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Blueprint to Love #1
Trusting Jake
Broken down at the side of the road, Jenna Stone's life is like her car. In need of a jumpstart. Millionaire workaholic Jackson Traynor is all business-- no pleasure. Until assisting a stranded beauty reminds Jake what he really wants. But falling in love was never in the blueprint. What if the only person you want is the one you can never have? Jake will question everything he's ever believed-- because Jen and her kids are the family he's always dreamed of. Jenna will be forced to choose between a safe life and the one of her dreams. When Jake's company is threatened, she will risk everything to protect him-- even if it means exposing old secrets.
234 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
2174 people are currently reading
1622 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Giordano
32 books94 followersContemporary Romance novelist. Terrible cook. Somewhat of an expert in putting out small kitchen fires. Born in the Northeast-- aka a decades-long, tumultuous,love-hate relationship with the Boston Red Sox.
Love reading all genres. Let me know the great books you're reading so I can try them, too!
Check out my contemporary small-town romance series, Blueprint To Love and Can't Help Falling!
Upcoming releases:
The Heartbroken Diaries: Spousal Loss - Surviving the Early Years & Grieving Through a Pandemic, July, 2021.
Out of the Woods, Book 5 Can't Help Falling series, September, 2021.
The Mona Project, Book 5 Blueprint to Love series December, 2021.
Love reading all genres. Let me know the great books you're reading so I can try them, too!
Check out my contemporary small-town romance series, Blueprint To Love and Can't Help Falling!
Upcoming releases:
The Heartbroken Diaries: Spousal Loss - Surviving the Early Years & Grieving Through a Pandemic, July, 2021.
Out of the Woods, Book 5 Can't Help Falling series, September, 2021.
The Mona Project, Book 5 Blueprint to Love series December, 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 16, 2015
What a really great read ... Trusting Jake has a dual P.O.V book which switches frequently ..
Trusting Jake is about Jen and her two little ones Alex and Megan..
Her husband was abusive, treated her like crap and was a shitty dad to the little ones.
Also at her job she has to deal with male workmates hitting on her and treating her like she is trash, they end up getting her fired. Her husband is cheating on her "a lot" then ends up killing himself in a car accident.
To get away from everything, she moves to a new town for a fresh start, for her and the kids.
On the way to a job interview, her car breaks down and she is rescued by the very handsome business man Jake and he offers her a lift home.
On the drive she explains about the job interview and what type of qualifications she has. There is an instant attraction between them..
Due to the problems with men hitting on her in the past she still wears her wedding ring so people will think she's taken.
Jake ends up offering Jen a job at his company as his pa/assistant... the more time Jake spends with Jen and her kids the more he finds himself falling for her, he believes she is married to her Ex Rick and that he works away from home.
They both start to fall in love .... but everything gets in the way.
Jake and Jen are perfect together, Jake is so bloody cute when he is with Jen's kids .. it's so lovely to read.
I cant praise this book enough, it was very well written and I didn't find any flaws.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT ... I can't wait for Harrison's book..
Well Done Lauren on this great book...
Trusting Jake is about Jen and her two little ones Alex and Megan..
Her husband was abusive, treated her like crap and was a shitty dad to the little ones.
Also at her job she has to deal with male workmates hitting on her and treating her like she is trash, they end up getting her fired. Her husband is cheating on her "a lot" then ends up killing himself in a car accident.
To get away from everything, she moves to a new town for a fresh start, for her and the kids.
On the way to a job interview, her car breaks down and she is rescued by the very handsome business man Jake and he offers her a lift home.
On the drive she explains about the job interview and what type of qualifications she has. There is an instant attraction between them..
Due to the problems with men hitting on her in the past she still wears her wedding ring so people will think she's taken.
Jake ends up offering Jen a job at his company as his pa/assistant... the more time Jake spends with Jen and her kids the more he finds himself falling for her, he believes she is married to her Ex Rick and that he works away from home.
They both start to fall in love .... but everything gets in the way.
Jake and Jen are perfect together, Jake is so bloody cute when he is with Jen's kids .. it's so lovely to read.
I cant praise this book enough, it was very well written and I didn't find any flaws.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT ... I can't wait for Harrison's book..
Well Done Lauren on this great book...
October 20, 2015
So many good things to say about this book.
Trusting Jake is about Jenna Stone. A single mother with two children who is finally escaping from her life that is far from satisfying. Her abusive husband is killed with his bimbo du jour in an automobile accident. Jenna works in a primarily male dominated industry and fights sexual harassment until one co-worker got her fired when she wouldn’t have sex with him. She wants to get away to a new place and start over.
Jake Traynor, the managing partner of Specialty, meets Jen when her car breaks down on the way to an interview. He offers her a ride home and during their conversation he realizes she just might fit a position that he has available. Jake is attracted to Jen but since she still wears her wedding ring he knows she is off limits. Jen get the job with Jake and soon becomes his right hand man or woman in this case.
The more they work together the more the attraction grows. Jake also adores her children and enjoys any time they all get to spend together.
What I love about this story is the main characters are a little older. For me this allows me to connect with the characters almost immediately. The insecurity Jenna feels starting over in a new city is realistic and makes the reader feel for her. The struggles to be a good mom and employee is realistic.
The chemistry between Jake and Jenna is mostly perfect. Because the story is written in dual points of view we see how their chemistry and attraction grows for both of them from their meeting on the highway when Jenna breaks down and then increases as they get to know each other. I love the way Jake interacts with Megan and Alex, Jenna’s two children. He is so cute and I fell in love with Jake completely during these scenes.
My only criticism is that the “lie” goes on a little too long for me. I get that it is supposed to build the angst but for me I just felt like enough already this doesn’t even make sense after a while. I wish the show down with Baldwin, Jenna’s former adversary, happened sooner. I wanted more time with Jake, Jenna, and the Traynors. I also wanted a little more at the ending. It felt like it was a little rushed. I don’t know if that is because we will see more in the next book with Harrison or if this is the real end to Jake and Jenna’s story.
This is a good story and I’m sure you will enjoy the read as much as I did.
ARC received for an honest review
Trusting Jake is about Jenna Stone. A single mother with two children who is finally escaping from her life that is far from satisfying. Her abusive husband is killed with his bimbo du jour in an automobile accident. Jenna works in a primarily male dominated industry and fights sexual harassment until one co-worker got her fired when she wouldn’t have sex with him. She wants to get away to a new place and start over.
Jake Traynor, the managing partner of Specialty, meets Jen when her car breaks down on the way to an interview. He offers her a ride home and during their conversation he realizes she just might fit a position that he has available. Jake is attracted to Jen but since she still wears her wedding ring he knows she is off limits. Jen get the job with Jake and soon becomes his right hand man or woman in this case.
The more they work together the more the attraction grows. Jake also adores her children and enjoys any time they all get to spend together.
What I love about this story is the main characters are a little older. For me this allows me to connect with the characters almost immediately. The insecurity Jenna feels starting over in a new city is realistic and makes the reader feel for her. The struggles to be a good mom and employee is realistic.
The chemistry between Jake and Jenna is mostly perfect. Because the story is written in dual points of view we see how their chemistry and attraction grows for both of them from their meeting on the highway when Jenna breaks down and then increases as they get to know each other. I love the way Jake interacts with Megan and Alex, Jenna’s two children. He is so cute and I fell in love with Jake completely during these scenes.
My only criticism is that the “lie” goes on a little too long for me. I get that it is supposed to build the angst but for me I just felt like enough already this doesn’t even make sense after a while. I wish the show down with Baldwin, Jenna’s former adversary, happened sooner. I wanted more time with Jake, Jenna, and the Traynors. I also wanted a little more at the ending. It felt like it was a little rushed. I don’t know if that is because we will see more in the next book with Harrison or if this is the real end to Jake and Jenna’s story.
This is a good story and I’m sure you will enjoy the read as much as I did.
ARC received for an honest review
October 6, 2015
Jenna Stone was a broken woman and she was moving to start her life over with her two children, Megan and Alex. Her husband was very verbally abusive and he spend years cheating on her then he was killed in a car accident. On a way to a job interview in a new town her car breaks down. Along comes Jake Traynor and he couldn't drive by when she needs help so he stops. Jenna is so mad she doesn't notice him at first she is too busy cursing at her phone, which isn't working either. Jenna's job in Baltimore had been for a construction company. She had been fired for false accusations made about her. Jake is quite amused by her temper and red hair. When she finally notices him he offers her help. He winds up giving her a ride home. They talk while in the truck so he finds out what she does for a living and he tells her to check with his company, Speciality, to see if they are hiring. He drops her off and she gives him a copy of her resume. He notices she is very experienced and he needs an assistant to help him. He also notices the wedding ring. Jenna wears it so people show her some respect for what she does in a mans business world of construction. This is a great story as Jenna continues to let everyone believe her husband travels and is never home. You will enjoy reading this one. I couldn't put it down. It does contain some profanity and sex scenes so it isn't for everyone. It is a good read
November 13, 2017
Loved everything about this one. Jenna had married a loser who was verbally abusive and never there for her and their two kids. When he was killed in a car accident she was actually relieved. She's done her best to make a life for her family and now she's landed a job with millionaire Jackson Traynor as his personal assistant. However, she had a bad experience on her last job because she wouldn't put out for the boss so this time she passes herself off as being married.
Jackson can't believe how fortunate he was to land someone like Jenna. They work extremely well together and her input on the job has been invaluable. And she's married. So, in spite of his attraction to her, she's off limits. There's no way he'll cross that line.
I really enjoyed this. It was the first time I'd read this author but it won't be the last. I was drawn to the characters right away. Jenna was down to earth, funny, a wonderful mother, and an excellent employee. Jake was a take charge type of guy. He was always on top of things and really bonded with Jenna's kids. It was fun watching them work towards their happily ever after.
Jackson can't believe how fortunate he was to land someone like Jenna. They work extremely well together and her input on the job has been invaluable. And she's married. So, in spite of his attraction to her, she's off limits. There's no way he'll cross that line.
I really enjoyed this. It was the first time I'd read this author but it won't be the last. I was drawn to the characters right away. Jenna was down to earth, funny, a wonderful mother, and an excellent employee. Jake was a take charge type of guy. He was always on top of things and really bonded with Jenna's kids. It was fun watching them work towards their happily ever after.
November 17, 2017
Teeth gritting stupidity of drama-lama.
Seriously, you decide to tell a lie not realising quite how big it will get, fine. But when it expands and starts to effect everyday integrations and decisions, it's time to set it straight but no, she keeps going. Then it is about to EXPLODE, and she still doesn't say a thing!
Seriously, you decide to tell a lie not realising quite how big it will get, fine. But when it expands and starts to effect everyday integrations and decisions, it's time to set it straight but no, she keeps going. Then it is about to EXPLODE, and she still doesn't say a thing!
September 18, 2017
I really enjoyed all the main characters in this novel and the way the relationship between Jenna and Jake developed. Jenna's children were adorable and Jake's brothers will no doubt have their own fascinating stories. The chemistry between Jake and Jenna felt very real and I didn't need all the graphic details of the first time they made love. I skipped over most of that section. I would enjoy reading more in this series.
December 4, 2024
3.5 Stars
You know what? That was a lot of fun. Jenna and Jake were pretty cute and I really like their interactions with the kids. I also really liked Jenna's backstory, it gave this a bit more of a heart. Now, I fear I must admit that this was pretty silly at times. Jenna's lies felt so unnecessary sometimes, especially when she kept digging that hole deeper and deeper. And don't even get me started on Jake. I loved him most of the time but OMG your parents divorced when you were 22 because your dad was a bit of a dick, please explain why you held a grudge against your mother for 10 years? That's crazy. Nevertheless, the ridiculousness made me laugh so I give it a pass.
You know what? That was a lot of fun. Jenna and Jake were pretty cute and I really like their interactions with the kids. I also really liked Jenna's backstory, it gave this a bit more of a heart. Now, I fear I must admit that this was pretty silly at times. Jenna's lies felt so unnecessary sometimes, especially when she kept digging that hole deeper and deeper. And don't even get me started on Jake. I loved him most of the time but OMG your parents divorced when you were 22 because your dad was a bit of a dick, please explain why you held a grudge against your mother for 10 years? That's crazy. Nevertheless, the ridiculousness made me laugh so I give it a pass.
November 21, 2017
Life was not easy for Jenna. Not only did her cheating husband die leaving her a widow, but she had been fired from her job at a construction design firm because of false rumors about her sleeping around. She wanted a new start so she changed her name, moved to a new town with her children, and kept wearing her wedding ring. Things were going well for her until her old car broke down on the way to a job interview. But being rescued by Jake turned out to be a good thing since he was an owner in Specialty, one of the design firms Jenna planned on applying to. She couldn’t believe her luck when he offered her a job as his assistant. They worked well together and were a good team. Everything was going great until she fell in love with him. This was a problem because he believed she was married.
This was a well-written emotional book that I really enjoyed. However, I did find it tiring that Jenna kept thinking that she should tell Jake the truth but never did. That went on too long. Even so, this was a good book with likeable characters.
This was a well-written emotional book that I really enjoyed. However, I did find it tiring that Jenna kept thinking that she should tell Jake the truth but never did. That went on too long. Even so, this was a good book with likeable characters.
November 16, 2017
4.25 - cute. heartwarming. also without a lot of push - pull angst at the end. however, there was a lot throughout the book. liked how her background came out slowly, and their friendship grew over months, not just a week or two. he was a gentleman and I loved it. that did kind of backfire though for the timeline, as all of the sudden it was a month later, or weeks later, etc. felt like continually trying to figure out what you missed in their friendship, so while I was glad it was a slow moving, real progression, the time skips left me feeling little lost.
November 15, 2017
Wow!!
This book is about Jenna, a widowed single mother of 2. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jenna has to pretend to still bre married. She moves with her children and begins working as an assistant to Jake.
There is an instant attraction between them.
Due to her past, Jenna can't reveal the reality of her marital status.
Loved the relationship that developed between Jake and Jenna. The best part was the relationship that developed between Jake and her children, Alex and Megan.
Fan book and will be reading the other books in the series.
This book is about Jenna, a widowed single mother of 2. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jenna has to pretend to still bre married. She moves with her children and begins working as an assistant to Jake.
There is an instant attraction between them.
Due to her past, Jenna can't reveal the reality of her marital status.
Loved the relationship that developed between Jake and Jenna. The best part was the relationship that developed between Jake and her children, Alex and Megan.
Fan book and will be reading the other books in the series.
November 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
Jenna is a single mom who is struggling to start over after being fired from her former job and dealing with the death of her cheating husband. She meets Jackson/Jake one day on a fluke en route to a job interview and he ends up offering her a job. Trouble is, she tells him that she's married to keep some of her previous problems at bay.
Jenna is a single mom who is struggling to start over after being fired from her former job and dealing with the death of her cheating husband. She meets Jackson/Jake one day on a fluke en route to a job interview and he ends up offering her a job. Trouble is, she tells him that she's married to keep some of her previous problems at bay.
November 14, 2017
Basic survival
Timely. I read this in the wake of a sea change of accusations of sexual abuse taking down a swath of public figures. Certainly more to follow. And this book lays out in painful detail the extent to which one young, single mother will go to escape harassment and false charges. As she rebuilds a life for her children, she also rebuilds some trust in men. Very real.
Timely. I read this in the wake of a sea change of accusations of sexual abuse taking down a swath of public figures. Certainly more to follow. And this book lays out in painful detail the extent to which one young, single mother will go to escape harassment and false charges. As she rebuilds a life for her children, she also rebuilds some trust in men. Very real.
November 4, 2017
Enjoyable Read
This was the perfect book to read for people who believe in second chances. Sometimes a person digs themselves a hole trying to get away from a bad situation. This book was very much about miscommunication and why the truth is still best. I marked it down one star because of the crass language. I know it was necessary for the sexual harassment verification, but I didn't think it needed to be so vile.
This was the perfect book to read for people who believe in second chances. Sometimes a person digs themselves a hole trying to get away from a bad situation. This book was very much about miscommunication and why the truth is still best. I marked it down one star because of the crass language. I know it was necessary for the sexual harassment verification, but I didn't think it needed to be so vile.
November 1, 2017
Pure romance
Different in that Jake thinks Jenna is married and therefore off limits. But where is her husband? Meanwhile Jake is falling for Jenna and her two sweet adorable kids. Jenna has a reason for starting this relationship with a lie but it really causes lots of turmoil. Jenna works for Jake and is the perfect assistant for him and he doesn't want to lose her but.......a bit different, but of course predictable. Would we want it any other way? HEA I was given this book for a honest review.
Different in that Jake thinks Jenna is married and therefore off limits. But where is her husband? Meanwhile Jake is falling for Jenna and her two sweet adorable kids. Jenna has a reason for starting this relationship with a lie but it really causes lots of turmoil. Jenna works for Jake and is the perfect assistant for him and he doesn't want to lose her but.......a bit different, but of course predictable. Would we want it any other way? HEA I was given this book for a honest review.
March 13, 2017
Oh my. Trusting Jake has been on my kindle for the longest time. I have considered reading it on several occasions but I'm a firm believer that books choose us when it's the right time. Boy was it the time right for this one. Jake is the hero in my favourite book, ever. I honestly think that if things had turned out differently for him he'd be a hell of a lot like Jake Traynor. I was excited to read about another Jake and to see if he'd live up to one of my favourite book boyfriends. He did!
I know with every essence of my being that I dislike books with pregnancies but I had no idea that books with single moms and the men who love them would have me swooning quite so hard and fast.
I absolutely loved the journey Jenna and Jake take in this book. Both personally and towards each other. There were so many obstacles to overcome. They both had issues and history which made them so much more relatable. I so often read characters that are just a little to wonderful to be believable.
I picked up Trusting Jake when I was in a horrible book slump most likely brought on by the sheer volume of choice on my kindle. I think I'm cured because even before I was finished I knew I wanted to read the next books in the Blueprint to Love series.
Trusting Jake is my first Lauren Giordano book and I've clearly hit the ground running. I am excited that there are two more standalone books in my future. The sample of Falling for Ken at the end already has me excited to read more books from Lauren.
I know with every essence of my being that I dislike books with pregnancies but I had no idea that books with single moms and the men who love them would have me swooning quite so hard and fast.
I absolutely loved the journey Jenna and Jake take in this book. Both personally and towards each other. There were so many obstacles to overcome. They both had issues and history which made them so much more relatable. I so often read characters that are just a little to wonderful to be believable.
I picked up Trusting Jake when I was in a horrible book slump most likely brought on by the sheer volume of choice on my kindle. I think I'm cured because even before I was finished I knew I wanted to read the next books in the Blueprint to Love series.
Trusting Jake is my first Lauren Giordano book and I've clearly hit the ground running. I am excited that there are two more standalone books in my future. The sample of Falling for Ken at the end already has me excited to read more books from Lauren.
August 28, 2017
It was a very good book. I liked it a lot and once I got started I couldn't put it down. It was about Jenna and Jake. Jenna was trying to start a new life. She had been used and abused by her no good, no account husband. She had been taken advantage of and all but destroyed by the male co-workers at the company she had worked for. She was in survival mode trying to protect herself and her children. Even though she was now a single Mother she had kept up pretenses to being married. Hoping it would keep the skirt chasers away. Jake immediately was drawn to her hired her and began helping her with her family. He was falling in love with a person he thought was a married woman and that was hard for him to take. He was already having difficulty dealing with the divorce of his own parents and had also become managing partner in a construction firm. Jenna has 2 lovely children an outgoing little boy and a somewhat reserved little girl. In the end they all win, Jenna, Jake, and the children.
I have bought the next book in the series and have started to read that.
I have bought the next book in the series and have started to read that.
March 10, 2018
This contemporary romance was disappointing to me. I thought I'd enjoy the story of a single mother looking for a new start. However, I felt that the sexual harrassment angle was overplayed and inconsistent. In one case, it wasn't even clear from the story whether a past contact even knew who the heroine was, or whether he was making a comparison. I could not like the heroine for her deception, especially when it didn't seem to me that it was of any help to her previous or later job status. She was also all over the map. She apparently wanted to avoid undue sexual attention, yet in one case wore a tight skirt with nothing underneath. This made no sense to me. The hero was inconsistently alpha male then compassionate. From the cover, I wasn't expecting it to be explicit, and it was, and I mention just this for other readers who, like me, were expecting something different.
September 15, 2017
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review." at the end your review.
I really liked this book. Jake and Jen were great and Alex and Megs were awesome! This book seemed to have a lot of elements that I like in a book, such as growing chemistry, love, family, and a great feel. You can feel the chemistry between Jake and Jen while they're trying to fight it and Jake is great with her kids from the beginning. I recommend reading this book.
I really liked this book. Jake and Jen were great and Alex and Megs were awesome! This book seemed to have a lot of elements that I like in a book, such as growing chemistry, love, family, and a great feel. You can feel the chemistry between Jake and Jen while they're trying to fight it and Jake is great with her kids from the beginning. I recommend reading this book.
January 2, 2016
This is a good story and I’m sure you will enjoy the read as much as I did.
I love the way Jake interacts with Megan and Alex, Jenna’s two children. He is so cute and I fell in love with Jake completely during these scenes.
ARC received for an honest review.
Complete review on Badass Bloggettes http://badassbloggettes.blogspot.com/...
I love the way Jake interacts with Megan and Alex, Jenna’s two children. He is so cute and I fell in love with Jake completely during these scenes.
ARC received for an honest review.
Complete review on Badass Bloggettes http://badassbloggettes.blogspot.com/...
March 6, 2016
This book is brill,the charter of jake I just fell in love he is a man every woman should want,caring,respectfull oh so dreamy,love that they got together I so wanna read more of .Lauren_Giordano brill author.i won this book via goodreads.
May 2, 2023
new to this author, i found it for free through Bookbub and grabbed it on Amazon. kindle copy. i will read more, enjoyed her writing style. fun times. cute. "Blueprint of Love" series book 1. 4 total so far. came out Sept 26, 2015. contemporary women's fiction. women's romance fiction.
September 3, 2017
Reviewed at Romance Is Ageless
Jenna and her two kids have left the home they knew into the adventure of starting over fresh in a new location. Her no good, abusive husband is now dead and even though he’s no longer around to terrorize them her children still are fearful he will return. And their trust for any man is going to be hard won thanks to their father’s actions. Jen tried to stay put but working in a field where women are a rarity, Jen was subject to her boss’ sexual harassment. It was long past time to get outta town and begin again. But… she’d keep the ring on and the husband away somewhere because sh wasn’t going to put herself in that situation ever again. She didn’t think that there might be a time when that white lie would come back to bite.
Jake did his good deed by stopping to help the woman who’s car was stuck in a ditch… dead car. Sure she was attractive but she was also wearing a wedding band. She was very suspicious of just about anything he said or did but there was just something about her that cried out for a friend if nothing else. He would soon discover her professional abilities, fall for her kids and wish for a future that he knew they didn’t have. Until he learned the truth.
While I enjoyed Jake and Jenna’s growing romance I have to admit to feeling that her lie went on far too long. I get that she was abused, that she had to deal with an equally sexually abusive former boss but when she saw Jake as a good man, when she started to have feelings about him that weren’t fear driven that would have been the time she could have trusted him and dealt with the threat together. Her immediate jumping to the wrong conclusions, constantly misunderstanding his words and motives played a part in my rooting more for Jake than Jenna to find happiness. Yet, I’m not a writer so I can only react to what I read, and the lie began to take over the story as it went on too long.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I’ve a feeling we’ll meet up with Jen and Jake again down the road. It really is a good story, please don’t take my thinking she should have told the truth sooner to indicate that I didn’t enjoy this one, I did – and if you love Romance I believe you would too.
Jenna and her two kids have left the home they knew into the adventure of starting over fresh in a new location. Her no good, abusive husband is now dead and even though he’s no longer around to terrorize them her children still are fearful he will return. And their trust for any man is going to be hard won thanks to their father’s actions. Jen tried to stay put but working in a field where women are a rarity, Jen was subject to her boss’ sexual harassment. It was long past time to get outta town and begin again. But… she’d keep the ring on and the husband away somewhere because sh wasn’t going to put herself in that situation ever again. She didn’t think that there might be a time when that white lie would come back to bite.
Jake did his good deed by stopping to help the woman who’s car was stuck in a ditch… dead car. Sure she was attractive but she was also wearing a wedding band. She was very suspicious of just about anything he said or did but there was just something about her that cried out for a friend if nothing else. He would soon discover her professional abilities, fall for her kids and wish for a future that he knew they didn’t have. Until he learned the truth.
While I enjoyed Jake and Jenna’s growing romance I have to admit to feeling that her lie went on far too long. I get that she was abused, that she had to deal with an equally sexually abusive former boss but when she saw Jake as a good man, when she started to have feelings about him that weren’t fear driven that would have been the time she could have trusted him and dealt with the threat together. Her immediate jumping to the wrong conclusions, constantly misunderstanding his words and motives played a part in my rooting more for Jake than Jenna to find happiness. Yet, I’m not a writer so I can only react to what I read, and the lie began to take over the story as it went on too long.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I’ve a feeling we’ll meet up with Jen and Jake again down the road. It really is a good story, please don’t take my thinking she should have told the truth sooner to indicate that I didn’t enjoy this one, I did – and if you love Romance I believe you would too.
October 9, 2018
Frustrating
Issues with this book that made it (for me) difficult to like:
1 ) "Not until he could convince her to leave Rick."
Traditional romance novel wisdom is that it’s not okay for the hero or the heroine to cheat. And while the reader knows no cheating is actually occurring, the hero doesn’t. So his actions are despicable and very anti-hero. I’m not opposed to stretching the traditional rules, per se, but cheating behavior, in my opinion, is not an area where pushing the boundaries is acceptable for a satisfying romance novel.
2) "...before she would risk leaving the safety of her son's room."
That is messed up, making out in her six year old son’s room where he could see. I was so appalled I kept paging back trying to find a reference to them leaving the room before grappling each other. I’m no prude. I read romance novels of all sensuality levels, but this scene crossed a line with me.
3) "...and I know it will never h-happen again."
With all of the characters stuttering regularly and having the same speech patterns (hesitant, trailing, overuse of ellipses) it is difficult to tell one character from another. The plot suffers from a very simple misunderstanding about Jenna’s marriage that a single uninterrupted conversation could resolve, which makes for a better novella than it does a novel.
Issues with this book that made it (for me) difficult to like:
1 ) "Not until he could convince her to leave Rick."
Traditional romance novel wisdom is that it’s not okay for the hero or the heroine to cheat. And while the reader knows no cheating is actually occurring, the hero doesn’t. So his actions are despicable and very anti-hero. I’m not opposed to stretching the traditional rules, per se, but cheating behavior, in my opinion, is not an area where pushing the boundaries is acceptable for a satisfying romance novel.
2) "...before she would risk leaving the safety of her son's room."
That is messed up, making out in her six year old son’s room where he could see. I was so appalled I kept paging back trying to find a reference to them leaving the room before grappling each other. I’m no prude. I read romance novels of all sensuality levels, but this scene crossed a line with me.
3) "...and I know it will never h-happen again."
With all of the characters stuttering regularly and having the same speech patterns (hesitant, trailing, overuse of ellipses) it is difficult to tell one character from another. The plot suffers from a very simple misunderstanding about Jenna’s marriage that a single uninterrupted conversation could resolve, which makes for a better novella than it does a novel.
August 18, 2017
Trusting Jake is a sweet romance with numerous stumbling blocks of Jenna's own making. In order to get away from an unfairly deserved reputation, Jenna reverts to her maiden name when her dastardly husband dies and moves to a new town with her two children, where no one knows her. She keeps her marriage status but is ultimately hoist with her own petard when she falls in love with Jake and realises that he has feelings for her as well. As Jenna and her two children become more and more enmeshed in the lives of the Traymor family, Jenna finds it increasingly difficult to maintain her facade. I loved Jake's character and the way in which he was enmeshed in the lives of the children, even as he fell in love with Jenna, knowing that as a married woman he had to avoid her. While the story is sweet and rather emotional, I found myself questioning whether it was necessary for Jenna to hold out regarding the truth for as long as she did. I had to put aside my own way of dealing with problems (head on) and look at it from Jenna's perspective to understand her reasoning. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable book, well written with good grammar and spelling, and a good ending. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
December 5, 2024
Broken down at the side of the road, Jenna Stone's life is like her car. In need of a jumpstart. Tired of playing by other people's rules, the widowed single mom guards her new freedom by keeping her deadbeat husband alive... in name only. But meeting Jake Traynor gives her hope and makes her question the merits of lying. Will he break down the fortress around her heart?
Beautiful writing that flows and takes you on a compelling journey of one woman and everything she had to endure being married to a toxic man then to be fired because of male manipulation. Jenna runs with her kids when her husband dies and creates a new life and identity pretending to still be married.
Only Jake, her new boss is one man who's difficult to ignore. He's kind and gentle, caring and a brilliant boss.
At times your heart aches for everything Jenna had to go through. I love how strong and independent her character is and so refreshing that our billionaire mmc is not a total ladies man.
A well crafted romance dealing and highlighting toxic relationships and workplace sexual harassment. Both topics handled with absolute empathy to our brave fmc.
Definitely a beautiful romance to have on your tbr
Kerry Kennedy Author
Beautiful writing that flows and takes you on a compelling journey of one woman and everything she had to endure being married to a toxic man then to be fired because of male manipulation. Jenna runs with her kids when her husband dies and creates a new life and identity pretending to still be married.
Only Jake, her new boss is one man who's difficult to ignore. He's kind and gentle, caring and a brilliant boss.
At times your heart aches for everything Jenna had to go through. I love how strong and independent her character is and so refreshing that our billionaire mmc is not a total ladies man.
A well crafted romance dealing and highlighting toxic relationships and workplace sexual harassment. Both topics handled with absolute empathy to our brave fmc.
Definitely a beautiful romance to have on your tbr
Kerry Kennedy Author
November 17, 2018
Widowed single Mom Jenna decides a new start is in order, but pretends her dead husband is still alive in order to find a keep a job without having to endure advances by men too much like her dead husband. When her new boss seems to be one of those rare decent people, she's tangled up too much in her web of lies she told him.
Responsible Jackson runs the family firm and soon falls for Jenna when she starts working for him. As much as he appreciates her professional abilites, he's much rather she were not married, because he can get neither her nor her two adorable children out of his head - and heart.
A good plot, storytelling at its best, and very likeable and realistic protagonists facing and finding solutions for their problems, and facing burdens from past - enough twists and turns in this story to elevate it from a run-of-the-mill romance. I found it difficult to put this aside - there was so much insight into the characters' fears and joys and desperation, I had the feeling I know persons like that, that I could identify with some of their reactions, actions, and dialogues.
A great first book in this series, and I can hardly wait to put my hands on the next one.
Responsible Jackson runs the family firm and soon falls for Jenna when she starts working for him. As much as he appreciates her professional abilites, he's much rather she were not married, because he can get neither her nor her two adorable children out of his head - and heart.
A good plot, storytelling at its best, and very likeable and realistic protagonists facing and finding solutions for their problems, and facing burdens from past - enough twists and turns in this story to elevate it from a run-of-the-mill romance. I found it difficult to put this aside - there was so much insight into the characters' fears and joys and desperation, I had the feeling I know persons like that, that I could identify with some of their reactions, actions, and dialogues.
A great first book in this series, and I can hardly wait to put my hands on the next one.
February 5, 2018
This is a fast-paced read about a single mom who has suffered for years in an abusive marriage and harassment in the work environment. She's finally escaping both and starting over. In order to do that, she has to keep her cheating husband alive in name only. But the lies are now piling up and she doesn't know what to do about that.
Jake is overworked and needs help. Who knew that when he stopped to help the woman whose car had broken down that he'd find the answer to his problem. Jenna Stone looks like the perfect answer. She has a stellar resume and he wants to give her a chance to prove herself. It isn't too long before Jake figures out there's much more to Jenna than she lets anyone see. She's too closed off to not be hiding something.
There's a lot going on in this one. It gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of what happens in a family/people who suffer abuse, workplace harassment, abandonment, and divorce. It's also a testament to how much the human spirit can handle and the lengths that one will go to in order to survive and thrive.
Jake is overworked and needs help. Who knew that when he stopped to help the woman whose car had broken down that he'd find the answer to his problem. Jenna Stone looks like the perfect answer. She has a stellar resume and he wants to give her a chance to prove herself. It isn't too long before Jake figures out there's much more to Jenna than she lets anyone see. She's too closed off to not be hiding something.
There's a lot going on in this one. It gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of what happens in a family/people who suffer abuse, workplace harassment, abandonment, and divorce. It's also a testament to how much the human spirit can handle and the lengths that one will go to in order to survive and thrive.
August 18, 2019
Quite well written. I found three errors only— one of incorrect punctuation, one awkwardly worded sentence and one fallacy. Again, an editor would have corrected these.
The story itself was quite sweet. Jenna, who had been mistreated by her husband was, after his death, harassed by his friends and then accused of attempting to seduce them, as a consequence loses her job. She moves, continuing to wear a wedding ring and claiming to be married, hoping to be taken seriously. When her car breaks down she is rescued by Jake, who shortly afterwards offers her a job. They become increasingly aware of each other, however, she had lied to get the job and he was not prepared to break up a marriage.
Giordano’s writing is full of beautiful images. Some of the best in the book are of him interacting with her and her two children. These tableaux counterbalance the internal conflict of the main characters. They are perfect together but is their niceness that holds them back.
I hope to read more by Giordano.
The story itself was quite sweet. Jenna, who had been mistreated by her husband was, after his death, harassed by his friends and then accused of attempting to seduce them, as a consequence loses her job. She moves, continuing to wear a wedding ring and claiming to be married, hoping to be taken seriously. When her car breaks down she is rescued by Jake, who shortly afterwards offers her a job. They become increasingly aware of each other, however, she had lied to get the job and he was not prepared to break up a marriage.
Giordano’s writing is full of beautiful images. Some of the best in the book are of him interacting with her and her two children. These tableaux counterbalance the internal conflict of the main characters. They are perfect together but is their niceness that holds them back.
I hope to read more by Giordano.
June 1, 2019
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read! Jenna and Jake would make the perfect couple; but she's not looking for anyone; in fact she's still wearing a wedding ring. Jenna wants to be judged on her abilities not on how she looks. When Jake stops to help her after her car breaks down, she has to trust him to be a gentleman, since she's in a new city, her first priority is getting a new job, since she's on her way to an interview, she accepts his help. Jake notices the ring and realizes she's taken.
This was a fantastic story, Jenna ends up working for Jake and they become work friends, then when he meets her kids, he becomes friends with the children. They both know it cannot become more. But circumstances and fate can make changes in anyone's life and Jenna and Jake are at the center of fate's plans. I've already ordered the second book in this series.
This was a fantastic story, Jenna ends up working for Jake and they become work friends, then when he meets her kids, he becomes friends with the children. They both know it cannot become more. But circumstances and fate can make changes in anyone's life and Jenna and Jake are at the center of fate's plans. I've already ordered the second book in this series.
February 21, 2020
Goes through a lot
Jenna goes through so much in this story. First her cheating husband dies with his hoe in a car accident. Then she gets fired from her job because some stupid men think she should sleep with them so she takes her kids and moves to another area two hours away. Then Jake finds her on the side of the road with her broken down car right before an interview for a new job so Jake gives her a ride home and takes her resume and things started looking up. But Jenna was burned by her husband and the guys she worked with so she thinks it’s a good decision to say she’s still married it will save everyone the hassle and keep things professional. But their attraction to each other is hard to resist. Jake and Jenna seem good for each other and it’s so sweet how Jake is to the kids.
Jenna goes through so much in this story. First her cheating husband dies with his hoe in a car accident. Then she gets fired from her job because some stupid men think she should sleep with them so she takes her kids and moves to another area two hours away. Then Jake finds her on the side of the road with her broken down car right before an interview for a new job so Jake gives her a ride home and takes her resume and things started looking up. But Jenna was burned by her husband and the guys she worked with so she thinks it’s a good decision to say she’s still married it will save everyone the hassle and keep things professional. But their attraction to each other is hard to resist. Jake and Jenna seem good for each other and it’s so sweet how Jake is to the kids.
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