The Touch

The Cotiere Chronicles #2

by Michelle Bolanger

Despite the crippling pain that increases every day, Alexander enjoys a life that would be the envy of many. But there is one thing his money can’t buy – the trust of the beautiful and elusive Jessi whose slightest touch promises an end to his pain.

Jessi has no intention of allowing Alexander close to her because the Alexander she knows is no one she wants to be bound to for the rest of her life. But with her own pain growing and rumors of Alexander’s drastic change of heart, Jessi must learn to trust him to help her through the consequences when reality exposes the web of deception surrounding them.

**The Cotiere Chronicles is a four book series. The fourth and final book will be released in 2019.**

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 24, 2014

About the author

Michelle Bolanger has been an avid reader all her life. With the encouragement of her family and friends, she decided to take the leap and publish her own books. Michelle is also a talented vocalist. She enjoys going on cruises, cheering for her favorite professional hockey team, and finding new coffee houses. Michelle lives in Ohio with her husband and two dogs.

Reviews

[CARLA · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.co...

I loved the first book so when the chance came up to review the second I jumped on it! This book is not for the faint of heart. It’s filled with pain, anger and loss. The sadness in this book kinda broke my heart. To need something but not want it; to want something but fear accepting the unknown. The feelings in this book are written superbly. I felt Jessi’s fear, her anger at being controlled and her sense of freedom when she started to live her life on her terms.

Jessi is a kind yet fractured soul. She shows amazing courage by paving her own path. I loved the fact that she worked with horses that need special attention, it shows her patience as a person. And I loved that even though she was skeptical when it came to Alexander, she still gave him a chance. But she isn’t a push-over; she made him work for it! The balance of frailty and strength is weighed evenly, with no one side as the winner. I loved that about her character. Seriously, I loved her character more than the first book. But don’t tell the author. J

Alexander, swoon! Who doesn’t love a man with a beard? He is brooding and aggressive, yet sensitive to others needs. Imagine living in pain, physical pain, every day of his life with no end in sight. I think it would be very lonely to not have that connection with someone. To not be able to do those simple things for fear of hurting. He is very determined to find his Jessi. His perseverance is incredibly attractive to me. He had a monumental challenge facing him but he never faltered in his determination.

The open honestly in this book was so refreshing. There was no dancing around what wasn’t said. Everything was laid on the table and the communication was a key focus in this book. The dialogue had great depth and was hurtful as well as healing. Sometimes you have to say the words to face it and move on. I highly recommend this book. It can be read as a stand-alone, you do not need to read the first one.

[Shy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From book 1 of this series, Alexander has left a soft spot in my heart. I know from then that there's more to him than meets the eye and has been looking forward to reading his story ever since.

This second installment to the Cotiere Chronicles (which by the way, I still don't know exactly how to pronounce) did not disappoint. Although, this book may not be as intense as the first one, it's complete with romance, humor and has event a taste of fantasy.

I loved all the characters in this book. Aside from Alexander, his friend Peter and the heroine Jessalyn was all fun to read. I love the Matches and gunpowder reference for the hero and heroine. In a nutshell, I think it described the two of them quite appropriately. I also loved how Alexander exerted every effort to win Jess and how Jess reacted to those efforts.

Plot wise, this book had shed a better light to what The Cotiere is about as a whole. Although I feel that there's still a lot I need to learn to fully understand what they are. The author's note at the back was also quite helpful to understand the terms that was so greek to me during the first book.

I really enjoyed reading about Alexander and Jess and I'm looking forward to finding out what the next book has to offer.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored book one in this series, and book 2 is continuing that trend. I love the world that Michelle Bolanger has given us, filled with rich traditions, love, passion, romance, and honour; but also cruelty, abuse, and those that take advantage of situations and let bitterness rule them.

Alexander and Jessi are meant to be together, it's just Jessi has serious 'reservations,' so much so that for that reason (and others) she runs away and tries to disappear. She does a very good job too, and Alexander spends thousands of dollars trying to locate her. When they finally meet, fireworks explode. The story then takes a humorous, sad, and at times heartbreaking, turn as Alexander tries to find out just why Jessi is so scared.

Full of tender moments, this book sweeps you along to the conclusion, leaving you wanting to know the ending, but also dreading it at the same time as you don't want it to end. I will just add here that when the story behind Jessi's mum and dad came out, I actually started to feel sorry for him, thinking that he was the injured party. However, when she meets him and he opens his mouth, I quickly returned to my original feelings towards him. Read it for yourself, you'll see why.

This story came to the perfect ending for Alexander and Jessi, and I can't wait to see where their story takes them. I loved the cameo performance from Leisl and Koen, although I wish it could have been under better circumstances. I know that they will be okay though!!! The final thing I will add is that Michelle Bolanger's characters are so lifelike that even during a couple of pages of an epilogue, you will connect with a character and feel sorrow for them. I can't wait for the next book and the rollercoaster journey I know I will be taken on. Highly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 19, 2016

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Touch is Michelle’s 2nd book, and her writing has just gotten better! I knew from the moment I started hearing about Alexander and Jessi that I was going to love them, and I was 110% correct! This book brought so many goofy grins to my face, and then there were moments where I just had to put the book down and walk away because of the emotional roller coaster.

What I Loved: I’ve already mentioned that I knew I would love Alexandar and Jessi, but really I loved their individual personalities and how different they were. I really enjoyed their banter and emotional dance. The tension between the two was spot on, and leaves you either wanting to throw a bucket of ice on them or screaming “get on with it already.” Both of Alexander and Jessi have uneasy backgrounds, but at this point in their lives they are primed to be ready to move forward and move past their past…but how? Especially when the past wants to come back and bite them.

The back stories in The Touch really made this book interesting. We met Alexander in The Kiss, but to know more about where he comes from, and some of what he’s gone through within The Cotiere really helps to build the backbone of this book. Then you’ve got Jessi’s story, and together it's all a bit of a mess.

Not So Much: There never seems to be enough book. There’s not really anything I can say here, honestly. I knew I was going to love Alexander and Jess!

The Verdict: I wish I could get more people to take a chance on Michelle’s books – they are awesome stories! I would consider these to be clean New Adult books, with a slight paranormal/fantasy aspect – and I highly recommend them.

[Ally Web · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series with a fiery passion. It's rare that I find an author I love as much as I love Michelle Bolanger's work. The only thing I disliked about the series was the fact I read the first without the second book available. Even with dozens of books and a good amount of time in between the series, the kiss was still fresh on my mind; that's saying something. I started the second the moment it was in my hands. The story flowed very well, maybe even too well. It was very difficult to put down because even at the end of a chapter, it blends perfectly into the next. I truly enjoy all her characters, and the little peek into the lives of the previous characters made me so happy! (Won't lie, I miss Leisel and Koen) I received an 'unedited' copy and either the story was so good I didn't notice any errors or there weren't any. Based on the two Michelle Bolanger books I've read, I would read anything that she released (with joy and excitement!). These books can be read as stand-alones, but trust me on this, you'll want to read them both.

TLDR: I laughed, I cried, and I need more now.

[Sofia The Great · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Platypires for The Touch by Michelle Bolanger

I have been waiting to read this book for quite some time. Actually, I am already demanding book 3 but before I get ahead of myself I gotta say a few words about THE TOUCH. LOL.

Michelle Bolanger did it again. She wrote a pretty good book that I truly enjoyed. Book 2 follows Alexander who we met in book 1, THE KISS, and his quest to convince his intended Jessie that he is a good guy. Oh he's just awesome and a great character. I felt book 2 had way more romance than book 1. *sigh I know I am repeating myself from my previous review. Even though this is considered a clean romance there is still a lot of passion. Just damn. Seriously , THE GYM SCENE! OMG!

Overall this was a really good sequel. I liked the fact that more of their world was explained and can't wait to read the next book.

I would recommend this book for those who like their romance with a TOUCH (insert bad pun) of paranormal.

I was given a free copy for an honest review.

[The Magic of Books Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Touch: The Cotiere Chronicles #2 By Michelle Bolanger

4 stars
Reviewed by Char Webster for Late Night Books and Reviews

This series centers on a group of people who have extraordinary long lives if they find and meet their intended. If they do not find their intended by 25 years old, they are free to marry and live a normal human life. The Touch, book 2 in the Cotiere Chronicles, begins about a year after the first book, The Kiss, ends. In the first book, one of the supporting characters, Alexander, is accidently bumped by a young woman whose touch instantly relieves the horrible pain that Alexander has carried with him for years. The young woman rushes off and Alexander is left wondering who the woman is and how he will possibly find her. He knows that she is his intended.

Alexander is a super-rich, super-strong character that is used to getting whatever he desires: Business deals, materialistic objects and women. In The Kiss, he started off as not the nicest guy in the world, but by the end, he became a great guy who was in the process of changing who he was for the better. Since his teenage years, Alexander could not stand physically touching another member of the Cotiere race without excruciating pain. He would carry the pain with him all the time without any sort of relief. After a brief encounter with Jessi at one of the Cotiere’s gatherings, he realized that she was the only one who could ease his suffering. Because of the constant pain he is in, he tends to have a hot temper and can sometimes react violently to situations.

Jessi is a beautiful, sweet, caring and frightened young woman in hiding from her abusive father, who terrorized her throughout her youth. Growing up in the Cotiere was restricted, privileged and terrifying. She didn’t want her mother’s abused life, so she ran away from everything including her intended Alexander, who she feared was as abusive as her father. Alexander manages to find Jessi and the book launches into a modern version of Pride and Prejudice.

I liked the storyline and the concept for this series. The characters are strong and well written. I was never a big fan of men with long red hair but I must say, Alexander makes a really good book boyfriend. He demonstrated how much he wanted to be a different person and be better than he had been. It was great to see such growth in a character. Jessi changed throughout the book as well. She had to overcome her fear and preconceived notions of who she thought Alexander was to discover the man underneath all the glitz.

Four stars * * * *

Late Night Books Reviewer Char

[Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Touch by Michelle Bolanger is a YA/Fantasy/Romance novel and the second installment of the Cotiere Chronicles.

Alexander Koch is a wealthy, arrogant womanizer Geber who is looking for his Empfangerin, who mysteriously disappeared five years ago. He doesn’t know that she was in his midst back then and ran away not only because her father was abusing her mother and her, but also because she was afraid of Alexander himself.

She’d heard of his reputation as being a careless, violent person and had witnessed it when she and a friend had gone to Alexander’s parents’ funeral. He and his brother got into a fight and Alexander had hit his brother so hard, his feet left the ground.

Five years ago, he didn’t want to bond with anybody. He didn’t want a commitment. He didn’t want to take over the family business. But it was all his anyway.

Jessalyn, Lyn, Jessi, whatever you want to call her, is skittish, to say the very least. She’s changed her name and left her life of wealth to work in a coffee shop. She lives off the grid in an apartment in a barn where she takes care of the horses, including two of her own to cover her rent.

Alexander has Baden, from The Kiss (Book One in the series), tracking Jessalyn—or trying to. Baden thinks he’s got a lead on her and Alexander moves his life to the town where he thinks she is hiding and puts the family business up for sale.

He and his friend, Peter, go into a coffee shop after a workout and he and Jessi run into each other. They recognize each other as their intended mate right away but Alexander has no idea who she really is or why she is running.

This book was intriguing and engaging. The plot was fast and I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were strong, likeable and had me cheering. I wanted Jessi to see that Alexander had changed and was really a great guy. I wanted her to trust him and love him and I wanted him to do the same for her.

I would recommend reading the first book, The Kiss, so the history of the Cotiere can be explained and the reader can see how Alexander was. I didn’t like him much in the first book until the end. In this book, I loved him.

The book had a few errors in it (shown instead of shone, flea instead of flee) and the author slipped in Gerber instead of Geber a few times earning this book four stars.

*Reviewed for the Say What?? Book Club

[Carly Wakefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Touch is the second in the Cotiere Chronicals and is even better than the first! (Here's where I have to add, if you haven't read The Kiss yet, then go. Now, you need these books!)
The characters are superb, the writing flawless, emotional, inspiring. So many *sigh*s of contentment at being woven into this tale.
Michelle's writing is full of passion that will have you hooked and desperate for more. The story is beautifully layered and totally addictive.
Five bright shiny stars from me!
If I wasn't so wholly absorbed every time I picked up this book, I would've used the powers of social media to gush all over the author, but every time she had spiked my emotions with her words I was too engulfed to stop reading and send a message!

[Diane Spurlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I really enjoyed this book. I think this author was really good . Can’t wait to read more of these books.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Char for Late Night Books and Reviews

This series centers on a group of people who have extraordinary long lives if they find and meet their intended. If they do not find their intended by 25 years old, they are free to marry and live a normal human life. The Touch, book 2 in the Cotiere Chronicles, begins about a year after the first book, The Kiss, ends. In the first book, one of the supporting characters, Alexander, is accidentally bumped by a young woman whose touch instantly relieves the horrible pain that Alexander has carried with him for years. The young woman rushes off and Alexander is left wondering who the woman is and how he will possibly find her. He knows that she is his intended.

Alexander is a super-rich, super-strong character that is used to getting whatever he desires: Business deals, materialistic objects and women. In The Kiss, he started off as not the nicest guy in the world, but by the end, he became a great guy who was in the process of changing who he was for the better. Since his teenage years, Alexander could not stand physically touching another member of the Cotiere race without excruciating pain. He would carry the pain with him all the time without any sort of relief. After a brief encounter with Jessi at one of the Cotiere’s gatherings, he realized that she was the only one who could ease his suffering. Because of the constant pain he is in, he tends to have a hot temper and can sometimes react violently to situations.

Jessi is a beautiful, sweet, caring and frightened young woman in hiding from her abusive father, who terrorized her throughout her youth. Growing up in the Cotiere was restricted, privileged and terrifying. She didn’t want her mother’s abused life, so she ran away from everything including her intended Alexander, who she feared was as abusive as her father. Alexander manages to find Jessi and the book launches into a modern version of Pride and Prejudice.

I liked the story-line and the concept for this series. The characters are strong and well written. I was never a big fan of men with long red hair but I must say, Alexander makes a really good book boyfriend. He demonstrated how much he wanted to be a different person and be better than he had been. It was great to see such growth in a character. Jessi changed throughout the book as well. She had to overcome her fear and preconceived notions of who she thought Alexander was to discover the man underneath all the glitz.

Four stars * * * *

[Say What Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Touch By Michelle Bolanger

The Touch by Michelle Bolanger is a YA/Fantasy/Romance novel and the second installment of the Cotiere Chronicles.

Alexander Koch is a wealthy, arrogant womanizer Geber who is looking for his Empfangerin, who mysteriously disappeared five years ago. He doesn’t know that she was in his midst back then and ran away not only because her father was abusing her mother and her, but also because she was afraid of Alexander himself.

She’d heard of his reputation as being a careless, violent person and had witnessed it when she and a friend had gone to Alexander’s parents’ funeral. He and his brother got into a fight and Alexander had hit his brother so hard, his feet left the ground.

Five years ago, he didn’t want to bond with anybody. He didn’t want a commitment. He didn’t want to take over the family business. But it was all his anyway.

Jessalyn, Lyn, Jessi, whatever you want to call her, is skittish, to say the very least. She’s changed her name and left her life of wealth to work in a coffee shop. She lives off the grid in an apartment in a barn where she takes care of the horses, including two of her own to cover her rent.

Alexander has Baden, from The Kiss (Book One in the series), tracking Jessalyn—or trying to. Baden thinks he’s got a lead on her and Alexander moves his life to the town where he thinks she is hiding and puts the family business up for sale.

He and his friend, Peter, go into a coffee shop after a workout and he and Jessi run into each other. They recognize each other as their intended mate right away, but Alexander has no idea who she really is or why she is running.

This book was intriguing and engaging. The plot was fast and I didn’t want to put it down. The characters were strong, likeable and had me cheering. I wanted Jessi to see that Alexander had changed and was really a great guy. I wanted her to trust him and love him and I wanted him to do the same for her.

I would recommend reading the first book, The Kiss, so the history of the Cotiere can be explained and the reader can see how Alexander was. I didn’t like him much in the first book until the end. In this book, I loved him.

The book had a few errors in it (shown instead of shone, flea instead of flee) and the author slipped in Gerber instead of Geber a few times earning this book four stars.

____

Reviewed by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill