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De Konigh Series
Jaak and Ilse
Tragedy has made 23-year-old Ilse Muir mature beyond her years, and she’s long decided to devote her life to caring for her disabled brother. Everything changes, however, when the mysterious and devilish 32-year-old Dutch billionaire Jaak de Konigh walks into her life.
First, he becomes her best friend. Then he becomes her lover. And lastly, he breaks her heart - just when she needed him the most.
First, he becomes her best friend. Then he becomes her lover. And lastly, he breaks her heart - just when she needed him the most.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2016
47 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Marian Tee
276 books2,061 followersHi! I love talking about books as much as the next bibliophile - doesn't matter whose books - so feel free to chat with me here. :)
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
As for other stuff you may want to know, you could visit my website or author page in Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authormariantee.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 26, 2016
When I saw this was a "Dutch billionaire love story" I just had to read it. Even if the description on Kobo included this line "23-year-old Ilse Muir only has room for one man in his life, and that’s her brother." Even if the last name of the Dutch hero seems to be missing a letter. Even if the last name of the Dutch heroine cannot be pronounced in Dutch.
So I started the book with very low expectations. Clearly those expectations weren't low enough because this book is bad. So bad. As expected it butchers the Dutch language. It's not just google translate Dutch, it's also the consistent incorrect spelling of Dutch (and that's the one thing google translate tends to get right). So many of the Dutch names don't make any sense. The portrayal of the Dutch and Dutch society is not based on any facts either.
Normally these things would really bother me. I always feel it's so easy to get foreign languages right. How hard can it be to find a native speaker, after all, when we have this beautiful thing called the internet? I, for one, am more than happy to help out any author when it comes to the Dutch language. In this case, however, I wasn't that annoyed. The book is so bad in every single way, that the lack of research doesn't really make much of a difference.
The writing doesn't flow and is quite repetitive in places. Jaak, the hero, is not usually referred to by his name or even 'he' but most of the time he's just 'the billionaire'. It's hard to feel a connection to a character when he's mainly identifitied by his net worth.
I won't really go into plot details because it's a complete and utter mess. There are gaps and inconsistencies and just puzzling events. The characters aren't particular interesting or likeable or relatable. Or anything else really.
I also found the relationship between Jaak and Ilse quite unhealthy, especially at first. There was also an underlying judgement of someone working in Amsterdam's Red Light District (which is never called RLD by the way), even if she's just a tour guide. To me it seemed as if Ilse was thrown into the same category as prostitutes. She had taken the tour guide job because she needed a lot of money fast. Being a tour guide doesn't give you that. In the book it's said over and over again that Jaak doesn't judge Ilse for her profession, but the underlying sentiment seems to be that he is being very nice and generous by not judging because her job is in fact immoral. And this is when all she does is show tourists around a part of Amsterdam in tight costumes. Of course, Ilse is not a prostitute, and never was one, and at 23 she's still a virgin. When they finally have sex she really feels like she's giving herself to him and there's the suggestion that as a woman you don't have sex until you find The One. When God made appearance as well, I just got an unpleasant taste in my mouth. And that was well before I reached the last scene of the book, which may be the most cringeworthy last scene in a romance, or any book really, ever.
So I started the book with very low expectations. Clearly those expectations weren't low enough because this book is bad. So bad. As expected it butchers the Dutch language. It's not just google translate Dutch, it's also the consistent incorrect spelling of Dutch (and that's the one thing google translate tends to get right). So many of the Dutch names don't make any sense. The portrayal of the Dutch and Dutch society is not based on any facts either.
Normally these things would really bother me. I always feel it's so easy to get foreign languages right. How hard can it be to find a native speaker, after all, when we have this beautiful thing called the internet? I, for one, am more than happy to help out any author when it comes to the Dutch language. In this case, however, I wasn't that annoyed. The book is so bad in every single way, that the lack of research doesn't really make much of a difference.
The writing doesn't flow and is quite repetitive in places. Jaak, the hero, is not usually referred to by his name or even 'he' but most of the time he's just 'the billionaire'. It's hard to feel a connection to a character when he's mainly identifitied by his net worth.
I won't really go into plot details because it's a complete and utter mess. There are gaps and inconsistencies and just puzzling events. The characters aren't particular interesting or likeable or relatable. Or anything else really.
I also found the relationship between Jaak and Ilse quite unhealthy, especially at first. There was also an underlying judgement of someone working in Amsterdam's Red Light District (which is never called RLD by the way), even if she's just a tour guide. To me it seemed as if Ilse was thrown into the same category as prostitutes. She had taken the tour guide job because she needed a lot of money fast. Being a tour guide doesn't give you that. In the book it's said over and over again that Jaak doesn't judge Ilse for her profession, but the underlying sentiment seems to be that he is being very nice and generous by not judging because her job is in fact immoral. And this is when all she does is show tourists around a part of Amsterdam in tight costumes. Of course, Ilse is not a prostitute, and never was one, and at 23 she's still a virgin. When they finally have sex she really feels like she's giving herself to him and there's the suggestion that as a woman you don't have sex until you find The One. When God made appearance as well, I just got an unpleasant taste in my mouth. And that was well before I reached the last scene of the book, which may be the most cringeworthy last scene in a romance, or any book really, ever.
May 29, 2017
Not consistent
Maybe it's me but this book jumped something from chapter 14 to chapter 15. In chapter 14 Ilse was in bed with Jaak and he told her he would not have sex with her. In chapter 15 Jaak has been trying to communicate with her for 3 days. She was with his family getting to know them and getting ready for a ball. There is definitely a big time lapse without explanation there. To a lesser degree the jumping happened at times with in the rest of the book. The sweet love story was going pretty mushy nice until chapter 14.
Maybe it's me but this book jumped something from chapter 14 to chapter 15. In chapter 14 Ilse was in bed with Jaak and he told her he would not have sex with her. In chapter 15 Jaak has been trying to communicate with her for 3 days. She was with his family getting to know them and getting ready for a ball. There is definitely a big time lapse without explanation there. To a lesser degree the jumping happened at times with in the rest of the book. The sweet love story was going pretty mushy nice until chapter 14.
April 17, 2021
It took me a while to get around to reading this book. Every time I picked it up to read, I felt as if I've read it before. Now I finally did.
Ms. Tee does an emotional read very well, however I felt as if there was a huge part of the timeline missing.
How does Ilse get so cozy so quickly with Jaak's family? To the extent that they take her side over his?
Is there an extensive backstory that I somehow missed?
Ms. Tee does an emotional read very well, however I felt as if there was a huge part of the timeline missing.
How does Ilse get so cozy so quickly with Jaak's family? To the extent that they take her side over his?
Is there an extensive backstory that I somehow missed?
March 11, 2018
LET'S BEGIN WITH THIS:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE DE KONIGH CLAN.
I ADORE THEM.
I LIVE FOR THEM.
I CRY FOR THEM.
I LAUGH FOR THEM.
I'M IN LOVE WITH THEM.
ILSE' STORY IS AN AMAZING ONE. I REALLY ENJOYED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH HER BEAUTIFUL BROTHER.
JAAK, IN THOSE FINAL CHAPTERS YOU MADE ME CRY SO HARD. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE PAIN WITHOUT WANTING TO DROP DEAD.
I LOVED THE BOOK.
5 STARS.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE DE KONIGH CLAN.
I ADORE THEM.
I LIVE FOR THEM.
I CRY FOR THEM.
I LAUGH FOR THEM.
I'M IN LOVE WITH THEM.
ILSE' STORY IS AN AMAZING ONE. I REALLY ENJOYED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH HER BEAUTIFUL BROTHER.
JAAK, IN THOSE FINAL CHAPTERS YOU MADE ME CRY SO HARD. I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE PAIN WITHOUT WANTING TO DROP DEAD.
I LOVED THE BOOK.
5 STARS.
November 8, 2016
i received this ARC for an honest review:
http://nanasbookreviews.blogspot.gr/2...
http://nanasbookreviews.blogspot.gr/2...
January 2, 2017
==> junto com o livro My Greek Beast<==
Ok até a metade depois vai ladeira abaixo... Mas gosto da autora e acabo fisgada pelos cafajestes dela.
Ok até a metade depois vai ladeira abaixo... Mas gosto da autora e acabo fisgada pelos cafajestes dela.
February 26, 2017
I'm a big fan of Marian Tee's. She has a knack for pulling on the heart strings with her story lines. This one however fell alittle short.
I've read through some of the reviews and agree that parts of it held zero accountability but that could be because of the nature of Ilse's character and that no matter what, her strength is what pulls her through, keeps her positive....she's a fighter, and optimistic personality that stays true to herself. Love her character.
Jaak's a bit if a douche with zero accountability. He starts off as the steamy billionaire with troubles of his own, that haunts him and his actions projects that hurt in an unrealistic way. Most woman would probably say f*you and walk away.
There are certain parts that confuse you and you have to go back and reread these sections but it maybe due to editing errors. Other than that, an easy read to get through quickly. 3 1/2 to 4 stars for me
I've read through some of the reviews and agree that parts of it held zero accountability but that could be because of the nature of Ilse's character and that no matter what, her strength is what pulls her through, keeps her positive....she's a fighter, and optimistic personality that stays true to herself. Love her character.
Jaak's a bit if a douche with zero accountability. He starts off as the steamy billionaire with troubles of his own, that haunts him and his actions projects that hurt in an unrealistic way. Most woman would probably say f*you and walk away.
There are certain parts that confuse you and you have to go back and reread these sections but it maybe due to editing errors. Other than that, an easy read to get through quickly. 3 1/2 to 4 stars for me
October 28, 2016
*voluntarily and honestly reviewed the advanced readers' copy I was given with no obligations or influence*
Well this was different. The billionaire and his Mrs. have one thing that the rest of Tee's other couples didn't really have in the beginning: the belief that love was not the issue. This time, with Jaak and Ilse, it isn't love that decides to tear their romance apart: it's life. And pride. And fear. It totally made me cry because of the huge thing that happens that I'm not giving away because it's in the tootin' blurb, but I thought the story tried its best to be light and sweet. I really appreciated Jan, Ilse's brother that she constantly cares for. He's part of a hardship and her reason to continue living. You know, despite this being one of the more tearfully funny books, this one was still pretty heady. Deals with mental/physical handicaps, deep issues like the thing with the death and the- yeah, and other things. Can't say what it is here, but it was the small few things like that, that made me hesitate a little with this story. And alright, there's major change in the author's writing style, which I really like. It's not so much a change as it is an enhancement, but needless to say, it felt like a lot of fluff in some instances that dealt with Jaak or the more touchy things.
There was just a lot of 'whoa's' in here that made me pause in falling hard for it. I liked it a lot, and some parts were beyond great, but the other bits distracted me. Otherwise, I thought it was a really dramatic book with a hilariously, embarrassingly hot ending.
Well this was different. The billionaire and his Mrs. have one thing that the rest of Tee's other couples didn't really have in the beginning: the belief that love was not the issue. This time, with Jaak and Ilse, it isn't love that decides to tear their romance apart: it's life. And pride. And fear. It totally made me cry because of the huge thing that happens that I'm not giving away because it's in the tootin' blurb, but I thought the story tried its best to be light and sweet. I really appreciated Jan, Ilse's brother that she constantly cares for. He's part of a hardship and her reason to continue living. You know, despite this being one of the more tearfully funny books, this one was still pretty heady. Deals with mental/physical handicaps, deep issues like the thing with the death and the- yeah, and other things. Can't say what it is here, but it was the small few things like that, that made me hesitate a little with this story. And alright, there's major change in the author's writing style, which I really like. It's not so much a change as it is an enhancement, but needless to say, it felt like a lot of fluff in some instances that dealt with Jaak or the more touchy things.
There was just a lot of 'whoa's' in here that made me pause in falling hard for it. I liked it a lot, and some parts were beyond great, but the other bits distracted me. Otherwise, I thought it was a really dramatic book with a hilariously, embarrassingly hot ending.
October 31, 2016
Jaak de Konigh had no idea his brother suffered physical abuse from their father. After a horrific beating that almost killed his brother, Jaak couldn't forgive himself not being able to protect him. Feeling unworthy of his family's love, Jaak leaves them. Jaak's life is just how he wants it, alone with no one depending on him.
Ilse Muir patents died leaving her to take care of her special needs brother. Ilse doesn't think about all she's given up for her brother. She loves him and he depends on her, she will do anything for him. While at work as a tour guide, she meets a rich, arrogant and extremely good looking guy that won't take no for an answer. Ilse finally gives in to the sexy billionaire, and after months of dating, they admit their love for each other. Everything is perfect until a tragic accident leaves Ilse depending on Jaak.
No one can write stories about cocky sexy billionaires like Ms. Tee. Her Dutch Billionaire series is dope. Jaak and Ilse's story will have you fanning yourself. You will smile and cry, sometimes together :) After Ilse's accident, I think I cried continuously for a couple chapters. Ilse's accident will break your heart. You can't help but fall in love with all the characters. I was given this ARC and I chose to leave an honest review.
Ilse Muir patents died leaving her to take care of her special needs brother. Ilse doesn't think about all she's given up for her brother. She loves him and he depends on her, she will do anything for him. While at work as a tour guide, she meets a rich, arrogant and extremely good looking guy that won't take no for an answer. Ilse finally gives in to the sexy billionaire, and after months of dating, they admit their love for each other. Everything is perfect until a tragic accident leaves Ilse depending on Jaak.
No one can write stories about cocky sexy billionaires like Ms. Tee. Her Dutch Billionaire series is dope. Jaak and Ilse's story will have you fanning yourself. You will smile and cry, sometimes together :) After Ilse's accident, I think I cried continuously for a couple chapters. Ilse's accident will break your heart. You can't help but fall in love with all the characters. I was given this ARC and I chose to leave an honest review.
November 13, 2016
Alrighty then!
Marian. Marian. Marian.
Jaak and Ilse was the cutest love story to me. And then I got pissed.
I wont spoil it but I really found myself ready to have words with JAAK over his hot then cold then hot self. I wanted to shake some sense into him. And then shake some sense into Ilse. She deserved better.... loads and loads better. However I was happy for them once the book was over. She was with the man she loved and I respect that.
But I think the next book if the guy is as. . . I don't even have the words for Jaak, if he sucks as much as Jaak did and our girl just takes it, I'll be emailing you asking why. Clearly I'm still a little salty for Ilse. I'll live.
This was a good book guys, just certain things resonated within me throughout it and it made me very passionate about what Ilse deserved and what she didn't.
Read it.
Marian. Marian. Marian.
Jaak and Ilse was the cutest love story to me. And then I got pissed.
I wont spoil it but I really found myself ready to have words with JAAK over his hot then cold then hot self. I wanted to shake some sense into him. And then shake some sense into Ilse. She deserved better.... loads and loads better. However I was happy for them once the book was over. She was with the man she loved and I respect that.
But I think the next book if the guy is as. . . I don't even have the words for Jaak, if he sucks as much as Jaak did and our girl just takes it, I'll be emailing you asking why. Clearly I'm still a little salty for Ilse. I'll live.
This was a good book guys, just certain things resonated within me throughout it and it made me very passionate about what Ilse deserved and what she didn't.
Read it.
May 31, 2017
Jaak Jaak Jaak, what can I say about you? This story follows Jaak (you'll know him from other series) and Ilse. They never had an issue with love but with life itself. Ilse has been dealt a hard hand in life, more so in the middle of the book. My heart shattered for the new trial she has to face. But Jaak? Hmm. I'm in between how I feel about him. On one hand, I totally understand his background that made him into the man he is, but treating Ilse the way he did.... I don't know how I feel about that. I will say this back has a DESERVED happy ending. I loved the last little scene, it made it worthwhile in my eyes.
November 2, 2016
Eeeeehhhh it was all going great when it all went down the drain. Hated the reactions, hated the circumstances, hated the lack of accountability. Sad turn imo.
November 3, 2016
I wish the author could have found another word to call Jaak other than the billionaire. Yes we know he was a billionaire but lord have mercy.......
November 4, 2016
Amazing!
I could not put it down! I cried . I Laughed. I prayed. Marian you did it again so incredible!
I could not put it down! I cried . I Laughed. I prayed. Marian you did it again so incredible!
November 12, 2016
Bawled my eyes out! Funny, kilig and yet poignant, as always. Marian Tee delivered!
November 21, 2016
Love every bit of this story!
September 29, 2020
Loved It
This had a very good combination of wholesome and raw. I loved Isla’s brother and the interaction between each character.
This had a very good combination of wholesome and raw. I loved Isla’s brother and the interaction between each character.
April 29, 2017
different.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews