The Ex Factor by RJ Scott

The Ex Factor by RJ Scott is a deeply moving look at one mans escape from abuse and then falling in love with the man who saves him. I received one copy of this book at no charge from the author in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

 

The Ex Factor by RJ Scott

Purchase Links:  Amazon 

Title:      The Ex Factor
Series:     Book 2 of Bodyguards, Inc.
Author:   RJ Scott
Publisher:   Love Lane Books Ltd (June 26, 2014)
ASIN:      B00LCA8612
Format/Length:  459 KB/172 pages
Genre:      M/M, Contemporary
Heat Rating:     3
Star Rating:  4 1/2

Blurb:

When Bodyguard, Ben Collins, finds Daniel Lincoln in a room, hiding and hurt, he doesn’t immediately think Daniel is the victim of abuse. Daniel is good at pretending and being a finalist in a TV singing competition he seems like he has it made.

But something about Daniel calls to Ben’s need to protect and he hands Daniel a card to contact him if ever Daniel needed help. Abruptly, after one frightened phone call from Daniel, Ben is racing to Daniel’s aid and what he finds is a horror he can’t imagine.

Daniel is trapped in a relationship where anger and controlling hate are the only emotions he is given. When his boyfriend crosses the line and leaves Daniel vulnerable and broken there is only one man that he wants to call.

The sexy bodyguard who promised he could help him.

 

My Review:

The Ex Factor is Book 2 in the Bodyguards, Inc. series.  You will want to read Book 1 (Bodyguard to a Sex God) first!

Ben meets Daniel in a dark room on the set of a reality show. Ben is there for a few minute of peace and quiet.  Daniel is hiding out, in pain and terrified he won’t be able to go onstage.  There is a strength to Daniel underneath the fear and the pain that calls out to Ben. The bodyguard in him wants to protect Daniel but the man inside is drawn to Daniels strength and determination.  They go their own ways, without either of them learning much more about each other.

Circumstances have Daniel reaching out to Ben in a time of great need and this time, the attraction they feel for each other cannot be denied.  They join forces to deal with Daniels abusive boyfriend and struggle to get him back on the road to success. There is a happily ever after for these two, although they will have to work at it to clean up past messes first.

I loved the strength of Daniels character…almost totally beaten down by abuse but never willing to give in.  I think the author’s use of the abusers voice in Daniels head was a good way to portray the strength an abuser has over his victim even when they are no longer in power.

Ben was like a rock…stoic, quiet and determined to help Daniel. But inside there was this mushy teddy bear just dying to wrap Daniel up for a good long snuggle.

These two men will have to overcome a few things before their happily ever after.  Daniel needs to heal from his abusive relationship both physically and mentally, and that is not an easy challenge.

The characters and story line are well developed, the heat between these  two men is scorching hot, and the happily ever after was like the cherry on top of the sundae.  We get to see Adam and the other characters we met in book one and the secondary characters really added a nice touch to the story.  I loved the support Daniel got from his parents…I wish more parents were like his! Awesome book and definite one I will reread.