Review: Exquisite (Exquisite Series Book #1) by Ella Frank

Posted on 3 February, 2013 by momsread in Ella Frank / 1 comment

cover_exquisite

In preparation for our blog tour stop tomorrow for Entice (Book 2 in this series), here is Denise’s 4 star review for Book 1!

4 STARS!!!

Summary

Her heart was guarded…

Tormented by self-imposed guilt, Dr. Lena O’Donnell has spent the last nine years in survival mode. Struggling through days that seem to blend together and battling her way through each horrifying night, she’s determined that this is what she deserves…

Until he tore down the walls…

Mason Langley’s life is going exactly the way he planned it, until her. A confirmed bachelor and the successful owner of the hottest restaurant to hit Chicago, he never expects to be blindsided by an angry woman in a pair of scrubs. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to shake the doctor, and he finds himself liking the way she makes him feel.

Almost overnight Lena finds her world turned upside down by Mason and the sexual desire they discover together. Slowly, she lowers her guard and invites him inside but when tragedy strikes she begins to believe that sometimes it’s better to be alone and safe than to love and lose.

Denise’s Review

Dr. Lena O’Donnell is struggling with a traumatic loss – a year later this loss has become all-encompassing for her. It has taken over her life and interactions with those around her; one fateful night now seems to define her.

Lena’s life in survival mode is challenged when she encounters Mason Langley; a suave, sexy playboy, and owner of a successful Chicago restaurant. On the surface, he seems quite content with his bachelor ways, until Mason is blindsided by an angry woman in a pair of scrubs. He can’t seem to shake how Lena makes him feel; Mason feels emotions he has never felt towards a women before.

The author does a good job at articulating how taken aback both these professionals are at the depth of emotions they almost instantly feel for each other. The sexual tension becomes tangible to the reader. The banter between Mason and Lena is truly enjoyable; fair warning I am one who enjoys snarky females. Lena’s one liners often brought a smile to my face while I was reading.

Watching Mason breakdown Lena’s walls was enjoyable; the journey they both find themselves on made for a good read.

The sex scenes were creative and HOT; Ella Frank builds the sexual tension and gives these characters a level of self-control I know I lack. The foreplay was long and drawn out for me as a reader, but it was exciting and worth it in the end. I do want to say the shower scene still gives me the chills just thinking about it; it was very creative and so well done.
I found the use of secondary characters and family in this book wonderful; Ella uses great friends and family to say things to Mason and Lena that the reader is likely screaming at their Kindle.

Lena’s transformation in the book was so well done. She is forced to face her fears and fight for what she wants. Ms. Frank did wonderful job making Lena’s struggle feel real. Mason too had a journey; when faced with tragedy his response felt real and appropriate to his character.

I think readers will enjoy the journey Mason and Lena embark on. I thought the ending to this story was really well done and incorporated many elements from the book, making the story feel complete and well written.

I am happy to have had opportunity to read Ella Frank’s first book.

This is the first book in the series and looking forward book 2, Entice, about Lena’s friend Shelly.

A copy of Exquisite was kindly provided by Ella Frank in exchange for an honest review

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