Forbidden

by Jessica Marx

Ashley
This can't be happening. He's cocky and arrogant and he's the last man on Earth I should be attracted to, but being close to him makes my knees weak, and I want more...
Jayson
I always get what I want, even when it's forbidden ...
I didn't know who she was, but now that I do, that only makes the chase more interesting.
I know what's going to happen. I'm going to f*ck her. How and when are the only questions.

This is a full-length standalone steamy romance novel with a HEA and absolutely no cliffhanger.

2nd edition now includes a free bonus novel from Ashwood Publishing!

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Contemporary Romance

489 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2015

Reviews

[Swinging · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't rate something one star easily. But unlike what the title states, there is nothing forbidden in this book. This isn't a stepbrother book. It isn't steamy. And it is only a romance by definition alone.

Oh boy, where to start? The writing style did not work for me. Oh. My. God. Paraphrase sometimes, trust me it's for the best. I don't need to know that Ashley is going to take a shower: She gets up off the couch. She walks to the bathroom. She turns on the shower. She removes her clothing. She steps into the shower. She grabs the soap. She rubs the soap over her body. She rinses the soap. She turns off the shower. She gets out of the shower.

Yeah, I'm not exaggerating. This claims to be 348 pages. Well with a good beta reader and editor this could've been tightened down to 250 pgs easily. Yeah, at least a hundred pages of complete and utter sludge that I was forced to wade through just to get to the story. Size does not always matter (unless you're trying for a larger paycheck from Kindle Unlimited).

Next, exactly where in Manhattan can a 20yo person drink alcohol without being carded? Ashley drank it at the bar, at her mom's house, at her own place of employment while working. Even a bartender that obviously didn't like her served her.

Not only did Ashley not really do it for me as the h, but Jayce was the most pathetic H I've read in a long time. He was super fucking hot the first couple of chapters. But then he started pining over Ashley and it just hurt to read his POV. It wasn't even alpha-man-hot pining, it was whimpering-little-boy-I-want-my-mommy pining. They were both pansies.

And the ending? I kid you not, this is how it went: "I'm not like your ex-husband, I love your daughter...Ashley I love you." "Oh Jayce, I love you too" "Oh, I see the error of my ways now, I love you, daughter." "I love you too, mom" "We all love each other...let's eat." What the ever-loving fuck did I just read?

Not a reread. Not interested in trying this author for another go. Just outright no.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a good start for this new author but there were a few things that kept this from being a 4. The story was good. Jayson is a man whore who tries to pick up Ashley at a bar. She reluctantly turns him down. Then, surprise, she runs into him at her mom's house and finds out their parents are dating. He decides to pursue her. At first, he comes off really slimey and a bit stalkerish. But after a while, I really liked them together. What I didn't like is we were left hanging on her last relationship. The story mentions a few times Mike tried to contact her but then dropped it. Also, the part that bothered me the most was the age difference. What was it? He's 35 but her age was confusing. She said she was still in her teens, but drank alcohol at work and in restaurants. She said he was old enough to be her dad. But then she had been in college for 3 years and hadn't declared a major making her at least 21. So he couldn't be her dad if they are 14 years apart. Since the age difference was a big deal to the plot, it should have been less confusing.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

New author was advertising her book on sale and thought I would take a chance and spent the 99 cents. Wow, glad I did was a quick read and many times I didn't want to put it down, but it was past my bed time. LOL I will say this is a rather graphic novel, but not unlike many romance books out there with word choices. I was impressed as a first time author I only noticed one spot that an editor missed catching. I believe it had the word "or" when it should have been something else, but I was still able to read it without much distraction. I enjoyed the little twists of the story line, but found the part where the family meets to discuss things a bit short or two quick of a resolution to the conflict. It seemed like an oh no, I am running out of space based on a word limit or length limit so quick end it. Other than that I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

[Michelle Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley is out with her best friend when Jayson hits on her. Not only does Ashley have a steady boyfriend but she is attracted to this jerk who uses cheesy pick up lines. A few days later Ashley is still thinking about the jerk from the bar when she is getting ready to go meet her mothers new long term boyfriend. When Ashley meets his sons she gets the shock of her life!!! I loved this story because you get the explanation most people can't get past when you hear stepbrother stepsister relationships. And these characters are willing to fight for what they feel.

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you say chemistry??

Jayson is a player. Ashley has a boyfriend. But when they meet at the bar there's instant chemistry. After Ashley's boyfriend dumps her and admits to cheating, she heads home to meet moms new boyfriend. Who happens to have 2 sons...one being Jayson.
I enjoyed how their problems seemed real; age, past, family. It brought the characters to life. This is a great debut story and I can't wait to read more.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too wordy

The general idea is covered. But the minute dominate outline of Ashley and Jaysons lives could have eliminated half the pages.
In the end they got their happy ending and I do like that Jayson made it his job to make Ashley trust,love and respect him.
A fair read but I skipped around the mundane parts.

[CHRISTINE MCCONNELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice for a first book

This was a sweet, yet spicy love story. I liked the lead characters individually and even better together. There wasn't any mysterious plot twists or big surprises. However, the sexual chemistry was palpable in the intimate scenes. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Julie Brunson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I really enjoyed the story line. The fact that falling love just happens and we don't really get to choose. This book made remember my first love and all the things that went with it. This story was well written and flowed page after page. It held my attention and I couldn't wait for the happily ever after!

[kari ann sebolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars

I really enjoyed this book it's always good to find your true love. A great author looking forward to reading more books by this other. Highly recommend for others to read.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I really did enjoy this book however I felt that the story wasn't developed enough. Especially toward the end. It felt rushed. I found the part where they had their talk with the parents unrealistic. But overall I liked the story.

[Iona Fincati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooooooooo boring! !! Was not well written. Paragraphs were repeated but just slight variation of words. The main characters went from feeling eachother would make great one night stands to in love in 2 seconds flat.

[Samantha Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy

This was a great book! I didn't want to put it down. I just kept reading because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next!

[J Barnwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Type was too large!