My Despicable Ex

The Ashly Roberts Saga #1

by Sierra Rose

She thinks he’s despicable. He wants her back…with a vengeance.

Ashly Roberts and Jake Connors are barely twenty when they decide to take the proverbial plunge and walk down the aisle to exchange vows in front of the dearly beloved. Basking in bridal bliss, Ashly feels she is living the perfect fairytale, until she’s faced with a runaway groom, dumped at the altar by bad-boy fiancé, Jake Connors.

Five years later, Jake steps back into her life, realizing that being a no-show for their nuptials was the worst mistake of his life. A little older and slightly more mature, he is ready to fight for Ashly’s love once again. When Ashly sees him, she can’t deny the attraction she feels, but her hormones are overruled by the horror of what he did to her in the past. Nevertheless, Jake’s most potent weapon, those dazzling baby blues, ignites a spark in Ashly, no matter how angry she wants to be. She cannot deny the spark, and she only hopes the inferno it ignites will not consume her heart again.

*This is NOT erotica* This is a love story and a romance. Ashly is a photographer and took this hot, shirtless picture of Jake before they broke up. He hopes they can rekindle the magic and re-take this picture.

*This is a two book series* (All of your answers won't be answered in book 1)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks, New Adult, Chick Lit, Adult

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Sierra Rose is a stay at home mom and writer. With the support from her husband, friends, and family, she finally decided to write her first romance novel, My Despicable Ex, followed by the second book in the series. She hopes to write more romance books in the future.

Sierra is a dreamer, a hopeless romantic, and believes fairy tales can come true. She enjoys spending time with her husband of ten years and her wonderful children, ages 9 - 12. She has two cats and one dog. Sierra enjoys going to book clubs, camping, hiking, reading, jogging, and swimming.

Reviews

[Geri Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a freebie. But still...

[Mariℓina · Rating 3 out of 5]

That book is NOT what you think..
I had fun while reading it but..

..that wasn't a romance book.. It was the freaking last issue of National Geographic, i kid you not..
Lions, elephants, crocodiles, mules you name it.. It was in there..


Nature is nice, is good, is out there.. But the truth is i'm not so nature friendly my self..
I mean if outside is so good, why the mankind spend thousands of years to perfect the inside? 'quoting my favorite Sheldon Cooper'.


I love to travel but i don't get why you have to sleep with lions roaming around your tent when you can be in a luxurious 5 star hotel in a huge jacuzzi, drinking champagne..


A crocodile can not eat you alive in there..
As for the story, well nice but nothing special.. I have to read the next part to tell you what will happen in the city of love!!
They are going to Paris!! YEAH!
No crazy animals there..

At least i hope so..



THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- They were too young..
- But still i don't get why he acted that way.. Maybe there is something in the story not yet revealed.. I even have some thoughts on the matter..
- The whole plan is a mystery to me..
- Ashly is ok.. She thinks a lot and overanalyzes everything.. Well what woman doesn't..
- Jake is too cocky.. And for someone how pulled such a stunt on their wedding day.. wow..
- I enjoyed the writing, though it is a little juvenile..
- I liked her best friend Nadia..

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ROMANCE, OR TRAVEL GUIDE?

5 years ago Jake left Ashly at the altar. Devastated Ashly has tried to move forward with her life but although her professional life is okay, any personal relationships are disastrous. Ashly doesn't have the ability to trust anymore.

Present day and Ashly's mother has died. At the reading of the will Ashly is surprised to see Jake turn up. Ashly's mother has left her fortune to them both, but there are conditions attached. They must travel to different destinations around the world together and provide photographic proof. If they don't comply they can kiss 25 millions dollars each goodbye.

When I started this story the opening chapters were good and I thought I was in for a treat. Unfortunately that hope soon disappeared. Initially Ashly quite rightly refused absolutely to go along with the terms of her mothers will. Even 25 million dollars was not enough of a pull to persuade her to have to spend even a minute in Jake's company. But then the author used a rather weak plot device to force Ashly to participate in what she saw as a charade. Jake had been pestering Ashly to agree as he wanted the money. I wondered why Ashly never asked Jake why he was so desperate for the money.

Basically the majority of this story featured Jake constantly apologising for jilting her and Ashly biting his head off. The rest of the book went into lots of detail of all the places they visited. So for me Ashly came across as a bitter woman, while Jake was a whining gold digger. It was a bit boring with no romance in this at all. This isn't even a complete story, you have to read book two if you want to find out what happens.

[Carolyn F. · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this were a regular book, I'd throw it across the room. The premise of the book sounded great, but then after dumping his young girlfriend at their wedding, telling her to not call him again, he wonders why she's bitter. This girl doesn't just sit him down and tell him, "Look, you humiliated me, broke my heart, didn't give me any warning, told me to not call you while I cried for years wondering why and you wonder why I'm bitter?" Nope, she just yells that he's a jackass. I was tired of them both but I kept reading. The traveling with pictures idea I didn't get but I still kept on reading because I was almost done. But nope! The author leaves this as only half of the book with a huge cliffhanger and "To Be Continued...". If I bought this, I'm asking for a refund from Amazon, which will be the first time I've ever done this. If it was free it was a waste of my time.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful beautiful story this was. A must read for all!!

[Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can't put my finger on what was off about this book. Almost felt like a travelogue/romance. The heroine wouldn't stop talking about how good looking the hero is. We get it, he's an Adonis. The actions and motivations didn't always seem to mesh. He leaves her at the altar, tells her she should lose his phone number and then 5 years later says that she could have hired a PI to find him if she really wanted to?!? Have a strong feeling that good ol' mom was involved w/ the breakup but don't know if I will pursue getting the rest of the series.

[Naughty Edition Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not the worst serial I have seen but it lacks in substance. As a reader, I need three things; plot, climax, conclusion. With a serial it seems I will barely get two out of three. They (and that includes this one) seem to be plot-lite. Not all romance is about sex and yes I understand that erotic romance doesn't necessarily have a fascinating plot but it still needs a ending. Erotic romance is for titillation and for story, not boring self doubt, indecision, and inner monologue.

And I'd the author feels she had to tell readers this is not erotica in the description then i would suggest changing her cover. The cover suggests that this book is sexy, has sex and will be about sexy. If not don't put a half naked man in the cover. Try a clothed couple. I don't understand why you did. As a blogger, I know most readers judge a book by its cover. Sneaky marketing?

ARGH!!! *headdesk*

This seems be a trend in books these days. More tell the reader, not show the reader. To me this type of book is frustrating and debilitates my reading list.

This was a reply to a reader after she had said I shouldn't have read it since it wasn't erotica. We read more than just erotica.

"I was just making a distinction that I know the difference. Since in the description the author goes out of their way to tell us it's not erotica but a love story.

***To help with that distinction she might want to change get cover. Most romance that focus on love have a less provocative cover.

Since you seem to be a nice person, I will keep this about the book. I didn't like it. The hero was not likable but a whiny jerk that felt guilty when he decided he wanted his cookie. The heroine should be stronger and tougher I'm my honest opinion. She also should be a lot more jaded than she is.

As for me ranting about self publishing authors, I stuck by what I said. Customers, readers, and anyone that buys books on her and other sites as well, have one thing in common. They are all looking for quality in their reading material. Serial are not books and you shouldn't be marketed as such."

[Leann · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Despicable Ex is a novella and I liked the initial premise but was very disappointed that an entire plot was outlined in the beginning and the novella ended with only 1/3 of the story told.

This is a story of unrequited love and a stubborn woman. The hero is intriguing. If you like mysterious men and want to dive into the reason men do the things they do, this might be for you.

[Stephanie Ooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a freebie. The action started right away and was really under developed. Ashly was kind of a broken record- she will never forgive him, blah blah blah. Right when I started to somewhat get into it, it ended. This could've completed in one book.

[Jodi Elias nyahay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute funny book. But it is a 2 parter and I think they could have wrote it in one book.

[Mette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was just ok....

[VICTORIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... It never went anywhere. You never get to be invested enough in the characters to draw you to really even care about the next part to series.

[MiraJane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although a promising start, this book was beyond my expectations ... in the wrong direction. I loved the drama of being left at the altar and Ashly meeting the despicable ex, Jake, years later for the inheritance collection with her mother’s passing. It is a recipe for a good book, if only it wasn’t so ... I don’t know, dragged through the mud, I guess?

While I love a good confrontation and ensued argument, them finally being face to face after him ghosting her, Ashly came of as waaay to oversharing, self-pitying and, well, pathetic. She seemingly had no pride and basically laid out her whole heart and depression at his feet, holding nothing back which was just too cringy for me. And Jake, who was supposedly a “changed man” took very little blame on his shoulders for what happened and seemed to be more interested in the money at play than show much shame or understanding of what he made his ex go through. Sure, he said he was sorry, but the next second he called her bitter (wtf?) and always came back to the topic of the inheritance, trying to sweet talk her so he could get her to agree to the money hunting her deceased mother arranged ( let’s not even go into the weirdness of that). A real stellar, “changed man”.

I can’t complain about it too much though, since it was the only time the book gave some depth to the characters. The rest of the book was very generic, repetitive and emotionless. They went from place to place taking photos for the money, had the same talk over and over in every place; “let’s try to be friends”, “I want to be alone”, “you walked out on me”, “this place is amazing/magical/beautiful” etc. It made the story kind of stilted and awkward, their interactions very strangers repetitive politeness level and the book focused much more on descriptions. How characters looked or how their surroundings looked (apparently Africa is a freaking zoo with every kind of animal at every turn). I couldn’t help but lose interest pretty quick and having finished I am not that interested to keep reading the next book. Two stars.

[Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m reviewing the audio edition. I have never read/listened to this author before and I had book hangover from a dark story I had just finished when I got a chance to get a free copy of this story. This is my voluntary review. From the blurb I thought it might be a lighter romance. So far I’ve been right. It is a left at the alter/second chance story. Right from the start I could feel the emotions of Ashley but as the story progressed I started to feel bad for Jake. They were young when they decided to get married but Jake got cold feet. Since this is only part of the story I can only comment on this section. I wanted Ashley to get over it already. Either forgive Jake or don’t. She seems to be happy dwelling in reminding him how much he hurt her over and over. There is really no drama or major scenes so far. As they are trying to collect on her mother’s will that seems to be the story so far.

[Madelynn Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mills&Boone Era

Weird book. Far-fetched plot. Sudden ending which felt like a mid-chapter paragraph that just stopped.
Jake was swoon worthy in some parts but I found Ashly very annoying and mostly a bitch. Likewise her best friend.
Some of the conversations/interactions were well written and built momentum well, only to suddenly shut down because of Ashly’s hurt feelings. Like the author either forgot she was supposed to be wounded or forced us to remember every conversation. Okay. We got it.
Made for a very disappointing read.

[Mary Winstead · Rating 4 out of 5]

To have your fiance not show up for your impending wedding. Than to call and say I can't do this and then text her to say don't call this,number again. I'd be mad to. Sadly it took a toll on Ashley so she puts her all in to her work on fashion and a boutique for the next 5 years. When her mother passed away she has to hang out with her ex Jake. To receive her inheritance. Need to read will not be disappointed.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and silly As another reviewer said it did read like a National Geographic travelogue. There was no chemistry between Jake and Ashly. In the beginning she said been through years of therapy,but then on the next paragraphs she says she will need therapy. Then on page 40 Jake's hair is hrown. On page 42 his is black?

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

S
P
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The H decides on the day of the wedding he isn't ready to marry the h. Years later when h's mother dies, shows up at will reading, because of a clause her rich mother (who didn't approve of the H) set in to make both the H & the h travel around the world together in order to claim $$. Made no sense & characters had little to no chemistry/heat. DNF series

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jake leaves Ashley at the altar that is the worst day of her life. Now five years later he has grown and matured and wants back into Ashley’s life. The sparks are still there but Ashley can’t get beyond what he did to her in the past. Do they have what it takes to rekindle the love lost and rebuild to have a happily ever after?

[Inga · Rating 1 out of 5]

Give me 1 reason I should like Jake.
He is a disgusting dick.
He leaves her on her wedding day only to come back for money.
She never heard anything from him and now she is the bitch because she doesn’t trust him.
And just wants the money.
What a dick.
The “book” and I use that term very loosely should have been done in 1.
And not to end in a money grabbing cliffhanger.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Despicable Ex: part 1

I was really enjoying the story when it ended. Now I'm supposed to purchase part 2 for closure. I don't think so. Next time combine both parts in the initial purchase.

[Dessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply written, left hanging & have to purchase 2nd book for possible conclusion, which I really don't appreciate. Not a steamy romance, or really not any romance at all, just a long drawn out story w/o a conclusion

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the beginning of a two part story. An angry woman vents at being left at the altar. Her mother’s will demands that she and her ex take a trip together. It’s an uncomfortable story with descriptions of beautiful landscapes but has no ending.

[Lili · Rating 2 out of 5]

It drags... And drags some more

I gave up at 73%
Fell asleep twice while trying to keep reading, in the middle of the afternoon!
No, i don't recommend this book. The story is good, the never ending whining not so much.
Overall it is a snooze book.

[Cathy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could you give someone a second chance?

Ashly was hurt bad by her true love but when given a chance to forgive and try the second time could she do it. Even after her mother planned things to help her decide. Great book and a wonderful author.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't normally take the time to sit and write reviews but this was just too long winded even for a romance novel. Do yourself a favor and find something else, anything else to read.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

main character is annoying and dear lord holding a huge grudge.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/29/2021)! 🎁

[MARY · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have all ready read this book

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only half a book, not even really a cliff hanger.