Exposure

Oct 22, 2012 Susana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-contempor-neo, 2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

May 16, 2011 Chelleyreads (Michelle&Leslie's Book Picks) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: z2011-review

Exposure was the story of Amelia Wilkes and Anthony Winter who were high school seniors, have dreams of staring in Broadway and deeply in love. Their relationship was an open secret in school--their friends know as well as Kim Winter, Anthony's mother, who was a teacher at the school--but Amelia's strict parents do not know. Amelia and Anthony planned to tell her parents of their relationship when Amelia turns eighteen and legally an adult. However, when her father discovers naked pictures of An...more Exposure was the story of Amelia Wilkes and Anthony Winter who were high school seniors, have dreams of staring in Broadway and deeply in love. Their relationship was an open secret in school--their friends know as well as Kim Winter, Anthony's mother, who was a teacher at the school--but Amelia's strict parents do not know. Amelia and Anthony planned to tell her parents of their relationship when Amelia turns eighteen and legally an adult. However, when her father discovers naked pictures of Anthony in her computer, all hell broke loose.

Exposure was a fast-paced, intense read and I loved every minute of it. It wasn't an easy read by any means because it was so real, this can (and does) happen in real life. It was told in alternating limited third-person mostly in the point of view of Anthony, Amelia, Harlan and Kim Winter so we get to see intimately get to know the characters--their thoughts and emotions and see through their eyes the events that quickly spiraled out of control. The author did a fantastic job with the characters--I had some strong feelings about them throughout the book and I love it when an author can take hold of my emotions that way. I quickly sympathized with Anthony and his mother who took most of the brunt of the whole situation. I wanted Amelia to do something more to convince her father that Anthony was a good and innocent. I wanted to hate Amelia's father and his uncompromising belief that Anthony preyed on and defiled his daughter. I was angry and frustrated with him but I know that he loves his daughter and, as a parent, only trying to protect her, wanting the man who, in his eyes, hurt her severely punished. I definitely see my parents acting like Amelia's parents if one of us, their daughters, was in a similar situation.

There were many themes that were touched up in this book like impulsive nature and power of [young] love, family and parents' sometimes misguided protection of their children, the misuse of modern gadgets, how the media can work for and against an individual, teen sexuality and "sexting." But the one I found the most interesting was how Anthony and Amelia's private and intimate pictures of themselves, not meant to be shared with anyone but the two of them, were misinterpreted as child pornography. I started thinking about the various pictures of my siblings and I that my parents took when we were toddlers and we were unclothed (in the tub, on a blanket after a bath, etc.). These pictures cause us some embarrassment but we were babies--just the same, can they also be mistaken for child pornography?

Inspired by the experiences of the author's own son, Exposure was thought provoking, beautifully written and, yes, gripping. An author praised it as "a twenty-first-century Romeo and Juliet" and it was definitely that. While this novel is not technically young adult, it's a must-read older teens as well as adults. I cannot say enough about this novel except that you have to read it.(less)

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Dec 29, 2011 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

This story is very thought-provoking and fascinating. It takes a look inside the flaws in our legal system and sexting. Both subjects could be a book in themselves. What happens when two young teenagers send each other nude photos of each other? Should they be deemed sexual predators if they are in a relationship? I felt for the characters, Amelia and Anthony. They did some pretty unintelligent things, but then again most teenagers do make mistakes. When Amelia's father finds nude photos of Anth...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Paula Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

They say that Love is a madness , it can get us feeling all sorts and to the point where if it is forbidden-the urge to hide it from the world , though of course as we are about to learn in Exposure by Therese Fowler and as we hear in reality - hiding love is not the way to go about things as it always seems to come back and bite you on the bottom and the consequences can range from a little thing to a gigantic thing which will tear lives apart.
In Therese Fowler's novel Exposure , it was just th...more

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Jun 25, 2011 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, family, family-relationships, father-daughter, high-school, high-school-romance, parenthood, societal-issues, ya, sexting

High school students Amelia Wilkes and Anthony Winter met when they were both in a high school play together. Their relationship grew deeper, cemented by their talent and love of theater. No one knows they are a couple because Amelia is the only daughter of an influential and powerful family in town and Anthony is a scholarship student at the elite private school they both attend. Amelia and Anthony have a plan to audition for entry into the New York University theater de4partment and work towar...more

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Jun 24, 2011 Madison Pridgen rated it 5 of 5 stars

“Exposure” is thought provoking, beautifully written and gripping. The premise of the book is written appropriately and fitting for 2011. Two teenagers in a consensual relationship choose to text each other inappropriate pictures. The girl's father finds out and takes legal action. Anthony and Amelia's, (who were high school seniors), private and intimate pictures of themselves, not meant to be shared with anyone but the two of them, were misinterpreted as child pornography. This book touches on...more

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May 17, 2011 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Having never read anything by Therese Fowler I wasn't sure what to expect with "Exposure." I have read several fiction works about the subject of sex ting and wondered how different another book about the topic might be. Well I must say that I became captivated by this book immediately, the authors writing style completely drew me in, she allows you to feel the emotions the characters feel, and because the topic discussed in this book is quite timely it was easy to imagine how this scenario mig...more Having never read anything by Therese Fowler I wasn't sure what to expect with "Exposure." I have read several fiction works about the subject of sex ting and wondered how different another book about the topic might be. Well I must say that I became captivated by this book immediately, the authors writing style completely drew me in, she allows you to feel the emotions the characters feel, and because the topic discussed in this book is quite timely it was easy to imagine how this scenario might actually happen.

She gives us the story of Anthony and Amelia. While they both attend Ravenswood Academy, they come from different worlds. Amelia is a seventeen year old who is the only child of Harlan and Sheri Wilkes. Having grown up poor Harlan worked his way into owning several car dealerships in the area, but since he never forgot growing up poor he is determined to shelter his daughter from a life of adversity by planning out her future for her.Anthony is eighteen and grew up in a single parent home, his ticket to Ravenswood Academy is the fact that his mother took a teaching position there.
Anthony and Amelia are drawn together because of their love of theater. They are making plans for where they want to go to school, and while they are able to share their plans with Anthony's mother,everything has to stay hidden from the Wilkes, until Amelia graduates, because she knows her parents will never allow her to follow thru with her plans, because they are so different from what her father wants her to do.
When Amelia forgets her laptop on a kitchen counter, her father decides to do a little snooping, shocked when he finds several naked pictures of Anthony. Unwilling to listen to his daughter, Harlan becomes irate and wants Anthony to be punished, but when Anthony's computer is confiscated pictures are found that cause Amelia to be arrested as well.

This book is filled with well developed characters. Amelia and Anthony are so easy to envision, so in love and full of hope for the future. Because we get the story from so many points of view, it is really hard to label anyone as a bad guy. I could understand Amelia and Anthony exchanging those pictures,never realizing something that they did out of love would be exposed. As a parent I could definitely understand how Harlan must have felt when he found those pictures on his daughters computer. I think the one person whose opinion I would have liked to read more of was Amelia's mother Sheri, she seemed to be in the background quite a bit, and allowed Harlan to make the decisions.
I did enjoy the fact that the Wilkes' dog a golden Lab named Buttercup was mentioned several times in this story.
I really enjoyed this eye opening, thought provoking story and will certainly be looking for more work from this talented author.(less)

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May 01, 2011 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.

Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns e...more In Exposure, Therese Fowler has written her most gripping novel to date—a ripped-from-the-headlines story of ardent young love and a nightmarish legal maelstrom that threatens to destroy two families.

Amelia Wilkes’s strict father does not allow her to date, but that doesn’t stop the talented, winsome high school senior from carrying on a secret romance with her classmate Anthony Winter. Desperately in love, the two envision a life together and plan to tell Amelia’s parents only after she turns eighteen and is legally an adult. Anthony’s mother, Kim, who teaches at their school, knows—and keeps—their secret. But the couple’s passion is exposed sooner than planned: Amelia’s father, Harlan, is shocked and infuriated to find naked pictures of Anthony on his daughter’s computer. Just hours later, Anthony is arrested.

Despite Amelia’s frantic protests, Harlan uses his wealth and influence with local law enforcement and the media to label Anthony a deviant who preyed on his innocent daughter. Spearheaded by a zealous prosecutor anxious to turn the case into a public crusade against “sexting,” the investigation soon takes an even more disturbing and destructive turn.

As events spiral wildly out of control and the scandalous story makes national news, Amelia and Anthony risk everything in a bold and dangerous attempt to clear their names and end the madness once and for all.

A captivating page-turner, Therese Fowler’s Exposure is also a deftly crafted, provocative, and timely novel that serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of love in the modern age.

My take: I have far too many thoughts on this book to concisely discuss so I will choose a couple and hope my feelings are accurately portrayed. I loved this book. It was uncomfortable and accurate. In my day job I met a 19 year old boy who had not been to school for many, many months. He showed up last week and wanted to enroll to finish high school. He'd been gone because he'd gone to jail. He didn't share details, both because he didn't want to and I told him if he did he'd be creating a possible witness. Here are some facts of his case:

The young man and his girlfriend got pregnant during high school. Her parents highly disapproved, the couple continued their relationship but chose to place the baby for adoption. By this time, the young man had turned 18 but the girl was still 17. It is perfectly legal for the couple to have sex. Ironically, the girl and her mother were sitting at church a few months after the baby and the mother scrolled through the girl's pictures on her phone. She found a picture of her boyfriend who was less than appropriately clothed. Her parents reported it to the police against the girl's wishes and the boy was arrested. He was provided a public defender who showed up once out of the 4 court dates. He was encouraged to plead "No Contest" and take his punishment. He spent a couple of months in jail and now on road crew and expressly forbidden to have any contact with his girlfriend. She has now turned 18 and someone has reported that he violated the no-contact rule before she had her 18th birthday. He is facing up to a year in jail.

A few side notes to these facts. He had spent the day calling attorneys but couldn't get past a secretary because he didn't know the difference between civil and criminal case. Which was his? He also did not know that he was not supposed to talk about the case to anybody except his lawyer. He told me things he should not have. He even went as far as to proclaim his guilt or innocence. What he DID know by now is that 1) he would hire an attorney and never trust a public defender again and 2) never talk to the police. Ever.

Ms. Fowler writes an amazing novel, artfully describing the process of teenagers falling in love, sneaking around, their first sexual experience, how the pictures came to be, and how they are discovered. She also artfully paints a picture of a loving father who believes with all his heart that his daughter must have been coerced and tricked, a single mother who loves her son but can't protect him from forces that are determined to destroy him. These charges, when in written form, look ugly and will place a lovesick 18 year old boy squarely on the sex offender's registry. It will destroy all hope of college applications being accepted and job considerations of import.

The story was inspired by an event that occurred in 2009 when the author's son approached her with dread and announced, "Mom. I'm in trouble and I'm going to be arrested." In heartbreaking detail, Ms. Fowler revisits the painful process of a boy losing his freedom to officers who are just doing their jobs by placing his wrists in heavy cuffs, ignoring all questions and explaining nothing while leading him into a holding room where he is coerced to remove all objects that could cause harm; his belt, shoelaces, empty his pockets. He is completely dehumanized and it is apparent that "innocent until proven guilty" is a misnomer.

Should the pictures have been sent or even taken? Probably not and it is easy to judge from afar. On the other hand, a couple in love does not want to discuss, in detail, their most intimate moments and have it splayed on the police blotter, around school, or in the media. It is easy to judge until I look at the pictures on my own cell phone of my brand new nephew, still slimy from his little trip through the birth canal. The photo I openly show to anybody who will look at his cuteness until I realized my little nephew is having his first meal on my sister's boob. An experience I found sacred and symbiotic with my own children could easily be misconstrued as pornography by an uptight D.A. or anybody else with an agenda.

I applaud you, Ms. Fowler.(less)

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Apr 23, 2011 Andrea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Best Book I've read this year!!
You know how great it is when you get a book you can't stop reading and you stay up until 1:30 am (on a weeknight) to finish it? That, my friends, is Exposure by Therese Fowler. This, simply put, is one hell of a great book! I will also say (in a faint whisper for fear other of my author friends read this post) that Exposure is my favorite book of the year so far. I was already a fan of Fowler's work as I read and loved Souvenir last year. Exposure is even better!...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book packs in a lot--several different versions of parental dilemmas, teenage love, lust, social media, cell phone cameras and texting, the law, and more. Much more. It's about society changing faster than the laws that bind it do, faster than most parents and school counselors can keep up with. It's about broad definitions and narrow minds. It's about what we want for ourselves, and what we want for our children. It's about what we expect of ourselves, and what our family expects of us. It...more

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May 10, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lisa by: author

Exposure, by Therese Fowler
Exposure is a modern Romeo and Juliet; a teenage couple who are desperate to be together despite Amelia's father edict that she was not allowed to date, even at 17. Anthony and Amelia, who after their cumulating night of love, make a decision that has consequences far beyond what either of them could have possibly imagined. Amelia's father finds naked pictures of Anthony on her computer, and despite her protests, uses his influence on the local police to arrest Antho...more

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May 04, 2011 Kelly Hager rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anthony and Amelia are in love. They’re both high school seniors; she’s 17 and he’s 18. But because her parents are overprotective, they’re keeping their relationship a secret. Unfortunately, her dad finds pictures of Anthony on Amelia’s computer—naked ones—and he overreacts. The police are called. Even though Amelia tells the truth, the DA decides to make an example and those pictures are considered pornography. And since she’s 17, it’s sending porn to a minor. AND this situation ends up gettin...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, favorites, favorites-of-2011

Wow! A very well-written and powerful story, this! Definitely not at all what I was expecting when I read the synopsis and signed up in hopes of being a First Reads winner of an advance copy to read and review. I applaud the author's ability to write a YA novel that transcends the YA genre. This book is written with an all too rare maturity, allowing those of us who are no longer teens to read and enjoy it without getting bogged down in the typical teenage simplicity and drama. I also appreciate...more Wow! A very well-written and powerful story, this! Definitely not at all what I was expecting when I read the synopsis and signed up in hopes of being a First Reads winner of an advance copy to read and review. I applaud the author's ability to write a YA novel that transcends the YA genre. This book is written with an all too rare maturity, allowing those of us who are no longer teens to read and enjoy it without getting bogged down in the typical teenage simplicity and drama. I also appreciate the author's restraint, rather than overloading her work with a number of mentions of current pop culture.

I expected an all too typical, petulant read, but instead found a well-crafted, intricately woven tale worthy of timeless literature. Therese Fowler has solidly combines the old classics overtones with the modern age, producing a strong love story without overdoing it, createing a network of characters, each whose integrity is severely demanded. All players have been weighted, measured, questioned and found unwanting. No-one is allowed to slip the hook.

It isn't often that I discover the gift of a book that grabs me from the start, pulls me under, drags me along without allowing pause for breath, earns my approval of each and every hero/heroine, and finishes with my ultimate, unclouded, unchallenged approval. Also, I can definitely appreciate the moral and character warnings along the way- I hope today's youth read this and approve of it as much as I have, as well as taking from it a very serious and much-needed lesson.

I wholeheartedly approve of the entire book, which is not something I say very often- most books have me finding fault with something. Of course, I found myself urging "tell the truth from the beginning", as I often do (thinking the story could still go on in the manner it was headed, despite doing so), and frustrated when the story didn't take my direction, but I understand, and in this case, I don't mind. The teenage mind isn't often inclined to be thus open and up front about things.

Exposure, is what I have wanted and expected so many other current, popular YA books to have been, soldiering on where others have failed. For once, I have not been disappointed.

Be sure to read all the way to the last page- the author's notes and acknowledgments are not to be missed!(less)

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Jan 14, 2012 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-contemporary-challenge-2012

This was like a modern day Romeo and Juliet tale with the topic of sexting at it's core. (A surprisingly relevant subject for both teens and parents.)

Amelia and Anthony are young, in love and have big plans for their future but her father's need to control every aspect of her life forces them to keep secrets. They do plan on telling her parents about their relationship but think it's best to wait until after graduation, after she turns eighteen and will legally have the freedom to make her own d...more This was like a modern day Romeo and Juliet tale with the topic of sexting at it's core. (A surprisingly relevant subject for both teens and parents.)

Amelia and Anthony are young, in love and have big plans for their future but her father's need to control every aspect of her life forces them to keep secrets. They do plan on telling her parents about their relationship but think it's best to wait until after graduation, after she turns eighteen and will legally have the freedom to make her own decisions. But everything they've worked hard to protect shatters in an instant when Amelia leaves her laptop sitting on the kitchen counter one morning.

When her father, Harlan decides to test his computer hacking skills out "just for fun", he gets more than he bargains for. He expects to find Amelia's school projects but instead, he stumbles upon pictures of a naked guy. Refusing to believe Amelia played any part in what he views as a crime against his family, he decides to call the police. In doing so, he sets in motion a chain of events forever changing not only Amelia and Anthony's lives, but everyone their story touches.

What makes this story even more weighty is that Author Therese Fowler's own experience on this topic with her eldest son is what inspired "Exposure". She weaves fact and fiction together so beautifully all the while addressing tough questions about today's teen culture, sex, internet responsibility versus the legal system and the thin line separating art and pornography.

"Sexting" has become a series legal issue in the past few years among teens and the rise of Hollywood stars and starlets making sex tapes or getting caught with their clothes off on each others cell phones certainly doesn't help matters. What teens need to understand is this...

1) Taking naked pictures of yourself or anyone is not a good idea. Why? Chances are, it's illegal, especially if you or the other person is 18. (Think jail. Prison. Nobody looks good in orange, do they?)

2) Those naked pictures of you WILL get out and be seen by someone other than the person you originally intended. It will happen. It always does. (Whose the family member that makes you cringe? Yeah, THAT person will see those pictures.)

3) EVERYTHING you put on the internet is there FOREVER. It NEVER. EVER. goes away. EVER. (Imagine your kids Googling you one day & BAM! there you are...in all your nekid glory. Awkward much? Yeah, I thought so.)

4) If you're looking for your "15 minutes of fame" by taking your clothes off, you'll get it but it will be the WRONG kind of fame. (less)

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Jun 27, 2011 Julie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Young adult books are outside my normal reading genres, but this book came highly recommended by a friend. I was not impressed.

Short version of the plot: Anthony Winter (18) and Amelia Wilkes (17) are high school seniors who believe they are in love. Anthony's mother teaches at the private school that Amelia attends, making it possible for Anthony to also attend even though he could not afford to otherwise. Amelia is an only child, whose parents - particularly her father - have her whole life p...more Young adult books are outside my normal reading genres, but this book came highly recommended by a friend. I was not impressed.

Short version of the plot: Anthony Winter (18) and Amelia Wilkes (17) are high school seniors who believe they are in love. Anthony's mother teaches at the private school that Amelia attends, making it possible for Anthony to also attend even though he could not afford to otherwise. Amelia is an only child, whose parents - particularly her father - have her whole life planned out for her. She, however, wants something else (she want to study art, not business) and she and Anthony have plans to move to New York City together after graduation and attend NYU. One day, Amelia forgets her computer at home and her father, who manages to hack her password, finds naked pictures of Anthony on her computer, pictures that Amelia asked him to send. The situation degenerates from there.

***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS. DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE END OF THE STORY: WARNING ***

What I didn't like:

1. Much of this story is *told* to the reader, including key scenes like Anthony's first court hearing before a judge. We don't get to see what happens; one of the characters tells the reader about it after it happens. Most of Anthony and Amelia's relationship prior to the sexting is likewise told to the reader. I remember rolling my eyes and skimming many times to get to more actual action, to things happening in the present of the story. The big blocks of telling mitigated much of the emotional impact of the story for me.

2. Anthony and Amelia are portrayed as these perfect (cardboard) characters - he's the poor, smart, hard-working, romantic, good-looking guy, and she's the rich, funny, smart, beautiful, misunderstood-by-her-driven-father girl. Anthony's mother is also the perfect likeness of the supportive single mother working to make a better life for her son. Amelia's father is stereotypical the bad guy who doesn't listen to what his daughter wants and institutes draconian discipline to keep her away from Anthony. The prosecuting DA is the BAD GUY!!! *sigh* I wanted some depth or shades of gray to these characters. No one is perfect; no one is all evil.

3. I was a little disturbed by the message (my interpretation, not explicitly stated in the book) that sexting was OK in this case because it was just between two kids who were in lurrrvve. Now, I'm not a prude, and I don't find it morally offensive or horrible that two kids who are sexually active with each other send each other naked pictures. It's part of exploring the nature of a sexual relationship. However, the downside of spreading around naked pictures of oneself is never even mentioned outside the legal ramifications. The only negative to the sexting presented in the book was the overreaction of the legal system, and to me this lack of realism, added to the very black & white nature of this story.

4. The ending. Oh gosh, the ending. WARNING: SPOILERS. Near the end of the book, after Anthony and Amelia have violated the terms of their release on bond (and thereby risking Anthony's mother's house and job), Anthony decides that his best option is to commit suicide, because by doing that and by having friends post a bunch of stuff on the Internet "proving" that he and Amelia were in love, the DA might let Amelia off the hook. And guess what? It works. Anthony only almost dies, and the media hounds the DA's office and he drops the charges. Come again? I have two problems with this:

First, the outcome implicitly endorses Anthony's actions, which I find appalling. I know that suicide is usually an irrational act committed by someone who is under a lot of stress and is not thinking clearly, although the person committing suicide doesn't necessarily think that. So I'm OK with Anthony considering that a solution at the time, but to have events play out so that his irrational act actually benefits the characters in exactly the way he wanted? Um, no. Bad message.

Second, I don't find it realistic that the DA would suddenly drop the charges simply because he found out the two kids thought they were in love. Of course, the reader is never given any particular reason that DA is so out for blood in the first place other than a vague, "he's hard line". But why would the kids' feelings towards each other make a difference to him? Or is it the media attention? This is never made clear, and it seemed liked the easy way out. The kids' situation is horrible and dire, and then in six pages....it's not! Yay, everything is forgiven. *sigh*

I would give this one star, but I usually reserve those for books where the writing mechanics, as well as the story, are below par. The writing mechanics in this book is competent - the prose reminds me of literary fiction at times - so 2 stars it is. (less)

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Mar 18, 2012 Joana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: emprestado

Em Escândalo é nos contada a história de dois jovens que por causa de um pai super protector e muitos mal entendidos acabam por ser arrastados para uma situação que rapidamente sai fora de controlo. Ambos os jovens são presos e a única maneira de acabarem com as acusações de que são vítimas é de uma maneira trágica.

No geral é um livro com uma linguagem simples e que consegue ser cativante. É-nos apresentado apresentado o ponto de vista de um vasto leque de personagens, no entanto tenho que ser s...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Shelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: firstreads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 29, 2011 Laurel-Rain rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Anthony Winter and Amelia Wilkes are in love. Theirs is a forbidden love, from her parents' viewpoint. So they meet and begin a sexual relationship, keeping the secret from her parents. He is eighteen and she is seventeen, so in North Carolina, they are not breaking any laws by having a sexual relationship.

Anthony's mother Kim, a teacher at the private school the teens attend, is aware that they are seeing each other, but says nothing.

But one day, they take their love a step further when Anthony...more Anthony Winter and Amelia Wilkes are in love. Theirs is a forbidden love, from her parents' viewpoint. So they meet and begin a sexual relationship, keeping the secret from her parents. He is eighteen and she is seventeen, so in North Carolina, they are not breaking any laws by having a sexual relationship.

Anthony's mother Kim, a teacher at the private school the teens attend, is aware that they are seeing each other, but says nothing.

But one day, they take their love a step further when Anthony sends nude photos of himself to Amelia, at her request.

They think nothing further of it until the day Amelia forgets her computer at home, and her father, curious to see what she's up to, hacks his way in. And discovers the photos.

What he does next unleashes a nightmare scenario from which they will never emerge unscathed. For the DA in Raleigh has a political agenda and is determined to glean as much mileage from this case as he can.

The legal ramifications become more and more complicated as the case grows monster legs, with the media, at Harlan Wilkes' bidding, turning the situation into a circus, with Amelia painted the victim of Anthony, who is portrayed as the perpetrator.

As the story unfolds, we see the events from the perspective of each of the characters, coming to understand how and why each of them is reacting the way they do. Yet the justice system seems hell-bent on turning the teens into sacrificial lambs for the benefit of those who are pulling the strings.

What will Anthony and Amelia finally decide to do when their fate seems sealed? Will their love survive the horrific events? And what will someone do to turn things around?

Therese Fowler's "Exposure: A Novel" is a suspenseful tale that spotlights the dangers of modern technology, while reminding us that the legal system has far to go when interpreting the laws that are on the books.

I could not put this one down. My sympathies were with the teens, even though they made some foolish choices. But the repercussions spread out much further, washing over the entire cast of characters in one way or another. Five stars.

(less)

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May 24, 2011 Jasmine rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: american

uh, something went very very wrong between this book and the inside of my head. I mean I picked it up and I thought wow that's such an interesting idea... I know, I know that should be a warning to me, any book that looks like an interesting premise should be run my karen to make sure I'm not getting ultimately pulled into some kind of insane silliness.

About 30 pages into this book I started to wonder if maybe this is what it was like to read jodi picoult. I mean I've never read her so I have n...more uh, something went very very wrong between this book and the inside of my head. I mean I picked it up and I thought wow that's such an interesting idea... I know, I know that should be a warning to me, any book that looks like an interesting premise should be run my karen to make sure I'm not getting ultimately pulled into some kind of insane silliness.

About 30 pages into this book I started to wonder if maybe this is what it was like to read jodi picoult. I mean I've never read her so I have no idea, but I've pretty much never read her because I feel like the tone of this book is the tone I'd get from her, and I'm... lets just say not a fan.

Okay lets talk prejudices. I mean I love the movie jailbait, I watched it hundreds of times growing up, I haven't seen it in years so it might suck. On the other hand I hated and still hate romeo and juliet cause it's just dumb. On that spectrum this is much more romeo and juliet than jailbait, as far as I could tell this has absolutely no relationship to reality whatsoever. or maybe I'm just living in a different reality than these kids. I mean when my friend got charged with statutory rape with his girlfriend, well he basically went out for himself because no one wants to go to jail. I mean yeah maybe he didn't love her, or maybe JAIL. Okay I don't mean to yell but I really think no matter how much I loved someone if I have just been charged with DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, I would not be worried about the fact I couldn't call my boyfriend or go for a run. I would be worried about the fact that I was about to be labeled a sex offender... just saying. I don't buy all this I love you so much there are no consequences crap. This is the real world... or the real fictional world... why is the lawyer the only one using her brain.

I don't know, I am clearly not the audience for this book the audience for this book is the people who read pastel books, I hate pastel books.

I have to say maybe this was meant to be a teen novel, it reads shallowly like a lot of teen novels do. maybe that's why there's an adult level of depth missing. just you know benefit of the doubt. (less)

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May 13, 2011 LAURA KAY A Novel Review rated it 4 of 5 stars

Exposure by Therese Fowler is a story of young love gone terribly wrong. Amelia and Anthony are high school seniors bidding their time until they can go to college together. They plan on going to school in New York and want to try to make names for themselves on Broadway. Until then their relationship is being kept under wraps, so Amelia’s overbearing father, Harlan Wilkes doesn’t get wind of it and tear them apart. Harlan had Amelia’s life all planned out for her, and her theater loving boyfrie...more

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LAURA KAY A Novel Review Exposure by Therese Fowler is a story of young love gone terribly wrong. Amelia and Anthony are high school seniors bidding their time until they can...more
May 09, 2011 07:43am

Aug 12, 2011 Alecia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just finished reading this book on the heels of finishing This Beautiful Life, another new novel about "sexting". They are both very different, in writing and plotting. Actually, they are both very good novels. What I did find an interesting coincidence, is that both authors had each novel's main characters living at one time in Ithaca, NY, and remembering the lives they led there fondly. Exposure is told in a more "traditional" storytelling manner. This is my first time reading Therese Fowler...more

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Feb 24, 2011 Judith rated it 5 of 5 stars

Exposure is a well written captivating love story about teenagers caught committing the very modern crime of "sexting". It's the author's third book and I can honestly say it's her very best. Her writing has matured, is more assertive and her use of language and vocabulary is beautiful. The characters are likable and the situations are believable. It's a book I truly didn't want to put down! The book's appeal is certain to cross many lines: parents of teens will be able to read it and perhaps op...more

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Mar 11, 2011 Vivien rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won an ARC on goodreads. This was my first time reading Therese Fowler. I really enjoyed the novel. I think it's a book that can cross the YA and Adult lines. It is told in third person from many of the characters in the story, which kept the story fast paced for me. The topic is completely current to today, which I find refreshing. The whole idea of the system taking over like it did in this book is terrifying. It makes you really think and question what you would have done if in the same sit...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Andreia Silva rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: outros-blogrings, leituras-de-2012

Romeu e Julieta, o original de William Shakespeare, é uma tragédia (literalmente) e eu, tendo já lido a peça original entrei um bocado a medo neste história. Porque fiquei logo agarrada às personagens principais, o Anthony e a Amelia e tinha medo que o fim fosse similar ao da peça. E não me apetecia nada finais tristes! Mas não querendo desvendar nada do enredo, posso dizer que o final bebe da peça de Shakespeare mas não chega a beber o copo todo! Gostei muito da história, apesar de algumas veze...more

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May 03, 2011 Britta rated it 5 of 5 stars

This Adult/YA crossover novel is a page-turner that older teens and adults do not want to miss. Incredibly realistic, heart breaking, frustrating and unfair, Exposure, like the events in the novel, plays with your emotions until you are fighting alongside the main characters, begging to rewrite history.

Exposure follows the story of two teens madly in love: Anthony and Amelia. One problem... their fairytale romance is something more out of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet than Disney'a happily ever...more This Adult/YA crossover novel is a page-turner that older teens and adults do not want to miss. Incredibly realistic, heart breaking, frustrating and unfair, Exposure, like the events in the novel, plays with your emotions until you are fighting alongside the main characters, begging to rewrite history.

Exposure follows the story of two teens madly in love: Anthony and Amelia. One problem... their fairytale romance is something more out of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet than Disney'a happily ever afters. Anthony's father is out of the picture, leaving him with his loving, accepting mother. She is happy to see Anthony so starry-eyed happy. Then there are Amelia's parents, especially her father, who is strict, full of himself, overprotective, and filled with prejudice. It is no wonder the couple chose to keep their relationship secret from them...

However, when things start spiraling out of control, even the teens can't help wondering if secrecy was the best decision. Nude pictures. Arrests. Misdemeanors. Felonies. Sex-offender. Jail. The two-faced, backwards ways of the Justice system leads to the downfall of these two families, threatening to rip them completely apart, leaving no person unaffected or with solace.

Two huge questions are now posed. One, is modern technology to blame? But more importantly, can true love rise above?

I LOVED this novel. It took me for a ride emotionally and it really got me thinking about the unforgiving, ironic ways of the U.S judicial system. The difficult situation that the characters face in this novel is incredibly realistic. Not just in the way that the reader can envision it happening in real life, but to the point that it does happen, and all too often. Which adds to both the environment created and the overall effect of the novel.

The characters also added hugely to the effect. It was not because they are realistic, because that would be a huge understatement. No, these characters are real. So real that at numerous times I felt that by reading Exposure I was invading their privacy. It took alot for me to remind myself that the characters are not, in fact, walking around somewhere, oblivious that their story is being told this way... and yet, I still don't know if I'm quite to the point where "fiction" adequately describes this novel.

I could go on for pages and pages about this book. I could tell you each little thing I loved, and each little thing that made me cringe, smile, tear up, scream and gasp. I could do all these things, but I won't because I could not stand being the one who took anything away from the effect of this novel for you. Now I am leaving you with the responsibility to read it (which you most definitely should) and the promise that you will not be disappointed.(less)

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Feb 06, 2012 Raquel Leite rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: segredo-dos-livros

Uma história completamente intrigante e de um certo modo fascinante.
Escândalo mostra-nos como o sistema jurídico por vezes não funciona.E como por vezes a família ao pensar que faz o melhor pelos filhos,nem sempre é o melhor.
Amélia (de dezassete anos)vem de uma família rígida e principalmente o pai que é super protector, no entanto tem completa confiança na sua filha. Querendo esta seguir para o teatro, o seu pai diz que isso não será nenhum futuro, que a vida dos artistas era uma miséria e que...more Uma história completamente intrigante e de um certo modo fascinante.
Escândalo mostra-nos como o sistema jurídico por vezes não funciona.E como por vezes a família ao pensar que faz o melhor pelos filhos,nem sempre é o melhor.
Amélia (de dezassete anos)vem de uma família rígida e principalmente o pai que é super protector, no entanto tem completa confiança na sua filha. Querendo esta seguir para o teatro, o seu pai diz que isso não será nenhum futuro, que a vida dos artistas era uma miséria e que ela deveria de desistir disso.
Anthony (dezoito anos) é filho de uma mãe solteira, que é professora na escola do filho.
Ambos têm aulas de teatro juntos. e faz um ano que ambos namoram em segredo, pois Amélia sabe que o pai não pode descobrir visto não iria estar de acordo com esse namoro.
O que acontece é que perdidos no amor que ambos sentiam, partilham fotografias com teor sexual, que Amélia guarda no seu computador protegido com password. O seu pai descobre o computador e com várias tentativas de colocar a password, descobre-a, encontrando várias fotografias de Anthony nu.
Aqui começam os problemas todos,o pai dela considera o rapaz um predador sexual e que quer levar a sua rica filha por maus caminhos.
Mas devem ser eles considerados predadores sexuais quando mantem um relacionamento? Está certo que fizeram as coisas menos inteligentes, mas a maioria dos adolescentes é assim. Mas por mais que Amélia explicasse o que tinha acontecido, ele não ouvia pensando que ela poderia estar em choque, ele mesmo cria o que aconteceu na sua cabeça.
E assim de uma hora para a outra estão envolvidos a policia depois o tribunal e já há que procurar um bom advogado, há dias para julgamentos, há alguns dias passados na prisão.

Como diz no livro, é um romance de Romeu e Julieta nos tempos modernos, juntando as tecnologias de agora. Eu pessoalmente temi pelo pior no fim.
Gostei muitos da divisão e de algum vocabulário que pertence mais ao teatro, gostei bastante desse toque.
Escândalo é uma leitura leve e viciante, e que nos dá vontade de ler sem parar, tentando passar pelo remoinho de acontecimentos judiciais.(less)

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Jun 13, 2011 Ns rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have been a fan of Therese Fowler since her debut novel, Souvenir . She followed this with Reunion . I find her stories compelling, thought-provoking and refreshing.

Exposure is an insightful story about young, idealistic love; about lovers who are caught in the crossfire of overly-protective parents and a society quick to convict. When Amelia Wilkes's father finds compromising pictures of a boy on his daughter's laptop, his reaction is instant and inflammatory. In his fury to "avenge" his daug...more I have been a fan of Therese Fowler since her debut novel, Souvenir . She followed this with Reunion . I find her stories compelling, thought-provoking and refreshing.

Exposure is an insightful story about young, idealistic love; about lovers who are caught in the crossfire of overly-protective parents and a society quick to convict. When Amelia Wilkes's father finds compromising pictures of a boy on his daughter's laptop, his reaction is instant and inflammatory. In his fury to "avenge" his daughter from a corrupter, he picks up the phone, calls the police and sets upon a legal storm that will impact everyone involved. That boy, Anthony Winter is Amelia's boyfriend. Unbeknownst to her parents, they have been planning to inform them of their relationship only when she is legally an adult. Her parents, particularly her father, are strict and misguided, although well-meaning in their nature to protect her. It is Anthony's mother who is privy to this secret.

What unravels is a nightmare for Amelia and Anthony, for her parents, and for his mother. What is revealed is an insight into the destructive nature of technology, the corruptive nature of the media, a perspective on a justice system that is not always "just" and a love that is ripped apart and inspected on a most intrusive platform. As the young lovers embrace their individuality and their sexuality, their expression of them, through technology results in "sexting". Their expression of love is reduced to nothing more than the barest, most literal definition of child pornography. Amelia and Anthony's love is the fuel for an unrelenting media eager to destroy than nurture.

It is a story that speaks to your emotions and calls for your response. Fowler writes with quiet conviction. The words are lyrical and meaningful, propelling a story forward, introducing characters and multiple perspectives into your life and relating them to us. The tone reflects the characters well; expressive, hopeful, liberal and poetic. The essence of youth that is very much Amelia and Anthony. It is also serious, somber, sometimes bleak, resigned and full of wisdom, which reflects the adults.

An absorbing story that is captivating until the end and will leave you thinking about it long after. (less)

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May 05, 2011 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, for-review, read-may-2011

If I could only review this book in a few words it would read like this: "Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy this book or download it to your ereader. This is a book that cannot be missed!"

Okay it was more than a few words, but that pretty much sums it up for me. This is one of my best reads of the year. Let's move onto why since I have gushed enough and not backed it up, because people generally read reviews to find out why the reviewer liked or did not like the book (or in thi...more If I could only review this book in a few words it would read like this: "Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy this book or download it to your ereader. This is a book that cannot be missed!"

Okay it was more than a few words, but that pretty much sums it up for me. This is one of my best reads of the year. Let's move onto why since I have gushed enough and not backed it up, because people generally read reviews to find out why the reviewer liked or did not like the book (or in this case love, love, love!)

First of all - I think this book is a must-read for anyone with a teenager or parents who will have teenagers in the future (I fall into this category). Ms. Fowler has been through a situation similar to the storyline of the book and she makes this plain to anyone interested in the book. Sexting is a problem and we as parents need to be educated about it so we can help steer our kids away from this and guide them in those teenage years. Now this isn't a parenting manual by any means, it's a fictional story, but it has warnings all in it to parents of teenage boys and teenage girls about sexting and the problems it can cause in the lives of the teenagers taking part in this along with how it affects the lives of the families involved.

One thing I especially loved was getting the story from both sides, from Anthony and his mom's side and also from Amelia and her parent's side. Also the look at a genteel southern family versus a single mother who is a transplant to the area. Ms. Fowler does not take sides, I think she really gives all her characters a fair shake in this book. Now there are characters you don't like, but they are redeemable and Ms. Fowler helps you see the reasons for the way they act. That really helps. I like that she hasn't made this a book that stands up and tells you which side is right, but like Jodi Picoult often does, presents you with the social problem and lets you read and enjoy and decide how you feel about the characters and the situation. I love that in a book and Exposure is packed full of internal debate for the reader and it's presented in a way that you just can't put the book down and when you finish you cannot stop thinking about the characters and the issues.

Exposure is also a love story. Can two teenagers really know what love is? Amelia and Anthony think they do, but some of the people around them don't think so. It's a Romeo and Juliet type story of hidden love because the daughter's parents wouldn't agree. I loved getting to know both of them and seeing their love from each side. It is a beautiful love story and a great addition to the storyline of the book. One that I think is important because it shows that all kids aren't completely lust-driven when they do things like Amelia and Anthony do in the book.

I'm afraid I'm rambling, but I really don't want to give away anything in the book, because the surprises are one thing that really made the book for me. It seemed every page I turned something new cropped up and I was enthralled. It was very hard for me to put Exposure down to go to my son's baseball game on Sunday and as soon as I came home, you can be sure I picked it right back up and read until the kids demanded supper.

So again in short, if you love stories that make you think, stories that grip you from the first page and love stories then this is a book for you. Even if you aren't sure you fall into the category that reads this book - this book is for you. Ms. Fowler is brilliant at weaving a story that both interests you and educates you. Exposure is beautiful, it's thought-provoking and it will keep you reading right until the last page.(less)

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Mar 24, 2011 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. *I received a free copy of this book through GoodReads First Reads.*

Exposure by Therese Fowler jumps into what some teens are really doing on the Internet or with their personal electronic devices. This book deals candidly with the issue of sexting. It reveals the very real consequences of this issue, especially when there are underage people involved. It doesn’t really matter if the people involved are in love, as they are in this book. Exposure is, to me, a Romeo and Juliet story for the digit...more *I received a free copy of this book through GoodReads First Reads.*

Exposure by Therese Fowler jumps into what some teens are really doing on the Internet or with their personal electronic devices. This book deals candidly with the issue of sexting. It reveals the very real consequences of this issue, especially when there are underage people involved. It doesn’t really matter if the people involved are in love, as they are in this book. Exposure is, to me, a Romeo and Juliet story for the digital age. Forces are at work–stupidity, parents, the law, public opinion–that are threatening to drive a young couple apart. Will they go the same road as young Romeo and Juliet? You’ll have to read to find out.

Amelia and Anthony are in love. Yes, she’s seventeen, and he’s eighteen, but age is just a number. Right? These two young lovers are determined to spend their lives together, no matter what people say. And people, especially Amelia’s father, have plenty to say…especially when he finds nude pictures of Anthony on Amelia’s computer. As a father who is convinced his daughter can do no wrong, Harlan Wilkes just knows that Anthony is trying to corrupt his perfect little girl. There’s no way she would willingly have these explicit images on her computer. So he does what most concerned fathers would do. He calls the police.

One phone call. One phone call to the police, and everything spins out of control. Anthony is completely villified, but Amelia doesn’t escape unscathed herself. Even Anthony’s mom is caught up in this storm. It seems there is no escape from this maelstrom…or is there? Is there a way for Anthony and Amelia to get out of this mess? What will it cost them? What is the price to be paid for the recklessness of youth? Read Exposure by Therese Fowler to find out.

Exposure is a very powerful book, particularly because it presents the story not only from Amelia and Anthony’s perspectives but also because it gives a look into what their parents are thinking and going through. And even though the ending is a wee bit unrealistic, I think this story will resonate with both teens and parents on the issues of sexting and using technology responsibly.

Exposure is scheduled to be released on May 3rd, and I strongly encourage teens and parents of teens to pick it up. For more information about Exposure and author Therese Fowler, visit http://theresefowler.com/.

*For more book reviews, visit my blog at knightreader.wordpress.com.*
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May 09, 2011 Jamie Kline rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-thing

To see more of my reviews, please visit my book review blog, Bookerella

I received this book as an ARC through Shelf Awareness. I requested it because it sounded really interesting and certainly we have seen many stories of "sexting" in the news recently. Amelia and Anthony are from two different worlds; Amelia is the privileged daughter of a very rich, powerful man and Anthony is the son of one of the teachers at the private school. Despite their different backgrounds they fall in love. Amelia k...more To see more of my reviews, please visit my book review blog, Bookerella

I received this book as an ARC through Shelf Awareness. I requested it because it sounded really interesting and certainly we have seen many stories of "sexting" in the news recently. Amelia and Anthony are from two different worlds; Amelia is the privileged daughter of a very rich, powerful man and Anthony is the son of one of the teachers at the private school. Despite their different backgrounds they fall in love. Amelia knows her father, Harlan, will not be pleased with her choice of boyfriend, so she chooses to keep it hidden. Unfortunately they both make some unfortunate decisions, taking provocative pictures of each other and saving them. Amelia keeps her pictures of Anthony on her computer and carelessly leaves it at home one day. Her overprotective father can't help but snoop through her things and, once he finds the pictures, vows to destroy Anthony.
Well I'm sure we've all heard the news stories about kids getting in trouble for "sexting", or sending nude or semi-nude pictures by email or phone to other people. It's something you wouldn't even think of as being illegal, but these teens are definitely getting in trouble with the law. In fact, they can be brought up on child pornography charges if underage, even if they themselves are the subject of the picture! Like any young adults, Amelia and Anthony never think that their choice to send each other pictures will ever be found out by anyone else. Unfortunately it does happen and her dad, Harlan, refuses to believe that Ameila and Anthony are dating, let alone that she asked him to send her the pictures of himself. I felt so bad for Anthony throughout the whole thing. Harlan was out for blood from the beginning, trying to get Anthony pegged as a sexual predator who forced these things on his daughter. And since he has all the money he could need, he hires the best lawyers to try and get Anthony thrown in jail. He also forbids Amelia from seeing Anthony any more. It's impossible not to feel bad for both of the teens; they didn't realize they could be breaking the law. They just knew they were in love and if you love someone you should be able to share anything with them. The whole book had a very Romeo and Juliet feel to it, except for the fact that Anthony's mom was very supportive of their relationship, where as Amelia's dad was the one that absolutely was against it. I liked that Anthony's mom stuck by him and supported him, because I don't know how he would have gotten through all of that without her. Amelia also has some support in the form of her friend Claire, who helps her keep in contact with Anthony throughout her parent-inflicted house arrest.
I honestly wasn't too happy with Amelia for at least part of the book. After her dad confronts her about the pictures, instead of explaining that he was her boyfriend and fessing up to asking him to take the pictures in the first place, she just says he's a boy she goes to school with. She tries to make it clear that the pictures don't bother her and tries to downplay the situation, but her hiding the actual facts make it worse. Then when she finally does try to tell her dad the truth, he doesn't believe her and it just goes downhill from there. I just wanted to shake her; I know it would be extremely awkward and embarrassing to tell her dad all of the details, but it might have spared them all a LOT of grief and heartache. This book does a good job of showing why it's important for parents to talk to their kids and make themselves available to talk to about anything. If kids are afraid to talk to their parents, things like this can happen and misunderstandings can become something much worse.
I really liked the references to Romeo and Juliet, such as the scene where Anthony sneaks up to see Amelia, and her best friend stands guard to warn her if her parents are coming. But it's pretty obvious in the overall theme; two teens from opposite ends of the social ladder who fall in love, only to have their love opposed by loved ones. I liked the message this book sent and it was impossible not to care for the characters. It was a book full of passion, heartbreak, unfairness of the law, and ultimately shows how far two people in love will go to be together.

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