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Forbidden #1
Forbidden, Book 1
When Lady Eleanor Sotheby unexpectedly enters the life of Jayne Clark, a 23-year old waitress from Wichita, Kansas, Jayne's world is turned upside down. Not only is she welcomed into a family that she never knew, but she is thrust headlong into the highest strata of European society. Nothing is too grand in the fairy tale lives of the uber-rich--the spectacular seaside villas, the sleek, chauffeured limousines, the outrageously expensive designer clothes. When Jayne plays her part and learns to fit into this new world, she meets Robert Astor, the man of her dreams. But her feelings for Robert are forbidden. Jayne's heady new life begins to unravel into a dark web of deceit, domination and greed...and she ultimately finds herself confronting an evil that truly has no limits.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2015
247 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Mike Wells
200 books795 followersEmail me at mike (at) mikewellsbooks.com or follow me on Twitter (@MikeWellsAuthor) and get a FREE copy of one of my bestselling books. I'm an American author best known for my Lust, Money & Murder series and and written more than 25 other thriller and suspense novels. I also have taught in the Creative Writing program at Oxford. I'm known for my super fast-paced, 'unputdownable' books.
Please visit my website/blog at:
http://www.mikewellsbooks.com/
And please join me on Twitter and Facebook:
http://twitter.com/mikewellsauthor
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Please visit my website/blog at:
http://www.mikewellsbooks.com/
And please join me on Twitter and Facebook:
http://twitter.com/mikewellsauthor
http://facebook.com/mikewellsauthor
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 11, 2015
Lovely start to the series - while I was engrossed, I forgot it was only book one of a series - was a bit disappointed that it ended one-third of the way through.... shall definitely get books 2 and 3, just so I know what wickedness is brewing!
December 17, 2019
Rating: 3.5
For today’s post, I’ve decided to share with you the review I wrote for Forbidden, the first instalment in a romantic thriller series written by Mile Wells and co-authored by Devika Fernando. When I read this novel, there were only three books in the series, but the authors announced the release of the forth one in late June. There are some mixed opinions about the first book out there, but, in the end, you will decide whether it’s interesting enough for you or not. My opinions and rating are somewhere in the middle because this novel wasn’t that bad, it was pretty much an easy read, but I wanted a little more from content.
The novel follows two alternating plotlines and perspectives: Eleanor’s rebellious teenage years and Jayne’s story from the day she met Lady Eleanor Sotheby onwards, a shocking and life-changing discovery she has never imagined. Though the two plotlines are strongly linked to each other due to Eleanor’s presence, I think that Eleanor’s dark past is more interesting than the present because it’s more suspenseful and its pace is more dynamic than the other plotline which has a steadier pace and some of the events are pretty predictable if you ask me.
At first glance, Eleanor may seem cultured and posh, but her true temper leaks out when things don’t go her way, just like in her early life. She is ambitious, snobbish and now she cares what other socialites have to say about her or her daughter's reputation. Eleanor is a morally grey and complex character and the way she acts reminds me of another unlikable yet well-built character, Kathy Brogan from Black Widow. Eleanor is also in charge of Jayne’s transformation into a cultured young lady to make her adapt much easier to the new lifestyle and challenges she has to face.
"And what was acting, anyway? Nothing more than being a good liar, and she was very accomplished at that. She had been “acting” ever since she could remember." (Loc. 591)
But how Eleanor became a filthy rich widow who has so many connections in socialite circles? Dark secrets should always be buried in the past and Eleanor guards them well because no one should find out how her life was like before becoming Lady Sotheby. She had to take many risks that suited her rebellious nature, but Celeste and Jayne don’t need to know that because the truth would shatter the picture perfect image of this rich widow and she can’t allow that to happen. Therefore, lies are a useful tool to paint the truth in brighter colours.
The rest of the characters are not complex as Lady Sotheby, but we can easily recognise who is Jayne and who is Celeste because Jayne is sweet, caring, introverted and a girl who works hard to support her loved ones despite her frequent asthma attacks, while Celeste is stubborn, spoiled, posh, self-absorbed, loves parties and speed. And talking about the two girls, one of my favourite scenes is when Jayne and Celeste meet, shock, curiosity and emotions overwhelm each other; it was a truly touching moment.
"This wasn’t her exact reflection she was looking at—this was a version of Jayne dressed in expensive designer clothes, with a fashionably short haircut, and decked out in expensive jewelry." (Loc. 392)
To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with the beginning of the book, but the hook came along with Jayne's journey to Nice to meet Celeste. Though Jayne is a sweetheart and I liked her as a character, I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes because I couldn’t be that selfless to help Celeste, whom I’ve recently met just because she did a mistake that threatens her reputation and Lady Sotheby’s ambitions. However, the book is interesting because you get a glimpse of how the lives of rich people really are, besides the glamour and the influence they have in their exclusive circles.
The writing is beautiful in the main story with an overall steady pace and realistic in Eleanor’s shady story building the suspense. I enjoyed most of the novel and the characters though I would have liked this first book to be longer because it ended a bit abruptly for my taste. I might pick up the second book someday, just to see how Jayne and Robert’s relationship develops, but only time will tell if I will still be interested in reading it.
For today’s post, I’ve decided to share with you the review I wrote for Forbidden, the first instalment in a romantic thriller series written by Mile Wells and co-authored by Devika Fernando. When I read this novel, there were only three books in the series, but the authors announced the release of the forth one in late June. There are some mixed opinions about the first book out there, but, in the end, you will decide whether it’s interesting enough for you or not. My opinions and rating are somewhere in the middle because this novel wasn’t that bad, it was pretty much an easy read, but I wanted a little more from content.
The novel follows two alternating plotlines and perspectives: Eleanor’s rebellious teenage years and Jayne’s story from the day she met Lady Eleanor Sotheby onwards, a shocking and life-changing discovery she has never imagined. Though the two plotlines are strongly linked to each other due to Eleanor’s presence, I think that Eleanor’s dark past is more interesting than the present because it’s more suspenseful and its pace is more dynamic than the other plotline which has a steadier pace and some of the events are pretty predictable if you ask me.
At first glance, Eleanor may seem cultured and posh, but her true temper leaks out when things don’t go her way, just like in her early life. She is ambitious, snobbish and now she cares what other socialites have to say about her or her daughter's reputation. Eleanor is a morally grey and complex character and the way she acts reminds me of another unlikable yet well-built character, Kathy Brogan from Black Widow. Eleanor is also in charge of Jayne’s transformation into a cultured young lady to make her adapt much easier to the new lifestyle and challenges she has to face.
"And what was acting, anyway? Nothing more than being a good liar, and she was very accomplished at that. She had been “acting” ever since she could remember." (Loc. 591)
But how Eleanor became a filthy rich widow who has so many connections in socialite circles? Dark secrets should always be buried in the past and Eleanor guards them well because no one should find out how her life was like before becoming Lady Sotheby. She had to take many risks that suited her rebellious nature, but Celeste and Jayne don’t need to know that because the truth would shatter the picture perfect image of this rich widow and she can’t allow that to happen. Therefore, lies are a useful tool to paint the truth in brighter colours.
The rest of the characters are not complex as Lady Sotheby, but we can easily recognise who is Jayne and who is Celeste because Jayne is sweet, caring, introverted and a girl who works hard to support her loved ones despite her frequent asthma attacks, while Celeste is stubborn, spoiled, posh, self-absorbed, loves parties and speed. And talking about the two girls, one of my favourite scenes is when Jayne and Celeste meet, shock, curiosity and emotions overwhelm each other; it was a truly touching moment.
"This wasn’t her exact reflection she was looking at—this was a version of Jayne dressed in expensive designer clothes, with a fashionably short haircut, and decked out in expensive jewelry." (Loc. 392)
To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with the beginning of the book, but the hook came along with Jayne's journey to Nice to meet Celeste. Though Jayne is a sweetheart and I liked her as a character, I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes because I couldn’t be that selfless to help Celeste, whom I’ve recently met just because she did a mistake that threatens her reputation and Lady Sotheby’s ambitions. However, the book is interesting because you get a glimpse of how the lives of rich people really are, besides the glamour and the influence they have in their exclusive circles.
The writing is beautiful in the main story with an overall steady pace and realistic in Eleanor’s shady story building the suspense. I enjoyed most of the novel and the characters though I would have liked this first book to be longer because it ended a bit abruptly for my taste. I might pick up the second book someday, just to see how Jayne and Robert’s relationship develops, but only time will tell if I will still be interested in reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2015
Age old story well done
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book and love this author's voice. The tail of the Prince and the pauper is revisited in a very creative way that pulls the reader in.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book and love this author's voice. The tail of the Prince and the pauper is revisited in a very creative way that pulls the reader in.
February 16, 2015
The parent trap meets Starsky and Hutch, although, it's not the parents that the twins wish to deceive in this emotionally twisted game of deception. A great blend of Mike Wells’s sophistication and Devika Fernando's romantic flourish as the story unwinds from gritty city to upscale villas, that will keep you guessing until the end. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 14, 2015
4.5 stars for this suspenseful and fast paced ride
Right from the start this rollercoaster ride had me flipping thru the pages quickly. Excited to see where the characters go from here and what lies are revealed.....
Right from the start this rollercoaster ride had me flipping thru the pages quickly. Excited to see where the characters go from here and what lies are revealed.....
January 10, 2016
Wow what a great book a quick short read i loved it i will definitely be reading the rest of the series
September 7, 2017
"Rather like an unfinished symphony"
I deplore these sagas that require a marathon read of several books. This part is well-written, the story-line is better than average, the characters are well-drawn, so why not tell a complete story? It beats me.
I deplore these sagas that require a marathon read of several books. This part is well-written, the story-line is better than average, the characters are well-drawn, so why not tell a complete story? It beats me.
April 17, 2020
Full of suspense and drama. Loved it.
April 6, 2015
Mike Wells does an amazing job at setting an immediate tone for each novel within its’ first chapter. By the time I had read the first 3 pages, I had already experienced so many different emotions towards what was happening in the book. One of my favourite aspects of the novels written by Mike Wells is the fact that he gives you a bit of background information on the main characters, before throwing his readers into an intense rollercoaster of mystery and suspense. Forbidden is truly a stunning novel that I could not get enough of. While I experienced uneasy feelings toward the character of Eleanor throughout the novel, I could not help but love Jayne. The relationship between Jayne and Robert was absolutely addicting! They share such a strong chemistry, and the fact that their love is forbidden, just made it even more enjoyable to read. Jayne and Robert share a very sexy and passionate connection with one another. I knew Mike Wells could write an incredible suspense novel, but now I see he can do so much more than that; the romantic chemistry was gorgeously written by Devika Fernando, it had a great amount of danger that left me wanting more. I continuously found myself rooting for Jayne and Robert to beat the odds, so they could live their lives together. Mike Wells and Devika Fernando could not have done a better job at writing a novel with so much passion and emotion. Every aspect of this novel was beautifully written. I found myself gripping the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading Forbidden. There is such an immense amount of thrill. Mike Wells has yet again, written an incredible novel, which left me feeling satisfied with my choice to read another one of his books. I cannot wait to read the second book in this series, as well as any other series Mike Wells or Devika Fernando has written. Mike Wells and Devika Fernando did an amazing job at creating this novel; they both have such a great writing style that works perfectly with the others. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a great suspenseful thriller that has a great love story tied in with it.
June 7, 2015
I couldn't finish this book. I can't in all honesty say I hated it, though. It bored me to tears and I just couldn't force myself to read past the halfway mark. By that point I expected the male lead to at least have made an appearance. I understand it is the first book in a series and therefore probably just sets the characters and scenes up for the remainder books, but I couldn't get interested in the plot or characters. The word 'lackluster' comes to mind.
August 11, 2017
After meeting her biological mother, 23-yr-old Jayne found herself entangled in a life-changing situation. To save her twin-sister, she has to portray different roles--the rich Celeste and the fiancee to Robert Astor, whom she still has to meet before the wedding.
A short read but engaging.
A short read but engaging.
August 18, 2019
Another great series from this author. I need to know what happens so I will be continuing the journey in this wonderful series!! I love the character's and the plot is exceptional. I am amazed at this author's imagination and writing. So much emotions and intrigue!!!!
October 24, 2017
Read books 1-4. Waiting on book 5....I need book 5! Lol
October 12, 2018
Wonderful
Keeps your attention and wanting more. I am eager to know more about Lady Sotheby and her history and how she came to be.
Keeps your attention and wanting more. I am eager to know more about Lady Sotheby and her history and how she came to be.
December 2, 2019
This book is very awesome
July 16, 2025
This was a good book 📖 with a little spice.
Read
August 4, 2016This is the first book in an obvious series of books. It was well written, engaging, and suspenseful; however, I don't care for the way this "book" was presented. When I finished book one, it was as if I'd finished only the first few chapters and in order to continue reading I had to purchase book two.
Book one was free (thank you Mr. Wells) but I wasn't interested enough to purchase the next several "books" in order to finish what I consider a single book.
Book one was free (thank you Mr. Wells) but I wasn't interested enough to purchase the next several "books" in order to finish what I consider a single book.
November 19, 2016
I really liked this book, it was definitely well written, I was blown away by the three characters Lady Eleanor Sotheby, Jayne Clark and Robert Astor...It was definitely what i was looking for in a book...Thank you to the Author Devika Fernando & Author Mike Wells for taking me along for the ride. Will definitely be back to read more by these Authors :)
March 5, 2015
Good but dragged
I give it three stars, it's well written catchy story but it felt so long for such a short read.
I give it three stars, it's well written catchy story but it felt so long for such a short read.
September 12, 2021
So exciting
I enjoyed how the story was delivered and how the characters evolved. It was great how I felt the emotions of each woman. Can't wait to read the next book.
I enjoyed how the story was delivered and how the characters evolved. It was great how I felt the emotions of each woman. Can't wait to read the next book.
Read
April 24, 2017you will never put it down until it is done!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews