This Man (This Man #1) by Jodi Ellen Malpas
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?
(Recommended for 18+ due to mature themes and sexual content.)
4 out of 5 stars
This Man. This book. WOW! I don’t even know where to start but I was completely drawn in from the beginning and enjoyed it all.
Jesse is arrogant, confident, and bold. Definitely a man that knows what he wants. Ava is completely enamored with him and caught up with everything and has a hard time resisting him. I thought they had an interesting first meeting. There was a lot of chemistry between the two and I was anxious for what was to come.
I enjoyed the up and downs throughout the book and the pull they had on one another. It was VERY intense. It actually made me slightly on edge because I was so caught up in everything. I just wanted Ava to tell Jesse what she was feeling and open up. She had lots of internal battles about what was going on with the two of them and how she felt. That being said, I wanted to know why Jesse was such a controlling bulldozer of a man. I was completely fascinated by he possessive, alpha male-ness.
As for the hotness – Holy Sexcapades Batman! The pull these two have towards one another is immense! I don’t even know what else to say but WOW! This is definitely a grown up book.
I was left with a TON of questions when the story was over. I also think I verbally yelled, “No! That can’t be it!” at the end (oh my heart!). However, this is book one of three so I am confident that all my questions will be answered. I will absolutely continue on with the rest of the books because I feel completely invested and I have to know more. I want answers! I actually feel like this first book was laid out extremely well since it is part one of a trilogy. It completely draws you in.
Overall I felt there was a nice progression throughout the book. I’m definitely curious about the other characters and want to learn more about their stories. The lack of communication between Jesse and Ava killed me but that’s part of who they are. I can’t wait to find out more about Jesse’s back story and learn why he is the way he is. I want more Jesse! It was nice to see Ava being slightly more assertive at the end and Jesse listening to her more. Progress! It’s a dysfunctional love story and I loved it!
I have to say that I loved Ava’s bold moments when she’s slightly winding Jesse up. I found it highly entertaining. When there is playfulness between the two of them I think it really shows who they are and gives hope for what could be.
I was completely invested. I did think it was slightly long, one up and down to many. I was so hooked though, I didn’t care. I thought the characters were that great. The English terminology and certain words threw me off but honestly, I was so caught up in the story that I just went with it.
Can’t wait to read the next two books! I’m hooked. I want more. Fantastically addicting story!
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.