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Book 2 of the #1 New York Times bestselling This Man trilogy
Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape—and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's steely exterior. That means letting herself get close to the Lord of the Manor once more. And it's exactly where Jesse wants her—within touching distance...
"I couldn't tear myself away."—FictionVixen.com
"This Man was a sexy, infuriating, wild ride. The back and forth in this book gave me whiplash ... I cannot wait for Beneath This Man!"—TheBookListReviews.blogspot.com
"This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas really hooked me right from the beginning. It's erotic and passionate and romantic ... it'll also leave you wanting more."—BookishTemptations.com
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape--and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's steely exterior. That means letting herself get close to the Lord of the Manor once more. And it's exactly where Jesse wants her--within touching distance...
MY REVIEW:
I’m torn on this book. And I’m torn for a few valid reasons. Okay, first and foremost let me just get this out there: I could not put this book down. Despite my issues with it, I was fully engaged, and actually had to wait (because I refused to put them down) until I was well into the third book in the series, before writing my review. The drama really had my breath catching and with each page turned, there was some new twist that literally had me squeezing my e-reader tighter. Yes, it was that angsty.
That being said, I have a few issues with this (these) books. One, the relationship these two are in is completely unhealthy. I have never had a hero and heroine that I have disliked so much or frowned upon so much in my entire reading life. That’s saying a bit, especially since Fifty Shades wasn’t so keen on the healthy relationships either. These two did more destruction to one another, hurt, and brought out the worst in each other more than any other couple I’ve read about or known.
Which leads to my second issue. One moment the heroine would be strong, standing up for something she believes in, and rightly putting the hero in his place. In the next second she’d be on her back, having sex, and nothing would be resolved. It led to another circle altogether with additional issues to arise. It was extremely frustrating and I again, a huge turn off.
The last issue was the writing. There was a lot of repetition and telling in this book, and I felt as if the two took me out of the character’s heads and reminded me I was merely reading the book, not experiencing it.
Outside of those issues though, again, I would say I had to keep reading, and had to see what was going to happen next. I really wish I liked these two characters more, but if I’m completely honest, the only reason I continued to turn the page was because it was like a train wreck and I couldn’t look away. I will check out more from this author in the future, although if the characters are like this, I doubt I’ll finish them.
All in all, I enjoyed this read. 3.5 stars out of 5.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2013
And here we are again! The craziness, the swearing, the whole shebang.
The awesomess of it all!!!
After finishing This Man , I jumped right into this book. Thank goodness that I didn't have to wait for it because I would have gone insane with wondering what would happen next.
I've read a couple of trilogies where the second book kind of looses its way, so I was hesitating about this one when I started reading. I wanted it to be different, but yet as great as the first one. I am happy to report that it was everything I was expecting and then some.
I loved it all! It was overwhelming, exhausting, exciting and terrifying all at once.
I was overwhelmed by the emotions that were brought to the page. Especially since most of them were from Jesse and how he truly felt for Ava. Yes, Ava was emotional too. She always has been, but it was Jesse who finally opened up and let go...some.
"As long as I have you, I have purpose and reason."
At the same time it was exhausting reading the way they went at each other. Jesse's unreasonable demands, Ava's fighting him all the day and purposely defying him. It was everything I could do, not to throw my damn tablet against the wall. Never in all the reading I have done have I wanted to punch some sense into someone. I wanted to trample Ava AND Jesse both. Geez! Could they just get it together already. Yep, I am complaining, but I loved it all. Every verbal sparring, every retribution screw and every mess up. It brought them together in a sweet screwed up way and helped me get to know them better.
"Unravel your knickers, lady."
I was excited to see them finally trying to work out this relationship. Even with all the miscommunication, defiance and demands, they were still playful and sweet with each other. Most of all they were honest about their feelings for each other and their expectations for one another, the only problem was the way they went about expressing those feelings or communicating those expectations. They brought the worst from one another, but together they were perfect.
"He disregards my opinions and wishes at every turn, with his neurotic, challenging ways, and now I fear I'm becoming neurotic and challenging as well. He brings out the worst in me, and I know damn well I bring out the worst in him."
What I found terrifying was the lengths these two would go when confronted with their fears. Both Jesse and Ava needed to find some sort of healthy outlet for their pain because how they went about it, was truly screwed up. But I admit that I loved how Jodi Ellen Malpas finally allowed Ava to stand up and make her point across. She made her point clear, even if it cost her some pain and heartache. It took guts for Ava to do what she did and I admired the hell out of her for it, especially since it helped to deepen their love for each other.
"With Jesse, when times are good, they are incredible, but when they are bad, they are unbearable. I feel damned and blessed all at once for having found him."
Of course, this time around we also get the addition of the wonderful set of characters that appeared previously and some new ones too. They all added to the story and made it even more enjoyable. I still enjoyed John's view of Jesse's behavior, was amused by Kate and Sam and detested the hell out of Sarah. In some ways, I felt like I was a part of them, of the story, not just a spectator.
So with everything that has happened thus far, I have to say that this book was not your usual second book in a trilogy. Hell, it wasn't even a continuation. It was like their relationship was re-established with new found hope for a future together - interfering exes, controlling boyfriend and foul-mouthed girlfriend included.
"It's pure bliss, baby. Total gratification. Absolute, complete earth shifting, universe shaking love."
I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jul 04 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I am still enjoying this series, even though Jesse gets a little more controlling and domineering! For starters it's a book not reality. So I thoroughly enjoy getting tugged along in Jesse and Ava's little train wreck of a relationship. I was up until 4 this morning reading this book because I couldn't stop!! Then I moved right on to book three which I have also finished. All in all I feel it was a satisfying trilogy and one that I will probably read again and again. Most definitely one I will recommend!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 02 00:00:00 EDT 2013
ok - there is a whole genre of the Alpha/controlling male. I get that - I like books with that.
However, this guy is just a jerk. In relationships that work that way - the idea is for the man to be in control, but in a way that he dominates and takes CARE of the woman.
In this book, he's just insane. He does whatever he wants, then gives her mind-blowing sex and expects all to be fine. Never talks to her, deals with anything, or really listens to her AT ALL. It's just wrong.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2014
This book is a piece of garbage, the people comparing this to fifty shades are crazy. The characters are so terrible. This stupid girl needs some back bone. What the fu€#, worst heroin ever. I hate this story so much. I hate everything about it, the characters, the story, everything. What a waste of time and money.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 29 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This is a wonderful, well written series. I would put this right up there with Fifty Shades. Everything is so well written. I have read other books that jump ahead and skip important parts that leave you feeling like you've missed something but in this everything is so welled played out. It's the perfect combination of romance, drama & hot steamy love scenes that leave you wanting more. I can't wait till the next book comes out but until then i will be more than happy to reread this one again.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The worst book ever. I hate the characters so much! The female lead needs a back bone and the male needs a knee to the junk. This is no fifty shades of grey. Save your money, you'll only be able to read a page or two at a time before you get so ticked off that I have to walk away from my nook.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2013
I hate how the female lead is a weak little girl. Really pathetic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
My friends and I read the first book hoping the second would be much more interesting. I found it to be torture trying to get to the end of a 400 page book. The multiple pages of sex and smut were getting to be too much. I didn't even bother reading the third book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I read the first book and enjoyed most of it. I started reading the second one and was so bored by all the sex and no story line that I deleted the book. I will not be finishing this seris.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jul 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I love romance novels but this book was EXTREMELY frustrating to read!! I read book one but stopped reading halfway through book two because I could not stand it anymore. I wanted to shake some sense into these characters!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 29 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Ok, so I think this is a really good trilogy, but I do not really Like the heroine or the hero. Why? Because, I just can't fathom how Ava can stay with someone who is a double standard all the way. Jesse is an complete ass on how he treats Ava. If Jesse really wanted to take all the insecurities away from Ava he would have fired that tramp Sarah and actually talked to her, but he seems to think he can handle every thing with sex. Ava comes off strong sometimes and then all of a sudden her legs are spread and they are happy again. REALLY!!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jun 28 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Could not put these books down. I could not wait to see what Jessie would do nexted. Maybe there should be a 4th book on Kate's love affairs.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 03 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Great Read.
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Posted Fri Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Its repeating the same sexual encounter over and over. The vial leads make me wish I'd have continued to ignore this series as it continued to pop up on my recomendations. I hate giving low reviews but there is no other way to go.
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Posted Tue Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Author has been able to carry me to the finish of this second book OF this series still wanting more which is not easy
Subject matter is deep yet characters are very funny when needed
Starting last book tomorrow with grest expectations
Me22LK
Posted Sat Jun 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Can't wait for the next
Me22LK
jingles13RA
Posted Sat Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014
One of the best book series I have ever read!!!
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Posted Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Waits
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Posted Thu May 22 00:00:00 EDT 2014
These two are stark raving mad, but i loved just about every minute of these two mad lunatics, crazy relationship unfolding before my eyes.
The only things i would have liked to see happen in this book, that i hope still might happen in book 3, which is Jesse's POV. Does Jesse eventually reconsile with his family? Does he get rid of Sarah? What happens with the mess that is Ave's job, dangerously weird clients that have ties to Jesse's past and all? And......Is she pregnant ?
Overview
Book 2 of the #1 New York Times bestselling This Man trilogy
Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape—and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's ...