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Under His Influence
Anna Rice is avoiding a coworker's advances when she encounters enigmatic John Stone at a trendy London bar. With his impeccable suits, salt-and-pepper hair and suave demeanor, John is unlike any of the boys Anna has dated in the he's definitely all man. It's not long before Anna is head over heels in love, and experiencing out-of-this world erotic dreams.
Reporter Mimi Leblanc is wary of her best friend's latest romance. There's just something about John... But nothing Mimi digs up about him can deter Anna. Determined to protect Anna, Mimi continues her investigations-and what she uncovers about John is the last thing she ever imagined. But perhaps even more shocking is her own growing attraction to him...
Reporter Mimi Leblanc is wary of her best friend's latest romance. There's just something about John... But nothing Mimi digs up about him can deter Anna. Determined to protect Anna, Mimi continues her investigations-and what she uncovers about John is the last thing she ever imagined. But perhaps even more shocking is her own growing attraction to him...
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Justine Elyot
115 books116 followersI am Justine Elyot. I love to write erotica and erotic romance. Elements you are likely to find in my work include: moustachioed melodrama villains, whips, wisecracks, knights in tarnished armour, damsels under duress, lovers, leather, aquiline features, references to popular songs. I massively overuse qualifiers like ‘really’, ‘quite’, ‘actually’ etc. and can’t resist the temptation to substitute long words for ‘said’. Reviewers either rave or cringe, with very little middle reactive ground (insert Marmite cliche here). Which will you do?
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 18, 2012
My review is for an ARC copy I received from the publisher through NetGalley.
I actually really liked this story, despite expecting a contemporary romance with a bit of drama and erotica and getting a romance/drama/sci-fi/holy-cow-what-was-that instead.
From the blurb alone, you can guess at the upcoming drama. John is hinted at not being what he seems to be. There is also a suggestion of a possible love triangle between Anna, Mimi and John.
It's so much more than that. Without giving away the plot, here are the things that I liked:
- The britishisms. The story is set in London and while there was one word I had to ask my British GR friends about, the bits and pieces throughout the story were endearing and made me smile. I'm fortunate enough to have grown up in Germany and thus exposed to British English.
- The creep factor. It's misleading when you first read it, really, but while exceptionally charming and suave, John is initially portrayed as a very controlling guy used to getting what he wants who seems hell-bent on removing Anna from all contact with her friends and keeping her all to himself. Marrying her. Impregnating her. My eyebrows went up a lot as I was reading the first half of this story, because I was now expecting a story where the MC is a complete control freak. Axe murderers and cavemen came to mind. Boy, was I wrong.
- the writing itself. It's crisp in most areas, flows well, with enough forward movement to keep the story going at a pretty fast pace. In some instances, the colloquialisms are a bit too specific for a non-British audience, though. Perhaps this will be addressed in the final version.
- the surprise half-way through. There was one phrase John utters that hints at the fact that he's .
What I didn't like so much:
- The dialogue felt stilted in some areas but that might be just the British way of talking, and John .
- The ending. There was no real resolution which made me wonder if there'll be a sequel to this story. If so, I'll gladly read it. The romantic in me would like to see a HEA, especially since John seems to have learned how to truly emote by the end.
- Anna. She's 23, right out of University and working her first job as a sub-editor at a local paper. She meets John and he sweeps her off her feet. While her immaturity and inexperience might explain some of the lines she buys and what she lets him get away with , she does let him walk all over her in the latter parts of the story. He doesn't explain to her anything of what's really going on until the very last pages. I had to make a lot of excuses for her behavior to make her still sound realistic, the biggest excuse being John's
- The title. While apt, it's also kind of meh. Of course, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better one.
This is not a story for all romance lovers. There are elements of science fiction within that are not normally found in an romance novel though they gave this story that extra oomph, in my opinion.
Please note that this book uses explicit language. This did not bother me at all.
I actually really liked this story, despite expecting a contemporary romance with a bit of drama and erotica and getting a romance/drama/sci-fi/holy-cow-what-was-that instead.
From the blurb alone, you can guess at the upcoming drama. John is hinted at not being what he seems to be. There is also a suggestion of a possible love triangle between Anna, Mimi and John.
It's so much more than that. Without giving away the plot, here are the things that I liked:
- The britishisms. The story is set in London and while there was one word I had to ask my British GR friends about, the bits and pieces throughout the story were endearing and made me smile. I'm fortunate enough to have grown up in Germany and thus exposed to British English.
- The creep factor. It's misleading when you first read it, really, but while exceptionally charming and suave, John is initially portrayed as a very controlling guy used to getting what he wants who seems hell-bent on removing Anna from all contact with her friends and keeping her all to himself. Marrying her. Impregnating her. My eyebrows went up a lot as I was reading the first half of this story, because I was now expecting a story where the MC is a complete control freak. Axe murderers and cavemen came to mind. Boy, was I wrong.
- the writing itself. It's crisp in most areas, flows well, with enough forward movement to keep the story going at a pretty fast pace. In some instances, the colloquialisms are a bit too specific for a non-British audience, though. Perhaps this will be addressed in the final version.
- the surprise half-way through. There was one phrase John utters that hints at the fact that he's .
What I didn't like so much:
- The dialogue felt stilted in some areas but that might be just the British way of talking, and John .
- The ending. There was no real resolution which made me wonder if there'll be a sequel to this story. If so, I'll gladly read it. The romantic in me would like to see a HEA, especially since John seems to have learned how to truly emote by the end.
- Anna. She's 23, right out of University and working her first job as a sub-editor at a local paper. She meets John and he sweeps her off her feet. While her immaturity and inexperience might explain some of the lines she buys and what she lets him get away with , she does let him walk all over her in the latter parts of the story. He doesn't explain to her anything of what's really going on until the very last pages. I had to make a lot of excuses for her behavior to make her still sound realistic, the biggest excuse being John's
- The title. While apt, it's also kind of meh. Of course, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a better one.
This is not a story for all romance lovers. There are elements of science fiction within that are not normally found in an romance novel though they gave this story that extra oomph, in my opinion.
Please note that this book uses explicit language. This did not bother me at all.
January 25, 2012
I am sorry to say that I didn't like this book. I tried really hard to give it the benefit of the doubt, but to no avail.
When I first started reading it I thought it would be great. The scenes with Anna and John were really good. The first time I started to doubt that I would like it is when Anna called her friend MiMi. I thought then that she was bitch and I hope I want have to read many scenes with her in them.
After that it was ok, until the wedding. It basically went down hill from there.
There was not a character, save Anna and John(in the beginning), that I liked. I realized that Anna was very naive and had no self esteem and John was a heartless bastard, so after that no one stood out as a character I wouldn't to know or root for. Like I said the beginning had promise, but I soon realized that I would be disappointed.
When I first read the bar scene I thought that Anna would get a wonderful HEA. I figured that she would probably go through obstacles before she got there, but not to the extent of what she actually went through. I was expecting that maybe MiMi would break them up with her snooping or her job(or his) would be a hindrance, but never did I expect the kind of betrayal and lack of emotion that was a part of this plot.
Basically, I had to force myself to get to the end. If it weren't for the terrible relationship in this book it would have been better, but I ended up being disappointed and will probably never read another book by this author.
When I first started reading it I thought it would be great. The scenes with Anna and John were really good. The first time I started to doubt that I would like it is when Anna called her friend MiMi. I thought then that she was bitch and I hope I want have to read many scenes with her in them.
After that it was ok, until the wedding. It basically went down hill from there.
There was not a character, save Anna and John(in the beginning), that I liked. I realized that Anna was very naive and had no self esteem and John was a heartless bastard, so after that no one stood out as a character I wouldn't to know or root for. Like I said the beginning had promise, but I soon realized that I would be disappointed.
When I first read the bar scene I thought that Anna would get a wonderful HEA. I figured that she would probably go through obstacles before she got there, but not to the extent of what she actually went through. I was expecting that maybe MiMi would break them up with her snooping or her job(or his) would be a hindrance, but never did I expect the kind of betrayal and lack of emotion that was a part of this plot.
Basically, I had to force myself to get to the end. If it weren't for the terrible relationship in this book it would have been better, but I ended up being disappointed and will probably never read another book by this author.
January 7, 2012
Originally found at: http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...
I don't really know where to begin with this book. I can't find anything good in this story. There is a scintilla of suspense as I tried to figure out what John was. An Incubus? No. A Vampire? No.
The characters are completely unrealistic, unlikeable and unintelligent. Anna is dumb and whiny, Mimi and John are not the same characters from one moment to the next. Liam is a sad sack. I read a lot of speculative erotica and usually the characters are realistic types of beings even if they are not human. The Cat Star Chronicles are a good example of how alien characters can be made engaging. In Under His Influence they are caricatures.
The premise of the story is not terrible but as written is is the most ridiculous and worst novel I have forced myself to read in a long time. There is no redeeming value, other than the guy on the cover being cute. The writing isn't overly expository or descriptive. There is plenty of dialogue. There just isn't anything in the dialogue that makes it a better novel. The sex is not well written. It's very high in ick factor—slimy and ridiculous, and filled with words that are not at all enticing.
The plot starts off well enough but rapidly progresses into a ridiculous pastiche of careless ideas: science fiction with no science, erotica with out any Eros. I think the author may have been going for a Torchwood or Dr. Who feel but it ends up more like a campy sit-com. People do not behave the way these characters do, neither the men or women, aliens or Terrans.
I don't want to spoil the plot so I can't really be more specific but it starts out as a man obviously mesmerizing a woman nefariously and then for no reason turning on her. Then he takes up with the least likely person. Events don't even have continuity. In one chapter Anna is running away from reporting John to the police, and in the next she is in on it.
I can't say who the protagonists are, I actually believe everyone is an antagonist.
I am sorry that I wasted a day reading this and that I could not find anything that would allow me to recommend it.
Disclosure: Timed E-Book on loan from Publisher via Net Galley.
No remuneration was exchanged and unless otherwise stated all opinions are my own.
I don't really know where to begin with this book. I can't find anything good in this story. There is a scintilla of suspense as I tried to figure out what John was. An Incubus? No. A Vampire? No.
The characters are completely unrealistic, unlikeable and unintelligent. Anna is dumb and whiny, Mimi and John are not the same characters from one moment to the next. Liam is a sad sack. I read a lot of speculative erotica and usually the characters are realistic types of beings even if they are not human. The Cat Star Chronicles are a good example of how alien characters can be made engaging. In Under His Influence they are caricatures.
The premise of the story is not terrible but as written is is the most ridiculous and worst novel I have forced myself to read in a long time. There is no redeeming value, other than the guy on the cover being cute. The writing isn't overly expository or descriptive. There is plenty of dialogue. There just isn't anything in the dialogue that makes it a better novel. The sex is not well written. It's very high in ick factor—slimy and ridiculous, and filled with words that are not at all enticing.
The plot starts off well enough but rapidly progresses into a ridiculous pastiche of careless ideas: science fiction with no science, erotica with out any Eros. I think the author may have been going for a Torchwood or Dr. Who feel but it ends up more like a campy sit-com. People do not behave the way these characters do, neither the men or women, aliens or Terrans.
I don't want to spoil the plot so I can't really be more specific but it starts out as a man obviously mesmerizing a woman nefariously and then for no reason turning on her. Then he takes up with the least likely person. Events don't even have continuity. In one chapter Anna is running away from reporting John to the police, and in the next she is in on it.
I can't say who the protagonists are, I actually believe everyone is an antagonist.
I am sorry that I wasted a day reading this and that I could not find anything that would allow me to recommend it.
Disclosure: Timed E-Book on loan from Publisher via Net Galley.
No remuneration was exchanged and unless otherwise stated all opinions are my own.
January 11, 2012
Under His Influence by Justine Elyot is a novel schedule for release in e-book format on January 30 2012. Anna Rice is an innocent, vulnerable, romantic. After making an embarrassing mistake about which co-worker was asking her out for drinks Anna meets John Stone. The mysterious and enigmatic man sweeps her off her feet. He is rich, charming, and addictive. Mimi Leblanc is Anna's protective best friend, who is more than a little concerned about the whirl wind romance, and the heart of her friend. She does some investigating into John, and gets in over her head. Just who is John Stone, and what are his plans?
I am having trouble categorizing Under His Influence. Some might call it erotic suspense, or perhaps it is science fiction, or straight romance. I am just not sure. I feel like this book could have been divided into two full length novels, and each would have been better that the whole. Anna is not my favorite character; she feels more like a victim than someone that will find love from the very beginning of the book. She falls head over heels in love in mere moments. Mimi is much more pragmatic, and though might come off as hard-hearted, might just be the best character in the book. John is mysterious, and readers will have their suspicions as to just who, or what, he might be within the first chapter or so. Liam is a side character that seems to change dramatically throughout the book, for no plausible or discernible reason. The sex scenes are steamy, and a little over the top on occasion. The irritable attraction to John is important, but sometimes overstated. I did not hate the book, and I am sorry that it might sound that way. I think I am just disappointed because the premise and characters could have just gone so much farther or deeper. The book could have been a toe curling erotic novel, or a thrilling science fiction story, but I felt like Under His Influence never really made its way to be either. It was interesting, and sometimes overwhelming.
If you like science fiction and erotic, then you might enjoy Under His Influence. I picked it up, and briefly put it down before picking it back up to finish it. The story was interesting but I felt that in the desire to pack so much into one novel, there was something wonderful lost along the way.
I am having trouble categorizing Under His Influence. Some might call it erotic suspense, or perhaps it is science fiction, or straight romance. I am just not sure. I feel like this book could have been divided into two full length novels, and each would have been better that the whole. Anna is not my favorite character; she feels more like a victim than someone that will find love from the very beginning of the book. She falls head over heels in love in mere moments. Mimi is much more pragmatic, and though might come off as hard-hearted, might just be the best character in the book. John is mysterious, and readers will have their suspicions as to just who, or what, he might be within the first chapter or so. Liam is a side character that seems to change dramatically throughout the book, for no plausible or discernible reason. The sex scenes are steamy, and a little over the top on occasion. The irritable attraction to John is important, but sometimes overstated. I did not hate the book, and I am sorry that it might sound that way. I think I am just disappointed because the premise and characters could have just gone so much farther or deeper. The book could have been a toe curling erotic novel, or a thrilling science fiction story, but I felt like Under His Influence never really made its way to be either. It was interesting, and sometimes overwhelming.
If you like science fiction and erotic, then you might enjoy Under His Influence. I picked it up, and briefly put it down before picking it back up to finish it. The story was interesting but I felt that in the desire to pack so much into one novel, there was something wonderful lost along the way.
January 10, 2012
I picked up this book hoping for a little paranormal romance. I expected a vampire, demon, fae, ghost, or some other wonderful brute of a man to whisk the main character off her feet. That is not what this book contains. None of those paranormal beings appear in this title.
Ms. Elyot has created an interesting mix of storylines. In the opening chapters I experienced a lot of Bridget Jones, a touch of Rosemary’s Baby, and a dose of Sleeping with the Enemy. The London setting and British lingo was a lot of fun to read. I smiled when the characters entered the lift (elevator), reached for their torch (flashlight), or curdled up on the couch to watch weepies (sappy movies).
Sadly the book took an odd turn around the half way point. A big turn and I didn’t like it.
* * Big Spoilers Ahead. * *
I attempted to skim my way to the end but had two big problems with Under His Influence - the first being the personality of main male character. We all like dominant males in our stories. An alpha to take charge and convince the female that she really IS meant to be his life mate. Unfortunately John Stone is an abusive ass. There is a difference between alpha and abusive. And I’m not talking about the BDSM scenes. No - this guy is a controlling jerk. I think the author meant to portray him like this. I just don’t care to have my pleasure reading contain these types of people.
Second - ummm, he’s an alien. An alien. Nice. If I had gotten even a slight hint of that in the ebook description, I would not have picked it up.
It started out as a fun, sexy tale set in London, but turned oh so wrong.
I feel badly writing such a harsh review since I received this title free as a review copy. I do think the author and publisher need to rework the description… and maybe the last half of the story. I REALLY enjoyed the first 45%.
More of that please.
Ms. Elyot has created an interesting mix of storylines. In the opening chapters I experienced a lot of Bridget Jones, a touch of Rosemary’s Baby, and a dose of Sleeping with the Enemy. The London setting and British lingo was a lot of fun to read. I smiled when the characters entered the lift (elevator), reached for their torch (flashlight), or curdled up on the couch to watch weepies (sappy movies).
Sadly the book took an odd turn around the half way point. A big turn and I didn’t like it.
* * Big Spoilers Ahead. * *
I attempted to skim my way to the end but had two big problems with Under His Influence - the first being the personality of main male character. We all like dominant males in our stories. An alpha to take charge and convince the female that she really IS meant to be his life mate. Unfortunately John Stone is an abusive ass. There is a difference between alpha and abusive. And I’m not talking about the BDSM scenes. No - this guy is a controlling jerk. I think the author meant to portray him like this. I just don’t care to have my pleasure reading contain these types of people.
Second - ummm, he’s an alien. An alien. Nice. If I had gotten even a slight hint of that in the ebook description, I would not have picked it up.
It started out as a fun, sexy tale set in London, but turned oh so wrong.
I feel badly writing such a harsh review since I received this title free as a review copy. I do think the author and publisher need to rework the description… and maybe the last half of the story. I REALLY enjoyed the first 45%.
More of that please.
December 25, 2011
Under His Influence
This book was, creepy at times funny, weird and then just plain weirder. I went into this book after reading the blurb exepecting the usual, sex, fun save the world bla bla bla, but instead I got ******. Yup folks I can’t tell you what or it would ruin the surprise. This book was so confusing and weird but the ending explained it sort of. I think this book was trying to be too much, yes in the end it came together but when reading it felt like it was trying to b erotic, a thriller a suspense an English setting and this and that, and well you get me drift.
The situation the Characters were put in and the way they reacted made me double take and think “are they human?” Liam I think was the most realistic, yes we could blame Anna’s foolishness on wanting a father figure and being lonely etc but I can’t deny the fact that it was weird. Mimi self sacrificing and Johns sudden “you will be my brood mare” to “I..I love you”? had my head spinning. It wasn’t a bad book it was interesting and kept me reading no matter how grossed out I got with the incestuous characters but it just wasn’t what I expected. After reading it only a day ago trying to put my thoughts into words I think that I have come to the conclusion that yes it was an interesting and unique book but I think that if you take out a little of the eroticism added a more substance i.e. Sci-fi thriller gave a few characters more depth i.e. Mimi and did a bit more setting and place scent and feel this book would be ...amazing.
Courtesy of Net galley
This book was, creepy at times funny, weird and then just plain weirder. I went into this book after reading the blurb exepecting the usual, sex, fun save the world bla bla bla, but instead I got ******. Yup folks I can’t tell you what or it would ruin the surprise. This book was so confusing and weird but the ending explained it sort of. I think this book was trying to be too much, yes in the end it came together but when reading it felt like it was trying to b erotic, a thriller a suspense an English setting and this and that, and well you get me drift.
The situation the Characters were put in and the way they reacted made me double take and think “are they human?” Liam I think was the most realistic, yes we could blame Anna’s foolishness on wanting a father figure and being lonely etc but I can’t deny the fact that it was weird. Mimi self sacrificing and Johns sudden “you will be my brood mare” to “I..I love you”? had my head spinning. It wasn’t a bad book it was interesting and kept me reading no matter how grossed out I got with the incestuous characters but it just wasn’t what I expected. After reading it only a day ago trying to put my thoughts into words I think that I have come to the conclusion that yes it was an interesting and unique book but I think that if you take out a little of the eroticism added a more substance i.e. Sci-fi thriller gave a few characters more depth i.e. Mimi and did a bit more setting and place scent and feel this book would be ...amazing.
Courtesy of Net galley
January 24, 2012
Read via NetGalley
I'm not quite sure how to describe this story... Have you ever seen Farscape or LEXX? A quirky Sci-fi show with some sexy characters, comedy and a corny storyline that can only be accepted on TV? That's how I would describe this story.
Under His Influence is an oddball, quirky, cornball story about an alien that escapes to Earth with his Mom and figures out how to seduce women by reading a trashy romance novel. Yup. Are you hooked yet?
John (the alien) is terribly intelligent, arrogant and has immeasurable sexual appeal to the opposite sex. Poor Anna has no defenses at all to John's advances. She was a goner as soon as the phrase, "Man MAN kiss!" dings during her mental & emotional swooning phase. Never fear! While the story has the necessary ditz, there is also a strong, curvy, vivacious heroine named Mimi! Her name is really Miranda but she thinks the fluffy nickname is more appealing. To see how the ragtag collection of individuals come together and how sexy John really is, read the story! I admit that I enjoyed reading this book because I totally saw a Sci-fi show play in my mind with a musical soundtrack in appropriate places. Like tin foil thunder, Halloween shrieks & screams, and porn music without spontaneous outbreaks of monologue singing like Dr. Horrible's sing-along. Except without the singing.
I'm not quite sure how to describe this story... Have you ever seen Farscape or LEXX? A quirky Sci-fi show with some sexy characters, comedy and a corny storyline that can only be accepted on TV? That's how I would describe this story.
Under His Influence is an oddball, quirky, cornball story about an alien that escapes to Earth with his Mom and figures out how to seduce women by reading a trashy romance novel. Yup. Are you hooked yet?
John (the alien) is terribly intelligent, arrogant and has immeasurable sexual appeal to the opposite sex. Poor Anna has no defenses at all to John's advances. She was a goner as soon as the phrase, "Man MAN kiss!" dings during her mental & emotional swooning phase. Never fear! While the story has the necessary ditz, there is also a strong, curvy, vivacious heroine named Mimi! Her name is really Miranda but she thinks the fluffy nickname is more appealing. To see how the ragtag collection of individuals come together and how sexy John really is, read the story! I admit that I enjoyed reading this book because I totally saw a Sci-fi show play in my mind with a musical soundtrack in appropriate places. Like tin foil thunder, Halloween shrieks & screams, and porn music without spontaneous outbreaks of monologue singing like Dr. Horrible's sing-along. Except without the singing.
January 16, 2012
It has been a long time since I've given a book 2 stars because I try very hard to find some qualities about the book that I enjoy. I just didn't with this one. I didn't feel connected to the characters and about halfway through I felt like I could care less what happened to anyone. There were plot twists that were unexpected, which is good, but in this case it just made me roll my eyes and want to put the book down. It was a book I had to force myself through, which I don't like.
January 25, 2012
Reviewed for Booked Up . Stay tuned for the review to be posted on Booked Up's goodreads account and the Blog
September 18, 2012
I am never going to get the time I wasted on this book back. Stilted writing, cardboard dialogue and a plot that didn't seem to know where the hell it was going. Not keen to try this author again in a hurry.
January 27, 2012
The description of this book doesn't tell enough. This book was okay until it wasn't. Not at all my kind of book!
March 20, 2012
Horrible.
June 29, 2014
Stopped at 5%. Writing was just unprofessional and the story had no flow. I think the final straw was when the character "mouthed a STFU".
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews