3.5 My review for this could be copied from This Man, the only difference is that I didn't put this one aside for a month but I did have to take a break and read another book that was a simple romantic HEA just to shake some of the anxiety and stress. While some secrets are revealed from This Man, there are hints to many more that may pop up. It's all very stressful. Especially since I still want Ava to run as far and as fast as she can most of the time. The only happy ending I can see is them buying a private island and disappearing together....I don't envy the author the work that will have to be done for the last book. Will all the secrets be revealed? Will Jesse and Ava get a HEA or just mutually self-destruct? I have the feeling the last book is going to be a doozy. :)

What a freakin' train wreck this book was. I'm not sure I even have the words to express. If you managed to get through book one and wanted to continue, then you already know this couple is messed up. I admit, it was more messed up than I was expecting.

I listened to the audio version and I had to keep stopping and walk away to calm down. This book was so frustrating and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to shake the both of them. There were so many times Ava needed to stand up to Jesse and demand answers and draw a line.

The constant women showing up was ridiculous. The author overdid this, in my opinion. I'm sorry but no man can be that good, in every way that every single woman falls in love with him. I hate it when authors do this. Just once I want to find a book where the woman has every man fawning over the woman and the Hero has to deal with it.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I don't even blame Jesse all that much. He's been a playboy for 20 years, having complete access to all kinds of women at his sex club. He's never been in a relationship and has no clue what one is. He needs a strong woman to rein him in and show him how she wants to be treated. He's so completely in love with Ava, he just doesn't see any other woman as a threat. That is the one thing the author expressed without a doubt and truly saved this book for me. If she hadn't expressed that, I think I would have chucked this series out the window.

Jesse did trample and bulldoze his way, no doubt about it, but Ava was not left without her own weapons. And Sara. Man am I tired of Sara. Finally towards the end Ava started to grow a backbone and I did a little victory dance when she put Sara firmly in place. It was a little too late if you ask me, but still necessary. I loved that last scene and felt like finally we are getting somewhere. I look forward to book 3.

4.5 stars Review after I finish third book! But if she doesn't open a can of whoop ass and he doesn't stop being a hypocritical douchecanoe I am going to FREAK THE FUCK OUT..

This book was a little terrifying. All the characters are crazy

I don't even...know where to start with this review. If you've read these books you understand how I'm feeling. And if you haven't had the chance to read the first book This Man, know that there is no other book that knows how to have you swooning one minute and wanting to punch somebody the next like these character can.

While I did like Ava more in this book she still annoyed me so much. Why can't she just grow a damn backbone already? One of my biggest problems with Ava is that doesn't know how to stick up for herself and unfortunately that doesn't really get resolved in this book. I'm getting tired of reading about Jesse stepping all over her. She needs to step up for what she wants and stop giving Jesse what he wants all the time.

Jesse has changed a bit, which was surprising but he's still overbearing at times. And I'm sorry but he's such a slut. I never realized just how many women he's been with. Honestly, I don't know Ava could deal with it. I know it's his past and we shouldn't judge people for what they've done (and I'm not) but it's kind of hard not to when it's not really in the past. A lot of the girls Jesse has been with in the past are ALWAYS hanging around the Manor, trying to get his attention. How can Ava ever move past his past lovers if every time she turns around there's another one waiting? I don't see how things will work out if Jesse continues with the Manor.

On the plus side, we finally find out his age!! It's been a bit of a game for him but like Ava, I was tired of guessing and just wanted to know! And how she gets the answer, well *Fans self* it was very creative. By the way he was acting I would've thought he was younger but his age honestly isn't bad at all. I know everyone thinks Jesse is obsessed (myself included) but I think I'm starting to understand the way Jesse works. This is his first time being in love, ever. He's never cared before and I'm not just saying that. He's honestly NEVER cared for any woman in his whole life so it's all new for him and I guess he just doesn't know how to tame it down.

I don't really understand Kate and Sam's relationship. Are they casual? Are they having sex with other people? Are they okay with this? I get the feeling Kate isn't but I honestly can't tell with Sam. He is way too carefree. I love them and I love seeing them together but I really want to know what is going on in that relationship. Also, it's been talked about how Kate had a relationship with Ava's older brother but they never really talk more about it. From the way they act, sometimes I feel like maybe they're not over each other. I really would love to learn more about their past. Honestly? While I do love Sam, I don't think he's the guy for Kate and I would love for Kate and Ava's older brother to have their own book.

Overall, though this book drove me CRAZY, I loved it so much! I might complain about the things they do but I love these dysfunctional characters. Fans of the series will not be disappointed!

*This review also appears on my blog

Thank you,thank you, thank you, Jodi! First, thanks for not making us wait a year for the second installment, thank you for the story and the wicked romance, thank you for mentioning David Kimmerle to help us appreciate how steaming hot Jesse is and thank you for filling my head and thoughts with such a captivating trilogy.
This books hits so many of my chocolicious buttons - romance, obsession, compulsions, volcanic emotions and sex, denial, angst, twists, turns and big reveals, the bitchy 'other woman' he totally ignores, a disturbed psyche that only her tender embrace can soothe... Jodi, you could have written this book just for me.
Story: If you haven't read This Man (TM) then DO THAT FIRST! Beneath This Man (BTM) continues from the cliff we were left hanging off (by the fingernails, I might add) and yes, you guessed it, Jesse and Ava do meet again. There will be enough reviews out there with spoilers so I shan't go down that route. What I will say is that several of things that were glanced upon in TM are revealed in their entirety (unless the final book tells us more) in BTM - such as Jesse's absence for those four days (!!!), his drinking and those damned pills! We also get up close and personal with the Manor. The things we loved about Jesse and Ava in TM are amped up by their words and behaviour in BTM.
The secondary characters are really great and I really liked the way small things, such as Ava's observation of Sally's attire, reveals more about Ava's character. That is real show and tell character development.
My only gripe is editing, mainly punctuation and grammar - 'hadn't of took' instead of 'hadn't taken'. Silly simple things, but for the sake of time (getting that book posted on Amazon by the deadline), I don't particularly care. The story overwhelms what, in other books, would have me gritting my teeth and ruining the experience.
Read it - just bloody read it! - if you are a fan of FSOG, BD and Crossfire; you won't be disappointed.

Interesting story.I like the ending and i finally like Jesse Ward.What it is with the bathroom? I suppose that is the place to be...This is a five star read hands down.
Fantastic-ish!!!

So I read the first book in this series and I stand by what I said. It was painful to get through. This book was also almost lethal with how much back and forth there was. I really thought I would put it down at some point. I can't stand how weak Ava is. She doesn't ask the hard questions. I think this is the last book I ever pick up by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I'm going to stick to Sylvia Day. At least she gives her protagonist character.

Okay so I'm going to be fair to this book. I just criticized it but I really did like the ending of the book. No spoilers, but the plot thickened and moved at an enjoyable rate. I will have to find a good synopsis of the third book though because my time is valuable to be and I'm done wasting it on a one sided pissing contest.


Once again I'm telling you Sylvia Day is the way to go.

Neverím vlastným očiam.