The Only Exception

Meet Trey and Monica:<br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1380414897i/818505.jpg" width="300" height="350" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Monica is a liberal who have only two rules:<br>1-Never date a fraternity boy.<br>2-And DEFINITELY, never date a republican. <br><br>And Trey Chapman breaks both of them. Not to mention he is the son of the ultra conservative and republican governor of the state. It’s just a shame he is so damn beautiful. <br>But Trey has one rule too: Never say no to a challenge. <br>And Monica Remy it’s a challenge that he is more than willing to oblige. <br>So get ready because you’re going to see the sexiest and sweetest political battle ever. <br><br>This book started a little slow and with a little bit too many political discussions, but it picked up real quickly and soon became a very good book. <br>Monica is broken from something that happened in her past and needs time to heal and to trust again in someone, so she has a hard time letting Trey come into her life, but Trey never met someone that can actually argue with him and he it’s not the giving up type. <br><br>Their beliefs are completely opposites, their life styles are very different, they both have things they need to struggle with and what could had been a disaster, the author was able to turn in one of the sweetest romance stories that I've ever read. It’s not perfect… but what relationship is? <br>And there's a lot of steamy scenes that are <b>really</b> good!<input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="bde9d331-e4c0-43e8-9a6b-bc355165653c" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="bde9d331-e4c0-43e8-9a6b-bc355165653c">Yes, the library <i>study session</i> scene.</label><br><br>And if you’re into the strong girl that bends for no one and into the really great guy that steps up and make you solve your problems while holding your hand, you’re going to love this book. It’s really good and the end is kind of surprising, which is very good too.<br>It’s definitely worth the reading! <br><br><i> <b>“… you bring out the best parts of me and I don't want to be without you.”</b> </i> <br><br>*ARC provided by the author for a honest review.</["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]></["br"]>

Um...it's my own book so I get to be biased.<br /><br />You can check out my inspiration boards at <br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://pinterest.com/authormagan/">pinterest.com/authormagan/</a><br /><br />Or the playlist<br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7J_IWUhls&amp;list=PLR1Im47AXGz0vuzJE7rJc9fmYpANY6anY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7J_I...</a><br /><br />

**3.65 political stars**<br><br><b>A political minded romance based in college.</b><br><br><b>Monika</b> is a bleeding-heart liberal who defends women rights. She is double majoring in Political Science and Women’s Studies. <br>The Governor’s son happens to be her neighbor and he represents everything she hates. <br>She transferred colleges to get a fresh start and hide her past.<br><br><b>Trey</b> is the Governor’s son and has strong conservative beliefs. Not only is he her neighbor but he is in one of her classes. They are partnered in a class debate project which makes the sparks between them fly. <b> <blockquote> “I’ll make an exception for you, if you make one for me.”</blockquote></b>It took me a little while to get into the story. Their love story is how I imaged it was for Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger when they first started dating. <br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1391363922i/8378096._SX540_.jpg" width="" height="" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br><b>Standalone</b><br><br>**ARC courtesy of All Night Reads via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Technically I'm still reading this. I'm about half way through it, but I feel like I needed to vent somewhere, and that just happens to be HERE. Alright so, for the most part I guess the story isn't that bad. Monica is a fierce liberal (we never could forget that she's a liberal, it's mentioned like every other page) and she has transferred to Central College her sophmore year for a fresh start. Of course the day she moves into her new apartment, she meets Trey, the governor's son. Which we could also never forget that since it's mentioned like EVERY OTHER SENTENCE. Now, that wouldn't really be a problem except for the fact that he's a republican. So, naturally Monica hates his father. <br /> Trey is polite, but kind of pushy. I mean he wouldn't let up about taking Monica out. It was like "No" wasn't in his vocabulary. And don't get me wrong the two of them have chemistry but purely on a debate level. They can totally go back and forth with their views all night, but other then that, I just don't see it. Other than their political views, I don't feel like I know them. <br /> Another problem I have is how Monica was like, "I hate him, he's the governor's son. We have different opinions blah blah blah." (Alright, not actually quoting but you get the gist) Yet, about a quarter of the way through, they are already kissing, and then not long after they are boyfriend/girlfriend. I'm not too sure on the timeline but I think they only knew each other for a few weeks. (Really, weeks.) <br /> And I have to admit, them addressing each other as "Mr. Chapman" and "Miss. Remy" is really starting to get to me. I get that their names in general kinda suck but really? Is it necessary? I think not. Okay, so maybe it's about time I actually finish the book but I needed to get this of my chest now or I'd lose my mind. And who knows, maybe I'll end up loving these characters? (What? Miracles CAN happen.)<br /><br />Still not finished with the book, I think my Kindle said about 90% through but there's more stuff I need to add to this BEFORE I'm actually finished. <br /><br />Okay, so if you read the book already, you know about the whole sorority thing but if you haven't here's the lowdown: <br /> At Taylor, Monica was in a sorority (Kappa something whatever) and it was at a frat party where she was raped. So, when she switched to Central, I guess her sorority president let it be known to Central's Kappa president that Monica had transferred and such. Now, you would think that Monica would just tell Layla that she had no interest in joining again but does she do that? Of course not. Why? Well, because that would just be TOO easy, and way less dramatic. <br /><br /><br /> Alright but here's what takes the cake in MY opinion:<br />So, Trey is kind of obligated to attend some of his frat's parties (Because if he wasn't in one, Monica's life would be far less drama filled) and so he asks her to a barn dance. She accepts because she wants to put the past behind her and move on and yeah, you get where I'm going with this...Anyways, so she and Trey (Or Mr.Chapman, as some would prefer) are having a good time &amp; dancing, until Trey wanders off to get them water, and a scumbag decides to get a little too friendly with Monica. Trey returns and ends up punching the guy in the face. <br /> Now don't get ahead of me here, that's not the taking the cake part because he had valid reasons to punch the guy. Not only did he practically molest her on the dance floor but then called Monica Trey's "Liberal bitch" so as you can see it was TOTALLY justified. Okay, so when they get back to their apartment building, they're in Trey's apartment and Monica decides to open up. <br /> She spills it all, about being raped, and how none of her sorority sisters were there for her and basically brushed her off, and how after she tried to get the morning after pill only to be informed of the bill that Trey's father passed and that's why she hates his dad so much. He took away the last thing she had control over. (Though, she didn't get the pill, she also didn't get preggers) <br /> This is where I thought Trey would wrap her up in his arms, say how horrible that was that she had to be put through that, and so forth. But does that happen? No. This is a direct quote, "I don't care that you don't like my dad's views on contraception. I love you, Monica, with every fiber of my being. I don't care about your past, or how liberal you are. I just love you." <br /> Me: Homeboy, say what??? First of all, that's not the response you give! I'm sorry but no. To even mention his dad's contraception bill was just BAD. But even to say I love you, was BAD. I mean, seriously, what was the timeline here? NOT THAT LONG. They were so not in the "I love you" stage. Not even close. But you guys, it gets worse. <br /> Here's Monica's inner dialogue: "I couldn't believe that he was saying the words. Even with his conservative views he still loved me." ARE YOU FOR REAL? Am I the only one who feels the difference in political views is not that big of a deal? I mean, it's blown WAY out of proportion. <br /> Sorry, I know this is like the longest rant in history but I need others to feel my pain on this. I don't want them to make my same mistakes. To hurry this along, I just have one more thing to say (For now, there could be more. Remember, I'm not even finished yet.) So, Trey and Monica end up taking an impromptu trip to his parents house. And while there, they seem to be unable to keep their hands off each other. Which is vastly different from when they're at her/his apartment where only some intense make-outs occur. <br /> No, at his parents house, they almost have sex. Till, he pulls out the virgin card. YES. You read that right, Homeboy's a VIRGIN. Does that even happen in this genre? Usually, all the guys are such man-whores who fall for the innocent virgins but that so isn't the case here. I have to say, I give Magan Vernon props on that one I was genuinely shocked. <br /> But the thing that was also a shock was the moment when Trey's mom walks in on them. Yeah, both are shirtless, and in bed, and could you imagine the awkwardness? Unrealistically, Trey's mom was pretty chill about it. More of a brush off the shoulder, which is fine by me but I was at least expecting a, "While you're in my house, please respect my views/beliefs." speech. It never happened, instead the next day they went to church. <br /> The final thing (I promise) : Everyone talked like this! Really! So good to see you! I want deets on Monday! And so forth!!! So many exclamation points!!! Alright, I'm finished. <br /> And: LIFE MOVES ON. (Thank God)<br />

1.5 Stars<br /><br />*SPOILERS* Please don't read if you don't want to be spoiled!<br /><br />I was really looking forward to reading this book. I consider myself a liberal and a feminist. So reading that Monica was fiercely liberal with an outspoken personality and Trey came from a conservative Republican family, I thought this book would be really entertaining. But it also dealt with serious matters – contraception, morning after pill, date rape, cover-ups from fraternities, how female “friends” sometimes treat the survivors of such heinous acts – that are interesting issues that I would’ve like to see treated more in depth. The possibilities were great, unfortunately I found it wasn't executed properly. It was just lacking. <br /><br />Here are my issues (sorry long rant ahead):<br /><br />-As mentioned I consider myself to be a liberal. However, that does not define me. Not everything I do is because I’m liberal or with a political mind-set. It seemed like the only thing people knew Monica as was a liberal. And Trey was either the governor’s son or a Republican. No one could look beyond the liberal/conservative stereotype.<br /><br />-There were way too many repetitions – politician-in-making, political smile, my only exception and my personal favorite governor’s son. If I read that one more time, I was going to throw my ereader. I would be insulted if I was Trey, only being referred to as the governor’s son.<br /><br />- There was one thing that I really enjoyed about this book that’s not usually found in many. Too few IMO. I really applaud the author for making the hero a virgin and the heroine the experienced one. And I actually gave it half a star more because of this. I loved the vulnerability of the bath scene. However, I thought the author really messed that up afterward. Instead of Monica staying with Trey and easing his embarrassment by telling him it’s normal, that type of thing happens to every guy, she just gets out and walks away, leaving him alone to stew in his mortification. Then she goes on to tell him not to worry, that if he loves her despite her faults, she still loves him despite his. He’s a virgin that finished too early because he has no experience. That isn’t a fault, it’s a normal (male) human reaction to a first sexual encounter. And Monica saying that was kinda mean, IMO.<br /><br />- I really didn’t feel the chemistry between Monica and Trey. They got together pretty quick and I just didn’t feel the romance between them throughout the book.<br /><br />- Their personal contraception methods discussion turning political. At one point Monica buys condoms just in case they have sex. To which Trey freaks out and an argument ensues. It’s normal to debate differing opinions on contraception, especially when they’re on opposite sides of that debate. However, they’re talking about their sex life. There was no need to start talking about an environment that is open to handing out condoms and pills to people like they’re candy on Halloween. It wasn’t a debate, it wasn’t a liberal and a conservative talking about the issues plaguing young adults. It was a discussion about them having sex and Monica not wanting to become pregnant. How does he justify not using a condom and getting her pregnant out of wedlock when his father is preaching about abstinence? That would only cause even more of a scandal than her being caught buying condoms. If they can’t talk about sex, safe-sex, then they shouldn’t be doing it. And them turning it into a political debate, when it should’ve been a personal talk, was just weird.<br /><br />- One of the biggest issues I had was that when Monica gets raped, she worries about getting pregnant. She goes to the health center to get the morning after pill but since it costs too much, so she just goes home. She’s worried until she gets her period and then she knows she’s safe. However, that’s not the only consequence of having unprotected sex. What about STDs? If her rapist didn’t care to use a condom, chances are pretty good that he hasn’t used one every time he’s had sex. There’s a big possibility of getting an STD from him. Yet Monica only worries about getting pregnant. She doesn’t even think to go to the hospital and get herself checked out. As a matter of fact, there’s no talk about STDs at all in the book. If you’re going to talk about rape, and one where a condom wasn’t used, then you better worry about much more than just getting pregnant. <br /><br />- The end felt too rushed and too easily resolved. The fraternity tried to cover up the rape, even having the president of the rapist's fraternity threatening Monica that no one would believe her and think she was a slut. Yet all of a sudden because Trey speaks to them, the rapist and the person covering it up basically confess? Just like that? And the girl in her fraternity just easily admits after trying to hide it that she knew Monica didn't want to but didn't stop it cause she didn't want to make the rapist mad at her? She confesses to knowing her friend, her sister, is going to be raped and does nothing about it and receives no repercussions because of that. <br /> <br />- And that leads me to my last issue. If my boyfriend goes behind my back, reads my emails, listens to my messages and talks to people that have hurt me and I’ve tried my hardest to stay away from, I would leave him so fast. Not only that but he basically blind-sides her and takes her to confront her rapist without a thought on if that’s really what’s right for her. What if seeing him would’ve triggered her? He should’ve spoken to her beforehand and if that’s something she wanted to do, then he could continue with his plan. It wasn’t his call to make. He basically gave her no choice. I liked Trey all throughout the book and then really disliked him in the end because of this.<br /><br />I almost quit reading this book many times. I only finished because I wanted to know if the rapist and the others that let it happen and covered it up would be held responsible. Some were, but it was just tied too quickly with a pretty little bow that doesn't usually happen in real life. This is the first book I read of this author and I don’t think I’ll try another one.

I would give it more stars if I could<br />Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbor is the ultra, Republican, liberal, tight ass conservative governor’s son, Trey Chapman. This is such a perfect set up to start the book off. The BEST couple I have read about in a while.When you read this book please know that it will make you smart! I learned a few things! Monica has a room mate that starts her college transfer off to a bad start, Trey next door makes it worse. When the cops come for a marijuana room mate situation I sadly found humor in it. She just can’t win, things are making her feel alone and when she goes to work serving up coffee he shows up. Then a class debate project forces them together.<br /><br />There is a few pretty decent sized reveals. I really don't want anyone to say what they are. It will ruin the effect these events have. The family conflicts, the school conflicts and the fact he is next door is just priceless.<br /><br />Such a fabulous read. I love the author and the fact that this is a debut blows me away! (Get it ? a political book ok I’m laughing Bill Clinton!) Trey’s politics seem to be “not so bad” before you know it. He adores her way of keeping him in his toes. He likes a challenge and Monica is a BIG challenge. in many ways. They are sort of destined… .I LOVED it!

The Only Exception is sexy and challenging and emotional, and FUN to read! <br /><br />I enjoyed the banter between super-liberal Monica and super-conservative Trey (who is super sexy in a suit!), and watching these two struggle with their beliefs while fighting their chemistry keeps the pages turning.<br /><br />Coming off a nasty election season, you'd think, NO WAY for a political book... This is NOT a book about elections. <br /><br />It's a sexy story about a relationship that happens to clash over vastly different politics. And then learning to find middle ground.<br /><br />Maybe there's a lesson here? Who cares! It's a great book--a MUST read! :D

Rating: 4 out of 5.<br /><br />This new-adult novel is beautifully different from other NA’s out there. A republican and a conservative, Trey has grown up believing and supporting his father’s strong conservative views. Monica had a bad brush with Trey’s father’s (the governor’s) anti-emergency contraception laws. However these two are thrown together at every instance, from living in the same building to being enrolled in the same course: Political Science. Not to mention how the hero is sweetly and unrelentingly in pursuit of the heroine since Day 1, Hour 1, Minute 1, hell even Second 1… I kid you not, if there is a picture next to the words: hero in pursuit, it would be of this guy. Soon Monica finds herself saying yes to a study meeting, then to a date, and well, their relationship starts from there. <br /><br />What is very refreshing is that Trey is not like other YA-NA heroes, he is not a jerk or a womaniser. What’s even more of a surprise is that: <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="c35fe2c2-607e-462f-bee9-05ea6b9153d1" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="c35fe2c2-607e-462f-bee9-05ea6b9153d1"> he is a freaking virgin :O </label>. And before you say it, I don’t think it was unrealistic. It would have been unrealistic if he wasn’t as he is so pro about his father’s conservative views, especially on contraception. This guy puts his money where his mouth is. That is to say, he would have looked like a hypocrite if on one hand he spewed forth his conservative opinions and with the other went against it. Although there was a hypocritical moment (or several) in the second half of the book.<br /><br />When I started this book, I was genuinely curious, wanting to see how the author would reconcile the Republican’s conservative contraception views with liberal ones. For me, this part was not well done. There was one argument with Trey that ended with him saying that she was being unreasonable. I never really understood where he was coming from, on his stricter contraceptive views. I got that he didn’t want people to use contraception to have lots of sex or whatever. But how does he justify having opinions on what other citizens can or cannot do. I mean, I get that he believes that there is an exception for rape victims, but those are not the only people who need it, what about others who honestly make a mistake, should they be pregnant at 15, and at that age be unable to give the child a good life? There was also a contradiction considering how his second brother is with a different girlfriend every weekend, unless he is keeping it PG rated with them too… So that part wasn’t really addressed, at least not to the standard I wanted it to be. <br /><br />Nevertheless, it was a good NA read, different from other novels. And, I am glad I requested this ARC!<br /><br />ARC Courtesy of NetGalley and All Night Reads.

I had serious problems with this book.<br /><br />First, let me say that I was hopeful. Monica is labeled as a “fiercely liberal” college student with a hidden past. She’s got tattoos and piercings and the whole lot. I was hopeful that it would be a nice little story that wraps up neatly and didn’t leave me with a lot of questions. And, at least in that respect, it was solid. But that was the only thing I didn’t have problems with.<br /><br /><b>Trey is an egotistical asshole who doesn’t understand the word ‘no’.</b><br /><br />So let’s start: Monica moves into her apartment building, and immediately has a run-in with not only Trey, but with his bodyguards, who are apparently screening everyone coming onto the floor. Monica’s first meeting with Trey seems promising, he offering to help her with a box of her belongings and introducing himself all polite-like, then he does this when Monica dares to criticize his father’s politics:<br /><br /><blockquote>“‘If you want, I can always give you some literature to read up on regarding his policies and plans for the state.’” (p 3)</blockquote><br /><br />Great. Not even 3 pages into the book, and not only are we talking politics (which I expected), but the conservative agenda is being shoved down our main character’s throat. Joy. Monica, to her credit, quickly ends the conversation politely and disappears into her apartment.<br /><br />Of course, Monica’s relief is short-lived as, when she steps back out to go get dinner, Trey is apparently waiting for her to make another appearance, probably by looking out the peephole in his door every 5 seconds:<br /><br /><blockquote>“Hanging out at the place I left you and waiting for my return?” (p 5)</blockquote><br /><br />Monica gets off a few zingers in regards to conservatives and their views on women before turning Trey down when he asks her to dinner. Trey, being a gentleman, leaves it at that and Monica dines at the local pizza parlor in peace, right?<br /><br />Oh, sorry. What bizarro world do I live in where that’s acceptable?<br /><br /><i>Trey follows her to the pizza parlor, sits with her uninvited, and suggests that he was trying to be “neighborly” when she blatantly tells him he isn’t welcome to sit with her.</i><br /><br />He orders a diet soda for himself, and Monica isn’t even allowed to tell the waitress what she wants before she (the waitress) rushes off, saying she’ll bring back a diet and a water.<br /><br />Did I miss where Monica ordered a water? There goes your tip.<br /><br />Trey’s idea of good dinner talk is politics. <b>Trey apparently has no other interests outside politics.</b> We never see him reading, watching sports, or anything. It’s on level with Bella Swan, in terms of boring protagonist.<br /><br /><b>Trey feels it’s okay to snoop in someone’s personal belongings (including e-mails, text messages, and voicemails) despite this being an invasion of privacy.</b><br /><br /><blockquote>“Trey must have gotten to my emails when I left my computer open, and probably the voicemail that I thought I deleted.” (p 146)</blockquote><br /><br />Monica is weirdly not angry over this invasion of privacy, but it had me screaming inside that Trey had no boundaries, and would do whatever necessary if it got him whatever he wanted, which sent up red flags so fast in my head it was like a colorguard performance at halftime.<br /><br /><b>Monica makes some assumptions and does a few things that are questionable.</b><br /><br />While at dinner her first night there, Monica and Trey debate about emergency contraception, and she compares birth control to Viagra. Trey suggests that argument bites the conservatives in the butt, and suggests that infringing on birth control is infringing on men’s rights due to medical conditions. Monica replies with:<br /><br /><blockquote>“A guy not getting up is not a medical condition.” (p 10)</blockquote><br /><br />Um, actually, it is (or, can be). The very fact that you don’t know that makes you incapable of committing to a full debate, and would, in fact, cause you to lose that debate horribly. Erectile disfunction is, in fact, a medical condition (once diagnosed by a professional). <br /><br /><b>Monica has a weird view of pot and potheads that I found a little more than ridiculous and beyond stereotypical.</b><br /><br />So Monica escapes the hallway with her box of items on move-in day...<br /><br />Only to be confronted with a pot smoking roommate and her friends. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with people smoking pot... Outside, where I don’t have to smell it (the smell makes me ill). But Monica’s reaction to their choice recreation is over-the-top and more than a little ridiculous. The author’s description of potheads is also more than a little stereotypical, and again, ridiculous:<br /><br /><blockquote>“I stepped out into the living room to see Sam sitting on the couch where I left her, but next to a guy with long, greasy hair.” (p 4)</blockquote><br /><br />When Monica returns from dinner, she’s greeted by a cloud of smoke, and promptly does something no half-way smart person does with pothead roommates: puts her leftovers in the fridge.<br /><br />They won’t be there when you go for them tomorrow, genius.<br /><br />Her entire attitude towards potheads is weird and angry, and for apparently no reason. She blatantly judges her roommate based on the clothes she wears, and is surprisingly close-minded about everything related to Sam. The whole thing just left me feeling like I was reading something out of Bizarro-land.<br /><br /><b>Apparently, being feminist means being anti-man.</b><br /><br /><blockquote>“‘Women’s studies and Political Science? You really are a bleeding-heart liberal. I hope you aren’t going to tell me that you’re a part of the feminist group and don’t want to date me because you prefer the company of females.’” (p 31)</blockquote><br /><br />Okay, let’s talk about this because I saw red. I. Saw. Red.<br /><br />Being feminist does not mean being anti-man (that would be mysandry, and is another ballgame all together). Nor does it mean being a lesbian, which Trey suggests a little later.<br /><br />It means we recognize the inequalities between men and women in society, and we want to do something about it. Not drag men down, but raise women up so that we are on equal footing. It’s disgusting and insulting to see feminism being talked about in such a way, and also it suggests to me that the author did not do her homework.<br /><br /><blockquote>“‘Isn’t that against some sort of rules of feminism? To cook your boyfriend dinner?’” (p 119)</blockquote><br /><br />*headdesk*<br /><br /><b>And a few other random, weird things that just didn’t fit anywhere else.</b><br /><br />-Trey drives a Mustang because they’re in a recession and he needs to drive something fuel efficient. Um, no. Bro, I’ve driven a Mustang (owned one for 7 years). They’re nowhere close to being fuel efficient. If Trey really wants to be fuel efficient, may I suggest a small car, like the Ford Focus, or Chevy Cavalier? Both small cars, decent gas mileage, and are American (and we know conservatives love to buy American, don’t we?).<br /><br />-Trey brings Monica a pumpkin latte, and Monica says it isn’t coffee. Oh, no, honey. A latte is coffee with milk, and in your case, a flavor shot or two. If you’re going to drink it, you should know what’s in it.<br /><br /><b>The complications were wrapped up neatly with a bow, and the epilogue was... bizarre.</b><br /><br />So two things: Monica’s past is revealed partly because she admits everything to Trey, but also because Trey does the snoopy thing (see above). Charges are pressed, everyone apologizes, everything is all happy hunky-dory. Except... It’s a neat little wrap-up to a problem that was never developed and just didn’t add anything to the story except angst that I felt was unnecessary.<br /><br />Second, the ending. Monica is happily shown on-screen with Trey and the rest of his family when his father does some kind of debate or interview or press conference or something. Except, Monica is a liberal. What--? None of this made sense. The only thing Monica and Trey have in common is their love of debate, and they debate on two different sides.<br /><br />That being said, they seem to both be politically minded on opposite sides, so why in hell would Monica stay with him? Especially if his political views are such a problem for her? Obviously she either A) doesn’t mean what she says when she says she wants to stop Mr. Chapman’s political agenda, or B) she has switched sides.<br /><br />Both options don’t agree with me and left me with a bitter taste.<br /><br />Overall, I didn’t like it. I went into it hopeful, but I was greatly disappointed. I’d have loved to see Monica’s background and issues expressed more, and had her healing more than what is shown. I’d have loved to see more character development. The book was too short with too many stereotypes and bad assumptions that just didn’t work for me at all.<br /><br /><i>Copy obtained from publisher via netgalley. All opinions herein are mine and were not influenced by the author or publisher in any way.</i>

Other reviews at <a href="http://thebookbabesreads.com" rel="nofollow noopener">The Book Babe's Reads</a><br /><br />Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.<br /><br />I was really expecting to like this one. Which is why I was sorely disappointed by it. I guess I expected it to be more forbidden love, less I loved you as soon as I set sight on you. Don't get me wrong, that has it's place in the world of literature too, but I expected more from this.<br /><br />Monica and Trey didn't make much of an impression on me. They weren't very well developed, and I just didn't feel the "chemistry" between them. As soon as they meet, it escalates quickly to "will you date me" and leaves most of the politics at that. I was expect more of a fiery romance, but what I got didn't exactly resemble romance to me. I didn't understand some of the problems that they had...and lots of conservatives believe in contraception. I mean, I do. I'm pro-life, but I think that everyone deserves a choice. Also, I do not believe in gun control and I'd like to keep my second amendment rights. But what can you do? A lot of the pre-conceived notions that Monica has about conservatives aren't all true. Just like some liberals toe the line. She assumes too much, I guess is what I'm trying to say.<br /><br />The Only Exception escalated way too quickly. I don't feel like there was enough time for feelings to happen, which is what really disappointed me. I want to be immersed in the love of a romance, and that just didn't happen with this one. Also, this is going to sound weird, but random fact. The word "libido" must appear in this book something like ten times. Which trust me, is a lot.<br /><br />Back to the relationship...another thing that bothered me was the way they kept calling each other "Mr." and "Miss". I'm sure that it's meant to be cute, but it just seemed a little too adult for a college relationship. It was off-putting.<br /><br />Monica herself was kind of off-putting to tell you the truth. I have no idea what it is...maybe it's just me. Actually, I'm sure it's just me and I feel really bad about it. Trey is off-putting too. For the life of me, I just cannot picture this young republican as being cute...he's a bit too clean cut.<br /><br />I know that I'm focusing mostly on the characters and the romance...and that's pretty much all that needs to be said for me. I went into this expecting a love story, but I was disappointed by the lack of story depth and emotional investment.<br /><br />All in all, The Only Exception just wasn't for me. If you think you'll like it though, I think you should try it.