Check out my review & an excerpt from this new release by THIS MAN author, Jodi Ellen Malpas.
The Forbidden, by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Publish Date: August 8, 2017
Publisher: Forever Romance
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(Synopsis) Annie has never experienced the 'spark' with a guy-that instant chemistry that renders you weak in the knees. That is, until a night out brings her face to face with the dangerously sexy and mysterious Jack. It's not just a spark that ignites between them. It's an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.
Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who's had such a powerful impact on her must be dangerous. She has no idea that he belongs to another. That he's forbidden.
Where do I even begin with this book? I think I'll start with the author. I adore Jodi Ellen Malpas. Her stories are amazing and she's such a great writer. I wanted to read The Forbidden even before I knew what it was about. Truthfully, I didn't really know what it was about until I was actually reading it, and that's a really good thing. If I had gotten a wiff of the plot, I probably definitely wouldn't have read it, and in retrospect, that would've been a shame.
The Forbidden deals with one of my hot buttons in romance books - one of the things I absolutely can't stand. Well, me and scores of other readers. When I realized what was going on (and I'm not going to spoil it here for you - you'll just have to read it to find out), I seriously thought about not continuing. I was afraid for my heart. And truthfully, my heart did break - many times. But, not exactly like I had thought it would at first.
The main reason why I stuck with it was JEM's ability to draw these amazingly compelling and interesting characters. Both Jack and Annie were great, but it was really Jack who stole the show. He's the best sort of alpha male, and yet so vulnerable and compassionate too. They way he cares for Annie made my heart melt. Annie's unwavering faith in her man, even when things were at their worst, was impressive. I loved how they complemented each other and laughed together and loved each other.
And yet, their story was absolutely heartbreaking. Many times I asked myself how they could find their way out of it and still be together. It seemed to be an impossible situation, and against all odds, I found myself rooting for them and hoping with each page that went by that they would find a way. It's certainly not the reaction I initially thought I would have.
The Forbidden won't appeal to everyone. There will be some that will learn what it's about and make the decision that I probably would've made to not even start it. But, I will tell you that, at least from my perspective, you'd be missing out on a fantastically compelling, emotional and real book. Love isn't always neat and tidy. It doesn't fall in line like you want it to. But, it's worth fighting for.
“Thank you for your help,” I say quietly, studying him, definitely detecting that he’s deep in thought. Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t ask. I need to get back into my apartment without engaging with him, which could prove tricky when he’s blocking the doorway and looking like he has no intention of shifting to let me in.
“Annie,” he breathes. “I’m struggling so badly.”
“I’m not doing this.” I swallow, pushing my way past him. He grabs me by the top of my arm and holds me in place. “Let me go, Jack.”
“I’ve already told you I can’t do that. Annie, I’m drowning here. I’m going out of my mind, and the more time I spend with you the fucking worse it’s getting. Listening to you, talking to you, sharing a passion with you that goes way beyond the amazing time we had in bed together.”
“You have to forget!” I yell, knowing anger is the only way forward. Be angry with him. Let it dominate me and rule me, because the alternative scares me to fucking death.
He pushes me into the hall and slams the door behind us, forcing me to back up. “No,” he says, straight and even. “No,” he repeats, moving one more step forward, except this time I don’t retreat. Because I can’t. Because he has me locked in place with those grey eyes, and now they’re back to their full glory. Sparkling, even if it’s with anger. He reaches for his shirt and starts unbuttoning it before shrugging it off and throwing it to the floor, revealing the chest that’s haunting me.
I quickly look down at the pile of material, my mind reeling. His chest. His perfect damn chest. “What are you doing?”
“I have no fucking idea.” He reaches for me and slides a hand around my neck, pulling me to him. Our chests meet, and my determination to repel him vanishes under our connection. Wrongs turn into rights. Conflict turns into craving.
“I can’t get you out of my head, Annie.” His forehead meets mine, his palm massaging away the tightness in my neck muscles, softening me up until I relax in his hold. “I want you all over again, and I can’t even find the will to worry about how much more that’ll make me want you.” He breathes down on me. “I’ve played that night on repeat. I’ve dreamed of holding you in my arms again. I’ve craved the sound of your voice, the feel of your touch, the softness of your lips on mine. I know I shouldn’t want you. But I do. Nothing has ever made me feel this insane with need. Nothing has taken up so much space in my head. I can’t fucking help it, Annie.” His grey gaze sinks into me, my heart steadying to an even thrum. His head starts to shake mildly, his splayed hand moving up to the back of my head and fisting my hair. “I don’t want to help it,” he growls. “I want you. I don’t care how wrong it is.” His clenched fist tightens, gripping my hair harshly. “I know I’ve been on your mind since I fucked you every which way in that hotel room. Stop denying it. Don’t insult me and tell me you don’t crave that amazing feeling all over again. I can see it in your eyes every damn time I look into them. You. Want. Me.”
It’s me who moves in first. All me. I lunge forward and smash my lips to his, the magnetic force winning. His words winning. Jack winning. My heart winning. I coax his mouth open with hard, hungry kisses. I’ve lost my mind to a craving too powerful to fight off. And, like Jack, I don’t care how wrong it is.
Lost.
Yet as he walks me backward until my back slams into the wall, I feel found again.
I cry out, and Jack moans. We’re clumsy and desperate. He’s pushing me up the wall with the force of his kiss, then he’s rolling away, taking me with him until it’s his back slamming into the wall. It’s the elevator all over again. The atmosphere is sizzling. I’m on fire. He scoops me up, pinning me to him, and carries me into my bedroom. I focus on him. Only him and the return of feelings that I’ve fantasized about since that unforgettable night. All the guilt is abandoning me, and I let it, unprepared to let anything stop me from taking the forbidden.
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