457 ratings | 103 reviews | avg rating:4.51

Jess’s Year In Books

Jess’s 2024 Year in Books

Take a look at Jess’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Jess Jenkins’s Followers (84)

Jess’s Bookshelves

to-read (531)
currently-reading (4)
read (583)

Jess’s Friends (617)

Savanah Carter

347 books | 25 friends

Amber Lambda

521 books | 50 friends

Karielle

3,109 books | 2,868 friends

Jude

649 books | 3,638 friends

Joe Hilley

826 books | 4,434 friends

Melissa Hayden

4,006 books | 449 friends

Sonnie Hamill

369 books | 9 friends

Julia

1,024 books | 851 friends

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2025 Reading Challenge

2025

READING

CHALLENGE

Jess Jenkins has read 80 of 85 books.

94%

Jess Jenkins

Goodreads Author

Born

in Apple Valley, California, The United States

Genre

Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance

Influences

J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Richelle Mead, William Shakespeare, Homer, ...more

Member Since

February 2010

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/authorjessbowen

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Jess was born in sunny, southern California. How her home base is now West Virginia, she’s still not sure. She spent several years moving along the southern states before landing in West Virgina when she was seven and she’s been there ever since. She started writing when she was fifteen, sure then it was all love letters to her boyfriend at the time, but they were works of art…that are hopefully now all burned in some cleansing ritual.

Since then she spent time off and on going through writing phases and reading books like they were going out of style. After having her first child and being couped up at home with a baby that never slept, she found her writing again and Breaking Point was born. It took several drafts and lots of long nights a Jess was born in sunny, southern California. How her home base is now West Virginia, she’s still not sure. She spent several years moving along the southern states before landing in West Virgina when she was seven and she’s been there ever since. She started writing when she was fifteen, sure then it was all love letters to her boyfriend at the time, but they were works of art…that are hopefully now all burned in some cleansing ritual.

Since then she spent time off and on going through writing phases and reading books like they were going out of style. After having her first child and being couped up at home with a baby that never slept, she found her writing again and Breaking Point was born. It took several drafts and lots of long nights and re-writing, but she couldn’t be more proud (and bloody, freaking nervous!!) about the finished product and the next four books to come in the Order of the Elements Series. She wouldn’t be here without family and friends who tell her to shut the heck up when she starts whining and she’s thankful for every single one of them.

Jess believes that imagination and escape from reality is essential to life and there’s no better place to find that than in a good book or stretching those writing feathers of your own.

She also believes that Supernatural is the best show on earth and mirrors are evil. But that’s a matter for another time.

Now that I’m done talking about myself in third person, let’s get down to it. I’m scatterbrained, spontaneous, I’m probably certifiably insane, perpetually ridiculous and ninety percent of the time I’m pretty okay with that. When my kids are otherwise occupied or sleeping and I’m not spending time at work as a nurse, I’m a writer. Breaking Point is my baby (now that my real life babies aren’t really babies anymore) and I’m its worst critic. It’s gone through several revisions to become the version you will/are/may not read. The very first draft of the very first chapter of Breaking Point was so bad I still laugh about it to this day and I wrote it about three and a half years ago. In my defense, I was delirious with sleep deprivation when I started it due to children who decided I was better off without sleep. Despite the effect lack of sleep may have had on my sanity, I really do thank them for giving me the drive to write again.

What about this book do I love? Surprisingly, it’s not the fantasy elements, not the world I’ve created, it’s the characters. The emotional journey they go on more than anything else is what drives me to write this book and it’s sequels. They interest me, and these characters may be of my own creation, but any author will tell you that when you sit down to write, you never know what your characters could do to surprise you. Mine tend to do that to me a lot, sometimes they make me mad and other times they have better ideas than I do.

I sincerely hope that this journey is one you can enjoy with me, because I’m not done having fun yet! ...more

12 posts
Jess Jenkins's Blog: Torrid Tales of the life of an Author Living on the Edg

More Delays

I know I have had several messages asking for book two...it's been a long time, I know. Unfortunately, due to life and other such things I stepped away from the writing world for a while. During that time, I realized I wasn't happy with Breaking Point and it's in rewrite stages. Hopefully if I can make myself focus I'll have it done and have feelers out to publishers/agents out sometime by the end Read more of this blog post »

1 like · Like • 1 comment • flag

Published on January 12, 2017 19:10

View all 12 posts »

Combine Editions
Jess Jenkins’s books

Average rating: 3.89 · 201 ratings · 27 reviews · 3 distinct works

	Breaking Point (The Order of the Elements #1) 3.89 avg rating — 205 ratings — published 2010 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Leicester's Unemployed March to London, 1905 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Nursing in Serbia with Lady Paget in 1915 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

Series by Jess Jenkins

The Order of the Elements (1 book)
by

Jess Jenkins (Goodreads Author)

3.89 avg rating — 205 ratings

Jess is Currently Reading

Jess Jenkins is currently reading

Such Quiet Girls

by Noelle W. Ihli (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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14 hours, 37 min ago

Jess Jenkins is currently reading

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)

by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in March 2023

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Jul 06, 2024 10:43AM

Jess Jenkins is currently reading

Babel

by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 28, 2025 04:07AM

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Jess’s Recent Updates

Jess Jenkins is on page 177 of 544 of Babel Babel by R.F. Kuang (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14 hours, 31 min ago · like · see status
Jess Jenkins is on page 73 of 354 of Such Quiet Girls Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli (Goodreads Author) progress:	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14 hours, 33 min ago · like · see status · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins rated a book really liked it The Intruder by Freida McFadden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Actually haven’t read a Frieda book recently that I really liked but this one hit a different spot. I quite enjoyed it. It also deals with tough home lives in more than the usual child abuse/neglect/assault aspect. The hoarding element was definitely ...more
14 hours, 34 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Intruder by Freida McFadden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Intruder by Freida McFadden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins started reading Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14 hours, 37 min ago · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins rated a book really liked it The Intruder by Freida McFadden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Actually haven’t read a Frieda book recently that I really liked but this one hit a different spot. I quite enjoyed it. It also deals with tough home lives in more than the usual child abuse/neglect/assault aspect. The hoarding element was definitely ...more
14 hours, 39 min ago · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Intruder by Freida McFadden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Intruder by Freida McFadden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins wants to read A Promised Land by Barack Obama (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 21, 2025 09:05PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Promised Land by Barack Obama. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Promised Land by Barack Obama <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins finished reading Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Jess Jenkins wants to read I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 21, 2025 09:00PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jess Jenkins wants to read Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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More of Jess's books…

Quotes by Jess Jenkins (?)

“Darkness is the absence of light. Happiness is the absence of pain. Anger is the absence of joy. Jealousy is the absence of confidence. Love is the absence of doubt. Hate is the absence of peace. Fear is the absence of faith. Life is the absence of death.”
― Jess Bowen, Breaking Point

22 likes

“I won't say anything, but you should tell them. It's not weakness to admit you're not perfect.”
― Jess Bowen, Breaking Point

9 likes

“With the last months spent preparing to face this darkness, it was improbable that the end of her story would be a happy one. She had considered death, maybe even accepted it, at times even wished for it. But no matter how many times she had thought it over, no matter the circumstances, it didn’t matter to her now.”
― Jess Bowen, Breaking Point

6 likes

See all Jess Jenkins's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Teen and YA addic...: What book are you excited about?	99	98	Jan 29, 2012 08:11AM

Jess’s Quotes

6 likes

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

tags: books, magic, reading

17560 likes

“So it's not gonna be easy. It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

tags: love, marriage

16843 likes

“I finally understood what true love meant...love meant that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.”
― Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

tags: dear-john, nicholas-sparks

13948 likes

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough..”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

tags: love

24489 likes

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Jess’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-10) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 10: by Kelley

Oct 01, 2011 09:26AM

Thank you for the add. I look forward to reading more from you!

reply | flag

message 9: by William

Mar 30, 2011 09:14AM

Hi- Just to let you know...
Peter: a Darkened Fairytale
AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW!!! DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHER
http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstor...
Best wishes, William

reply | flag

message 8: by Ashley

Jan 24, 2011 08:32PM

Thanks for being my friend ;)

reply | flag

message 7: by Pamela

Dec 30, 2010 05:13AM

Hey Jess...Thanks for accepting my friend request.

reply | flag

message 6: by William

Dec 20, 2010 10:28AM

Hi Jess - Thank you for your friendship.
Please visit my website http://www.peteradarkenedfairytale.co.uk
to view a sample page and many other snippets about the book.
Expected release date mid-late Jan.
Best wishes, William

reply | flag

message 5: by Jess

Dec 19, 2010 05:33PM

Kasey wrote: "Hi Jess! *waves*

I always enjoy discovering new authors (it's one of the perks of Goodreads, after all), so thank you for the friend-vite. :)

I just took a peek at Breaking Point's description (w..."

Thanks so much, Kasey!!

I'm so glad to hear that you added Breaking Point, I sincerely hope you enjoy and I'll look forward to discussing it as well. Happy Holidays!

reply | flag

message 4: by Jess

Dec 19, 2010 05:32PM

Sarah wrote: "Thanks for the add, Breaking Point sounds good, I'm excited about reading it. Happy Holidays!"

Thank you for accepting! I'm glad to hear about Breaking Point, I hope you enjoy! :) Happy Holidays.

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message 3: by Tutti (last edited Dec 19, 2010 05:04PM)

Dec 19, 2010 05:03PM

Hi Jess! *waves*

I always enjoy discovering new authors (it's one of the perks of Goodreads, after all), so thank you for the friend-vite. :)

I just took a peek at Breaking Point's description (which sounds like something I'd thoroughly enjoy) and will be adding it to my To-Read list. Lookin' forward to talking about it with you once I'm done.

reply | flag

message 2: by Sarah

Dec 17, 2010 10:28PM

Thanks for the add, Breaking Point sounds good, I'm excited about reading it. Happy Holidays!

reply | flag

message 1: by Harlequin Books

Nov 25, 2010 11:10AM

Hi Jess, Today is the perfect day to say thank you for becoming a friend. :) I'm pleased to meet you and look forward to discussing books with you. If you ever have any questions about any of the titles on my shelves or about eHarlequin.com and all it has to offer, please ask. I'll be happy to answer. I’ll also have Harlequin news updates on my profile on a regular basis so be sure to stop by to keep up on everything Harlequin!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Kim, Harlequin Books ambassador

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