovable….oh so lovable.He lives by rules he created to protect himself. He’s a one-night stand type man. He vowed to NEVER give his heart to anyone again. He feels he doesn’t need or want anything……until he meets HER.“He’s a little bit of everything and a whole lot of something.”She was lonely and felt like she never mattered. He was lonely and liked it that way. He never wanted anyone to matter….until he meet HER. She wanted to stay away….but the pull, magic, chemistry, passion was so hot my fingers where burning while I was reading the pages….among other body parts!!:) Have you ever had the hair on your body stand attention and salute someone before you even saw them, felt them, or heard them speak? Get ready, because when Cane Alexander is in the room, on your kindle, iPad, or phone your entire body will be on alert. Sorry ladies, you can’t control it. When Cane is in the room, all attention is on him.She wanted something, especially the things she never had in the past relationship.He wanted nothing, especially the things he got in the past relationship.“I need to fight for what I want, not against what I need.”All in all, they say actions speak louder than words….but I think in this case these words in this book speak volumes. I am so happy I got introduced to this wonderful and talented author. I am looking forward to reading more of her fantastic work that is just THE EXCEPTION every reader needs to read!