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Bystander
A man raised in the Hollywood lifestyle, Sean Branigan wanted to try something other than parties and high maintenance way of life. With the birth of his son, Adian, Sean walked away from the glitz to try something new. He developed a television show that would keep him in one place long enough to raise his kid. Beth Hardwick has worked on the sets of Snap Shots since its premiere episode five years ago. A writer by hobby, a reader by trade, she knew all about her boss's reputation and his pretty ladies and never thought twice that he would look in her direction. Just getting out of a short-term, tepid relationship, Beth never expected trouble from her ex. She certainly never expected she would have to turn to Sean for help. As the ex refuses to back down, each threat he throws escalates until fear is the only reaction. It not only makes Beth a target, but also Sean and Adian. Under guard and terrified, they will have to trust each other to get them all to their new life.
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2015
1 person is currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Jacqui Jacoby
10 books46 followersAward-winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of Northern Arizona. She is the owner of Body Count Productions, Inc, which keeps her career moving. Currently adjusting to being an empty nester with her first grandchild to draw her pictures, Jacqui is a self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years, she retired in 2006 from the sport, yet still brings the strength she learned from the discipline to her characters. She is a working writer, whose career includes writing books, teaching online and live workshops and penning short nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 2, 2015
A romantic suspense novel with the main character Sean a famous actor and a behind the scene writer Beth Hardwick on a very shaky journey. Sean has a son Adian but feels the Hollywood lifestyle is something he needs to take him away from so decides that for some peace he would create a television show that will keep him more grounded in one place. An ideal situation for his son and him till he meets Beth . Beth was in a short relationship that she wants to end as he's abusive, she tries everything to avoid a confrontation with her ex but he refuses to give up and the last person she wants to turn to is Sean for business and personal reasons, believing his reputation he is the last person who would be interested in her. As her ex's threats become truly intense a terrified Beth goes to Sean and he feels he can help her and does till he realizes that her life may be in serious danger. Fear for the fact that she may have put Sean in a dangerous situation, Beth fears for her life from her ex and at the same time fears that she will be hurt even more by her love for Sean. A good story and it will keep you on the edge of your seat till the conclusion. Ms. Jacoby did a fantastic job with this nail biter. It has intrigue , suspense and of course being Hollywood the romance that blooms between Sean and Beth.
December 15, 2015
Bystander for me was a novella which just ended too soon.
The romance between a man who has a reputation of being a ladies' man and an your everyday girl is actually very sweet where the hero Sean wants to maintain the purity and the sanctity of his relationship with Beth.
Beth has admired Sean from afar. He is after all a Hollywood actor and she a behind the scenes person working on props for the settings.
Their romance is fraught with barriers as Beth's ex turns out to be a sociopath who just won't let Beth be happy if that is with someone else.
This story shows how affection, respect and love makes a person reach the best that they can ever be while obsession (as with Beth's ex) destroys not only the life of the obsess-or but the obsessed as well along with their loved ones.
Sort of teaches you to be vigilant at all times and take a stock of the person's character you're committing to.
It was enjoyable.
The romance between a man who has a reputation of being a ladies' man and an your everyday girl is actually very sweet where the hero Sean wants to maintain the purity and the sanctity of his relationship with Beth.
Beth has admired Sean from afar. He is after all a Hollywood actor and she a behind the scenes person working on props for the settings.
Their romance is fraught with barriers as Beth's ex turns out to be a sociopath who just won't let Beth be happy if that is with someone else.
This story shows how affection, respect and love makes a person reach the best that they can ever be while obsession (as with Beth's ex) destroys not only the life of the obsess-or but the obsessed as well along with their loved ones.
Sort of teaches you to be vigilant at all times and take a stock of the person's character you're committing to.
It was enjoyable.
January 6, 2016
One suggestion? Don't judge this book by its first sentence. Admittedly, it doesn't exactly sparkle: "Sean Branigan downshifted as he hit the light, his Audi R8 sliding to a stop he didn't want to be at." Trust me, keep going past the awkward wording and that fingernails-on-the-blackboard dangling participle, and you'll be rewarded with an enjoyable fast-reading story.
Want romance? It's in there. It turns out, a hot-shot drop-dead gorgeous actor with a reputation for being a shallow player with the ladies really does know how to love and protect a regular gal. Good thing, too, because she needs protecting. So do he and his son, because a delusional nut case is after all three of them, and he doesn't much care who else he has to kill to get to them.
All in all, it makes for a good, sometimes thrilling read, once you get past that first sentence. I'd give it three and a half stars, rounded up to four. Would I read anything else by this author? Yep! I sure would.
Want romance? It's in there. It turns out, a hot-shot drop-dead gorgeous actor with a reputation for being a shallow player with the ladies really does know how to love and protect a regular gal. Good thing, too, because she needs protecting. So do he and his son, because a delusional nut case is after all three of them, and he doesn't much care who else he has to kill to get to them.
All in all, it makes for a good, sometimes thrilling read, once you get past that first sentence. I'd give it three and a half stars, rounded up to four. Would I read anything else by this author? Yep! I sure would.
September 6, 2015
Bystander is a thrilling story. It was spine-tingling and kept me on the edge of my seat and engrossed in the story till the last page.
December 17, 2017
**I received this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.**
I actually really enjoyed this novella. In fact, I would love to read a much longer, more fleshed-out version of the story. As someone who has been in a relationship with a psychopath, that part of the story was very accurate. And how she portrayed the person who'd been living with the narcissistic nutbag was dead on. I recommend this book, but if you're triggered by domestic violence, you might want to give it a pass.
I actually really enjoyed this novella. In fact, I would love to read a much longer, more fleshed-out version of the story. As someone who has been in a relationship with a psychopath, that part of the story was very accurate. And how she portrayed the person who'd been living with the narcissistic nutbag was dead on. I recommend this book, but if you're triggered by domestic violence, you might want to give it a pass.
December 9, 2015
Bystander by Jacqui Jacoby
Sean Branigan was born into a Hollywood lifestyle and he wanted his life to be different for his son, Adian than what his was like as he was growing up.
Sean starred in a television show that kept him in one place and so Adian has stability and to make up for the fact that the child’s own mother did not want him.
Beth Hardwick worked on the set of Snap Shots and she was a writer by hobby, a reader by trade and know all about Sean’s reputation.
Beth had just broken up with her short term relationship with Miles Criswell.
Sean got an unexpected text from Beth and he knew something had to be going on for her to text him, but he would soon find that it was not her that sent that text. He knew she had to be in trouble to send him that text. Little did he know the next few weeks of his life were going to take quite a turn of events?
Was Miles after Beth? Was Miles after Sean? How far would Miles take this?
If I could give this book a 10 stars I would as this was one I for sure could NOT put down.
Sean Branigan was born into a Hollywood lifestyle and he wanted his life to be different for his son, Adian than what his was like as he was growing up.
Sean starred in a television show that kept him in one place and so Adian has stability and to make up for the fact that the child’s own mother did not want him.
Beth Hardwick worked on the set of Snap Shots and she was a writer by hobby, a reader by trade and know all about Sean’s reputation.
Beth had just broken up with her short term relationship with Miles Criswell.
Sean got an unexpected text from Beth and he knew something had to be going on for her to text him, but he would soon find that it was not her that sent that text. He knew she had to be in trouble to send him that text. Little did he know the next few weeks of his life were going to take quite a turn of events?
Was Miles after Beth? Was Miles after Sean? How far would Miles take this?
If I could give this book a 10 stars I would as this was one I for sure could NOT put down.
December 9, 2015
This is one of those stories that once you pick it up you are not going to want to put it down it is face paced and full of action as movie star and screen writer Sean Branigan does his best to convince Screen reader from the props department Beth Hardwick that she should marry him.
Beth has just broken up with her boyfriend not realizing that he is one dangerous guy Sean steps up to protect her and with the help of Sean's thirteen year old son Aiden they bring her home and make her feel at home and comfortable but danger is lurking around every corner.
I did love this story and highly recommend it this one is fast paced and will have you on the edge of your seat and smiling as Beth and Sean have such a very heart-warming courtship which has Aiden wanting Beth for his mother and although so many dangers are present but the love that shows when all three do everything they can to protect one another will bring some tears to your eyes but all is wonderful in the end don't miss this one.
Beth has just broken up with her boyfriend not realizing that he is one dangerous guy Sean steps up to protect her and with the help of Sean's thirteen year old son Aiden they bring her home and make her feel at home and comfortable but danger is lurking around every corner.
I did love this story and highly recommend it this one is fast paced and will have you on the edge of your seat and smiling as Beth and Sean have such a very heart-warming courtship which has Aiden wanting Beth for his mother and although so many dangers are present but the love that shows when all three do everything they can to protect one another will bring some tears to your eyes but all is wonderful in the end don't miss this one.
December 4, 2015
Bystander by Jacqui Jacoby tells the story of Sean an actor and Beth Hardwick who is a behind-the-scene writer. Sean is a man going through a phase in his life where he must think of his son Aidan. The Hollywood lifestyle he is accustomed to living is not the place where he wants to raise his kid. So he takes his son away from the limelight and courts the peace he yearns. He creates a show which is an outlet to keep him occupied yet grounded while he is close by for Aidan. During the process of getting his life in order, Sean meets Beth who is going through tough times with her relationship. They form a close bond and as their friendship grows, Sean and Beth help each other through the problems they both face. It’s a nice story with flawed characters and a steady pacing to keep you reading.
4 Stars
September 18, 2015
I was given this ARC for an honest review.
Bystander is a romantic suspense novella about a famous actor (Sean) falling for a quiet, unassuming behind-the-scenes writer (Beth). Beth is just coming out of an abusive relationship, and Sean, sick of fake super model types, finds Beth's unaltered appearance and sweet nature alluring.
When Beth's ex threatens her, Sean, and Sean's teenage son, Sean takes her into his own protective custody. But when Sean's security is breached, Beth realizes she's in major trouble. Her life may be in jeopardy from her ex, but Sean's romantic attentions leave her heart just as vulnerable.
If you like Hollywood settings, intrigue, and thrills, this story is for you!
Bystander is a romantic suspense novella about a famous actor (Sean) falling for a quiet, unassuming behind-the-scenes writer (Beth). Beth is just coming out of an abusive relationship, and Sean, sick of fake super model types, finds Beth's unaltered appearance and sweet nature alluring.
When Beth's ex threatens her, Sean, and Sean's teenage son, Sean takes her into his own protective custody. But when Sean's security is breached, Beth realizes she's in major trouble. Her life may be in jeopardy from her ex, but Sean's romantic attentions leave her heart just as vulnerable.
If you like Hollywood settings, intrigue, and thrills, this story is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2015
"Bystander" by Jacqui Jacoby is a wonderful read. We have Sean Branigan is an actor who has a stable job in order to raise his son Aiden. Beth Hardwick is a writer who is behind the scenes. They meet up as Beth is going through a hard time and strike up a friendship which grows into more.
I read fast so this was a quick read for me, but the book flows well and is easy to follow.
I read fast so this was a quick read for me, but the book flows well and is easy to follow.
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March 9, 2016A good read with a creepy villain who doesn't quit! I enjoyed watching Sean & Beth struggle to keep themselves and Adian safe and together. A fun read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews