Running into an ex you haven’t seen in nearly a decade is never a good time. Running into your ex while he’s arresting you is humiliating. LaurenRunning into an ex you haven’t seen in nearly a decade is never a good time. Running into your ex while he’s arresting you is humiliating. The handcuffs close around my fists at the same time he promises to hate me until he takes his last breath.I can’t … he takes his last breath.
I can’t blame him. He pleaded for me not to walk away.
He doesn’t know leaving him broke my heart as much as it did his.
It wasn’t for me. Rather, it was for someone else.
Gage
I skipped town after Hurricane Lauren obliterated my heart.
Coming home was a hard choice to make. Arresting her isn’t.
She has no idea of the demons I carry with me now. No idea that I’m a new man.
Two women ruined me.
One I gave my heart to.
The other punished me for it.
more
Most of the time reading this story in the Blue Beech series, I think I had my mouth wide open. I was flabbergasted by Gage and his attitude towards Lauren. I love second chance romances and this is one of those where both characters had to work hard to make it work the second time; especially because I felt Gage had a hollier than thou attitude even though he also made some mistakes after they broke up. There are a lot of misunderstandings but I was glad to see them work through them and see them grow into the two people they needed to be in order to be together. I loved seeing characters from the other books and the relationship between all of them.
If you want a story with a great storyline and relatable characters, then look no further. You will love Gage and Lauren. Gage shows a lot of emotions and anyone in similar situation(s) may find him very relatable. I also enjoy when other characters make appearances from prior stories that you love. This is a great series and one I recommend for all to enjoy!!
Lauren and Gage were together during high school but Lauren suddenly left and wouldn’t tell Gage what was going on. Now it’s ten years later and Gage is back in town as a cop and Lauren is being arrested by him. Lauren has had other men but still loves Gage. Gage was married and divorced, seeing other women. He holds a grudge against Lauren because she broke his heart when she left. Turns out both of them have a love/hate relationship but can’t stay away from each other. This is a good read but can get exhausting with all the back and forth OW drama. I didn’t have a problem with other people for Gage or Lauren because they were not a committed couple.
Wow! I am a huge fan of Second Chance Romances, and this one may be the angstyist (meh – it’s a word now) I’ve ever read. This is so much more than an SCR – and it was well done. Lauren and Gage’s story has a tone of feels – I cried a lot! Overall it was an enjoyable read.
This is a whirlwind of a second Chance romance that keeps you wanting more. You want to know they why’s while you live through the angst and the heart ache of these two. I was sucked in and stuck in their world, not wanting to stop until I knew everything. I want to strangle Missy and do such kore horrible things too!!
I give this 4.5*
This was a heart wrenching second chance romance. This one kept me on my toes trying to figure things out. This is Lauren (Dallas and Hudson’s sister) and Gage’s story. These two were high school sweetheart until Lauren breaks Gage’s heart with no explanation. Years later they meet again when Gage moves back into town and is called to arrest her. The banter between these two as they try to pretend to hate each other is quite entertaining. Once again as like in the other series Charity has me laughing and crying. The love these two have for each other is just gives me the feels. This one was an emotional read as secrets are revealed. I just love the whole small town dynamic and these characters. Each book in this series was a page turner and had me invested beginning to end. I hope there is going to be more to this series. I don’t want it to end.
A second chance romance, but also filled with so much than just two lovers rekindling an old flame.
So this is the third book in the Blue Beech series, but it is the 2nd book I’ve read. I read Just Neighbors first which is the fourth book, so right now I’m reading the series in reverse and I’m sort of enjoying it. I had glimpses of Gage and Lauren in Just Neighbors, but I had to know their full story and what brought them together. Also, OMG…Kyle in this book is even more hilarious now that I know him from Just Neighbors, but this story is not about Kyle.
I fell in love with Charity’s writing when I first read Just Neighbors and now I’m on a kick to read everything she’s written. I was NOT disappointed when reading Just Exes. I now need to read the first two books in this series and then move on to her other books. She is amazing and I can’t wait to pick up her other books.
Okay…Just Exes…
Gage and Lauren have a deep loathing for one another. You get that right off the bat, but why? I love that Charity always leads with, not only humor, but mystery as to what happened. She doesn’t dump it all in your lap and then unfold the story, she gives you bits and pieces along the way while building up the couples chemistry. It makes for a gripping read that has turned me into a Charity Ferrell lover!
These two characters still love one another, but also dislike one another. Again, you keep asking yourself why. What was the catalyst that drove them apart? There is also a secret that Gage is keeping which is why people like Kyle hate Lauren so much. There are a lot of layers to to this story, but in the end once Gage and Lauren peel them back the love might still be there.
This is the third of the Blue Beech series, and I believe this was my favorite so far! Lauren and Gage were a hot item when they were younger, their relationship working its way fast paced to married with children. Until Lauren broke up with Gage, without really giving him a reason. Gage left for bigger and better things, but has now, years later, returned to help his ailing father and taking a job at the station. The first time Lauren sees Gage again, he ends up putting her in handcuffs, and not in a good way. Both maintain they hate each other, but for some reason one is always where the other one seems to show up. When one is in need the other is there to help in some way. Gage can’t let go of the past, and Lauren will not share her reasons, will the two be able to find a way to get what they really want… each other.
So, first off let me just state, there is NO cheating in this. This isn’t a Rachel and Ross thing where they were on a break, the MC’s were not together and had not been together for YEARS! This is not cheating IMO. This story gave ALL the feels, I mean ALL! I fumed, laughed, had disgust for characters, was irate, and even sobbed at one point. I give this 5 stars!
Just Exes by Charity Ferrell was an emotional second chance enemies-to-lovers book. I had to finish this book before going to bed (1 am) because you have two different events going on at the same time. How could anyone put a book down with all that happening? So yes, I went to sleep with red puffy eyes because I cried like a baby. Charity’s will draw you in after the first chapter and not let go till the very end.
Gage and Lauren’s relationship gave me everything that I love – bantering almost every time they saw each other, the heartbreaking past flashbacks and of course the HOT hate sex; which turned into reunion sex. Plus, I loved seeing Lauren’s brother again and getting updated on that was going on.
P.S. – Kyle needs his own book; I need more Kyle!!
This was a wonderfully written second chance romance. Charity writes stories so beautifully and makes you feel everything. Lauren and Gage were high school sweethearts until Lauren ended things and they went separate ways. Now Gage is back with Lauren in his police car. There is so much hatred covering up the love that they still have for each other. They play games and say things they don’t mean until their true feelings really come out. When they get back together it is explosive, they love each other so hard. Lauren still is keeping secret why she left him while Gage’s past marriage and child threatens to ruin what they have together. Lauren will have to find a way to understand where Gage’s life took him after he left and Gage needs to understand that Lauren sacrificed her own happiness for someone that he loves. Even with all their history and present problems between them, Lauren is able to be there for Gage when he feels his world is falling apart and that just shows how strong their love is for each other.
This was so close to being my favorite in the series but it just fell short. Lauren is someone we meet all the way back in Just a Fling but we don’t get to hear too much until now. I loved the way this started, getting arrested by your ex is just hysterical and karma in this situation. I enjoyed Gage, he’s a cop but he isn’t that stereotypical chauvinistic pig, he’s a genuine good guy who cares. What fell short with me was the pacing of the book. From page one we knew they both had secrets they weren’t telling the other supposedly to protect each other, but they didn’t divulge the secrets until almost 80% of the book. Which in my opinion was way too long, because then the last 20% shoved a crap ton of stuff I would’ve liked to see fleshed out. I understand it was supposed to build tension but it didn’t keep me long enough and I ended up skimming to see what the secrets were and if it was worth reading. In my opinion, it was. That last chunk really sold it for me and made me fall even more in love with this relationship. These are definitely two characters I will be rooting for.
This was one of the books I was most excited for in this series. Two exes who ended on bad turns, meet again when he arrested her. It was a recipe for a good dramatic story, and while it didn’t fail in that department it sadly wasn’t up to my expectations.
Maybe the issue was in my own expectation of the story, but I just found less to connect with in the characters compared to previous books. Yes, there were drama, struggles and hardships that I really loved, but among that there wasn’t that much in the main characters to make me drawn into their lives. To the story’s credit though, this was the first book in the series where I didn’t hate the main guy. Gage was throughout the story a kind and decent guy towards Lauren, even when she didn’t deserve it. Which brings me on to my next point.
For being so angry and claiming to hate Lauren that hate fizzled out real quickly which took away some of that drama as well as realism. For everything that happened and for how it ended it felt strange and kind of forced how accommodating and involved Gage was to Lauren. It went way too fast from “I hate you” to them trying to reconnect in my opinion and I feel like that was the main reason as to why I found difficulty connecting to the characters and in turn the romance. I did like both the characters and romance however, just not as much as I was expecting.
Something that went beyond my expectations were the twists in the book with what happened in Chicago and the reason why Lauren broke up with him. I loved how it kept me on my toes and anticipating more revelations and information and it built up excellently to the climax and when all secrets were revealed. My only wish was that the ending wasn’t so rushed and cramped. The whole Chicago history and everything involving that was amazingly well handled, but the reason why Lauren left him and the whole landlord situation felt so quickly moved past and just thrown in there for a quick HEA. The landlord conflict could as well have been left out of the story in my opinion since it didn’t really add that much and that would also have given more space for a more in-depth resolution to Lauren’s secret.
Overall, it was a good book. I just wished for a deeper dive into the characters and even perhaps some apology or acknowledgement of wrongdoing on Kyle’s part for the way he treated Lauren. That’s kind of a minor issue though so as a whole the book lands on three and a half stars.
DNF this book…..I couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline!!
This second chance romance had so much emotion packed into the pages, I found myself not being able to put it down!
Talk about a gut wrenching read filled with heartbreak, trauma, loathing and flaming hot sex!
Lauren and Gage’s story was so emotional! Their past was haunted by secrets and betrayal. Their future was going to end up the same way if they couldn’t find a way to trust each other and open up about what happened during those years apart.
Their second chance at love in a small town brought out the best and worst in both main characters. Lauren was career driven, stubborn, independent and spunky. Gage was also a career driven individual with a past he couldn’t run from and walls up so high, no one close to him could get over them.
The suspense of why Lauren left Gage when they were 18 and what Gage was hiding from his past in Chicago made this a completely suspenseful romance. I was holding my breathe the entire read, waiting for everything to come to light.
The HEA ending was nothing short of amazing and wrapped up this tragic story nicely. I can’t wait to see more of Gage and Lauren in the next book of the series!
Just Exes: Blue Beech Book #3 is a great read. Thank you Charity Ferrell for another book that I’m giving 5 out of 5 stars.
Again, there are great characters mentioned from books 1 and 2 in the series but we get t meet Gage an a few new people this time around and some not so nice people #MonsterMissy and #RottenRonnie (couldn’t resist) Read the book to find out about the hashtag names for both Missy and Ronnie.)
Lauren is a beautiful, lonely and loyal woman who has loved Gage for a lifetime already but she broke things off with him before she left for college almost ten years ago, but she has never loved someone else it has always been Gage. Gage is so angry at Lauren and himself and he’s carrying around great loss and anger. Will Gage ever stop love-hating Lauren enough to move on or is there really even any hate there?
Again, thank you Charity Ferrell and I’m getting ready to read the next book in the series Just Neighbors: Blue Beech Book #4!
Just Exes by Charity Ferrell a five-star read that you won’t want to break up with. I fell in love with this book from the dedication to the last page, they have such amazing characters that you will fall in love with officer Gage Perry in his dashing navy uniform and you wont even mind when he arrests his lovely ex Lauren Barnes, after all its kind of revenge for breaking his heart after all. But this story is so much more than just a pair of ex’s meeting in Blue Beech under crazy circumstances, it will make you laugh and make you cry, and make you wonder what happened when it’s all over, leaving you happy in one breath but bereft In another as there are no more pages. This is by far my favourite book by this author, I am sure you will enjoy it but be prepared for a book hangover.
I love that Charity keeps the books consistent within the same series yet the books are different through the storylines. This third book in the series is a second chance romance with a suspenseful aspect that I didn’t totally see coming but really enjoyed it! After high school, Lauren broke up with her boyfriend Gage, and it completely changed their lives. Gage held so much resentment he left town and had not been back since, partially because he still didn’t understand why Lauren had broken things off with him after they were going to spend their lives together. This story starts off with Lauren’s apartment burning down and Gage returning to town. When Lauren is accused of being the one to set it on fire, Gage uses that as his way to find out what exactly happened between them and get somewhat of a revenge on her for what he felt was ruining his life. Not only did this book have romance, but also suspense on both Lauren and Gage’s parts; Gage from his time in Chicago away from town, and Lauren with the suspicious fire of her apartment building. There were a few twists that I didn’t see coming, and it made the book that much better. Overall, I enjoyed this book – it was definitely my favorite so far in the series and can’t wait to see who’s next now that the Barnes children have all found their happy endings.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
With each Blue Beech book, I’ve fallen in love more each time. Not just with the story and characters but with the writing. Everything about this book and this series makes me smile.
My FAVORITE line in this book is:
“There’s never been a time I didn’t love you.”
Holy swoon-worthy book boyfriend. Each time, I didn’t think the male could be as great as the last and I’m falling in love EACH time. It is pure magic. Of course, one of my favorite things to read about are second chance romances. This definitely delivers on that account. This story also features some suspense and mystery – the two big secrets that Lauren and Gage both have.
This is book #3 in the Blue Beech story where we get Lauren’s (Hudson and Dallas’s sister) story. Again, I love the family dynamic, the dialogue, and the banter.
What makes the chemistry so great is the banter and dialogue between Gage and Lauren. AND, of course, you can’t forget any of the steamy scenes. Charity Ferrell knows how to write steamy good.
The journey these two take is remarkable. The whole series is remarkable – I can’t wait for the next one! Sounds like Kyle is getting his story next. You best read Just Exes to find out who Kyle is!
Not my favorite in the series but I still liked it so this one is a -4* review.
I could relate to Lauren on so many levels. I loved her sassy mouth, larger than life personality but what I loved the most was her soft side that she didn’t let anyone to see.
I felt bad for Gabe with everything that happened after they broke up. I was rooting so hard for them to workout their problems. And getting to see them falling for each other once again was a great read with a few hiccups on the way
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Just Exes by Charity Ferrell is book Three in the Blue Beech series. This is the story of Lauren Barnes and Gage Perry. Lauren and Gage were once young and in love but Lauren broke Gage’s heart. Gage moved away after the breakup but now 10 years later he is back to help his dad. Gage is now a police officer who has to go arrest Lauren who may or may not be involved in a arson. Raw feelings are brought back to the surface but can this be their chance to find their happy ending? Enjoyed this book.