What do you think?
Rate this book
Illicit
I never meant to be the other woman…
Jake and I felt a connection the moment he walked into my life, an attraction both of us tried so hard to deny. Still, I found myself longing for the very thing I couldn’t have.
I didn’t set out to fall in love with Jake. Not when he clearly wasn’t mine.
He was my mother’s.
---
* Illicit is a full-length standalone novel told in five parts. It contains strong language and sexual content and is recommended for readers 18 and over. *
Release date April 27, 2016
Jake and I felt a connection the moment he walked into my life, an attraction both of us tried so hard to deny. Still, I found myself longing for the very thing I couldn’t have.
I didn’t set out to fall in love with Jake. Not when he clearly wasn’t mine.
He was my mother’s.
---
* Illicit is a full-length standalone novel told in five parts. It contains strong language and sexual content and is recommended for readers 18 and over. *
Release date April 27, 2016
Unknown Binding
First published April 27, 2016
123 people are currently reading
1165 people want to read
About the author
June Gray
37 books611 followersI am a writer who likes to titillate and enrage, who revels in breaking the reader's heart and putting it back together again.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 13, 2017
I'm not going to use my review to berate the author for choosing to write about such a touchy and taboo relationship because the synopsis makes it clear the type of story you're picking up here. To then go on and state how disgusting you think it is and add a one-star rating makes you look like a tit. Just pass on by instead. It's that simple.
Anyway, I was in the mood for something messy, some angst and forbidden love.
"This is some Days of Our Lives shit."
Sometimes love can be inconvenient, messy and hurt. It can happen quickly and feel like a punch in the face, it can be all-consuming and literally drive you crazy. That's why I come back to stories like this. When they're written well the passion comes off the page and lets you move past the (in this case) slightly uncomfortable moments.
While I didn't enjoy the two instances of intimacy mentioned between the Mum and Jake, I did feel the chemistry between Jocelyn and him which helped me move past the ick factor. The start was a bit shaky with the writing for me as it came across forced and a bit juvenile, but that evened out about 30 pages in and the pacing through most of it was spot on.
My only complaints were which was a bit silly. . And the ending.
January 1, 2022
I kept going back and forth between 3 to 3.5 stars. I love the whole concept of the daughter falling in love with the mother's boyfriend. I hope to see more books like this. Some parts just fell flat for me.
The first half of the book was about instalust turned into instalove. I usually like instalove; however, I couldn’t feel the connection between the two. It was more about the forbidden factor. It seemed more like acquaintances than falling in love.
For the second half of the book, this does not apply, the writing seemed more mature, and I felt their love and connection. These two have a deep connection and are soulmates. Wrong can feel so right. Our man Jake makes some severe sacrifices for the one he loves.
Overall I did like the book and enjoyed it; I didn't love it. Fortunately, this could be your five-star read.
April 21, 2024
I’m not picky when it comes to PretendLand romance dynamics. I’ll accept cheating, betrayals, assholes, sister-lovin, even mom’s sloppy-seconds. In fact, I think this is the third book I’ve read where the h ended up with her mom’s ex. (I'm a Creep, Brutal Intentions --- honorable mentions- Her Surprise Baby Christmas, Forbidden Desires), so I can roll with it as long as it’s entertaining.
And unfortunately, I found this BORING AF which is crazy considering the content. There was so much stuffed into the plot (h listening to them have sex, it being a real relationship between the mom and H, the h actively trying to tempt him away), but it was all bland and surface-y generating ZERO feels.
In a nutshell,
Bottom Line- I was expecting angst or buckets of drama, and I got neither. It was underdeveloped, juvenile, and loaded with miscommunication/assumptions. I never felt the attraction or chemistry, and I thought Jake should’ve moved on. It’s all tied up at the end where everyone gets a HEA, but it mostly skipped all the work and healing that needed to take place. And the couple spends the majority of the book separated. ZZZZzzzzz.
Safety-
And unfortunately, I found this BORING AF which is crazy considering the content. There was so much stuffed into the plot (h listening to them have sex, it being a real relationship between the mom and H, the h actively trying to tempt him away), but it was all bland and surface-y generating ZERO feels.
In a nutshell,
Bottom Line- I was expecting angst or buckets of drama, and I got neither. It was underdeveloped, juvenile, and loaded with miscommunication/assumptions. I never felt the attraction or chemistry, and I thought Jake should’ve moved on. It’s all tied up at the end where everyone gets a HEA, but it mostly skipped all the work and healing that needed to take place. And the couple spends the majority of the book separated. ZZZZzzzzz.
Safety-
Read
July 1, 2021Is it bad I actually liked this book!!!! Like I know
“Girl sleeps with moms boyfriend” but like I honestly felt like they were soulmates!!!! Call me nuts , but it was actually enjoyable and I loved the whole thing!!
“Girl sleeps with moms boyfriend” but like I honestly felt like they were soulmates!!!! Call me nuts , but it was actually enjoyable and I loved the whole thing!!
dnf
June 26, 2023DNF @ Chapter 10ish
This was a mess! I was in the mood for some forbidden love angst, but this was not it...and least not enjoyable forbidden angst. It felt juvenile and completely underdeveloped. Both of the characters were horrible people and it seemed to be all about sex and that does not justify anything! I'm not one to be upset about the morally grey storyline, so I was surprised this bugged me as much as it did. I think it was the poor execution, especially coming off of reading Still Beating, which does the family member angst well!
This was a mess! I was in the mood for some forbidden love angst, but this was not it...and least not enjoyable forbidden angst. It felt juvenile and completely underdeveloped. Both of the characters were horrible people and it seemed to be all about sex and that does not justify anything! I'm not one to be upset about the morally grey storyline, so I was surprised this bugged me as much as it did. I think it was the poor execution, especially coming off of reading Still Beating, which does the family member angst well!
May 3, 2016
4.5 Stars!
Review by Jen Hagen
I love the taboo romance-- in fact, I think it has to be my absolute favorite in the literary genre. Throw in Ms. Gray’s thorough writing, and I had a book that captivated me from start to end.
Joss is meeting her mother’s new boyfriend of 3 months for the first time and can’t believe how incredible good looking he is! Her mother is 41 years old and Jake is 30 years old. Joss’s mother seems to have the dating factor aced, whereas Joss would rather sit at home. Joss loves getting lost in the world of literature and has oodles and oodles of books that overrun her space she shares with her mother. Joss is soon to be 21 years old and lives at home with her mother. She and her mom seem to have a close relationship, probably enhanced by the fact that Joss’s father left them 7 years ago.
Jake seems to have struggled to get to this point in his life. He could never seem to find an occupation that interested him and his love life always took the wrong turn. Jake and Joss can relate to their obsession with books and they just seem to “get” each other. It’s a good thing they get along so well because Joss is soon going to be getting a new housemate! Jake is moving in!! Joss needs to curb her feelings that have somehow grown from friendship to lust.
What began as admiration was fast becoming something more complicated and forbidden. It was turning into full-blown infatuation.
And she’s not alone with her dirty thoughts…
“You’re not the only one who lies awake at night, craving something forbidden,” he whispered.
Ms. Gray takes this forbidden romance and along with the angst that comes with wanting something you can’t have, she throws other scenarios at us – twisting the knife in our wounds a little deeper with each stomach-plummeting moment. This is more than a quick illicit affair – this is a journey in finding love. Be forewarned – there is cheating.
Review by Jen Hagen
I love the taboo romance-- in fact, I think it has to be my absolute favorite in the literary genre. Throw in Ms. Gray’s thorough writing, and I had a book that captivated me from start to end.
Joss is meeting her mother’s new boyfriend of 3 months for the first time and can’t believe how incredible good looking he is! Her mother is 41 years old and Jake is 30 years old. Joss’s mother seems to have the dating factor aced, whereas Joss would rather sit at home. Joss loves getting lost in the world of literature and has oodles and oodles of books that overrun her space she shares with her mother. Joss is soon to be 21 years old and lives at home with her mother. She and her mom seem to have a close relationship, probably enhanced by the fact that Joss’s father left them 7 years ago.
Jake seems to have struggled to get to this point in his life. He could never seem to find an occupation that interested him and his love life always took the wrong turn. Jake and Joss can relate to their obsession with books and they just seem to “get” each other. It’s a good thing they get along so well because Joss is soon going to be getting a new housemate! Jake is moving in!! Joss needs to curb her feelings that have somehow grown from friendship to lust.
What began as admiration was fast becoming something more complicated and forbidden. It was turning into full-blown infatuation.
And she’s not alone with her dirty thoughts…
“You’re not the only one who lies awake at night, craving something forbidden,” he whispered.
Ms. Gray takes this forbidden romance and along with the angst that comes with wanting something you can’t have, she throws other scenarios at us – twisting the knife in our wounds a little deeper with each stomach-plummeting moment. This is more than a quick illicit affair – this is a journey in finding love. Be forewarned – there is cheating.
Read
May 16, 2016Zero stars, i do not want to read it! Some things are just gross beyond puking, like sharing a dick with your own mother.....
July 1, 2022
I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did!
I’ll admit, in the beginning, the writing was a bit slow and cheesy for my liking but the more that I read, the more I loved! I love forbidden romances so so much.
I’ll admit, in the beginning, the writing was a bit slow and cheesy for my liking but the more that I read, the more I loved! I love forbidden romances so so much.
Read
February 1, 2017I got this on impulse when it was on sale. I thought I could hang but I just couldn't get past the fact that the H was the h's mother's live in boyfriend. She heard them have sex!! So what if he's hot and young, he had sex with your mom!! Maybe I'm just a jealous and possessive person but no way would I want the guy I have feelings for to have intimate knowledge of anyone close to me much less my mom. Sure, he wants to break up with the mom to pursue his relationship with the daughter but honestly the damage to my mind has already been done. I had to bow out. Not for me. I'm not rating this one to be fair to the author. I knew what I was getting myself into. I just couldn't overlook the daughter and mom were each other's OW drama.
April 28, 2016
This story played in my head like the best chick flick and I found myself falling hard for Joss and Jake. There was that push and pull that had me grabbing at my hair and talking to the book saying "wake up already". The angst was making me a bit antsy.
Joss and Jake were awesome characters and the plot was so good. I felt the emotions going through them and how hard it was to stay away from each other when all you wanted was to be with each other. I imagine it was difficult to fall in love with your mom's much younger boyfriend who is 9 years older than you. Joss and Jake had lots in common emotionally and mentally and all that blended into what they were feeling on a physical level too. Their chemistry was off the charts hot too.
At times the story was predictable in the way that I knew things would eventually happen but HOW it happened and when was surprising. There were a few curveballs especially in the beginning though. But the predictability was overshadowed by a well written story and charming characters which the author June Gray is great at creating.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
Joss and Jake were awesome characters and the plot was so good. I felt the emotions going through them and how hard it was to stay away from each other when all you wanted was to be with each other. I imagine it was difficult to fall in love with your mom's much younger boyfriend who is 9 years older than you. Joss and Jake had lots in common emotionally and mentally and all that blended into what they were feeling on a physical level too. Their chemistry was off the charts hot too.
At times the story was predictable in the way that I knew things would eventually happen but HOW it happened and when was surprising. There were a few curveballs especially in the beginning though. But the predictability was overshadowed by a well written story and charming characters which the author June Gray is great at creating.
Overall I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
November 2, 2022
Lmao the fuck I am rooting for cheaters 😭
I know what I'm heading into. This is a story about a girl who likes her mom's boyfriend. There are some OW/OM drama, some cheating, cancer, such a mess but not boring at least. It's like a soap opera, and the author even acknowledges that...
I know what I'm heading into. This is a story about a girl who likes her mom's boyfriend. There are some OW/OM drama, some cheating, cancer, such a mess but not boring at least. It's like a soap opera, and the author even acknowledges that...
June 25, 2017
I love forbidden romances. I want the author to convince me that these our leads should defy all convention and stay together--you need to prove it to me.
And this one didn't totally reach that goal.
A mutual love of books does not seem a valid of enough reason to sleep with your mom's boyfriend...#sorrynotsorry
Originally this story was written as serial parts and this novel is the bundled version of those parts. And it shows not only because this is divided into parts but also because the story moves fast and keeps the details to a minimum. Which works well since there is always some new twist that occurs to keep the reader coming back for more.
But in the same breathe, that means you really only scratch the surface of what is happening here. Instead of teasing out the conflict, you only what's needed to get the point across.
I'm not saying I wanted a full blown essay on why it's ok to lust after your mom's boyfriend--I just wanted to explore this situation a bit more because it is so unique. And I didn't totally get that here.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-1OA
Actual Rating: 3/5
April 28, 2016
When I saw this book posted on the blog and read the blurb, I thought, no, not for me, then read it was forbidden, and thot ok, what have I got to lose!!!!! SO GLAD I BOUGHT THIS BOOK!!!! AMAZING.....I FELT SO MUCH READING THIS. IT KEPT ME TURNING PAGE AFTER PAGE JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT, AND NOTHING EVER WENT AS I THOUGHT, WHICH I LOVED. Some books can get predictable as you read, but not this one. Joss and Jake are just drawn to eachother from the beginning, but him dating her mom, well that threw a wrench in things. But you cod actually feel the emotions and attraction building between these two characters. The needs and desires were there. But as things never is easy, life gets in the way for them, and it takes a lot of struggles for them to get it right. Joss feels that to be with Jake that hes going through to much to do it, as i felt he only wanted the best for her. The misunderstandings in this book drove me crazy, wanting to tell them that no thats not what happened, lol. This is my first book for this author and I'm anxiously looking for more books.
August 15, 2016
I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did. I'm a HUGE fan of forbidden love and this one did not disappoint! Jake and Joss had me on a emotional ride that I loved. June Gray did such a great job at making this one believable. Up until the very end I didn't know what was going to happen with them and honestly I could have understood and would have been ok with her not If you are on the fence about this one give it a try!
May 3, 2016
What an awesome story I just finished! At times it gutted me just wondering when and if Jake and Joss were going to get their happily ever after. I felt like I was was right there with them on their journey through life! Looking forward to reading more from this author!
February 4, 2024
Going into this, I expected a dirty, raunchy read. While it was still SPICY, it was way more emotional, which I loved.
I loved Jake. He was an honest man and always just wanted to do the right thing. His and Joss’ love blossoms and it becomes this truly beautiful thing. There were so many moments where I did not know was going to happen!! Up until the very end, I was on the edge of my seat
I loved Jake. He was an honest man and always just wanted to do the right thing. His and Joss’ love blossoms and it becomes this truly beautiful thing. There were so many moments where I did not know was going to happen!! Up until the very end, I was on the edge of my seat
January 19, 2022
a good forbidden read, towards the end annoyed me but think it was the time away that got to me more but I still loved it
May 22, 2016
I have been in a major book funk the last few months. The only books I’ve been able to read are the ones for my family’s book podcast even though I don’t always choose the books. Anyway, I haven’t read a book besides that since February and I’ve been okay with that. A lot of books seem to have the same storyline or characters and I was getting tired of that. However, when June Gray asks if you want an ARC of her newest book you always say yes! This storyline was new territory for me since I don’t like to read forbidden love stories but I trust June to give a great story so I took a chance. And I am so glad I did! This book was amazing and addictive on so many levels. I read it in two days and that is something that hasn’t happened in a very long time. I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen and every time I thought it would go one way it went another. It was amazing!
The idea of Joss, a 20 year old, falling for her mom’s boyfriend, Jake, was definitely not something I typically read. I try to steer away from forbidden romances or cheating of any kind. I have been known to break the cheating rule from time to time especially for authors I trust to give a compelling story and not make me hate the cheaters. June Gray is one of those authors that I just dive in no matter what. I had seen a few teasers of Illicit but I didn’t know much other than it was about a girl who fell for her mom’s boyfriend. I never knew if Jake ever fell for her and not knowing made me nervous and sad for Joss. I don’t feel like knowing or not knowing would lessen your enjoyment of the book but it did make me more eager to find out. Trust me there was a lot to keep you wanting to read anyway. Besides that plot point there was so much awesomeness and story that the book just flew by. The teasers definitely doesn’t do it justice but also does a great job of not spoiling anything for you. The book does have situations and moments that will make you cringe and maybe feel uncomfortable but I think that’s to be expected when reading a story like this. For me, it just made me want to read the book faster to find out what would happen next. Sure it did make me want to slap a little sense into the characters but that didn’t last long. The fact that situations were not dragged out helped a ton.
If I haven’t convinced you yet to read this book then let me try to persuade you some more. Besides a great story, June does a fabulous job of writing characters and their behaviors. They never feel overly dramatic or unrealistic. They all have great depth and their motivations for the most part are things I can understand and sympathize with. I say for the most part because the idea of falling for your mom’s boyfriend still gives me the creeps haha. But I guess not all mom’s date a hot guy like Jake so there is that to think about.
Seriously though, read this book! It is so good and will give you all the feels…mostly anxiety and anticipation but it is worth it. I loved this book and love this author. She never disappoints and will definitely get you out of any book funk you may have.
The idea of Joss, a 20 year old, falling for her mom’s boyfriend, Jake, was definitely not something I typically read. I try to steer away from forbidden romances or cheating of any kind. I have been known to break the cheating rule from time to time especially for authors I trust to give a compelling story and not make me hate the cheaters. June Gray is one of those authors that I just dive in no matter what. I had seen a few teasers of Illicit but I didn’t know much other than it was about a girl who fell for her mom’s boyfriend. I never knew if Jake ever fell for her and not knowing made me nervous and sad for Joss. I don’t feel like knowing or not knowing would lessen your enjoyment of the book but it did make me more eager to find out. Trust me there was a lot to keep you wanting to read anyway. Besides that plot point there was so much awesomeness and story that the book just flew by. The teasers definitely doesn’t do it justice but also does a great job of not spoiling anything for you. The book does have situations and moments that will make you cringe and maybe feel uncomfortable but I think that’s to be expected when reading a story like this. For me, it just made me want to read the book faster to find out what would happen next. Sure it did make me want to slap a little sense into the characters but that didn’t last long. The fact that situations were not dragged out helped a ton.
If I haven’t convinced you yet to read this book then let me try to persuade you some more. Besides a great story, June does a fabulous job of writing characters and their behaviors. They never feel overly dramatic or unrealistic. They all have great depth and their motivations for the most part are things I can understand and sympathize with. I say for the most part because the idea of falling for your mom’s boyfriend still gives me the creeps haha. But I guess not all mom’s date a hot guy like Jake so there is that to think about.
Seriously though, read this book! It is so good and will give you all the feels…mostly anxiety and anticipation but it is worth it. I loved this book and love this author. She never disappoints and will definitely get you out of any book funk you may have.
December 9, 2024
While there is more chemistry between Joss and Jake in the first part of this novel, they are both unaware how the other feels and don't act on their feelings until Joss makes the first move. Jake and Amanda (Joss' mother) are on the precipice of engagement at Amanda's encouragement, who when Jake attempts to break it off with her reveals she's pregnant. Except, false alarm she's not pregnant! She learns of Jake and Joss' relationship and breaks it off with him. During this time Joss and Amanda's relationship becomes, understandably, extremely strained, but with the reveal of a cancer diagnosis the pair mend their relationship.
Jake and Joss break it off, and spend the second half of the book broken up and once again fighting their feelings. 3 years later Amanda, after beating cancer (which she made a miraculous recovery from considering it was stage 5 and she was essentially on death's door), remarries Joss' father and then encourages Joss to reach out to Jake or put to rest any feelings that she may have for him with her own upcoming wedding. Joss and Jake reunite, admit their feelings get engaged and live happily ever after.
For a book named "Illicit," I was very disappointed in the lack of graphic/explicit sex scenes. There were a few, varied in graphic detail. I'm not sure if the author was afraid to go there, or this was just bad marketing, but on the spice scale I'd give it at most 3 chilis.
Jake and Joss break it off, and spend the second half of the book broken up and once again fighting their feelings. 3 years later Amanda, after beating cancer (which she made a miraculous recovery from considering it was stage 5 and she was essentially on death's door), remarries Joss' father and then encourages Joss to reach out to Jake or put to rest any feelings that she may have for him with her own upcoming wedding. Joss and Jake reunite, admit their feelings get engaged and live happily ever after.
For a book named "Illicit," I was very disappointed in the lack of graphic/explicit sex scenes. There were a few, varied in graphic detail. I'm not sure if the author was afraid to go there, or this was just bad marketing, but on the spice scale I'd give it at most 3 chilis.
May 31, 2016
This book is a complete novel.
Part 1 Jocelyn :-Her mom one day told Jocelyn to meet someone
Jake Mitchell.
He was tall, fit, and… quite a bit younger than her mom.
Her mom was a serial dater,so busy with work travel that she didn’t have time for anything more than dinner or drinks. And she certainly never had time to bring them home.
Jake Mitchell was a furniture maker,work mostly by commission.
One time Jocelyn emerged from her room, ready to head to school, and found him shirtless in the living room, doing pushups. The sight of him glistening with sweat, his muscles bulging from exertion, froze her in place.It was so wrong to be this infatuated with her mother’s boyfriend, but I couldn’t help it.
Jake believed that - "Sex is an intimate act, that you give something of yourself away with each person you share it with.”
Soon Jake and Jocelyn came close to each other, they share many similarities.
I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.There are many twists and turns in it. Waiting to read more from the author.
Part 1 Jocelyn :-Her mom one day told Jocelyn to meet someone
Jake Mitchell.
He was tall, fit, and… quite a bit younger than her mom.
Her mom was a serial dater,so busy with work travel that she didn’t have time for anything more than dinner or drinks. And she certainly never had time to bring them home.
Jake Mitchell was a furniture maker,work mostly by commission.
One time Jocelyn emerged from her room, ready to head to school, and found him shirtless in the living room, doing pushups. The sight of him glistening with sweat, his muscles bulging from exertion, froze her in place.It was so wrong to be this infatuated with her mother’s boyfriend, but I couldn’t help it.
Jake believed that - "Sex is an intimate act, that you give something of yourself away with each person you share it with.”
Soon Jake and Jocelyn came close to each other, they share many similarities.
I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.There are many twists and turns in it. Waiting to read more from the author.
April 10, 2018
This book contains a bit of a taboo. I decided to try anyway, because I won the book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I'm so annoyed with all the people that are hysterically screaming: OMG THIS IS SO GROSSS, blablah. They didn't even try the book. It's not what it seems and it could surprise you in a good way!
A longer review can be found at Bite Into Books
Don't judge a book by it's cover is definitely true for this book. It was so romantic and reminded me of The Notebook and La La Land, at some point. I loved the characters and how the story is about feelings, feelings that you don't want and choices you have to make because of those feelings. I'm a June Gray fan! Yay for romance!
A longer review can be found at Bite Into Books
Don't judge a book by it's cover is definitely true for this book. It was so romantic and reminded me of The Notebook and La La Land, at some point. I loved the characters and how the story is about feelings, feelings that you don't want and choices you have to make because of those feelings. I'm a June Gray fan! Yay for romance!
June 10, 2016
I was given a ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I love June's books. They're always a treat to read and Illicit was just as awesome. I fell in love with the characters and the story. And the hotness was off the charts. June has a way with words and she always amazes me.Things never go as one expects and that happens for the characters. And sometimes it takes time to find ones way. And in the end it was all worth it for Jake and Joss in the end. It was a very good read and a wonderful love story and I honestly think everyone who picks up one of Junes books would love it as much as I did and do :-)
I love June's books. They're always a treat to read and Illicit was just as awesome. I fell in love with the characters and the story. And the hotness was off the charts. June has a way with words and she always amazes me.Things never go as one expects and that happens for the characters. And sometimes it takes time to find ones way. And in the end it was all worth it for Jake and Joss in the end. It was a very good read and a wonderful love story and I honestly think everyone who picks up one of Junes books would love it as much as I did and do :-)
June 14, 2016
5 " Hot Jake " stars. WOW!! Loved it!!! We collided in a jumbles of limbs and chests, our lips meeting in a blistering kiss. When we pulled away, my hands flew up to my tingling lips. " What was that for? " I breathed. " That was for your birthday. " He paused to lick his lips, my face still cradled in his hands. " And this," He rasped, moving closer, " Is for closure." He kissed me again. more deliberately this time, as if trying to memorize every touch, taste, sound. YEA! baby Jake was everything.. :) Took me 5 hours to read . It was that good.
April 30, 2016
So, so bad. One star is too much praise.
June 23, 2016
3 1/2 stars!!!! A semi-short, fast paced read! Really enjoyed it and I haven't read something with this subject so it made it even more entertaining!!!
February 22, 2022
Triggers: cheating, age gap, mother-daughter dipping
FMC: Joss
MMc: Jake
Jake lives with Joss and her mother. He’s her mothers boyfriend and younger than the mom but older than Joss. Mom is a working professional and travels occasionally. Joss and Jake start falling for each other and they become intimate. They both know it’s wrong but care about each other and continue to screw around behind the moms back for a bit eventually the mom finds out and kicks him out and has a minimal nonexistent relationship with Joss as well.
Jake feels guilty and that he’s done wrong by both. He feels that as long as he’s in the picture the mother daughter will never mend. He loves joss and tells her to move on. Ironically Joss ends up dating Jakes brother for a bit but nothing happens as soon as all 3 realize what’s going on. Jake and joss try to see how things go between them especially as they love each other.
Joss mom suddenly falls sick. Her dad comes back into the picture out of no where and joss and her mom move to Texas for her moms treatments. Jake wants joss to stay but doesn’t ask her and joss wants Jake to ask her to stay and when he doesn’t she leaves.
Years go by and joss is engaged to doctor Emerson. Emerson is crazy about joss and would do anything for her. Her family loves him too. Before tying the knot joss has an itch to go back to where she grew up for closure. Emerson also goes with her. They run into Jake and Emerson realizes that Joss and Jake have history. Especially as joss usually only buys furniture that Jake makes and sells. Slowly Emerson realizes the depth of joss’s feelings for Jake and tells her to pick. Jake never forgot joss and has only and always loved her. Regardless of everything joss and Emerson go back home and joss sends Jake the wedding invitation to her and Emerson’s wedding.
Jake realizes he can’t stay in a town where there is so much joss. He and his brother move back home to be near their parents. The day joss is supposed to marry Emerson she ends up on jakes doorstep. She confesses her love and that she couldn’t got through marring Emerson.
Eventually Jake and joss end up together.
FMC: Joss
MMc: Jake
Jake lives with Joss and her mother. He’s her mothers boyfriend and younger than the mom but older than Joss. Mom is a working professional and travels occasionally. Joss and Jake start falling for each other and they become intimate. They both know it’s wrong but care about each other and continue to screw around behind the moms back for a bit eventually the mom finds out and kicks him out and has a minimal nonexistent relationship with Joss as well.
Jake feels guilty and that he’s done wrong by both. He feels that as long as he’s in the picture the mother daughter will never mend. He loves joss and tells her to move on. Ironically Joss ends up dating Jakes brother for a bit but nothing happens as soon as all 3 realize what’s going on. Jake and joss try to see how things go between them especially as they love each other.
Joss mom suddenly falls sick. Her dad comes back into the picture out of no where and joss and her mom move to Texas for her moms treatments. Jake wants joss to stay but doesn’t ask her and joss wants Jake to ask her to stay and when he doesn’t she leaves.
Years go by and joss is engaged to doctor Emerson. Emerson is crazy about joss and would do anything for her. Her family loves him too. Before tying the knot joss has an itch to go back to where she grew up for closure. Emerson also goes with her. They run into Jake and Emerson realizes that Joss and Jake have history. Especially as joss usually only buys furniture that Jake makes and sells. Slowly Emerson realizes the depth of joss’s feelings for Jake and tells her to pick. Jake never forgot joss and has only and always loved her. Regardless of everything joss and Emerson go back home and joss sends Jake the wedding invitation to her and Emerson’s wedding.
Jake realizes he can’t stay in a town where there is so much joss. He and his brother move back home to be near their parents. The day joss is supposed to marry Emerson she ends up on jakes doorstep. She confesses her love and that she couldn’t got through marring Emerson.
Eventually Jake and joss end up together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2025
Let me start off by staying the mom’s boyfriend/step dad tropes are usually some of favorite, but this book didn’t work for me at all.
Jake is Jocelyn’s mother’s new younger boyfriend that she just found out about and moves in. They become close and have a lot in common. He is very much sexually and emotionally invested in the mother and even states later in the book that he loved her, but his feeling for Jocelyn I guess were much greater so he cheats on Amanda with her daughter.
I can usually get over the whole cheating thing if the MMC doesn’t cheat on the FMC. But he did finger bang her mom like a day after he called it off with her. Gross… but okay.. the reason way my rating specifically so low is the entire book is a cat and mouse game. They love each other and no one will ever compare and yet they do nothing to be together. Okay?
And then it time jumps to three years in the future. She has what seems to be an amazing fiancé and all of the sudden she wants to see a man she was never really with..
If you want a book where two characters spend the whole time sulking that they can’t be together, and basically live their lives apart on purpose. And then get together at the 96% mark then this is your book.
Jake is Jocelyn’s mother’s new younger boyfriend that she just found out about and moves in. They become close and have a lot in common. He is very much sexually and emotionally invested in the mother and even states later in the book that he loved her, but his feeling for Jocelyn I guess were much greater so he cheats on Amanda with her daughter.
I can usually get over the whole cheating thing if the MMC doesn’t cheat on the FMC. But he did finger bang her mom like a day after he called it off with her. Gross… but okay.. the reason way my rating specifically so low is the entire book is a cat and mouse game. They love each other and no one will ever compare and yet they do nothing to be together. Okay?
And then it time jumps to three years in the future. She has what seems to be an amazing fiancé and all of the sudden she wants to see a man she was never really with..
If you want a book where two characters spend the whole time sulking that they can’t be together, and basically live their lives apart on purpose. And then get together at the 96% mark then this is your book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
I did not expect to like this book more than I thought I did. I love how easy to read this book was. And was happy to know, after reading acknowledgments and "about the author", that the author is from my home country.
My first impression of this book was that I thought it was some spicy taboo romance. In a way, it is (she wants her mom's boyfriend) and, sure, there is spice, but not so much, which I love because I think I'm not ready for a true dark spicy taboo romance yet. For now, I'll stick with the spicy forbidden drama romance.
What I hate about this book was the miscommunication. It's not the main plot/climax of the story but at the 85-90% of the book, I was like "is this not a HEA?", "are they gonna get together?", "WTF is happening?" True enough, a lot can happen at the last 15% of the book. But yes, I hate that they both just assume that the other one "needs" to move on from them. TALK please, and clear things up! I was happy it wasn't that long.
Surely, this is not the last time I'll pick a book from June Gray.
My first impression of this book was that I thought it was some spicy taboo romance. In a way, it is (she wants her mom's boyfriend) and, sure, there is spice, but not so much, which I love because I think I'm not ready for a true dark spicy taboo romance yet. For now, I'll stick with the spicy forbidden drama romance.
What I hate about this book was the miscommunication. It's not the main plot/climax of the story but at the 85-90% of the book, I was like "is this not a HEA?", "are they gonna get together?", "WTF is happening?" True enough, a lot can happen at the last 15% of the book. But yes, I hate that they both just assume that the other one "needs" to move on from them. TALK please, and clear things up! I was happy it wasn't that long.
Surely, this is not the last time I'll pick a book from June Gray.
July 1, 2022
4 stars-
Did I cry by the end of this book? Yes.
When I saw what this book was about, I thought, forbidden, good smut just expecting a wild sexy time, right?
Boy, was I wrong!
I became so emotionally invested in the story that I cried for God's sake. This was so heart-wrenching and such an emotional ride because you only wanted these people to be happy and to be together and the author just wanted to torture us all, it was fucking painful.
We did have lots of sexy times but believe me when I say the stakes were high with this one.
I'm not giving it 5 stars because I thought that it was just a tad bit longer than necessary, there were moments where the characters could've realized things or made them happen sooner.
I love both main characters in the story and I just had a great time with this book.
Did I cry by the end of this book? Yes.
When I saw what this book was about, I thought, forbidden, good smut just expecting a wild sexy time, right?
Boy, was I wrong!
I became so emotionally invested in the story that I cried for God's sake. This was so heart-wrenching and such an emotional ride because you only wanted these people to be happy and to be together and the author just wanted to torture us all, it was fucking painful.
We did have lots of sexy times but believe me when I say the stakes were high with this one.
I'm not giving it 5 stars because I thought that it was just a tad bit longer than necessary, there were moments where the characters could've realized things or made them happen sooner.
I love both main characters in the story and I just had a great time with this book.
June 10, 2017
3.5-4 stars
I love forbidden romance. When I saw the blurb for this book and realized it was mom's boyfriend, I couldn't resist snatching it up.
Illicit by Author June Gray was a tantalizing and scandalous read, but also turned out to be very sweet and endearing. Jake and Jocelyn find each other at the wrong time in life. But, the connection they had was unbreakable. There were times when this author had me in tears from sadness that was on the periphery of their love. And, aaa would be expected with this type of novel, the angst level was high. My heart begged for them to be together, at the right place and time, and to find their HEA. This author did not disappoint.
I love forbidden romance. When I saw the blurb for this book and realized it was mom's boyfriend, I couldn't resist snatching it up.
Illicit by Author June Gray was a tantalizing and scandalous read, but also turned out to be very sweet and endearing. Jake and Jocelyn find each other at the wrong time in life. But, the connection they had was unbreakable. There were times when this author had me in tears from sadness that was on the periphery of their love. And, aaa would be expected with this type of novel, the angst level was high. My heart begged for them to be together, at the right place and time, and to find their HEA. This author did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews