Men always want something. Help always comes with strings. And men like billionaire CEO Jake Reed? They definitely don’t fall for broken women like her.
Unfortunately, Jake didn’t seem to get that memo.
What starts as a contract buyout quickly becomes something far more dangerous: a man who keeps showing up when she least expects it and a future that suddenly looks nothing like the one she’d planned.
Which would almost be a fairytale come true…
If Jake wasn’t hiding something.
For the first time in years, Leila finds herself wanting things she never allowed herself to want—security, belonging, and a love that feels frighteningly real.
But trusting Jake means risking more than her heart. It means believing she deserves a future of her own.
Jake knows trust isn’t something he can ask for. It’s something he has to earn. And he’ll spend every day proving to Leila that she’s worth choosing.
But when the truth finally comes to light, Leila must decide whether love is worth the terrifying leap of trusting someone completely.
Because happily ever after sounds wonderful as a fantasy.
But feels impossibly out of reach in the real world.
Do You Trust Me? is an emotional contemporary romance featuring a devoted billionaire hero, found family, healing after trauma, sharp banter, and a love story about learning to trust, letting yourself be loved, and choosing each other again and again.
Do You Trust Me? is a book that evoked so many emotions in me. This story doesn't shy away from difficult topics. It tackles exploitation, trauma, and the long road toward healing with compassion and honesty. While those themes are heartbreaking, they never felt like they existed purely for shock value. Instead, they highlighted the resilience of survivors and the importance of finding safety, hope, and people who genuinely care.
Jake was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. More than being a romantic lead, he represented patience, kindness, and unwavering support. I especially appreciated that the romance wasn't built solely on attraction. It was built on trust, healing, and allowing someone to feel safe again before asking for anything else.
That said, Jake occasionally felt a little too perfect for my personal taste. His patience, resources, and ability to solve almost every problem made him feel more like an ideal than a fully grounded character. It didn't ruin the story for me, but I would have loved to see a few more imperfections.
My biggest critique would be the pacing. Everything unfolded very quickly, particularly the romance. Given everything the heroine had endured, I personally would have loved to see more time pass before their relationship developed. A slower progression would have made the emotional payoff feel even stronger and given the story more room to breathe.
There were also a few moments where some character behaviors didn't quite match their stated ages. Considering the themes the novel explores, I could understand why those choices were made, but I think a little more context would have helped those moments feel more natural.
Even with those criticisms, they never lessened the impact this story had on me. This wasn't simply a romance. It was a story about rebuilding your life after unimaginable hardship, learning that trust can be earned, and believing that hope still exists even after the darkest moments.
If you're looking for a romance that balances emotional depth with meaningful themes of healing, resilience, and hope, I think Do You Trust Me? is well worth picking up.
Full Review available on : pagesofyue.com
Many thanks to the author for allowing me advance access to this book. I'm leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts are my honest reaction to the story.
I was so excited to read this debut novel! It immediately grabbed my attention, with an exclaimed "Fuck you!" being the opening line. The darkness in the opening scene didnt prepare me for all the heartwarming moments that were quick to follow.
The family of characters were loveable and well written. I loved the powerful femininity shown through Leila, she is young, vulnerable, and insecure but thats under an exterior of getting done what needs to be done to take care of her family, its a duality that I wish I saw represented more. Jake is soft and kind with her, but his perpetual optimism does grind my gears a bit at times. Julie is so heartbreakingly sweet and loving despite her circumstances growing up. Dylan's protectiveness and innuendo bring some much needed levity, making him easily one of my favorite characters.
Honorable mention to Alex! Going above and beyond from the jump for the Thompsons and the ongoing banter about his raise - so excited for his story in book two?!
While this is a book a fiction, it is full of real life horrors experienced by many. It is evident in the portrayal of the survivors and the treatment of their stories that the author cares deeply about the subject and those that are or have experienced any of these struggles first hand.
Congratulations Jasmine on your first book! I'll be waiting for book two ❤️
This book was such a great read! Jasmine Ali did a fantastic job bringing together two very different characters whose relationship revolves around drama, trust, and personal growth. The story is both emotional and thought-provoking, putting the characters through situations that challenge their trust in one another.
The author does an excellent job showing how trust can be built, broken, and repaired. The story kept me interested from beginning to end, and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven stories. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.