One Night with the Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpas Release Blitz!

One Night with The Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

One forbidden night...

It's 1816 and nineteen-year-old Eliza Melrose, daughter of a printing magnate, is about to be launched into London's high society - much to her distaste, the last thing she wants is a husband.

But then she meets the youngest son of the late Duke of Chester, a disgraced nobleman who is shrouded in mystery and proving quite impossible to resist!

As the season begins, Eliza is shocked to discover that she won't even be given the chance to choose her own husband - and that the Melrose family fortune hangs in the balance...

But will she risk everything for just one night with the Duke?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uzWdQ6

Apple Books: https://apple.co/35RxjAV

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Narrated by: Aurora Dawson-Hunte

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Review:

What an ending!! This book was definitely different from what I usually expect from JEM, but I loved it all the same! When I initially found out that JEM was doing a royal romance, I knew it was going to be something different than anything I’ve ever read from her and it was, but it also brought the same incredible writing I have come to expect and love from any book she pens. She always knows how to leave us on the edge of our seats as readers, waiting for the next shoe to drop. I think this may be the slowest of slow burns she’s ever written, but that also makes it all the more intriguing! At the beginning of the book, I didn’t know if I was going to feel strongly about the characters in this story or not, but by the end I was hooked! Eliza is a spitfire and I love her rebellious, defiant, but loving and loyal nature. The duke is dark, mysterious, curious, and passionate. I also loved Frank and Clara. I am thrilled to know there is going to be a follow up book because I need more of this couple and I want to know about life for everyone else, too. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Eliza’s parents and their choices but then at the same time, it’s hard to throw stones in an era I have not been privy to live in. This book definitely brought forth some emotions with characters and certain scenes, but I love when that happens. I know that I’ll still be thinking about this book tomorrow and that, to me, is a mark of a great story. Well done JEM, thank you for another great book!

Meet Jodi

Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, boys and Theo the Doberman. She is a self-professed daydreamer, and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males. Writing powerful love stories with addictive characters has become her passion—a passion she now shares with her devoted readers. She’s a proud #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, a Sunday Times Bestseller, and her work is published in over twenty-five languages across the world. You can learn more about Jodi & her words at www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk

Connect with Jodi

Website: http://bit.ly/JEMWebsite

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JEMGoodreads

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fjw6Cn

Facebook: http://bit.ly/JEMFacebook

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1756448714573353/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_ellen_malpas/

Twitter: http://bit.ly/JEMTwitter

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/JEMBookbub

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodiellenmalpas

The Resurrection by Jodi Ellen Malpas Release Blitz and Book Review!

Love is purpose. Hate is fuel.

The Resurrection by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

From the moment Danny Black met Rose Cassidy, he knew she'd be the death of him. But their electric connection and twisted love gave him a purpose beyond ruling Miami with his iron fist. Faking his own death and disappearing to St. Lucia was the only way he could escape the deadly underworld that brought them together. But his seclusion was sabotaged when a notorious assassin lured him out and made him an offer he couldn't ignore.

So Danny was forced to decide whether to remain concealed and pray his enemies didn't find him, or re-emerge and take back control of his town. His future.

James Kelly's sole purpose was to find and kill the man who ordered the death of his family. Peace would never be his until then. Beau Hayley, a scarred former cop, was the key to his mission. He was supposed to kill her. Instead, he fell in love with her. Forced to accept that he could no longer fight his war and keep Beau safe from their enemies, he sought out the only man who could help him.

But by resurrecting the infamous Brit, James unwittingly started an even bigger war.

Two lethal men. One shared goal.
Keep their women safe.
And survive.

But only one of them can come out the other side alive.

 

Review:

Y’all. This book. I have loved The Brit and I loved The Enigma (books 1 and 2 in this series), but I honestly think this one was my favorite. Let me say, you really should read the others before reading this one otherwise there are some things that you just won’t be able to appreciate as well! Namely… a book with both Danny and James in it! 🥵 Man on man, this book was on fire 🔥 The chemistry was explosive between both Danny & Rose as well as James & Beau. It was almost too much to have both the bosses in one book but just almost because it was so good. Having both couples in this book kept me so entertained. Watching the friendships in this book develop just made my heart so freaking happy for characters who so freaking deserve some happiness and goodness in their lives. This was one of those books where you don’t want to eat, sleep, or shower, just read all the time. It was action packed and every time you get through one nail biting situation, another thing comes up that makes you furiously swipe/flip through the pages! Overall, this book was a slam dunk in everything I could’ve hoped it would be. There’s passion, there’s intrigue, there’s mystery, suspense, murder, hope, friendship, loyalty and love. It’s another incredible book by JEM and after that ending… I NEED BOOK 4! 

• I happily received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review. Thank you so much to JEM and Valentine PR for giving me the opportunity to read this story! 
• 
  

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZgIu3g

Apple Books: https://bit.ly/TR_AppleUS

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Meet Jodi

Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, boys and Theo the Doberman. She is a self-professed daydreamer, and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males. Writing powerful love stories with addictive characters has become her passion—a passion she now shares with her devoted readers. She’s a proud #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, a Sunday Times Bestseller, and her work is published in over twenty-five languages across the world. You can learn more about Jodi & her words at: http://bit.ly/JEMWebsite.

Connect with Jodi

Website: http://bit.ly/JEMWebsite

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JEMGoodreads

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fjw6Cn

Facebook: http://bit.ly/JEMFacebook

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1756448714573353/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_ellen_malpas/

Twitter: http://bit.ly/JEMTwitter

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/JEMBookbub

The Enigma by Jodi Ellen Malpas Book Review and Release Blitz!

The Enigma by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

A fatal blend of revenge and desire.

After leaving her fiancé at the altar and quitting her job as a Miami cop, Beau Hayley stumbles through life, feeling only resentment. Injustice. Loss. Her mom's death was called an accident. She's not convinced. Grieving, she becomes numb to everything except the constant, biting pain of heartbreak and hate. She can see no light. Until she meets James Kelly, a man who seems as damaged as she is, inside and out. And yet despite his twisted, cold façade, he stimulates feelings. Pleasure. He is a respite from her own flaws. A complete mystery.

And impossible to resist.


James Kelly has only one objective. Find the men who murdered his family and kill them all very slowly. But the web of crime and deceit leads him to Beau Hayley, the daughter of the notorious FBI agent who pursued him relentlessly until her death. Beau is not what James expected, and past the darkness that shrouds her, he finds a glimmer of light. Light is addictive. An escape. Beau might be the key to James's mercy mission, but with dire consequences. So he has to decide--leave her breathing and risk exposing himself, or kill her and continue his mission, still unknown.

Still The Enigma

Two tortured souls playing one deadly game. But who will survive?

 

Review:

Y'all. I have been anxiously awaiting reading this book as soon as I learned about a new book coming in this series. I recently read the first book in this series called The Brit and I was crazy about it. I knew Jodi Ellen Malpas would make this book, The Enigma, exactly on par with the previous one and I WAS RIGHT.

This book has so much darkness, brokenness, deceit, tragedy, murder, questionable acts... but it also has so much love and redemption and a strong pull for the underdog! It's rare I'd call someone like James Kelly an underdog, but the world has made him into the person he is and he's responded in the only way he knows how. The exact same can be said for Beau Hayley. Man, what a crappy set of cards she's been dealt. I can't imagine how I would put one foot forward after a fraction of the things she's gone through, but she does it. She doesn't think she does it well, but the fact that she's still living and breathing and moving and believing... she is inspiring!

This story was so good. There is so much to unpack after the storm I just read through in these characters and this storyline that I am still shaking my head about some things. There are some things in this story that happened that I NEVER would've guessed. There are others I wasn't as surprised by. However, the major surprise in this story didn't go the way I predicted in my head and I love that. 

I feel like this story is left a bit more on a cliffhanger than The Brit was, but not in a terrible way. It wasn't a cliffhanger that leaves you wondering if anyone's alive, will they or won't they, but I am definitely going to be on pins and needles waiting to see how this story ends. 

I cannot wait for The Resurrection. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!!!! 

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/EnigmaUS

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3DfaouG

Nook: https://bit.ly/Enigma_Nook

Kobo: https://bit.ly/Enigma_Kobo_US

 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3abY6qq

 

Meet Jodi

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her real-life man, her boys, and a beagle. She is a self-professed daydreamer and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males.

After writing in secret for too long, Jodi exploded onto the scene in 2012 with her debut novel This Man, starring the prolific Jesse Ward. Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion - a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the limelight of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-five languages across the world.

Find out more about Jodi at www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk

Connect with Jodi

Website: http://bit.ly/JEMWebsite

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JEMGoodreads

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fjw6Cn

Facebook: http://bit.ly/JEMFacebook

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1756448714573353/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi_ellen_malpas/

Twitter: http://bit.ly/JEMTwitter

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/JEMBookbub

The Brit by Jodi Ellen Malpas Book Review!

 "I'll only ask once. Do you want to be mine?" "Yes." No hesitation. No second-guessing. Yes." - Jodi Ellen Malpas, The Brit

Y'all! It has CLEARLY been too long since I've sunk my teeth into a JEM novel. The Brit was so freaking good. I read each page, each sentence, each word, on baited breath waiting to see how it was going to play out. 

From the very beginning of this story, I loved Danny. As a ten year old little boy who desperately needed to be loved, I just wanted to take him home and show him love more than anything else.

Luckily, someone else did that. It may not have been the best upbringing. It may not have been the prettiest, the nicest, the most ethical, but at least he was finally shown a sliver of what love could be. The man he developed into because of his childhood and upbringing... is a man nobody wants to mess with. 

Rose is a tough freaking cookie, too. She has not gone without her share of trauma and torture. She continues to stand tall, and to fight, and to survive. She's an incredibly well written character and I can't imagine the life she's led and how she's able to function as much as she is. 

Seeing Danny and Rose interacting together??

I don't want to give too many details of this story away because it's just epic and you need to read it and experience it yourself. 

What I will say? This book keeps you on pins and needles until the very last page. I don't know if I've ever wanted two people to work out as much as I've wanted this for Danny and Rose. I questioned everyone in this book because I just KNEW something was amiss and it is very hard to figure out who to trust. Especially when you have Danny's Dad's words of wisdom ringing in your ear, "never trust anyone." The Brit is just another excellent example of how easily Jodi Ellen Malpas can create these creative, intricate worlds that you truly feel like you're apart of as you read the story. She has an uncanny ability to make you fall in love with even the most broken of characters and desperately cheer them on. This story is full of love and hate, fire and ice, passion and malice, forgiveness and condemnation. It's dark and gritty and heartbreaking, but so much more. It is so many things it's hard to put into words. I loved every sentence. Cheers to you, Mrs. Malpas. You gave me those Jesse vibes in a whole new way, and that's something I am always going to look forward to reading!! 

Check this one out, y'all. You won't be disappointed. 

Happy reading! 

Central Jesse Cloud Nine (This Man Confessed)- Review!

" Three, Two, One... Zero, Baby." - Jodi Ellen Malpas, This Man Confessed

Ah, our last installment of The Lord of the Manor. It's really bittersweet. While I've had to step a way to get a break from Jesse and his neurotic ways, I'm also going to miss reading about such an intense love.

Where to begin? I was so excited to read This Man Confessed. One, because I adore Jesse and Ava together. When they are good, they are really, really good. Two, I knew Jodi Ellen Malpas would finish their story beautifully and I couldn't wait to see how that all played out. Last but definitely not least, I was desperate to know about all of the secrets Jesse was still keeping from Ava!

There will be some spoilers in this review, so if you don't want to read them, stop reading now!


We start the book with Ava and Jesse's wedding- Awwww! It didn't take them long, right? It's a gorgeous affair done at The Manor and it's a beautiful start to their married life. No surprise that Jesse makes sure Ava says she'll obey him as part of her vows, and also pulls out a set of handcuffs so the pair can't be separated from each other for too long that day!

Then we go into the is she or isn't she phase of the book. We've learned from the earlier books that Ava's birth control pills keep getting "misplaced." Ava had a theory towards the end of the 2nd book that Jesse was taking them and decides to confront him about this issue. Hence, first big knock-out, drag-out fight of married life, what married day 2?...

Ava is so mad with Jesse she leaves for a week-ish. She stays with Kate and is depressed because she's missing Jesse and wondering why he's not throwing a fit about her being gone. Ava had asked Jesse to give her some time and space and that's apparently what he was doing. Ava got it in her mind that because she "wasn't" pregnant, Jesse wasn't as interested in her anymore. Ava was still, actually pregnant and considered an abortion as soon as she found out officially. Ava was upset because she didn't want a baby right now in life and didn't want her choice about it to have been taken away be Jesse taking her pills. It's at this point of the book I totally wanted to STRANGLE Ava. She HAS to know that Jesse will love her regardless and is she REALLY going to consider getting rid of that baby she created with the love of her life?! I don't think so.

Luckily, Jesse comes around and admits to having been stalking Ava the whole week. She feels better about him now knowing that he's been watching her and hasn't just been staying away. Ava also gets a surprise visit from Sarah who apologizes and says she's happy for Jesse to have found Ava. Ava goes running (literally) back to Jesse after this conversation.

Naturally, Ava and Jesse make up. Ava decides she's keeping the baby and tells Jesse she's actually pregnant. Jesse couldn't be more thrilled, while Ava is struggling to deal with the guilt of having considered abortion.

Leave it to Ava's ex to come in and ruin the day... Matt forwards some flyers Ava got in the mail about abortion and Jesse happens to check the mail that day. Jesse goes off the rails and Ava tries to convince him she'd never have gone through with it. He says he believes her, but then is always over protective of her taking care of herself and their unborn baby.


Another big drama happens in this book! Someone seems to be after Ava. Ava gets threatening letters in the mail and she even gets into a car accident with someone who hijacked Jesse's car! She's "fine" but Jesse notices blood running down her legs and they both assume she's miscarried. Ava is torn to pieces over it because she's just started really wanting this baby and life with Jesse.

Luckily, this isn't the case! Ava didn't lose the baby at all. :) She actually found out she's having TWINS! Jesse drops the bombshell that he was a twin...

All the while, Coral is still making an appearance. She still shows up at The Manor and also at Lusso wanting Jesse to help her. Recently, she showed up trying to pass off a pregnancy saying Jesse was the father. Ava saw through it right away and trampled all over her. Poor Drew...


Meanwhile, Ava's work is stressful. Jesse wants her to tell Patrick she won't work for Mikael, but Patrick hasn't been in the office to talk to. When Patrick is finally around, he's not in the best mood and won't give Ava the time of day to talk to him. Patrick calls a meeting and the group finds out that Patrick has decided to sell the agency and has sold to Mikael. Naturally, Ava quits.

On the way home (with John who busted into Ava's office when he saw Mikael), Ava feels good about having quit. She'll get to have more time with Jesse and doesn't want to be around crazy Mikael. John does a quick sweep of the penthouse (because of all of Ava's threatening messages, car chases, etc.) and doesn't find anything. He gets called downstairs because there's supposedly a suspicious person down there. In the time he's gone, Ava goes to the place she feels safest... Jesse's office.

Ava's (not-so-favorite) client Ruth Quinn is in Jesse's office. Ava is starting to figure out there must be something more to her. Ruth starts beating Ava up, telling her she told her to stay away from Jesse and Ava should've listened to her threats. Ava gets kicked in the stomach, head, and all over repeatedly. Then, Jesse runs in.

It's obvious Jesse knows this person, but I'll let you read the book to find out the details ;) Ruth/L looks to hurt Jesse now, wielding a knife in her hands. She charges for Ava, but Jesse jumps in front of Ava and protects her. He knocks Ruth/L out cold, but only after sustaining a nasty stabbing.

....

Most agonizing two weeks EVER! Ava had to hold Jesse in her arms, waiting for an ambulance, as she watched the life drain out of him. She was sobbing, begging Jesse not to leave her, and it was the most heartbreaking thing I could've imagined for this book! Then, Jesse spent two weeks in a coma in the hospital. Ava never left his side, rarely ate, all in the hopes that he'd wake up mad for defying him by not taking care of herself. Luckily, Jesse pulled through after a little resting time.


After Jesse is rested up, they decide to take a little trip to Paradise where they renew their vows with ALL their family present. It's perfect and one last little getaway before the babies are born!

*Just a little tidbit... get these books on Paperback!! The paperback version of this book gives us a Jesse POV for Ava going into labor and having the twins- it's awesome! The epilogue of the book is great because we get to see a glimpse into the little mini-Ava and mini-Jesse of Maddie and Jacob :)

Perfect ending! Zero, baby. You've totally outdone yourself, JEM and I'll definitely be reading anything else you write in the future!

Playlist:
Angel by Massive Attack
At Last by Etta James
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Clubbed to Death by Rob D
Afterlife by Amber
Wide Open Space by Mansun

Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas Review!

"It's pure bliss, baby. Total gratification. Absolute, complete, earth-shattering, universe-shaking love." - Jesse Ward, Beneath This Man

The story of Jesse and Ava continues. Once again, this book is intense, emotionally and physically. If you aren't ok with the steamy scenes, you won't love this book. If you're good with them and love Jesse and Ava as much as I do, please continue reading! Spoiler alert, by the way- go read the book if you don't want any spoilers!



Oh my goodness! This Man left us on a major cliffhanger, right?! Jesse and Ava were dreadfully apart, both miserable. Ava was crying herself to sleep every night and Jesse was drunk out of his mind. We start this book in a very similar situation. Sam approaches Ava because he's worried about Jesse and Ava is the only one who can get into Lusso to check on Jesse. Ava refuses at first, but her love for Jesse and her need to make sure he's ok has her giving in to Sam's request and helping out.


Sam, Drew, John, and Ava find Jesse in an unconscious, drunken heap at the penthouse. Ava cries and cries, so upset over the state Jesse's gotten himself into, and John just shakes his head saying he'll come around. As a reader, I felt like my heart was breaking with Ava's seeing the detrimental state Jesse was in. We all know he's crazy and neurotic, but that's because of his passion and love for Ava and how can you really blame him for caring too much? I can't.

Naturally, Ava and Jesse make up. I hate that I love the snipping/fighting between Jesse and Ava, but you just come to expect it. As the book progresses, the reader starts to see and understand why Jesse is the way he is with Ava. One of my favorite sections of the book was with Ava talking to John about how exasperating Jesse can be...

"Determination?... Determination to be challenging?"- Ava
 John stops as we reach Jesse's office. "I've never seen him so determined to live." -John


It's obvious in this book that all of Jesse's crazy antics and behavior centers around his love for Ava. He wants her with him because he loves her and misses her when she's gone. He wants to be there for her and protect her. He wants her any and all ways he can have her. Who hasn't wanted a guy who wants her that way?

"I want the woman who keeps my heart beating with me." -Jesse

Jesse has to fight a lot of challenges through this book. He has to fight drinking (as Ava is convinced he's an alcoholic), he has to fight suitors of Ava/enemies of his own, as well as finding a way to keep Ava happy with him. It seems like Jesse grows a lot in this book. He's opening up more to Ava (even if under duress) and she's starting to figure out what Jesse is all about. Not to mention, we FINALLY find out how old Jesse actually is!

There's a few major plot points to this book.

1) Ava is freaking out about how to explain her relationship with Jesse to Patrick, her boss, as well as her family. Her family wants her to enjoy being single, love the single life while living in Londontown. Ava has no idea how to explain to them she's fallen head over heels in love. Jesse takes care of this little concern for her ;)

2) Women from Jesse's past are coming up to bite Jesse and Ava in the butt. First we've got Coral who thinks Jesse should help her out because she left her husband for Jesse, even though Jesse never promised her anything more... Then, we've got Mikael. Mikael is out to get Jesse in any way possible, because Jesse played a third party role to Mikael's marriage... bad, bad boy!


"I don't deserve you, Ava, but by some miracle, I've got you. I'll protect you fiercely- remove any threat." -Jesse


3) Jesse is still not being completely truthful with Ava. Ava basically has to threaten him with leaving him to find out anything. The frustrating part is most of the stuff he keeps from her, isn't a big deal. He makes it a big deal by covering it up and keeping it from her, so I'm totally on Team Ava with the lack of information Jesse provides. Any woman would get frustrated with that.

4) We learn a lot more about The Manor and what goes on there, specifically in the Communal Room. Wow, just wow- is all I have to say on that.

5) Speaking of the Communal Room, there's a major scene that takes place there towards the end of the book. It had me tearing up and nauseated right along with Ava and Jesse after all they went through in that scene. At least (hopefully) Jesse can now see that Ava can and does love him that much, too.


6) The very end of the book- OMG. Can we say romantic and so sweet? All I'll say is this... when Jesse does things in a traditional way, it works really well for me! How can Ava resist??

"Do you realize the effect you have on women?"- Ava
"Is it similar to the one you have on me? Do they stop breathing for a few seconds every time they see me? Do they want to keep me in a glass box so nothing and no one can hurt me? ... Do they think their life would be over if I wasn't here?"- Jesse

OH, and one more quote I found hilarious:

"Seriously. A man categorically devised the high heel, and he did it in an attempt to make it easier for you dudes to rugby tackle us womenfolk to the ground and haul us back to your beds." - Kate

Beneath This Man Playlist by JEM:

Angel by Massive Attack
Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap
Morning Glory by Oasis
Dakota by Stereophonics
Nights in White Satin by Moody Blues
Love Man by Otis Redding
Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Run by Snow Patrol
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People

This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas Review!

"Ava, you should know that once I've had you, you're mine." - Jodi Ellen Malpas, This Man

Let me start this review off by saying, if 50 Shades of Grey made you uncomfortable, you don't need to read anymore of this review. If you, like me, couldn't get enough of 50 Shades and all the wonderfulness that comes with it, read along ;)

We start this book being introduced to Ava. She's currently living with her best friend, Kate, after ending a long-term relationship. Ava and Kate are enjoying being two single girls living in London and Ava doesn't want to get involved again anytime soon because she hasn't been single in over 7 years (she's 24, so I guess that means she's been in a relationship on and off since 17!).

Ava gets sent to The Manor to do a design consultation, as she's one of London's most up and coming interior designers. Ava expects to find an old, crotchety rich man. What she doesn't expect, is Jesse.


Jesse Ward is an enigma. He's young (we guess around mid-thirties), beautiful, and intimidating. Ava is immediately taken with him and Jesse feels the same with Ava. After a stressful, intense first meeting, Jesse insists Ava will see him again soon. One of my favorite lines out of the book happens after this first meeting...

""You have a lovely hotel," I say genuinely, wishing that my handbag contents consisted of spare knickers, a blindfold, earplugs, and some armor. I might have been more prepared." I just love this line because, after reading the book, you'll really see how appropriate it is for the whole novel!

Jesse continues to pursue Ava, while Ava tries to keep him at arms length. Ava thinks there's something dangerous about him and is nervous to fall too hard for him. There's no denying the attraction between the two, but could it be more than physical attraction?


Ava eventually gives in to all of Jesse's advances and they start their relationship. Their relationship is easy by no means. Jesse is controlling, demanding, and quite hard to figure out. Ava pushes his buttons as a way to rebel against his controlling tendencies. Through all the push, pull, up, and down fighting between the two, they always make friends. Sex always seems to find a way to bring the two back together, or many times, bring Ava back under Jesse's control. Ava allows it most of the time because she is head over heels for Jesse and just wants to be with him.

"The sex is just sex. I can't get close enough to you. The control is because I'm frightened to death that something will happen to you...that you'll be taken away from me. I've waited too long for you, Ava. I'll do anything to keep you safe. I've lived a life with little control or care. Believe me, I need you..please..please, don't leave me." -Jesse

Have I mentioned what Jesse does for a living? Let's get back to that. So, towards the end of this book, Jesse and Ava have had a fight. This is not unusual, but what happens next is. Jesse left the penthouse to go work at The Manor, so Ava and Kate had a little chat. Kate convinced Ava to risk it and tell Jesse how she really feels so Ava gets the courage to tell Jesse she loves him. She drives to The Manor, unexpectedly and Sarah (Jesse's "friend"/coworker/Ava's worst enemy) opens the gates to let Ava in. While at The Manor, Ava and Kate stumble upon the Communal Room...which is basically a Communal Bedroom. Ava discovers a major secret Jesse has been keeping from her all this time and can't get over it. She leaves Jesse, crushing her own heart as well as Jesse's. Jesse warns that she can't leave him, that she promised she wouldn't. Jesse tells her things are going to be a lot worse if she leaves him. Ava just can't deal and needs some time alone. A few days later, she goes to talk to Jesse to see if she can get past knowing what The Manor really is. She finds a stumbling, hateful drunk Jesse who scares her and hurts her even more. Ava leaves in tears afraid of the man she's seeing, knowing she doesn't love that man, and heart broken even more.

TALK ABOUT A CLIFF HANGER! Will Ava forgive Jesse? How will they get past this? What's going to happen to Jesse and his obvious alcoholism? Can Ava get over The Manor? Oh, and one more question... WHERE ARE AVA'S BIRTH CONTROL PILLS?! I've got my suspicions...

Overall, I love this book. Jesse is infuriating, intimidating, but also so enticing and loving. He's controlling, but only because he loves Ava so much and wants to protect her. Ava is a SPITFIRE! I've read this book a few times and never really realized how much of a little spitfire she is, but I love it! She's sassy and she sticks up for herself and I think she holds her own against Jesse about as well as could be expected. I love their chemistry, I love their love, and I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens!


This Man Playlist (all songs pulled directly from This Man)
Country House by Blur
Teardrop by Massive Attack
Creep by Radiohead
Black and Gold by Sam Sparro
This is The One by The Stone Roses
Running Up That Hill by Placebo
Angel by Massive Attack