Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas
Release Date: August 8, 2017
My Rating: 4 STARS
Annie has never experienced the 'spark' with a guy-that instant chemistry that renders you weak in the knees. That is, until a night out brings her face to face with the dangerously sexy and mysterious Jack. It's not just a spark that ignites between them. It's an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.
Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who's had such a powerful impact on her must be dangerous. She has no idea that he belongs to another. That he's forbidden.
This book. This book. This book. I went into this book completely blind. I didn't know what to expect, but good heavens this book delivered SO much and packed an epic punch. This is one of those books that I had to read, take a few days away from and then come back and write this review. It was perplexing and thought-provoking, maddening and amazing all at once. It was A LOT to feel about a single book. That in and of itself. That ability to make me think, and my mind to swirl with so many different thoughts and emotions makes this a must-read.
Now's where we get into the nitty gritty of it. And PLEASE read until the end because I can't counter argue everything as I go, I have to go in sections. So let's start with the cons, though they're not true cons, they're cons from a romance readers standpoint. From a Romance standpoint, this book lacked a little bit of something for me. Annie and Jack's chemistry together was explosive and everything I needed and wanted. But in addition to that explosiveness came a lot of hurt for them both. I'm not going to spoil the theme of the book because if the author wanted that out there, she would have put it in the synopsis. The hurt on Annie's side of things was almost unbearable at times. Yes, she was making her own decisions in this story as well, but I felt her hopelessness and devotion to Jack despite his lack of "manning up". I hate using that term, but I've searched and haven't found a better one for the circumstances. Though on the other hand, I could feel Jack's hopelessness as well. It really just broke my heart and it wasn't completely mended at the end of the book.
BUT (and now here is where a lot of the positives come through) THAT'S REAL LIFE. It doesn't always work out the way everyone would like. It's NOT easy. There's heartbreak and mistakes and passion and and and. THAT'S what this book delivers on so brilliantly. It gives the reader a heavenly dose of realism, along with fairytale passion that some can only dream about. Seriously, I never doubted for a minute if Jack and Annie were supposed to be together. My only hang up came from putting themselves in an almost impossible no-win situation that eventually endangered both of them even further than the emotional damage they were wreaking on themselves. But when they were together, everything felt so incredibly right and whole. And good gracious this writing is FANTASTIC. That was something that kept me reading even when I couldn't think my heart could take it at some parts.
This book is not a pure romance, as I categorize it. But it is one heck of an amazing read and I won't hesitate to pick up another of Ms. Malpas' novels in the future. She's an epically terrific storyteller and captured my mind from the very first page. As for the story, it is a memorable and highly emotive one that I did enjoy. If you're looking for an intensely passionate, and heartwrenching story, this is it.
Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Now's where we get into the nitty gritty of it. And PLEASE read until the end because I can't counter argue everything as I go, I have to go in sections. So let's start with the cons, though they're not true cons, they're cons from a romance readers standpoint. From a Romance standpoint, this book lacked a little bit of something for me. Annie and Jack's chemistry together was explosive and everything I needed and wanted. But in addition to that explosiveness came a lot of hurt for them both. I'm not going to spoil the theme of the book because if the author wanted that out there, she would have put it in the synopsis. The hurt on Annie's side of things was almost unbearable at times. Yes, she was making her own decisions in this story as well, but I felt her hopelessness and devotion to Jack despite his lack of "manning up". I hate using that term, but I've searched and haven't found a better one for the circumstances. Though on the other hand, I could feel Jack's hopelessness as well. It really just broke my heart and it wasn't completely mended at the end of the book.
BUT (and now here is where a lot of the positives come through) THAT'S REAL LIFE. It doesn't always work out the way everyone would like. It's NOT easy. There's heartbreak and mistakes and passion and and and. THAT'S what this book delivers on so brilliantly. It gives the reader a heavenly dose of realism, along with fairytale passion that some can only dream about. Seriously, I never doubted for a minute if Jack and Annie were supposed to be together. My only hang up came from putting themselves in an almost impossible no-win situation that eventually endangered both of them even further than the emotional damage they were wreaking on themselves. But when they were together, everything felt so incredibly right and whole. And good gracious this writing is FANTASTIC. That was something that kept me reading even when I couldn't think my heart could take it at some parts.
This book is not a pure romance, as I categorize it. But it is one heck of an amazing read and I won't hesitate to pick up another of Ms. Malpas' novels in the future. She's an epically terrific storyteller and captured my mind from the very first page. As for the story, it is a memorable and highly emotive one that I did enjoy. If you're looking for an intensely passionate, and heartwrenching story, this is it.
Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Jodi Ellen Malpas wrote her debut series, The This Man Trilogy, in secret, worried about what people might think if they knew what her imagination was capable of. She was shocked herself. But she finally found the courage to unleash her creative streak and self-published THIS MAN – the first book of the This Man Trilogy – in October 2012. She took a chance on the story with a hero who soon became one of modern day fictions most prolific alpha male characters. Jesse Ward – also affectionately known as The Lord of The Manor, sparked incredible reactions from women across the globe and catapulted Jodi into the world of women’s fiction.
Jodi went on to self-publish the second book in the trilogy, Beneath This Man in Jan 2013, just before Grand Central Publishing, part of the Hachette Book Group, picked up the popular trilogy and the unknown Jodi. The third book of the trilogy, This Man Confessed, took Jodi to the top of the bestsellers lists, earning her the proud title of #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. This Man has since been voted one of the top romance novels of all time.
With so much love, enthusiasm and a thirst for her words from her readers, Jodi suddenly wasn’t afraid of her imagination anymore. She went on to write The One Night Trilogy with the delectable and mysterious Miller Hart, and stole the hearts of her readers once again. Her first stand-alone novel, THE PROTECTOR, released in September 2016 and has since been nominated for a Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. Jodi’s next stand-alone novel. THE FORBIDDEN, is set for release in August 2017.
All seven of her published novels have hit the New York Times best sellers list – as well as the Sunday Times list and various international best seller lists. Her work is now published in over 24 languages across the world.
Jodi was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer, a mojito addict, is famous for her obsession with Converse, and has a terrible weak spot for Alpha Males. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters has become her passion – a passion she now shares with her devoted readers
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