faustin2nd's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second time I've read this book. I read it the first time about 6 years ago, and it's what started my love story with Sandra Brown. I'm still a huge fan of her books and I still like this one.
Barrie Travis was a funny, likeable character. I enjoyed reading about her, and if SB had proceeded to make a Stephanie Plum-type series based on this book I would've read more.
The story is so larger than life, like a hyper political soap opera, and the final twist? So good.
Barrie Travis was a funny, likeable character. I enjoyed reading about her, and if SB had proceeded to make a Stephanie Plum-type series based on this book I would've read more.
The story is so larger than life, like a hyper political soap opera, and the final twist? So good.
bbckprpl's review against another edition
4.0
This one had a different storyline, and I really appreciated the something new. It definitely had a thriller feel, which isn't my go-to, usually, but was well written and quick paced.
weaselweader's review
4.0
Credibility issues? No, I don’t think so!
Sandra Brown penned EXCLUSIVE in 1996 and, after its publication, many reviewers panned it as an entertaining story with characters utterly lacking in credibility. I mean, after all, who could buy into a story about a dysfunctional First Lady who hated her husband and cringed when he tried to touch her; a serial-adulterer president who considered himself to be above the law and considered his re-election to a second term to be a right and a foregone conclusion; a White House physician who lied through his teeth to the public and violated his Hippocratic Oath on the order of the President; a president who is impeached and charged with felonies and obstruction of justice; a president who presumes to censor the contents of media journalism with threats and force; a president who believes the FBI should be the strong-arm enforcers of his personal directives and who despises the Attorney General that he appointed at the outset of his term in office; a president who interprets criticism as a criminal threat; and a right-wing southern senator focused exclusively on re-election, retention of power and his personal legacy?
Huh? … Wait a minute now!
It would seem that the only part of all of that lacking in credibility these days is the use of the term “impeachment” to simultaneously reflect the act of impeaching and the Senate’s conviction and removal of the incumbent from office. And, of course, the belief that the Department of Justice and Congress would have the courage to actually charge a president with criminal offenses seems a taut stretch these days. But, beyond that, I think that Sandra Brown needs some kind of award for her astonishing level of prescience! Definitely an enjoyable novel. If the USA has any remaining wisdom, EXCLUSIVE is a cautionary tale to which they should pay considerable attention!
Paul Weiss
Sandra Brown penned EXCLUSIVE in 1996 and, after its publication, many reviewers panned it as an entertaining story with characters utterly lacking in credibility. I mean, after all, who could buy into a story about a dysfunctional First Lady who hated her husband and cringed when he tried to touch her; a serial-adulterer president who considered himself to be above the law and considered his re-election to a second term to be a right and a foregone conclusion; a White House physician who lied through his teeth to the public and violated his Hippocratic Oath on the order of the President; a president who is impeached and charged with felonies and obstruction of justice; a president who presumes to censor the contents of media journalism with threats and force; a president who believes the FBI should be the strong-arm enforcers of his personal directives and who despises the Attorney General that he appointed at the outset of his term in office; a president who interprets criticism as a criminal threat; and a right-wing southern senator focused exclusively on re-election, retention of power and his personal legacy?
Huh? … Wait a minute now!
It would seem that the only part of all of that lacking in credibility these days is the use of the term “impeachment” to simultaneously reflect the act of impeaching and the Senate’s conviction and removal of the incumbent from office. And, of course, the belief that the Department of Justice and Congress would have the courage to actually charge a president with criminal offenses seems a taut stretch these days. But, beyond that, I think that Sandra Brown needs some kind of award for her astonishing level of prescience! Definitely an enjoyable novel. If the USA has any remaining wisdom, EXCLUSIVE is a cautionary tale to which they should pay considerable attention!
Paul Weiss
toyareads26's review against another edition
4.0
So I am giving this book a rating of 4 stars solely based on that ending. The last paragraph alone deserves 4 stars. I have never genuinely been shocked at a Sandra Brown ending until this came along. Up until then, this was a good book, not as good as [b:Lethal|10875239|Lethal|Sandra Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1301590794l/10875239._SX50_.jpg|15729222] or [b:Envy|76179|Envy|Sandra Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1263146546l/76179._SY75_.jpg|82614], but still a good book. But the ending put it over the top for me. I don't think it was necessarily the reveal that I found shocking, it was the delivery. The plot was enough to keep me interested despite there being some slow parts. There were some eye rolling moments but nothing that dulled my reading experience. I liked the characters well enough (at least the ones we are meant to like) and I enjoyed the pacing.
Overall this is a good book with a solid plot, good characters, a good pace, and a killer ending.
Overall this is a good book with a solid plot, good characters, a good pace, and a killer ending.
bougainvillea's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I was disappointed to see it had been previously published, I bought it thinking it was a new book. But I hadn't read it before and thought it aged pretty well. I enjoyed the characters and the relationships between them. I did think the ending was a bit too pat and the final twist was completely unnecessary.
readingmumofboys's review against another edition
5.0
This book was AMAZING!!!!! I’ve read one other book by Sandra brown and I had love that one too!!! So it’s safe to say I’m going to read more!!!!!!!!
ralhassan's review against another edition
Oh my LORD. This book is beyond amazing. I read the entire thing in around two days because I could not put it down! I love the fact that the President and the first lady were so enviable because it made the end so much better. Vanessa's father, I could do without, he was kind of annoying but he was integral to the plot and figuring out who did it. I love Barrie. I freaking LOVE her as a character. No matter how much she got shut down, she refused to give up until she figured out who killed little baby Merritt. Spence... he was a creeper from the beginning. I won't spoil anything because you honestly have to read it to truly appreciate the masterpiece that is "Exclusive".
samlambi's review against another edition
4.0
Finally! An epilogue worth reading! I was surprised by this book, I expected it to be something like a Dan Brown book, but it's refreshingly not anything like it. The character motives came out over time which, while it didn't provide character development, was a nice substitute since I didn't expect it in a thriller novel. Looking forward to reading another Sandra Brown book!
sewcialist_librarian's review
3.0
Typical contemporary suspense from Brown. The characters make or break her books.