With This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas Series: This Man
Format: Audiobook, Ebook, Hardback, Paperback
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
Source: ARC
Purchase: Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paperback
Amazon Audiobook
iTunes
Goodreads
I can’t tell you how excited I was to find out that my chosen date for the arc review blog tour was on 3-21. (3-2-1, Zero Baby)
WITH THIS MAN by Jodi Ellen Malpas was beyond a 5 star read for me.
I loved it so much that I can only hope that Jesse and Ava’s kids will someday each get a book just so we can visit with them all once again.
Picture me attached to the characters like Ava’s baby chimp hold because I’m not ready to let go of them all just yet.
Five-ish years ago, I read THIS MAN by Jodi Ellen Malpas and Jesse immediately stole my heart.
THIS series!!!!
(Both literally and figuratively)
If you have not read the previous books, you must!!
You won’t be sorry.
I’ve read the series 3 times – it’s THAT amazing.
(This Man, Beneath This Man, This Man Confessed & All I Am (Drew’s story))
Jesse endeared himself to me in a way I’ll never forget and has remained as one of my top favorite book boyfriends still to this day.
He’s sexy, overprotective, controlling, overly possessive, unreasonable most times, intense, overbearing, but all in an extremely adorable way that comes from his huge, devoted, overflowing heart full of love for Ava and now his kids. (I’m sure that’s a run-on sentence, but it’s the best way to describe the incomparable alpha)
He’ll do whatever it takes to protect the ones he loves and sometimes that comes at the expense of frustration and the feeling of being smothered.
I can’t tell you how many times I laughed and shook my head at him.
If you’ve ever wanted to try an audiobook before but haven’t yet, this one might win you over.
The male narrator, Jack George, was an amazing Jesse.
I listened to the 1st part at a 1.25 narration speed and then changed it to 1.5 and at both speeds, he was perfect.
His timbre, accent, timing, and mannerisms were spot on. (I should write MANORisms)
His mumblings and frustrating growls had me cracking up and would be EXACTLY how I imagined Jesse sounding.
I had already read the arc, but couldn’t resist listening to 16 hours of Jesse.
Jesse’s grappling with being turning 50 was hilarious, as well.
Being older, I am right there with him.
I totally understand how in your mind you feel younger but are reminded daily/hourly that you’re definitely not.
It doesn’t help that Ava is much younger than him.
This book begins 12 years later where we get a peek into their happy contented lives and daily routine.
The witty banter and explosive chemistry between Jesse and Ava is felt with every line and especially when they “make friends”.
It’s not a spoiler because it’s in the blurb, but Ava is involved in an accident and loses her memory of the last 16 years, which is before she was ever trampled by the Lord of the Manor, Jesse Ward.
Impatient Jesse is tasked with making sure Ava falls in love with him all over again and bless his heart, it wasn’t that easy the first time around.
We get to catch up with secondary characters and are treated to a walk down memory lane without it being a re-write of the series.
The layers of their story unfolded seamlessly and not only did we get to experience some of the things that made us love them, but new nuances and Jesse’s POV was an added bonus.
I actually found myself agreeing with Jesse’s overprotectiveness.
With his earlier losses and Ava’s accident, he had every right to worry.
I was pleasantly surprised at how many times “Mrs. Ward” was said.
I love having that as my real name and my husband’s first name starts with a “J”, as well.
Drew and Reya even had the same wedding song as we did.
The parts of the book that made me gasp, cry, laugh, worry and even laugh while crying are all spoilers.
There’s romance, steamy scenes, angst, suspense, loss, heartbreak, and bliss.
It went beyond my expectations and I’ll mention again how much I would LOVE future books about their kids when they’re grown.
I am STILL on Central Jesse Cloud Nine and smiling like a nutter as I type.
Long live the Lord.
End of.
Purchase links in blue at the top of the post.
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