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The Cityscape #1
Come Undone
Olivia Germaine has already found love. She's created the life she always envisioned through the role of devoted wife, loyal confidante and determined career woman.
But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago. David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built, and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
~
COME UNDONE is a story about the boundaries of devotion and deception; a story of passion, choices and ultimately, love. This is book one of the Cityscape Series.
But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago. David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built, and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
~
COME UNDONE is a story about the boundaries of devotion and deception; a story of passion, choices and ultimately, love. This is book one of the Cityscape Series.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
843 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 642 reviews
August 8, 2020
Quite evocative.
I think this series paints an accurate picture of the complexities of infidelity and at times I disliked Olivia and David; nevertheless, I’m glad Hawkins didn’t attempt to manipulate the reader into rooting for them.
Solid 3.5 stars.
Want to read
April 19, 2016
FREE on Amazon US today (5/20/2015)
Trilogy is complete.
BLURB:
The Cityscape Series tells a compelling story of devotion, deception, and forbidden love. Come Undone is book one of three.
Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman–she’s created the life she always envisioned. But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago.
David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness... or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love? And can David respect that line?
http://www.amazon.com/Come-Undone-Cit...
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day, I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 400 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
March 29, 2014
COME UNDONE is the first book in a trilogy. The trilogy features Olivia and the choices she makes concerning her personal and professional life .
As a happily married woman of three years she is living the yuppie lifestyle. Her husband, Bill, is a busy man who doesn't always know what his wife is up to with her work and social life.
David is an eligible bachelor who is very intrigued with Olivia. The attraction she feels towards him leaves her confused and contemplating the perfect life she has created for herself.
Yes, this has a love triangle that is slow building. Olivia's life choices has piqued my interest on finding out how she will handle her choices in the next two books in this series.
SERIES:
Cliffhangers. Trilogy about Olivia.
**Complimentary copy courtesy of Jessica Hawkins via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
As a happily married woman of three years she is living the yuppie lifestyle. Her husband, Bill, is a busy man who doesn't always know what his wife is up to with her work and social life.
David is an eligible bachelor who is very intrigued with Olivia. The attraction she feels towards him leaves her confused and contemplating the perfect life she has created for herself.
Yes, this has a love triangle that is slow building. Olivia's life choices has piqued my interest on finding out how she will handle her choices in the next two books in this series.
SERIES:
Cliffhangers. Trilogy about Olivia.
**Complimentary copy courtesy of Jessica Hawkins via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
January 10, 2021
“You’re married,” he said to my back. I drew a breath and with it, inhaled his spicy aftershave. “Happily.”
INTRO
*This is a story about cheating. I am not gonna give some excuses like but they are soulmates. Because what is a soulmate anyway? You choose your own if that idea exists.
*Well, cheating is not a trigger for me whatsoever, not that I would cheat or I would be okay to be cheated. But I simply believe that anyone can cheat. I don't think It is the most irredeemable act or the worst thing a person can do to one another.
Honestly, I like this forbidden aspect in the books. And this book is the best one so far!
His lips touched mine, and everything else fell away. Warmth pulsed through me as he tested the new territory with a purposeful but tender kiss. My mouth parted, and he answered by opening it farther with his lips. An ache blossomed between my legs. My head swam with the hot breath and heady taste of another man after so many years.
STORY
Olivia is a woman who built up her life all safe because of who she is and how she was raised. Her choice of a husband was nothing more than a safe choice either. Yes, she likes him as a person, she loves him, she is happy.
Then she meets with David.
OH, DEAR DAVID! After him, her life begins to shatter. She starts to feel passion, desire, and all the other feelings she forbids herself to experience. Now the question is: Is he worthy enough to leave her haven, her comfort zone?
I’d done it. I’d fucked another man.
I’d broken my vows and the trust that had been put in me.
PROS
*It's all about Oliva, her weaknesses, her flaws, her desires, her choices...
-Her husband Bill is indeed a good loving husband with nothing more than daily/humanly flaws and problems.
-I seriously hate it when the author chooses the path of blaming all on the abusive/hurtful/bad husband/partner. I mean, you know, falling for another when you have a partner is also a feeling people experience. It's daily. It's wrong but REAL. I don't want to read about how abusive the husband is or how she seeks/needs protection and peace in someone else. I want to experience the cheater's feelings and learn about her mind and excuses. I need DAILY REALITY. And this book offers it perfectly!
*I love Olivia; I can connect with her and relate to her.
*David is so dreamy. He is one of the rare alphas I truly fall for.
*I love this book so much, it's thrilling, exciting, wrong, passionate, dangerous...
It delivers me TOO MANY FEELINGS, and I love them all.
If one night with David could leave me broken this way, what kind of life would ours have been? Volatile. Unstable. Passionate nights. Explosive fights. A mad, combustible lust . . .
June 20, 2013
A brilliant, heart stopping start, to what promises to be a new amazing series. I LOVED IT!!
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What a brilliant debut novel by Jessica Hawkins - most definitely an author to watch. I was massively impressed with this.
Olivia/Liv Germaine is happily married and devoted to her long term partner and husband, Bill. Bill is safe, solid and worships her. But one night whilst at the theater, her eyes meet with those of the gorgeous David. A stranger with whom she feels an immediate spark and overwhelming chemistry. She cant get his face out of her mind and is completely sent into a spin when they meet again through mutual friends.
Liv does all she can to ignore her feelings and avoid David, but this proves to be impossible when they start socializing for an article she is editing as part of her role for a magazine.
"I'm not some notch in the bedpost. Marriage does not mean a challenge; it means I'm completely and totally unavailable."
This story was really personal to me, and, without giving away too many details, I think that the emotions of Liv were captured and portrayed perfectly by Jessica Hawkins.
Liv feels as though she is trapped when she is with her husband. She struggles to open up to him and share details of her past with him. Bill also never asks. He shows no interest in her past and never questions or cares to find out more.
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When Liv meets David, she experiences for the first time what it is like to feel passion and excitement - everything falls into place and becomes so easy. David is interested in everything about her. He wants to know about her past and all of her secrets, and, for the first time ever Liv feels comfortable opening up about these details.
I just adored this story (if you hadn't gathered already). I love a good love triangle story, and this was one of the best I have ever read. It is full of passion, sizzling hot chemistry, flirting and forbidden attraction.
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"Something had been planted inside of me that I was finding hard to escape."
Ends on an almighty cliffhanger ... but never fear. Book 2 is already out. Hoorah! Missing David already .....
Do I recommend this? Hell yeah!!
A copy was given by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
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What a brilliant debut novel by Jessica Hawkins - most definitely an author to watch. I was massively impressed with this.
Olivia/Liv Germaine is happily married and devoted to her long term partner and husband, Bill. Bill is safe, solid and worships her. But one night whilst at the theater, her eyes meet with those of the gorgeous David. A stranger with whom she feels an immediate spark and overwhelming chemistry. She cant get his face out of her mind and is completely sent into a spin when they meet again through mutual friends.
Liv does all she can to ignore her feelings and avoid David, but this proves to be impossible when they start socializing for an article she is editing as part of her role for a magazine.
"I'm not some notch in the bedpost. Marriage does not mean a challenge; it means I'm completely and totally unavailable."
This story was really personal to me, and, without giving away too many details, I think that the emotions of Liv were captured and portrayed perfectly by Jessica Hawkins.
Liv feels as though she is trapped when she is with her husband. She struggles to open up to him and share details of her past with him. Bill also never asks. He shows no interest in her past and never questions or cares to find out more.
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When Liv meets David, she experiences for the first time what it is like to feel passion and excitement - everything falls into place and becomes so easy. David is interested in everything about her. He wants to know about her past and all of her secrets, and, for the first time ever Liv feels comfortable opening up about these details.
I just adored this story (if you hadn't gathered already). I love a good love triangle story, and this was one of the best I have ever read. It is full of passion, sizzling hot chemistry, flirting and forbidden attraction.
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"Something had been planted inside of me that I was finding hard to escape."
Ends on an almighty cliffhanger ... but never fear. Book 2 is already out. Hoorah! Missing David already .....
Do I recommend this? Hell yeah!!
A copy was given by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2013
Two reasons this book sucked......
1. If the author wanted us to hate the h, she did a really good job. Liv was a bitch with the way she treated her husband. I kept waiting for the moment her and David got caught, but it doesn't happen.
2. For me, when reading a story involving cheating, I'm willing to understand and accept it if there's a good reason for it. Something that makes you say "I don't like what's happening here, but I understand why it's happening". In this situation, Liv simply isn't happy with her husband, even though there aren't any problems and he is, for the most part, a good husband. And when I say she isn't happy, I mean she doesn't like him. She nitpicks about things she doesn't like, for instance, she didnt like the way he proposed to her ( in front of their friends and family). She didnt like the engagement ring he gave her (an heirloom from his grandmother). She's been married to Bill for 3 years, and she wont even take his last name because get this......it doesnt go well with her first name (his last name is Wilson). She's never had an orgasm, at least not with him. And the way she hassled him about making sure he had condoms and about her birth control, knowing he wanted to start a family. David (the other man) comes off like a damn stalker and you couldn't really root for them to be together, at least, I didn't.
And of course there's a cliffhanger. Smh. Don't care though, cause I have no intentions of reading the next book.
1. If the author wanted us to hate the h, she did a really good job. Liv was a bitch with the way she treated her husband. I kept waiting for the moment her and David got caught, but it doesn't happen.
2. For me, when reading a story involving cheating, I'm willing to understand and accept it if there's a good reason for it. Something that makes you say "I don't like what's happening here, but I understand why it's happening". In this situation, Liv simply isn't happy with her husband, even though there aren't any problems and he is, for the most part, a good husband. And when I say she isn't happy, I mean she doesn't like him. She nitpicks about things she doesn't like, for instance, she didnt like the way he proposed to her ( in front of their friends and family). She didnt like the engagement ring he gave her (an heirloom from his grandmother). She's been married to Bill for 3 years, and she wont even take his last name because get this......it doesnt go well with her first name (his last name is Wilson). She's never had an orgasm, at least not with him. And the way she hassled him about making sure he had condoms and about her birth control, knowing he wanted to start a family. David (the other man) comes off like a damn stalker and you couldn't really root for them to be together, at least, I didn't.
And of course there's a cliffhanger. Smh. Don't care though, cause I have no intentions of reading the next book.
January 5, 2022
2.5 stars
too instalove. not enough chemistry. sub-par writing.
I know. I know, this is Jessica Hawkins earlier work. I'm glad I didn't start with this book by her because that woman's writing (now)is the bomb. So soooo far from the standard of this book.
I wasn't really feeling the instalust/instalove between the two characters. I feel like this book is too fast-paced for that chemistry to foster properly which sucks.
And the names of the people on here are just... Nah. Like the dude, he doesn't like his first name Lucas and goes by his middle name— David. Uhck, like, Lucas is a much sexier name than David, David is just... 😐
This story isn't really keeping my attention but I'll stay for the drama.
On second thought... Yea, maybe not.
too instalove. not enough chemistry. sub-par writing.
I know. I know, this is Jessica Hawkins earlier work. I'm glad I didn't start with this book by her because that woman's writing (now)is the bomb. So soooo far from the standard of this book.
I wasn't really feeling the instalust/instalove between the two characters. I feel like this book is too fast-paced for that chemistry to foster properly which sucks.
And the names of the people on here are just... Nah. Like the dude, he doesn't like his first name Lucas and goes by his middle name— David. Uhck, like, Lucas is a much sexier name than David, David is just... 😐
This story isn't really keeping my attention but I'll stay for the drama.
On second thought... Yea, maybe not.
May 12, 2024
LORRRRRDY the way i fully get why the girlies think this is THE cheating trope series
the will they won’t they the entire book is incredible and im sprinting to book two hsgdjfjsgak
the will they won’t they the entire book is incredible and im sprinting to book two hsgdjfjsgak
not-appealing
March 17, 20193 books is too long for her to decide who she wants.
August 29, 2020
How does this book have an average of 4.11 stars??
Honestly, this was obnoxious, and you can’t convince me otherwise.
The relationship dynamic was straight-out absurd: I’m not sure whether to blame the writing, but instead of looking confused and torn between two men, Olivia came off as total mess. How can you be so indecisive?
The writing was very mediocre, hence, everything that happened in the book felt extremely unrealistic.
Plus, we got a lot unnecessary details (like Olivia talking to her friends, going to work etc.), and very few interactions between David and Liv. It was super boring to read all that stuff, and throughout the book I felt an extreme urge to skip to the next interesting bit (where David is present).
If this is a romance book centered around a love tringle, then why would you need to include all those unnecessary details? It would be better if the plot just focused on the Bill-Liv-David situation, and didn’t meander.
I’m still shocked how long it took me to finish this book – it’s only 290 pages long, but I barely finished it in 2 weeks, because I simply had no will to pick up my kindle.
Really, the only good thing about the book was a sex scene at the end, but the ending maddened me beyond belief.
I’m pretty sure that fans of mutual pining will like this book, but I just couldn’t stand the poor execution. There was simply too much anguish and indecisiveness.
1.5 stars at best
Honestly, this was obnoxious, and you can’t convince me otherwise.
The relationship dynamic was straight-out absurd: I’m not sure whether to blame the writing, but instead of looking confused and torn between two men, Olivia came off as total mess. How can you be so indecisive?
The writing was very mediocre, hence, everything that happened in the book felt extremely unrealistic.
Plus, we got a lot unnecessary details (like Olivia talking to her friends, going to work etc.), and very few interactions between David and Liv. It was super boring to read all that stuff, and throughout the book I felt an extreme urge to skip to the next interesting bit (where David is present).
If this is a romance book centered around a love tringle, then why would you need to include all those unnecessary details? It would be better if the plot just focused on the Bill-Liv-David situation, and didn’t meander.
I’m still shocked how long it took me to finish this book – it’s only 290 pages long, but I barely finished it in 2 weeks, because I simply had no will to pick up my kindle.
Really, the only good thing about the book was a sex scene at the end, but the ending maddened me beyond belief.
I’m pretty sure that fans of mutual pining will like this book, but I just couldn’t stand the poor execution. There was simply too much anguish and indecisiveness.
1.5 stars at best
June 3, 2013
ARC provided thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like this book.It is a little slow to start, but it captivates you until the end that you don't notice it is already the end of the book(Am so glad I already have the next one or I might have thrown my kindle away because it ends in a cliffhanger!).I wasn't really sure that I will like this book about a married woman having an affair but unfortunately this happens in real life. Olivia and David have strong connection from the beginning even though Olivia is married to Bill who is patient and caring husband who adores her wife. David knew Olivia unlike anyone else simply because he paid attention and refused to accept her standard answer that she was fine even though he can tell that she is not close being fine at all.They tried to suppress their feeling to each other but the attraction is just too much that they have gone into a territory where u can't undo what has been done.The question now is whether Olivia will stay with Bill because she feels safe with their relationship or she will take the risk and follow her heart.We shall find out on the sequel.
I really like this book.It is a little slow to start, but it captivates you until the end that you don't notice it is already the end of the book(Am so glad I already have the next one or I might have thrown my kindle away because it ends in a cliffhanger!).I wasn't really sure that I will like this book about a married woman having an affair but unfortunately this happens in real life. Olivia and David have strong connection from the beginning even though Olivia is married to Bill who is patient and caring husband who adores her wife. David knew Olivia unlike anyone else simply because he paid attention and refused to accept her standard answer that she was fine even though he can tell that she is not close being fine at all.They tried to suppress their feeling to each other but the attraction is just too much that they have gone into a territory where u can't undo what has been done.The question now is whether Olivia will stay with Bill because she feels safe with their relationship or she will take the risk and follow her heart.We shall find out on the sequel.
September 14, 2014
This is for me the best romance series I've read. It has a great story, that doesn't rely on action to keep our attention. It's all about two normal people who fall in love. And it's well written.
Most series, even the ones that start really strong, lose something mid way through book two for me normally. This keeps your attention the whole way through, right through to the very last chapter. I LOVED it. I won't post any spoilers because you should just read it and you will LOVE it as much as I did.
I can't wait for what Miss Hawkins has for us next. I'm saving a reread until I go and holiday and can reread all three without interruption!
Most series, even the ones that start really strong, lose something mid way through book two for me normally. This keeps your attention the whole way through, right through to the very last chapter. I LOVED it. I won't post any spoilers because you should just read it and you will LOVE it as much as I did.
I can't wait for what Miss Hawkins has for us next. I'm saving a reread until I go and holiday and can reread all three without interruption!
June 16, 2025
idk why i bothered with this author when her something in the way series literally traumatized me for years 🤡 i wanted angst but mostly got the wrong kind
forget the fmc cheating on her husband (he was lowkey a dick who pushed her boundaries & shit she didn’t wantlike kids, i support women cheating on questionable men) my issue was the mmc getting around with other women all while trying to convince the fmc to leave her husband for him. mind you the fmc was skeptical of him for being a player and he was totally proving her right, like why she leave her husband of several years when she couldn’t trust you smh 😒
forget the fmc cheating on her husband (he was lowkey a dick who pushed her boundaries & shit she didn’t wantlike kids, i support women cheating on questionable men) my issue was the mmc getting around with other women all while trying to convince the fmc to leave her husband for him. mind you the fmc was skeptical of him for being a player and he was totally proving her right, like why she leave her husband of several years when she couldn’t trust you smh 😒
August 10, 2022
Drama fest! Soapy in a good way. Entertaining and full of tension.
Will be in my next vlog
Will be in my next vlog
August 5, 2013
I'm usually the horror reading gal, romance and hot stuff isn't my usual fare but once in a while I will fall prey to a good cover and I do enjoy other genres, a lot. Somehow Come Undone looked spicy enough so I took the plunge and requested this off NetGalley and then I attempted to read it. Yes attempted.... I absolutely hated the beginning, from the awkward syntax to the strange dialogue that never told me who was really talking I was cursing the way this was written but to my dislike there was that kernel inside of my mind that was curious as to what this whole shebang was about so I kept on reading. Somehow this book evolved organically on its own and the characters were able to emerge from within the pages and take me by my hand on their journey.
The title itself is very telling, Olivia Germaine is a woman who though that she knew she had the right guy in her life as she was doing all the correct things off her checklist, she was someone who was busy with her work and toying with the idea of getting a house when suddenly she was served with a dose of reality, her feelings weren't as grounded as she believed. It's pretty scary when you're interlocked with another human being for years through social layers of what has to be done when out of nowhere your world starts to feel like a high-rise ledge and there you are, faced with your responsibilities and commitments to other people while your heart is beating furiously in the opposite direction. Olivia certainly felt that high wind beating her face, she followed the rules yet here she was, more miserable day by day while her thoughts and dreams were haunted by another man, someone she didn't have the rights to claim as her own and who wasn't supposed to come between her and Bill. No one can ever own another human being, not to their core at least, Olivia was suddenly wrenched from her world and thrown into a wild game of pursuit with her judgment telling her otherwise. Once I had time to sit down and read this I had a good time with this wicked little story and the writing improved and fast, it felt as if the author found her soul through crafting this and it cradled the action nicely. Olivia and her friends, Lucy and Gretchen were a hoot, I enjoyed reading about their trials and tribulations, their highs and lows while she had to figure out what she really wanted out of life and what really made her happy. Do you stay with who you think you love or do you dare to imagine a different storybook ending? Sometimes happiness takes risks and doing scary things, not coasting safely behind a veil wondering why nothing moves us anymore; numb comfort is not what life is about.
It's interesting how initially Come Undone enraged me, I was annoyed how Olivia started to see flaws in her husband after she simply locked eyes with a handsome stranger at a ballet intermission but I stuck with the story, it was amusing, its errors made me feel all smug until I started to care. And then somehow the book took off like a wild horse, it tasted that night air and freedom and it dove for the gut and was great ever since. This is a real kicker, and there is a ton of buildup which can feel like a setup from the start but I'm very happy that I stuck with it, I know that writing isn't easy but I don't owe every author out there a shoulder massage telling them that yes, they did good if in fact I wasn't moved and inspired but this picked up its droopy drawers and put on some hot panties and made for quite a read! I won't divulge the plot, I went into it with very little knowledge and it was just perfect that way, too many reviews take pride at spoiling the plot, I can understand how keeping that in can be challenging with such an intricate story that is still on a roll at the end of book one that it would be a shame to ruin the twists and surprises. There's some hot stuff going on here so be prepared to tell everyone around you to be quiet when you're trying to concentrate on your, ahem, book...
- Kasia S.
The title itself is very telling, Olivia Germaine is a woman who though that she knew she had the right guy in her life as she was doing all the correct things off her checklist, she was someone who was busy with her work and toying with the idea of getting a house when suddenly she was served with a dose of reality, her feelings weren't as grounded as she believed. It's pretty scary when you're interlocked with another human being for years through social layers of what has to be done when out of nowhere your world starts to feel like a high-rise ledge and there you are, faced with your responsibilities and commitments to other people while your heart is beating furiously in the opposite direction. Olivia certainly felt that high wind beating her face, she followed the rules yet here she was, more miserable day by day while her thoughts and dreams were haunted by another man, someone she didn't have the rights to claim as her own and who wasn't supposed to come between her and Bill. No one can ever own another human being, not to their core at least, Olivia was suddenly wrenched from her world and thrown into a wild game of pursuit with her judgment telling her otherwise. Once I had time to sit down and read this I had a good time with this wicked little story and the writing improved and fast, it felt as if the author found her soul through crafting this and it cradled the action nicely. Olivia and her friends, Lucy and Gretchen were a hoot, I enjoyed reading about their trials and tribulations, their highs and lows while she had to figure out what she really wanted out of life and what really made her happy. Do you stay with who you think you love or do you dare to imagine a different storybook ending? Sometimes happiness takes risks and doing scary things, not coasting safely behind a veil wondering why nothing moves us anymore; numb comfort is not what life is about.
It's interesting how initially Come Undone enraged me, I was annoyed how Olivia started to see flaws in her husband after she simply locked eyes with a handsome stranger at a ballet intermission but I stuck with the story, it was amusing, its errors made me feel all smug until I started to care. And then somehow the book took off like a wild horse, it tasted that night air and freedom and it dove for the gut and was great ever since. This is a real kicker, and there is a ton of buildup which can feel like a setup from the start but I'm very happy that I stuck with it, I know that writing isn't easy but I don't owe every author out there a shoulder massage telling them that yes, they did good if in fact I wasn't moved and inspired but this picked up its droopy drawers and put on some hot panties and made for quite a read! I won't divulge the plot, I went into it with very little knowledge and it was just perfect that way, too many reviews take pride at spoiling the plot, I can understand how keeping that in can be challenging with such an intricate story that is still on a roll at the end of book one that it would be a shame to ruin the twists and surprises. There's some hot stuff going on here so be prepared to tell everyone around you to be quiet when you're trying to concentrate on your, ahem, book...
- Kasia S.
June 5, 2013
ARC Supplied by Jessica Hawkins via Netgalley
3.5 stars
Unfortunately this book is a bit of a slow starter. Olivia Germaine is a content married women, to Bill Wilson. She has, loyal friends and career, that she has worked hard for. Bill is pushing for a white picket fence life, ready to have children and basically just be happy. Olivia, however is not ready for that. She is content with the current lifestyle that they lead. A brief chance encounter with David Dylan brings a change in Olivia, an attraction to another man, which she doesn't understand or want to really acknowledge. Olivia is a broken character, going for a save life, than risk a life full of upset and hurt.
This is the first book where I have come across infidelity. I felt the author had really well portrayed through her writing the internal struggle and thought processes going through Olivia's mind. I guess when you hear about infidelity we always want someone to be at fault to enable us to except a fall out. But in this case I just did feel that fall out or really connect with Olivia and David. The book does end on a sort of cliff hanger and I will be reading the second book to appease my curiosity as how this relationship will either develop or end.
3.5 stars
Unfortunately this book is a bit of a slow starter. Olivia Germaine is a content married women, to Bill Wilson. She has, loyal friends and career, that she has worked hard for. Bill is pushing for a white picket fence life, ready to have children and basically just be happy. Olivia, however is not ready for that. She is content with the current lifestyle that they lead. A brief chance encounter with David Dylan brings a change in Olivia, an attraction to another man, which she doesn't understand or want to really acknowledge. Olivia is a broken character, going for a save life, than risk a life full of upset and hurt.
This is the first book where I have come across infidelity. I felt the author had really well portrayed through her writing the internal struggle and thought processes going through Olivia's mind. I guess when you hear about infidelity we always want someone to be at fault to enable us to except a fall out. But in this case I just did feel that fall out or really connect with Olivia and David. The book does end on a sort of cliff hanger and I will be reading the second book to appease my curiosity as how this relationship will either develop or end.
June 21, 2021
Pre-read thoughts: So.. I feel really conflicted about this.. I don't necessarily love the other series I've read by J.H, but this blurb sounds so good and it's on Kindle Unlimited...
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Come Alive Review
4.5 stars
Well can I say I am glad I took a chance on this series? Yes.
This was done so well. I am beyond surprised that I loved it so much because the other two series I have read from Jessica Hawkins really annoyed me. They've always been just good enough to make me want to see what happened but hate myself for spending money on them. Her heroines usually come off pretty whiny to me if I am being honest.
This book was an angsty, hot, slowburn.
The entire book is in Olivia's POV which is cool. I am a major fan of dual POV's though so *sighs*.
Essentially so I don't say too much and I can start on the next one the story is about Olivia who has been married for 5 years to her husband but pretty much living life going through the motions. She has some trauma in her past which is why she has these walls even from her husband and everyone seems to just go with it. He's asking her to move forward and she's not ready for that. Insert tall, dark, and handsome stranger that she feels an instant connection with. He's not trying to be a homewrecker but he sees her and wants her and is not putting up with her excuses (about herself not adultery.) Anyways it pretty much takes off from there.
More about our female lead Olivia Germaine: She's currently an assistant editor of a Chicago Magazine and has taken the initivative to try to land her boss' old position now that she's gone. I love how she's focused on her career. I really felt like I understood her about her keeping people at a distance, and I felt bad for her. However the cage and crossroads she fines herself in is pretty much of her own making. I feel that the book makes it clear that the choice between her love interests is about Olivia and not necessarily the fact that her husband is shitty(not that I'm saying he is) or David is so hot. It's about her making tough choices, her taking risks andher knowing what she wants and not what everyone expects from her.
but I will say that our male lead, David Dylan, sells this book for me by like 80% he is just sexy overall by more than just his looks. He was an alpha, honest, and beyond upfront.
Had me over looking like..
I really enjoyed the glimpses into his background that we got. He comes across as very endearing. I thought it was great that it's shown how conflicted he is and how he has his own morals and integrity that he tries to hold on to. Even though he has a womanizing past I think his intentions are very clear even if some may not agree with them.
Overall I think this must've been the book that made people like this author cause this was super solid.
------------------------
Come Alive Review
4.5 stars
Well can I say I am glad I took a chance on this series? Yes.
This was done so well. I am beyond surprised that I loved it so much because the other two series I have read from Jessica Hawkins really annoyed me. They've always been just good enough to make me want to see what happened but hate myself for spending money on them. Her heroines usually come off pretty whiny to me if I am being honest.
This book was an angsty, hot, slowburn.
The entire book is in Olivia's POV which is cool. I am a major fan of dual POV's though so *sighs*.
Essentially so I don't say too much and I can start on the next one the story is about Olivia who has been married for 5 years to her husband but pretty much living life going through the motions. She has some trauma in her past which is why she has these walls even from her husband and everyone seems to just go with it. He's asking her to move forward and she's not ready for that. Insert tall, dark, and handsome stranger that she feels an instant connection with. He's not trying to be a homewrecker but he sees her and wants her and is not putting up with her excuses (about herself not adultery.) Anyways it pretty much takes off from there.
More about our female lead Olivia Germaine: She's currently an assistant editor of a Chicago Magazine and has taken the initivative to try to land her boss' old position now that she's gone. I love how she's focused on her career. I really felt like I understood her about her keeping people at a distance, and I felt bad for her. However the cage and crossroads she fines herself in is pretty much of her own making. I feel that the book makes it clear that the choice between her love interests is about Olivia and not necessarily the fact that her husband is shitty(not that I'm saying he is) or David is so hot. It's about her making tough choices, her taking risks andher knowing what she wants and not what everyone expects from her.
And just like that, the decision ahead of me had nothing to do with David at all. Maybe it never had.
but I will say that our male lead, David Dylan, sells this book for me by like 80% he is just sexy overall by more than just his looks. He was an alpha, honest, and beyond upfront.
David leaned his elbows on his knees, his eyes dancing. "I came here for you, Olivia Germaine. I warned you I could be persistent."
Had me over looking like..
I really enjoyed the glimpses into his background that we got. He comes across as very endearing. I thought it was great that it's shown how conflicted he is and how he has his own morals and integrity that he tries to hold on to. Even though he has a womanizing past I think his intentions are very clear even if some may not agree with them.
Overall I think this must've been the book that made people like this author cause this was super solid.
May 22, 2019
WARNING! IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMEONE WITH A POTTY MOUTH THEN PLEASE LEAVE.
This book started slow, very slow. I wasn't even sure I was going to like it or finish due to it being that slow but now.....
I'M SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You end like that? YOU END LIKE THAT? What a clusterfuck of emotions, sweet mother of Joseph.
First of all, Olivia. Not condoning what she did, it's a story, not real life, whatever. But holy crap does she annoy the ever living shit out of me. Sort ya life out girl. Please? For my sake because I can't handle this.
Bill? Sorry, couldn't care a less about him. Seems like a dickhead to me and someone you just settle on.
David? SWOON ALERT.
Now then, Olivia royally fucked up because she can't admit her feelings and put her big girl panties on. Let's see what the next book has in store.
This book started slow, very slow. I wasn't even sure I was going to like it or finish due to it being that slow but now.....
I'M SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You end like that? YOU END LIKE THAT? What a clusterfuck of emotions, sweet mother of Joseph.
First of all, Olivia. Not condoning what she did, it's a story, not real life, whatever. But holy crap does she annoy the ever living shit out of me. Sort ya life out girl. Please? For my sake because I can't handle this.
Bill? Sorry, couldn't care a less about him. Seems like a dickhead to me and someone you just settle on.
David? SWOON ALERT.
Now then, Olivia royally fucked up because she can't admit her feelings and put her big girl panties on. Let's see what the next book has in store.
April 18, 2021
Audiobook Review
If you follow my reviews, you know that cheating isn't something that attracts me in a book.
But that's apply to books where the H or the h cheat at each other, out of the blue, or after they're together.
This book didn't deny since the blurb (or the trilogy name), that it's a book about an affair... So I knew before hand that it would have cheating or at least a love triangle.
What I didn't expect, was to root so badly for the homewrecker 😂😂😂😂 I mean... Come on... Who wouldn't lust for David Dylan?
This first book is a huge slow burn between Olivia and David, where they tiptoe around their undeniably connection, and both struggle with it, because she didn't want to cheat on a good husband, and the life that she believed was her forever, and he truly is a good person, who doesn't want to have an affair with a married woman.
But as they start to know each other, their connection becomes much more than just lust and physical attraction, and I honestly can't wait to see what the next book will show me.
She have so many things locked up inside her, that I'm scared at the moment she will explode with every pain that she's holding!
I couldn't stop listening to this book, and since I'm listening to the box set, I'll be right back to it!
The narration is by Andi Arndt, and she did an amazing job here!
October 18, 2022
Irritatingly repetitive, and I ultimately ended up feeling like she was the more obsessed party. Most likely because we only see her pov and all she thinks about is how hot the H is.🙄
MCs cheat with each other.
She fucks her hub a few times after meeting the H.(twice)
H had fuck buddies he dated after meeting the h.
He took them to events then they had sex afterwards.
“We have an unspoken arrangement. Maria accompanies me to some events.” David paused. “We sleep together. But we’re not exclusive.”
“ I can sleep with who I want, and I do.”
Not sure if I want to continue with the series, but 3 books about this same couple is too long. I kid you not, this book just goes around in circles to drag the shit out of the plot.
Absolutely nothing happens but the h saying how hot the H is for 300 pages. I wanted to slap her because she was just a dull, wishy washy, flat chested, career oriented bored wife.
H was a basic, 1 dimensional player, that fell in love at first sight with the uninteresting h.🙄
Boring.
MCs cheat with each other.
She fucks her hub a few times after meeting the H.(twice)
H had fuck buddies he dated after meeting the h.
He took them to events then they had sex afterwards.
“We have an unspoken arrangement. Maria accompanies me to some events.” David paused. “We sleep together. But we’re not exclusive.”
“ I can sleep with who I want, and I do.”
Not sure if I want to continue with the series, but 3 books about this same couple is too long. I kid you not, this book just goes around in circles to drag the shit out of the plot.
Absolutely nothing happens but the h saying how hot the H is for 300 pages. I wanted to slap her because she was just a dull, wishy washy, flat chested, career oriented bored wife.
H was a basic, 1 dimensional player, that fell in love at first sight with the uninteresting h.🙄
Boring.
February 14, 2022
I’m usually the horror reading gal, romance and hot stuff isn’t my usual fare but once in a while I will fall prey to a good cover and I do enjoy other genres, a lot. Somehow Come Undone looked spicy enough so I took the plunge and requested this off Netgalley and then I attempted to read it. Yes attempted…. I absolutely hated the beginning, from the awkward syntax to the strange dialogue that never told me who was really talking I was cursing the way this was written but to my dislike there was that kernel inside of mind that was curious as to what this whole shebang was about so I kept on reading. Somehow this book evolved organically on its own and the characters were able to emerge from within the pages and take me by my hand on their journey.
The title itself is very telling, Olivia Germaine is a woman who though that she knew she had the right guy in her life as she was doing all the correct things off her checklist, she was someone who was busy with her work and toying with the idea of getting a house when suddenly she was served with a dose of reality, her feelings weren’t as grounded as she believed. It’s pretty scary when you’re interlocked with another human being for years through social layers of what has to be done when out of nowhere your world starts to feel like a high-rise ledge and there you are, faced with your responsibilities and commitments to other people while your heart is beating furiously in the opposite direction. Olivia certainly felt that high wind beating her face, she followed the rules yet here she was, more miserable day by day while her thoughts and dreams were haunted by another man, someone she didn’t have the rights to claim as her own and who wasn’t supposed to come between her and Bill. No one can ever own another human being, not to their core at least, Olivia was suddenly wrenched from her world and thrown into a wild game of pursuit with her judgment telling her otherwise. Once I had time to sit down and read this I had a good time with this wicked little story and the writing improved and fast, it felt as if the author found her soul through crafting this and it cradled the action nicely. Olivia and her friends,
Lucy and Gretchen were a hoot, I enjoyed reading about their trials and tribulations, their highs and lows while she had to figure out what she really wanted out of life and what really made her happy. Do you stay with who you think you love or do you dare to imagine a different storybook ending? Sometimes happiness takes risks and doing scary things, not coasting safely behind a veil wondering why nothing moves us anymore; numb comfort is not what life is about.
It’s interesting how initially Come Undone enraged me, I was annoyed how Olivia started to see flaws in her husband after she simply locked eyes with a handsome stranger at a ballet intermission but I stuck with the story, it was amusing, its errors made me feel all smug until I started to care. And then somehow the book took off like a wild horse, it tasted that night air and freedom and it dove for the gut and was great ever since. This is a real kicker, and there is a ton of buildup which can feel like a setup from the start but I’m very happy that I stuck with it, I know that writing isn’t easy but I don’t owe every author out there a shoulder massage telling them that yes, they did good if in fact I wasn’t moved and inspired but this picked up its droopy drawers and put on some hot panties and made for quite a read! I won’t divulge the plot, I went into it with very little knowledge and it was just perfect that way, too many reviews take pride at spoiling the plot, I can understand how keeping that in can be challenging with such an intricate story that is still on a roll at the end of book one that it would be a shame to ruin the twists and surprises. There’s some hot stuff going on here so be prepared to tell everyone around you to be quiet when you’re trying to concentrate on your, ahem, book…
- Kasia S.
The title itself is very telling, Olivia Germaine is a woman who though that she knew she had the right guy in her life as she was doing all the correct things off her checklist, she was someone who was busy with her work and toying with the idea of getting a house when suddenly she was served with a dose of reality, her feelings weren’t as grounded as she believed. It’s pretty scary when you’re interlocked with another human being for years through social layers of what has to be done when out of nowhere your world starts to feel like a high-rise ledge and there you are, faced with your responsibilities and commitments to other people while your heart is beating furiously in the opposite direction. Olivia certainly felt that high wind beating her face, she followed the rules yet here she was, more miserable day by day while her thoughts and dreams were haunted by another man, someone she didn’t have the rights to claim as her own and who wasn’t supposed to come between her and Bill. No one can ever own another human being, not to their core at least, Olivia was suddenly wrenched from her world and thrown into a wild game of pursuit with her judgment telling her otherwise. Once I had time to sit down and read this I had a good time with this wicked little story and the writing improved and fast, it felt as if the author found her soul through crafting this and it cradled the action nicely. Olivia and her friends,
Lucy and Gretchen were a hoot, I enjoyed reading about their trials and tribulations, their highs and lows while she had to figure out what she really wanted out of life and what really made her happy. Do you stay with who you think you love or do you dare to imagine a different storybook ending? Sometimes happiness takes risks and doing scary things, not coasting safely behind a veil wondering why nothing moves us anymore; numb comfort is not what life is about.
It’s interesting how initially Come Undone enraged me, I was annoyed how Olivia started to see flaws in her husband after she simply locked eyes with a handsome stranger at a ballet intermission but I stuck with the story, it was amusing, its errors made me feel all smug until I started to care. And then somehow the book took off like a wild horse, it tasted that night air and freedom and it dove for the gut and was great ever since. This is a real kicker, and there is a ton of buildup which can feel like a setup from the start but I’m very happy that I stuck with it, I know that writing isn’t easy but I don’t owe every author out there a shoulder massage telling them that yes, they did good if in fact I wasn’t moved and inspired but this picked up its droopy drawers and put on some hot panties and made for quite a read! I won’t divulge the plot, I went into it with very little knowledge and it was just perfect that way, too many reviews take pride at spoiling the plot, I can understand how keeping that in can be challenging with such an intricate story that is still on a roll at the end of book one that it would be a shame to ruin the twists and surprises. There’s some hot stuff going on here so be prepared to tell everyone around you to be quiet when you’re trying to concentrate on your, ahem, book…
- Kasia S.
June 18, 2013
Review By: Sarah
Title: Come Undone
Series: The Cityscape Series Book One
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Genre: Literature/Fiction (Adult), Romance
Blurb: Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she’s created the life she always envisioned.
But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago.
David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness . . . or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
Thoughts: From the outside, it appears that Olivia Germaine has the ideal life: a good marriage, great friends, a challenging career, and a life she loves right in the midst of Chicago. But there are certain things she has resigned herself to in her life - with explosive sexual chemistry being one of them - or the lack thereof in her marriage. She's resigned herself to the idea that it is a fault of hers - and hers alone - and that she is simply incapable of having such feelings. So when she's face with a sexy stranger who manages to hit all the right buttons, can she resist the temptation to have an affair outside her marriage?
David, however, has somewhat of a reputation as a womanizer. But he usually draws the line at sleeping with married women. Unfortunately, there is something about Olivia that he just can't resist. Can he hold out against their explosive chemistry?
My first word regarding this book is simply - wow! I can't ever remember reading a book quite like this one before. Sure, we have all read a storyline that is somewhat reminiscent of the general idea behind this book, but the way the author strings this story out is amazing and outside the norm for this type of book. The author really manages to make you feel the temptation that both of the characters feel towards each other, how they struggle against their attraction, and the guilt that they feel because of it. It definitely pushes some boundaries. I have read either tame versions of similar storylines, or those on the complete opposite end of the spectrum that are more erotic, but nothing like this! This book really captures the build-up of sexual attraction and emotion that happens before hitting the extra-marital sex. And all the characters are in the book - we don't just have a shadowy, one-dimensional husband that you can pretend doesn't exist. The author really manages to bring into the book - and into the situation the characters faces herself with.
One problem I see right away with this book, is that certain individuals might have moral issues with it. If you have problems reading about people who are tempted outside of their marriage vows, this book is definitely not for you. I found the book to be a bit slow to get started, and I was actually beginning to wonder if this book was going to be one that I just wanted to call it quits on. But I'm so glad I didn't! Once things start picking up, you can't put it down! I actually found myself When it starts building up to the end scene - I have to say, this will be one of the most memorable scenes I have ever read, not to mention hot as....well, Hades....LOL And it ends on a major cliffhanger - one that had me searching frantically online for the next installment! This book is a real must read!
The next book, Come Alive, is out now.
Rate: A+
For more great reviews visit us @ http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Title: Come Undone
Series: The Cityscape Series Book One
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Genre: Literature/Fiction (Adult), Romance
Blurb: Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she’s created the life she always envisioned.
But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she’d buried long ago.
David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness . . . or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
Thoughts: From the outside, it appears that Olivia Germaine has the ideal life: a good marriage, great friends, a challenging career, and a life she loves right in the midst of Chicago. But there are certain things she has resigned herself to in her life - with explosive sexual chemistry being one of them - or the lack thereof in her marriage. She's resigned herself to the idea that it is a fault of hers - and hers alone - and that she is simply incapable of having such feelings. So when she's face with a sexy stranger who manages to hit all the right buttons, can she resist the temptation to have an affair outside her marriage?
David, however, has somewhat of a reputation as a womanizer. But he usually draws the line at sleeping with married women. Unfortunately, there is something about Olivia that he just can't resist. Can he hold out against their explosive chemistry?
My first word regarding this book is simply - wow! I can't ever remember reading a book quite like this one before. Sure, we have all read a storyline that is somewhat reminiscent of the general idea behind this book, but the way the author strings this story out is amazing and outside the norm for this type of book. The author really manages to make you feel the temptation that both of the characters feel towards each other, how they struggle against their attraction, and the guilt that they feel because of it. It definitely pushes some boundaries. I have read either tame versions of similar storylines, or those on the complete opposite end of the spectrum that are more erotic, but nothing like this! This book really captures the build-up of sexual attraction and emotion that happens before hitting the extra-marital sex. And all the characters are in the book - we don't just have a shadowy, one-dimensional husband that you can pretend doesn't exist. The author really manages to bring into the book - and into the situation the characters faces herself with.
One problem I see right away with this book, is that certain individuals might have moral issues with it. If you have problems reading about people who are tempted outside of their marriage vows, this book is definitely not for you. I found the book to be a bit slow to get started, and I was actually beginning to wonder if this book was going to be one that I just wanted to call it quits on. But I'm so glad I didn't! Once things start picking up, you can't put it down! I actually found myself When it starts building up to the end scene - I have to say, this will be one of the most memorable scenes I have ever read, not to mention hot as....well, Hades....LOL And it ends on a major cliffhanger - one that had me searching frantically online for the next installment! This book is a real must read!
The next book, Come Alive, is out now.
Rate: A+
For more great reviews visit us @ http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
June 12, 2014
(This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
WOW!! Where do I even begin??
I stumbled upon Jessica Hawkins doing a Goodreads search in Listopia for something similar to Emily Giffin's "Something Borrowed" (but maybe a little bit more revealing, if you know what I mean), and the summary intrigued me. I thought it'd be a sexy, fluffy story that would probably hold my interest well enough to leave me satisfied for a while, but never did I expect that it'd consume me the way it did. I read the entire book last night, without pause, and by the end of it, I was left reeling and restless and you-know-what, and there was no waking my husband up because he had to rest so he could go to work in an hour, and DAMN DAMN DAMN if I didn't dream about David when I actually COULD go to sleep!!
Olivia is a happily married woman (or so she thinks) to a polite work-a-holic named Bill, who seemingly adores her on the outside. She is a successful editor's assistant with a peeking job promotion around the corner. She has an amazing group of friends, a father who worships her, and co-workers/strangers who seem smitten by her from day one. She is determined, and very well-put together.
Almost, too put together.
The story starts slow, but once it gets rolling, it rolls fast. We learn that Olivia is almost stepford-ish in the way she's married to Bill. Thanks to her Father's raising, she likes everything neat and crisp and tidy and perfect, and she does her best to make up for what her father and mother's relationship lacked in her own personal life. Her husband Bill plays along with that -- to a point. Then we learn that Bill and Olivia are wanting different things, life-altering things, and Olivia, feeling a bit stuffy and trapped, becomes intrigued by a Bachelor she's running a story on, in hopes of becoming Editor.
David is known for his playboy abilities by all of Olivia's closest friends, and even though Olivia tries her best to ignore the part of her burning inside from first sight, she can't. He's quite the charmer; he's witty, smart, successful, and he observes Olivia in a way that she cannot hide from, like she's used to doing with everyone else. He sees her, what she lacks, what she wants, what she secretly desires... and in turn, is so passionate and dedicated about giving these things to her, whether she's married or not, that he becomes consumed. Olivia slowly but surely loses her inhibitions for him, and what spirals out of it is beyond either of their control. In fact, the more they try to control it, the more they can't.
You know me, I hate spoilers, but I will say this: READ IT. It's that slow, sexy burn that builds and builds and builds like a long-awaited orgasm, and before you know it, you've blinked, feeling breathless as you finished the novel, realizing it's 4am and you're left yearning for the next chapter... and some kind of release.
MORE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESSICA HAWKINS AND THIS SERIES, so I beg you, give it a chance, and pimp/promote the hell out of her!! (Don't forget to thank me, too!)
I give COME UNDONE 4/5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who's secretly desired just a little bit more.
~*~
You can find more of my reviews here: at my website, Behind-The-Words.net, as well as Amazon.com, Goodreads, and (if ARC's) at NetGalley.
WOW!! Where do I even begin??
I stumbled upon Jessica Hawkins doing a Goodreads search in Listopia for something similar to Emily Giffin's "Something Borrowed" (but maybe a little bit more revealing, if you know what I mean), and the summary intrigued me. I thought it'd be a sexy, fluffy story that would probably hold my interest well enough to leave me satisfied for a while, but never did I expect that it'd consume me the way it did. I read the entire book last night, without pause, and by the end of it, I was left reeling and restless and you-know-what, and there was no waking my husband up because he had to rest so he could go to work in an hour, and DAMN DAMN DAMN if I didn't dream about David when I actually COULD go to sleep!!
Olivia is a happily married woman (or so she thinks) to a polite work-a-holic named Bill, who seemingly adores her on the outside. She is a successful editor's assistant with a peeking job promotion around the corner. She has an amazing group of friends, a father who worships her, and co-workers/strangers who seem smitten by her from day one. She is determined, and very well-put together.
Almost, too put together.
The story starts slow, but once it gets rolling, it rolls fast. We learn that Olivia is almost stepford-ish in the way she's married to Bill. Thanks to her Father's raising, she likes everything neat and crisp and tidy and perfect, and she does her best to make up for what her father and mother's relationship lacked in her own personal life. Her husband Bill plays along with that -- to a point. Then we learn that Bill and Olivia are wanting different things, life-altering things, and Olivia, feeling a bit stuffy and trapped, becomes intrigued by a Bachelor she's running a story on, in hopes of becoming Editor.
David is known for his playboy abilities by all of Olivia's closest friends, and even though Olivia tries her best to ignore the part of her burning inside from first sight, she can't. He's quite the charmer; he's witty, smart, successful, and he observes Olivia in a way that she cannot hide from, like she's used to doing with everyone else. He sees her, what she lacks, what she wants, what she secretly desires... and in turn, is so passionate and dedicated about giving these things to her, whether she's married or not, that he becomes consumed. Olivia slowly but surely loses her inhibitions for him, and what spirals out of it is beyond either of their control. In fact, the more they try to control it, the more they can't.
You know me, I hate spoilers, but I will say this: READ IT. It's that slow, sexy burn that builds and builds and builds like a long-awaited orgasm, and before you know it, you've blinked, feeling breathless as you finished the novel, realizing it's 4am and you're left yearning for the next chapter... and some kind of release.
MORE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JESSICA HAWKINS AND THIS SERIES, so I beg you, give it a chance, and pimp/promote the hell out of her!! (Don't forget to thank me, too!)
I give COME UNDONE 4/5 stars, and recommend it to anyone who's secretly desired just a little bit more.
~*~
You can find more of my reviews here: at my website, Behind-The-Words.net, as well as Amazon.com, Goodreads, and (if ARC's) at NetGalley.
June 13, 2013
Oh my word. How to review this book with no spoilers? We all know how I hate spoilers.
Hot.
Hot.
Hot.
There didn’t even have to be a love scene for this book to be hot. Don’t fret. There was some steamy moments. (Not a YA book)
Is it bad I was hoping her husband would do something that would open the way for her to be able to be with David?
Probably.
There’s this line here that I’m nervous about crossing with my review. It’s that most marriages don’t stay hot like they are in the beginning. They settle into a routine and you have jobs, and kids, and you have to work to keep the romance alive. Then again, I’ve been divorced. It didn’t work out. No matter how hard we tried. It just didn’t.
Olivia. Olivia. If you were my best friend what would I tell you? I would probably tell her to stay away from David and concentrate on her husband.
The book was so good at relaying her feelings, the guilt just at having these feelings, the questions she was having regarding her own marriage, jealousy, and the attraction between her and David.
Jessica Hawkins, I love you.
Amazing book. Amazing story. Amazing chemistry. I couldn’t wait to dive into the next one. Speaking of which, I happened to have read right after I finished this one.
Hot.
Hot.
Hot.
There didn’t even have to be a love scene for this book to be hot. Don’t fret. There was some steamy moments. (Not a YA book)
Is it bad I was hoping her husband would do something that would open the way for her to be able to be with David?
Probably.
There’s this line here that I’m nervous about crossing with my review. It’s that most marriages don’t stay hot like they are in the beginning. They settle into a routine and you have jobs, and kids, and you have to work to keep the romance alive. Then again, I’ve been divorced. It didn’t work out. No matter how hard we tried. It just didn’t.
Olivia. Olivia. If you were my best friend what would I tell you? I would probably tell her to stay away from David and concentrate on her husband.
The book was so good at relaying her feelings, the guilt just at having these feelings, the questions she was having regarding her own marriage, jealousy, and the attraction between her and David.
Jessica Hawkins, I love you.
Amazing book. Amazing story. Amazing chemistry. I couldn’t wait to dive into the next one. Speaking of which, I happened to have read right after I finished this one.
November 12, 2022
4-4.5 ⭐'s
I've had this series on my backlist for ages and I'm so glad I gave it a go. Wow...the angst was oh-so-good. I especially like when a love story is spread out and three books (or more) are devoted to one couple.
Olivia and David see each other over a crowded theater and lock eyes. Everything is said at that moment except for the fact that Olivia is married. "Happily" is another story and it takes Olivia on a journey to figure that out.
David's the whole package and he struggles with not becoming "that person". He knows Olivia's the one and he's been waiting for her...it's hard for him to be patient a while longer.
It was difficult reading about Olivia's struggle. My heart went out to her but I loved her and David together.
I've had this series on my backlist for ages and I'm so glad I gave it a go. Wow...the angst was oh-so-good. I especially like when a love story is spread out and three books (or more) are devoted to one couple.
Olivia and David see each other over a crowded theater and lock eyes. Everything is said at that moment except for the fact that Olivia is married. "Happily" is another story and it takes Olivia on a journey to figure that out.
David's the whole package and he struggles with not becoming "that person". He knows Olivia's the one and he's been waiting for her...it's hard for him to be patient a while longer.
It was difficult reading about Olivia's struggle. My heart went out to her but I loved her and David together.
April 26, 2013
Am I team David? or team Bill? lol
It would have been easier if the author made Bill like a douche bag, but nooo. He's nice and sweet. He was almost the perfect husband.. but I guess he's just not the right husband for Olivia...
David on the other hand.. whew! He's hot, smart, all alpha male and just doesn't know how to give up. He was determined to have Olivia. It was hard not to like him and by the end I was rooting for David! He won me over in the last few pages of the book.
I'm not a fan of cheating heroines, but this one has great plot and likeable characters that you can relate to.
This one ends with a cliffhanger... and couldn't wait for the next book!
It would have been easier if the author made Bill like a douche bag, but nooo. He's nice and sweet. He was almost the perfect husband.. but I guess he's just not the right husband for Olivia...
David on the other hand.. whew! He's hot, smart, all alpha male and just doesn't know how to give up. He was determined to have Olivia. It was hard not to like him and by the end I was rooting for David! He won me over in the last few pages of the book.
I'm not a fan of cheating heroines, but this one has great plot and likeable characters that you can relate to.
This one ends with a cliffhanger... and couldn't wait for the next book!
March 1, 2018
4.25 Stars
This series was recommended to me by my friend, Tanya ages ago. I'm sure she might've forgotten about it but I did not. I just added it on my long lists of TBR until now.
After all my current reads that doesn't seem to stir any emotions from me as I felt detached to the story, good to know that this book was an exception.
Yey!
Reading till the wee hours is a sure sign that I'm invested.
And what else do you expect from reading a book about cheating? Obviously, I'm royally pissed. But it's better than feeling nothing.
At first, it was a difficult read because I'm having a hard time remembering all the names of their friends because I'm not good at it. So when I was bombarded with many side characters in just a couple of pages, I get easily confused.
Now let's get into the story.
By the way, slightly spoilerish review
Ms. Hawkins did a wonderful job in creating a heroine that I'll HATE .
Before anything else, let me give you a picture that Olivia was pretty damn hot as most of the man she engage in conversation with felt a pang of disappointment when they notice the ring on her left hand. Bill, on the other hand is.... well.. I don't know. Expect from what Olivia has mentioned.
Next to my dad, Bill seemed . . . lankier than usual. He was a few inches taller and not nearly as robust looking.
The first sentence of the blurb states the following.
Olivia Germaine has already found love. - Yeah right. **snort** I actually cannot say the same.
"Bill’s proposal had been sincere, like everything else he did for me, but we’d had an audience. All of my friends and family looked on as he bent on one knee, and all I remembered thinking was that he needed new pants, that they were too short."
“I can’t believe you never took Bill’s last name,”
I twisted my mouth at her. “It’s a lot more hassle than you realize,” I said. “Tons of paperwork.” .... “What? It’s not that I don’t want to, I just never got around to it.”
“Poor Bill,” Gretchen said with a shake of her head.
I sighed. “Well, maybe that will be my project for the summer. I know it would make him happy. It’s just that . . . Wilson? It’s so . . .” I made a face. “I don’t feel like a Wilson.”
Devoted wife - In what aspect exactly? I cannot see it at all.
“I forgot to pick up condoms.”
“It’s fine.”
My brows furrowed. “It is not fine. You know I’m not on birth control.”
“Come on, Liv, just this once.” He sighed, annoyed, even though we’d never done it without one.
“Nope.” A friend of mine in high school had tried birth control and ended up ten pounds heavier and horribly moody. The day she slapped another student, I swore off of it forever.
But the moment she met David, her perception changes...
“Okay, I started taking birth control,” I said, grinning. “No more condoms. Although actually, we can’t start for a few more days, and I think I’d like to give it another week just to be safe....
“Where’s my birth control?” I heard my foot tapping against the floor but couldn’t stop it.
“What?”
“My birth control. Where is it? Did you do something with it?”
“What would I do with it?” he asked, raising his chin and looking down at me over his nose.
“I don’t know but it’s not in my bag, and it wasn’t where I left it on the kitchen counter. Did you take it? Did you hide it?”
“Hide it?” he boomed. “Do you think I’m some sort of monster? Shit, Olivia, when did you get so fucking paranoid?”
“Well, where is it then?” I began to shrink back, recognizing the look in his eyes. I rushed over and shut the heavy wooden door, steeling my shoulder against it.
He snatched my purse from the floor and rifled through it. “Here,” he said, pulling the packet out and throwing it on the floor. “There’s your bullshit birth control. I put it in the zipper pocket so you wouldn’t forget it.”
“Oh, I - ”
“Along with a shitload of condoms, because I never know with you,” he said, pulling out a string of foil packets and dropping them at his feet. “Don’t worry, we won’t be needing them tonight,”
Poor Bill.
What I hate the most though is
Bill doesn't necessarily appeared nonchalance about Olivia's attack, it's just that she tune down what actually happened. He even proposed to come home but she declined.
I also HATE her push and pull drama with David.
“You’re flirting with me, even though you asked me to back off. Just like on the roof the other day.” He stopped and I blinked at him a few times, unsure of what he’d say next. “Olivia, I’ll put on a show in front of your friends, at your work, whenever we’re in public. But I’m growing tired of pretending when we’re alone. Don’t tempt me,” he warned.
Mind you, it always happened that way with David. Until she finally gave in. Oh, did I mentioned that she never had an orgasm during sex? Not with everyone except David. The cliché.
Or maybe because...
"...Shoes. Size fourteen. And a half,” he said with a wink. “They’re hard to find, so don’t forget to write that down.”
It took me a second to realize I had dropped my pen. Lucy froze, and I was sure I saw her sneak a peek upward from where she was crouched. I wonder if that’s true? He does have big hands. And if . . . ? I shook my head and looked up. He was watching me in the reflection again. "
loyal friend, determined career woman - I couldn't disagree with that. But that's not the main issue here.
The sexual tension was pretty high on this one. Though slow burn because of the push and pull.
I actually have no idea how to story will go, as I refrain from reading any reviews after this one to avoid possible spoilers.
I also find the author writes more details about David. I only hoped that we get to know or read more of Bill's side on the second book.
Whew. Sorry for that.
Overall, did I love the turn of events in this book? Heck, no. So, will I continue to read the second book? Oh yeah, baby!
This series was recommended to me by my friend, Tanya ages ago. I'm sure she might've forgotten about it but I did not. I just added it on my long lists of TBR until now.
After all my current reads that doesn't seem to stir any emotions from me as I felt detached to the story, good to know that this book was an exception.
Yey!
Reading till the wee hours is a sure sign that I'm invested.
And what else do you expect from reading a book about cheating? Obviously, I'm royally pissed. But it's better than feeling nothing.
At first, it was a difficult read because I'm having a hard time remembering all the names of their friends because I'm not good at it. So when I was bombarded with many side characters in just a couple of pages, I get easily confused.
Now let's get into the story.
By the way, slightly spoilerish review
Ms. Hawkins did a wonderful job in creating a heroine that I'll HATE .
Before anything else, let me give you a picture that Olivia was pretty damn hot as most of the man she engage in conversation with felt a pang of disappointment when they notice the ring on her left hand. Bill, on the other hand is.... well.. I don't know. Expect from what Olivia has mentioned.
Next to my dad, Bill seemed . . . lankier than usual. He was a few inches taller and not nearly as robust looking.
The first sentence of the blurb states the following.
Olivia Germaine has already found love. - Yeah right. **snort** I actually cannot say the same.
"Bill’s proposal had been sincere, like everything else he did for me, but we’d had an audience. All of my friends and family looked on as he bent on one knee, and all I remembered thinking was that he needed new pants, that they were too short."
“I can’t believe you never took Bill’s last name,”
I twisted my mouth at her. “It’s a lot more hassle than you realize,” I said. “Tons of paperwork.” .... “What? It’s not that I don’t want to, I just never got around to it.”
“Poor Bill,” Gretchen said with a shake of her head.
I sighed. “Well, maybe that will be my project for the summer. I know it would make him happy. It’s just that . . . Wilson? It’s so . . .” I made a face. “I don’t feel like a Wilson.”
Devoted wife - In what aspect exactly? I cannot see it at all.
“I forgot to pick up condoms.”
“It’s fine.”
My brows furrowed. “It is not fine. You know I’m not on birth control.”
“Come on, Liv, just this once.” He sighed, annoyed, even though we’d never done it without one.
“Nope.” A friend of mine in high school had tried birth control and ended up ten pounds heavier and horribly moody. The day she slapped another student, I swore off of it forever.
But the moment she met David, her perception changes...
“Okay, I started taking birth control,” I said, grinning. “No more condoms. Although actually, we can’t start for a few more days, and I think I’d like to give it another week just to be safe....
“Where’s my birth control?” I heard my foot tapping against the floor but couldn’t stop it.
“What?”
“My birth control. Where is it? Did you do something with it?”
“What would I do with it?” he asked, raising his chin and looking down at me over his nose.
“I don’t know but it’s not in my bag, and it wasn’t where I left it on the kitchen counter. Did you take it? Did you hide it?”
“Hide it?” he boomed. “Do you think I’m some sort of monster? Shit, Olivia, when did you get so fucking paranoid?”
“Well, where is it then?” I began to shrink back, recognizing the look in his eyes. I rushed over and shut the heavy wooden door, steeling my shoulder against it.
He snatched my purse from the floor and rifled through it. “Here,” he said, pulling the packet out and throwing it on the floor. “There’s your bullshit birth control. I put it in the zipper pocket so you wouldn’t forget it.”
“Oh, I - ”
“Along with a shitload of condoms, because I never know with you,” he said, pulling out a string of foil packets and dropping them at his feet. “Don’t worry, we won’t be needing them tonight,”
Poor Bill.
What I hate the most though is
Bill doesn't necessarily appeared nonchalance about Olivia's attack, it's just that she tune down what actually happened. He even proposed to come home but she declined.
I also HATE her push and pull drama with David.
“You’re flirting with me, even though you asked me to back off. Just like on the roof the other day.” He stopped and I blinked at him a few times, unsure of what he’d say next. “Olivia, I’ll put on a show in front of your friends, at your work, whenever we’re in public. But I’m growing tired of pretending when we’re alone. Don’t tempt me,” he warned.
Mind you, it always happened that way with David. Until she finally gave in. Oh, did I mentioned that she never had an orgasm during sex? Not with everyone except David. The cliché.
Or maybe because...
"...Shoes. Size fourteen. And a half,” he said with a wink. “They’re hard to find, so don’t forget to write that down.”
It took me a second to realize I had dropped my pen. Lucy froze, and I was sure I saw her sneak a peek upward from where she was crouched. I wonder if that’s true? He does have big hands. And if . . . ? I shook my head and looked up. He was watching me in the reflection again. "
loyal friend, determined career woman - I couldn't disagree with that. But that's not the main issue here.
The sexual tension was pretty high on this one. Though slow burn because of the push and pull.
I actually have no idea how to story will go, as I refrain from reading any reviews after this one to avoid possible spoilers.
I also find the author writes more details about David. I only hoped that we get to know or read more of Bill's side on the second book.
Whew. Sorry for that.
Overall, did I love the turn of events in this book? Heck, no. So, will I continue to read the second book? Oh yeah, baby!
July 8, 2020
I can’t believe I waited so long to read this series!! It’s sooo good and now moving on to the next book.
June 29, 2013
3.5 stars... This book started out really slow for me. I stuck with it and it actually got pretty good. Love triangles are not my favorite type of book but for some reason this one worked for me. Since it ended on a cliffhanger I immediately moved on to book two. I am reading it now. I hear it is better but I am not sure if I agree yet. I do like David more than I like Bill so I am cheering him on all the way. Hopefully this will end with the hea I am hoping for.
July 14, 2020
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! Another re-read, last read April/2018. Love triangle trilogy. Still so good. I love this series. David is yummy.
Re-read originally read on 3/4/2017. I still like it. This series got me hooked on this genre for awhile, I couldn’t get enough of these types of reads. I love marriage strifes books too. Back then this was so scandalous for me lol, not so much now though. Still a good read.
Re-read originally read on 3/4/2017. I still like it. This series got me hooked on this genre for awhile, I couldn’t get enough of these types of reads. I love marriage strifes books too. Back then this was so scandalous for me lol, not so much now though. Still a good read.
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