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Book 1 of This Man Trilogy, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!
Young interior designer Ava O'Shea has no idea what awaits her at the Manor. A run-of-the-mill consultation with a stodgy country gent seems likely, but what Ava finds instead is Jesse Ward—a devastatingly handsome, utterly confident, pleasure-seeking playboy who knows no boundaries. Ava doesn't want to be attracted to this man, and yet she can't control the overwhelming desire that he stirs in her. She knows that her heart will never survive him and her instinct is telling her to run, but Jesse is not willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her.
"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
Anonymous
Posted Sat Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I really didn't like this book. Ava started out weak but ended up spineless, Jesse is a controlling, manipulating, stalker, psychopath, and Kate is the worst bff EVER! Jesse is constantly correcting Ava's speech, telling her what to wear, what she can drink, who she can be with and AVA LETS HIM!! She tries to get space from him and her best friend and roommate Kate, lets him into their apartment because she thinks he's just so good for Ava. Ava's birth control pills keep going missing, and it's obvious that Jesse keeps hiding them in an attempt to bind (trap?) her to him. He doesn't like a dress that she bought, so he cuts it up into pieces, but hey, he buys her another one that he does like, so that seems to make it okay with Ava. He gets crazy and mad but says he only does so with Ava and so it's her fault that he's acting that way and she totally takes it. I found that I was really annoyed with the characters, plot and book in general. Also, as a previous reviewer noted, the synchronized orgasms are really annoying.
32 out of 38 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Seriously?! A man can only say "I'm sorry" before it gets completely worn out. If he states it more then twice in one week he is a waste of time. If a man yells when "his" woman goes to work but he doesn't want her to? Seriously?! What is up with that?! What woman in her right mind jumps into bed with a man she knows is stalking her? Are you kidding? Is this a beta test book? I couldn't even finish it, it had me so irritated. If a guy treats " go away I don't want you" as a "maybe, if you keep nagging me it will be a yes" then it is only a matter of time before "no" becomes "yes" and he turns into a serial rapist. Oh, and the double standard! "Watch your f*****g mouth, Ava!" Seriously! That made me insane. This book is complete and utter ridiculousness with a side of slut thrown in for good measure. Completely worthless. I want the last hour of my life back! You should be ashamed of yourself for writing such utter nonsense! And then actually charging people for it! Ugh, the thought disgusts me beyond what my vocabulary can coherently put into printed word. There is nothing further I can say that the scorn of humanity has not already spoken.
29 out of 36 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jun 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I refuse to buy anymore incomplete books. Finish it, then release it! To wait for 3 parts is just rediculous. Another disappointment, just like Sylvia Day's trilogy which turned out not to be a trilogy at all.
26 out of 33 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ABOUT THE BOOK:
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.
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.
22 out of 25 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 02 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This is NOT your typical possessive, protective, sexy, adorable, alpha male that makes you swoon.
This Man is a jerk that is controlling, manipulative, domineering, and borderline crazy.
The two main characters bring out the worst in each other and are volitile.
Very upset and let down with this book. Jesse is a horrible, double standard, life trampling man that is toxic. Ava is a weak minded, spinless idiot.
News flash: You cannot solve every fight/battle/disagreement/arguement with sex. It's not sexy, it's not endearing. It's sad and pathetic. This is not a fantasy or fictional story that I enjoyed.
20 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2013
If you liked The Fifty Shades Trilogy or the Crossfire Trilogy than this book is right up your alley. For all you Americans this book can be a little difficult to read if you are not used to a London writer. Just keep in mind wordings and spellings are a little different and you should be fine. Also, the books are REALLY LONG! I think there might be way more sex scenes than necessary but at least all the sex scenes are a really yummy! So, if you can get past the length of the book with LOADS of sex scenes and the language of a London writer than you will LOVE this series.
15 out of 19 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.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Good read 450 pages that make you buy all 3 but when you buy books on line and you have to wait for each book to be release you better off waiting till all 2 or 3 come out at the same time. Shame
9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Very similar to 50sog, but still a really great read! Even though it has it's similarities, it is still different. I fell in love with the story and immediately ordered the 2nd. Now I am anticipating July 2 for the 3rd.
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I am torn on this book. Which has never happened before. I either Love a Book or Hate it, It's that simple. The reason I hate it is because it's 50 Shades of Grey all over again. Just different issues. At first, I loved Ava. She was a strong, single and Independant WOMAN. By the end of the book, she is a Needy, Whinny GIRL. Jesse, is overbearing in getting Ava in bed. When she finally gives in and lets him trample all over her, then reality hits her like a two ton truck. I guess I liked it more than hated it, because I couldn't put it down. I think I liked the side Characters more than the main characters. The Best Friend is a Hoot. The strange but funny co-workers. And even the member's of "The Manor" are okay. I guess if you liked 50 shades of Grey, You will like this one too.
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I really liked it however i hate the whole synchronizing orgasms!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I did enjoy this love story because it had a bit of a mystery to it. I have also read #2 and look forward to the conclusion. All 3 books were out within about six months. :-)
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013
438 pages
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Nov 04 00:00:00 EST 2013
It took me a very long time to get through this book. I kept having to put it down due to my frustration with the characters. I was close to not finishing it - and to be honest, I really wanted to know how old Jesse was. That's the only thing that kept me picking it back up and that information has yet to be revealed, so I suppose that I won't ever know and I am seriously disappointed. I have a HUGE issue with the desperation/neediness of Jesse Ward as well as his lack of respect for others. He keeps going through her purse as if he has the right to. I also have issues with the complete lack of a backbone or self worth that Ava O'Shea has. How can she be so established professionally and act like that in her private life? This has to be one of the most disfunctional couples I have read in quite some time. I understand what Jodi was conveying, but I just couldn't get into the characters at all. To me, Jesse came across as a controlling, stalker with nearly violent tendancies. In my opinion, some of the sex bordered on the thin line between consentual and rape - and Ava let it happen over and over again. Would I want to be with a man who practically forces himself on me because I went out with my best friend? No, and it doesn't work for me in a book, either. I was very pleased with the ending seeing Ava put her foot down and stick with it. However, we know that it doesn't last because there is a book 2 as well as 3. I do want to know what the deal is with why her birth control keeps disappearing and what he's done with them. I get the impression that he is trying to intentionally impregnate her so that she will never leave him. I really want to know, but not enough to continue reading the series. There have been a lot of people who loved this book and the series. I'm happy that they were entertained and found it enjoyable.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This book is not 50 Shades!! Sorry. Christian Grey wins hands down.!!! Yes, Jesse Ward is controlling, domineering and extremely weathly, and like, Ana, Ava is young, but that is where the similarities end. I found Ava to be extremely annoying and insecure. One minute she wants Jesse with everything in her, the next minute she is running as fast as she can from him. Ava never paid attention to anything, but yet, everyone else was dense and stupid. Instead of Ava talking to Jesse about thing in their "relationship," she instead behaved like a 6 year old child instead of a 26 year old woman that has been in other relationships. What man would not become upset when he is calling you and you never answer your phone?!! Seriously. Of course, there were points where Jesse totally overstepped his bounds, but most of the time Ava was behaving like a petulant child. She was constantly sending out mixed signals, but yet, it was always Jesse that was unreasonable and neurotic. She is just as unreasonable and neurotic. The two of them bring out the absolute worse in each other. And the whole Matt situation, ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!!! I found Ava's character to be extremely annoying and her thought processing to be way off the mark. And another thing that I found very disturbing was her reaction to John, who happens to be a very muscular black man. That was very uncalled for. You were at The Manor on a job, not walking in some dark alley way. There was no reason for that reaction. It was extremely offensive. The saving grace for this book were the secondary characters. I would like to know more about them.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jul 28 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Better than 50 shades. Each book had just as much excitement as the next. Once you start you won't be able to stop till you have finished the series. Read all three books in 3 days couldn't put down. Love jesse. Hot hot hot
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jul 25 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I just finshed reading all 3 books im so glad i didnt have to wait.the story was wonderful i fell in love with Jessie and Ava story. I couldn't put the books down. Wonderful wonderful good job telling there story. I read fifty shades last year and never thought i would find any books that good . But i will amit this series is top. Movie anyone. I would love to see that. Also kate and sam story there ur next 3 books . Great job thank you so much for writing them .
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Jul 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I'm on the last book and I love this series. All three are out now so no waiting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Thie first book in the This Man triology and I have been waiting forever for this awesome British author to release on BN! I cannot get enough of Ava and Jesse! Power, possesiveness, deception, mystery, humor, sex, sex, and more hot sex!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jul 06 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I loved, loved, loved this book. I love an intense romance and this series definitely delivered. All three kept me enthralled and the epilogue was perfect. I definitelt recommend this series.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Book 1 of This Man Trilogy, the #1 New York Times Bestselling Series!
Young interior designer Ava O'Shea has no idea what awaits her at the Manor. A run-of-the-mill consultation with a stodgy country gent seems likely, but what Ava finds instead is Jesse Ward—a devastatingly handsome, utterly confident, pleasure-seeking playboy who knows no boundaries. Ava doesn't want to be attracted to this man, and yet she can't control the overwhelming desire that he stirs in her. She knows ...