This Man (This Man Trilogy #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas

 
Genre: Steamy Romance
Publisher:  Forever
Publication Date:  June 18, 2013
Links:  Goodreads  Amazon
Star Rating:  

Young interior designer Ava O’Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can’t control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won’t let her?

This book is the first in the “This Man” trilogy centering on Jesse Ward a business and Ava O’Shea a talented interior designer. Ava is hired by Jesse to fix up his hotel, and the chemistry between to two is instantaneous. Ava is very apprehensive of Jesse, and with good reason. Jesse is like an 18 wheeler that plows into her life and runs over any obstacle that stands in his way, including her. I am not a fan of Mr. Jesse Ward.

Overall Impression of the Book

I can't quite put my finger on how I feel about this book. I read this books because of the positive reviews and I’m a sucker for an Alpha male. The reviews put Jesse on par with Christian Grey, and since I am such a Christian Grey fan, I had to read it. Well... Mr. Jesse Ward makes Christian look like a regular everyday guy. I love the chase between the hero and heroine, but Jesse took it to another level. Usually I laugh at reviewers that say the hero went too far, or the heroine was bullied into submission. Well count me among those reviewers because that is exactly what happened in this book. I did not connect with Jesse for most of the book and disliked his character greatly.

He was extremely unreasonable when it came to Ava’s personal life, but kept Ava in the dark about his personal life, which irritated the hell out of me. These characters where a train wreck, I just watched the disaster unfold while shaking my head. I can't say that I loved this book, but I can’t say I hate it either. Maybe it’s both. This book and I have a love/hate relationship. Lastly, this book had way too may sex scenes. I was looking for some character development and real dialogue, but all I got was tons of sex. That created very little depth of the characters. I would have liked less sex and more character development.

Characters

Ava - I'm not impressed with Ava as a heroine, but she was not completely annoying. I actually started to like her more about 75% into the book. I did like how she challenged Jesse at times, but those challenges did not really yield a change in his absurd behavior or information he was keeping from her. So her challenges seemed futile. She couldn’t even get the man to tell her his age, REALLY!! Jesses is not the sharing type and she did not have any control over their situation. I did love her in the last night club scene, now that was funny, and her friendship with Kate is adorable. I appreciate she is desperately trying to hold on the independence while Jesse is trying to forcibly snatch it from her.

Jesse - Is an insecure psychopath, and very unattractive. I did not like his pursuit of Ava in the beginning. It was over the top and demeaning. I am in no way a prude, and I love my Alpha males, but 20 missed phone calls, harassing her at work, stalking her, and making scenes at her house on numerous occasions is not endearing or romantic. I disliked Jesse until about 50% into the book. From 50%-75% of the book I liked Jesse a little more, and then it happened. The real Jesse showed up the last 25% of the book and he was an absolute mess, and I loved him for it. He was out of control and jacked up, but it was a realness in his character that was not present for most of the book. Now that is the Jesses I can get behind.

Needless to say, this train-wreck of a book was intriguing enough for me to read the sequel. I am not sure if I will finish the trilogy, it depends on the sequel and if the author decides to give me more than awesome sex scenes and a psychopathic hero.

Book Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

Genre: New Adult Romance
Publisher:  Berkley

Publication Date: October 9, 2012
Links:  Amazon   Goodreads

 

 

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

My Overall Impression of the Book:

This is the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading from Tammara Webber, and it will not be the last.  Easy was an exceptional book. I've read many books over the years and this is one of my favorites. The writing and the flow of the story was remarkable and the author kept me engaged during the whole story.  Reading this book gave me a sense of contentment that I have not felt after reading a book in awhile.  This is one of those books that grabs you in the very beginning and never lets you go.

The overall story was powerful because it meant something. They are so many people both young and old that can relate to the situations that happened in this book. The book was empowering and I would suggest it not only to the New Adult crowd, but to anyone. Anyone who is young going off to college or the military should read this book.  The book centers on Jacqueline Wallace who follows her long time boyfriend Kennedy to college only to find out that everything that glitters is not gold, and basing your decisions in life on another person may not be the best idea. 

Caution:  This book deals with sexual assault in a very tasteful manner.  

Lastly, there will not be a sequel to this book.  I am usually disappointed when I love a book and there is not a sequel, but the story is so strong and meaningful that a sequel is not needed and I respect the author’s decision completely.  The plot and writing in this book was spot on.  

 

Characters

 

Lucus – Was the hero and I loved him. I thought I would not find a hero I loved more than Christen Grey and I was so wrong. Lucas was a protector and so selfless. He was such a great character. He was not over powering like a lot of heroes, but he was able to get his point across. He was so caring and attentive but not sappy and annoying. He was wonderful and his back story was so interesting and heartbreaking.

 

Jackie – Is a heroine I really love.  She was not weak (and not a freaking virgin thank goodness :-).  Not that I have anything against virgins, but there are far too many books focused on “innocent virgin” college girls.  She was a strong woman and I loved how she evolved during the story. That is so true of anyone who goes through a break-up with someone they adored for a long period of time.  I loved how she finally realized who she was as a woman, and how she fought for her happiness with Lucas. Usually the hero is doing all the chasing in love stories, but in this story they chased each other.

Book Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Genre: New Adult Romance
Publisher:  Atria Books

Publication Date: August 14, 2012
Star Rating:  5/5
Links: Goodreads Amazon

 

 Synopsis 

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Overall Impression of the Book:

I love this book so much!!  This book was INTENSE DANGEROUS AND VERY ADDICTIVE.  I thought I was in love with Christian Grey until I met Travis Maddox.  This is not a typical love story.  Travis had some serious anger issues and Abbey did have a past.  Abbey was an okay heroine.  I also loved the supporting characters; which is not always the case. I actually hope the author will make more stories about the supporting characters.  This book was different and was an emotional roller-coaster.  I laugh, cried, yelled, and smiled throughout the book. 

The Bad – There were some misplaced story-lines in this book that I did not care for.  For example there was a short scene in Vegas with her father that I thought was pointless.  The author should have explored that storyline or left it out completely.  This book is easily one of my favorites.

**This book is not for everyone. There is violence and emotional instability, but to me that is real life**

The author has a second book called Walking Disaster.  It’s the same story told from Travis’ POV.  I would have preferred a sequel, but if you are interested in being in Travis’ head...have at it.

Characters 

Travis Maddox - I loved Travis, although he has some serious anger problems.  He fought hard but loved harder.  He went to great lengths to win Abbey over once he realized he had real feelings for her.  ALPHA ALPHA ALPHA was Mr. Maddox.  He did what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it…and nobody dared get in his way.  Loved it!!

Abbey Abernathy - She was an okay heroine.  She did irritate me at times, and her “sordid” past was not that bad to me.  Actually it was kind of a letdown from all the build-up.  I have read books with worse heroines so Abbey…I could take.  

Plot and Writing:

The writing was okay.  There were some grammatical errors but it was an easy read and the errors did not throw the story off…not for me anyway.  The plot was great.  Travis made a bet with Abbey…if she lost she had to stay with him for month.  What a difference a month makes.  Living within someone 24/7 changes your perception of that person.  There is no hiding when you are around someone all the time.  They really got to see one another…on the inside.  Their love was wild, passionate, and fire.

Recommended Read!!