This was a good story but I felt that it was too long and lagged in the middle. Both Daniel and Ben were perfectly developed and the slow burn romance was well done. Cam was a top notch bastard from the physical abuse to the money laundering. I enjoyed how helpful and supporting Daniel's parents were through everything. If you love Ms Scott's other books, you're sure to enjoy this one. ( )

The Ex Factor is the second book in the ‘Bodyguards Inc.’ series. It stars Ben Collins, a bodyguard, and Daniel Lincoln, an aspiring singer on a talent show. The story is told in third person from both Ben and Daniel’s povs.



The blurb does a pretty good job of explaining the plot so I won’t add much to it. Ben, one of the guards at a talent event, is immediately smitten by Daniel. He feels something is off with Daniel and the desire to protect him arises, enough so that he tells Daniel if he ever needs help to contact him. Ben gives Daniel his business card. Daniel loses the card but finds a way to contact Ben when he’s in serious trouble. From that point Ben takes it upon himself to be Daniel’s personal guard.

‘The Ex Factor’ title is pretty clever in that it resembles talent show titles, but substituting the word ‘Ex’, which refers to Daniel’s abusive Ex. The ex is consistently in the background. He’s also the reason Daniel has so little self-esteem because the ex inflicted physical, mental and emotional abuse. It takes Ben’s constant reinforcement of Daniel’s worth and the demonstration of how Ben handles himself, that convinces Daniel he is worth something and he wants to be with Ben.

The plot continues with run-ins with Daniel’s ex, the stealing of Daniel’s earnings by the ex, and how Daniel and Ben work out the bumps in their bodyguard/client relationship. Both want to take it further, but there’s a lot of roadblocks they need to get around.

I liked both Daniel and Ben. In such a short book, it’s not exactly believable that Daniel would recover from years of abuse. But the author does have Daniel attending therapy sessions which goes a long way to his recovery. Ben is protective, sparse on words, but preceptive on how to deal with and handle Daniel because of Ben’s sister’s past experience. I can definitely see these two as a couple.

The Ex Factor is a fast, easy read with a great HEA. I recommend this book, but be warned for physical, emotional, and mental abuse triggers. I give this story 4 Stars


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I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

Yup... I still think this is my favorite bodyguard agency ever! lol All of the characters are awesome.

There is an interesting play on words for this title. Ben is one bodyguard assigned to an X Factor type singing show (one part of the play on words). Daniel is a singer and one of the final 3 acts in the show. Daniel also happens to have an abusive boyfriend when the book starts. Ben notices something is going on, but he tries to help Daniel (as much as Daniel will allow in the beginning). He gives Daniel his card and tells him to call if he ever needs anything.

A few months goes by before BI gets a call from a friend of Daniel's saying he is in trouble. Ben had an attraction to Daniel, so he immediately jumps to his rescue. The jerk ex (which is where the other play on words for the title comes in) causes a lot of problems, and sexy Ben keeps Daniel safe while making him realize he is worth more than the ex ever made him feel. Slowly we got to see Daniel come out of his shell and become more comfortable with himself. Ben and Daniel were sweet together, and I loved seeing them come together. ( )

I read this one immediately after the first one of the series. For whatever reason this had a slight different "feel" to it. There wasn't really the "who-dun-it" element to the story, as that was laid out in the beginning. This was more about "what's going to happen next".

Again though, a sweet and easy read! ( )

Bodyguards have all kinds of different assignments, I guess, and the one in this book definitely sounded like a more unusual one. Ben is a former soldier and has worked for Bodyguards Inc. for a few years when he happens to work at a televised talent show and runs into Daniel. Daniel is a rock singer and ends up in third place, but there is something about him that has Ben not just drawn to him but worried about his safety. But Daniel is not willing to open up, and Ben withdraws, leaving his number. Months later he gets a call, and this time he will not take no for an answer, especially because Daniel is finally ready to acknowledge the truth of his situation: he has been in an abusive relationship for years but is now ready to get out.

What follows is a touching story about Daniel dealing with his shame and guilt as he gains back control over his life. Ben's protective instincts come to the fore, but he remains professional when needed, even as he slowly admits to more than professional interest in Daniel.

I you like heartbreaking stories about men who pick themselves up and go on despite what they have suffered, and if you're looking for a read that deals with the real issue of abuse, yet manages to be a touching and sweet love story, then you will probably like this novel


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
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