Part of Me

Jessa & Paxton #1

by Haven Francis

Part of Me , the latest New Adult romance from author, Haven Francis. Coming summer, 2014.

Within minutes of meeting Jessa, Paxton already understood that he would not be able to let her go if he ever really let her in. Which is why he spent his year in her small Minnesota town playing nice and being her friend. Because Jessa’s future was in Chicago and Chicago was the city where every bad memory Paxton has was made. It was a city he could never return to. And he doesn't want to – he is finally free from his past and living recklessly in California with his Pops and the rest of his Venice family. But now that he has everything he has ever wanted, he can’t help but want more. And he can’t help but wonder if that more isn't Jessa.

When her first real attempt at commitment leads to a disastrous first month of college in Chicago, Jessa has reaffirmed that in a relationship she will only be one thing – in control. Which means she keeps her relationships filled with sex and void of emotion. But it also means that, in this new life where she hoped to find herself, she is absolutely alone. That is until Paxton sends his friend Violet her way. Suddenly thrust into the life that Paxton left behind and sleeping in the bed in Violet’s apartment that Paxton made so his, Jessa is finally starting to feel like herself. But she is also discovering that she never really knew the guy she considered her best friend. Who the hell is this violent, womanizing, rock god that everyone here is so reluctant to tell her about?

With Jessa firmly planted in Paxton’s past, he can’t seem to let her go. But is heading back to Chicago, the city he is being paid to stay out of, for a girl who will never want anything more than a stable sexual partner worth the risk? Maybe. Maybe he will just have to slide back into his old bed and convince Jessa that part of her is still firmly planted inside of him. Maybe he will have to show her just how well they are made for each other.

Part of Me can be read as a standalone novel or with book two in the series, Inside of You.

Due to explicit sexual content, this book is intended for mature readers.

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

ARC

First published July 28, 2014

About the author

An escapist filled with wanderlust, writing is Haven’s responsible adult version of getting in the car and driving without aim. Reading and music are close seconds. She and her husband can often be found checking out their favorite bands locally or hundreds of miles away via road trips. Reading is something they don’t have in common, but he tolerates her dimly lit late-night habit.

Haven once made a living writing about trends in interior design but thoroughly enjoys that fact that people, unlike furniture, can fall in love. She especially loves when they fall desperately and into a forbidden kind of love. Haven also works as a graphic designer but considers Mom her most important title.

She has a slightly embarrassing fascination with the period of life that sits awkwardly between childhood and adulthood; the years when nothing is certain, lots of mistakes are made, falling in love is inevitable, and finding yourself is a struggle. For her it’s a fun place to escape to and she hopes her readers agree.

Reviews

[Krista Gervais · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5 Stars!!!


I LOVE YOU PAXTON!!!

Loved this book. It was funny, it was shady, it was total swoon-worthy.
Very well written... she even got in the like 'gangsta' mode with some of the conversations..totally badass!!

Jessa is from a small little 'country' town..just waiting to go away to school in a real city..which happens to be Chicago...which happens to be where Paxton is trying to stay away from. Paxton is sent to River Bluff for a year after some stuff goes down in Chicago. He has signed an agreement that he will never return to Chicago, and he will keep receiving money from his mother....or the woman who gave birth to him I guess because she's most definitely not what I would define as a 'mother' by any means. He makes friends with Jessa and although he feels something for her, he won't act on it. Once his year is up, he goes to California to be with his dad while Jessa makes her way to Chicago. But Paxton is starting to rethink things. Maybe the life in California that he's always wanted, isn't his true desire anymore. And once friends from his past in Chicago start giving him a heads up about all the attention Jessa is getting in his hometown, he realizes he can't stay away anymore. Despite the risks, he needs to see her.

There are some things from both their pasts that screw with their heads. Jessa won't committ to a relationship ever again..something happened to her. And I'm hoping we get more of that back story in the next installment. But sometimes you just wanna scream at her LIKE COME ON GIRL..GIVE UP THE CRAP ALREADY AND JUST BE WITH THIS HOT SWEET GORGEOUS CREATURE AND GET OVER YOURSELF. You'll just have to read to find out if she eventually does ...

I really enjoyed this story and even the side characters are pretty awesome. Vi, Billy etc.
I am most definitely looking forward to more of this series!!!

*I received a copy of this book for beta review..Thank you Haven.

[☆Joycedale☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, but I like stories where best friends fall for each other. That's exactly what happens to Paxton, but of course he doesn't realize this until he's left Minnesota for California and Jessa has went to Chicago.

For reasons Pax isn't allowed in Chicago anymore so when Jessa is having a hard time he contacts his friend Violet to hang out with Jessa. When she starts getting comfortable in his old crowd and his friends start complaining they feel like babysitters, Pax decides to risk the life his father and him have in Venice and go to Chicago.

Jessa who always preferred physical relationships over emotional ones breaks up with her first boyfriend. The girls in her dorm are so horrible to her after that so she takes Violet up her offer to move into her place. When Paxton shows up she's so happy to see him that she doesn't even question why he would show up in the place he's forbidden to be.

I liked the struggle these 2 go through. Pax knows if he tells Jessa he loves her he'll lose her friendship and Jessa won't admit that she has feelings for Pax.

I was sent an arc ecopy for beta reading by the author.

[Iris Landrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to review this book the minute I finished it, but more than that I wanted to continue Paxton and jesses story and I'm glad I did because the message I really want to convey is READ THE SECOND BOOK IN THIS SERIES.
I have read Havens previous books and I have loved them all. There is something about the way she writes that makes me feel more emotionally tied to the charachters than I usually feel when I read a book. This story and the characters were the opposite of her previous stories but the same feeling was conveyed. It just feels so personal and intimate.
Jessa is strong, independent, funny, sexy and a total badass. Paxton is.... Ugh! Real, confident, sexy, bad boy. But he is also devoted to jessa in a way that just makes you fall IN LOVE.
Okay, so the book! It was a funny, hot, edgy love story of best friend who spent the last year denying the STRONG sexual attraction between them. Jessa does not do commitment and Paxton controlled himself because jessa was headed to Chicago- the city his mom was paying him to stay out of. Now, he is living in California with his dad and it's all he's ever wanted, but he can't get jessa out of his mind. First, he send his friend from Chicago, violet (another strong, entertaining kick ass girl) into jesses life, and eventually jessa moves in with her. She is surrounded by Paxton's old life and feeling like the caring guy she was friends with in MN is not who Paxton really is and when he comes back to Chigago she doesn't recognize the hard, cocky, former rock star who moves into her room. What happens after that is sexy, intense, gut wrenching, hilarious, entertaining and emotional.
When the book ended I felt complete. There were still some unanswered questions, but like with a lot of the books I read it felt complete enough where I didn't have to read the next book. But I HAD TO READ THE NEXT BOOK cause I needed more of these two. And oh dear lord did I get more. So. Much. More.

[Krystal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more stars for this series...seriously it's that good! It is everything you expect from this genre and more. You have your main characters - bad-ass rocker (don't judge a book by it's cover, Paxton is not well portrayed on it) and your small town "anti-relationship/will never depend on anyone" girl. Both have disturbing pasts that you discover in this series and neither have any intention of anything more than being glorified friends with benefits...that is until they meet. They decide that they like each other too much to date (or even have benefits) and decide instead to be best friends. In book one, Jessa moves to Paxton's city in Chicago for college, and Paxton moves to Venice to be with his dad. Jessa runs into some problems and Pax calls on his old friends to take her in and make sure it she is okay. Pax can't stay away along - although he is not supposed to ever step foot in Chicago again - and finds himself drawn to her...his only problem...getting commitment-phobe Jessa to see how he feels without sending her running! The book is written from both characters POV, which I love! Saying that being in these characters heads is entertaining would be an understatement. Add Paxton's amazing friends and you won't be able to put this book down.

[Rachel Hendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say after reading the two books in The defining love series I could not wait to get my hands on Pax & Jenna's story.These characters were introduced in those books and I was eager to understand what had happened to make Pax the way he was.
This story was wow...everything I hoped and more...Pax was damaged...Jessa was afraid to love...the two had undeniable chemistry but could they be together despite everything?
Haven Francis has an amazing talent...the writing superb...I felt the chemistry, the love,the angst & turmoil...I felt everything which was not just due to the amazing characters she introduced but down to the skill in the writing...it had depth and was full of passion and the editing was sublime.
I not only loved a Pax & Jessa but the new characters too such as Vi, another totally kick ass woman!
You do not have to read 'Love is relative' and 'Love is absolute' first but I do recommend...it will give you some backstory and introduce you to the main characters but don't worry if you haven't read them yet...it is all covered nicely here...I will guarantee you will want to go back and read them however.
Now onto Inside of you...am eager...no desperate for more Pax & Jessa...

[Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the book Part of Me took me back and made me remember a part of me when I was a young adult. There were a lot of parallels I could draw between my life and that of Pax and Jessa. Aside from the setting, all of the feelings, frustrations and indecision that goes along with knowing what you want and not having the maturity and tools to attain it. Loving someone during this time in your life is messy and hard and it doesn't always work long term, as was the case in m life. But reading Pax and Jessa's story reminded me that it was what I learned and took from that young adult relationship that helped me build the forever relationship I have now.
Pax and Jessa's love is so strong, so raw and intense just like life is during those years. Her indecision to let herself feel her true feelings and to keep herself walled off made Pax more determined and more decisive to break those walls down and to hold on to what he wants...what he needs.
I am excited to be reading Inside of You next to see just where these two young adults take this budding relationship. I'm left wondering if they will last through the struggle of young intense love or if one of them will break away like I did to find my lasting love. No mater which way, I am always going to root for young love.

[Jillian Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 fantastic stars!!!

Paxton can only run from his past for so long. He thinks he can just forget his year in River Bluff and the girl, Jessa who he befriended. He's finally free from the hell that was Chicago and he can finally live the life he's dreamed of in California with his Pops. Or so he thinks...

Jessa has gone to Chicago to school, but when her fear of commitments hits her in the face she panics and calls Paxton, the boy she met a year ago, who is her best friend and the only boy she truly cares about. She finds herself thrust into Paxton's past with his friends and finds out she may not know him so well after all.

When Pax realizes he can't seem to stop thinking of Jess, he makes the decision to go back to his personal hell, Chicago and risk his and his father's future for what may be love?

Will he confront his demons and hurdle Jessa's fear of commitment in order to find happiness?

You'll have to read to find out.

I received an ARC from the author and I LOVED this book!

[Medavis66 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jessa and Paxton! I relished that first kiss and couldn't wait for that connection to take over with all of the boundaries forgotten and surpassed. This was a true love story. They loved each other long before they would admit it to each other, let alone themselves. The friendship they developed over that year together set the foundation for their actual relationship to work. The friends they have in Chicago are their real family now. That woman that was biologically linked to him certainly doesn't deserve anything to do with that title. I love how that situation plays out in the end. I want to know more about Polly, therefore I can't wait to read book 2!

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[Monica Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Definitely going in my favorite shelve.

[Uju · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down until I was done. I was looking for a book with angst and I got this and a whole lot more 😍😍.

[Book-Bosomed blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Part of Me starts out a year prior to the main time frame of the book. Paxton Alvarado has arrived in rural River Bluff, Minnesota where he’s been exiled by his socialite mother. At a field party the first night he meets free-spirited and stubborn Jessa Fairfield, shares one explosive kiss with her, and then blows her off out of fear of getting too attached.

Jessa’s character was first introduced in Love is Relative (her friend Emily’s story) and Paxton was introduced in the follow up, Love is Absolute. The events from the opening scene of Part of Me coincide with Love is Absolute but it is not necessary to read in order to follow Jess and Pax’s story. (But feel free to check them out!)

We pick up a year later and Jessa is in Chicago for college where she’s unhappy with her boyfriend, Dylan, and dissatisfied with what she sees as her fake college life that isn’t true to her personality. A phone call to Pax, now back in Venice, California with his dad, puts Jessa in contact with his old friend Violet and smack in the middle of Pax’s old Chicago life…and his old bed in Violet’s spare bedroom.

Violet and Jessa are kindred spirits and they hit it off well. Jessa soon discovers that there is a lot more to Pax than she realized. His former Chicago friends who are now apart of Jessa’s circle remember a fast, loose, angry, and moody Pax (Chicago Paxton), while she has only known a laid-back and relaxed Pax (Minnesota Paxton). Not to mention there’s his Venice lifestyle of surfing, skating, tattoos, and weed with his father’s side of the family. (Can we say California Paxton?)

Pax is all those things rolled into one and he’s also adorable. As a character, he’s impossible not to like and root for. And what you are quickly rooting for is for him and Jessa to get together. They have irresistible chemistry and attraction, and their sexual tension is off the charts.

Of course it’s not that easy though. These are two nineteen and twenty year old kids who think they have life and love all figured out and then realize what they think is all wrong.

Pax can’t handle his former buddies hitting on Jessa so it isn’t long before he’s back in Chicago, the town he’s sworn never to return to, in a “Jessa take-over” plot. Pax knows what they have between them is something special. They just haven’t acted on it. Till now.

“We weren't going to have each other, but we were living off the energy that blew up when we were together.” —Paxton

What they do have already is a solid, dependable friendship and Jessa, who has sworn off all future committed relationships and only wants a friends with benefits relationship with men, isn’t even sure she wants to risk ruining their friendship by adding the benefits. Jessa is only interested in the physical, not the emotional from a guy, even though she’s intrigued to know more about Pax’s past and understand the boy who makes her feel the most secure when she’s cuddled in his arms. She has walls that she’s built up and her mixed signals are confusing the hell out of Pax.

“She’s feisty as hell and argumentative about the little shit, but when it comes down to the things that should make her bawl like a baby or scream like a lunatic or burst with happiness…she doesn't do those things. So I don’t know how she’s feeling about us.”

Pax knows what he wants—the girl cuddled up next to him, but he still wants to keep his past a secret. Jessa isn’t quite as self aware. She wants laid; she just doesn’t realize how much it’s Pax that she needs to do the job.

Can Pax get the girl without revealing his troubled past? Can Jessa let go of her fears and insecurities about relationships before she loses the most important one that’s right in front of her? Can Jess and Pax trust the advice of their friends? Can they both avoid the thing they most fear—getting hurt?

I’ll admit to being on the edge of my seat over ‘will they or won’t they’ hook up with each other before giving in to someone else as well as whether Pax would go back to California or get caught in Chicago. Sometimes I had to groan and smile at the same time over their plans for each other, just knowing they were probably making matters worse. But that fits their ages so it’s not a flaw by any means.

There is humor. There is heartache. There is drama. There are some hot and sexy encounters as well as adorable moments—Pax’s little scene in the diner to get Jessa over her anxiety with the word date was priceless. Told via Pax and Jess’s alternating point of view, the story delivers a HFN ending (no cliffhanger) while setting the stage for the second book, Inside of You.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessa is living in a small town, but is ready for much bigger things. Paxton made it through some rough times, and is now living with an uncle he just learned he had in a small town he wants no part of until his father gets out of jail and he can go be with him in Venice, CA. Jessa isn't about to give her heart to any man, and Paxton isn't going to get attached to anyone in a town he will be leaving ASAP. Complicating matters, Pax and Jessa are able to connect on a level neither have experienced, so they decide on friendship since no contact isn't an option. Jessa goes away to school, and Pax moves to Venice, where things are good, but he can't stop thinking about his "friend" Jessa in Chicago. Chicago holds a lot of bad memories and pain for Pax, but he realizes that he wants to see Jessa more than he cares about the reasons he was forced to leave Chicago.

This is a good friends-to-lovers story, but it has an edge to it. These characters are a little prickly, and both have histories that have caused them to put some pretty big walls up and avoid letting another person in on any real level. Their sexual attraction to each other is crazy intense, but both know that if they have sex, they will not be able to keep from falling in love, which in both of their minds will only end in disaster. Both value their friendship too much to risk it. Pax realizes that he loves Jessa and might as well tell her. Jessa decides that she wants to be with Pax as long as they can keep it casual. Lots of angst ensues, and both characters are victims of their own faulty logic and thinking, which at times was very frustrating for me as the reader. I did invest in these characters emotionally, and through it all I was really hoping they would find their way through their struggles and make each other happy. Lots of drama going on here, and an emotional roller coaster, but I really liked the whole ride. I will be immediately moving on to the next in the series to spend more time with these characters.

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review

[Lynn Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression when I began this book is that I'm immediately drawn to the writing style, as I'm willingly pulled into the storyline. Putting the book down before finishing it, wasn't an option.

It all started with a kiss when Jessa and Paxton meet at a field party in River Bluff, both instant drawn to one another. They then spend their senior year in high school as best friends, keeping their relationship strictly platonic. Then their lives take differing directions leaving them 2000 thousand miles apart, but not for long.

It is not difficult to feel instant empathy for Paxton. Yes, he's had more than is fair share of troubles to deal with in his life, but there is no doubting his caring, compassionate side. He's back in California living the life he loves, but craving the girl he left behind. Although there is a reason why he can't be where she is!

Jessa is sassy with a mouth to match. After high school she heads off to college with her boyfriend in-tow, only to realise when she arrives, that her relationship with him is just too claustrophobic. A mistake. She craves physical release with no-strings attached, but that becomes unobtainable when she is contacted by a friend of Paxton's who takes her under her wing.

Jessa finds instant rapport with Vi, but quickly realises that the Paxton she knows is a very person, as she is introduced to his lifestyle and friends in Chicago.

New Adult contemporary romance isn't a genre I usually read so the author did a great good job creating believable characters, that I, the reader could relate to. You'll find angst and humour, served along with plenty of raw emotion with an underlying feeling of the deep connection and undenyable chemistry Jessa and Paxton have for oneanother.

Rated : 4½ Stars

**ARC provided for an honest review**

[Haven Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just going to keep updating this review as I see fit! Today I'm going to be one of those awesome reviewers who attaches pictures! This Wednesday, September 10th, I'm officially releasing Part of Me. Here is the teaser:
From September 10th - 17th both books will be on sale for $.99 and you can follow the blog tour and enter to win a $40 Amazon gift card: my blog


Part of Me is now available on Amazon! You can purchase it here:http://www.amazon.com/Part-Jessa-Paxt...

Part of Me and Inside of You will be released July, 2014. Reviews published before the official release date are from my awesome beta readers who received pre-published copy of my novel and have given me priceless feedback that will make the final product so much better than I could have made it on my own! Thank you to all of the readers who have inquired about the official release date. I will post specifics as soon as I have them.
Thank you,
Haven

[Michael Mardel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of me by Francis is pure chicklit. I found the relationship thing rather tedious and almost gave up. But I didn't as I wanted to see whether Jessa and Paxton would finally mate. Some people saw parallels with their lives but I didn't have any deep and meaningfuls with my few partners in my growing years. In fact, I took up religious life so I was in sexual denial and made up for it when I left after 5 years. I guess I was like Paxton, wanting a good time, but not possessive of a woman. As the cover shows, James Dean could be likened to Paxton and I understood, somewhat, how he felt keeping track of Jessa and not wanting her to go. It's a great story for relationship building and I would have liked more of Paxton.

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

Cover art is delicious and the dedication to her husband shows a beautiful love shared. Paxton leaves Chicago for small town life but there are conditions set by his "mom" , my goodness what an awful woman !
Paxton's path crosses with Jessa and chemistry is instant and intense and they share a kiss of epic proportions ! Paxton pushes her away leaving her wondering what and why !?
Paxton he's got me all hot and bothered!
Paxton opens to Jessa and bares his soul telling her the story of his childhood and growing up , I'm howling like a werewolf at full moon , my heart just breaks !
Let's see what " Inside of You" will bring . Enjoyed Part of You and I give it 4 Stars!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paxton has alot of past hurt that he has to overcome and so does jessa. Paxton uses a hard exterior to keep people at arms length and jessa does the same. But when they are together its inevitable their walls are gonna crumble. A great story about how 2 completely different people can be extremely good for eachother l. Full video review posted on YouTube channed Adventures-IN-Print. https://youtu.be/GMAP_bh4gB0

[Nstefa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars I've read both books I love pax I think he's beyond his years! Pax really comes out from himself and you truly understand the way he is in the second book and Jessa needs all pax's help but it's a lovely revelation!!! Loved it

[Anita Terrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I love pax. I loved the story now I'm on to the next book in the series