[REVIEW] This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas



This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Published: July 2013

Age Group: Adult 18A!!!

Series: This Man #3 [end]

When I first found this book I completely devoured it, but at the end I was left with a satisfied but not intense feeling that I had after the first. I debated on writing this review not because I didn't like this book - I did like it - but because I didn't have an intense feeling to rant, share or somewhat bring attention to it. It may seem like I'm disappointed in the outcome of the finale of this lovely trilogy (maybe I am at this point) but honestly any final book in a series is hard to write. How do you end everyone's story on a satisfactory note so that the fans are pleased and so is the author with their work. Well I found that although lacking in the intense romance that I loved from "Beneath This Man" I still found "This Man Confessed" to be a wonderful read.

The story starts up where the last ended: Jesse just proposed to Ava and of course she says yes (why you would say anything but yes is beyond me). And so Jesse being the domineering, controlling male that he is plans the entire wedding for her. And Ava complains. Well let's be honest it's every girl's dream to plan their own wedding but all Ava has to do is pick out her dress, everything is being taken care of by the wedding planner or Jesse.  I understand Ava's frustration but let's be honest here. If my experience from watching all those wedding shows has taught me anything it is that planning a wedding is stressful! So lucky Ava for getting out of that but still I understand her sorrow at having a wedding that wasn't planned by her, it's not really her wedding. More like Jesse's wedding, but what else is new.

Ava and Jesse still have issues in their relationship to find out. I think one of the reasons why I love this couple so much is that they're so dysfunctional it borders fiction and yet still so relatable to real life relationships because there is no perfect relationship and I'm sure there isn't a relationship filled with as much drama as these two but at least Jodi Ellen Malpas makes it so that it is evident that Jesse and Ava have issues and they work them out. And hey ladies if these two can figure out their problems I'm sure the everyday bickers of a relationship these days can be solved too. Have faith! So in the first few chapters Ava runs away. Of course she does. Ava will always be a drama queen with some insecurities about Jesse, which is to be expected because everywhere he goes people want him. So she declares she wants some space and Jesse obliges, for two days-ish, which for Jesse time is really good. Then a couple of days later they have their make up sesh and all is good. Ava and Jesse's relationship isn't going to be perfect (well honestly I don't think anyone's relationship is 100% perfect) and they obviously fight and make up which we see.

Sarah actually has a heart in this book. She made her bed and Jesse bulldozed her. In this book we get some background story on her and honestly I don't hate her anymore. The past two books I've ranted and complained about how I feel about this woman but I find my opinions have changed and I can only say it is because of brilliant writing that this has happened.

I never compared this series to 50 shades mainly because I didn't find any glaring similarities. In fact I WAS content to declare this as another great romance series. But then we get to this final volume and I can't help but find similarities. Although the nature of the situation is different and the outcome as well, I just found This Man Confessed to have more similarities then it's predecessors.  Honestly I was just confused in some parts, and I'm not sure if it was a good confused or a bad confused...

What I absolutely loved in this book was Jesse's continual bulldozing. He just doesn't care who gets in his way and I found that my favourite scenes were of his bulldozing.

I will say though that this one of the series that I've finished and felt very happy with the ending. The epilogue was lovely and I enjoyed reading about Jesse and Ava's life after. As in most romance novel endings it seems, Jesse and Ava have children. I LOVE their children. They seemed to have adopted the wittiness of both their parents and I can picture them as two adorable kids who are as gorgeous as their mom and dad. There were sometimes though when I felt some of their dialogues seemed too articulate or too complicated of a sentence for a five year old.

My favourite line is at the end: "I don't demand to see her eyes anymore. I don't need to check she's real. As long as my heart keeps beating, I'll know she is."
I think that sums up the series perfectly and how far Ava and Jesse have gone in their relationship. A lovely ending to a lovely series that went out 3, 2, 1. Zero, baby!

MEH/BUY

(I feel I'm being biased in saying you should BUY this book because I honestly love the series so much but if I were to base this on this book only it would only be MEH)



[IS THAT A COVER I SEE?] This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas

I decided to start a new segment in this blog dedicated to new cover releases called [IS THAT A COVER I SEE?] because that's usually my first reaction at seeing a new cover release.

For the premiere of this segment I give you the cover release of This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas.

Goodreads

Is that lace I see? For a wedding dress perhaps?!?!? (Sorry if that was a spoiler alert but ladies, and men too, if you've been reading the series you knew it was bound to happen) It could also be a table cloth or a doily that just happened to be caught on camera...whatever you percieve it to be. I'm so excited for the release of this book! If you haven't read my review on the prequel, Beneath this Man, the second book in the This Man series then go read it now! [review here] And if you haven't read the series, READ THAT FIRST! This is honestly one of my favourite erotica, romance, adult books. A definite must read and ranks in with 50 shades and the Crossfire series for sure.

The release date for this book is July 2, 2013. 1.5 more agonizing months.

For some other information I've posted on this book, click here.

xoxox ♥

[RANT] This Man Confessed Excerpt + New Release Date

So it's been more than a month since I last posted. So sorry!!! It's currently finals time which means I'm really busy but I'll try to squeeze in some time to post an occasional entry.

News for today, an excerpt for This Man Confessed, the conclusion to the This Man Trilogy, by Jodi Ellen Malpas was recently posted on her facebook wall.

For anyone interested, voila the link: https://www.facebook.com/JodiEllenMalpas
It's a really good excerpt. Short and sweet. And if you haven't already read the first two installments in the trilogy, This Man and Beneath This Man, I urge you to give it a try, especially if you're a fan of 50 shades and/or erotica in general. Due note that this trilogy does contain mature subject matter. Read at your own discretion

And more news about This Man Confessed. Turns out the release date has been pushed back even further. First we were told Spring 2013. Then that it was going to be released in June (i.e. Summer 2013). Now the new release date is July 2, 2013. Hopefully there won't be any changes (or if any changes that push the date up). I can't wait for this book to be released.

xoxo ♥

P.S. keep a lookout for new book reviews on my two most recent reads: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and The Selection by Kiera Cass.

[RANT] Tea worthy books of the month

So for January, I had a bunch of books that I thought were definitely tea-worthy of reading:

1. As I mentioned before, honestly anything written by Alice Clayton I'll probably really like. She adds so much wit, romance and love to her books that I just can't stay away from them.
Definitely read Wallbanger and the Redhead series by her.

 

Rating

BUY

 

2. Love Left Behind by S.H. Kolee. There were definitely some parts that I wasn' too happy with or in my opinion dragged on but I absolutely loved the tale of these two people that were so in love with each other and than broke up but still love each other so so much. I'm a sucker for a good love story and this was definitely one of them.

Rating

BUY

3. Beneath this Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I wrote a review on this so check that out before I repeat everything I loved about it.

Rating

BUY

 

There aren't any YA books this month but honestly there haven't been any that have absolutely blown my mind. Expect that to have changed for the month of February (especially with the release of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, who else is as excited as I am???)

[REVIEW] Beneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Published: January 2013
Publisher: self published.
Age Group: Adult
Series: This Man #2

Goodreads

Please note that this is adult fiction. There are definitely scenes that may be too mature for some readers. Read at your own discretion (and hopefully you're 18 or over. )

Let me start out first by saying that when I had read the first book in the series, This Man, I had labelled it as a subpar mock of 50 shades and that it was 'MEH' material. After reading Beneath this Man, I've taken a complete 180. Now I think this is one of the best stories ever and it joins my long list of adult, romance, erotica fiction that I absolutely love.

I started reading this the day it was released, planning for it to be a pleasent start to the weekend. I had very low expectations. Honestly I was just reading this hoping that it appease me for a little bit before the release of some other books that I'm DYING to read (R.K. Lilley I'm looking at you). Well I'm happy to say that this was phenomenol. The whole story starts out in a roller coaster. I was hit with emotions in the first couple of chapters and instantly became obsessed. It definitely got better as the story progressed and by the end I was completely entranced by Ava and Jesse. I was also happy that Jesse wasn't as controlling as he was in the first novel. Hmm, similarity to Mr. Christian Gray? Maybe.

On to some other characters, Sarah's still a pain. C'mon girl, leave him alone. He doesn't want you, go find someone else. I'm fairly certain whoever can afford going to the Manor is worth sucking up to so stop bothering Jesse when he's clearly head over heels with Ava. Sigh. That girl will never learn, but Ava did show her a lesson if I do say so myself.
So I seem to have forgotten entirely about Mr. John. When he first appeared I just thought he was a new guy or some guy I forgot. Well I clearly did forget him, it wasn't until he said his trade mark 's'good', that I relealized who he was. My Bad.
Sam and Kate. Yup, they're grouped together because honestly, they both took a back seat in this book. Kate had a prominent role in the first book but in this one she wasn't as important. Although you still got some of her fiestiness. It just wasn't as common.
Ava's still Ava. You gotta love this girl. Unlike other romance novels, she doesn't take any shit and always argues with Jesse, but that's one of the best parts of the novel. I find it's the arguments between the two that is the most realistic. All relationships have arguments and most romance novels do have that but the reasons for it are hard to believe or uncommon to most. Although I'm fairly certain that you probably won't run into a man like Jesse (although one can dream), his fights with Ava are still over the little things that one will always find in a romance and a deep relationship.

Beneath this Man had some very emotional scenes. Although I wasn't sobbing at this I was completely engrossed in the words. It all happened so fast. I won't spoil what happens but if you do read this book, hopefully you'll feel the same way as I did.

This book was just absolutely amazing in capturing you in this story full of secrets and yet I always had this sense that Ava and Jesse would weather any storm.

From the start, I was certain that Ava would save him from his raging alcholism (excuse me, he's not an alcholic) which is clear since there's still a book to come. I don't think you could possibly write two whole novels when one of the main characters is passed out drunk. There were so many chances that Ava would leave Jesse again and yet I had no doubts that she would stay with him. Even with the annoying Ms. Sarah causing trouble I was certain they would stay together, although I did pray for a couple of cat fights. Jesse becomes desperate in this book. I got a sense of his vulnerability behind the whole mega controlling side of him. Inside he's just worried that he'll lose Ava and is frantic about keeping her with him, even if that means hurting himself in the process. He obviously dotes on her and although I'm fairly certain that most girls wouldn't mind being spoiled, Ava is a stubbern, headstrong lady who obviously likes to take control of her own life. I understand her need to rely on herself but c'mon lady. Let him shower you with gifts. He just wants to show you he loves you. Which is also clear every other page when he says 'I love you'. I know though that Ava needs Jesse as much and clearly they have the same feelings for each other but both are insecure and unsure if the other sees it or not.

Beneath this Man was an excellent read. I give it  5 cups of tea, much higher than the 3.5 cups for its prequel. It deserves every one of those cups. This was honestly a brilliantly written book and I wouldn't be surprised if it was soon published. It has the romance I love from 50 shades, the many past issues that was present in Bared to You and a romantic love story with two very strong characters that gives it it's own place in erotica fiction. It's definitely worthy of being up there with the top romance books right now.

I'll finish this review with an Enjoy! and a quote I absolutely loved. "Nothing will ever hurt me as much as seeing you doing that to yourself. That will kill me, nothing else. If you punish yourself again, then I will too."

BUY