In #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel van Dyken’s scorching series, revenge is a justified pleasure… If only he didn’t make her so hot—and bothered.
Jessie wants payback for a ruined reputation. His plan? Top secret. His hard-to-hide arousal for Isla? Not so much. Especially when they let down their guards and sneak a kiss. Like any juicy scandal, it goes so viral, so fast, that only a good lie can combat the bad press. Mortal enemies in a fling? No way. Um…this is love!
Actually…could it be?
Isla’s not faking it. Jessie can’t. As the game of let’s pretend gets real, Jessie forgets all about revenge. That’s the problem. His plan is already out of his control. Now it could undo everything they’ve been trying to build. Coming clean may be the only thing that can save it.
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Isla life comes down to her PI company. After a relationship that did not end in a friendly way, all her dedication and focus was aimed at making her business thrive. Her company was the way she found to move on, to start over and to gain her independence. Blaire, her best friend and partner, is someone who understands her and shares the same determination. To say then that Dirty Exes is extremely important in Isla’s life is euphemism. However, her legacy is threatened because of a case that did not turn out as expected.
Jessie wants to destroy Dirty Exes at all costs. Because of the company, his life was affected, his image has been shaken and he was removed from the charitable work he did. Being a former famous quarterback, everything about him becomes news, especially if it is a negative thing. The press delighted in so much gossip and lies, all thanks to his ex-wife and the owners of the PI company. With nothing to lose, he wants revenge, targeting the company and mainly Isla.
And with Jessie following all of Isla’s footsteps, invading her personal space and giving her a taste of her own medicine, the spirits will exalt themselves, confusions will occur until a yoga class will be the trigger to put them back into the media. Willing to suffer no further damage to their images, Isla and Jessie will make an unorthodox agreement and thus support a lie to clean their images. But what is the limit between reality and fantasy? The two will find that crossing the line is easier than they might think.
Jessie and Isla were hilarious. The two are very similar characters, both crave control, they feel with purpose when everything goes as expected. It was interesting to follow Jessie’s black and white life being bombarded with colors, courtesy of Isla. They have serious problems of trust, fruits of problems with old relationships, but little by little they learn to trust, to know and to understand each other.
The jewelry scene was cute. All the quarrels and misunderstandings were written in a light, almost comical way. It is the classic story of enemies who fall in love, but that works well, is written in a brilliant way.
The only criticism I have to make is against Isla’s aunt, Goo-Poh. She was so well written, so well detailed, functioning as the comic relief, that her excesses irritated me. I understand that everything she did during the book is part of her culture, but I found her extremely selfish, wanting everything in her way, interfering always and never taking into account the wishes of Isla and not respecting other people. When someone disagreed, she appealed for blackmail, or simply ignored and did what she wanted. If she were my aunt, I would have put her in her place.
Jessie blamed Isla, but Blaire was not the victim of his anger. I did not get it. She is as guilty, or even more so than Isla. Overall, it’s a great read, with a couple who failed in the past, starring in some epic discussions, but deep down they can not handle the fact that they’re attracted to each other. Jessie’s monochrome world is on borrowed time. Hurricane Isla is coming, and with her a plethora of colors, sparkles and even a bed with a carved dragon. How does this story end? Just reading to know.
Following the epic disarray that happened at the end of Dirty Exes, Dangerous Exes picks up with Jessie wanting his revenge on Isla for ruining his public image and professional commitments. He’ll stop at nothing to bring down her cheater catching company. The sexual tension between these two main characters was already present in the first read and just turned up a thousand notches in this book. They hated each other but couldn’t stay away from one another. A typical opposites attract scenario.
I really enjoyed the back and forth banter between Isla and Jessie. They were both a little high strung, one certainly more than the other. But slowly over the course of the read, walls crumbled and compromises were made. While I found the story unrealistically fast paced (when it came to how quickly the characters moved from one giant bad decision to the next) and much of their decisions and “arrangements” were completely absurd, that’s exactly what made it a fun fictional read.
I wanted to hate Jessie in the beginning. He seemed weak and a push over yet vindictive. But as Isla started to wear him down and get under his skin, a truly genuine, broken man emerged and I couldn’t help but want him to find his happily ever after! His ex-wife had really done a number on him mentally and it was going to take a very strong woman to bring him back to sanity.
I truly enjoy Rachel’s writing style and humor she incorporates into each book. And, the woman can certainly write a hot love scene!
I absolutely love this new series by Rachel Van Dyken! Dangerous Exes is a brilliantly hilarious enemies to lovers romance. I love the banter between Isla and Jessie! The sexual chemistry between the two jumped off the pages. And, OMG, Goo-Poh was a hoot!!
I loved everything about this book! Isla is the perfect splash of color in Jessie’s black and white. I loved the crazy journey we are taken on as these two find out how perfect they are for one another.
This is a book – a series – you do not want to miss out on! I cannot wait to see what Rachel Van Dyken has in store next.
This is book two of the Liar’s, Inc. series. Isla and Jesse were friends, but after Jesse found out he was a case for Isla things haven’t been good between this pair. He is determined to ruin Isla life the way he feels his was ruined. Will these friends turned enemies find a way back or are they forever doomed.
I love this series. The humor, chemistry, characters are just fabulous. I really connected with these characters and the way this story was written and flowed. Isla and Jessie are perfect together. They both have been through the wringer in the love department and have resorted to controlling all other aspects of their lives to protect themselves from any future hurt. Now, Jessie, is out for revenge, he sees Isla as the one that destroyed his career by taking on his ex-wife as a client to prove he cheated when really, his ex was the cheater. Isla feels bad that this happened to Jessie and that she was wrong about his ex. As the move forward with a plan to fix Jessie’s image, they end up engaged and living together. Now, having Isla burst into Jessie’s all white world was just fun. She is able to get under his skin and truly get him to be himself. Add in Goo-Poh, Isla’s grandmother, and well, I just never knew what to expect next. I didn’t want to put this book down. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Sighhhhh, you know you have read a good book when you immediately get that satisfied smile on your face when you get to the end. This was one of those books where my ability to stop reading for more than 5 minutes was non existent because it was so good. I know I say it every time I read a Rachel Van Dyken book but she has that knack of keeping a reader entertained for hours non stop.
Anyway this is the 2nd book in the Liars, Inc series and it’ Isla and Jessie’s story. Isla wronged Jessie and ruined his reputation and Jessie is out for revenge. However when they get caught in a compromising position that was innocent but made them look like thieves being caught in the night, the media may portray it badly and Isla’s company and Jessie’s reputation are further at risk. They need to fix it and what better way than playing lets pretend! The only problem is they have been at each others throats and somehow they got to make it look real.
I am so glad Jessie got his moment in this book because in book one my heart melted for him and it weirdly left me kinda heartbroken for him so this book was everything to me. Jessie is a sweetheart and is hotter than hot. He isn’t one to flaunt it though and his life is somewhat simplified for his need of things being black and white. Isla is the opposite and can be quite dominating when she knows what she wants, although she has her own OCD ways to contend with, but she brings a lot of colour into Jessie’s life and he really really deserves to have something lasting. As usual there was some really witty laugh out loud moments in the book and a lot of really sizzling chemistry happening between the characters. Overall another fantastic addition to Rachel Van Dykens portfolio of epicness!
3.75 stars–DANGEROUS EXES is the second instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult LIARS, INC erotic, romance series focusing on the owners of the PI company Dirty Exes tasked with exposing cheating husbands and wives. This is co-owner Isla Turner, and NFL quarterback Jessie Beckett’s story line. DANGEROUS EXES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading book one- DIRTY EXES-for back story and cohesion where we are first introduced to Jessie Beckett, and his story begins.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Jessie and Isla) DANGEROUS EXES follows the acrimonious relationship between Isla Turner, and NFL quarterback Jessie Beckett. In book one-Dirty Exes-Jessie became the target of Dirty Exes PI, when his wife hired the PI firm to set up our hero in the hopes of trapping Jessie in a compromising position. With his career, personal life and reputation shattered, Jessie Beckett is seeking revenge against Dirty Exes, revenge that will cost him more than he could have imagined. What ensues is the building but tempestuous enemies to lovers relationship between Jessie and Isla, and the potential fall-out as Jessie is unable to stop the forward momentum of the plans set into motion, plans of which he no longer has control; plans that are about to destroy the woman he loves.
Jessie Beckett was framed and set up by his ex-wife and Dirty Exes. Taking matters into his own hand, Jessie sets into motion a well-orchestrated plan to take down and ruin Dirty Exes, but falling in love with Isla Turner was never on the agenda. Isla Turner had no idea the repercussion of their PI investigation would destroy an innocent man but proving otherwise finds Isla in a fake relationship with the man in question, in order to further prevent more ongoing damage.
The relationship between Jessie and Isla is acrimonious at best. Jessie blames Dirty Exes for the destruction of his personal and private life including the loss of sponsorship, and the lies that continue to perpetuate and grow. Isla struggles in the face of her attraction to Jessie but our heroine is going to have to put on her ‘big girl panties’ in an effort to put a positive spin on their continuing battle. The $ex scenes are seductive, passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The colorful secondary and supporting characters include the return of Isla’s business partner Blaire, and Jessie’s best friend Colin Buchanon (Dirty Exes #1) ; Jessie’s ex wife Vanessa, and Isla’s ex-fiance, up and coming Hollywood director Wayne Alvillar; and Isla’s hilarious grandmother Goo-Poh.
The world building focuses on the turbulent relationship and subsequent ‘fake fiance’ fiasco between Jessie and Isla. A little darker than book one –Dirty Exes- there is plenty of back and forth, deep seething hatred between our leading couple-hatred masked by the palpable sexual attraction that is hard to ignore.
DANGEROUS EXES is a story of betrayal, revenge, secrets and lies. The premise is entertaining, engaging and engrossing; the characters are feisty, sassy and spirited; the romance is edgy and intimate. DANGEROUS EXES is an energetic look at second chances, of a sort, for two people betrayed by love and broken hearts.
Dangerous Exes had me reading well past my bedtime. I got sucked right into this story and next thing I knew I was done and it was 3am.
This enemies to lovers romance had me all in. Jessie and Isla’s banter was definitely entertaining to say the least. The sexual tension you could cut with a knife but at the same time I could understand their animosity.
Throw in an over the top great aunt known as Goo-poh and what you have is a hilarious romantic comedy that was flirty, fiery and fun all at the same time. There just the right amount of angst as well to have your heart skip a beat.
Fantastic read.
Isla started the PI company Dirty Exes with her best friend Blaire, after being cheated on, to help save others from what she went through.
Jessie is out to destroy Dirty Exes after he feels they ruined his life, when his ex wife hired them. Little did he know that in the process of ruining Isla and her company something else would develop.
This book was laugh out loud funny. The chemistry and banter with Jessie and Isla is through the roof. Not to mention Isla’s hilarious elderly Aunt. There were definitely a few moments where I felt sad for Isla and even Jessie. Also there were a few twist in there I did not expect, keeping it a page turner that I couldn’t put down. This was a great read with lots of feel and lots of spice. I highly recommend!
There can’t be many book boyfriends who get to be the lead in two seperate books with two different women. In fact, Jessie Beckett, ex-NFL star and man with a huge chip on his shoulder is the only one I’ve ever come across. He was Blaire’s pretend love interest in Dirty Exes, and no, he’s here, being the man that Isla is having to fight to keep her PI business alive.
Jessie has a reason for his anger, after all, things didn’t end well for him in the previous book, and not just because he lost the girl. He lost everything or was on the way to doing so.
Now, he’s out for revenge and Isla is his target.
But, somehow, that gets twisted and turned around and now?
He’s in a fake relationship with her.
Pretend love. Pretend engagement… pretend forever after.
Sometimes we even pretend to hate someone when really… well, Jessie is about to find out.
His life is black and white, and Isla is going to dash color all over it.
It’s hard to believe, but I loved Jessie in this book more than the last, he got to show his true colors this time, but he’s packing a lot of emotional trauma still thanks to his ex-wife, Vanessa. Isla, too, has some baggage that’s left her a scarred and scared to trust a man. But, when these two are alone in a room, it’s not long before the chemistry wins and the sexual tension gets strung higher and higher.
Can they put all the bad stuff to bed and make a real life together or will it all disappear in a puff of smoke.
This was a hot, sexy story, with great characters, it was nice catching up with Blaire and Colin again and let’s all give a warm welcome to Goo-Poh, she was just about the craziest person in there.
5 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
When I finished reading Dirty Exes, I was left with a book hangover wanting more. Ms. Van Dyken did not disappoint with this second installment into the Liars, Inc. series. What a ride she takes us on this time. From the emotional upheaval to the fun banter to the aunt that everyone wants!!!!
This story starts where book 1 left off with Isla and Jessie. Things were looking good in Dirty Exes but what happens in Dangerous Exes not so much. Isla makes one mistake and Jessie is out to destroy her and her company. But, Isla will fight for what is hers and what she has become. Put these two in a room and the sparks of vengeance are not the only sparks flying. The chemistry between the characters is so strong you feel it.
Although you can feel the characters emotional displacement and anguish, this story is still light and moves quickly. It makes such a great read. I loved reading every minute of this story.
Don’t forget we get sneak peaks of Blaire and Colin too.
Dangerous Exes was such a good romance read. I finished this story in one sitting. There was never a dull moment in this story and these characters had me laughing out loud more than a few times, especially Goo-Poh. She was hilarious! I enjoyed Jessie and Isla characters a lot and there was undeniable chemistry between the two. The more they tried to resist and fight their attraction the more I loved them. However, it was even better once they let their walls down. The ending was sweet but I wish it was a little more satisfying. Don’t get me wrong it was a good ending but I wish Goo-Poh would have gotten her second wish for Jessie and Isla. That would have made this story satisfying to me. I wanted that “family” However, I do look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
Romance, hatred, sexiness, and laughs. Dangerous Exes has it all from start to finish and I love Isla and Jessie (and Goo-Poh!). The fantastic writing we’ve come to expect from Rachel Van Dyken and believable characters, fun dialogue, and chickens all combine together to make this a must-read book.
CHECKOUT THE FULL REVIEW: https://shahlas-world.blogspot.com/2018/10/fun-laugh-out-loud-sexy-romance.html
Rachel Van Dyken
This is the second book in the Liar’s Inc series, so you do need to read Dirty Exes first as it sets up the base for this story. I love RVD hardcore and this series is another one you can chalk up to as a great read. It has the steamy sexy scenes, the laughter and still of mix of the seriousness to keep you enthralled in this story from beginning to end. This is a enemies to lovers type book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it because of the way the first book went. I am sucker for HEA’s and when one of the characters got the “shaft” in the first book it made me want them to get there story and RVD did just that and it was awesome! I would give this story a solid 4 stars and highly recommend to others.
Isla and Jessie were friends at one point but when Jessie found out secrets that Isla was keeping from him it made her enemy #2 because his ex wife was and always will be enemy #1. In Isla’s eyes she did nothing wrong she was doing her job.. but Jessie has it set that she ruined his life so he is going to destroy hers… but what will happen when sparks are flying will they give in or are both to stubborn to see what is in front of eachother?
Get to one clicking to see what happens you don’t want to miss it!
All right romcom lovers, Dangerous Exes is the type of book you live for! This is the second book in Rachel’s Liars, Inc. series, but as most of her books can be, it can be read as a standalone title. Honestly! However, Dirty Exes delivers all the fun, and I highly recommend that book, as well.
Isla made this little mistake that may or may not have cost Jessie his time in the spotlight as a golden boy. It was an honest mistake…so why is he trying to ruin her now? If he ruins her business, it ruins his best friend’s girl’s business, too, because Blair is her business partner. It doesn’t make sense. But revenge never really makes sense, does it? There’s a fine line between love and hate. Which side will Jessie and Isla fall on?
Rachel’s ability to infuse just the right amount of angst and deep thoughts into a hilarious story is what won me over as a reader and fan several years ago. Oh, and the sarcasm! And this book for sure delivers all of that. Fans of The Consequence series will see almost a scary resemblance to Max in Isla’s great aunt, too! Dangerous Exes has the perfect mix of lovable characters…and those you’ll love to hate.
NICUnurse’s Rating: With a combination of hijinks, subterfuge, sarcasm, and steamy scenes, this book takes you on a wild ride that will entertain, make you swoon, and make you fall in love. (And stay up way too late because you can’t stop reading––not that I speak from experience or anything!) I’m giving this book a solid 5 stars!
Another winner by RVD. Loved the banter between Isla and Jessie. They had such chrmistry. Goo Pah’s antics made me smile and laugh.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
Jesse Beckett has it out for the Dirty Exes PI company, they after-all partnered with his ex-wife and completely derailed his life. Now he plans on doing whatever he can to get revenge and make sure they have to shut their doors, even if it means playing nice with the enemy. But once he puts his plan in motion, and starts spending copious amounts of time spying on and butting heads with the owner he realizes he may have gotten himself into more trouble than he bargained for. Because their best friends are involved the two wind up spending time together whether they want to or not, and someone has just leaked information that they are involved… which is bad for business and his reputation!!
Dangerous Exes brings readers back into the lives of former NFL quarterback Jesse Beckett and the women who shook up his carefully planned life. He is out for revenge and they are just trying to recover from the backlash his divorced caused, but in order to right all the wrongs, they may have to unite. And it brings on a whole new host of issues… and some unexpected sparks too! I loved reuniting with these characters and seeing Jesse charm the socks off the lady who captured his heart, that man is a master at weakening knees and bringing on the swoons! The moment I cracked the cover on this delectable little tale I was hooked, it was sweet, funny, steamy, and so good on my heart!! Highly recommend!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Isla has her own PI company which she owns with her best friend. They are known for helping women get out of bad relationships.
Jessie is one of the guys who was burned by their investigations, and he is ready to get even.
Isla has built everything she owns. She doesn’t open up to many people and uses her attitude as a shield.
Jessie has nothing left after his reputation has been ruined. He was very OCD and wanted his life to look prefect even if it wasn’t.
This enemies to lovers book was such a great addition to the Liars, Inc. series. The characters had a connection in the 1st book, and it just seemed to grow as the story progressed.
These two stay in denial for so long, but they always keep gravitating to each other. I loved their banter and how they both were able to break through each others wall to prove that they were worthy of love.
-A copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.-
This! This book is a perfect example why I am such a huge fan of Rachel Van Dyken! She is a genius at creating unique, witty rom-com layered with delicious angst, perfectly developed characters that are relatable in a crazy level of awesome of storyline that consumed me from cover to cover. Her writing – absolutely impeccable!
I read and fell in love with this fantastic cast of characters earlier this year in book 1 of this series, Dirty Exes. In Dangerous Exes this crazy crew is back and Jessie is out for revenge. His target, our spitfire PI, Ilsa and the agency she has built with Blaire. Jessie was left feeling burned after his ex wife did a number on him in book 1. However misguided his endeavor is – the story that ensues is nothing short of fantastically entertaining. Jessie and Ilsa both have a lot on the line – the ideas these two concoct in pursuit of ‘fixing’ the situation leads to a stand out, hilarous, sexy adventure. Ilsa’s grandmother, Goo-Poh, is one of the funniest characters ever created. Only 2nd to Grandma Nadine from Rachel’s earlier series The Bet who is based off her actual Grandmother. Goo-Poh is hilarious and the things she blurts out made me laugh out loud. I highlighted a ton of it and keep re-reading my notes because those lines are golden! I refuse to spoil them by quoting in my review because that makes me hostile – just know you are in for such a treat!
This entire story and the metamorphosis these characters go through, especially Jessie is so outstanding. Ilsa brought vibrancy and chaos into Jessie’s drab, bland life just by being there. Just by being her. His awakening of sorts was monumental. So much so, I am still sitting here with hearts in my eyes looking at my notes and thinking about it. I could sit with a cup of coffee and read this book all over again. I know without a doubt I’d love it the second time even though I know how it ends. It’s THAT brilliant!
I hope this series is also made into movies by Passionflix. This series would be epic on the big screen. As it is I can already hear the audiobook. The narrators voices in my head bringing this story to life – gah I can’t wait. Already pre-ordered!
Dangerous Exes.
Dangerous to your sanity, your mind, and even your heart!
Rachel Van Dyken has created another monster! Grandma Nadine has to have tea with Goo-Poh. It is a must! A crossover is necessary. I thought no one could ever capture Grandma Nadine’s brand of crazy without coming across like a cheap knock off- but that was before Goo-Poh.
Fun, funny, and a bit ridiculous, Dangerous Exes will have you enthralled in the crazy with the first attack. So while ducking from the crazy remember to keep your eye out for chickens, use your chopsticks, and never drink the wrong tea. Or always drink the wrong tea…