J Speaks

L & J #1.5

by Emily Eck

I know I'm a monster, but Elle made me feel like a man. If she knew what I did, about my life with MM, she'd never love me. So I lied. Well, I starfished, and in the end, it brought my world crashing down around me. I can't go back to being a monster, because that would mean existing without Elle. So I've made a plan. A plan that could kill me. It doesn't matter though, since I'd rather be dead than live a life without Elle in it. If I survive, will Elle forgive me? If I tell her everything, will she see past the monster? Will she see the man?

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romance

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2014

About the author

Emily is a Midwestern Gal, but could be anywhere as you read this. She gypsy's the country, as well as south of the border. Adventure feeds her soul, and offers great writing material. She loves kids and working with kids, but can only handle caring for four-legged furry friends. A crazy dog has trained Emily to be her partner in life. Vices include Swedish Fish, ignoring chores in favor of reading, and caring too much for people in her life. She chose to write this bio in third person as she is an Aries, and found writing in first person ended up with her writing an excessively long life story. Aries like to talk about themselves. It is something Emily is working on being more mindful of.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-...
Blog: http://reademilyeck.blogspot.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/reademilyeck

Reviews

[Red Cheeks Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book, which is told from J’s POV. We learn a little bit more about how J got to where he is now, and the incidents that made him who he is today. We find out what happened in the MC that makes J owe them more then he has. “My debt to MM was one that would never be paid off.”



We also get to read about what J was thinking when he saw Elle for the first time, and how he watched her when she comes to the club. J was convinced that a monster like him didn’t deserve someone like Elle, and that he could never be with her and cause her harm. But it was like they had a magnetic pull and he just couldn’t stay away. “My Elle shined, and brought the only bit of light to my dark and empty existence.”



We read about the guilt that he has for bringing her into his world, the one where he is a monster and has no way out of. The one where he isn’t good enough for someone like Elle, the world where he promised she would be because he would never hurt her. You can feel the guilt that J has for what happens to Elle, you feel the love that he has for her and how much he struggles to continue after he failed to do the one thing he said he wouldn’t. “I told her I’d never hurt her. What a f*king lie that turned out to be! I never meant to hurt her.”



You get to read about the aftermath of shooting and see how J is coping with what he has done and what he has lost. J seems to go into a pit of despair and the only thing he wants is Elle back, and he is willing to do whatever it takes for that to happen. Even if it meant his demise. He wants her to be safe. He loves her and would do whatever it takes to have her in his life again, if that’s possible. “Please, Elle, don’t make me go back to the emptiness.”



The book ends in preparation for the next book that I can’t wait to read. I want to find out how Elle and J’s story ends, I want them to both get the HEA that they deserve. Well done Emily Eck on another great read.

~stacey

[Michelle Bowman / We Love Kink .com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing the relationship from J’s pov was perfect insight into how much he truly love Elle. Unbelievably this story provided much more extras then I expected. I now understand exactly what his job was, whoa, I’m so glad it was provided in this type of release, as I probably would have totally disliked him if this info was given so raw in book 1. Ms. Eck wrote Elle, in Book 1, in a way that made you like her even if you didn’t agree with her actions. Her strategic writing continued, in J’ Speaks. It’s something about understanding the dept of his love and commitment to Elle that splits him from “his job.” Another surprise was the pertinent information on the aftermath of the shooting. I needed this tidbit of knowledge as I couldn’t get enough of Elle&J’ when I completed the first book. Ms. Eck delivered this story in a slightly different tone than book 1 and I loved it. I certainly look forward to the continuation of this mind blowing story.

To the author Emily, exciting new writer, (in my most whinny voice) WHY THE CLIFF HANGER? Now I’m frustrated and unsatisfied. Just Know I’m counting down the days to the continuation. Keep up the great job!!!

reviewed by Lourdes for welovekink(dot)com

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone else was ready throw their kindle at the wall after that massive cliffhanger at the end of book one, you'll be happy to know that J Speaks gives us some resolution to hold us over until the next book. For a novella, it was certainly jam packed. In Steel and Ice, we heard Elle's POV of her relationship with J, but J as a person still remained a mystery. We didn't know much about him and his past and only really got a hint at what he does near the end. J Speaks fills in any holes that were left open in Steel and Ice about this mysterious man that Elle has grown to love. J's POV explains what led him to this point in his life, more about the MC, and how he became this monster he believes himself to be. In learning about his past, we finally see why so many things were "starfished" between him and Elle. I absolutely loved reading about the depth of his feelings for Elle and how he was so conflicted over them. For being such a big, bad, tough guy, he's certainly a softie for her. If you weren't in love with J before, you will be after reading this one!

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Pot Smoking, Gun toting, MC Running Stars

This is J's POV of #1 along with what happens during and after that fatal incident.....

Fucking A.....Review to come!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella (1.5) really ties some loose ends with information that is not given about J in the first book and helps you understand more of his story and where he is coming from. I really enjoyed reading this book and seeing more into J’s eyes of the story. I’m so excited that the “giant hottie” has a soft side. I know J has been through a lot too and he deserves to be with his light. I can’t believe what he was planning the night that his plans and world crashed down. After reading this story, I hope both J & Elle learn that “starfishing” will build up the walls around both of their hearts again. This is a must read and you have to read in order. - See more at: http://kumikoleilostinabook.blogspot....

[Jodie Squelch · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I had this little piece of brilliantness, waiting for me on my kindle and please do not be fooled about its size because this little novella is jam packed…..
This book gave me just what I needed an inside look directly into J’s head….
I adored this little novella which opened J up like a blooming flower ….. This giant man of mystery became clearer…. This book had me falling harder for this monster of man as he made his way out of his dark hole and wanted to become a better man for the one person who held his heart…. Elle…..
I am even more excited for the next instalment in Elle and J’s story after this small but very informative read…..

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok wow...yes this was a really good extra free novella told from J's POV...and I am so glad I read it. He answers some questions lingering after book 1 ended...why he did what he did, what happened to Elle after the shooting and yet we were left with another cliffhanger at the end of this one too!! Grrr....I was really happy to know what was going on in J's inner thoughts and feel even more sympathy for him after reading this short. Wonder how it all ends...

**** 4 **** "I really like J a lot" stars

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so cool to get to read a lot of the moments that were important to J. I also liked how we got a little more background about the MC and how everything in his past went down. It gave a lot of insight into what he feels about the MC and what he has to do to survive. It was also nice to see how he views Elle and what she means to him. It was a great lead in to book 2 which I’m now dying to get my hands on. Wonderful addition to the series and another 5 out of 5 stars!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit I accidentally read J Speaks before reading Steel & Ice. This short book is like a long stream of consciousness from J's POV, and I was a bit confused and didn't know exactly what had transpired between Elle and J before, but even so, I found the J's inner dialouge fascinating and read the book in two short sittings. Now I'm reading Steel & Ice and all the pieces are coming together. Quite an exciting read.

[Ms. MiLo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason why this is rated only 4 stars was because it was too damn short! My heart broke for J... It was really simply being on the wrong place and the wrong time for both him and Elle. This book is J's POV and it pretty much gives more of a backgound on how he became a member of MC.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy you get to see Js POV it helps peace so much together! You really can see and feel the love J has for Elle! Characters also start to fall into place and makes sense what I didn't like was how short it is but other than that I was happy with the short read!

Reviewed by Yalitza

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLIFFHANGER
J's perspective on events leading up to meeting Elle & his background. With all the darkness of his life he feels a monster with Elle he becomes a man his Grandfather would be proud of. So he puts in a plan to fix it or get him dead. Either way he's cutting ties with MC

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that this novella put us in J's head. We found out why he doesn't like the MC he is in and a little more backstory to him and what happened with the MC. How he truly feels about Elle, from his prospective. Great, quick, short read about that. Will be starting the next asap.

[Amber "Epp" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this short it was cool to get a look at things from J's point of view again I will say that I am looking forward to reading book 2 when it comes out .. ;)

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review Under BookJunkyGirls

[Lenna Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning its a cliffhanger but thats all I am going to say, anything about this could spoil it

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked reading J's POV. It made some things that happened make sense and I understood him better.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to find out what was going on in J's head but to be honest, this was a bit of rinse and repeat of book one.

[Traviesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwww LOVED this one from J's POV!!

[Crystal Mitchell]

I can't get enough. I need to get my hands on book 2 so I can see what happens. great read. the author makes you feel the emotions like you're there.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/20/2020)! 🎁

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love J!

[Nikki Stoufer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need the next book, now!

Go ahead and get this whole series while you’re at it. You are not going to want to stop reading…

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, this is from J's POV. This recaps book one and gives us a peek at what J was thinking. It also fills us in on his story before we switch back to Elle's POV in the next book. Well worth the read, and leads right into book 2.

[Robin H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of this just rehashed book 1. It's bland, boring and repetitive. The other half is more interesting and adds new information, picking up from the end of book 1. However, there's still quite a bit of repetition going on in parts. If the first half were cut out, I'd have given this 4 stars.

[Tanielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can officially say I don't like to read books that recap the entire time. I thought I was going to read a story with dialog that told me what was going on. The story itself was good but I would've liked to read it as it was taking place.