✯REVIEW✯ Before CE"O": Includes the Complete CE"O" Trilogy by M.T. Stone

Before CE"O": Includes the Complete CE"O" Trilogy
by M.T. Stone
Release Date: December 25th 2017 by Steamy Nights Publishing
Series: Trilogy 
Pages: 532
Genres: Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Author's Links: Goodreads, Website, Twitter, Facebook

In the beginning, my life was football. The first twenty one years of my existence consisted of one single minded obsession, to be an NFL quarterback. It was about to come true when I was blindsided in the most important game of my life. In an instant, the entire world as I knew it crumbled. 

When my therapist asked about my other talents or interests, the only thing that popped to mind was... women. I've always been good with women, but it's not like you can make a living with that skill set. 

Well, as it turns out you can make a damn good living in what they call the world's oldest profession. I've definitely got the equipment for it. Maybe I'll give it a try. At this point, I feel as if I have nothing to lose. After all, what can go wrong when you're trying to keep a bunch of spoiled rich girls happy?
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

Purchase: Amazon

My Review:

Not having read other books by the authors before, I was really impressed with the overall execution of this story from start to finish. It’s always hard to review books that are all in one without giving too much away, but it was nice to get a prequel (Before CE “O”), first book (CE “O”), and the second book (CE “O” Baby) all in one.

At the beginning we get to meet Rex Hastings, a college student whose future ahead of him couldn’t have looked any brighter especially after aspiring to be an NFL quarterback. Having worked really hard to stay on top of every game, Rex never imagined that his life was about to change forever when a sudden accident left him unable to play anymore. All his hopes of being in the NFL gone in an instant made him rethink everything in his life, things kept going wrong as well and when he finished physical therapy his parents sent him to see a therapist that would help him cope with his new life. It is through multiple sessions that he gets to know Cindy (his therapist) and they begin a friendship that would ultimately help him see that he could be doing other things with his life if he sets his mind to getting to that point, hence his love for helping women begins. Aside from making a good living, becoming a sex surrogate would help woman physically and emotionally. But when a demand for his services starts to spiral out of control Rex decides to walk away from that career and onto the sex toy industry. As we follow his journey, Rex also happens to meet Felicia, a recent college grad who comes to his company to apply for marketing after seeing one of his catalogs in her mother’s garbage can. But Rex can’t seem to stay away from her and the more time they spend together the more certain he is that she is the one for him. Now he has to convince her that they are perfect for each other, but there are things in his life that could threaten his future with her and he will not stop at nothing until everything is fixed before it’s too late.

I absolutely loved reading this story, the prequel truly gives us a vivid image of a younger Rex and it slowly progressed after that. It was interesting to see how everything started and made it that much more enjoyable to read. Rex is in a place where he doesn’t know what to do with himself after suffering the injury that prevents him from playing ever again and going to therapy helps him see that he can do so much more with his life now. I love his sense of humor and just much of a gentleman he can be (totally swoon worthy). In the second and last book we get to see him mature and experience things that he wouldn’t have otherwise. Meeting Felicia made him a better committed man and the two of them fit together really well. We do get to see both of their point-of-views in the first and second book. On the other hand, Felicia is introduced as naive and a timid. After going to a fashion school for marketing she suddenly finds herself at a sex toy company and she feels out-of-place. She is definitely not used to being teased and that what Rex does to her at first which completely through her off. It’s on the second day that things start to get heated between them and it’s hard to not see the chemistry between them. She feels something for him and as the two start to spend more time together the more she wants to be with him. But it’s his ability to remove his emotions when he is physically involved with someone that scares her the most. She doesn’t want to get hurt, but she is willing to give their relationship a try and see where it goes. Little did she know that her life was about to change forever.

From the writing style to the synopsis and the eye-catching cover, M.T. Stone did an amazing job with this story. Although sometimes it felt like the story was going fast or things weren’t explained in full, it really didn’t affect the story as a whole. Everything worked out in the end, the epilogue was sweet and full of possibilities. I would highly recommend reading this story, you will not regret it. :)

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
My Rating:

Thanks for stopping by! :)