This Man Paperback – October 22, 2013

Storyline -plot 5/5Spice level 5/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Character growth 5/5Angst 4/5I absolutely LOVED this book and the ENTIRE series!This was the first series I ever read , since I started reading again (back in 2020) .I’m so glad I stumbled upon it!Jesse aka “The Lord “ was a perfectly damaged hero who was OTT jealous & possessive of the MFC,Ava.Ava was the perfect amount of calm & poised to Jesse’s consuming personality.My ratings are for the entire series as a whole.It’s BY FAR, my most LOVED series of ALL TIME to date! I would rate it higher if I could.Jesse turns out to be a very complex character, with so much trauma that unfolds through the books.The only time I felt it dragged a bit was with the second book. However, it wasn’t enough to stop me from readingIt’s a SWEEPING, EPIC story that covers their lives. The ups and downs, tragedies, funny moments, dating, breakups to marriage & children, as well as some losses along the way. They learn to navigate life together, and I was there for it!This series is an older one, but is honestly one of my top reads EVER. I’ve re-read and listened to all the books several times. It’s a go to read for me.I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.I think it should be talked about much more than it is. Very underrated!There’s also a 3 book series (recently released) that tells the entire story from Jesse’s POV.I enjoyed those as well.Don’t miss out on this sweeping, epic love story!Praise to JEM for giving us these great characters and their wonderful story❤️

OK, so I broke my own rule to hold off and read series until final book has been released. After reading many good reviews and everybody raving about Jesse I just succumbed to my own craving to get to know Jesse and be swept away by his and Ava's story...Book 2 has been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set and thus I will review as a set - brace yourself for an epic story!Jesse Ward (age TBA, 35-45 years approx./playboy-businessman/dark blond hair/green eyes/6'3") needs 10 rooms decorated at a country estate, the Manor. He has specifically requested Ava O'Shea (26 years/interior designer/dark brown hair/dark brown eyes/just out of a 4 year relationship) though she has to prior knowledge of him... There! That's the tone of this series right there - secrets, secrets and more secrets... Their first meeting is electric and the story goes from there.Wow! Jesse! He is just what I needed. In fact he is everything I needed! But it took me a while to get into him. The first time he started barking orders "Mouth!" I felt like - Wow, that does not make him an alpha. As it turns out Jesse and I just need a little more time to connect and once we did I was on cloud nine (sigh!) He truly is all pure, sexy, hot, dominant alpha male, so intense, possessive, compulsive, a playboy a man full of secrets...For Ava Jesse was:"...the epitome of bad boy, if slightly older. He's hazardous, enigmatic and completely addictive...""...intense, quite volatile, incredibly self-assured and extremely rich..."Ava is everything that Jesses needed and everything we needed to keep the story going. She stood up to him, she succumbed to him, she riled him, she created more drama and she kept the mystery going by NOT demanding answers. I almost tore my hair out in despair for her NOT negotiating Sarah out of the picture (no ultimatum needed!). It would have been so simple, but then again we probably need the wicked Sarah stirring, stirring throughout this series.For Jesse Ava was an obsession, pure and simple:"...I can't answer that, Ava, because I've never wanted anything enough to pursue it so relentlessly. Not like I wanted you..."I'd also like to extend my sincere thanks for introducing us to all that is sex with Jesse (or f~s depending on the mood) -Reminder f~s, Sleepy sex, Make friends sex, Shower f~s, Hangover sex, Catching up sex, Sense f~s, Seeing stars f~s, Apology f~s, Possessive f~s, Retribution f~s, Sleepy celebration sex, and... Truth f~s. The last one courtesy Ava.***My only grievance would that these books need some more editing, for ME not enough to deduct any points off my rating. But since I feel strongly that this series is making history, it's only to its benefit for me to point it out: a) At some point I think writing was shifted from past tense to present progressive, but lots of "stood/sat needs" still need fixing. b) Typos, misspellings here and there (bought misspelled as brought throughout book 1?).***Back to the positives:This series is filled with covert pasts and hidden agendas! It's truly a wild, bumpy and at times emotional ride loaded with undiluted lust and an endless array of scorching sex. So far 2 books, almost 1,000 pages, hours upon hours that for me can only described as elated/euphoric angst - I was glued to the pages needing to know what would happen next, yet NOT wanting the books to end - ever! I am so thankful Ms. Malpas!As I come down from all that is "Central Jesse Cloud Nine" I find myself staring into space. What an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. read! I think I am going to need some sense knocked back into me - seriously! Jesse. Jesse! JESSE! JESSSEEEE! Ugh, actually what I need is for book 3 to be released soon, more like real soon! Ms. Malpas! MS. MALPAS! Three... Two... ONE... ZEROOO!!!***Hero rating: 5+ starsHeroine rating: 5 starsStory line rating, book 1: 5 starsStory line rating, book 2: 5+ stars******************************Overall rating: 5++ starsWould I recommend this series: YES!!!Would I re-read this series: Yes!

I'll be the first to admit, that often times I skip right over a book if it's reader reviews are 3 star or less. I chose this book because a "trusted" blogger that I follow suggested it. So I didn't even look at the reviews on this book. I just went straight to 1-click. I am SO glad that I did that. If I had of looked at the reviews first, I would have totally missed out on this book. It also taught me a valuable lesson...don't always judge a book by it's reviews. I'm not saying anything bad about the reviewers who didn't care for this book. I can totally understand how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. My point is that before you decide on a book maybe "try a sample" or ask the opinion of a trusted blogger with your same taste in books.That being said, I really liked this book. I thought the author had a great writing style. Everything flowed so smoothly that it sucked me right into their world. I loved the author's quick wit and funny banter. Of course, if you're like me, and not British then some of the words and references might be a little bewildering. However, I "got" most of it, and it didn't take anything away from the book. It's probably just a little funnier if you understand the lingo. I can't say that I loved how he called her "lady" all of the time. It seemed oddly formal and out of place.This book has a lot going for it. It's funny, there's a great story line, and holy smokes it is HOT! I absolutely love an Alpha male, but I really don't like the current trend that all Alpha males are living the BDSM lifestyle. I personally don't really enjoy the BDSM aspect. It all seems overly complicated and detached to me. Jesse Ward, however, is just a smoking hot, panty dropping alpha male that knows his way around a woman's body. Lord have Mercy! I absolutely loved the possessive, cave man side of Jesse...in the bedroom, but in every other aspect of her life...not so much. However, he didn't come across as stalkerish to me. I always felt like he had good intentions. It was obvious that he adored her, but there was a lot of his behavior that was WAY over the top which is why I couldn't push it to a 5 star read. I also know that this is a trilogy, and without a doubt there is a "dark past" lurking behind all that dominance.I think that I didn't hold all of his actions against him because Ava was such a child at times. There was quite a lot that I liked about Ava. She could be very funny. I really enjoyed her interactions with Tom and Kate. I liked that she didn't allow him to control everything about her. However, there were a few things about her and the storyline that I found annoying. I couldn't stand that every time he came anywhere near her she lost all brain functions. Yes, we get it, he's a God, but good grief woman...get a grip! Also, I couldn't understand why she never asked him any personal questions. *Spoiler* How could she have possibly known that he was an alcoholic and owner of a Sex Club? She never bleeping asked him...anything! Like seriously, it would have taken me 5 seconds after my first visit to "The Manor" to google that place and do my own little investigation. Who doesn't do that? She was happy as a cat slurping cream in her oblivion. That was irritating.Overall, I found this a highly enjoyable read. It was emotional, engaging, and super steamy! I would say this is just one of those books that can spark many different reactions. I would never have thought that an overly controlling man would be a complete turn on, but I found Jesse Ward exceptionally hot!