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The Delicious De Campos #2
An Exquisite Challenge
"First move's yours, Lex," he murmured. "After that, all bets are off."
Wine magnate Gabe De Campo has fired his PR company three weeks before the most anticipated launch event the industry's ever seen. Enter Alexandra Anderson--the last woman he should ever work with, but the only woman who can help.
Gabe and Alex have always been a lethal combination, and with so much at stake for them both, failure is not an option. Can they ignore the powerful attraction between them in order to maintain their professionalism...or is it only a matter of time before the cork is popped on their passion?
Wine magnate Gabe De Campo has fired his PR company three weeks before the most anticipated launch event the industry's ever seen. Enter Alexandra Anderson--the last woman he should ever work with, but the only woman who can help.
Gabe and Alex have always been a lethal combination, and with so much at stake for them both, failure is not an option. Can they ignore the powerful attraction between them in order to maintain their professionalism...or is it only a matter of time before the cork is popped on their passion?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 17, 2014
34 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Hayward
280 books210 followersJennifer Hayward has been a fan of romance since filching her sister’s novels to escape her teenage angst. Her career in journalism and PR, including years of working alongside powerful, charismatic CEOs and traveling the world, has provided perfect fodder for the fast-paced, sexy stories she likes to write—always with a touch of humor.
Since her debut in 2013, as the winner of Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write global writing contest, she’s written over eighteen titles and sold over two million copies of her books to readers in 31 countries, in 25 languages. A native of Canada’s East Coast, Jennifer lives in picturesque Nova Scotia with her husband and son.
Since her debut in 2013, as the winner of Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write global writing contest, she’s written over eighteen titles and sold over two million copies of her books to readers in 31 countries, in 25 languages. A native of Canada’s East Coast, Jennifer lives in picturesque Nova Scotia with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 27, 2015
This is the 2nd book in the Delicious De Campo’s Series and I liked it a bit more than the 1st book, The Divorce Party.
Now we get Lilly de Campo’s sister, Alex’s story, who meets and falls in love with another de Campo brother, Gabe….okay, keeping it all in the family!!!!
Alex is a bit spunkier than Lilly and has a few skeletons in the closet, which naturally has to deal with and overcome before finding her HEA with Gabe, the wine maker of the de Campo dynasty!!!
Conflict, some emotional baggage, with a bit of mystery….yes, there’s some shenanigans happening in the winery and finally the hero/heroine discovering that they are meant to be with each other.
I rather enjoyed the setting…..vineyards, wine making and sexy and arrogant rich Italian hero with a soft heart underneath his hardness….yes and a heroine who is actually a rather fabulous and amazing person.
Fun read!!!
Now we get Lilly de Campo’s sister, Alex’s story, who meets and falls in love with another de Campo brother, Gabe….okay, keeping it all in the family!!!!
Alex is a bit spunkier than Lilly and has a few skeletons in the closet, which naturally has to deal with and overcome before finding her HEA with Gabe, the wine maker of the de Campo dynasty!!!
Conflict, some emotional baggage, with a bit of mystery….yes, there’s some shenanigans happening in the winery and finally the hero/heroine discovering that they are meant to be with each other.
I rather enjoyed the setting…..vineyards, wine making and sexy and arrogant rich Italian hero with a soft heart underneath his hardness….yes and a heroine who is actually a rather fabulous and amazing person.
Fun read!!!
April 12, 2015
I read this book 2 weeks ago but I forgot to rate it. I couldn't stomach it. Heroine had a six month affair with a married man five years ago which in my opinion is gross and slutty. I will stay away from this author.
March 23, 2014
Oh, Jen Hayward, you did it again!
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book. Being a champion of Jennifer Hayward's during The Divorce Party's rise to the top in the So You Think You Can Write comp 2012, I am delighted to say that first De Campo story was no flash in the pan by this author. You can also read it as a stand alone.
An Exquisite Challenge has depth, and it's edgy. The emotions just keep pulling you through this novel. The characters are fabulous and so real. Despite Gabe being rich and powerful his full array of flaws and emotional baggage is played out. And he is just so awesome. So, so awesome. I loved Gabe and I must say I am looking forward to Matteo's story next. *shivers*
Alex is Lilly De Campo's (the Divorce Party)sister and Alex and Gabe have a history of animosity between them borne of a strong attraction. Alex is a fighter, and her background is nothing short of disasterous, but she is determined to put it behind her, until it comes back to threaten everything she has started with Gabe.
Don't miss this book. No really. Read it.
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book. Being a champion of Jennifer Hayward's during The Divorce Party's rise to the top in the So You Think You Can Write comp 2012, I am delighted to say that first De Campo story was no flash in the pan by this author. You can also read it as a stand alone.
An Exquisite Challenge has depth, and it's edgy. The emotions just keep pulling you through this novel. The characters are fabulous and so real. Despite Gabe being rich and powerful his full array of flaws and emotional baggage is played out. And he is just so awesome. So, so awesome. I loved Gabe and I must say I am looking forward to Matteo's story next. *shivers*
Alex is Lilly De Campo's (the Divorce Party)sister and Alex and Gabe have a history of animosity between them borne of a strong attraction. Alex is a fighter, and her background is nothing short of disasterous, but she is determined to put it behind her, until it comes back to threaten everything she has started with Gabe.
Don't miss this book. No really. Read it.
January 3, 2014
All of us have a fighting spirit within us, not all of us unleash it on a daily basis and sometimes it takes a serious push to get it out into the open and on a mission to win.
But when unleashed it can sometimes have such serious consequences that we wish we never stepped up to the plate in the first place, basically "You should have kept your big mouth shut". As is the case for the heroine, Alexandra in the new Jennifer Hayward read.
Alexandra 's business is in a hot spot and needs a new big time company linked to their client list in order to step out of the fire pit.
The client comes in the form of too hot to handle Gabe De Campo, not only does his good looks make her knees go weak but he is also the one man that has manged to bring her temper to the bubbling point of no return on numerous occasions.
But Alexandra never misses a challenge and she goes all out to secure the client of the year, only when she gets to deal with Gabe up close and personal does she realize this man is the one and only that can strip her bare of all her defenses and with this realization comes the knowledge that her past is either about to set her free or ruin them both.
The character of Alexandra was too amazing for words, I really admired her from the first introduction. She was strong and courageous ready to face whatever comes her way, all the while knowing it could all be ruined in a heartbeat. Yet, she pushes forward with a open minded attitude whilst still fighting off the demons of the past. It showed her as many of us are when faced with a challenge in life, unleashing whatever you need to in order to win yet still holding back a little just to make sure you are not too exposed to lose it all, but along the way finding yourself exposed when least expecting it.
The character of Gabe was all kinds of delicious take-me-am-yours-to-do-with-as-you-please awesomeness! Arrogant enough that all you want to do is give him a good shake up-wake-up slap, but also kind and caring enough to let you know this man is all in on the protecting you at all costs once he gets his hooks into you, the prefect combination for hero material.
The conflict in this book was super hot, it had me on the edge of my seat to make sure I do not miss a word and drama! I actually more than once found myself yelling out loud " That's it, stand up and fight dig until you both get hit with the realization of what is right in front of you!".
Backdrop settings and dialogue for this book could not have been more spectacular or perfect, it all blended into total perfection. The glitz, the glam and the pure sensuality of the wine industry was exquisitely brought to life, absolute pure brilliance Jennifer!
The message from this read was loud and clear, the past can be a real pain to deal with, but when it threatens to destroy your future there really is no point but to step up the challenge of letting it all out in order to get what you never knew you needed.
I highly recommend this book was each and every single romance fan out there! This read is filled with sensual, sexual, romantic and emotional brilliance!
Saying I can wait to see what this author offers up next would be telling the lie of the century, this is Jennifer Hayward we're talking about and I am positive she will have me pulling my hair out with the wait so all I will say is Jennifer get back to work as in NOW!
5/5 Star review
" Together they discover the angles nectar is within each other's arms"
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
But when unleashed it can sometimes have such serious consequences that we wish we never stepped up to the plate in the first place, basically "You should have kept your big mouth shut". As is the case for the heroine, Alexandra in the new Jennifer Hayward read.
Alexandra 's business is in a hot spot and needs a new big time company linked to their client list in order to step out of the fire pit.
The client comes in the form of too hot to handle Gabe De Campo, not only does his good looks make her knees go weak but he is also the one man that has manged to bring her temper to the bubbling point of no return on numerous occasions.
But Alexandra never misses a challenge and she goes all out to secure the client of the year, only when she gets to deal with Gabe up close and personal does she realize this man is the one and only that can strip her bare of all her defenses and with this realization comes the knowledge that her past is either about to set her free or ruin them both.
The character of Alexandra was too amazing for words, I really admired her from the first introduction. She was strong and courageous ready to face whatever comes her way, all the while knowing it could all be ruined in a heartbeat. Yet, she pushes forward with a open minded attitude whilst still fighting off the demons of the past. It showed her as many of us are when faced with a challenge in life, unleashing whatever you need to in order to win yet still holding back a little just to make sure you are not too exposed to lose it all, but along the way finding yourself exposed when least expecting it.
The character of Gabe was all kinds of delicious take-me-am-yours-to-do-with-as-you-please awesomeness! Arrogant enough that all you want to do is give him a good shake up-wake-up slap, but also kind and caring enough to let you know this man is all in on the protecting you at all costs once he gets his hooks into you, the prefect combination for hero material.
The conflict in this book was super hot, it had me on the edge of my seat to make sure I do not miss a word and drama! I actually more than once found myself yelling out loud " That's it, stand up and fight dig until you both get hit with the realization of what is right in front of you!".
Backdrop settings and dialogue for this book could not have been more spectacular or perfect, it all blended into total perfection. The glitz, the glam and the pure sensuality of the wine industry was exquisitely brought to life, absolute pure brilliance Jennifer!
The message from this read was loud and clear, the past can be a real pain to deal with, but when it threatens to destroy your future there really is no point but to step up the challenge of letting it all out in order to get what you never knew you needed.
I highly recommend this book was each and every single romance fan out there! This read is filled with sensual, sexual, romantic and emotional brilliance!
Saying I can wait to see what this author offers up next would be telling the lie of the century, this is Jennifer Hayward we're talking about and I am positive she will have me pulling my hair out with the wait so all I will say is Jennifer get back to work as in NOW!
5/5 Star review
" Together they discover the angles nectar is within each other's arms"
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for a honest review
January 31, 2014
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads to review.
I really liked this book the only complaint I had was that it was so short it was over too quickly.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel. Gabe De Campo has a rule of not working with family and Alex Anderson is the sister of his brother's wife. There's also that pesky bit of attraction between them. But Alex's work impresses him and he has to hire her. But he has rules one being that they don't act on their mutual attraction. Only problem is he wants to break that one rule badly.
I loved Alex's character from the first few pages. She was witty, funny, and very easy to relate to. I found myself rooting for her and understanding her even before I found out about her sad past. It took me much longer to warm up to Gabe's character. However I think all the sexy Italian words he'd say won me over. Their attraction and then romance was electric and I loved every word of it. Like I said, I enjoyed this book so much I wish it was longer.
I would read more from author Jennifer Hayward.
I really liked this book the only complaint I had was that it was so short it was over too quickly.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone novel. Gabe De Campo has a rule of not working with family and Alex Anderson is the sister of his brother's wife. There's also that pesky bit of attraction between them. But Alex's work impresses him and he has to hire her. But he has rules one being that they don't act on their mutual attraction. Only problem is he wants to break that one rule badly.
I loved Alex's character from the first few pages. She was witty, funny, and very easy to relate to. I found myself rooting for her and understanding her even before I found out about her sad past. It took me much longer to warm up to Gabe's character. However I think all the sexy Italian words he'd say won me over. Their attraction and then romance was electric and I loved every word of it. Like I said, I enjoyed this book so much I wish it was longer.
I would read more from author Jennifer Hayward.
March 25, 2014
Having enjoyed the first book in this series, The Divorce Party, I was keen to see what would happen with Alex and Gabe. We met them as sparring partners in that book but now they are getting up close and personal at Gabe's De Campo winery in the Napa Valley, right across the country from New York.
Alex is an event specialist and when Gabe fires his current events company three weeks before a major launch, Alex is ready to take on the challenge. Still growing her company, she doesn't have a lot of choice, even though she knows she and Gabe are dangerous together.
Thrown together for the launch, they start to learn a whole lot more about each other that make it harder and harder for them to resist the powerful attraction between them. Will Alex take Gabe up on his one night offer to get the attraction out of their system?
These two are good together in so many ways, business and personal. But both have issues with past relationships, and in Alex's case some serious teen angst so acting on their attraction is dangerous for both of them.
This was a great story with two very interesting protagonists. The ending was lovely and Gabe is just adorable.
There was however an issue that sort of spoiled things for me.
Alex is an event specialist and when Gabe fires his current events company three weeks before a major launch, Alex is ready to take on the challenge. Still growing her company, she doesn't have a lot of choice, even though she knows she and Gabe are dangerous together.
Thrown together for the launch, they start to learn a whole lot more about each other that make it harder and harder for them to resist the powerful attraction between them. Will Alex take Gabe up on his one night offer to get the attraction out of their system?
These two are good together in so many ways, business and personal. But both have issues with past relationships, and in Alex's case some serious teen angst so acting on their attraction is dangerous for both of them.
This was a great story with two very interesting protagonists. The ending was lovely and Gabe is just adorable.
There was however an issue that sort of spoiled things for me.
January 30, 2014
Excellant follow up to The Divorce Party by Ms Hayward. Set against the stunning backdrop of Napa Valley, the gorgeous Gabe De Campo and Alex Anderson are two forces of nature colliding to whip up a storm for the story many have been waiting for since their electric meeting back in book one. Watching the sparks fly was a joy and the quippy dialogue kept the pages turning until the very end. Fantastic! Bring on Matteo, Ms Hayward, I'm ready and waiting :)
May 25, 2014
Superb! A well deserved five stars for this awesome read by Jennifer Hayward, who, I must add could easily have fooled me into believing she's been a published author for years.
The story is sharp and hooks you to the end, the conflict is gripping and the chemistry between Gabe and Alexandra shoots sparks from the page.
An Exquisite Challenge - It certainly was.
The story is sharp and hooks you to the end, the conflict is gripping and the chemistry between Gabe and Alexandra shoots sparks from the page.
An Exquisite Challenge - It certainly was.
December 21, 2013
Gabriele is my favorite DeCampo. Do not miss this book. There's wine.
March 31, 2018
3.5 stars
September 19, 2014
เราชอบงานเขียนเรื่องแรกของ Jennifer Hayward เรื่อง The Divorce Party ไม่น้อยเลยนะคะ ถือว่าเป็นเรื่องแนว Harlequin Presents ที่สนุกมากเรื่องนึง ทำให้เมื่อหยิบเล่มนี้มาอ่าน ซึ่งเป็นเล่มสองในชุด เล่าเรื่องระหว่างพี่ชาย และพี่สาวของพระนางเล่มแรก เราก็เลยคาดหวังว่า นี่จะเป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือ "เล่มเล็ก" ที่สนุก แต่พออ่านเข้าจริง กลับรู้สึกผิดหวังเลยก็ว่าได้ เพราะเราคิดว่า คนแต่งน่าจะเขียนได้ดีกว่านี้
แต่หากว่ากันตามตรง เรื่องนี้ไม่ได้มีอะไรเลวร้ายนะคะ ส่วนหนึ่งอาจจะเพราะเราไม่ใช่คนที่ชื่นชอบพล็อตเรื่องแนวเพรสเซนส์มากมายอะไร เล่มที่อ่านแล้วทำให้เราชอบได้ ก็มักจะเป็นเรื่องที่เน้นอารมณ์หนัก ๆ อ่านไปถอนหายใจไปแบบนี้น่ะค่ะ ซึ่งเรื่องนี้ไม่ได้ทำให้เราเกิดอาการแบบนั้น เราไม่รู้สึกว่า เข้าถึงความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างเกบ และอเล็กซานดราเท่าไหร หลาย���รั้งที่เรากลับคิดว่า พฤติกรรมของพวกเขาช่างเหมือนเด็ก และไม่น่าจะใช่คนที่เรื่องบอกว่า ประสบความสำเร็จในอาชีพที่พวกเขาทำได้เลย
อเล็กซานดราซึ่งเป็นนักประชาสัมพันธ์มีฝีมือถูกเรียกตัวจากนิวยอร์คให้บินด้วนไปซานฟรานซิสโกเพื่อช่วยกอบกู้แคมเปญโฆษณาไวน์รุ่นใหม่ที่กำลังจะเปิดตัว แต่ไม่ว่าเธอจะเก่งกาจมากมายขนาดไหน เกบก็ไม่ต้องการทำงานร่วมกับเธอ เพราะเขามีนโยบายไม่ทำงานร่วมกับผู้หญิงที่เขาให้ความสนใจ แต่เมื่อได้เห็นผลงานที่เธอนำมาเสนอ เขาก็ยอมประนีประนอมกับกฎเหล็กของตัวเอง แต่ก็บอกกับหญิงสาว พวกเขาจะต้องไม่สานความสัมพันธ์อะไรกันทั้งสิ้น
เราอ่านถึงจุดนี้แล้วก็หมั่นไส้พระเอกค่ะ เรื่องปูพื้นมาแล้วว่า ทั้งคู่มองกันไปมองกันมาแบบสนใจตั้งแต่ได้พบกันเพราะน้องชายและน้องสาวของพวกเขาแต่งงานกัน เมื่อมาเจอกันอีกครั้ง ก็ห้ามความรู้สึกไม่ได้ คือมันเห็นได้ชัดมากว่า ยังไงก็คงห้ามไม่อยู่ แต่พระเอกก็ยังมาตั้งเป็นกฎ (เหมือนรู้อยู่แก่ใจว่า ยังไงก็ทำไม่ได้ แต่เอาเป็นข้ออ้าง เพื่อว่า สุดท้ายจะได้โทษได้ว่า นางเอกไม่ทำตามกฎที่วางเอาไว้)
แล้วเรื่องก็เป็นแบบนั้น ทั้งสองทำงานร่วมกัน ใกล้ชิดและสนิทกันมากขึ้น ความสัมพันธ์พัฒนา แต่แน่ะล่ะว่า ความสัมพันธ์อันล้มเหลวของทั้งคู่จากในอดีตก็ยังตามหลอกหลอนพวกเขาอยู่ ทำให้ไม่อาจเปิดใจยอมรับความรักที่เริ่มก่อตัวขึ้นได้เต็มที่ ส่วนเดียวที่เราคิดว่า แตกต่างไปจากหนังสือแนวเพรสเซนส์ทั่วไปก็คือ นางเอกมีงานทำ และดูน่าเชื่อว่า เธอทำงานเป็นจริง ๆ ไม่ใช่แค่เป็นอาชีพที่คนแต่งบอกให้คนอ่านรู้ว่า เธอทำ
ผิดหวังและชักไม่มั่นใจว่า นักเขียนคนนี้จะเป็นคนที่น่าติดตาม (อย่างที่เราคิดว่า เธอเป็นตอนที่อ่าน The Divorce Party) จริง ๆ รึเปล่า
แต่หากว่ากันตามตรง เรื่องนี้ไม่ได้มีอะไรเลวร้ายนะคะ ส่วนหนึ่งอาจจะเพราะเราไม่ใช่คนที่ชื่นชอบพล็อตเรื่องแนวเพรสเซนส์มากมายอะไร เล่มที่อ่านแล้วทำให้เราชอบได้ ก็มักจะเป็นเรื่องที่เน้นอารมณ์หนัก ๆ อ่านไปถอนหายใจไปแบบนี้น่ะค่ะ ซึ่งเรื่องนี้ไม่ได้ทำให้เราเกิดอาการแบบนั้น เราไม่รู้สึกว่า เข้าถึงความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างเกบ และอเล็กซานดราเท่าไหร หลาย���รั้งที่เรากลับคิดว่า พฤติกรรมของพวกเขาช่างเหมือนเด็ก และไม่น่าจะใช่คนที่เรื่องบอกว่า ประสบความสำเร็จในอาชีพที่พวกเขาทำได้เลย
อเล็กซานดราซึ่งเป็นนักประชาสัมพันธ์มีฝีมือถูกเรียกตัวจากนิวยอร์คให้บินด้วนไปซานฟรานซิสโกเพื่อช่วยกอบกู้แคมเปญโฆษณาไวน์รุ่นใหม่ที่กำลังจะเปิดตัว แต่ไม่ว่าเธอจะเก่งกาจมากมายขนาดไหน เกบก็ไม่ต้องการทำงานร่วมกับเธอ เพราะเขามีนโยบายไม่ทำงานร่วมกับผู้หญิงที่เขาให้ความสนใจ แต่เมื่อได้เห็นผลงานที่เธอนำมาเสนอ เขาก็ยอมประนีประนอมกับกฎเหล็กของตัวเอง แต่ก็บอกกับหญิงสาว พวกเขาจะต้องไม่สานความสัมพันธ์อะไรกันทั้งสิ้น
เราอ่านถึงจุดนี้แล้วก็หมั่นไส้พระเอกค่ะ เรื่องปูพื้นมาแล้วว่า ทั้งคู่มองกันไปมองกันมาแบบสนใจตั้งแต่ได้พบกันเพราะน้องชายและน้องสาวของพวกเขาแต่งงานกัน เมื่อมาเจอกันอีกครั้ง ก็ห้ามความรู้สึกไม่ได้ คือมันเห็นได้ชัดมากว่า ยังไงก็คงห้ามไม่อยู่ แต่พระเอกก็ยังมาตั้งเป็นกฎ (เหมือนรู้อยู่แก่ใจว่า ยังไงก็ทำไม่ได้ แต่เอาเป็นข้ออ้าง เพื่อว่า สุดท้ายจะได้โทษได้ว่า นางเอกไม่ทำตามกฎที่วางเอาไว้)
แล้วเรื่องก็เป็นแบบนั้น ทั้งสองทำงานร่วมกัน ใกล้ชิดและสนิทกันมากขึ้น ความสัมพันธ์พัฒนา แต่แน่ะล่ะว่า ความสัมพันธ์อันล้มเหลวของทั้งคู่จากในอดีตก็ยังตามหลอกหลอนพวกเขาอยู่ ทำให้ไม่อาจเปิดใจยอมรับความรักที่เริ่มก่อตัวขึ้นได้เต็มที่ ส่วนเดียวที่เราคิดว่า แตกต่างไปจากหนังสือแนวเพรสเซนส์ทั่วไปก็คือ นางเอกมีงานทำ และดูน่าเชื่อว่า เธอทำงานเป็นจริง ๆ ไม่ใช่แค่เป็นอาชีพที่คนแต่งบอกให้คนอ่านรู้ว่า เธอทำ
ผิดหวังและชักไม่มั่นใจว่า นักเขียนคนนี้จะเป็นคนที่น่าติดตาม (อย่างที่เราคิดว่า เธอเป็นตอนที่อ่าน The Divorce Party) จริง ๆ รึเปล่า
April 11, 2015
Second installment of the Delicious De Campo brothers and Gabe does not disappoint. In charge of the wine operation he's about to release the most perfect wine that's taken him nearly 8 seasons to perfect but someone's out to get him by planting a mole in his wine production. Firing the advertising team handling the launch leads Alex, twin sister of Lilly who we met in book one, an advertising executive who has worked from the lowest rung of the ladder up, to Gabe's door, asking for the job of her career.
Gabe's always been attracted to Alex but he's not about to let that get in his way or distract him from the big launch. Life doesn't play fair though and An Exquisite Challange has Gabe and Alex dancing the mysterious dance of attraction all the while somehow trying to deliver the launch of the century as well as sourcing the mysterious mole and fighting past sins and placing the people who have done wrong by both Gabe and Lilly in the past where they belong, despite the past never seeming to disappear.
Wonderful story, Gabe is a true salt of the earth hard working Italian who has so much pride in his family business. Alex is haunted by her past in more disturbing ways than one and has her heart on lock down. The story is weaved magically and as the reader, I hoped upon hope all would right itself in their mixed up worlds to enable them to have their happy ever after.
Who knew wine could be so sexy, I actually learnt a lot and loved the high level of detail in the book.
Another five stars from me. Jennifer Hayward certainly knows how to capture my attention. I absolutely love her stories.
Gabe's always been attracted to Alex but he's not about to let that get in his way or distract him from the big launch. Life doesn't play fair though and An Exquisite Challange has Gabe and Alex dancing the mysterious dance of attraction all the while somehow trying to deliver the launch of the century as well as sourcing the mysterious mole and fighting past sins and placing the people who have done wrong by both Gabe and Lilly in the past where they belong, despite the past never seeming to disappear.
Wonderful story, Gabe is a true salt of the earth hard working Italian who has so much pride in his family business. Alex is haunted by her past in more disturbing ways than one and has her heart on lock down. The story is weaved magically and as the reader, I hoped upon hope all would right itself in their mixed up worlds to enable them to have their happy ever after.
Who knew wine could be so sexy, I actually learnt a lot and loved the high level of detail in the book.
Another five stars from me. Jennifer Hayward certainly knows how to capture my attention. I absolutely love her stories.
Read
January 12, 2016"Hayward's latest romance is an emotionally charged drama-thon. Her bad-girl heroine and uber-macho, distrustful hero battle inner demons as their desire ignites the pages in and out of the bedroom. With iconic Napa wine country as the backdrop, this love story is a win-win." RT Book Reviews, rated 4.5 stars
Miniseries: The Delicious De Campos
"Great read! I enjoyed every page. The heroine was strong willed and the hero loved her for it. This book was funny and sexy at the same time.
Jennifer, thanks for making these character come alive." from a review posted by an Harlequin.com member. To read more, go HERE>
Miniseries: The Delicious De Campos
"Great read! I enjoyed every page. The heroine was strong willed and the hero loved her for it. This book was funny and sexy at the same time.
Jennifer, thanks for making these character come alive." from a review posted by an Harlequin.com member. To read more, go HERE>
April 8, 2014
This was the first book I read by this author and given that it was a HP, I thought it was a really good read. Considering the two characters had history, the lead up to their steamy attraction leading to an affair and then relationship didn't seem forced or rushed as it usually would. I liked that Alex wasn't some whimpy heroine passively taking Gabe's crap. I just thought the whole book was really well written.
January 9, 2014
Chick lit HP. Couldn't finish. Didn't care for the heroine.
September 23, 2016
Awesome!My heart went out to Gabe
August 28, 2017
This second installment of the De Campo Brothers was superb!! Totally compelling and the Napa Valley setting was unusual, but so right adding to the enjoyment of the story. Jennifer Haywood is rapidly becoming one of my favourite Harlequin / Mills & Boon authors and I have thoroughly enjoyed each of her books that I've read so far. Anyone who hasn't started the De Campo trilogy yet: SHOULD definitely take a look and I think the third instalment is going to have to go some way to surpass this one!! Alexa fits every criteria you'd expect from a MODERN / PRESENTS heroine and is an example of a highly gifted author at the top of her game!!
Very highly recommend this!!
Very highly recommend this!!
May 26, 2021
An Exquisite Challenge
This is book two in the Delos Campos series. Gabe and Alex are related by their siblings marriage. He has need of a great PR team. She is the best. But he doesn't employ family members. When he decided to hire her things change. The chemistry was off the charts. But her past makes it ugly appearance. Can he be the one man she truly needs in her life?
This is book two in the Delos Campos series. Gabe and Alex are related by their siblings marriage. He has need of a great PR team. She is the best. But he doesn't employ family members. When he decided to hire her things change. The chemistry was off the charts. But her past makes it ugly appearance. Can he be the one man she truly needs in her life?
October 12, 2020
I’d love an epilogue.
December 10, 2020
A good read, didn't like it as much as Lilly & Riccardo's book.
February 26, 2021
It was cute. I loved that the author gave depth to Alex's personality.
July 28, 2021
A hot tub. An Italian and voila
September 13, 2022
Graži meilės istorija,kurioje netrųksta nieko
February 16, 2018
This was a much better romance than Lilly and Ricarddo and I loved that one too.
I found Gabe and Alex's romance more believable. It was slow in a good way and they fell in love with each other not just bam they're together you really get the feeling especially if you read book #1 first that they are dancing around their feelings for one another early on and I love the fact they click and its great.
I do think Alex having an affair with a married man and then his wife still blaming her after she has remarried (the woman got a LOT of money in a divorce settlement) was kind of harsh I would have liked to have seen them not be friends but let it lie and be civil. At the end of the day I wouldn't blame a wife from being pissed at the other woman but if your ex-husband is a piece of work that lied to a young girl and she didn't know. Something I think would be obvious if you saw her face as she saw you. You'd realise she had no idea and not hold her completely responsible...
I found Gabe and Alex's romance more believable. It was slow in a good way and they fell in love with each other not just bam they're together you really get the feeling especially if you read book #1 first that they are dancing around their feelings for one another early on and I love the fact they click and its great.
I do think Alex having an affair with a married man and then his wife still blaming her after she has remarried (the woman got a LOT of money in a divorce settlement) was kind of harsh I would have liked to have seen them not be friends but let it lie and be civil. At the end of the day I wouldn't blame a wife from being pissed at the other woman but if your ex-husband is a piece of work that lied to a young girl and she didn't know. Something I think would be obvious if you saw her face as she saw you. You'd realise she had no idea and not hold her completely responsible...
May 14, 2014
I was anxious after the first in the series , The Divorce Party, too see where Hayward was headed with the De Campo boys and there fiery brotherly chemistry. Curious to see if it would help or hinder there wine fortunes.
An Exquisite Chalenge did not disappoint with sparks flying between Alex & Gabe right out of the gate. Ever in Ricardo's shadow , Gabe is a bad-boy on a roll and his past involvement with Alex makes for great friction and anticipation. As in the The Divorce Party - get ready for high temperature eroticism and plenty of tight dialogue in and out of the bedroom, the kind that Hayward delivers so well and keeps me coming back for more. I really liked the way she maintained her momentum - and somehow, while ending this leg of the story, left me craving me craving the last in the trilogy.
An Exquisite Chalenge did not disappoint with sparks flying between Alex & Gabe right out of the gate. Ever in Ricardo's shadow , Gabe is a bad-boy on a roll and his past involvement with Alex makes for great friction and anticipation. As in the The Divorce Party - get ready for high temperature eroticism and plenty of tight dialogue in and out of the bedroom, the kind that Hayward delivers so well and keeps me coming back for more. I really liked the way she maintained her momentum - and somehow, while ending this leg of the story, left me craving me craving the last in the trilogy.
January 17, 2020
Well, that was tedious. There were so many conflicts introduced and then the book spent ages on I don't even know what. Which meant that every loose end had to be tied up super fast in the last two chapters and it was incredibly unsatisfying.
I read this in Harlequin Presents February 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Shamed in the Sands / Securing the Greek's Legacy / Seduction Never Lies / An Exquisite Challenge compilation.
I read this in Harlequin Presents February 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Shamed in the Sands / Securing the Greek's Legacy / Seduction Never Lies / An Exquisite Challenge compilation.
May 1, 2014
*3.75* Almost a 4-star read. I loved the chemistry between Gabe and Alex. I also have an attachment to Napa Valley and all that passion for a wine especially how the words were rolling off a sexy Italian worked for me. The sex scenes were short, they were hot yet mild ... it's hard to explain. It left me wanting for more. The ending brought the rating down a bit for me, though I understand the villain was a real douche bag, I didn't like what Alex did. This was still a good read. Lots of sexual tension.
January 30, 2014
3.5* Hayward has penned another lovely romance with Gabe and Alex though it didn't quite hit the highs of her debut for me. The setting was not one of my favourites and I found it easier to put down but Gabe was certainly enticing as the delicious dark brooding hero and I loved the back and forth banter between him and Alex. I look forward to Matteo's story next.
April 25, 2014
This was a good second book from Jennifer Hayward. I loved the first book The Divorce Party and I enjoyed this book but it took me a will to warm up to Alex at times I just wanted to shake her. Then I learned a little about her and she won me over. Gabe on the other hand is on hot Italian. I'm looking forward to Matteo's book.
February 3, 2015
I just really like Jennifer Hayward's books. I like that her hero/heroine relationships feel on more equal footing than you get in a lot of Presents titles. I like that her heroines aren't naive virgins (which isn't to say that there's anything wrong with that, because I like those books too sometimes, it's just not ALL I want to read). I just like what she writes. And I liked this book.
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