Frankie’s Punch Out List: 1. Finalize plans to takeover Valenti Brothers Construction.2. Nail this vineyard renovation in spite of it being cursed. 3. Prove to the world that I’m more than the comic relief. 4. Make out with my director on top of a bar. Wait, how’d that last one get on there? But, as long as it’s on the list…Frankie Valenti has always dreamed of taking over the family … of taking over the family construction business. But as the baby of the family, and a girl to boot, she’s constantly having to prove her ability. Now everything she’s worked for hinges on one project, a made-for-TV vineyard renovation. She’s got to nail this, and not her infuriating but smoking hot director, if she’s going to win her father’s trust. If life would just follow her damn blueprints, everything would be fine. But we all know how often that happens…
Jake Ryland will do whatever it takes to move his reputation from child actor burnout to celebrated director, up to and including manipulating “reality” to make the best shows possible. He’s never felt bad about it before, but there’s something about Frankie that makes him want to lift her up, instead of tearing her down. And if he happens to pin her to the wall while lifting her up, well, then everybody wins. Except for his execs who want to see her fail and owe them $100,000. Crap. He’s so screwed.
Rough and tumble hookups are one thing, but can they turn into a stable foundation for a relationship? Or will the whole structure crumble under the weight of pride and ambition?
Find out in this satisfying conclusion to the Exposed Dreams series.
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CW: wildfire, stage parent/poor parent relationship
Roughed In is Book 3 in the Exposed Dreams series, featuring the Valenti Family. Family is really what the whole series is about, and Roughed In tackles that theme again, with both characters trying to define their own space and roles in their families.
Frankie is the youngest in the Valenti family, the one who wants to run the family business, both because she enjoys it and is good at it, and because she promised her deceased brother, Gabe. She is out to prove herself, with a new side project on the reality TV show that features her family’s business. Jake Ryland is the show runner that has been driving her nuts. Jake’s hand is on every bit of the show and Frankie doesn’t like that she’s been the comic relief when she wants to be taken seriously – and oh yeah, he’s hot and there is chemistry to spare between them. Jake is a former child actor who has his own quest to prove himself. He doesn’t want to be known as the kid actor, he loves it behind the camera and wants to create his own programming, not just film other people’s ideas. His cut throat, business first persona, is really about him proving himself and making his way in the world, without a family or support. Both are “I can do it myself, just watch me” characters who have to figure out how to let someone else in, while being true to themselves.
I really liked these characters. I worked in construction for years and Frankie rings true to me. She’s good at her job and really loves it, but always feels the need to prove herself. Even when her work is doing the talking for her, she’s not sure that everyone is buying it. More than anything, she needs to know her dad believes in her, both as her dad and as the head of the business. That’s a reality I can relate to, really well done. Frankie’s need to prove herself, is also from being the youngest in the family. Family dynamics are real, I’m glad those are included here. Frankie’s learning from the experience of a reality show, and the example set by her parents, what place work and family will take in her life. This is everyone person’s journey and Moore hits all the notes.
Jake is that type A covering the vulnerable kid inside-character. He really misses his TV family from when he was a kid, and is estranged from his IRL family, who he does NOT miss. The Valentis are welcoming to him but he’s not sure how to accept that. He wants family, doesn’t believe he has one, isn’t sure how to accept one. All of this longing for family and where one fits, it’s learned and evolves. It’s not resolved in a one-off scene, which I really appreciate.
The attraction between Jake and Frankie makes it all more complicated for them both, professionally and personally. Do they fit together? Do they want the same things, the same goals? Professional goals don’t take a back seat, but also evolve, so that what’s really important always comes first. Moore allows both characters to grow personally, professionally, and together. That’s a winner for me.
There is a feeling of tension in this one that I didn’t feel in the other Exposed Dreams books. It totally works, I think it highlights the personalities of the two characters. I could feel some of the pressure of the job, the pace of the work, the deadlines, the pressures Jake and Frankie are putting on themselves. That tension plays well with the sexy times – that wine cellar is hot! – and with a wildfire scene that left my heart pounding. It’s not just about pace, either. I really felt immersed in the story, with emotion, action, and place, all right there every time.
This is a great conclusion to the Exposed Dreams series. Fans of the series and Eva Moore should be very happy with this one!
*I received an e-ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Jake and Frankie!
I went into this thinking Jake was a big douche. He is ruthless in pursuit of his goals. His and Frankie’s relationship was tumultuous. But oh so good!! The spark and sizzle between them was delish!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The storyline was well written and the characters were so well detailed that as each and every page was turned I felt like Frankie and Jake pulled me right into their story as it unfolded!
Absolutely Awesome Read, well written, great characters, Awesome story line, easy read to hold you on their journey, this genre might not be for everyone but its a really wonderful story cannot wait for more from this Author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Frankie Valenti and her brother Gabe had vowed to take over Valenti Construction once their father retired. After Gabe was killed on a military deployment, Frankie still wants to fulfill her part of the promise. Filming on the reality TV show her father got the company into, has Frankie as the comic relief. She’s never taken seriously. Now with a new show, Frankie wants the chance to show everyone what she can do.
Jake Ryland, child actor, show runner for the first series, and still in charge of the build of the Valenti vineyard show, doesn’t want to stake his reputation on the unproven ‘talent’ of the screw up. When Frankie is given the chance to do exactly what she’s dreamed of, Jake is not happy. He still is filming ‘B’ roll footage when Frankie has some deliberately caused missteps, just in case the project falls flat.
As Frankie and Jake learn more about each other and begin to respect each others talents, trust and admiration grow, and they proceed towards the beginning of a personal relationship. A wildfire threatens to take down the vineyard and all that’s been done, can this project be saved?
I was so happy to see a resolution to Dom and Jo’s issues, and the whole family rallying around them. Great conclusion to this series!
Eva Moore has done it again!!!!! Her characters are richly developed and tantalizingly drawn to each other in a very believable way. Her story lines are fabulous!!!! I loved everything about the characters and their book!!!! The whole thing is scorching hot, sexy and sweet story and the chemistry between the characters! Bring out the sprinklers!!! Can’t wait for the next book in this fabulous series. Grab your copy today! Happy reading!
Yes, women can do anything. The story started a little slow and dragged on a bit. However, from over the halfway mark, the storyline picked up, the tension increased, and the book took on a more emotional stance. The dialogue reflected the character’s feelings and held my attention. There were numerous proofreading errors, which was careless, and the book would definitely benefit from another sweep of editing. The storyline was a welcome change from the usual CEO business billionaire/ personal assistant roles and afforded a glimpse into the realms of construction and reality television. All characters were well described, believable and likable. There is a HEA which is surprising given the different direction our couple, a very feisty Frankie and the child star Jake’s career is going, but the author managed to find a solution to bring our couple back into a converging trajectory. Ultimately, it is a feel-good book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I requested an ARC, and this review is my own opinion.
In my opinion, this is the best of the series – the characters are well established, so you can really take your time getting into the story.
The chemistry between former teen heartthrob Jake Ryland & perpetual time boy Frankie Valenti pretty much screams off the page whenever they’re together. They compliment each other’s personalities – not that either of them appreciate that fact at the beginning. But when they finally do figure things out, it’s as blazing hot as you would expect. Eva Moore is a pro at writing tasteful yet steamy love scenes, and she does not disappoint here.
If this is the last we see of the Valenti family, they could not have a better send-off. An enjoyable read, and overall an enjoyable series.
I really enjoyed the final installment of this series! I’m not usually crazy about opposite’s attract couples, but this one worked!
The story moved on nicely and the conflict was appropriate and didn’t last a ridiculous amount of time. I was glad when they called a truce closer to the beginning. While they still ruffled each others feathers, they weren’t yelling at each other the entire book.
I was very happy with the hero, Jake’s, progression especially. He had a lot of mommy/daddy/child star issues to work through, and I was happy with how the author handled it.
There was two sex scenes. Detailed enough but not super graphic. Barely any language.
This is a great series for fans of HGTV!
This is the 3rd installment of the Exposed Dreams series and a chance to visit with the Valenti family. Frankie is determined to be seen as a strong women running her own construction job. And not just the comic relief for the reality show they are filming around her family business.
Jake is the producer and in past books we found him to be a little annoying. The author did a great job digging into his past and making me fall for him. The chemistry between Frankie and Jake was very steamy. I love a enemies to lovers story and this one was top notch. It was fun to catch up with the rest of the family and we got a to see more of Frankie’s Mom who I loved. 4 1/2 stars
An emotionally satisfying, (literally) fiery, and fanning myself-sexy series-ender.
My complete review is on my website. https://maidamalby.com/mai-books/
Frankie is the baby in the family. When she is cast in her familys reality TV show as the comic relief shes had enough. She makes plans to start her own show. Jake is over all the shows. Will he be able to help her succeed?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.