The Exception

Tempt

by Jenna Hartley

When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.

Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn't joke.
He's brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he's offering...is no laughing matter.

I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife.
After two years, if we can pull this off, we'll go our separate ways.

It's supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.

A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.

Genres: Marriage Of Convenience, Billionaire Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Age Gap Romance

426 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

Jenna Hartley is USA Today bestselling author who writes forbidden romance that feels good, much like her own real life love story. Her stories feature strong women and swoon-worthy men, as well as sexy, sweet, and laughable moments that reflect real love.

When she's not reading or writing romance, Jenna can be found tending to her growing indoor plant collection (pun intended), decluttering (just ask her husband about "The Great Purge of 2015" as he calls it), and hiking. She lives in Texas with her family and loves nothing more than a good book and good chocolate, except maybe a dance party with her husband and daughter.

Connect with Jenna and keep up with the latest news ➜ https://bit.ly/JennaHartleyNews

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everything about him was so intense, so consuming that I couldn't look away."

There's literally nothing better than a fake relationship, marriage of convenience with my wife vibes. And let me tell you, the "my wife " trope is my latest addiction, and this book did not disappoint!

On the outside, Graham appeared cold and heartless, but in reality, he had a huge heart and was totally swoon-worthy. I had no idea just how sexy the French language was until I met Graham. And Lily is a force to be reckoned with.  While she might have been afraid to tell her family off, she wasn't afraid to give Graham a run for his money.

Together, Graham and Lily had amazing banter and chemistry. The will they/won't they moments drove me a little crazy, but we're certainly worth it in the end. And while their relationship didn't start off in the most conventional way, I loved watching Graham and Lily grow together as a couple and find their way to happily ever after.

The Exception was a terrific read from beginning to end. It had a great balance of family, romance, and drama. I also loved the alopecia rep. It's not something you typically see explored in romance novels, and I felt like the author tackled this subject very well.

All in all, it is a very enjoyable read.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *

[Nicole D'cruz (kiwinikilovesreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book in this Tempt series!!

Marriage of Convenience is one of my favourite tropes so I knew I was going to love this one!!!

Lily and Graham already shared a past and when he needs to get married in order to get his inheritance and fix his reputation, Lily was the perfect person to ask.

I loved everything about getting to know these two characters and their chemistry was so good!!

I am also a sucker for a my wife moment and this book delivered!

Also a man who speaks another language? SOLD!!

Overall, an amazing book and I cannot wait to see what Jenna has coming next.

Thank you so much to Jenna for kindly sending me an arc to read and review. This is my own honest opinion on the book :)

[Jessica Pena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loooooove marriage of convenience romances. When we get the hard exterior billionaire alone and find out there are other sides to them that they hide. It’s no different for Graham and Lily.

Their HEA didn’t start out the most conventional way but the best marriage of convenience stories never do.

I loved reading about Graham and Lily slowing falling for each other which was easy since they had chemistry from the beginning. These type always make me giggle and swing my feet from being so giddy!

Definitely a must read if you like a man when a hard exterior but a soft and mushy heart!

*I was provided an ARC copy for honest review.*

[Lucina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was nice but lacked depth in the romantic department. The insta-lust was a bit disappointing although it takes some time to get to the spice, which is what I prefer although I didn't really like the way the spice was written. I wanted a bit more emotional connection, it felt a bit out of character for Lily to go dom and for Graham who has texture issues who's not dating and fucking around to go full dirty talker. It just didn't fit. At all. And it wasn't written in a sexy way.

The lack of 3rd act breakup was nice though. Wuhu!

And again I realised I'm not really into age gap romances. 29 and 44 just doesn't feel right, especially since Graham is probably 50+ in the bonus epilogue but still described as a supermodel.

Also I just can't stand if a character says something without really meaning it, the other person agrees and than the character is disappointed. Lily said after they had sex the first time it can't happen again. Graham agrees and she is disappointed that he's not disagreeing with her. Girl, you brought it up, why does he have to courageous and disagree with you? Why have you brought it up!? I hate this kind of manipulative conversation 🙄 one of my biggest pet peeves.

[Kylie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is quickly becoming an obsession. These MMCs do something to me. Jenna is a queen at writing billionaire romances, with the most irresistible men.
Graham is not a relationship guy; Lily is very career-driven and focused on her project. Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but when Graham proposes a marriage of convenience to benefit both of their professional needs, things don’t take long to take a 180. They both have a professional history from two years ago when she was his assistant, and their chemistry together is off the charts, BLAZING HOT.
Most who aren’t close to Graham see him as emotionless, cocky and cold. Nobody knows about all the private donations he makes, his love for his family, or his love for helping animals. It doesn’t take long for Lily to see his true self and for lines to quickly become blurred.
This book kept me engaged from the very beginning, and I can’t sing it enough praises. And the “chicken”… had many giggles hehe Jenna always keeps me coming back for more !
5 stars

[Elise Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment that Graham, the MMC, was introduced in book 1 was the moment that I knew that I was going to love his story. Mysterious CEO billionaire? SAY LESS 😩

I absolutely loved Graham’s and Lily’s marriage of convenience story. The chemistry was truly undeniable! I mean can we take a moment to applaud Graham for allowing Lily to take control in the bedroom during their first spicy scene like my jaw was on the floor! He needs control like he needs air so that was a delightful surprise!

I also LOVED how considerate they were of each other’s feelings & quirks. Lily never judged Graham for being sensitive to specific textures and Graham never judged Lily for having alopecia 🤧

Last but not least I need to mention how much I loved the fact that Graham’s family was such a huge part of the story. It’s so refreshing to see siblings that truly love and support each other through everything.

Thank you so much Jenna Hartley for the ARC! I cannot wait for Jasper’s story!

[ertisakalaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

- 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒚, 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 𝟐𝟖𝒕𝒉

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
✰ 𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘱
✰ 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✰ 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦
✰ 𝘦𝘹 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴/𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦
✰ 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺

Jenna Hartley served once again with this marriage of convenience romance!
We have billionaire Graham asking his former assistant turned influencer Lily to marry him because he needs a wife for his inheritance.
Now that premise always does it for me so I was super excited to read. And I wasn’t disappointed. The romance and dynamic between Graham and Lily is fun, sweet but also endearing. They understand and support each other from the start and that was lovely to read. I also liked the journey of growth they went through individually. Just like I found the family dynamic super sweet. I really love them all.

If you're looking for a great marriage of convenience with a healthy relationship at its core then this is definetely a good pick!

*arc kindly provided in exchange of an honest review

[Brittany waggingwithwords · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book from Jenna Hartley. I loved this story. Lily had worked as Graham's assistance and several years had passed since they had seen each other. She was invited to the grand opening of a new hotel and did not know that Graham was the one to request an invitation be sent to her to attend. Sparks fly as well as tempers when they meet again. This was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Lily and Graham had chemistry from the beginning. I loved how they brought out the best in each, how they had each other's back, and how they had so much respect for each other. They pushed each other to be the best version of themselves. This checks off all the boxes. It's definitely a must read.

[Read By Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, loved the relationship dynamic between the characters. It was fun watching their relationship grow and seeing how they fell in love with each other.

Graham and Lily had a lot of cute moments and I couldn’t help but root for them throughout the book. I especially loved seeing how Graham fell in love with her as it seems so out of character of him in the beginning, but he developed into an incredible person.

I cannot wait to see what comes next for this Author.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I will never not read a close proximity romance it was so good.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m just not a fan of idolizing billionaires and social media. It was hard to read these books. It’s one thing to be a billionaire and a vampire, or a billionaire and Batman, but JUST a billionaire and a girl that inherited money? Where is the unique story full of depth and character development?

[Haley R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure?”
“Apparently you’re the Exception” 🤩😍

I absolutely love age gap, grumpy/sunshine but mostly strong billionaire MMC that’s turns out to have a heart that’ll make you blush. This is a perfect marriage for convince love story with the perfect amount of spice. Graham and Lilys stories are deep down touching and grab you from the start. I couldn’t put this book down and had so much fun reading this. It was such a great balance of romance, drama and family. The support these two have for each other and the way they develop a love that becomes bigger than they could imagine, was perfection.

If you’re in the mood for a spicy romance that’ll end up capturing your heart, this is the one for you!

*I was provided the ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*.

[Cat Nunez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great book in the series. Graham was a bit grumpy and closed off in the previous books, so I was excited to read his story. Since the last book in the series was released today, I decided to finally read Lily and Graham's book.

Lily used to work for Graham, but then she resigned to create a traveling blog. She didn't have a good relationship with her family, so after her late aunt gave her some money, she decided to purchase a chateau in France and renovate it. She was experiencing financial difficulties, and she hadn't imagined her old boss would offer her the perfect solution to both their problems.

Graham was the CEO of his family company, but his board was unhappy after some incidents, so he had to find a solution if he wanted to keep his position. He was annoyed by Lily and her blog, since she talked about his company, so thanks to his brother's idea, he decided to invite her to the opening of his new hotel. They had an incident by the pool, so they went to Graham's room so he could help Lily with her wound.

Lily was hesitant to let Graham help her, but she accepted, and Graham was determined to catch up with her. Lily eventually mentioned her financial problems, so Graham offered her a deal - he would give her money for the renovations if they got married to show the board's company he was in a stable relationship. Lily was unsure about the offer, but they compromised on different things, so she accepted Graham's deal. He was honest with Lily about needing a wife, and while he didn't feel okay with lying, they both knew it was the perfect solution to help Graham with his board.

It was nice to read how Lily pushed Graham into showing his emotions since he wasn't very affectionate. Lily thought Graham wasn't attracted to her since he wasn't very open about his feelings, but he didn't hesitate to show her that it was the complete opposite. I loved their first steamy scene and how Lily took charge so Graham could understand they were partners. Despite their connection, they didn't want to ruin their arrangement, so they knew they couldn't be together intimately again.

They tried to keep their distance when they were alone, but their chemistry was too strong to ignore, so they always found ways to be close, and after being together most of the time, their marriage started to get real for them. It was nice to read how Lily was honest with Graham about her alopecia and how Graham made her feel worshipped and beautiful. I loved how they confessed their love for each other and how they gave their relationship a real chance.

Graham eventually knew what he had to do to solve his problems, and it was nice to read how he confided in his siblings to help him. I loved reading how he decided to step down and help Lily with the chateau so they could stay together without conditions. Their epilogue was the perfect ending, especially reading about their future and their moments as parents.

Jasper's book is next, so I can't wait to read his story with Halle and see more of their relationship after reading some hints about their interactions.

[Aysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Exception is the fourth book in the Tempt series and can be read as a standalone.

Something I always appreciate is the thought and depth put into Jenna Hartley’s characters and this was certainly the case with Lily and Graham as well. I loved Graham and could relate to him a lot. Despite people assuming he is grumpy and cold, he is actually such a caring and kind person. His history and childhood fascinated me with each thing I learned about him (he can speak 5 languages and the way he treats animals is 🥰)! I really enjoyed seeing his character development and was cheering for him throughout the book.

As you can probably tell, Graham stole my heart! I didn’t adore Lily as much, but she was still a memorable FMC. Determined and independent in both her personal and professional lives; I liked how she stood up for herself regarding her family (who are awful), that can be an extremely difficult situation and showed her inner strength. I liked reading Lily’s story on having alopecia, it felt very real and natural. The château Lily was building became such an integral part of the story and you could tell how much she loved the place.

The French conversations that these two shared in their romantic and steamy moments just made them so much swoonier and hotter. Hartley masterfully balanced the romance with genuine emotional stakes, making this story about more than just workplace drama—it’s about preserving heritage, finding home, and risking it all for love.

“His kisses, like his words, were a balm to my soul. I was his dream. His love. The exception to all his rules.”

Hartley always manages to surprise me with the unique take on her plot lines. I do have to say and I’ve never felt this with any of Hartley’s other books, but the last half of the book felt rushed to me, especially compared to the first half, which felt evenly paced. I mention this because I think it had an impact on other things, for example, I thought Graham’s big decision was right for him, but it felt very jarring. Similarly, while Graham’s family was very present in the book, it didn’t feel like they were being as supportive to him as he has been to them in previous books.

Overall, this is a great addition to my favourite Jenna Hartley series and I really loved learning more about Graham and seeing him get his HEA with Lily.

This books contains sensitive content such as mentioned past death of parents and grandparents, mention of past bullying, emotionally abusive and manipulative language from family members, toxic relationship with family, grief for loss of grandparents, alopecia, sensory processing, panic attack.

💍 Marriage of convenience
🌻 Age gap
🛍️ Billionaire
💋 Former boss/employee
😉 Close proximity
🛏 Only one bed
😍 “my wife”

Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Eye-catching cover: 🌺🌺🌺🌺

Books in the series:
Temptation (Knox & Kendall) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reputation (Nate & Emerson) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Redemption (Sloan & Jackson) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Exception (this book) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Emily Knaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

His Exception by Jenna Hartley delivers a beautifully crafted slow-burn romance that thrives on understanding, devotion, and personal transformation. At its core, it follows a cold, aloof billionaire whose life is dictated by control—until an unexpected marriage of convenience places him in the orbit of, Lily, his previous secretary and now a vibrant travel blogger. Lily’s dream is to restore a beautiful chateau in France, she brings warmth, adventure, and a quiet strength that slowly unravels the carefully built walls around Grahams’s heart.

While outsiders see Graham as impenetrable and distant, Lily sees something entirely different. She recognizes the small habits that define him—the way clothes feel when he’s overwhelmed, the subtle shifts in his posture that reveal his emotions, the routines that aren’t about power but about anchoring himself in a world that often feels overwhelming. And rather than trying to change him, she simply *gets* him in a way no one else ever has.

Lily becomes the exception to every rule he’s ever lived by. The routines that once defined his world no longer feel as rigid when she’s near. The carefully built barriers that kept emotions at bay begin to crumble under her quiet understanding. And instead of resisting, he lets it happen—not because he’s lost control, but because, for the first time, surrender feels right.

Graham’s understanding becomes the foundation of his devotion—an obsession that is deeply affectionate and unwavering. His admiration for Lily is quiet yet all-consuming, manifesting not in grand gestures of control, but in the way he listens, supports, and ultimately becomes her greatest champion. There is a lot of push/pull between these two - the tension and banter are top notch, coupled with forced proximity and only one bed create the ultimate amount of passion and spice.

Set against the backdrop of the estate’s restoration, their journey mirrors the transformation happening around them. As the mansion regains its former glory, so does the billionaire—learning to love selflessly, to be vulnerable, to let someone *see* him fully.

His Exception is a stunning blend of tension, devotion, and emotional depth. His Exception is for readers who adore a romance where love isn’t just about passion but about truly being seen. The slow-burn chemistry, thoughtful character arcs, and the cutest nicknames, in French no less, make it a must-read! A huge thank you to Jenna Hartley and the Author Agency for the early copy!

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Temptation, Reputation, and Redemption I immediately started looking forward to more from this series! From the tropes to the teasers, As soon as this fourth installment was announced I wanted to read it. I picked it up and jumped right back into the Tempt world. I enjoyed this story so very much!

Lily and Graham's journey Lily runs the Gilded Lily blog, is trying to make her château dreams a reality, and used to be Graham's personal assistant. Graham is the CEO of the Huxley Grand empire, called cold by everyone, and used to be Lily's boss. As Graham and Lily collide again, little did they know that circumstances would lead to a Marriage of Convenience between the two. Can Lily and Graham help each other out and then go their separate ways? or could the real be everything for their hearts?

Both Graham and Lily got me right into their story from the start! I enjoyed how they used to be former boss and employee and the memorable way they were brought back into each other's lives. I couldn't wait to see how they'd deal with being in each other's lives again, family, their marriage, their passions in life, and the fake and the real between them.

I admired Lily so much. I couldn't stand how her family treated her and I truly felt for her. There was more to Graham than meets the eye and I was so glad I got to dig deeper with him as well. I fell for him so much! Both Graham and Lily were both relatable to me throughout reading and such hard working and dedicated souls. The chemistry between these two was undeniable and intense. Lily and Graham had me feeling every bit with them!

It was great to be back in the Tempt world!

With The Exception, Ms.Hartley has created a wonderful Marriage of Convenience romance that brought former boss x employee, steam, realness, family, and many feels! I can't wait to read what this author brings our way next! If you haven't checked out the Tempt Series, you so should! 💍💛


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

book was eh

This one was really hard for me to read. It's not like the topic was hard or anything but rather the writing wasn't the best. It was the first book I've read by this author and I don't know if I'll read any others. I honestly thought this was a debut novel with the writing style, in hopes of it improving. To me, it was choppy and a bit all over the place. I did like the overall story but really struggled with the writing style and formatting. The story I'd give 3 stars but the writing 2. With that, I am going with 2.5 stars.

Lily used to work for Graham Mackenzie, the CEO of the Huxley Grand empire. He's not exactly a people person but she seemed to get along with him just fine. She ended up leaving that job a few years ago to fully pursue her travel blog and vlog. She's also purchased a château in France that she's renovating after inheriting some money from an aunt that passed away.

Graham has a lot of stressors in his life. On top of all his duties as a CEO and the go-to person for his family now that their grandparents have passed away, he's getting pressure from the company board to partner with a guy he'd never consider doing business with. Since it's a majority rules board, and the shares he and his family own isn't more than 50%, he makes the decision to get married per his grandparent's will so he inherits the shares that'll result in his family having more than 50%. Thru a "chance" meeting with Lily at one of his hotels, he decides to propose a quid pro quo opportunity to her. She marry him and he'll pay her the money she needs to complete the renovations on Château de Bergeret.

Again, I liked the story between these two but felt it could've and should've been deeper. It came across as wanting to be deeper but it jumped around so much that it would start to get deep then jump to some random topic on the same page, changing the mood.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much! The character are interesting and compelling.

Liliana/Lily is driven to restore her French Chateau and continue to build her blog and online video channel, but she’s struggling financially due to the expenses surrounding the restoration. Her family (parents, siblings) is completely toxic and have caused her so much emotional pain.

Graham is her former boss, a billionaire CEO of a luxury hotel brand and has been described by media as a cold, heartless billionaire. He has the wild idea of a marriage of convenience to soften his image and influence the board to back off.

These two respect each other and had a good working relationship, though Graham more than a little upset by some reviews she wrote about some of his hotels. They have a fun dynamic - she’s sassy and he’s grumpy.

Once married I loved how Graham started to loosen up and soften after spending time with Lily. Underneath that cold heartless exterior is a man who enjoys doing acts of service for those he loves and cares about. Some of his gestures are so thoughtful and swoon-inducing!

Normally miscommunication is a common reason romance books have angst, so it was refreshing that this couple actively focused on improving their communication - and some of that focus got pretty spicy!

From the restoration of a French Chateau to corporate board maneuvers and a mix of family dynamics - super supportive to toxic this book has a lot of story to keep readers interested and entertained.

I received a free ARC from the author and The Author Agency; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

[Tardisgiggler · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 for me on this one, it was a super easy read with almost no drama, the fake relationship gets real pretty quick, I liked how Lily spoke her mind and didn't really take crap from anyone. Graham was a good male lead but a bit hard at times to imagine him in his mid 40s, he seemed like mid 30s instead. Both main characters had great communication and there's no third act breakup (basically 0 drama in this), and alopecia representation which was unique and awesome. My issue is too much page time was given to other characters that either already had their own book or its a huge set up for another character's book, that is one of my pet peeves. I'm reading the book for the main characters, not anyone else, her friend Jo was fine being in there because she came in and out but mostly out, we get a pregnancy announcement, right after the main couple announces their marriage mind you (another big irritation for me). Let the main couple shine in their own dang book, leave the pregnancies and whatever else for an extended epilogue for that character's book. I ended up skimming many pages because of all the extra drama that wasn't for the main c0uple, that pregnant character gets another big chunk when she ends up in the hospital and its a whole chapter dedicated to that. It would have been a win otherwise for me, the spice had good potential, we had female in charge in the beginning which was fantastic but then it just goes back to him being in charge and then the spice starts getting lighter and more glossed over, which was very disappointing. The book had a lot of potential but fell apart in quite a few places.

[Jill B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Just consider me in my fictional billionaire era, because this book checked off all the boxes for me.

Graham Mackenzie is the CEO of the Huxley Grand Hotel group. He’s work obsessed trying to continue his grandparent’s legacy. When his image of being known as a cold, heartless, billionaire has the potential to have the company he loves slip through his fingers, he devises a plan.

Liliana, his former assistant and current social media thorn in his side, crosses paths with him at one of their newest luxury hotels and the pair make a splash. Upon reconnecting, Graham comes up with an offer that seems like a simple business arrangement. However, when is anything ever simple?

Tropes/micro-tropes:
🌻Marriage of Convenience
💵Billionaire
🌻Age Gap
💵Ex-boss/employee
🥰My Wife
👫Close Proximity
🛏️Only One Bed

Marriage of Convenience…seriously I eat this trope up and could not get enough of this one. The characters were written really well and I found them to be relatable in unexpected ways.

The story had a lot of elements of family and I loved seeing the different ways the author portrayed the complicated dynamics that occur in different kinds of families.

Graham’s character development throughout the book was a nice journey and the fact that both Lily and Graham talked like adults was refreshing to read.

Fave quotes:

“I usually had no problem sticking to my rules. And yet with Lily, I found myself wanting to break each and every one of them.”

“He who risks nothing, has nothing.”

[Lisa Conant · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5
🌶🌶🌶 1/2 out of 5

💵Billionaire
💍Fake Marriage
❤️‍🩹Alopecia Rep (FMC)
🫦Age Gap (29,44)
🛌One Bed
💗"My Wife"

Review
I've one one other in this billionaire sibling series and really enjoyed it and this is another very solid entry (these can be standalone). A seemingly cold billionaire who strikes a fake marriage deal with his ex assistant in order to secure majority shares of er his Corp and a warmer PR image.

What I delighted in was how this took time to really get to know this couple. I felt the history and the familiarity along with subsequent angst.

Graham is the emotionally removed brother in the family, very particular, orderly, and strategic. He doesn't know own how to express strong feelings of affection. This is where Lily helps to encourage and teach him how. As they spend time togetehr in her reconstruction of a French chateau, she sees a more unbuttoned version of the suited armor corporate God.

He was also incredibly sensitive despite his initially claloof manner. He is wholly accepting of her reticence of sharing her Alopecia and she is patient with him as she encourages his communication with his emotions. And the sibling dynamic and returning characters just so lovely! I felt the strong binds between them. A wonderful billionaire story where the warm and strong heroine begins to melt the cool facade of the hero to reveal the Cinnamon roll beneath.

[Miancka · Rating 5 out of 5]

💍🔥 He’s my ex-boss. My fake husband. My very real problem. 🔥💍

The Exception by Jenna Hartley is the kind of romance that gives you all the feels and then wrecks you in the best way possible. It’s a slow-burn, marriage-of-convenience story that evolves into a fiery, heart-melting journey I couldn’t get enough of.

Graham Mackenzie, a billionaire with ice in his veins, is infuriating in all the right ways. He’s demanding, cold, and all business—until he isn’t. Until he looks at Lily (aka Lil) with that intensity and suddenly everything changes. And when he growls “je t’aime” in French for the first time? MELT. I had to fan myself. 😮‍💨 That moment? Swoon-worthy, pulse-racing, and completely unforgettable.

Lily is the perfect match for Graham—smart, fiercely independent, and not one to back down easily. I loved watching her navigate this fake marriage that was supposed to be all about business, but instead turned into something so much more. The slow unraveling of their hearts, as they both try (and fail) to keep it all in check, is absolute romantic gold.

If you love intense, brooding heroes who are secretly soft for the one woman who gets them, fake marriages that spiral into real emotions, and moments that leave you weak in the knees—this is a must-read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — For "Lil", for that growled “je t’aime,” and for a love story that was never supposed to happen... but became everything.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

“”There’s no competition, ma reine.” …Oh, she liked that. She liked being called my queen, and I liked her reaction.”

I finally was able to dive back into the Huxley-Grand world and am so happy about it! Graham & Lily are the definition of slow, sweet, & tender. Sure it’s a marriage on convenience. And sure, both sides definitely get something out of it (love it when it’s mutually beneficial!). But what really stood out to me was how tenderly their love rose to the surface. Honestly, much how a flower slowly works its way through the dirt & then BAM, it’s bloomed & is beautiful.

These two were absolutely drawn to each other, whether they realized it or not. And Graham’s obsession with being CEO kick started the whole process into motion — but it was beyond sweet to see how they each so gently cared for the other. Lily in her awareness of Graham’s tendencies — Graham in his consideration of Lily’s needs. They were thoughtful, filled with kindness, and tenderness.
They become true partners over the course of their love story. Just as Graham’s grandparents always wanted for him.

This was a sweet, low angst easy read. Something to just warm your heart & enjoy. No pressure - no hurry up & wait - just slow & sweet love.

Of course, I always love peeks into past characters so it was fun to see everyone…AND get a peek at what I’m guessing is our next installment! Jasper Jasper Jasper….what do you have up your sleeve for us?!

[ElizabethLynnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Jenna Hartley’s books and I am never disappointed! The Exception is a great read and another perfect hit in this series. No spoilers ahead, just go grab your copy today you will not be disappointed.

I loved Graham and Lily’ story. These two were meant for each other. What I loved most is this story is a story of love, growth and fun. The family dynamic continues in this book which is just the cherry on top.

Synopsis:
When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn't joke.
He's brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he's offering...is no laughing matter.

I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife.
After two years, if we can pull this off, we'll go our separate ways.It's supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.

A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.

What to Expect:
⭐A𝘨𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘱
⭐B𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
⭐M𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦
⭐E𝘹 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴/𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦
⭐Cl𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺

I would absolutely recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. Thanks @authorjennahartley for this ARC. I cannot wait for your next book!

[Book Nerdy 2020 · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE EXCEPTION By Jenna Hartley


When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.
Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn't joke.
He's brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he's offering...is no laughing matter.
I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife.
After two years, if we can pull this off, we'll go our separate ways.
It's supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.
A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.

😊What i liked -

✔ Marriage Of Convenience/Close Proximity/Billionaire/Ex-Boss/Age Gap.
✔ I am in awe of Lily's character.
✔ Graham is a tough nut but not tough enough in front of Lily.
✔ God the tension oozing out of the pages was intense.
✔ I liked the gradual pull between Graham and Lily.
✔ It was a good read with a bit of family drama and I loved how sensitive the author was with Lily's character.

🤔What could have been better-

✔ Oh Lily's family was something.

📚Who Should read :
👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover
💕Close Proximity Romance
💰Billionaire Romance

📈M y Rating : 4/5

Thank you, Jenna Hartley and The Author Agency, for a copy.

[Erin Stapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in this series and it is clear that I will love everyone of these. Graham may be a billionaire with a cold heart and tough exterior to some, but its clear Lily is able show him his ability to love and to love him back fiercely. They may have started with a marriage of convenience, but it rapidly expanded to much more. I believe that Graham only entertained the idea of choosing her for the role because of some unacted upon emotions and feelings he harbors for her. Their love evident. The passion for each other and for their work is clear as day, but their marriage doesn't come without its own special set of challenges. This was a fantastic read from start to finish.

Blurb:
When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.

Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn't joke.
He's brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he's offering...is no laughing matter.

I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife.
After two years, if we can pull this off, we'll go our separate ways.

It's supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.

A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Exception by Jenna Hartley is a compelling and well-balanced romance that skillfully blends family dynamics, drama, and heartfelt moments. The story features strong characters whose chemistry is undeniable, creating a relationship that feels both authentic and engaging. I particularly appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of alopecia representation, which adds a meaningful layer of depth and realism to the narrative.

The plot offers plenty of twists and turns, with suspense and mystery elements that keep readers intrigued throughout. Hartley’s writing captures the emotional complexity of the characters, and the tension between them is palpable, making their journey both steamy and heartfelt[3][8]. The story also explores themes of trust and second chances, which are handled with sensitivity and nuance.

While the romance follows some familiar tropes, the execution feels fresh thanks to the strong character development and dynamic interactions. The balance of family, romance, and drama creates a satisfying reading experience that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance.

Overall, The Exception is a solid four-star read that delivers a memorable romance with emotional depth and engaging storytelling. Jenna Hartley’s ability to weave together suspense, heartfelt moments, and authentic characters makes this book a worthwhile addition to the genre.

[My_book_obsession25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow. Jenna Hartley does it again.

The Exception is the kind of billionaire romance that pulls you in with a sizzling premise and keeps you hooked with real heart. I absolutely adored Graham and Lili their chemistry was off the charts, but what really got me were the emotional layers underneath all the heat.

Graham is your classic cold, controlled billionaire on the outside, but as the story unfolds, we see this fiercely protective, deeply loyal man emerge. He’s broody, sexy, intelligent, and that quiet masculine aura? Total perfection. 🔥

Lili is just as incredible strong, determined, and so full of love. Her mission to save her great-aunt’s château adds real purpose to her journey, and her dynamic with Graham had me smiling, swooning, and even tearing up a few times.

The marriage of convenience trope is done so well here. It never feels forced their connection grows naturally, and watching them go from pretending to maybe-this-is-real is exactly why I read romance.

This was heartfelt, sexy, emotional, and just the right amount of angsty. If you’re a fan of:

Billionaires who secretly have a heart of gold 💰❤️

Age gap romance with maturity & depth

Marriage of convenience turned real 💍

Highly recommend to all romance lovers. Jenna Hartley continues to prove she’s a go-to for billionaire romances with brains and heart. 💫

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a grumpy billionaire MMC, The Exception is calling your name—and Graham totally delivers. He’s broody, intriguing, and gives just enough softness to keep you hooked. Lily? She’s a fierce, independent queen with a unique twist: she has alopecia, which I’ve never seen represented in a romance like this before. It was beautifully handled and added such depth to her character and their dynamic.

The tension between Graham and Lily? A+ slow burn with a great balance of push and pull. I loved the power dynamics and how much emphasis was placed on open, honest communication. It made their connection feel real and mature.

That said, I did find myself wanting a bit more—especially in the spice and conflict departments. There were moments that felt like they were building to something explosive, but the story played it safe instead of diving all the way in.

Still, I’m absolutely rooting for these two. Their emotional intimacy and ability to express their needs were such a breath of fresh air. Definitely worth the read if you're into thoughtful, character-driven romance with unique representation and a swoony grump/sunshine vibe.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily give my honest review.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary, marriage of convenience when Graham Mackenzie asks Lily to marry him to help improve his image. In return he’ll help her renovate the dilapidated French chateau she’s inherited.

This seems to be a popular trope right now if my TBR list is anything to go by and, at first, I was afraid this book might be a bit Mills & Boony, but I shouldn’t have worried. There were enough little details to make this a distinct read. To begin with the heroine was an alopecia sufferer while the hero had issues with being touched. They also weren’t strangers with Lily having previously worked for Graham. This meant there was a familiarity to their dialogue which I enjoyed even if their attempts at pet names for each other left a lot to be desired. I also loved the family dynamics between Graham and his siblings/cousins. They showed a different side to the man who appeared cold and heartless to the world but in private loved and was loved by his family and seeing this showed Lily how to ic her own family was, giving her the strength to stand up to them. The story itself wasn’t overly dramatic with no cheating or third act break ups, The Exception was all about the relationship development between Lily and Graham.