The Forbidden

by Jodi Ellen Malpas

A new standalone novel from Jodi Ellen Malpas, the bestselling author of the THIS MAN and ONE NIGHT trilogies

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Audiobook, Forbidden Romance, Adult

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2017

About the author

#1 New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, her boys, and Theo the Doberman.

Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion – a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the world of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-six languages across the world.

Jodi's next release: The Invitation. Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

Reviews

[Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers) · Rating 1 out of 5]

****MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD****
****MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD*****


Please do NOT click on the spoiler tag if you don't want the story spoiled!!!!!



LAST WARNING DONT CLICK IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY SPOILERS!!!!





* heroine sleeps with hero without protection on their first ONS.

* hero is married (not separated) so that's makes him a cheating bastard.

* hero proposes an affair.

* hero and heroine embark in an affair.

* typical cliche.. wife is portrayed as the bad bitch of the west here in the story, "she's volatile and a drunk bitch" (their words not mine)

* heroine gets pregnant.

* hero's still with the wife.

* hero's wife tells him she's pregnant. (She's really not)

* hero's doesn't want to leave his baby with wife. (Again she's not pregnant)

* hero slept with wife while sleeping with the heroine (YES I did the math). He confirmed that he slept with her 4 months prior and him and heroine had already slept together and have been together for more than 4 months which I might add he also slept with the wife without protection. STD much??

“You were sleeping with her.’ I look up at him.
His face falls. ‘Not for months, Annie. And she was on the pill.’
‘Then how?’
His head drops, ashamed, confused, sorry. ‘She forgot to take a pill here and there. That’s all it takes. She must be over four months now”

* Heroine was so pathetic that wanted any scrap of love that he could give her.( again her words not mine and I'm paraphrasing here)

* heroine goes to an abortion clinic (no worries, she didn't get one).

* wife finds out that the heroine is pregnant and attacked her resulting in heroine losing the baby.

* Wife goes to jail.

* And they live happily ever after.

And last but not least.

Note to all authors: stop making the person who's been cheated on the bad person there's no excuse to cheat. I don't care if your marriage isn't going the way is supposed to go, if you choose to be with someone other than your spouse then you have NO business being married GET A DIVORCE...
Authors stop condoning cheating because ITS NOT FUN TO BE CHEATED ON.

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! The Forbidden (stand-alone). A forbidden romance… An off-limits man... Someone else’s man. Falling for a married man was never her intentions!

“I’m up high above them all, pinned against this window with a stranger’s cock buried inside me.”

The Forbidden (stand-alone) is a forbidden impossible romance about falling for a person who belongs to another.

Architect Annie Ryan has a one-night-stand with an imposing stranger thinking she will never see him again. Imagine her shock upon discovering that she will be working with the stranger, contractor Jack Joseph and he is very much married.

The story goes on to follow them as they try to keep their hands off each other, and fail miserably falling recklessly into a secret affair. They must deal with issues of infidelity, deception, betrayal, prejudices, lies, guilt, forgiveness and the pain of wanting what might never be.

What if you cannot walk away? What if he won’t ever be free?



Seven words to describe Jack Joseph: Commanding, aloof, blunt, possessive, secretive, intense and enigmatic.



Seven words to describe Annie Ryan: Motivated, secretive, reflective, resilient, determined, stubborn and naïve.

The Forbidden, told from Annie’s POV, allows Jack to remain a bit of an enigma. A hot steamy affair with suspense and angst; the lies they must tell and the secrets they will keep. It addresses the controversial and thought-provoking topic of adultery. I actually would have been open for even less mitigating circumstances.

***
Hero: ★★★★
Heroine: ★★★3/4
Plot: ★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★1/2
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★1/2
Story ending: ★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | LOW FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |



ARC provided to me by author Jodi Ellen Malpas in exchange for an honest review.

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it’s certainly going to inflict pain and anguish.
And yet we gravitate towards it like masochist suckers

It's a very delicate balance to attempt to venture into the Forbidden trope and neutrally justify the story but Jodi has nailed it and in spades!!!
Annie meets Jack in a bar and it's Instant Fireworks . Their bodies and souls ignite like never before. A lustful night of passion that follows, leads to the walk of shame in the morning , And Annie bolts.
She then comes face-to-face with her wickedly sexy and devastatingly dangerous stranger in the most inconvenient of circumstances , and guess what ..........he's Off Limits !!

What do you do when you can't control your feelings for someone? When you know you shouldn't go there? Not even in your head. 

You go Crazy. End of!
The heart breaks and weeps , fights a prolonged battle with her head and the result is buckets of guilt that douse her perpetually. She whips herself with her own judgemental eye . Labelling herself
Careless
Deceitful
Manipulative
scheming
calculating



But she's neither . She's just a girl who had the misfortune of falling deeply in love with a man who wasn't hers to call .
Jack is a very strong and stolid character. He doesn't bullshit, he's very firm in his stance. Oh, and he's amazing in bed. The sex is off the wall hawt. ;p Jodi writes "sex againstThe wall " like no other and each of her books has bathroom sex as an essential. I love it!!!.
That brings me to the ethical angle of the story. I've been really conflicted for the past couple of days and here's my stance - life is too short to be trapped and unhappy . When you find somebody who makes your heart sing and loves you Truely, Madly ,Deeply . You grab that sucker with both hands and never let go . End of !



I’ve seen the reactions of people who have found out about affairs. They tarnish each and every adulterer with the same brush. I accept that many affairs are based on nothing more than sex— something exciting and daring in a life of boredom and discontent. But what about the people who meet that little bit too late and share something special like Jack and I do? Are we supposed to let that person pass on by, turn away from someone who finds your soul and kisses it?

I have to note something here. There's a pulse of anguish and weighted lust that throbs in the story in the background , like a metronome. You can feel it, taste it, hear it. It's dread filled and ominous at points , hypnotising and blinding at others. But it's there , ticking like a clock . I almost didnt wanna finish the book as much as I wanted to race towards the end.
The writing is phenomenal. It's her maturest work yet and I enjoyed reading it so much , I pulled an all nighter . She doesn't give any character a free pass , just dues and Karma and all. The setting, the side characters are really precise and help advance the story. Lizzy is the voice of reason yet a true friend.
I loved the boldness and desperation of the story. I loved the helplessness of the characters. I loved the heart of the story. I loved the bravery of Jodi , that she didn't colour inside the lines and stick to the box !
5 "Jack Out Of The Box" stars
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[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. One thing's for sure, I had to keep an open mind and fight against being judgemental.

Spoilers!

Annie is a successful architect who has no interest in a serious relationship. She's just fine with her life and won't fall for a man, until she meets Jack, and just about falls on the floor when she meets him. There's something about him, he's breathtakingly handsome, and Annie feels a connection with him from the moment she lays eyes on him. Problems arise when Annie finds out Jack is married. She knows the relationship between them is wrong now, but she can't seem to shake him.

Jack is a contractor, also successful, but has a marriage that he simply can't handle. He's unhappy and yearns to be with Annie the moment he meets her, but the question is: does he really? This is where things get juicy, because I couldn't figure out Jack throughout the entire book.

I wanted to read a heavy romance--something different--as I've been reading middle-grade and children's books a lot these last few months. The Forbidden definitely delivered. I honestly didn't want to put the book down despite some of the annoying, irresponsible characters. It's written well with tons of drama, the type of book you just have to finish to find out the outcome of the characters. It's twisty and deceiving. I'm really glad I read it.

With that said, I know that some people will have issues reading it because of the cheating factor. Infidelity is something I have serious issues with and would never promote, but somehow I was willing to overlook it in this story. Afterall, it is just a fictional story. I think as you begin to learn more about the characters, you realize there's much more going on in the background that isn't revealed in the beginning chapters as well. Definitely a book for mature reads.

4****

[Dana Ilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was nothing like I thought it’d be. It was gut-wrenchingly angsty, with an intense rollercoaster ride through the gamut of emotions – betrayal, anger, passion, sympathy, and of course, love.

At first, I took issue with the premise of this book. I was outraged at the fact that a man could ever step out on his wife, especially for a woman he barely knows. But as the story unfolded and his situation became known, I softened toward Jack, and hoped that what he was building with Annie would boil to fruition.
This was a story that is truly eye-opening for people like myself who have never been in that situation or who have always thought that there was only one formula for a great love story

[Maria✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOW LIVE! AMAZON

➦This is certainly different than any other book by Jodi Ellen Malpas that I have read before. She picked a very tough subject to tackle, for sure. This is probably not a book for readers who enjoy ‘safe’ reads and are sensitive about taboo subjects. But if you, like me, enjoy an ‘out of the box’ read once in a while, then by all means, do proceed.

➦This book revolves around two people who meet at a bar and have a one night stand. The pull between them is so strong that they are unable to resist it and they engage in a night of passion. However, a chance meeting later on reveals that things are more…complicated than they seem.

➦The hero in this book finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He is unsatisfied with certain elements of his life…and yet he’s also trapped by circumstances which prevent him from changing it. At first you might find yourself judging the hero on a moral level. But then you might find yourself thinking, wait…should I be?

➦This is certainly an angsty read and, if you’re a fan of those, then you will probably enjoy it. I liked this book, for the most part, but that is not to say that I didn’t have some issues with it. And no, it wasn’t the subject matter.

➦I am generally not a big fan of the insta-love in my romance novels, probably because I am not really a big believer in that in real life. Insta-LUST, sure. So yes, I do believe these two lost themselves in the lust, but I got impression the author wanted the reader to think it was love at first sight. I also had an issue with some of the other characters in this book. I felt like they – and one in particular – was used as a device to justify the hero’s behavior, but in a very extreme and overly dramatic manner. It wasn’t really necessary, in my opinion, and would have felt more ‘real’ without certain happenings at the end of the novel.

➦To sum it up, this was an enjoyable read and I certainly wasn’t bored, but I don’t think this is the kind of book that I connected on the personal level. I do appreciate the author stepping out of the box and exploring something new. And I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is an adventurous reader and likes angsty reads with a bit of drama thrown in. :)

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FIVE+++++++ STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}


I would never have put myself in this situation for anything less than powerful love. The kind that keeps you going. The kind that gives you breath and life. Jack’s my life. He’s my pulse. He’s everything.






Jodi Ellen Malpas has brought her "A game" back with THE FORBIDDEN. There is a reason why I have always called her my “Queen” and it’s because her characters tend to have an intense and near insane passion for each other—the kind of romance I can’t get enough of. When a story has my nerves completely frayed and it nearly drives me to drink to ease my anxiety, I know that I’ve got myself a five star read!! This book is not for the weak of heart and I strongly advise that you have a bottle of alcohol close by and a buddy to read along with you. You are going to need a friend to get you through this one! The warning at the beginning of the book is valid. This story is going to upset many who have certain triggers and tropes they avoid. Luckily for me, I am not one of those people. I fell 100% in love with this haunting and passionate story. Ms. Malpas has yet again created an Alpha that completely captured my heart!




Annie Ryan is an up and coming architect. She is blessed because she loves her career. It’s taken up all of her time and focus for many years. But it’s also why her personal life has been non-existent for what seems like an eternity. Annie is content with being single and having her career take importance over every other aspect of her life until she meets a sexy stranger one night while out with her friends at a bar. Annie has never felt the kind of white hot chemistry that zings through her body like it did when she met Jack. From the moment Annie and Jack meet there is a magnetic pull drawing them to each other. The attraction is overwhelming for Annie. She completely loses her ability to think rationally. They end up sharing one incredibly passionate night together filled with mind blowing sex. Before the sun even comes up, Annie rushes out of the hotel room flustered by the intense connection she feels for a complete stranger. Several days later that night is still running through her mind repeatedly. Annie wonders if she made a mistake rushing out of that hotel without leaving her number but it would appear that Jack was destined to be in her life as he turns out to be the contractor working on her newest project. They may have been fated to become lovers but their road to happiness is a dangerous one since it turns out Jack has a secret which makes their romance ”forbidden”.






From the moment Jack walks into Annie’s life, he had me under his spell. The man is incredibly sexy and alpha. He’s in the same league as Jesse and Miller as far as I am concerned. Once I learned his truth it didn’t affect my love for him in the least bit. All I wanted was for Jack and Annie to find their way to a "happily ever after".




This book WRECKED me! I am not even exaggerating. There were so many intense moments throughout the story, I had to set the book down several times because I was plagued by severe anxiety. I was constantly worrying about what was going to happen next that would potentially tear these lovers apart for good. The unease I felt throughout the second half of the book nearly killed me. I’m lucky I had a true friend who got me through the rough parts.



I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed getting lost in another all-consuming romance created by one of my most beloved authors! I hope that Jodi continues to write about couples whose love for each other borders on insanity.




THE FORBIDDEN releases on August 18th. I highly recommend this to those who aren’t afraid of topics that are slightly taboo.



Amazon: http://amzn.to/2l2apNG
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2lxLoqV
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Google: http://bit.ly/2kcr6XH

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

He said if the Fates ever led me to him again, he wouldn't let me go.
And he just did.
To go and meet his wife.

So...hmm...I think I may love this story for slightly different reasons in comparison to the reasons most of the others readers liked it.

Reason 1 for loving this story:
The infidelity per se. Yes, I know that most people who love romance, they normally hate infidelity stories i.e. broken marriages, love triangles, broken promises, other women and men who get involved and destroy a union. I normally hate this kind of stories, too.
BUT when infidelity is not a hobby, when the person who has broken a promise is a good person, when he has not done it before, when there are reasons that have driven him apart from his wife, when the other woman deeply loves that guy and she is a good person too, when there are powers beyond them that brought them together, when they both resist and they cannot stop,
THEN we can have a story full of passion and strong feelings that result from guilt and deep undeniable love, we can have tear jerking scenes which make you stop breathing, we can have blameworthy hope for happy endings that were not supposed to exist,
BECAUSE in the romance world the other woman is the one to blame, the other woman is the one who should be punished in the end, the other woman is the bitch who killed the holly marriage.
I just want to remind you one of the classic romance books: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Let’s not forget the horrible secret Mr. Rochester is hiding from his beloved (soon to be married to) Jane.
"Am I hideous, Jane?", he asks. "Very, sir. You always were, you know", she replies.
I always cry when I read this book…
It is a shame really that not many romance books lately include the adultery topic in the story without blaming the other woman or the other man.

Reason 2 for loving this story:
The story proves that domestic violence is something that can happen to anyone. And when I say anyone, I mean ANYONE.
In our story, Jack is our usual Alpha male: strong, with a good steady job, bossy, dangerous, determined, good-looking, with good friends, with good sense of humor, The Man. He could have any woman he wants.
But he is married and he is miserable. And he is faithful and committed to a sick relationship until he meets Annie.
Now, this particular man suffers from abuse: Psychological/emotional abuse and Physical violence. His wife belittles him, accuses him, threatens him with her life, keeps him unwillingly and of course hits him whenever she feels like it.
And this does not make him less of a man. He is still strong, full of love and commitment and he still feels guilty when he needs a way out.
I have not read something like that in another book. I am happy that I found it in this book.

I. ABSOLUTELY. LOVED. THIS.STORY.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

THE FORBIDDEN: is a new standalone novel by Jodi Ellen Malpas in this we meet Jack and Annie. They meet not in the most unusual way but in a humorous sexy way.

We’re first introduced to Twenty nine year old Annie Ryan who has just recently moved into her own studio apartment where she can work from home in West London. Life is good, she’s in her happy place with work, being single and living life.

She’s also reached that stage in life where she thinks men are just too much work and is happy to just be single until Jack, the sexy hot man who renders her speechless.

The beginning had me swooning in a puddle of mess, inner yelling in my head 'Lick me, Lick me'

A magnetic pull has her inner butterflies fluttering around when she lays eyes on an enigmatic man across the dance floor, then speaking to him has her beyond flustered what's even more out of character for her is the need to spend just one night with this man, one night of uninhibited no strings attached sex. But what she got was so much more.

Thinking she would never see that sexy man again things take a turn for the worst when he turns up at her house warming party a few nights after.

If I ever lay eyes on you again, Annie, I can't promise I'll do what's best and walk away next time.

Inner turmoil has her rendered sick to her stomach, heartache, betrayal, flash backs of their one night together has her struggling to keep it together. Then realising they they will be working on the same project together has her even more in a tailspin, struggling to fight the attraction towards the man that makes her weak in the knees, knowing her friends will turn their backs on her if it ever gets out. Secrets, lies, indiscretions. The one man that got under her skin, is forbidden.

MY THOUGHTS: I loved the beginning of this, middle was meh where I found myself getting bored, towards the end was all kinds of crazy, but the very ending was sweet. That pretty much sums it up for me..BUT being that this was a first time read by this author she kept me reading till the very end, would I say this was forbidden? Not really, because it wasn't as focused on the forbidden aspect of them that I would've liked. Going into this I wanted that taboo feeling to grab me by the throat, to make it unbearable to read, I needed/craved that angst, the emotional read that something like this story could have wrung out of me. Sadly none of that occured whilst reading this.
I cringed at the predicament that Annie found herself in and that feeling got worse as I moved through the chapters, bad decisions, I liked her character in the beginning, fun loving, carefree she was easy to connect with but then she lost me. Jack I also loved in the beginning but he also lost me
when he couldn't end what he'd gone into.

I had such high hopes for this and I'm probably in the minority with this, the hype that this had attached to it fell flat for me, I just needed more..

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS SPOILER FREE

I have no hope of stopping this. And no desire to. The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it’s certainly going to inflict pain and anguish. It defies reason for me to willingly allow myself to be possessed like this.

Wow.
WOW.
Just wow.

My feelings are all over the place but there's one thing I know and that's I'm absolutely blown away by the war honesty and emotion of this book. This is a story that many people will hate on principle alone. It's a story that they'll want to judge and condemn. It's a story that will take you out of your comfort zone and likely never get you back to it. And I have so much respect for this author for daring to go there

In a time where there's so many authors out there that write what they think the mass readership wants, this a story that was written solely because the author wanted to write it. She took a colossal risk with it. A risk that she even acknowledged won't sit well with most. But this reader? I. Loved. It.

I knew that smile was dangerous. A man who can bend a woman to his will so easily and so soon couldn’t be anything less than lethal. And the fact that he got me with his wicked game means hats off to him.

The Forbidden is about love that's unexpected and defies all rules. Annie is a woman that has dedicated herself to her career and making something of herself by the time she's thirty. Having beat her time goal, she's now a successful architect who's never experienced an incendiary connection with any man. She's practically given up on feeling that sort of connection with anyone until a total stranger tilts her entire world on its axis.

You've clearly never been consumed by a man.” He pauses, giving me a moment to agree, but I don’t. I’m fixated on him. “But one day a man will come along and he’ll swallow you up, Annie. Blindside you.”

And blindside her he did.

I don't want to give away the story, and I implore you to go into this book with an open mind and no preconceived notions.

Tell me to go,” he whispers, the demand licking its way from the base to the top of my spine.
“Tell me.”
“Go.”
“Not a fucking chance.” He swoops in and takes my mouth as if he owns it—deeply, passionately and with an unfathomable conviction.

Did I want to judge these characters for their decisions? Absolutely. But there was just something so honest about them. They were so viscerally real and imperfect and while you want to condemn them for their choices, you really can't, or at least I couldn't. The author did such an incredible job with the character development that you truly understand the why's of their decisions. My only quibble is the slightly over the top situation at the very end, but it also did nicely to tie up some loose ends, so I understand the necessity of it.

I applaud Malpas for truly stepping outside the box and writing what her heart wanted because you could truly feel that reflected in her writing. The Forbidden was raw, emotional, and completely unforgettable. It brought every emotion to the surface and while it was the furthest thing from conventional, it was also a book I won't soon forget.

You possess me. You own me. You rule me,” Jack murmurs in my ear. “You are everything to me, Annie Ryan. My pulse, my heartbeat, my breath. Everything.”

[Rachel L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!



THIS IS THE KIND OF TABOO I ENJOY IN MY BOOKS

So, Jodi Ellen Malpas and I have never really clicked. By that I mean, other than this book, I read 4 other of her books and didn’t like them. BUT, this book just called to me. That and I found out one of my trusted book friends liked it so I knew I had to try it. And I’m glad I took that risk because I absolutely loved it!!! It just shows how versatile and talented JEM is as an author, that she grows and creates stories for different types of readers.

I won’t say much about the plot, go in blind and with an open mind. I think this book works so well because everything that happens is rooted in love, true love. I loved the heroine, she was kind, honorable and thought of others always before herself. She really did think everything through and the consequences of her actions, she was aware. I loved Jack, he’s what made the book for me. Normally JEM heroes have me yanking my hair with frustration, but Jack is something special. He never made me angry, and I understood the choices he made and why, even if I didn’t agree with him.

This book sold me, I was sold on their love, their story, and the hope for this couples future. I even read all the sex scenes and didn’t skim them! (Which if you really know me, I always skim the sex scenes. I’m here for the angst LMFAO). Apart from some rush and OTT at the end, this book was everything I didn’t even know I wanted. You need to throw aside your reservations and read this book!


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[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 40%

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOW LIVE!
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Enter to win a paperback copy HERE

I shouldn't like this book. The Forbidden goes against so many things I've said in the past that I could never read about and enjoy. Yet Jodi Ellen Malpas delivered this story of passion and undeniable need, and there was no way I couldn't love it.

Annie and Jack had a chemistry that you could see from their first meeting. Their one night together holds so much passion that, as a reader, I knew I would love them together. And then the secrets started to come out and I didn't really know how I felt at first. But as I continued to read this story, I ended up still loving them, no matter the circumstances that surrounded their love for one another.

My heart was pounding while I read this book. The drama of Annie and Jack's relationship had me so worried that it would explode into one giant mess, that I was almost couldn't handle not skipping to the end. I needed to know how they would end, and I refused to put this book down until I did.

This isn't your typical romance, and not everyone will read it and agree with it, but it's a romance that will fill your heart with love. These characters were brilliant and I loved them together, so it's a very big recommend from me.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I have a feeling The Forbidden will divide reader opinion and in terms of potentially taboo subject matter, this is the one most are likely to have experience of in some form, and is the one everyone has an opinion on. Including me, and here I am, drowning in my own huge vat of hypocrisy, because I picked up this up and polished it off in one sitting, and you know what? On the whole I loved it, because life ain't perfect, shit happens and when you love someone, you love someone.

"Are we supposed to let that person pass on by, turn away from someone who finds your soul and kisses it?"

For me, Jodi Ellen Malpas' risqué move here has paid off and, without going into storyline, she's created a couple who have the perfect chemistry and are so damn likeable that it was virtually impossible not to be in their corner from the start. I quickly fell in love with Jack: gentle rather than overbearing, hugely protective yet not without his own vulnerabilities, he wears his heart on his sleeve and all this together made him incredibly sexy. Annie is the type of woman I would adore as my best-friend: smart, easy-going but no pushover and with a huge-heart, she's just lovely and when they meet, what begins as amusing banter between strangers soon leads to a night which will change both their lives.



What struck me was how relatable Annie and Jack were, not really something I've experienced before when reading a JEM book, and we have witty, intelligent, career-orientated, down-to-earth people, like ourselves, who we walk past in the street everyday; who we meet and who on the surface are meandering along quite nicely but underneath are waging their own private battles.

"Knowing you’re doing something so terribly wrong doesn’t make it easy to stop."

I literally can't say much more without spoiling this, and whilst it won't be a book that works for everyone, it worked for me because it made me feel. Yes it had an air of predictability, but all the guilt, regret, hope, heartache, fear and joy Annie and Jack experienced, I felt it with them and, whilst there were moments when I felt torn and uncomfortable over my reactions along with times I could've shook her and others when I could have yelled at him, it all added to an enthralling, albeit at times uneasy, journey. Do I think this is JEM's best to date? I think I do.

"It’s you and me against the world, baby."

Copy received courtesy of Orion Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the moment - hours after finishing the book - I am halfway tempted to only rate this 3 stars. I'm sure when I've thought about my review a bit more, it might end up being a 4 or even a 4.5! I had a lot of problems with the book - and not the obvious one - that I was against the thing that was forbidden.
I felt that the whole hype about the forbidden part of the story was ridiculous! I was expecting something so much more forbidden or impossible. But this was just ... meh. Not that the story wasn't cute. It was fun, sexy, exciting, suspensy ... but the forbidden part was stupid.
Anyway - I'll think on it for a while and then I'll post my review one day soon ☺
Don't let me scare you away from buying the book! ☺☺☺

Ok, ready now to post my review. If you're already scared from my previous ↑ ramblings, don't read the following ;)



Annie is 29. She's an architect living in London.
She just found her perfect flat and is now happily working as her own boss.
She doesn't need a man in her life. She wouldn't have the time anyway.
Enter Jack.
She meets him in a bar.
And it's instant attraction. Lust. Intrigue. And so much more.
It might just be too much for Annie.
Also, Jack is kinda warning her away from him.
But the night is not over yet ...
And the complications are only beginning ....

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH ANNIE & JACK?
WILL THERE BE A HEA???
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺

════════════════════════





I was really intrigued by the blurb and by what Jodi wrote about the book before it was released; about the hows and whys and whats. All so very mysterious and scary and forbidden!

And then I started reading and I was .... a tiny little bit disappointed. There was nothing overly exciting about anything in the first 10% of the book. Annie moves into her new place and cleans it and then she goes out with friends and meets Jack. Yes, Jack IS very interesting, but still. I was expecting more BAM!!! at the beginning. BUT, it definitely got better! Not that it was bad at the beginning, I was just expecting more excitement!
We find out about the FORBIDDEN part of the book at the 19% mark. And yup. It's kinda very forbidden. But also not impossible to overcome. But is it worth all the hassle?
We think yes! Annie just has to be convinced! ☺
And Jack is very good at doing that.

I really liked the book. It was just too ... no idea ... too unforbidden for me? I expected something so much more un-over-come-able. Some huge thing that'll never lead to a happy end for anyone.
But then it was 'just' this. And, yes, ok, it's forbidden, but it can be fixed so easily.
And they make such a huge thing out of it. As if they're all sooo deeply catholic! Ugh. I hated that a bit.

But I liked Jack and Annie. They found something with each other that many people go their whole lives without. True love. It was all so passionate between them. It could've been so beautiful and forever-ever-after-ish....but of course there's the forbidden part. ☺ But we might overcome that by the end of the book. ☺ But not before some more excitement and suspense!!!

The story was very sexy and sweet and funny and romantic and frustrating and then later on we have those very exciting and suspensy and scary moments.

Great romance.
But also a romance that might be a hard-limit for many readers. I don't care either way. People can and should do what they want - or what their hearts & heads tell them to do.
And also, an author can write whatever she wants to write. I guess this whole book is very close to her heart - so who am I to tell her she wrote something (imo) lameweirdboringorwhatever?! .... ok, yes, readers pay for books you might say, but if you're scared of something taboo or forbidden, then don't go and buy a book called THE FORBIDDEN!!!☺

Another tiny little problem I had - with the writing.
Yes, I know it's a book set in London, written by an english author. BUT - oy jeez. Almost every single page had a British expression that I had never heard before in my life! I had to google some to understand what was being said! By now I understand taking the piss. I've read that in many books before. But there was sooo much more! I think a non-British editor should've gone over those expressions with JEM, and exchanged some of them into something that readers worldwide could understand!

THE FORBIDDEN was a very exciting & sexy & adorable, but also for some readers a very taboo love story! But don't be scared now!!! Read it! ☺

♡ ♡
♡ ♡

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 INTENSE Stars <3

I always enjoy reading Jodi Ellen Malpas' books because I love her writing and her stories are unique.I was a little bit wary to start this one but once I start it I found it quite interesting.



I have to admit that this one wasn't one of my favorites by her but still I enjoyed it.It was intense and super hot.The couple has an explosive chemistry and their moments together were passionate and intense.Also there are some moments full of angst that kept me frustrated.

Overall it was a great story and the writing so beautiful.I find it a little bit different from the other books I have read from Jodi.

 

  

[Angela (Reading Frenzy Book Blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the foreword, Jodi Ellen Malpas warns readers that The Forbidden is a bit of a departure for her, and a controversial one at that. My feelings about the book have less to do with the taboo nature of the storyline and everything to do with the fact that I disliked both main characters.

Jack and Annie get hot and heavy pretty quickly. Jack is very forward and comes across as sketchy, but he’s hot so whatever, I guess. However, Annie is a cautious, intelligent, successful woman. Wouldn’t she ask basic questions and expect concrete answers regarding such simple things as… I don’t know… his occupation; whether or not he’s in a relationship; where he lives?

The two are deceptive and unbelievably selfish from beginning to end. Perhaps I would have felt differently if there was a stronger catalyst to justify their actions, but I just didn’t buy what the author was selling. Annie’s rapidly changing opinions of her situation gave me emotional whiplash, so it was difficult to relate to her.

Jack and Annie click on an intellectual level, and the career aspect is very nice. I loved Annie’s creativity and Jack’s devotion to his job. However, in general I found the characters to be unappealing. I haven’t given up on Jodi Ellen Malpas, but I’m afraid this lackluster story is a miss for me.

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure everyone knows what the term “Forbidden” means.

➡Not allowed.
➡Banned.
Or I as I would like to call it: A big fat DO NOT CROSS THAT FREAKIN LINE.

From the beginning of time there’s always been something so alluring about crossing into the uncharted waters of the forbidden. Whether it’s the rush we get or just not giving a damn in the moment, those nine letters will make us do crazy things. Stupid things. It can be the most exotic high you’ve ever felt and you think to yourself: this is what I need, consequences be damned. But what you fail to realize is that what goes up, must come down.



“Wrong turns into rights. Conflicts turn into craving.”

While most twenty-nine year olds are still trying to figure out exactly what they want out of their lives, Annie Ryan is already ahead of the game. She’s an Architect that loves her job, has a gorgeous apartment, and some of the best friends that anyone could ask for. Her love life on the other hand is pretty much non existent so when she’s forced to go out to finally have some fun, Annie is all in. Little does she know that her “night out” is going to bring her face to face with the ultimate temptation.

“The only person in this world who can hurt me is you”.

Jack is at a crossroads in his life. Complicated is now his middle name and the only thing on his mind right now is taking a breather from his personal drama. Meeting a woman who made him feel alive in a long time wasn’t a part of his plan for the night but with an explosive connection like theirs, Jack knows that walking away from Annie won’t be an option. But how far will their forbidden romance go?



This story had me on a crazy roller-coaster. Despite the taboo aspect, that’s not what bothered me about it. I honestly loved the beginning and all of the raw emotions that the characters were displaying had me eating up the pages at warped speed because it was that good. But.. some of them really tested me! I found myself wondering if they were that much in denial or if they were just plain stupid because I didn’t get some of their actions. I wanted more from them in those crucial moments and sadly I never got it. What I will say is that these two people who had no right to be together, were perfect for each other in every way. I didn’t agree with it, heck I didn’t even like it, but when you have a love like how Annie and Jack did, you don’t question it. You lead with your heart.

If you’re looking for an unconventional, moral compromising read, then this one is for you.

[Dilek VT]

The hero is married, so he offers a forbidden affair to the heroine and she agrees. He sleeps with both his wife and the heroine, the heroine gets pregnant. The wife claims she is pregnant... Things get ugly and uglier...

For more information, here you are:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[MELISSA *Mel Reader* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 I Can't Fight My Heart Stars!



Annie Ryan is a gorgeous single 29 yr. old woman living in London. She's just moved into a fabulous new place & life is good. She loves her job as an architect & owns her own firm. She's ambitious and more invested in building her career than men. She's content with her life the way it is. Her friends joke she's immune to men, but she just thinks relationships are hard work & she hasn't found anyone worth all the effort.



One evening while out with friends everything changes when Annie crosses paths with a sexy stranger. He's the most handsome man she's ever laid eyes on. She feels an intense connection she's never experienced before. This feeling is new to her. It's odd & thrilling and feels illicit. She feels an insane need for this man. She's completely blindsided by her desire, & this is the first time she's had this unexplainable spark with someone. She has a one night stand with her mystery man & has never been so thoroughly consumed. They spend the entire night exploring one another, & it's the most amazing night of her life.



-For the first time- probably ever- a man has caught my attention.

-I don't know what his game is, but I want to play. With him.

-My body is coming to life again. His lips. His touch. His voice. His face. His kisses.

-I know in my heart of hearts that Jack is my soul mate. He's the missing piece of me.



Annie keeps having flashbacks of her incredible, spontaneous night with her delicious stranger. She can't quit thinking about him. Then she unexpectedly runs into him again, & learns he's forbidden. His name is Jack, & he can never be hers. That doesn't stop her fantasizing about him or the way her body responds to him. Their chemistry is undeniable. Circumstances put them around one another & they have trouble controlling their feelings. Even if it's wrong, they can't walk away. It feels right & easy when they're together. They can't resist each other any longer. Lines get blurred as they become addicted. Deep down Annie feels Jack was meant to be hers, & when Jack is with Annie he's truly happy. Everything else falls away & he just feels love.

I really enjoyed this book. It's extremely controversial & full of angst, but it's a beautiful love story about two soul mates who fight to be together. I adored Jack!

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

★2.5/3 STARS★

In the interest of totally honesty I was fully aware of what the forbidden element entailed going into the story. On any other day it wouldn’t have been a topic I would have gone searching for, but with my interest piqued there was no going back.

Truth be told I was looking forward to the illicit thrill of it all. The clandestine, coquettish nature of something that was so wrong, feeling so right. I welcomed having my opinion changed and being enlighten to the unjust forces that stood in the way of an ill-fated relationship. The unadulterated angst, and questionable decisions made under the drunken influence of temptation. Ironically what I thought would have been my biggest sticking point took a back seat to what I would later consider a convolution of over the top drama.

When it came to the characters, I initially found Annie a likeable one. She was career driven, wholly independent, as well as having a good head on her shoulders. Her naivety later on in the story would not only have a negative effect on the way I perceived her, but it also doomed any positive feelings I would have for Jack, justly or unjustly.

There were elements to the story that provoked thought, but unfortunately, on a whole it did not provoke enough of a reaction to leave a lasting impression.

[KristenReviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 to 2 Stars



I liked aspects of this book. The writing was good, the characterizations strong, and the subject matter unconfortably intriguing, BUT I just couldn’t buy into what the author was trying to sell.

My heart broke for the situation the hero, Jack, found himself in but I didn’t admire or much like his character. I felt he relentlessly pursued the heroine, Annie, to get what he needed emotionally and physically regardless of knowing his continual pursuit was emotionally destroying her. That isn’t love; that’s selfishness. I did appreciate the heroine’s struggle to do the honorable thing and her inner war when she didn’t. I generally liked Annie’s character; unfortunately, as the story progressed, I also lost respect for her character, too. Cheating, no matter who it’s with or the circumstance, is never the answer—and this book didn’t convince me otherwise. Happily-Ever-Afters are a must for me and I don’t believe that’s possible when a couple cheats together...even in fiction. A relationship formed from cheating never works in the long run. You can’t build a foundation on quicksand.

All that said, it was the over-the-top, contrived, unnecessary drama toward the end that ruined the book for me. It was unnecessary, ridiculous, clichéd, and cheapened this couple’s already tenuous HEA.

I know this is just fiction and I don’t know why I can accept cheating plotlines in some books (rarely) but not other. It is what it is. I think this is one of those books that will either work for you or it won't. It didn't really work for me but it definitely did for other.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Me♥You Stars!

The Forbidden isn’t my first read by Jodi Ellen Malpas, I will say though that it is my first read of a story of this nature that I actually enjoyed.



Pre-Order!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2rULEUc
Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/higox5
iBooks: https://goo.gl/Z182zB
Nook: https://goo.gl/3GdHzy
Kobo: https://goo.gl/zoM2ZQ

I will say that as a reader that if the subject matter of this story isn’t something you enjoy, then save yourself the time and move straight onto your next read. The story-line is something that will I think be one readers will either love or hate. I think if the author hadn’t made sure that as a reader I sympathized with the lead characters as much as I did, this may have well been a hate-it kind of book for me too.

"If I ever lay eyes on you again… I can’t promise I’ll do what’s best and walk away next time…"

There isn’t a huge amount I can say about the story without giving massive spoilers away, I think if you are open-minded enough to go into Jack and Annie’s story without any pre-conceived judgements about who they are and what they are doing, you do actually get more depth to the reasons things go the way they do and why they act the way they are.

"You’re a welcome distraction from real life."

Not all love stories are pretty, they don’t all start off on an even footing, and I think that’s what Jody has tried to explore, without trying to glamorize what is happening too much, while also trying to delve into the emotions and motivations behind Annie and Jack’s behavior.

I know in my heart of hearts that Jack is my soul mate. He’s the missing piece of me. Without him now, I’d be lost…

I won’t lie the last 15-20% dipped into soap-opera territory for me a bit, but then I suppose that the author had to choose how to play things out, and I cannot think of an alternative that would have really worked if you take into account the actions of certain characters throughout the rest of the story.



There are no unicorns farting glitter of shitting rainbows in this book, it’s a rough ride over uneven terrain before you even see the faint glow of ‘Happily-ever-after’ in the distance. I think the fact I liked the lead couple and the author bolstered them up with some pretty decent secondary characters also helped to keep me invested in the story overall.

"What have you gotten yourself into..?"

"Love"

Am I now going to be hunting out books with stories of this nature going forwards, that would be a big no, but this is Jodi Ellen Malpas, I discovered her work by taking a chance, and I will always keep giving her that chance, because in general she seems to hit the right notes with me as a reader.

ARC generously provided, in exchange for the above honest review.


**This review will also appear on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews -
https://straightshootinbookreviews.com

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh. You guys, I don’t know what to say about this book. Did I like it? Yeah, yeah I did. Did I want to like it? Nope. Why? Because the entire thing is about infidelity and I don’t want to get behind something that effectively promotes that type of HEA. There is a HEA but not for everyone and that sucks. I guess it’s realistic in a way, but that’s not what I’m looking for in a romance. If I want real life I just need to look around me..

**THERE WILL BE SPOILERS**

Jack and Annie meet in a bar. Jack isn’t wearing a wedding ring and apparently doesn’t have the telltale sun tan ring singles know to instinctively look for. Annie is instantly enthralled by him and they end up in a hotel room having some incredibly steamy sex. Annie freaks and ducks out in the morning only to have to face him at her housewarming party with HIS WIFE on his arm. Not only is the guy married but he is now her coworker on her most prestigious project she’s been able to land as a young architect.

So, I can get behind the one night stand aspect, at least from Annie’s side of things. She had no idea he was married and feels guilty upon realizing her part in this. Not so much from Jack’s side because HE IS MARRIED and didn’t bother addressing that from the get go. Ok, so he wants out of his marriage. So? Get a divorce guy! Even if he was separated and on his way to a divorce I’d be okay with this plot line. But noooooo…his wife is manipulative and might harm herself if he tries to leave her again. Says every guy claiming to want to leave his wife…

Jack’s wife is cray cray, I get it. She’s abusive and scratches him to pieces, she screams and causes scenes, she drinks a lot..I could go on and on but no matter how I try to spin it, I can’t condone the infidelity. I thought maybe once Annie found out he was married she’s back off but that’s not what happened either. The sex was just too good ya’ll. She had to get some more. They looooooooove each other and damn what everyone else thinks.

The plot gets crazier as the book progresses and while it was entertaining, the entire time I was just mad at Jack. Mad at Annie. Mad at their situation and wondering why he couldn’t just keep it in his pants until he wasn’t dragging around a batshit crazy wife. In the end Jack and Annie get their HEA at the expense of his crazy wife. Would she have gone to the lengths she did and do the things she did had the situation been handled correctly? Well, I guess we’ll never know.

Forbidden is incredibly well written, engaging and definitely in that gray area of romances that seems to be becoming the norm. It was good reading. But I hated liking it because it goes against what I believe is the correct, adult way to handle something so sensitive. No matter how crazy the wife, or how attracted to someone you are, or how much you think true love/soulmates trumps all, just keep it in your pants until you’re legally separated. No matter how much I typically love Malpas, I just can’t give it more than 3 stars. I’m sure she is fully prepared for the wide range of opinions she’s unleashing with this book.

I give Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas 3 stars

[Tanya]

Honey he might have rocked your lonely world with mindblowing orgasms but that doesn't make the fact that he cheated on his wife any less disgusting. If you're not happy get a fucking divorce before jumping into bed with other people.

[Karima chermiti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Smutathon challange #4 : Forbidden and challenge #5 : One Night Stand

I can’t believe I managed to finish this book cause I loved nothing about it. I actually thought about DNFing it and then talked myself out of it. It was so bad that I though it couldn’t get any worse, it must redeem itself and give me something, anything to love. well, That didn’t happen. Maybe I should take the blame in this one cause I jumped in blindly without knowing anything about the synopsis or reading some reviews. If I’ve known then what I know now, I would’ve never read it cause I don’t hate myself.

At first I chose this book for the forbidden romance challenge but it actually fits another challenge as well which is night stand romance so that’s the only good thing coming from this book, completing two challenges with one book.

And now without avoiding the topic any longer, here are the reasons that made hate this book so much ( be aware that the rest of the review contains spoilers, so if you don't want to be spoiled, don't read any further) :

• How is this a romance, it shouldn’t be, romanticizing cheating is just a big NOPE for me and I don’t care if the person you’re cheating on is a horrible person, Cheating is cheating

• The male character has no shame whatsoever, he justifies his cheating like a piece of cake saying that he’s been miserable and maybe the situation with him and his wife is a tough one to solve but I don’t give a shit, he is aggressive and demanding with the main character and he doesn’t take no for an answer

• Insta-love or more accurate, insta-lust

• The female character is a hypocrite and shallow. All she talks about is how she never sleeps with married man, how she respects marriage and commitment and the minute the male character snaps his finger, she goes running and do what she says she never does. She also can’t spend a minute without commenting on how gorgeous the male character is; we get it, he’s so hot, move on already. She is also a horrible friend who lies to her friend all the time

• The relationship is unhealthy and toxic yet it’s written like a love story, that’s just wrong

• There is no connection, no development to their feelings, there is only lust and I didn’t feel the love for a second. And they’re both miserable most of the times, I maybe not an expert in relationships but if you’re miserable with someone, maybe you should let him go. Their interactions lack any depth or emotions cause most of the times they’re just having sex.

• The writing style is horrible and there is no substance to this book, it’s a cycle of cheating, whining and feeling guilty, deciding to not cheat again and then back to cheating. And the sex scenes are like pages and pages long, why, maybe cause there’s nothing more to the story.

• Did I mention, the two main characters are the worst, he cheats on his wife with her and she kisses another man he works while she is with the hero cause of the big misunderstanding; like you’re having an affair and you’re cheating on that affair two; what a despicable human being.

• The characters are flat, unlikable and have no depth or redeemable qualities. They are shellfish, they make stupid choices and even when they do nice things, and it doesn’t ring true. And did I tell you that the male character is stalker-ish.

• The story is repetitive, predictable and incredibly boring, not to mention convenient.

I can keep going all night long about why I don’t like this book but I just need to stop, I’ll just go and read something else and it better be good cause I can’t handle more of this.

*********************************

I only know things two things about this book, it's a romance and it's titled The Forbidden so it's perfect for this particular challenge.

[Kelli C · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Love Hurts Stars!

**ARC generously provided generously by publisher via Net galley in exchange for honest review**

Going into this read I took Jodi Ellen Malpas's warning to heart. I thought I was prepared for the taboo..the controversry...the "forbidden" romance. I was not. This was a story that I devoured in one sitting and I can't say i loved it...but I also can't say I didn't. Any author that can take my one hard limit and write a rivoting story with angst, suspense, and constsnt thought provoking scenarios deserves to be given credit.

Forbidden takes a reader and puts  them through the emotional ringer as a woman falls in love with not a man...but "the" man...only to find he is not hers to have. Annie Ryan is strength pesonified. She is strong, driven and focused. Successful in her craft she could only be distracted by something more than just a bit  of pleasure. Jack is that something more. Just one simple interaction is all it room to stir something in Annie that has been amiss. Jack is heat, passion and the promise of pure body consumption. Their decision to take one another is inevitable.  Right or wrong? Whose to say. Love isn't always pretty or fair. The heart wants what it wants.

I really liked this read...as bad as that seems. I couldn't not finish. While I don't condone infidelity, I found myself rooting for a woman to get the love and happiness she deserved, even if that meant dealing with the guilt and the pain of loving another's. I don't like the content or the way the romance developed but again I was totally overwhelmed with JEM's ability to deliver this forbidden tale with palpable emotions of confusion and desire, need and regret, and love and fear. I believe this read will devide many.  The story content  isn't easy to just accept but kudos to an author for taking a chance and doing it extremely well.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is strong, independent, successful and single. No man has ever made her wish for more in a relationship, until now. Sure, she was a little drunk, a little flirty and he was the best looking man she has ever seen. He also neglected to tell her he was forbidden fruit, until she took that one bite that had her addicted to his charms. Now Annie is the worst thing she can imagine, the other woman and through it all, she never realizes that just maybe the mysterious Jack isn’t the perfect man she thought him to be.

THE FORBIDDEN by Jodi Ellen Malpas is dark romance, intense and passionate, a tell-all about one of the most taboo relationships anyone can have. From stolen moments to the mind-scorching sex, Annie and Jack’s attraction is instant, all-consuming and a dirty little secret, because Jack is forbidden and the “timing is never right” for them to come out of the closet, or bedroom or where ever they melt the pages with their sex.

Ms. Malpas has done a remarkable job of creating her tale with realism, using realistic circumstances and almost making her characters less than the cheaters they are. Yep, I have issues with otherwise intelligent people putting their lives on hold for another as Annie has done. Throughout each time it happened, I just wanted to shake that woman, but she felt the guilt, the wrongness but couldn’t help herself. Is it because she/they have truly found true love?

People make mistakes, both in their marriage partners and their reasons for marrying, but does it justify putting the cart before the horse? Follow Annie and Jack as they struggle with their feelings, their guilt and their undeniable attraction...

There is no doubting the talent of Ms. Malpas, she knows how to keep her readers turning, page after page and I give her credit for tackling an extremely touchy topic, knowing she will be pushing someone’s buttons, and that is the mark of a very good author!

I received an ARC edition from Forever in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Forever (August 8, 2017)
Publication Date: August 8, 2017
Genre: Urban Life | Contemporary
Paperback: 368 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translation widget on The blog!!!
Nu este prima carte a autoarei pe care o citesc, cu siguranță nu va fi nici ultima.

Așa cum o spune și titlul, The forbidden este o poveste despre ceva interzis. Ceva la care poți doar visa, dar nu crezi că ți se va întâmpla în realitate… În ochii cui? Asta rămâne să descoperiți voi.

O lectură captivantă, plină de lupte interioare, emoții răvășitoare și dorințe interzise. O poveste de dragoste care trece dincolo de barierele societății, de idei sau principii.

Dragostea față de un om căsătorit… Jack.

O lectură incitantă, plină de emoții și suferințe, dar și de zâmbete și fericire.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....

[KFForever · Rating 5 out of 5]

kfforever

Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse

I've read quite a few books in one sitting this year but twice on the trot; only two, and this was one of them. The Forbidden strays away from what many would consider to be the conventional love story, it also strays away from what Jodie’s followers expect from her, but I will tell you this, there's no staying away from dynamics of this story. To put it mildly, it is powerful, consuming, brilliantly written. Combined with convincing characters gives rise for a mind-blowing read. It knocked me backwards, turned me inside out and then put me back together again. And this is the good part; I felt I had no option but to reread it as I wanted to savour the whole story once more, make sure I hadn’t missed out on the smallest detail.

Before I go any further, I would highly recommend reading the blurb. Who doesn’t love the element of surprise? I’m sure most of you do; however, this is not the case here. The premise of the story is as such that it could quite possibly affect the reader. It is impossible for me to ascertain whether in your opinion, what the protagonists do is improper, therefore please take my advice and you won’t be disillusioned. I’d also like to add my feelings regarding this gripping narrative. What happened, happens in real life. The author hasn’t prettied it up or exaggerated scenes which might get the reader to think otherwise; she has told it as realistically as only one can imagine under these circumstances. I honestly believe before condoning anyone and putting them on an immoral pedestal, we should know all the facts. And the facts are not in the least what I expected, so if you do decide to one-click, hold on tight ‘cause you are about to be put through a highly emotional wringer!

What Jack and Annie have to go through is so tangible, I couldn’t help but connect to them instantly. And although the physical attraction is of importance, there’s much more to their relationship than just lust. The professional element brings them together on an academic level, they trust each other's work experience, are on the same wavelength and gain mutual respect. The author has not only explained their jobs in detail, but also made it interesting for the reader. I, for one, learnt a thing or two about how it’s done!

I found the pacing perfect, and their backstories which were revealed in just the right places, helped to build up the tension. However, the true goosebump moments is when their situation becomes insupportable. If I struggled to get my head round the dilemma they were in, they struggled a lot more. Oh my, I loved the way I was kept me on the edge of my seat in some scenes that were quite honestly, hard to read. When the worst was to come for Jack, I literally cried out loud. Here’s a guy who will do anything for the woman he’s head over heels in love with. But is it enough?

For me, this man ticked all the right boxes. His demeanor is serious, intense and nothing is taken lightly. Yet his sense of humour is like a breath of fresh air, balancing out his sufferance. A couple of scenarios are incredibly impassioned and quite honestly, drained me. I, myself, couldn’t have wished more for him to find a way out of the hellhole they were both in. Goodness me, my heart broke for Annie. To what extent will her guilt consume her and at what price? Never, for one minute, did I think her self-centred. One thing is for sure, wallowing in her mental conundrum caused me to reflect on how couples in similar situations deal with such issues of the heart. Quoting Shakespeare: “GIve sorrow word; that grief that does not speak up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.”

Malpas is quintessentially English which manifests in her writing. Set in London, she gives a graphic description of locations I know and love; nonetheless, what was an added plus for me has to be the lingo. Brit to the core! The development of secondary character is beyond sublime, too. I had an aversion towards one particular individual who caused a strong desire to do a bit of Kindle head-bashing! Obviously I didn’t since I can’t live without my eReader; but when I have the paperback copy, it will have pride of place on my shelf. There is no doubt whatsoever that Malpas’ writing is courageous. I can’t thank her enough for pulling no punches and telling Jack and Annie’s story as she saw it; for getting me to step outside of my comfort zone and then draw me back in with an incomparable ease, for making me fall hard for this gorgeous couple. 5 best-book-I've-read-in-a-long-while stars! BRAVO Jodi!