EXPOSURE - Tracy Ewens

#8 Love Story romance series

GREAT CHARACTERS - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Meg Jeffries decides to move back to the city—San Francisco. She wants a life with more stability. Westin Drake is famous for fast cars and box office sales. When the public mistakes a simple kiss on the cheek for a budding romance, Meg and West are caught in a media frenzy. Somewhere amid the backseat getaways and plastered smiles, Meg discovers the man behind the glossy photographs, and West wonders how he’ll ever let her go once the cameras stop rolling.

Writing - 4 stars - It felt comfortable to jump into Meg's story since we've just finished with all of her sisters' romances. And Ewens created a wonderfully warm character in West, a good foil for Meg. They are both creative and interesting people, but they have a warmer and more intimate side that made them very approachable.

Characters - 4 stars - I've always liked Meg as the youngest of the Jeffries sisters and the most adventurous. It's not surprising to realize that she's not quite as daring as we all thought but is much more introspective and vulnerable. She feels the need to expand on her accomplishments in order to "keep up" with West's fame. West, for his part, is the most down-to-earth actor you ever want to meet. He is kept humble by his three older brothers, but he is also a private and intelligent guy. They make a great couple, and I was rooting for their success.

Title - 4 stars - I love this title! It obviously refers to Meg's profession as a photographer, but it also can apply to West being a famous actor and not wanting his life to be exposed to the media/public.

Cover - 4 stars - I prefer the scenic cover of the fog surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge since it brings back a loving memory to Meg of her father.

Overall - 4 stars - This was one of my favorite episodes in this very enjoyable series. I just loved Meg and West together. They find themselves out of their element, but they are strong enough to push forward and recognize what they want. Even when times are hard and they find it difficult to get together, they still know what will work for them. Secondary characters of Towner (the helpful concierge) and West's family (who I'm very much looking forward to getting to know better in the upcoming books) added some great balance.

Both Meg and Westin are the 4th born of 4 children and both of them have been affected by their order of birth. Meg has always felt left behind especially as her sisters each left home until finally she was the only one left. At some point she decided that she would be the one to leave before others could and she spent many years wandering the globe as a wildlife photographer. Family matters finally called her home and now she is trying to make a life near her family and stay in one place for a change.

Westin enjoyed acting in high school plays and wanted to pursue a career in theater but he promised his mother he wouldn't move to New York. He ended up going to school in LA and stayed after getting work in commercials and then a hit movie franchise, which he doesn't really even enjoy any more.

Both of these people are extremely successful in their chosen fields and yet it was impossible for me not to feel sorry for them at times. They both try to hide their feelings from their families. Westin feels responsible for helping his family financially and Meg doesn't want her parents to worry about how she feels that she doesn't fit in. Neither of them has ever been in love before and it takes them some time to admit their feelings. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a story if there weren't some serious conflict and it comes just when they finally think they might have their relationship figured out.

I am in awe of authors who can write such wonderfully crafted stories like Exposure. It is the type of book to satisfy those who prefer a longer, more detailed story. We get to meet Meg's family (who have appeared in earlier stories in this series) and we get to meet Westin's family (who I'm betting will be appearing in upcoming books).

Even though Westin is a Hollywood star Ms. Ewens' writing make me feel like he is just a regular person with the same sorts of problems that anyone might face (except financial). Meg is also highly successful but that hasn't really brought her happiness. The fact that these two characters are so believable is a testament to Ms. Ewens writing talent.

If you like a well-crafted, emotional love story you should give this book a try. I think after you read it you will want to read more of this author's work. I am eagerly looking forward to more books in this series. Tracy Ewens has a solid spot on my list of favorite authors.

Having read all the books in this series so far, I’ve found this author’s writing style to be very appealing. She tends to keep me engaged and her writing flows very well. It’s what keeps me coming back for more. Yes, there is a “but” coming. But sometimes main character conduct can ruffle my feathers enough I feel compelled to expose it so you can decide for yourself if it matters to you, as well.

Westin and I didn’t get started off on the right foot, folks. Even though he is a successful actor he came across at first as a womanizing manho. With his opening scene waking up in bed with a random OW from the night before that he knew was just using him for his connections so he felt turn about was fair play, I almost considered calling “cut” and ending things right then and there. Apparently, his dearly deceased Aunt Margaret taught him a lot of life lessons but not on how to say “no” to a too willing woman’s advances. Or how about “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Except for a knucklehead moment near the end and seemingly being resigned to not having a future with Meg, he did actually grow on me. However, a hero who isn’t willing to fight for his lady love right from the get go loses points at my book boyfriend box office, folks.

Meg was a well renown National Geographic photographer who is used to being nowhere near the lights and glamour of Hollywood movie stars. She’s more used to doing without lights all together, considering the primitive living conditions she’s had to endure to get her perfect shots. Very opinionated about global warming, she lives, eats, breathes pretty much by Greenpeace ideology.

Lengthy sisterly related descriptions/comparisons had me not really caring which sister was which. It happened when they were first introduced and at random times later on. Meaning, I felt Meg’s internal monologues when reflecting on her three sister siblings, their lives, and loves rambled on a bit too much and too often. I’m pretty sure I tuned those part out because I still can’t remember their names despite them being mentioned frequently. West’s brothers didn’t have the same issue.

The witty, flirtatious back and forth banter between this main couple reflected their scorching hot chemistry and attraction for each other. Meg was a breath of fresh air to West’s cloistered out of necessity lifestyle. She was blown away by his movie star looks, sex appeal, and genuinely liked to spend time with him.

With an “I want you” but “I can’t keep you” so “I’m going to watch you walk away” mantra, I started to have serious doubts these two lovebirds were going to make it. Sure enough the ending nearly done them in. Lucky for them hearts overruled knuckleheaded heads. Plus, Meg sure made things easy on him. Some may consider she was too soft and forgiving. It did lead to some relationship angst, a groveling hero, and a romantic wrap-up, which I’m always a sucker for.

Basically what you read in the synopsis is very accurate. If that appeals to you, this book is likely a safe bet. For the most part, I did enjoy it, my fellow romance book loving friends, except, of course, for the items I just mentioned.

Title: Exposure, Series: A Love Story (Book 8), Author: Tracy Ewens, Pages: 283, stand-alone but part of a series, famous actor hero, Very vocal global warming advocate photographer heroine, steamy scenes, no love triangle, no OM/OW drama, no cheating, relationship angst, reluctant to fight for love.

Book 1 - Premiere
Book 2 - Candidate
Book 3 - Taste
Book 4 - Reserved
Book 5 - Stirred
Book 6 - Vacancy
Book 7 - Playbook
Book 8 - Exposure
Book 9 - Brew
Book 10 - Smooth

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Such a great story of opposites attract. The big movie star doing a little PR, ends up talking the famous environmental photographer out of a panic attack right before he introduces her for her speech.

Meg Jeffries has spent the past 10 years traveling the world taking pictures of wildlife animals, which is a passion of hers. When she comes home for a family visit, she finds out that her sister Anna is getting married and her other 3 sisters lay on the guilt so heavily that it makes Meg realize that she's missed out on so much of their lives. So after a lot of thinking, she goes on indefinite leave from National Geographic and starts to build roots in San Francisco. Only her creative side is stumped.

Westin Drake, famous movie star and one of People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" moved from L.A. to San Francisco to get away from Hollywood and be closer to his family. He should be the happiest man alive, but he's lonely. He's living out of a hotel until he needs to be back in L.A. for his next installment of the franchise movie that made him a star. When he meets the Meg before he introduces her and realizes that she's panicking, he talks her down enough that she's able to go on stage and give her speech.

West has never met anyone like Meg; she's not impressed by his celebrity nor how famous he is. That's a rarity for him. Besides the fact that she's beautiful and she doesn't even know it, is mind boggling to him. It's also very refreshing. When they are both asked to do 3 public appearances together, Meg is pushed into the job by her agent, as is West. They start spending a lot of time together in between appearances. She treats him as a friend, knowing that it will NEVER be anything more. He knows that he should stay away from her other than appearing for the events, his world will crush her spirit, but he can't seem to stop himself.

Will their crazy chemistry take over and decide for them? How will Meg handle the constant paparazzi that follows West wherever he goes? And the endless autographs that interrupt every outing and meal they attempt to have? Is Meg be strong enough to endure it all? Or will he walk away first?

Finally, picked this up again. Not a huge fan of the main female character, Meg. Like West, but the story, while nicer paced, wasn't that interesting.

A photographer and a movie star face many obstacles in reaching their happily ever after. Enjoyable read.

I loved Meg as a character in this book - an intelligent and strong heroine that was just trying to figure out the next path in life. I liked Meg and Westin's chemistry and how their friendship really developed into their relationship.
Great read from this author.

Exposure, Tracey Ewens' recent installment in the Love Story series, continues the story of the Jeffries sisters and the relationships they develop. We are given the full story of Meg Jeffries, who has been referenced a number of times in other books, but is now the star of her own story.

As a photographer for magazines like National Geographic, she has been traveling the world for many years and as a result, missed a number of significant family events, including at least one of her sister's weddings. Feeling disconnected from her own life, she has decided to return to the states and settle down. Though the idea of staying in one place terrifies her, she knows it is the right step to take. To keep herself busy, she works with an agent and lands a speaking engagement, to talk about some of her photography and environmental causes. At her first event, she meets actor Westin Drake, who helps her overcome some stage fright. The two then are intertwined and thrust into a number of circumstances, which allow them to develop a friendship.

Ewens not only explores Jeffries' life crisis, she introduces the reader to the life of a popular actor. We learn about his struggles with fame and typecasting, as well as how he grounds himself with his own family, as he is one of four sons. Meg is able to connect with him in ways she didn't expect and romance eventually ensues. Though the romantic aspect was of course expected, the story moved at a good pace and is enjoyable. I don't know how Ewens does it, but it really seems like her research is thorough and accurate. Each one of her books in the series has introduced me to new ideas and concepts, which I appreciate. I am hopeful that she will continue her series, with some of Drake's siblings.

I was awaiting Meg's story and I was not disappointed. The book started out slow but steadily picked up pace once the protagonists met and started a conversation.Meg is a photographer who has returned from traveling the world to find stability and be closer to her family when she meets Westin at a symposium.They develop a rapport and make plans to meet again.I loved the bantering between them and the humility West displayed despite being an actor.We get to see how they handle the public and fans' treatment of his celebrity status, the reality showcasing what substance they are made of.My only critique related to how, at a critical point in the relationship, priorities got skewed and the most important thing we crave and need, took a backseat to the pressures of outside forces.Ms Ewen brought everything to a successful finale in the end.

Megara (Meg) Jeffries is the youngest of the four Jeffries sisters. She is a photographer of animals in the wild. She has traveled extensively all over the world. She is extremely pro-environment and a loner. She isn’t current on pop culture, movies or anything that doesn’t involve the environment or the wild animals she has spent many years amongst. She has come home at the request of her sisters and to be maid of honor for her closest sister. She is trying to find her place in her new world.

Westin (West) Drake (McNaughton) is a well known, highly paid movie star of an action series. He comes from a loving, close knit family. The only place he feels he can be completely himself and not the face he presents to the rest of the world is with his family. He comes across as a spoiled, entitled jerk in the beginning.

West and Meg meet when he presents her at an environmental symposium. When he unthinkingly kisses her cheek in an attempt to quiet her nerves, he sets off a tsunami of press curiosity. This leads to further engagements together.

West and Meg come from very different worlds. West is constantly in the public eye and harassed by the press. Meg, although used to being alone, can hold her own. She tells it like she sees it and doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself. These two were a good balance. He draws her out and she gets him to relax and be his true self. Both are likeable and their characters realistic.

I loved Towner! She made West take a good look at himself.

I have previously read and enjoyed books 3, 4, 5 and 7 in this series. All can be read as standalones even with characters reappearing. I look forward to West’s brothers’ stories.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley.

On the surface, there is nothing really wrong with Exposure. The writing is fine. The characters are fine. The romance is fine. If you want anything better than fine, well this isn't the book for you. There is nothing new or innovative about the plot, which honestly felt forced. Meg and West meet and he kisses her on the cheek -- in no world is a chaste kiss on the cheek something that gets the tongues wagging. Not in the present-day, anyway. Maybe if this book was supposed to take place in the 1950's, this would have been believable, but it didn't and it wasn't. The fact that this is the catalyst for the whole book is ridiculous.

I also had an issue with the pacing, which was a bit all over the place. The first 2/3 of the book takes place over a series of months, encompassing three media events in which West and Meg pretended to be a couple, but the last 1/3 takes place over a few days/weeks. This would have been alright had the relationship developed evenly over that time period, but it didn't. For the most part, the romance was all in the final third.

It also bugs me that West was very obviously supposed to be a caricature of Vin Diesel and his Full Throttle movie series is the fictional equivalent of the Fast and the Furious franchise. Personally, I hate it when authors do this because it makes me think of the real person, and it always makes me wonder if that is the point. This type of thing feels like lazy writing -- as if the author is relying on the readers' feeling for the real person that the character represents to create feelings for their character.

There were a few things about Exposure that I liked, the biggest of which was the way both Meg and West struggled with the normal, everyday things that all adults have to go through. For Meg, she was trying to figure out how to go back to living in one place instead of traveling from place to place, looking for the next great picture. Buying a toaster is a big thing for her. Her entire story arc is basically an ode to "adulting".

I also enjoyed the romance, once it actually showed up, and how Ms. Ewens used San Francisco and its cultural history as a backdrop. In fact, my favorite scene involved West dragging Meg out of bed at 4 in the morning to take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I am not a bridge person and I hated my own experience walking across that bridge when I was a kid, but I enjoyed their fog-filled adventure.

Another part of this was the fact that West lived in the Fairmont Hotel, which is you know your San Francisco history is kind of iconic. (The original hotel was built in 1906 and was supposed to open right around the time of the earthquake. Unfortunately, things didn't work out for the original structure and it had to be rebuilt -- by Julia Morgan, the first female architect in the US!). Then, of course there was the fact that West's room was nicknamed The Tony Bennett Room and Meg constantly referred to the bed as The Tony Bennett Bed. This was a little odd for me, considering my grandfather actually knew Tony Bennett (they served together in WWII), but it was also sweet.

Finally, the relationship between West and Towner, an employee at the hotel (I'm not quite sure what her job actually was), was awesome. West needed someone who was going to tell him what he needed to hear instead of what they wanted him to do or what they thought he wanted to hear. Their relationship was very maternal and you could tell that she wanted what was best for him.

While Exposure is not going to be one of my favorite books nor will I ever re-read it, it was enough to make me look into Ms. Ewens's backlist. Hopefully, one of her other books will be more my speed.

Sweet, heartwrenching - a wonderful love story.

I'm finding it difficult to describe how deeply Exposure touched my heart. This is the 7th book I've read by Tracy Ewens and it's the 8th in the A Love Story series (I missed book 1). I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the books I've read – they have all been at least 4 star reads for me – but I think Ms. Ewens has outdone herself with Exposure.

Both Meg and Westin are the 4th born of 4 children and both of them have been affected by their order of birth. Meg has always felt left behind especially as her sisters each left home until finally she was the only one left. At some point she decided that she would be the one to leave before others could and she spent many years wandering the globe as a wildlife photographer. Family matters finally called her home and now she is trying to make a life near her family and stay in one place for a change.

Westin enjoyed acting in high school plays and wanted to pursue a career in theater but he promised his mother he wouldn't move to New York. He ended up going to school in LA and stayed after getting work in commercials and then a hit movie franchise, which he doesn't really even enjoy any more.

Both of these people are extremely successful in their chosen fields and yet it was impossible for me not to feel sorry for them at times. They both try to hide their feelings from their families. Westin feels responsible for helping his family financially and Meg doesn't want her parents to worry about how she feels that she doesn't fit in. Neither of them has ever been in love before and it takes them some time to admit their feelings. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a story if there weren't some serious conflict and it comes just when they finally think they might have their relationship figured out.

I am in awe of authors who can write such wonderfully crafted stories like Exposure. It is the type of book to satisfy those who prefer a longer, more detailed story. We get to meet Meg's family (who have appeared in earlier stories in this series) and we get to meet Westin's family (who I'm betting will be appearing in upcoming books).

Even though Westin is a Hollywood star Ms. Ewens' writing make me feel like he is just a regular person with the same sorts of problems that anyone might face (except financial). Meg is also highly successful but that hasn't really brought her happiness. The fact that these two characters are so believable is a testament to Ms. Ewens writing talent.

If you like a well-crafted, emotional love story you should give this book a try. I think after you read it you will want to read more of this author's work. I am eagerly looking forward to more books in this series. Tracy Ewens has a solid spot on my list of favorite authors.

I loved everything about this book! It's part of a series but can be read as a standalone....you'll want to go read the rest of the books after a taste of the characters. Ewens has a way of crafting emotional stories that makes you feel and her characters are real and relatable. Her stories stick with me and make me want to re-read them over and over. 'Exposure' was no different and I highly recommend it!

3.5 Stars!

I read two earlier books from Tracy Ewens's Love Story series, and I really enjoyed them. So when Exposure became available, I requested it. Unfortunately, the wording was choppy at times and the plot was missing some zing. On a more positive note, the cover is appealing and the character's are well-developed. This is the eighth book in the series and it can be read as a standalone.

This is the love story between Meg Jeffries, an award-winning wildlife photographer, and Westin Drake, a famous movie star. Meg recently left her adventurous job in order to put down roots in her hometown of San Francisco. Now she is happily spending time with her family, while trying to figure out the next step in her career. Luckily, her newfound agent has some great opportunities to jump-start Meg's new normal.

Since West's latest action film does not begin production for a few months, he decides to take a break from the relentless Los Angeles paparazzi and spend some time near his family. During the interim, the Tony Bennett suite at the Fairmont hotel is his new home. His life changes completely when he meets Meg, because her goodness, and complete lack of interest in his money and fame are a real blessing. They hit it off immediately, and over a very short period of time they fall in love.

The premise of this book is good and the emotional scenes are quite meaningful. The plot becomes less believable when Meg has a makeover, goes out for a run, and then comes home to redo her hair and make-up because she has to attend an event in the late afternoon. Family plays an important role in this novel, and the author does a nice job of introducing and bringing about the many facets of the secondary characters. Overall, a fair read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

A beautiful sweet story with funny and heart aching moments. Actors have given us plenty of preconceived notions that it is often difficult to see them as people. Westin Drake is an action film star, youngest of four boys and a bit of a flirt. Meg is a renown photographer having graced National Geographic twice and taken countless pictures of treasured animals. Her world is one of solitude and independence while his is public and crazy. The two seem so opposite but yet have similarities in family, smart witty banter and a very dry sense of humor. As my first Ewens book I started reading without prejudice and found myself sucked into this very private relationship and I couldn't stop reading. This is the eighth book in the series and from what I figure each is a standalone but the last few have Meg's sisters. Wes has three brothers so I'm hoping for more from them. My review was written voluntarily after reading an advanced copy from Netgalley.

https://hellyreads.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/exposure-by-tracy-ewens-review/

Three and a half stars

Meg Jeffries is a brilliant wildlife photographer who has had her pictures on the cover of National Geographic but after years of travelling the globe her family have guilted her into returning home to the USA where she is presenting to the Symposium for Climate Wellness Initiative.

Westin Drake is a pretty boy actor who has made a name for himself in a series of car chase and shoot 'em up films (think Paul Walker in the Fast and the Furious). He would like to act in more stretching roles but no-one seems to want to cast him, and he can't really complain when other people have jobs far worse than his.

Wes introduces Meg at the symposium and helps to calm her down when she gets massive stage fright. Their chemistry is palpable and they are engaged by a green company to advertise their eco-house at a number of planned social events.

Each finds the other's life intimidating but they manage to become friends, bonding over each being the youngest of four siblings, but is there any future for a couple when one wants freedom and anonymity and the other lives his life in a goldfish bowl?

I liked this, but I didn't love it. Maybe because this is (apparently) the eighth book in the series and I didn't have the history of the characters. I want to characterise this as 'Women's Fiction' rather than straightforward romance and I don't know why. It's well-written and both Meg and Wes are likeable, engaging characters but I wasn't swept away by their romance. maybe they were both just too nice?

I am interested in reading the previous books in this series to see what I have missed.

I have enjoyed each of Ms Ewens stories in her Love Story series...touched in one way or another...but this one, West and Meg's story hit, me on a whole new level. I cried (their challenges), laughed (the brothers), and sighed (their joys) a lot throughout the story. This book was a culmination of all the stories that have come before it.

There is no single hero or heroine here, West and Meg are both to each other. Just how the author created their dynamics and chemistry, that is so real you can feel it, speaks to the genius and wisdom of her writing. No characters have felt more real to me than these two. Sure there is the snappy dialog, wry and witty humor, but underneath it all is a love so deep and thorough that you can't help but let your heart and emotions be touched in a way that lasts long after the story ends.

I don't know if the Love Story series will continue, but if it does, Exposure will be a tough act to follow.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

My review is posted on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1948790159