There's like 0% 1 star rating to this book. Almost a perfect rating to 5 overall. And it physically pains me to give such a low rating to my fav authoThere's like 0% 1 star rating to this book. Almost a perfect rating to 5 overall. And it physically pains me to give such a low rating to my fav author's book because this absolutely destroyed me.
Jessica and Luke? They are my fav story. Jillian and AJ? They deserve the world. Jackson and Ryn? I'm fucking mad that I was forced to read their story only because his story was infused in the same book as Jill's. I just wanted Ryn and Jack to get over their hea and be done with them. I absolutely hate the trope he is given. Woman over 40 isn't the issue. It's the fact that she is an old woman with an abusive ex and a magnanimous mother of an insufferable grown ass daughter. Remove the child, and I'd be rooting for her and Jack. Instead? I'm stuck with reading about these two. If Jack had his own book, I'd have skipped his book.
I knew what was going to happen, I cried over it. But I cannot in good conscience, rate it anything more than 2 because WHY AJ? WHY AJ AT ALL? WHY DID AJ HAVE TO HAPPEN??? I'm sorry but what Luke and Jess had was epic and it'd take a helluva lot more than a identity change to convince me anything other than that Jillian voluntarily broke apart from Luke and "cheated" on him with AJ. I'm choosing to perceive it that way. Fuck it all.
I'm in no mood to finish the series. I have read the other standalones in the series before, but due to my short term memory loss, I didn't know what happened so I picked it up.
I might as well just read those standalones again to see how it unfolded from here because I really think I'm gonna explode if I read the 3rd book.
And I'm already furious over Jack's love story. The fact that if I want to continue to the last book of this trilogy and see what happens with my fav couple, I would have to endure Ryn too, is making me even more fucking angry....more
No. NO I SEE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, JEWEL E. ANN!!!! AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY EMOTIONS MANIPULATED!!
I'M TOO SHOCKED TO SAY ANYTHING NOW AND I'M No. NO I SEE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, JEWEL E. ANN!!!! AND I WILL NOT HAVE MY EMOTIONS MANIPULATED!!
I'M TOO SHOCKED TO SAY ANYTHING NOW AND I'M JUMPING TO THE SECOND BOOK BUT ISTG IF THIS GOES IN THE DIRECTION I'M PREDICTING, ILL RATE IT 1 STAR!!!!...more
I did not realise there was a sequel of Church. (was I stupid in 2022?) I had to reread the second half of book Book 1 (Church) review HERE
I did not realise there was a sequel of Church. (was I stupid in 2022?) I had to reread the second half of book 1 to follow up on this book.
Church and Emma did not disappoint! They remain that unhinged psycho couples with their unhealthy obsession and sociopathic lifestyle that I love and cherish.
Nothing beats these two <3
It's kinda hard to go back to regular mundane couple romances after getting accustomed to these sociopaths in love....more
❥ Jewel E. Ann holds the top spot as my favorite author for several compelling reasons. One
“I’ve spent my whole life waiting to love you.”
❥ Jewel E. Ann holds the top spot as my favorite author for several compelling reasons. One of those reasons, which is especially relevant here, is that in a vast sea of countless authors, some of whom write simply to capitalize on popular tropes which sells and brings fame, JEA belongs to the rare category of authors who go beyond constructing stories about fictional characters. Instead, she has this remarkable ability to infuse her characters with life and depth, making them humans. They each have their own distinct story to tell, one that is rich in significance and authenticity. It's simply amazing how she brings them to life on the page.
❥ To my disappointment, "Jersey Six," one of her remarkable works, remains highly underrated. It came as a surprise when I chanced upon a recent Instagram post by JEA showcasing this book. In fact, it felt like a new release to me since I had never encountered it before, nor had I included it in my tbr. This oversight stirred frustration within me as I berated myself for not being acquainted with all the books by my favorite author. Motivated by this realization, I made the decision to read it without delay.
❥ When you've read a bad book and then read something worse, that bad book doesn't seem that bad in comparison. Similarly, I hold a personal theory that when one experiences the magnificence of a good book and then encounters a truly exceptional masterpiece, the former pales in comparison. Every other outstanding literary effort loses some of its brilliance when one has read the pinnacle of excellence. When I first heard JEA's "Transcend" duet about two years ago, I also had this discovery. Since then, I've discovered how to preserve such literary perfection in the romance genre for those occasions when I crave something extraordinary, exceptional, and unparalleled.
❥ On every occasion when I have delved into the pages of a JEA creation that captured my heart, that story has consistently outshone and surpassed all my recent readings, which I had previously considered good. "Jersey Six" confidently joins the ranks of these extraordinary works.
❥ When you find a really good book, you can talk about it, describe it, what you liked and loved about it. When you hate a book, there's no limitations on the amount of words you need to get out of you. When you find a great book which you love to the moon and back, something which you can't ever recover from, words escape you and you cannot pinpoint the exact things you loved in the story with such intensity.
Atleast that's what happens to me and why i'm unable to say anything about this story. So, here are some of my fav impressionable quotes and highlighted scenes :
"Let’s not even get into what must have happened to you that left you looking like you do. Clearly … life hates you.” Jersey sucked at subtle. She sucked at a lot of things, like patience, restraint, kind words, and giving a shit. Low on sympathy and high on the memory of knocking Judd out, she strutted toward the back of the gym
✿✿✿
“Less than a year ago, Jersey gutted a man from groin to throat when he tried to take photos of her naked in the shower.” Amy gasped, meeting Jersey’s gaze. On a heavy sigh, Jersey rolled her eyes. “Gutted is not the correct word. It implies I removed his organs. Slashed, sliced, cut, maybe even lanced … but definitely not gutted. That’s gross.” Jersey had a limited vocabulary, except when it came to knives. She knew everything a knife could do.
✿✿✿
"Jersey Six…” Ian reached up and gave the hat gave me, a gentle tug “… I’m going to show you the world.”
✿✿✿
“You can leave your bag.” “Nope.” She shot him a challenging look. “My bad. You should definitely bring it. That was my second suggestion. Do I have anything in my teeth?” He bared his teeth and pink gums.
✿✿✿
"You know … there’s the glass-half-empty people who always ask why me whenever something goes wrong, like they are more deserving of a flawless life than some other person. But when someone asks why me because something good has happened to them, it just makes the answer that much sweeter.”
✿✿✿
She knelt on the floor and opened it, using her fingers to scoop up the long strings of spaghetti, sucking it into her mouth. “There are more forks in the sack.” She paused, glancing up at Ian while slurping the last inch of spaghetti into her mouth. Her cheeks turned red. He didn’t mean to embarrass her. Without giving it a second thought, Ian kneeled on the floor at the opposite side of the coffee table, pitched the fork over his shoulder, and dug his fingers into the pasta, bringing it to his mouth and slurping it up.
✿✿✿
Control slipped. She needed to take it back, but she couldn’t because the lie felt too good. It poisoned her mind and manipulated her body.
✿✿✿
"Why do I feel like you’re making up for something? Why do I feel like you didn’t simply meet me by chance? Why does it feel like you found me?” Her lips touched his mouth.
✿✿✿
“But …” Grace’s voice quivered. “This is my room.” Jersey’s eyebrows shot up her forehead. “Is that so?” She took another step toward Grace, forcing her to retreat a step, then another, until her body crossed the doorway’s threshold. “Gracie … go tell the curious people out there that the new merch girl is fucking Ian Cooper in your bed.” Jersey slammed the door in Grace’s face and locked it.
✿✿✿
I have a full-time job to do, but I’m going to suck at it. It’s the only thing I’ve been good at— and I’m going to suck at it. Because missing you will be my full-time job. And it doesn’t matter if anyone has ever missed you before, because I will miss you enough to last a lifetime.”
✿✿✿
“Yes. Just ask me. Ask me to get you tampons. Ask me to take you boxing. Ask me what something means. Ask me for the world. Or just ask me for a kiss.” “Kiss me, Coop.” She grinned, a breath away from his lips.
✿✿✿
“I don’t belong to you, Coop.” He sat up, standing behind her with his chest to her back. Grabbing her face, he turned her head just enough to kiss her, tasting every inch of her mouth once more before pulling back a fraction of an inch to meet her eyes— her hard gaze. “No. You don’t. But you belong with me.”
✿✿✿
“Wish me luck, Jersey.” He cradled the back of her head and kissed the top of it. She rested a flat hand on his chest over his heart.“Luck, Coop.”
________________________________
P.S : This bears repeating, wthout a doubt, Jewel E. Ann is a must-try author for anyone seeking the real deal in the romance genre. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading her work yet, you're truly missing out. Her ability to captivate readers with rich and authentic storytelling is unparalleled. After experiencing her writing, I'm eager to own all the paperback copies of her books (not just Transcend duet), as they are undoubtedly worth treasuring in my personal collection.
“We should go after the girls.” “Yes, we should.” Neither of them moved. Alex bit her lip. “We’re going to kiss instead, aren’t we.” He caught
“We should go after the girls.” “Yes, we should.” Neither of them moved. Alex bit her lip. “We’re going to kiss instead, aren’t we.” He caught her in his arms. “You’re goddamned right, we are.”
THERE IS A FREAKING REASON TESSA DARE IS KNOWN AS THE QUEEN OF HR COMEDY, PEOPLE!!
"You are the worst example of false advertising. I was led to believe I was hiring a prim scold. Then I learn you’re remarkable and bold and interesting.”
♥♥
Even a less than 5 star book of hers has all the feels I expect from her books and more. It's seeing the collab of Ashbury from book 1 and Chase (H) here that I didn't knew I would be getting. Ash's infamous cat and Chase's two unusually perfect little girls would definitely make such a great team. Literally every Ash × Chase interaction is HILARIOUS AF!
Ash walked past her to stare down Chase face-to-face. “You deserve to know what a worthless scoundrel he is, Alex.” “Yes!” Chase exclaimed. He reached for Ashbury’s hand and pumped it in a vigorous greeting. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to tell her myself, but she won’t listen.” Ashbury looked more than a bit thrown by Chase’s invitation. He gave Alex a what-the-devil-is-he-on-about look.
♥♥
“You know, you two have so much in common. You ought to be friends.” “We are nothing alike,” Ash sputtered. “No one could possibly confuse us,” Chase agreed. “Of course not,” Ash continued. “One of us is a repulsive monster, and the other was scarred at Waterloo.” She spoke over their protests. “You should see yourselves. You’re giving me identical scowls right this moment.” “I am not scowling,” the two men said. In unison. While scowling.
♥♥
AAND, this is probably THE BEST if-you-hurt-i'll-kill-you speech i've ever seen in the history of ALL the romance books. I think its something to do with me being partial to Ash lol.
Before departing, Ash addressed Chase. “If you hurt her, in even the slightest way, I will eviscerate you.” “Understood.” “I mean it, Reynaud. In fact, gutting would be too good for you. I will subject you to my cat.” “Your cat?” Chase laughed. “To mewl at me, I suppose.” “Trust me. We’re not speaking of the average cat.” Alexandra spoke up. “I can attest to this.” “I’ll strip you bare, tie your hands behind your back, smear salmon on your manly bits, and lock the two of you in a wardrobe. Once he’s clawed your ballocks to shreds, I’ll crush whatever remains of you to a bloody, formless pulp.” “Good Lord.”Chase sounded a little awed. “That’s remarkably vivid. Did you plan all this out just for me, or do you keep a list of gruesome threats to use as the occasion arises?”
♥♥
It's the real versions of love declarations over the cheesy sweet nothings that makes me swoon. Them being their real usual selves>>> I love that only Tessa Dare characters are realistically sweet and hilarious together, it's pure magic which makes me addicted to her characters.
"I think the world is spinning.” “The world is always spinning.” He exhaled in a soft groan. “Well, that’s the truth. It’s spinning all the time.” “How about this. What if I say that you’re my world. You’re not spinning.” “But I am. We all are. We’re on the earth, and it’s spinning, so we’re spinning, too.” “You are ruining all my sweet nothings.”
♥♥
Honourable mention of the 10 year old Miss Rosamund and her little sister Daisy who are the cutest most unhinged kids ever! :
"Have you ever seen those girls so happy?” “Of course they’re happy,” he replied, sounding markedly less enthusiastic about it. “Daisy is surrounded by death, mummies stacked three to a case, and even Rosamund couldn’t dream of this much plundered gold.”
“Disease!” Daisy cheered. “Which ones?” “Very, very boring ones,” he said. “And don’t cheer. It was misery. Now if all that wasn’t bad enough, once you were convicted in court?” He drew a finger across his neck in a throat-slicing gesture. “Beheading,” Daisy awed
♥♥
I WANNA COPY PASTE THE WHOLE BOOK HERE, (just like i feel everytime i read Ms. Dare's books) but there are some bits and scenes special to the characters that one should come across on their own without prior knowledge (just like in every book by Ms. Dare which makes them stand out)
“You had better leave a detailed note for the great-great-grandchildren,” Ash said. “That would require them to have children first,” Emma pointed out. “Excellent observation. We’ll get on that right away.” Chase clapped his hands together. “On that note, good night and good-bye. All of you.”
♥♥
“You are the last person I want to see.” “Well, you are the last person I want to see, too.” She gestured in exasperation. “Then why are you—” “You are the last person I want to see before I fall asleep at night. Every night. The last woman I want to kiss for the remainder of my life. And your lovely face is the very last thing I want to see before I die. Because I love you, Alexandra.”
4 days later I'm writing this review of my first favourite HR which put me in a slump only Tessa Dare can get me out of. This book got me binge watchi4 days later I'm writing this review of my first favourite HR which put me in a slump only Tessa Dare can get me out of. This book got me binge watching Outlander. I don't read much HR, I can count on one hand how many I've read before. Thanks to my good friend Venus who recommended me this masterpiece, I am hooked.
➺ I did NOT knew HR could be this humorous with witty banter, Aaron Warner spice (yes thats a thing), a unique premise and a relatable, lovely, blunt and hilarious heroine. The writing style? one of the reasons I couldn't get into HRs but here? its chefs kisses. Folks, I believe I found the one. The one who can get me addicted to this genre. Her name is Tessa Dare.
Letter : My dear imaginary Captain MacKenzie, you are not real and never will be. I, however, am a true and eternal fool. Because, you see, you are mad for me. Utterly consumed with passion after just a few chance meetings and walks along the shore. You made me a great many promises. I was reluctant to accept them, knowing how our nascent love would be tested by distance and war. But you assured me that your heart is true, and I . . . And I have read too many novels, I think.
The thing I love the most about Shadowman is the fact that he says the most beautiful things to ever exist and they Re-read III : Aug 26, 2024 Review :
The thing I love the most about Shadowman is the fact that he says the most beautiful things to ever exist and they are so romantically poetic yet he is the person who cannot feel emotions so he says them as universal and scientific facts more than anything else. Like, you could expect this from Dante, he is a really feeling person and you could expect this from even Tristan sometimes who is dark but only light for Morana. I don't even count alpha lol. But shadowman has the level of intensity that is so unparalleled to every other fictional man including the other dark verse men that everything he speaks, and when he speaks you know it means something and not a single word from his mouth is a waste. Even his simple "yes" or "okay" or "good" has power in them.
So yeah when I rank the books, these characters —it sounds so ridiculous when I say characters, because I feel like I know them as actual humans— I love Dante and Amara's story the most but Shadowman comes on top of my fav dark verse hero and then Dante. Book wise it's - Emperor, Annihilator, Reaper, Predator and Finisher.
Alpha and Zephyr are my least favourite characters and the story as well.
Blackthorne>>> After all, he is the most dangerous and the most powerful among all of them INCLUDING the whole Syndicate
Re-read II : Nov 19, 2023 Read : Feb 15, 2023
Initial review :
“Your trust, flamma, is the most addictive drug.”
Oh fuck. Oh fuck.
10/5 stars✰
“If there was any love in this world of mine, Lyla, it would be you.”
After reading this, now i feel like lowering the ratings of all the other books in the series (save for Dante's).
Because oh fucking hell.
THE SHADOW MAN CAN GIVE TRISTAN A RUN FOR HIS MONEY. I'm actually conflicted about who do i love more? Dante and Amara? Whom i loved from the very beginning, who were my all time fav couples and are my comfort characters? Or Blackthorn and Lyla? Who SURPASSED everyone and made me feel more than I ever thought possible?
If you ever choose another, make sure you kill me first. Because I—” he bent to whisper against her lips “—will annihilate the fucking world before I let you go.”
I don't know how should I describe the characters. I want to put all my fav highlighted quotes here but there are literally more than fucking 80.
Also, HATTS OFF TO THE AUTHOR for how she has left me speechless and it's still astounding to me how every little piece fucking falls into place in every book, and it all comes full circle in this Dark Verse series, how perfectly she has woven this world and everything connects so fucking flawlessly. Just ...more
Is there such a thing as Action romance? Adventurous romance? And not in fantasy but contemporary?
Best Laid Plans by Ms. Fantome is it. This mercenary Is there such a thing as Action romance? Adventurous romance? And not in fantasy but contemporary?
Best Laid Plans by Ms. Fantome is it. This mercenary romance is something i never knew I needed. The MCs love language is wrestling with each other. Kicking, punching, hitting, gun to the temple, knife to the throat. And it never ends.
How strange, to go from one night of gentle caressing, to the next full of punches and jabs.
What I'm trying to say is 'badass bitch who will shoot first and ask questions later' does not come to mind when someone looks at you. That's good. You're unassuming looking. You can go a lot of places a guy like me can't” he explained. She nodded. “I hadn't thought of it that way. You do look like a badass bitch who will shoot first,” she agreed. His fingers dug into the bottom of her foot and she yelped, yanking away. Both of them laughed and he rubbed away the sting. “Exactly. Think of the damage we could do together.”
Ms. Chance's books are just the perfect length, i'm willing to read nowadays.Ms. Chance's books are just the perfect length, i'm willing to read nowadays....more
Aiden Scott is the hottest thing right now in the online adult entertainment world. WomenI read this book :
Never Trust a Porn Star by Brea Alepoú
Blurb :
Aiden Scott is the hottest thing right now in the online adult entertainment world. Women gush. Men applaud his techniques. And everybody wishes they could be his next partner. Thanks to one little video uploaded by an ex, he’s become famous. His family might disapprove of his methods, but Aiden embraces this notoriety and revels in the reviews. In typical Scott fashion, Aiden’s made a f**king career—out of f**king.
Aiden has rules in place to protect himself. He doesn’t date. He won’t do sleepovers. He's never been interested in someone longer than it takes to reach a mutual climax.
The rules work. They always have. Until he meets one nerdy film major, with big brown eyes and it has him questioning everything.
Skyler C. Bailey is a film major and twenty-one years old. It’s his junior year of college at Vanderbilt. He lives to capture people's raw emotions and life stories through a lens camera. A true introvert at heart, one night out and his whole world is turned upside down. He tries to ignore the growing feelings inside, he’s been there and done that. Been stomped on and pushed to the side. He doesn’t want to go through that again, but he can’t ignore his heart even if he’s afraid he’s about to learn the hardest lesson of all: never trust a p*rn star.
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Not sure why the reviews, the genre and basically everything is showing its a mmmm paranormal romance. Goodreads glitch huh?...more
I am in love with this non-existent planet Clecania. Earthlings can learn a thing or two from it.
Also, i would like to thank the author for gracing meI am in love with this non-existent planet Clecania. Earthlings can learn a thing or two from it.
Also, i would like to thank the author for gracing me with a likeable heroine.
Her thoughts and opinions? Love them :
“A knight with shining armor has probably never been to war. They’ve never fought or been hurt. If you want a strong man who can protect you, then you should hope for a knight in dented, scratched, rusted armor. That knight has fought and survived.”
Also, Why so tender, Theo? You're making me want to carry your babies and i don't even want children.
“You could betray me a hundred times over, and I fear I’d still fall at your feet.”
“Alright, little wife. Let’s put you in bed.” Gently he lifted her from the couch, but she didn’t rouse. His heart clenched when she snuggled into the crook of his neck. When he reached her bed, he hesitated. He was enjoying holding her and wished he didn’t have to let go. When goosebumps spread over her bare legs, he finally tucked her under the covers. Before leaving, he brushed the back of his knuckles down her cheek and whispered, “My life before, as I knew it, ended when I met you. Have a care for my life now.”
P.S : Learned a new term today : ETHNOCENTRISM. Judging other cultures based on your own culture
Every day romance books gets more and more educating....more
The title could've been soo much better if it was just "The Twelve Milestones" or anything related to the number twelve. Would've been more significanThe title could've been soo much better if it was just "The Twelve Milestones" or anything related to the number twelve. Would've been more significant considering that's pretty much all i found unique in this trash story.
All i can is that there were so many dialogues/quotes/statements that perturbed me. And all of them had that ick factor i can't explain.
Also, why is it that when I'm halfway through the story and my feelings are going from dislike to hate, i have a perfectly planned list in my head listing all the reasons I am loathing the characters/their behaviour/the plot/the storyline, but by the time I actually finish the book, i am so exhausted, i can't bring myself to list those things????
Having said that, one of the thousand reasons i hate this(since I can't mention 10 reasons), is the same reason for my dislike towards the ending of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. And considering this was a "modern retelling" of the original, i would've appreciated if it didn't went in that direction. But since it hinted on that from the beginning and throughout the book, i didn't had to pretend it's not happening and forget that is about to happen, since every second chapter is just reminding that this is indeed about to happen. ...more
“I want him to take me to wherever it is he goes and show me whatever it is he does and scare me and terrify me and make me fall so in love with hi“I want him to take me to wherever it is he goes and show me whatever it is he does and scare me and terrify me and make me fall so in love with him, I'll never see the light of day again.”
I'm apparently binge reading every book by Ms. Fantome now. And so far she has given me unhinged couples in love, heroines being beyond obsessed with the hero, two mentally fucked up humans ready to kill people for each other, and somehow each story is unique.
But the best part about her? Her eyes. Big, beautiful, green pools. The windows to her soul, telling me all her little secrets. You know what they say? They say want me. They say need me. They say I'm damaged. They say fix me. They say I will do anything for these things. Anything at all. Just make me believe.
Tell me how can I not love Stylo?????? I'm worshipping her at this point. I'm so high on this Fantome drug, i never want to come back down.
“Jesus,” he breathed, and his forehead fell to hers. “It's like I invented you. Where have you been all my life?” “In the deepest parts of hell, waiting for you.”
You want a heroine being obsessed like no other? This is the shit.
“I'll do anything you want, Church. Just don't ever stop talking to me.” “Never. I'll never stop with you, Emma.”
Two people couldn't be more perfect together as the couples in Ms. Fantome's stories.
A force of nature. We will tear through this life and we will leave destruction and we will make people remember us....more