Welcome to the blog tour for Exes & O’s by Amy Lea!
Title: Exes & O’s
Author: Amy Lea
Format: eBook (NetGalley)
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 1/10/23
Publisher: Berkley Books
Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Close Proximity, Roommates to Lovers
A romance novelโobsessed social media influencer revisits her exes on her hunt for true love in this romantic comedy from the author of Set On You.
Romance-novel connoisseur Tara Chen has had her heart broken ten times by ten different men–all of whom dumped her because of her “stage-five clinger” tendencies. Nevertheless, Tara is determined to find The One. The only problem? Classic meet-cutes are dead thanks to modern dating apps. So Tara decides to revisit her exes in hopes of securing her very own trope-worthy second-chance romance.
Boston firefighter Trevor Metcalfe will be the first to rush into a burning building but the last to rush into a relationship. Love just isn’t his thing. When his new roommate Tara enlists him to help her reconnect with her exes, he reluctantly agrees. But Tara’s journey is leading him to discover his own new chapter.
The more time they spend together, the more Tara realizes Trevor seems to be the only one who appreciates her authentic, dramatic self. To claim their happily-ever-after, can Tara and Trevor read between the lines of their growing connection?
EXES AND OโS Non-Exclusive Excerpt
As I contemplate curling into bed to escape reality with a trusty book, thereโs a soft knock at the door. โWhat?โ I grumble.
โTara, please open the door.โ
Against my better judgment, I open it the tiniest crack. Trevor is still in his coat and boots, his chest heaving, his hair disheveled like heโs run his fingers through it a thousand times.
โIโm not talking to you until you tell me the truth,โ I warn.
He tips his head back, as if to see me from a different perspective. โYou want the truth?โ he asks, his voice strained.
โThatโs all I want,โ I whisper, my hands on either side of my cheeks to cover the redness.
He sighs. โYou were right. Iโhave feelings for you.โ The declaration knocks the wind out of my chest. I tamp down the urge to ask a million questions, letting him continue. โBig feelings. To the point where I donโt even know what to do with myself half the time. Iโve tried to get you out of my head for months, but your stubborn ass just wonโt leave.โ
โReally?โ
โIโve wanted to tell you so badly. Every single day since I realized it.โ
โWhy havenโt you?โ
โBecause Iโm scared that I canโt give you what you need.โ
โWhat do you think I need?โ I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
โYou want a full-on fairy tale. The perfect guy from your books. Marriage. Kids. Everything. And you deserve it all. But what if Iโm not capable of giving that to you?โ
I consider that. I think about all the exes whoโve made me similar promises in the past. How empty their words were. How it all meant nothing. Because in the end, they all left.
โBut what if you are?โ I counter. โI donโt need another man who makes elaborate promises they canโt commit to, Trevor. I need someone whoโs going to be open and honest with me. I want someone who is willing to try.โ
A sigh that sounds like relief escapes his lips. โIf thereโs anyone in this world I want to try for, itโs you,โ he whispers.
My chest caves, and my eyes mist. Somehow, those words mean more to me than any elaborate declaration of love from my exes. โWeโre really doing this?โ I confirm.
โIโm going to give this everything I have. I just . . . I might need to take thing slow. Slower than youโre used to.โ
I nod. โI can do slow.โ
He regards me, his lip tilting in a smirk. โCan you, though?โ
โYup.โ I cover my face to hide my half-lie, and he laughs.
โYouโve already come up with baby names, havenโt you?โ
My heart swells. Weโve been in a relationship all of a minute and already Trevor knows me better than any guy Iโve ever been with. โMaybe. But youโre right. Weโll go slow. Glacial slow. No marriage or baby talk. And just kissing. Weโll keep it G-rated.โ I press my hand over my chest in a vow.
Heโs quiet for a few beats as his eyes search mine. For a split second, Iโm certain heโs about to walk it all back. โMaybe not G.โ
โNo? Would you prefer PG? Just light pecks and hand-holding?โ I tease.
โAt least PG-13, smartass. Get over here.โ Before I have the chance to pounce, he pushes the door open, crosses the threshold, and pulls my wrists from my face. And then, his lips collide with mine. Hard.
Excerpted fromย Exes and O’sย by Amy Lea Copyright ยฉ 2023 by Amy Lea. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
About the Author:
Amy Leaย is an Asian Canadian government analyst who runs the Bookstagram account @amyleabooks, where she promotes and reviews contemporary romance novels.ย Set on Youย is her debut novel. Learn more online atย www.amyleabooks.com. ย
