Her Exception

by B. Love

Shalom Daniels has everything she wants in life outside of marriage and kids. Her career and personal relationships are flourishing, except when it comes to the relationship that matters most—one with a man dedicated to cherishing and protecting her heart. Fresh out of a relationship with a man who was almost perfect, Shalom begins to question if her boundaries and standards are too high, or if it simply isn’t her time for her happily ever after yet.

Mecca Smith has everything he wants in life outside of marriage and kids. He’s on track to start practicing the niche law he’s always wanted to, and his relationships with friends and family are perfect. Content with his current friend with benefits, Mecca isn’t looking for love when his ex, Shalom, is forced back into his life—and it’s a good thing, too, because they hate each other.

What was once a high school love that had the potential to last forever was ended with a letter, no contact, and heartbreak. They say there’s a thin line between love and hate. When Mecca’s biggest case to date requires Shalom’s expertise, will they be able to put their hate for each other aside, or will they learn just how thin that line can be?

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2023

About the author

Voted AAMBC's 2018 Romance author of the year, Master storyteller B. Love is the unparalleled self-love teacher. As the powerhouse for modern-day womanhood, she pens contagious content that encourages readers to internalize admiration and intimacy. She allows her most powerful vessel to guide her stories, wholly.
Since age 12, Love has been spreading self-awareness, care, and appreciation. For over six years, Love has authored over 40 publications centered around heart-piercing, reverence-worthy romance. Her novels not only entertain but challenge the audience to explore love. With a keen eye for passion, desire and dynamism she includes heuristic methods in her beautifully curated accounts of life.
B. Love’s entire persona is spearheaded by her incredible infatuation with the power of love. Contained within each novel, is an edification created for the glorification of self. Her pen bleeds for the souls who need just an inkling of empowerment. Each story is written with the intent to enlighten, engross and enkindle the passion in whoever picks up her book.

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, did Rome from ‘Only For the Week’ just get dethroned as my favorite book boyfriend???

This book was amazing! Spectacular, give me 14 of ‘em RIGHT. NOW.

I saw so much of myself in Shalom — she was prideful at times and very avoidant, but I understand her because twin was just trying to shield herself from drama and hurt :/ However it absolutely still was self-sabotage to the fullest, let’s just be honest lol. I feel that if Mecca entertained her words at face-value and didn’t put his foot down with certain things, she would honestly be so depressed and worse off with her decisions so I’m glad she has him and her bestie in her life to see through her self-sabotaging bs and snatch her back to reality lol.

Mecca? The MAN that you are? I have to give him his 10s because outside of all the regular things (him being fine, having a nice peterwhacker, making a lot of money, etc.), I think the thing I enjoyed most about Mecca outside of his empathetic nature was his righteous anger. It was very measured and I love how you couldn’t get much of a rise out of him unless it came to people he cared about and his boundaries. And his anger wasn’t frightening or off-putting, it just called for a certain respect. Yum.

These two were so fun to experience as a reader! They were very much evenly yoked, reassured each other, and had crazy physical compatibility. Fully romantic with ALL the intention and I liiived for it. I love how the seggz scenes were written and I would give the spice level 4 out 5 chilli peppers.

Also, their parents are horrible lmao. The manipulation was insane??? And them quadrupling-down? JAIL.

Anywho, I truly savored this book because I didn’t want it to end! I was blushing like crazy throughout and think this was the perfect, steamy romance read for summer time. :) I listened on audiobook, which I’m sure added to the experience, and I really enjoyed the VA for Shalom. Plan on getting the physical to read again and add to my collection. Highly recommend! <333

Trope: Enemies to Lovers/Second Chance Romance

[Tonya Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this since I don’t like the second chance trope but this story was cute.

Honestly Hosanna deserved more than a 2 piece 🙄🙄 but I liked Shalom and Mecca. I wish I could’ve seen them pregnant or atleast with a newborn.

I’m happy they got the answers they wanted to, I knew the parents wrote the letters. Whew chile, the betrayal And AUDACITY!

[Bug · Rating 5 out of 5]

first read

This is my first read from B Loe an it do not disappoint. Well written, great pace and entertaining . Second chance love and a little enemies to lovers.

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inviting

The story was a nice trip for this couple's second chance. Although this pair started as enemies based on a bunch of lies, thankfully, all was well in the end.

[OnceUponAStorybook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun 🤩 I really love how it was on sight for both of them, they didn’t come to play 😂😂😂

Only reason this was 4 stars and not 5 is because I wished we would’ve gotten an on page conversation with their parents actually admitting they were wrong for what they did 😒 They made me so mad and I just would’ve wished we seen them apologize 🙄

Other than that, I really love this and I love Shalom & Mecca so much 😍

[DOMINIQUE Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shalom and Mecca

I usually don’t like second chance romance but I enjoyed Shalom and Mecca’s story. Their parents were horrible to know both of their children struggled after the breakup was horrible. I loved Mecca throughout the story. He really was a prime example for a Book Bae.

[Chichilovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts while reading:

Oh Mecca fukking em dumpin em and leavein em alone

Tony a lush huh

Ole Vontae the creep.

Carter a real one. Just not for Shalom

I knew Mecca was the ex baby daddy.. smh

Not it’s on sight and pull up right now 🤣

They parents foul because I know they behind the letters

Not she tried to trap him with a non-existent baby.

Glad they found their was back to one another.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This second chance, enemies to lovers story was cute.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mecca and Shalom had a high school love that they thought would go on forever & forever. Yet their future had something else in store for them though bc they broke up and 15 years later their paths cross and the hatred is still there. Will time heal old wounds and they can get that old thing back or will they be determined to make each others life a living hell? I really loved that each chapter we seen both characters point of views in what they were going thru & their thought process. I loved how Mecca kept it real with all the women he came across especially Shalom. Both of the characters definitely showed growth & tried to navigate how to move on.

[BossyLadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent 2nd chance romance. Shalom and Mecca were meant for one another. Their meddlesome parents broke them up by working together to decieve the young couple. I understand why they did it but they were dead ass wrong. Their culpability was compounded every time they comforted them knowing they were the cause of the breakup. Fate intervened and 15 years later everything comes out. I loved these two. Damn Mecca...What a man, What a man, What a mighty good man! These two were perfectly perfect together 🥰 😍 ❤️ 💕 💖 💗 ♥️ 😍 ❤️ 💕 💖 💗 ♥️ 😍 ❤️ 💕 💖

[Aleisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved Mecca and Shalom’s second chance at love story. I hate their parents played them against each other but they found their way back, that’s true love. Glad Shalom got her happily ever after and glad she got Hosanna for lying. Great read.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Time Around💞💞💞

I really enjoyed this, the hero and heroine were childhood sweethearts. But due to some interference from family members they lost fifteen years. This story touches on abortion, lies, secrets, deception, and finally HEA. Kudos to the author👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[Robbie Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets

This book secrets were evident that it was more to the story. I was just as hurt with as then about the betrayal.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio -

Really good book. Liked both characters and drama was good. lol. I was rooting for them. I also loved that she was strong and independent. All around good read.

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are my past, my now, and my forever. Time couldn’t keep us apart, and now, I want us to spend all that we have left together. I love you more than anything else in this world, Shalom Daniels. Will you give me the esteemed honor of being my wife?” 🥺🥺🥺

Although, I understood Shalom and Mecca’s parents concerns for them when they were younger, they were absolutely WRONG for what they did ! They caused each child years or anger, guilt, and grief! 😡


Finally, Hosanna… YOU TIRED IT!!! 😂😂😂

This was my first read by B.Love and I enjoyed it so much! I’m so glad Shalom and Mecca got their happy ever after, because after 15 years, they deserved it!!! 😊

This was book as an automatic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and an instant fav for me !

[Mika Verrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨
3.75 stars

This was my first book by B. Love, and it was a great welcome to her catalog.

Imagine being in love with your high school sweetheart, getting ready to graduate, and finding out you were pregnant. You and your partner agree that you guys will get through this together and raise this baby no matter how tough it will be. Then, one day, you receive a letter from your love saying that he used you for your virginity and he wants you to get rid of the baby and never contact him again. Shalom Daniels was left heartbroken and confused by Meeca Smith's complete 360. She believed that they were a team. And 15 years later, she still can’t seem to shake the heartache.

Mecca Smith has everything he wants in life, well, except a wife and kids. He thought he had found the love of his life and the woman he would spend forever with, that was until he received a letter from her, stating that she never loved him and she did not want their baby. After trying to contact her to no avail, Mecca accepts that she just broke his heart and left him. So, 15 years later, he is still suffering from the pain of losing his girl and their baby.

After not crossing paths for the last 15 years, fate would have it that their lives would be intertwined personally and professionally. So you can imagine how the first time they saw each other again went, right? Like a scene from a WWE wrestling match (OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit) 😂 but the shit was intense.

Once these two were able to leave the past in the past, they could work together, and that quickly changed to them being “friends.” Mecca wasn’t trying to hear that friend shit for too long; he knew he still loved Shalom and that she would be his wife. But they both still blamed each other for ending their relationship. Once they FINALLY had the conversation about the end of their relationship, they realized that they had been played.

I knew who was behind this mess immediately; I couldn’t wait for them to figure it out. I can’t imagine being pitted against the love of my life, and it cost us 15 years and a child. And for that betrayal to come from people you least likely expect to hurt you, baby, I would never be able to let this go.

This was a really good read that had me up until 4 in the morning trying to finish; I couldn’t put it down.

Some of my thoughts:
1. Carter was a great guy! Oh my God, my heart broke for him.
2. Hosanna! Whew, I was so happy when Shalom gave her that two-piece.


Book: Her Exception
Author: B. Love
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY DID IT HAVE TO END 😭😭😭

ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A NOVELLA, IT WAS WRITTEN SO WELL AND GAVE US DETAILS OF HOW THEY STARTED TO HOW THEY ENDED UP WHERE THEY WERE IN LIFE THAT IT FELT LIKE A FULL NOVEL. LOVE IS SO POWERFUL WHEN IT’S WITH THE RIGHT PERSON. THERE IS NO TIME ON LOVE AND WHEN YOU FIND YOUR PERSON THERE’S NO ONE OR NOTHING BUT GOD THAT CAN REMOVE THAT HOLD THEY HAVE ON YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL🤷🏽‍♀️.

PARENTS REALLY NEED TO LEARN TO LISTEN TO THEIR CHILDREN, NOT LISTEN TO RESPOND BUT TRULY LISTEN TO HEAR THEM AND STOP EFFING PAGING THEIR WANTS ON THEM. SOMETIMES PARENTS KNOW BEST BUT SOMETIMES THEY GET IT WRONG AND IN THIS CASE😔😔😔. THEIR PARENTS WERE SOME MANIPULATIVE MOTHERFUDGESICKLESTIXS🤬🤬🤬. I AIN’T GONNA ACT LIKE I DIDN’T SEE THAT REVELATION COMING. FROM THE MOMENT THEY TALKED ABOUT THOSE LETTERS THEY RECEIVED AND THE FACT THE NEITHER OF THEIR PARENTS SUPPORTED THEIR RELATION, I’M LIKE SOMEBODY OR BOTH THEIR PARENTS SET THEM UP🙄🤬. THE FACT THAT HIS MOM AND HER DAD TRIED TO JUSTIFY THE BS THAT THEY DID HAD ME SIDE EYEING TF OUT OF BOTH OF THEM. IT GAVE THEY WROTE THEM LETTERS🤷🏽‍♀️. I COULD NEVER SIT BACK AND WATCH MY CHILD SUFFER THE WAY THAT THEY DID AND PRETEND LIKE THEY WEREN’T THE CAUSE OF THAT HEARTBREAK AND PASSION. 15 YEARS🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

I WAS PROUD THAT MECCA STARTED SEEING A THERAPIST, I FELT LIKE THAT AND THE SITUATION WITH HIS COUSIN SYMPHONY HELPED HIM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND SHALOM AND ALLOWED HIM TO SPEAK WITH HER AND TRULY LISTEN. I WAS GLAD THEY TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING. DESPITE THE LULL BUMPS THAT THEY EXPERIENCED WHICH WERE TRULY A TEST OF HOW DEEP THEIR LOVE WAS, THEY ALWAYS MANAGED TO HAVE THOSE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS AND NOT ALLOW ANYTHING OR ANYBODY PULL THEM APART AGAIN. THEIR JOURNEY BACK TO EACH OTHER WAS ENTIRELY BUT BEAUTIFUL TO EXPERIENCE❤️‍🔥

I WOULD MOST DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[♋ManiLovesBooks♋ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Story But Lackluster

🛑SPOILERS🛑
⭐️: 3.25/5

This is my first read by B. Love and this novella have been on my TBR for months.

I do appreciate that Love gave a disclaimer before the book started about the heavy topic of termination of pregnancy. People dont understand a lot of people, second guess, or regret certain decisions in reference to that topic. I dont judge, of course, and I know a lot of people are sensitive about it, but as Shalom showed me, women judge themselves already enough, so adding to it is just unnecessary. I think Love tackled this topic between Shalom and Mecca very well.

This book was an ok read. I felt the plot was amazing, and from the beginning, I had a feeling both Mecca and Shalom were manipulated by their parents. But at moments when the story should have exploded and been gasp moments like when Mecca and Shalom seen each other after 15 years, the scene was not memorable or well played out.

I felt the novella could have been shorter than it was. At times, the writing was dragging on. But I will admit the love between both Mecca and Shalom was beautiful, and I hate what their parents did because you can tell they were deeply in love with each other and wanted their baby.

I will say that just because this book is not my favorite, I do recommend it. It does have sensitive moments that might be triggering but insightful at the same time!

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Her Exception: An Enemies to Lovers
Author: B. Love
Publisher: Prolific Pen Pusher
Series: The Office Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Her Exception: An Enemies to Lovers Romance" by B. Love

My Thoughts:

This story was quite enjoyable, especially about how Mecca and Shalom had been dating in HS, but when Shalom became pregnant, it seemed like someone decided to end this for them. Two letters are passed between the two that left terrible feelings for Mecca and Shalom. What will happen when these two have to work together? After a series of conversations, they discover that neither one wrote the letters to the other. Well, who had done this and why? This was quite a mess due to all the problems, but I wasn't surprised who had done this lousy deed to these two youngsters. They may have thought they were doing the right things, but was it?

To find out how it all comes out, you must pick 'Her Exception' to see how well this author brings it all out.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to Lovers/Second Chance

Mecca and Shalom fell in love while in high school. Their relationship ended due to outside forces with them hating each other. They meet again 15 years later when Shalom is hired to be a researcher on a class action suit Mecca is working on. Hatred is still there at their first encounter but they are convinced to still work together on the case. Being in each other's presence bring up old feelings and they discover what they thought was true about the past wasn't the truth at all. I loved Mecca and Shalom and their grown folk relationship. I loved how they they loved each other and how they showed their love for one another. I loved their conversations about thieir relationship and what they expected from one another in the relationship. I couldn't stand Hosanna and I killed myself laughing when she got what she deserved at the doctor's office. This was a great enemies to lovers/Second Chance book that I highly recommend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the love!

This was such a great story! Shalom thought Mecca dumped her at a terrible time in her young life, and Mecca thought she wasn't willing to give their love a chance only to find out their parents literally tore them apart 15 years ago because they felt they knew what was best. Fate brought them back together! How tender and caring Mecca was is what made their reunion so sweet even when they both thought they hated one another, the love never left. This they quickly discovered! Hosanna was a whole trip willing to lie to get Mecca, how sad! The love between Shalom and Mecca was so beautiful! This was a really great read B. Love looking forward to the next one in the series!

[Mrs Book Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

First read of 2024!

Shalom and Mecca were each other's first love until lies and deceit tore the two of them apart.

The two grew to hate each other but her and Mecca's job brought them back in each other's orbit. The lies that tore them apart unfolded, and they saw that things weren't as it seemed. I will never get tired of seeing black men worship black women, and Mecca adored Shalom. I loved their dynamic and how they found their way back to each other.

Hosanna and Carter should just hook up because they both got issues lol. This story was funny, nice amount of drama, spicy and an overall easy read.

On to the next in the series.

[Shakeitha R Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful love story

Mecca and Shalom's story started rocky, but it ended perfectly and I'm happy about that. Even though the two of them got on my nerves at the beginning, I was glad they finally learned the truth about what their parents did when they were kids and they were able to spark the love they once had and make it stronger. It was cool to see them heal their broken hearts by loving each other again. Their love story was beautiful and I enjoyed reading it. I give this book a 5 out of 5. If you love romance stories where reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing is at the center of it, this is the story for you.

[Shareka Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great read. One of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-friends, was presented in this book, along with it being a second-chance romance. The plot and characters were nicely developed; I just didn't connect that much with the characters. The story progressed at a nice pace and the steamy scenes were appropriately placed. I was pleased with the story overall; I just wanted more of a slow burn, considering that the main characters spent so much time apart and felt like they moved a little fast, but I guess that's okay with a second-chance romance. Would recommend and will read the other books in the series.

[B. Malary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cool second chance romance! Shalom and Mecca were just perfect for each other. I loved this book all the way through. I guessed they were tricked because they both got a "Dear John" letter, but it was still shocking when the people who should have supported them were the ones deceiving them. Even with all that drama, a few talks helped Shalom and Mecca stop hating each other. This was an awesome enemies-to-lovers story, and I'm thrilled they're on their way to happily ever after!

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her exception

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I had a feeling they were both played since they both received a dear John letter but the deception from those who should have loved and supported them was like a gut punch. But even with that deception, a few conversations allowed for Shalom and Mecca to realize they no longer needed to hate each other. This was an amazing enemies to lovers story and I’m so happy they are headed towards their happily ever after.

[Theresa Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Baby I knew they were behi6that mess. I was trying to calculate those letters. Please give us an updated book on Shalom and Mecca. I need the baby and wedding edition. I hope they move the wedding up. I'm glad they were able to work through even and find out the truth. Their love is so strong and carried then through a decade. This was such a great read. I hope these characters tap dance on the brain until we get an update.

[ReadsByKerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel so bad because everyone loved the book and I finally gave it up at 71%. It just seemed as though the book felt stagnant and there was this big build up with the letter that fell flat when the ‘perpetrators’ were actually revealed (even though you already had the idea).

The writing also became gradually more choppy as the book progressed. I think myself and this author just do not click and that’s okay.

[Charlotte Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

So….

Before I started reading this book, I looked at the reviews ( normally I don’t) and almost didn’t read it. I am so glad that I did. This enemies to lovers, second chance romance was well written, flowed well and kept my attention. I disliked the parents early in the book because I felt like they were the culprits in the breakup of Mecca and Shalom. Hosanna underestimated Mecca’s love for Shalom and she paid the price for it. I’m looking forward to reading book two