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Brazen #1
Brazen
From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Maya Banks.
One woman’s campaign to win the hearts of the two men she loves.
Jasmine left the Sweetwater Ranch and the Morgan brothers, no longer able to bear the painful dilemma of loving them both. After a year away in which she gains new perspective, she returns home with one goal. To make Seth and Zane Morgan hers.
Jaz may have left an innocent girl, but she’s returned a beautiful, sensual woman. Seth and Zane aren’t prepared for the full on assault she launches and each are battling an attraction they’ve fought for years. She wants them both, but Seth has no intention of sharing his woman. It’s up to her to change his mind because she can’t and won’t choose between two men she loves with equal passion. For her, it’s all or nothing.
*This is a reissue of the original story. If you've already bought or read the original, there is no need to buy the reissue as there is no new material, no changes. The story is the same except for a new cover and a lower price.
One woman’s campaign to win the hearts of the two men she loves.
Jasmine left the Sweetwater Ranch and the Morgan brothers, no longer able to bear the painful dilemma of loving them both. After a year away in which she gains new perspective, she returns home with one goal. To make Seth and Zane Morgan hers.
Jaz may have left an innocent girl, but she’s returned a beautiful, sensual woman. Seth and Zane aren’t prepared for the full on assault she launches and each are battling an attraction they’ve fought for years. She wants them both, but Seth has no intention of sharing his woman. It’s up to her to change his mind because she can’t and won’t choose between two men she loves with equal passion. For her, it’s all or nothing.
*This is a reissue of the original story. If you've already bought or read the original, there is no need to buy the reissue as there is no new material, no changes. The story is the same except for a new cover and a lower price.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2007
296 people are currently reading
2484 people want to read
About the author
Maya Banks
245 books21.5k followersMaya Banks is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today and international bestselling author of over 50 novels. A wife and mother of three, she lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
July 29, 2015
RATING: 1.5 Hearts
July 14, 2008
This was not your typical menage story. I've found that usually it's the men trying to convince the woman that a menage relationship could work for all parties involved. In this story, the woman practically has to beg and plead with the men to try a committed menage relationship, which was a little unusual.
Jasmine, the heroine in this story, was a 16 year old runaway from her foster home, living on the streets for a year and reluctantly about to become a prostitute working for an abusive pimp. She ends up propositioning one of the heroes of this book (Seth), and he, along with his brother Zane, is horrified. After finding out her story and the fact she has no family except for an older brother who she's lost touch with, they decide to take her back to their ranch to live with them. Platonically, of course. They end up hiring a housekeeper who becomes like a second mother to her, and the brothers, who are 22 and 26 when they take her in, treat her like their kid sister.
Fast forward 6 years, and Jasmine is now a 22 year old woman, just back in town after spending a year in Paris. Jasmine's got a problem, and a year spent away from the brothers did not solve it. It seems she's in love with both brothers, and wants them both. She refuses to choose between them, because she loves them equally. And she's hoping that they love her enough to agree to a menage relationship.
That's about the basis of this story. Jasmine tries every trick in the book to entice the brothers and to get them to see she's not a little girl anymore. Fun-loving Zane is a somewhat easy sell, but Seth is another story. Although he's attracted to Jasmine, he thinks it's wrong, wrong, wrong! And even though he loves her too, he doesn't think he could share Jaz with anyone, not even his brother.
I thought Jaz was a little selfish with her grand plan, expecting the brothers to go along with it because she had seen them share a woman before. And even though Seth kept saying no, she wouldn't give up, even coming between the brothers. There were some hot scenes in the book, but not as many as you would think considering the subject matter. I would have liked to see a little bit more going on in the story, besides Jaz's constant schemes to get Seth to come around to her way of thinking. I wasn't totally convinced that this relationship would survive in the long run--I think they were in for some rocky times in the future. I would rate this story 3 1/2 stars.
Jasmine, the heroine in this story, was a 16 year old runaway from her foster home, living on the streets for a year and reluctantly about to become a prostitute working for an abusive pimp. She ends up propositioning one of the heroes of this book (Seth), and he, along with his brother Zane, is horrified. After finding out her story and the fact she has no family except for an older brother who she's lost touch with, they decide to take her back to their ranch to live with them. Platonically, of course. They end up hiring a housekeeper who becomes like a second mother to her, and the brothers, who are 22 and 26 when they take her in, treat her like their kid sister.
Fast forward 6 years, and Jasmine is now a 22 year old woman, just back in town after spending a year in Paris. Jasmine's got a problem, and a year spent away from the brothers did not solve it. It seems she's in love with both brothers, and wants them both. She refuses to choose between them, because she loves them equally. And she's hoping that they love her enough to agree to a menage relationship.
That's about the basis of this story. Jasmine tries every trick in the book to entice the brothers and to get them to see she's not a little girl anymore. Fun-loving Zane is a somewhat easy sell, but Seth is another story. Although he's attracted to Jasmine, he thinks it's wrong, wrong, wrong! And even though he loves her too, he doesn't think he could share Jaz with anyone, not even his brother.
I thought Jaz was a little selfish with her grand plan, expecting the brothers to go along with it because she had seen them share a woman before. And even though Seth kept saying no, she wouldn't give up, even coming between the brothers. There were some hot scenes in the book, but not as many as you would think considering the subject matter. I would have liked to see a little bit more going on in the story, besides Jaz's constant schemes to get Seth to come around to her way of thinking. I wasn't totally convinced that this relationship would survive in the long run--I think they were in for some rocky times in the future. I would rate this story 3 1/2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2010
Well, I really should start off by saying that I'm not a big fan of "sharing" your boyfriend or girlfriend with another... especially not on a permanent basis, which is why this one only gets 3 stars.
My expectations were not very high, having just read Colters' Woman which was, in my opinion, not well written at all and received 2 stars from me.
Brazen is getting 3 stars because this story was so much more believable. The characters were more defined and the struggle/conflict/resolution seemed more realistic. They were believable as people, if that makes sense.
The back story - Jaz was 16 years old when she met Seth and Zane in a local bar. In order to survive on the streets after running away from her foster home, she found herself in the unpleasant and unwanted position of soliciting herself. The brothers didn't take her up on the offer, however they did talk to her and found out why she was trying to prostitute herself. They became her self appointed guardian angels, took her to their home and gave her a safe place to finish growing up.
Over the 6 years that Jaz lived with them, she came to love them...not in a brotherly/sisterly/platonic way. She loved them both and wanted to spend her life with them, sharing her heart, soul and body with both of them, but not believing it possible. Unable to love 1 without the other, she left their home and spent a year living in Paris where she met a woman who encouraged her to re-think her decision and return home to try and convince the brothers that the 3 of them could have an intimate, committed relationship.
Present story - Jaz returns to their ranch and puts on the pressure, turns up the heat and holds nothing back in trying to seduce Seth and Zane into seeing things her way.
What I did like about this book was the Maya Banks did a good job showing, not just telling the reader, the conflict that both Seth and Zane were feeling. While they both readily admitted to loving Jaz, it took them to almost the end of the book to be willing to try and make such an unorthodox relationship work. I appreciated that because it made me see them as men who truly loved Jaz, not just a couple of guys feeling like they had hit the sexcapade jackpot.
So while I didn't get into the threesome, and don't in general, I did enjoy the way the story was written and found myself caring about their feelings, and wanted to see them gain their happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2009
5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Erotica/Ménage
Before reading this, I knew there were mixed reviews, but being a big fan of Maya Banks, especially her ménage stories, I decided to read it anyway and I’m glad that I did.
Jasmine Quinn was a 16-year-old runaway who propositioned brothers Seth and Zane Morgan in a Houston bar out of desperation and fear of reprisal from a dangerous pimp who threatened her life if she didn’t turn her first trick. Horrified, Seth and Zane rescued Jasmine and brought her home to their Sweetwater Ranch in West Texas, hired a woman named Carmen to help run the household and be a mother to her, and helped her finish school and get her GED. Confused by her more than brotherly/friendly love for both men, a 21-year-old Jasmine left the ranch and moved to Paris, France thinking she would never return.
After spending a year in Paris and witnessing her French friend Cherisse’s happiness in a committed, loving polyamorous relationship, Jasmine decides to return home to the Morgan ranch and to make Seth and Zane truly hers once and for all. Of course, she’ll have to show them that she’s not a girl anymore, make them see her as more than a sisterish friend, and prove that at 22 she’s old enough to really know what she wants, and that it’s both of them, forever. Jasmine has her work cut out for her in convincing them that a ménage relationship could work, especially for brooding alpha oldest brother Seth who denies his romantic feelings for her yet refuses to share her with anyone, even with his brother Zane. Easygoing, sweet beta Zane is an easier sell and becomes an ally for Jasmine because he wants to make her happy and is afraid to lose her completely if she’ll only settle on a relationship with both brothers.
I really liked this story and the characters and found it refreshing that it centers on a woman’s quest to convince the men she loves of agreeing to a committed ménage relationship rather than the men bullying the woman into a ménage, which is typically the case. Yes, Jasmine is pushy and a bit selfish in her plan to seduce Seth and Zane into engaging in a sexual relationship with her and in her plot to persuade them to commit to a long-term ménage, but it’s clear that her heart is in the right place. She seems to genuinely love them both equally and can’t choose between them or be happy without them.
There were a few times that I thought Jasmine’s relationship with Seth and Zane almost bordered on “that ain’t right” since they were so much like big brothers to her and because it seemed like what she felt for them was closer to hero worship than actually being in love. However, the author did a great job of developing and evolving the characters and their feelings and made it believable.
I really enjoyed Brazen and found myself completely immersed in the story and characters, which is a trademark of the Queen of Ménage Maya Banks, at least for me. 5 stars!
Before reading this, I knew there were mixed reviews, but being a big fan of Maya Banks, especially her ménage stories, I decided to read it anyway and I’m glad that I did.
Jasmine Quinn was a 16-year-old runaway who propositioned brothers Seth and Zane Morgan in a Houston bar out of desperation and fear of reprisal from a dangerous pimp who threatened her life if she didn’t turn her first trick. Horrified, Seth and Zane rescued Jasmine and brought her home to their Sweetwater Ranch in West Texas, hired a woman named Carmen to help run the household and be a mother to her, and helped her finish school and get her GED. Confused by her more than brotherly/friendly love for both men, a 21-year-old Jasmine left the ranch and moved to Paris, France thinking she would never return.
After spending a year in Paris and witnessing her French friend Cherisse’s happiness in a committed, loving polyamorous relationship, Jasmine decides to return home to the Morgan ranch and to make Seth and Zane truly hers once and for all. Of course, she’ll have to show them that she’s not a girl anymore, make them see her as more than a sisterish friend, and prove that at 22 she’s old enough to really know what she wants, and that it’s both of them, forever. Jasmine has her work cut out for her in convincing them that a ménage relationship could work, especially for brooding alpha oldest brother Seth who denies his romantic feelings for her yet refuses to share her with anyone, even with his brother Zane. Easygoing, sweet beta Zane is an easier sell and becomes an ally for Jasmine because he wants to make her happy and is afraid to lose her completely if she’ll only settle on a relationship with both brothers.
I really liked this story and the characters and found it refreshing that it centers on a woman’s quest to convince the men she loves of agreeing to a committed ménage relationship rather than the men bullying the woman into a ménage, which is typically the case. Yes, Jasmine is pushy and a bit selfish in her plan to seduce Seth and Zane into engaging in a sexual relationship with her and in her plot to persuade them to commit to a long-term ménage, but it’s clear that her heart is in the right place. She seems to genuinely love them both equally and can’t choose between them or be happy without them.
There were a few times that I thought Jasmine’s relationship with Seth and Zane almost bordered on “that ain’t right” since they were so much like big brothers to her and because it seemed like what she felt for them was closer to hero worship than actually being in love. However, the author did a great job of developing and evolving the characters and their feelings and made it believable.
I really enjoyed Brazen and found myself completely immersed in the story and characters, which is a trademark of the Queen of Ménage Maya Banks, at least for me. 5 stars!
April 12, 2009
"Brazen" is the first in Queen-of-the-menage Maya Banks 'Brazen' series. Her sex scenes are very erotic and her characters are very tortured and normally I like that. But there was just something about this one that kept needling at me and kept me from enjoying it as much as her other books.
Brothers Seth and Zane are in the big city bar after a successful presentation for their ranch when they are approached by a very young woman offering one of them sex. After hustling her out of the bar and the out of the sight of her pimp, they take her for some much needed sustenance and get the whole story from the sixteen year old with nowhere to go. Just like that, Jasmine becomes a part of their life. They take her to their ranch, hire a housekeeper/mother figure, and work to erase the shadows from Jasmine's eyes.
Several years later, and after a year in Paris away from the ranch and Seth and Zane, Jasmine is ready to return. Her time away was good for her and hopefully, now, the 'boys' will see her as the woman she is instead of the girl they rescued. Jasmine wants that very much as she loves BOTH of them...as a woman loves. But Jasmine will need all her wiles and all her patience to woo both men into a sharing relationship.
So! Yes, they both love her...THAT way and yes, the brothers have a hard time with the thought of 'sharing' even though they've participated in threesomes before. But that was for fun, not for life and Seth especially isn't sure he can accept a situation like what Jasmine is asking for.
Maybe what bothered me about this one is that Jasmine is obviously the aggressor in this relationship. Why does that bug me? I honestly have no idea...but it does. The younger brother is quick to fall to her seductions, but the older brother Seth, the authority figure and responsible caretaker, has some very serious issues with Jasmine. I guess I felt that Jasmine didn't give his thoughts the serious contemplation they deserved. Or maybe it was because I felt she pretty much forced herself on him...but either way, it left me irritated and little appalled.
However, it all worked out and the three all get their HEA and the book was pretty darn hot. I'm not sorry I read it and maybe I just need to open my mind a bit more and this book can help with that. It's not one for my keeper shelf, but it wasn't a 'wall-banger' either!
Brothers Seth and Zane are in the big city bar after a successful presentation for their ranch when they are approached by a very young woman offering one of them sex. After hustling her out of the bar and the out of the sight of her pimp, they take her for some much needed sustenance and get the whole story from the sixteen year old with nowhere to go. Just like that, Jasmine becomes a part of their life. They take her to their ranch, hire a housekeeper/mother figure, and work to erase the shadows from Jasmine's eyes.
Several years later, and after a year in Paris away from the ranch and Seth and Zane, Jasmine is ready to return. Her time away was good for her and hopefully, now, the 'boys' will see her as the woman she is instead of the girl they rescued. Jasmine wants that very much as she loves BOTH of them...as a woman loves. But Jasmine will need all her wiles and all her patience to woo both men into a sharing relationship.
So! Yes, they both love her...THAT way and yes, the brothers have a hard time with the thought of 'sharing' even though they've participated in threesomes before. But that was for fun, not for life and Seth especially isn't sure he can accept a situation like what Jasmine is asking for.
Maybe what bothered me about this one is that Jasmine is obviously the aggressor in this relationship. Why does that bug me? I honestly have no idea...but it does. The younger brother is quick to fall to her seductions, but the older brother Seth, the authority figure and responsible caretaker, has some very serious issues with Jasmine. I guess I felt that Jasmine didn't give his thoughts the serious contemplation they deserved. Or maybe it was because I felt she pretty much forced herself on him...but either way, it left me irritated and little appalled.
However, it all worked out and the three all get their HEA and the book was pretty darn hot. I'm not sorry I read it and maybe I just need to open my mind a bit more and this book can help with that. It's not one for my keeper shelf, but it wasn't a 'wall-banger' either!
August 15, 2017
Fuck yeah, now we're talking...
I'm a pretty persistant fish😏 and combined with my 'book must be finished' OCD, sometimes, I m pretty much fucked to begin with, but most of the time, I provoke lady luck and she shows me the mercy in letting me 'enjoy' fully in these 'threesome gems' i tend to walk right into...😉
And I simply can't believe that the same author wrote 'this' and the previous smutt shit I was disappointed with...
So, I'll tell you this...
It actually has a fuckin plot! *fist pums air*
And a damn fine characterisation and emotional settings too, imagine that?!
And what was so thrilling with this story is the fact that the roles are reversed this time!
It aint men that need to convince the woman she s the one for them, it's her that needs to show these two men that she loves them both and can't be without them...
It s so simple...
She just wants them to love her back...and she's damn fine showing them too...
And they are brothers, very stubborn fuckers, who actually do love her...but one of them is having some major issues with the whole 'sharing' concept...and the fact that he can't accept only a half of her heart...
Selfish bastard, that one...
So what the smartass does? He hurts her, of course...what else...but then his younger brother sets him straight...
Way to go, Zane (thus being the younger bro's name, the stubborn fucker is Seth)
And well, after the prospect of losing her forever, the idea becomes unbearable and Seth finally pulls his head out of his ass...and gives this unconventional relationship a chance.
And as Cher sings :
"Baby, it's all or nothing now...I don't wanna run and I can't hide..."
Thank fuck for small favors...lol
😁👍
I'm a pretty persistant fish😏 and combined with my 'book must be finished' OCD, sometimes, I m pretty much fucked to begin with, but most of the time, I provoke lady luck and she shows me the mercy in letting me 'enjoy' fully in these 'threesome gems' i tend to walk right into...😉
And I simply can't believe that the same author wrote 'this' and the previous smutt shit I was disappointed with...
So, I'll tell you this...
It actually has a fuckin plot! *fist pums air*
And a damn fine characterisation and emotional settings too, imagine that?!
And what was so thrilling with this story is the fact that the roles are reversed this time!
It aint men that need to convince the woman she s the one for them, it's her that needs to show these two men that she loves them both and can't be without them...
It s so simple...
She just wants them to love her back...and she's damn fine showing them too...
And they are brothers, very stubborn fuckers, who actually do love her...but one of them is having some major issues with the whole 'sharing' concept...and the fact that he can't accept only a half of her heart...
Selfish bastard, that one...
So what the smartass does? He hurts her, of course...what else...but then his younger brother sets him straight...
I don’t know a lot about love or what it’s supposed to mean. I don’t know how it works for other people. I don’t really care. What I do know, is that I love her. And that means my love doesn’t come with a set of conditions. Does it bother me to know she loves you and probably always will? No. Because she loves me, too. I’m not threatened by that because I know she’d never do anything to hurt me. Could I share her with you? If my choices were having her whole and happy, sparkling and sharing her with you; or having a part of her, knowing she’d never completely shine and be whole but having her all to myself, then I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Because loving her means I want her happy. I want the best for her. I don’t ever want to have any part in making her sad.
Way to go, Zane (thus being the younger bro's name, the stubborn fucker is Seth)
And well, after the prospect of losing her forever, the idea becomes unbearable and Seth finally pulls his head out of his ass...and gives this unconventional relationship a chance.
“I’m not sure of anything but the fact that I love her and that we’re both miserable without her. There has to be a way to make this work, and I want to find it.
And as Cher sings :
"Baby, it's all or nothing now...I don't wanna run and I can't hide..."
Thank fuck for small favors...lol
😁👍
May 16, 2009
Rating: 4.5 / 5
I really enjoyed this book a lot...and was surprised that most of the reviews were rather luke warm. I read this in almost one sitting...it was a quick, sexy, easy to read book. Just all around enjoyable.
Brazen is an erotic alternative romance about a committed menage relationship...or at least the building of one. Brothers Seth and Zane Morgan were out of town one day six years earlier when 16 year-old Jasmine Quinn propositioned Seth. It wasn't something she wanted to do, but she was a runaway being forced by a pimp to work for basic necessities. That evening was her first night.
Horrified and realizing the girl was in trouble, Seth and Zane took her back to their ranch and gave her a home and the family she needed. As the years passed, Jasmine fell in love with the brothers...both of them. Confused and unsure, she goes away to Paris...only to realize she wants to fight for both of them...for love from both of them. So she returns home, intent on convincing them that a relationship between the three of them. No easy task with both of them fighting her every step of the way. Jasmine won't give up easily, though, for what she wants.
I enjoyed the unique part of this story where the woman is the one pursuing a menage relationship. In most - if not all - menage books I've read, it's usually the men persuading the woman they love into a polyamorous relationship. Not so in this book. Jasmine was the instigator all the way. I loved that.
There was some pretty good emotion in the book as well. Jasmine's heartbreak over the situation yanked at my heartstrings more than once. Such battle of wills between the three of them.
And the sex scenes were smokin'! Most of the scenes were 1 on 1. There was only one menage scene...unfortunately ;) But overall the scenes were hot.
I do think the book could have had a little more depth and development in some parts. I was never quite sure exactly what kind of ranch the guys had so that could have been explored more. And Jasmine's complicated past could have had more attention, along with the situation with her brother. But I didn't find the lack of those things affecting my overall enjoyment of the book. They were just things that could have made it really great.
This is the second book I've read by Maya Banks and I've loved both of them. So I'll definitely have to read more by her. She knows how to tell a hot, well-rounded menage story.
I really enjoyed this book a lot...and was surprised that most of the reviews were rather luke warm. I read this in almost one sitting...it was a quick, sexy, easy to read book. Just all around enjoyable.
Brazen is an erotic alternative romance about a committed menage relationship...or at least the building of one. Brothers Seth and Zane Morgan were out of town one day six years earlier when 16 year-old Jasmine Quinn propositioned Seth. It wasn't something she wanted to do, but she was a runaway being forced by a pimp to work for basic necessities. That evening was her first night.
Horrified and realizing the girl was in trouble, Seth and Zane took her back to their ranch and gave her a home and the family she needed. As the years passed, Jasmine fell in love with the brothers...both of them. Confused and unsure, she goes away to Paris...only to realize she wants to fight for both of them...for love from both of them. So she returns home, intent on convincing them that a relationship between the three of them. No easy task with both of them fighting her every step of the way. Jasmine won't give up easily, though, for what she wants.
I enjoyed the unique part of this story where the woman is the one pursuing a menage relationship. In most - if not all - menage books I've read, it's usually the men persuading the woman they love into a polyamorous relationship. Not so in this book. Jasmine was the instigator all the way. I loved that.
There was some pretty good emotion in the book as well. Jasmine's heartbreak over the situation yanked at my heartstrings more than once. Such battle of wills between the three of them.
And the sex scenes were smokin'! Most of the scenes were 1 on 1. There was only one menage scene...unfortunately ;) But overall the scenes were hot.
I do think the book could have had a little more depth and development in some parts. I was never quite sure exactly what kind of ranch the guys had so that could have been explored more. And Jasmine's complicated past could have had more attention, along with the situation with her brother. But I didn't find the lack of those things affecting my overall enjoyment of the book. They were just things that could have made it really great.
This is the second book I've read by Maya Banks and I've loved both of them. So I'll definitely have to read more by her. She knows how to tell a hot, well-rounded menage story.
October 1, 2012
I more than love ménage stories and having read other books by this author, which I really enjoyed, was really looking forward to reading this book.
It’s not exactly an awful book just that it failed to pull me into the whole story and the characters.
So Jasmine runs off to Paris because she doesn’t know how to deal being in love with Seth & Zane, the two brothers that she has been friends with for years. After a year in the city of love, she is ready to face the challenge, flies back to the Texan ranch and confronts them with her secret and how she wants to have a HEA with both because she loves them equally!!! Forget it, says Seth….wow I’m in says Zane!!!!
I kind of liked Zane but Seth, who in a way is the one with the most emotional baggage to overcome, irritated me at times with all this not sharing her with anyone and Jasmine….. with all her whining and whinging Taking turns in more than just “sleeping” with the brothers, who spend their time “pussy-footing” around her feelings because,hey she’s vulnerable and innocent! I so wanted to get more involved with them...but something kept me from feeling that.
Then, when finally get into the “threesome act”…….should Seth & Zane feel uncomfortable seeing each other naked…what about touching each other???...on that, is it at all possible that two men are able to make love to a woman together and never ever touch each other???? I try not to think too much about that when the two men happen to be related in a lot of ménage books….I find it a bit weird…but as it states….they never touch or feel each other…only the woman in the middle!!!!
The sex scenes are very well done and being an erotic romance, there are quite a few but somehow seem to fit in with the flow of the story instead of just having sex scenes in every second or third page. A good plot, emotional and sexual tension and likeable characters.
I would love to know how this relationship will progress and will they have a lasting HEA. But, being me, I always want a HEA…so I have made it so ….they will be happy forever!!!!!!!!!!
It’s not exactly an awful book just that it failed to pull me into the whole story and the characters.
So Jasmine runs off to Paris because she doesn’t know how to deal being in love with Seth & Zane, the two brothers that she has been friends with for years. After a year in the city of love, she is ready to face the challenge, flies back to the Texan ranch and confronts them with her secret and how she wants to have a HEA with both because she loves them equally!!! Forget it, says Seth….wow I’m in says Zane!!!!
I kind of liked Zane but Seth, who in a way is the one with the most emotional baggage to overcome, irritated me at times with all this not sharing her with anyone and Jasmine….. with all her whining and whinging Taking turns in more than just “sleeping” with the brothers, who spend their time “pussy-footing” around her feelings because,hey she’s vulnerable and innocent! I so wanted to get more involved with them...but something kept me from feeling that.
Then, when finally get into the “threesome act”…….should Seth & Zane feel uncomfortable seeing each other naked…what about touching each other???...on that, is it at all possible that two men are able to make love to a woman together and never ever touch each other???? I try not to think too much about that when the two men happen to be related in a lot of ménage books….I find it a bit weird…but as it states….they never touch or feel each other…only the woman in the middle!!!!
The sex scenes are very well done and being an erotic romance, there are quite a few but somehow seem to fit in with the flow of the story instead of just having sex scenes in every second or third page. A good plot, emotional and sexual tension and likeable characters.
I would love to know how this relationship will progress and will they have a lasting HEA. But, being me, I always want a HEA…so I have made it so ….they will be happy forever!!!!!!!!!!
June 8, 2013
I don't know if I've ever given a Maya Banks book less than a 4. I had a 3 but the more I think of it, the more pissed I am, so I had to give it a 2.
It's a personal thing. I have SERIOUS issues with people who are supposedly "in love" but don't talk to each other. Over half of the book wouldn't have happened if she sat them down together, explained what she learned in Paris and asked that of them. But no, she lets everyone, including herself, be all hurt because she can't open her mouth before she opened her damn legs.
I understand that there wouldn't have been much of a book if she talked first, but it would have been a better book.
It's a personal thing. I have SERIOUS issues with people who are supposedly "in love" but don't talk to each other. Over half of the book wouldn't have happened if she sat them down together, explained what she learned in Paris and asked that of them. But no, she lets everyone, including herself, be all hurt because she can't open her mouth before she opened her damn legs.
I understand that there wouldn't have been much of a book if she talked first, but it would have been a better book.
September 19, 2012
So I've tried a book by the famous Maya Banks. I have to say I wasn't too impressed.
Steamy, nothing to say about that but, stupid me, I need a bit more plot than the one that is NOT there in Brazen. I know, debatable that this kind of books actually NEEDS a plot - what for huh? - but beside all the... oook I won't even go into that I desperately need a story to hold all the.... errrrrr, that together. I'm not sure if it's the lack of a background, of something that my mind can hold on to, that doesn't even make it that hot anymore.
For those of you who always dreamed to be in a polyamorous relationship, you might want to give this a shot.
Steamy, nothing to say about that but, stupid me, I need a bit more plot than the one that is NOT there in Brazen. I know, debatable that this kind of books actually NEEDS a plot - what for huh? - but beside all the... oook I won't even go into that I desperately need a story to hold all the.... errrrrr, that together. I'm not sure if it's the lack of a background, of something that my mind can hold on to, that doesn't even make it that hot anymore.
For those of you who always dreamed to be in a polyamorous relationship, you might want to give this a shot.
July 14, 2013
I've read a few menage books, but in this one I didn't believe the relationship was balanced.
Jasmine was rescued from prostitution by brothers, Zane and Seth, at the age of 16. She has loved them ever since. In Paris, she witnesses a polyamorous relationship and decides that she wants one with the brothers. Seth and Zane have shared women before, but neither is looking for a triad relationship, Seth even less so. Jas then jumps between their beds trying to convince them of her love and that a relationship between the three of them can work.
Reading this book made me a little uncomfortable because Jas is obviously damaged and her love and adoration for the brothers seemed like it was a result of that damage and the fact that they were her saviors. If she had come across as more healed and complete as a person, I wouldn't have been bothered.
Also, Seth makes it quite clear that he doesn't want to share Jas despite his love for her. Jasmine's attempts to persuade him seemed very selfish because what Seth wanted was not unreasonable.
In the end, both brothers decide that their love for her is worth it, but it didn't feel like a happy ending to me. I feel like everyone involved deserved better.
Jasmine was rescued from prostitution by brothers, Zane and Seth, at the age of 16. She has loved them ever since. In Paris, she witnesses a polyamorous relationship and decides that she wants one with the brothers. Seth and Zane have shared women before, but neither is looking for a triad relationship, Seth even less so. Jas then jumps between their beds trying to convince them of her love and that a relationship between the three of them can work.
Reading this book made me a little uncomfortable because Jas is obviously damaged and her love and adoration for the brothers seemed like it was a result of that damage and the fact that they were her saviors. If she had come across as more healed and complete as a person, I wouldn't have been bothered.
Also, Seth makes it quite clear that he doesn't want to share Jas despite his love for her. Jasmine's attempts to persuade him seemed very selfish because what Seth wanted was not unreasonable.
In the end, both brothers decide that their love for her is worth it, but it didn't feel like a happy ending to me. I feel like everyone involved deserved better.
August 26, 2016
Hated this. Why? Well, a guy she likes turns her down because he still sees her as a kid. Unfortunate for her, but understandable. But then she goes to the sheriff and asks for his handcuffs. And he gives them to her. She sneaks into guy's room in the middle of the night and handcuffs him to his headboard. She puts the key on a chain around her neck and proceeds to strip. Now, if the genders were reversed there would be little question that something questionable is going on here. I stopped reading at this point.
So, first. Law Enforcement handcuffs are not interchangeable with sex toy handcuffs. Second, what was the sheriff thinking giving out his handcuffs like party favors? And third. He. Said. NO. (That may have been open to discussion, but ambush bondage in the middle of the night doesn't qualify.)
I picked up the book because a threesome sounded fun. The book cover summary certainly didn't suggest that we were going to be entertained by a rape fantasy. And what else could this sort of disregard by one character of the decisions of another be called (even if the man does go along with it - eventually)?
So, first. Law Enforcement handcuffs are not interchangeable with sex toy handcuffs. Second, what was the sheriff thinking giving out his handcuffs like party favors? And third. He. Said. NO. (That may have been open to discussion, but ambush bondage in the middle of the night doesn't qualify.)
I picked up the book because a threesome sounded fun. The book cover summary certainly didn't suggest that we were going to be entertained by a rape fantasy. And what else could this sort of disregard by one character of the decisions of another be called (even if the man does go along with it - eventually)?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2016
Purple prose sex scenes.
Head hopping within paragraphs.
Entirely devoid of plot.
Mexican mammy character who says "niña" every three words, who answers to "mamacíta", uttered every four words, and whose whole life is about serving these here white folks.
Head hopping within paragraphs.
Entirely devoid of plot.
Mexican mammy character who says "niña" every three words, who answers to "mamacíta", uttered every four words, and whose whole life is about serving these here white folks.
May 7, 2020
Jaz returns home to Texas after a year in Paris. What she was doing in Paris and how she could afford it, no one knows. The only discernible skill Jaz seems to possess is playing a horny damsel in distress and that won't pay for a one-way ticket to Austin let alone France.
Her goal of a triad-relationship with the Morgan brothers, Seth and Zane, seems far-fetched at best. I've heard of kissing cousins, but kissing brothers...eh I don't know.
Jaz makes a blubbering mess of showing the Morgan brothers what a mature woman she has become. Flaunting her body for attention which only wins her their ire and ends in her needing to be rescued from walking. Another feat she can't do right. Seth and Zane just watched longingly as Jaz makes a fool of herself with temper tantrums and run-away attempts when her genius proof plan to seduce the brother, doesn't go her way. What the Morgan brothers should have done, is told that heifer to sit her ass down and talk things out like the grown woman she keeps claiming to be.
Jaz is selfish and unethical in her attempts to woe both men to her goal. She was lucky she didn't rip the family apart with the way she floated back and forth between their beds. No one calls her out for it or makes her question if what she wants is worth driving a wedge between two brothers and business partners. Not to mention Seth clearly states he has no desire to share her with another man, let alone his brother. But who cares what anyone else wants or needs if it doesn't align with what Jaz wants, right?
Perhaps if Jaz had done less falling down and restating the past over and over again and more bed bouncing this might have actually been a fun a read.
https://singlecatladyreads.com/brazen...
Her goal of a triad-relationship with the Morgan brothers, Seth and Zane, seems far-fetched at best. I've heard of kissing cousins, but kissing brothers...eh I don't know.
Jaz makes a blubbering mess of showing the Morgan brothers what a mature woman she has become. Flaunting her body for attention which only wins her their ire and ends in her needing to be rescued from walking. Another feat she can't do right. Seth and Zane just watched longingly as Jaz makes a fool of herself with temper tantrums and run-away attempts when her genius proof plan to seduce the brother, doesn't go her way. What the Morgan brothers should have done, is told that heifer to sit her ass down and talk things out like the grown woman she keeps claiming to be.
Jaz is selfish and unethical in her attempts to woe both men to her goal. She was lucky she didn't rip the family apart with the way she floated back and forth between their beds. No one calls her out for it or makes her question if what she wants is worth driving a wedge between two brothers and business partners. Not to mention Seth clearly states he has no desire to share her with another man, let alone his brother. But who cares what anyone else wants or needs if it doesn't align with what Jaz wants, right?
Perhaps if Jaz had done less falling down and restating the past over and over again and more bed bouncing this might have actually been a fun a read.
https://singlecatladyreads.com/brazen...
July 22, 2013
Well well. :))))) *smirks*
Jasmine's been in love with Zane and Seth since she was sixteen. Now six years older, Jaz determined to win them—both of them, over. She wants them to see her as a woman, not a scared little teenager like she used to. But will they agree with her proposition? Will they love her as much as she do?
Another Miss Banks's menage book I read and this one is slightly better. I still think that her style of menage is unbalance and a bit limp. The chemistry between characters are too much on one side, and I don't like it.
But overall, this one is sweet reading. The angst is perfect, but how I wish there was more. I need moreeeee. ;)
Jasmine's been in love with Zane and Seth since she was sixteen. Now six years older, Jaz determined to win them—both of them, over. She wants them to see her as a woman, not a scared little teenager like she used to. But will they agree with her proposition? Will they love her as much as she do?
Another Miss Banks's menage book I read and this one is slightly better. I still think that her style of menage is unbalance and a bit limp. The chemistry between characters are too much on one side, and I don't like it.
But overall, this one is sweet reading. The angst is perfect, but how I wish there was more. I need moreeeee. ;)
January 10, 2011
Anotha MB heroine who weeps outta her ass. So over waterpot heroines. Luv scenes : nuffink 2 write home 'bout.
Hopping to the picturesque West Texas to hire Mamacita (housekeeper / chaperone cum menage supporter).
Hopping to the picturesque West Texas to hire Mamacita (housekeeper / chaperone cum menage supporter).
Read
July 15, 2014Ugh... this book SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDD! And that is putting it as nice as I possibly can.
Free download from the library was way too much to pay for this book. Save your self the trouble and read something else.
Free download from the library was way too much to pay for this book. Save your self the trouble and read something else.
July 21, 2019
2.5*
Ugh - this one wasn’t rocking my boat. Was it sexy - mostly yes! Did it make sense - not really!
First of all , the heroine loves two brothers and wants to live in a long term relationship with them both, her problem is convincing the brothers to share. Sure, i can get into a ménage book! However , “brothers” is a bit gross as it kinda crosses the incestual line for me! (common in ménage books!)
Secondly, everyone seems to know of her wishes to seduce both men and everyone is acting like it’s nothing unusual - even the old-fashioned housekeeper who is like a mother to her! This mother-figure advises her and comforts her and constantly praises her tenacity and tells her how proud she is of her . Wait a minute ?! She is proud of her for trying to seduce both men ? Not ONCE did this older woman recognize the awkwardness of the situation , act surprised and say “whoa whoa there - you want to do BOTH men? You want to marry BOTH of them? That’s not exactly the norm!” > no one EVER points out that this is not the norm !! It seems like they live in this magical , super-tolerant Texas where polygamy is considered the standardly accepted lifestyle!!! It was just beyond unrealistic!!
Third annoying thing about this book was the whiny heroine ! She is constantly being the poor , innocent , useless little girl! She is constantly whining! She is constantly doing stupid crap and getting hurt ! (Ie. gets drunk alone in a bar , dances like a tease and gets mauled by drunken cowboys - the brothers have to save her . She goes horseback riding, falls of her horse, twists her ankle - ends up lost in the forest and almost dies (not sure of what exactly!! Twisted ankle?) - the brothers have to search and rescue. She runs away from home , with the twisted ankle, gets caught in a storm - brothers have to come pick her up and take her home....) Someone is constantly getting her out of trouble and fixing her messes, yet we are being convinced that she is a grownup, independent woman - no longer a silly girl. She acts WORSE than a silly girl - she doesn’t even have a job!!!! For someone who is 22 , she seems like a complete airhead!
Fourth annoying thing- the heroine could have very well ruined the brothers’ relationship !! She kept bouncing back between the brothers’ beds without first sitting them both down and telling them what she wants !! To them it seemed like she was cheating, while to her it was a polyamorous relationship! Well then im pretty sure all parties have to be made aware and all parties need to AGREE to this !! Otherwise you are just being a cheating tramp! Not to mention that at the end one of the brothers was coerced into this type of relationship- he didn’t want to share her . We are now to believe that this useless idiot of a girl is so irresistible that a fully grown man gives up on his beliefs to go and live in polygamy because of her - after saying multiple times that he doesn’t want that kind of life?! Sure ...
Ugh - this one wasn’t rocking my boat. Was it sexy - mostly yes! Did it make sense - not really!
First of all , the heroine loves two brothers and wants to live in a long term relationship with them both, her problem is convincing the brothers to share. Sure, i can get into a ménage book! However , “brothers” is a bit gross as it kinda crosses the incestual line for me! (common in ménage books!)
Secondly, everyone seems to know of her wishes to seduce both men and everyone is acting like it’s nothing unusual - even the old-fashioned housekeeper who is like a mother to her! This mother-figure advises her and comforts her and constantly praises her tenacity and tells her how proud she is of her . Wait a minute ?! She is proud of her for trying to seduce both men ? Not ONCE did this older woman recognize the awkwardness of the situation , act surprised and say “whoa whoa there - you want to do BOTH men? You want to marry BOTH of them? That’s not exactly the norm!” > no one EVER points out that this is not the norm !! It seems like they live in this magical , super-tolerant Texas where polygamy is considered the standardly accepted lifestyle!!! It was just beyond unrealistic!!
Third annoying thing about this book was the whiny heroine ! She is constantly being the poor , innocent , useless little girl! She is constantly whining! She is constantly doing stupid crap and getting hurt ! (Ie. gets drunk alone in a bar , dances like a tease and gets mauled by drunken cowboys - the brothers have to save her . She goes horseback riding, falls of her horse, twists her ankle - ends up lost in the forest and almost dies (not sure of what exactly!! Twisted ankle?) - the brothers have to search and rescue. She runs away from home , with the twisted ankle, gets caught in a storm - brothers have to come pick her up and take her home....) Someone is constantly getting her out of trouble and fixing her messes, yet we are being convinced that she is a grownup, independent woman - no longer a silly girl. She acts WORSE than a silly girl - she doesn’t even have a job!!!! For someone who is 22 , she seems like a complete airhead!
Fourth annoying thing- the heroine could have very well ruined the brothers’ relationship !! She kept bouncing back between the brothers’ beds without first sitting them both down and telling them what she wants !! To them it seemed like she was cheating, while to her it was a polyamorous relationship! Well then im pretty sure all parties have to be made aware and all parties need to AGREE to this !! Otherwise you are just being a cheating tramp! Not to mention that at the end one of the brothers was coerced into this type of relationship- he didn’t want to share her . We are now to believe that this useless idiot of a girl is so irresistible that a fully grown man gives up on his beliefs to go and live in polygamy because of her - after saying multiple times that he doesn’t want that kind of life?! Sure ...
July 17, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
This was one of my favorite books about 15 years ago so nostalgia gives it the round up. It’s a relatively quick read and is a menage with two brothers who took in a runaway girl who wants them to see her as all grown up now that she is an adult and back from traveling abroad. Has slight foster brother and guardian/ward vibes, set on a ranch in Texas, and some steamy scenes but really quite tame compared to what I read now.
This was one of my favorite books about 15 years ago so nostalgia gives it the round up. It’s a relatively quick read and is a menage with two brothers who took in a runaway girl who wants them to see her as all grown up now that she is an adult and back from traveling abroad. Has slight foster brother and guardian/ward vibes, set on a ranch in Texas, and some steamy scenes but really quite tame compared to what I read now.
October 16, 2017
Not your typical menage storyline. This one had the woman doing the chasing.
If you like Maya Banks then you know what you are getting.
If you like Maya Banks then you know what you are getting.
July 13, 2017
I should've known better. I have yet to read a Maya Banks ménage novel that hasn't left me disappointed and exasperated. I read this a few months ago, and forgot to write a review at the time, so this is going to be brief and harsh.
This one was this close to being a DNF for me, much like Banks' other ménage novel I gave a try last year. The only reason it isn't is that I at least managed to skim read it until the end.
The characterization is horrible - mostly because there is none. The main character is Jasmine, a girl the two Morgan brothers rescued from a life of prostitution, and essentially adopted onto their ranch. Jasmine decides she's in love with both brothers (understandable), but they reject her proposal (understandable), so she decides to run away to Paris to "grow up" (also understandable). What isn't even remotely understandable is how Jasmine grows up both physically and mentally in one year away. She's 21 when she leaves for Paris. She's 22 when she returns. The brothers keep talking about how she's matured. Forgive me if I'm wrong and Jasmine just had a severely delayed puberty, but wouldn't she essentially look the exact same between 21 and 22? I know I did...
Anyway, Jasmine comes home with a plan to seduce the brothers. She's welcomed by a pool party of four grown men (apparently, Jasmine never bothered to make female friends or friends her own age) and the ranch's housekeeper, a woman portrayed so stereotypically Mexican, it teeters into racist territory.
There's a very weak plot about trying to find Jasmine's family, and her talent as a photographer - a talent she wastes, mind you, after she's offered a regular photography job for a magazine, and turns it down because it'll take her away from the brothers. Eye roll. The brothers themselves are the usual - one is sweet and open, the other is gruff and tries to be unemotional. Though some of their thoughts do get a little rapey in some scenes. Seriously, if you've read any erotica novels, you know what happens here.
As for the sex...
I question whether some of these erotica novelists have ever actually had sex, much less attempted any of the feats they write about. Can we all just agree, for once, that (I'll put it in spoiler tags for the more innocent ears...) And it's been in every Maya Banks novel I've read so far. Just...ugh. Is it too much to ask for a little actual realism to the sex scenes?
Unless someone can recommend me a Banks novel that I won't hate, I think I'm pretty much done with this author for now.
Content Warnings:
March 30, 2020
The story was OK. It held my attention but it left me a bit off about some aspects.
I found Seth's hot and cold attitude and treatment toward Jasmine a bit unsettling. He loves her and yet he dismisses her feelings and hurts her on too many levels. I also thought that Zane's lack of communication with Seth in regards to his treatment of Jasmine unacceptable. They had been taking care of Jasmine for six years loving and nurturing her into the young woman she is now. But, Seth is destroying her emotionally under the guise that he is confused by his sexual awareness for her. All the while Zane ignores his brother actions regarding Jasmine. But, he's available to comfort her when she is feeling unwanted by Seth.
I have read and re-read several of Maya Banks books, this one I probably won't be read again.
I found Seth's hot and cold attitude and treatment toward Jasmine a bit unsettling. He loves her and yet he dismisses her feelings and hurts her on too many levels. I also thought that Zane's lack of communication with Seth in regards to his treatment of Jasmine unacceptable. They had been taking care of Jasmine for six years loving and nurturing her into the young woman she is now. But, Seth is destroying her emotionally under the guise that he is confused by his sexual awareness for her. All the while Zane ignores his brother actions regarding Jasmine. But, he's available to comfort her when she is feeling unwanted by Seth.
I have read and re-read several of Maya Banks books, this one I probably won't be read again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2015
I've read books from this author before and this book started out as Jasmine a determined character to get the ones she loved to love her back but in most of the book she was a bit of a whiner and a bit timid too. When she finally opened her mouth to the two brothers, Zane and Seth, to let them know what she was after is when the story started to pick up. I really enjoyed the story I wished that Jasmine wasn't such a whiner. The brothers of course were hot and I can understand Seth's withdrawal and trust issues because how can you think that everything will be okay when there is another man, especially your brother, involved but it had a great ending so all in all a good book. so I rate it 3.5.
March 4, 2011
After a year away Jasmine Quinn decides to return home to the men she loves. Zane and Seth have always protected Jasmine, they found her as a teenage runaway and vowed never to let any harm come to her. When they see Jasmine they realize she has grown up, and Jasmine doesn't want them to see her as her protectors but as the woman she has become.
I loved this book, it was beautifully written and really went to great depths to showcase the fears Seth and Zane were feeling about sharing their love with another.
I loved this book, it was beautifully written and really went to great depths to showcase the fears Seth and Zane were feeling about sharing their love with another.
February 1, 2009
Pretty good book. Jasmine is in love with both of the Morgan brothers. She knows she can't have both of them and doesn't want to cause trouble so she leaves, only to return to them and the ranch all grown up. She is determined to show them they don't need to choose between themselves, that all 3 can have a intimate loving long term relationship. But one brother Seth, is harder to convince. He does not want to share his woman.
July 19, 2023
I really really don't want to be mean, but this is absolutely the worst book i've ever read.
I hated the female main character Jasmine so much. Her whole mission in this book is to prove to the two men she's in love with that she isn't a little girl anymore and to get them to fall in love with her, but she literally throws temper tantrums and get's unreasonable sad and heartbroken whenever things doesn't go the way she wanted them to and therefore acting just like the child she claims to hard not to be.
The ONLY thing she does in this book that i liked, was when she jumped into the pool in chapter 4 or 5 i think to "overcome" her fear of water. I liked that, i thought that was cool of her and that was the only point in the book where i agreed with her thought-process. Otherwise she just cringed me out or triggered me so bad i wanted to dnf. I probably should've dnf'ed the damn book. I regret the choice i made when i decided to keep reading, especially after the sexual assault, which there btw isn't any trigger warnings for. But there most definitely should be, because Jasmine literally handcuffs one of the men to his bed, WHILE HE SLEEPS. She just stands there, watching him sleep, then proceeds to handcuff him and ignore him when he wakes up and asks her to let him go. Instead she starts to strip in front of him and then gets on the bed, where she starts to take off his underwear without his consent. Because he makes it difficult for her to take off his underwear she just leaves to get a fucking scissor and then proceeds to cut off his underwear, WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. AND THEN SHE FUCKING STARTS TO GIVE HIM A HALF HANDJOB/BLOWJOB?!?!? It isn't until she's been touching him for a while that she asks him if he really wants her to stop?!?!?! If that isn't sexual assault i don't know what it is. The man is tied to the headboard of the bed and he can't do anything but watch and ask her to stop, which he does multiple times in case you're wondering. I felt so uncomfortable reading that scene. Like she just couldn't take no for an answer.
She also has a habit of going to the other brothers room in the middle of the night and after going to his room two nights in a row, where she gave him a blowjob, which she btw also kinda forced on him, she tries to go to his room again the night after. So the third night in a row, even though he's also tried to reject her. But i guess he knew she would seek him out again because he fucking locked his door so she couldn't get into his room that night. When she tried to go to his room and realises this, she once again feels this crushing rejection and hurt and i just wanted to knock her teeth out. Like HOW can she not be embarrassed over herself??!?! She is so immature, naive and desperat it's even embarrassing to read.
The ONLY thing that could make me give this book a higher rating would be if the book ended with Jasmine going to prison for sexual assault. She 100% deserves jailtime.
I hated the female main character Jasmine so much. Her whole mission in this book is to prove to the two men she's in love with that she isn't a little girl anymore and to get them to fall in love with her, but she literally throws temper tantrums and get's unreasonable sad and heartbroken whenever things doesn't go the way she wanted them to and therefore acting just like the child she claims to hard not to be.
The ONLY thing she does in this book that i liked, was when she jumped into the pool in chapter 4 or 5 i think to "overcome" her fear of water. I liked that, i thought that was cool of her and that was the only point in the book where i agreed with her thought-process. Otherwise she just cringed me out or triggered me so bad i wanted to dnf. I probably should've dnf'ed the damn book. I regret the choice i made when i decided to keep reading, especially after the sexual assault, which there btw isn't any trigger warnings for. But there most definitely should be, because Jasmine literally handcuffs one of the men to his bed, WHILE HE SLEEPS. She just stands there, watching him sleep, then proceeds to handcuff him and ignore him when he wakes up and asks her to let him go. Instead she starts to strip in front of him and then gets on the bed, where she starts to take off his underwear without his consent. Because he makes it difficult for her to take off his underwear she just leaves to get a fucking scissor and then proceeds to cut off his underwear, WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. AND THEN SHE FUCKING STARTS TO GIVE HIM A HALF HANDJOB/BLOWJOB?!?!? It isn't until she's been touching him for a while that she asks him if he really wants her to stop?!?!?! If that isn't sexual assault i don't know what it is. The man is tied to the headboard of the bed and he can't do anything but watch and ask her to stop, which he does multiple times in case you're wondering. I felt so uncomfortable reading that scene. Like she just couldn't take no for an answer.
She also has a habit of going to the other brothers room in the middle of the night and after going to his room two nights in a row, where she gave him a blowjob, which she btw also kinda forced on him, she tries to go to his room again the night after. So the third night in a row, even though he's also tried to reject her. But i guess he knew she would seek him out again because he fucking locked his door so she couldn't get into his room that night. When she tried to go to his room and realises this, she once again feels this crushing rejection and hurt and i just wanted to knock her teeth out. Like HOW can she not be embarrassed over herself??!?! She is so immature, naive and desperat it's even embarrassing to read.
The ONLY thing that could make me give this book a higher rating would be if the book ended with Jasmine going to prison for sexual assault. She 100% deserves jailtime.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2020
Yikes. There were a lot of parts of this book that just made me cringe, and after a certain number of those it's just hard to have any fun.
The writing seemed to treat the main female character as the protagonist but the perspective would often just float away to the male leads for no apparent reason.
The three leads were interesting, but the character of Carmen was really awfully written. She's a Mexican-American housekeeper, cook, and surrogate mother who uses a handful of Spanish words over and over and over while seemingly having no life outside this creepy little family. She frets over everyone and just keeps saying that the female character, Jasmine, is like her own child. It's painful that this character has been given nothing besides her job, which is service to these white people.
There's a scene with surprise and nonconsensual sex/bondage that just all works out because this is how adults negotiate sex and boundaries, apparently, with the kicker being that the local sheriff is the one who supplied his own handcuffs for the job.
There are miles of back and forth over ironing out how Jasmine is going to make a polyamorous relationship work (with two brothers!) but again almost none of this is done via reasonable conversations but is instead handled by having Jasmine approach them individually for sex and then get frustrated or completely Bella Swan self-destructive when they're not all at her level from the jump.
Honestly, there's more. A backstory of sexual exploitation that was shocking but not really thoughtful, entirely too much angst, creepy protective guys who are also A-okay with having sex with a girl who is dehydrated, possibly concussed, and drunk? Yi-i-i-i-ikes.
The writing seemed to treat the main female character as the protagonist but the perspective would often just float away to the male leads for no apparent reason.
The three leads were interesting, but the character of Carmen was really awfully written. She's a Mexican-American housekeeper, cook, and surrogate mother who uses a handful of Spanish words over and over and over while seemingly having no life outside this creepy little family. She frets over everyone and just keeps saying that the female character, Jasmine, is like her own child. It's painful that this character has been given nothing besides her job, which is service to these white people.
There's a scene with surprise and nonconsensual sex/bondage that just all works out because this is how adults negotiate sex and boundaries, apparently, with the kicker being that the local sheriff is the one who supplied his own handcuffs for the job.
There are miles of back and forth over ironing out how Jasmine is going to make a polyamorous relationship work (with two brothers!) but again almost none of this is done via reasonable conversations but is instead handled by having Jasmine approach them individually for sex and then get frustrated or completely Bella Swan self-destructive when they're not all at her level from the jump.
Honestly, there's more. A backstory of sexual exploitation that was shocking but not really thoughtful, entirely too much angst, creepy protective guys who are also A-okay with having sex with a girl who is dehydrated, possibly concussed, and drunk? Yi-i-i-i-ikes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2019
One of my all time favorites of Maya Banks (aka Sharon Long-a pen name she uses). While this probably isn’t her best quality of work and had a few minor editing errors in this version(there are updated versions of this ebook, but I like the cover better than the cover with that headdress thing on it). Anyway, I’ve read this book several times over the yrs, according to good reads when I went to change the date started, it said 2011, I had obviously not put down I completed it. Over the yrs rereading it I still get that feel of anticipation...it still draws tears as my emotions are tugged in the heart wrenching parts... as I said, I do enjoy this cover better than current, up to date cover. It is a ménage trios romance, MFM.
*Spoiler Alert** following may contain some spoilers but none to reveal the plot twists and turns.
Jasmine is a girl who cane to live with two brothers at age 16. She has loved them forever but they always felt the need to protect her and see her as a little sister. She had a very difficult past and was living on the street when the brothers, Zach and Seth met her and took her home to their ranch in Texas. At the time, Zane was 22 and Seth 26....flash forward 6yrs... Jasmine has left the ranch for a yr in Paris as she couldn’t stand living at the ranch when she was torn between the two hunky brothers. Zane, the Younger, sensitive, carefree rebel and Seth, who at 18, had to become a parent to Zane at 14...so Seth is always the responsible older brother...Zane has always been the brother she went to when scared...Seth was always standoffish. I think the contrast between the two brothers, helped feel different parts of Jasmine to help complete her wholly.
There’s Carmen, who’s an older Hispanic women who the brothers hired right after the brought Jaz home to the ranch to be a housekeeper/cook/chaperone/mother figure. This blend of characters creating a family works well with the dynamics. Then there’s J.T., the local sheriff and good friend of the family. I think it’s him in the next book in series, RECKLESS. I like his character as a supporting character quite well. Between Zane and Seth, I thought both heroes were great characters though Seth has a tough time, being the older responsible brother. Jasmine,I really didn’t care much for her as I did all the other characters. For a women of 22, who had lived on the streets from 15-16yrs of age, I found her immature, and needy. She wants to be a “woman” but still acts like a child many times. I find this a little irritating especially after she just finished living on her own for a yr in Paris, a foreign country. Well, anyway, Jasmine decides to return to the ranch and get them both to see her as a women, not the little girl he was when they found her(she was 16yrs old for heavens sake, not 12 when they brought her home. I get they were older and respectful but I can’t believe she changed much in her womanly figure between 21&22yrs old). She wants to have them both, and get them both to love her in return. She wants to have a ménage relationship like her friend in Paris has. The stories are the ups and downs of her attempts. Like I said, after rereading this book several times over the yrs, my emotions still go with the story and I find tears in my eyes in parts. This book does have steamy, descriptive sex scenes. Some may be bothered by a threesome...there’s some sexual aggression towards other in this book both make and female which may trigger some people.
**SPOILER ALERT** Do not go on if you don’t want to know anything about some scenes in book.
There’s more than one scene in which Jazmine is sexually aggressive and goes against what the males in the book would wish. To me, it’s all a dance between the three players...but to some, in this new #metoo world, some can consider it bordering on or as a type of sexual assault. I however don’t see it that way. I see some of it as reality in human relationships. More than once, Jaz enters one of the brothers rooms while they are sleeping. Zane sleeks nude. He tries to cover his private’s, Jaz removes covers. On Seth, she goes in one night while he is sleeping and slips handcuffs on him to headboard. Then she “seduces” him despite his multiple protests to let him go. As she gets closer, he has boxers on that are in the way,so she gets scissors to cut them off...all while Seth protests...he tries to cover himself, she doesn’t allow it. She then starts her physical assault by being intimate with his penis. Even though he desires her, he still said no and continuously objected. Like I said...some may be offended, and it may be a trigger for others, so be forewarned.
I feel also her “seduction” of Seth was immature and seemed like something a 16yr old would go rather than a 22yr old woman who has lived independently abroad for a yr. The games and turmoil she did were more of something I’d expect of a high schooler not a grown women who had lived in the same house with these men for 5yrs and known them 6. I’m still trying to figure out how she went from a gawky, gangling little girl at 21, to a women with curves at 22 that has the men drooling and tripping over themselves. Jasmine’s character also wasn’t really explored to much, neither were the men’s. But you get enough to make the story. It’s a pretty quick read. I read in maybe 2hrs? I still enjoy this book and will probably reread it again in a yr or do.
Maya Banks is an awesome writer. I have been a fan of hers for about 10yrs. She has written the colter series which also deals with some ménage relationships, she fights historical highland Romances which I just love!! I had just finished one last night and needed a shorter book to start reading before bed so I chose this one. Then there’s her KGI series that’s a military type romantic suspense revolving around the Kelly family. Some books in that series had a paranormal twist. She also wrote some paranormal Romances with shapeshifters in her early yrs. they were all good also. Not the caliber of her newer books(though I read the older versions) but still good. Also enjoyed book Seducing Simon, one of my all time favorites of hers, I prefer the firefighter cover rather than the flower cover. That book is a woman falls for one of her brothers best friends with complications. Stay with me, a ménage also one of my all time favorites. I find I read her books again and again. Haven’t found a book of hers I don’t like.
*Spoiler Alert** following may contain some spoilers but none to reveal the plot twists and turns.
Jasmine is a girl who cane to live with two brothers at age 16. She has loved them forever but they always felt the need to protect her and see her as a little sister. She had a very difficult past and was living on the street when the brothers, Zach and Seth met her and took her home to their ranch in Texas. At the time, Zane was 22 and Seth 26....flash forward 6yrs... Jasmine has left the ranch for a yr in Paris as she couldn’t stand living at the ranch when she was torn between the two hunky brothers. Zane, the Younger, sensitive, carefree rebel and Seth, who at 18, had to become a parent to Zane at 14...so Seth is always the responsible older brother...Zane has always been the brother she went to when scared...Seth was always standoffish. I think the contrast between the two brothers, helped feel different parts of Jasmine to help complete her wholly.
There’s Carmen, who’s an older Hispanic women who the brothers hired right after the brought Jaz home to the ranch to be a housekeeper/cook/chaperone/mother figure. This blend of characters creating a family works well with the dynamics. Then there’s J.T., the local sheriff and good friend of the family. I think it’s him in the next book in series, RECKLESS. I like his character as a supporting character quite well. Between Zane and Seth, I thought both heroes were great characters though Seth has a tough time, being the older responsible brother. Jasmine,I really didn’t care much for her as I did all the other characters. For a women of 22, who had lived on the streets from 15-16yrs of age, I found her immature, and needy. She wants to be a “woman” but still acts like a child many times. I find this a little irritating especially after she just finished living on her own for a yr in Paris, a foreign country. Well, anyway, Jasmine decides to return to the ranch and get them both to see her as a women, not the little girl he was when they found her(she was 16yrs old for heavens sake, not 12 when they brought her home. I get they were older and respectful but I can’t believe she changed much in her womanly figure between 21&22yrs old). She wants to have them both, and get them both to love her in return. She wants to have a ménage relationship like her friend in Paris has. The stories are the ups and downs of her attempts. Like I said, after rereading this book several times over the yrs, my emotions still go with the story and I find tears in my eyes in parts. This book does have steamy, descriptive sex scenes. Some may be bothered by a threesome...there’s some sexual aggression towards other in this book both make and female which may trigger some people.
**SPOILER ALERT** Do not go on if you don’t want to know anything about some scenes in book.
There’s more than one scene in which Jazmine is sexually aggressive and goes against what the males in the book would wish. To me, it’s all a dance between the three players...but to some, in this new #metoo world, some can consider it bordering on or as a type of sexual assault. I however don’t see it that way. I see some of it as reality in human relationships. More than once, Jaz enters one of the brothers rooms while they are sleeping. Zane sleeks nude. He tries to cover his private’s, Jaz removes covers. On Seth, she goes in one night while he is sleeping and slips handcuffs on him to headboard. Then she “seduces” him despite his multiple protests to let him go. As she gets closer, he has boxers on that are in the way,so she gets scissors to cut them off...all while Seth protests...he tries to cover himself, she doesn’t allow it. She then starts her physical assault by being intimate with his penis. Even though he desires her, he still said no and continuously objected. Like I said...some may be offended, and it may be a trigger for others, so be forewarned.
I feel also her “seduction” of Seth was immature and seemed like something a 16yr old would go rather than a 22yr old woman who has lived independently abroad for a yr. The games and turmoil she did were more of something I’d expect of a high schooler not a grown women who had lived in the same house with these men for 5yrs and known them 6. I’m still trying to figure out how she went from a gawky, gangling little girl at 21, to a women with curves at 22 that has the men drooling and tripping over themselves. Jasmine’s character also wasn’t really explored to much, neither were the men’s. But you get enough to make the story. It’s a pretty quick read. I read in maybe 2hrs? I still enjoy this book and will probably reread it again in a yr or do.
Maya Banks is an awesome writer. I have been a fan of hers for about 10yrs. She has written the colter series which also deals with some ménage relationships, she fights historical highland Romances which I just love!! I had just finished one last night and needed a shorter book to start reading before bed so I chose this one. Then there’s her KGI series that’s a military type romantic suspense revolving around the Kelly family. Some books in that series had a paranormal twist. She also wrote some paranormal Romances with shapeshifters in her early yrs. they were all good also. Not the caliber of her newer books(though I read the older versions) but still good. Also enjoyed book Seducing Simon, one of my all time favorites of hers, I prefer the firefighter cover rather than the flower cover. That book is a woman falls for one of her brothers best friends with complications. Stay with me, a ménage also one of my all time favorites. I find I read her books again and again. Haven’t found a book of hers I don’t like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2017
It was ok..good read, but just ok
I barely got through the book, but I'm no quitter..Jasmine irritated me to now end. There was a lot not explained and some parts were just annoying.
Jasmine has come home determined to make the two men she loves fall in love with her. Upon her return, Seth and Zane are faced with having her around again even though they both swear she's off limits. Can they make a triad work and find their HEA?
First off, Jasmine is coming home from Paris..why was she there? While there she met a woman who was in a triad and decided that she could make this work at home..so she comes home with her grand plan never having a conversation with either guy about her feelings, what she wants..hell what they want..she proceeds to try to make them see her as a woman but keeps doing childish things because she young an inexperienced..hence my irritation.
Then the age and timing seems a little creepy..she came to them at 16, has been with them for 6 years..until she left for Paris where she stayed a year. That would put her around 21,22..Zane around 28, and Seth around 22...if they loved her before she left, she was mighty young..not illegal, but creepy..anywho, they finally figured it out after some time and work by all, but I have to say, I was happy the book ended.
It was a good read, but you have to have patience.
I barely got through the book, but I'm no quitter..Jasmine irritated me to now end. There was a lot not explained and some parts were just annoying.
Jasmine has come home determined to make the two men she loves fall in love with her. Upon her return, Seth and Zane are faced with having her around again even though they both swear she's off limits. Can they make a triad work and find their HEA?
First off, Jasmine is coming home from Paris..why was she there? While there she met a woman who was in a triad and decided that she could make this work at home..so she comes home with her grand plan never having a conversation with either guy about her feelings, what she wants..hell what they want..she proceeds to try to make them see her as a woman but keeps doing childish things because she young an inexperienced..hence my irritation.
Then the age and timing seems a little creepy..she came to them at 16, has been with them for 6 years..until she left for Paris where she stayed a year. That would put her around 21,22..Zane around 28, and Seth around 22...if they loved her before she left, she was mighty young..not illegal, but creepy..anywho, they finally figured it out after some time and work by all, but I have to say, I was happy the book ended.
It was a good read, but you have to have patience.
August 11, 2019
If I could give this book negative stars I would. Woof.
TW: incest, rape
There wasn't really a plot, none of the characters were likable. One is a racist caricature of a Mexican woman, who apparently only says the word niña in Spanish, and the bratty little white girl constantly calls her "mamacita" literally any scene between the two of them is littered with these words in case you forget that Carmen is Mexican. God I wish I were joking.
The worst part is the INCEST?! 1) Emotional incest because the two men the MC wants to get it on with are emotional brother/parent stand ins, which is just weird. 2) THE TWO MEN ARE BROTHERS!!
Why? WHy??? why???
Do their dicks touch? No. Is it still wildly uncomfortable? Yes. I would have been okay with some poly solution where she dates both brothers, but having a sexual thing with siblings??? FLaiof bleh
The cherry on this godawful sundae is the rape scene. Not called a rape scene because it's a man getting handcuffed, in his sleep! (Almost dnf at this scene). And then obviously saying "No". And then the MC keeps saying she "seduced" him. Honey, that's not seduction.
One Million Yikes
TW: incest, rape
There wasn't really a plot, none of the characters were likable. One is a racist caricature of a Mexican woman, who apparently only says the word niña in Spanish, and the bratty little white girl constantly calls her "mamacita" literally any scene between the two of them is littered with these words in case you forget that Carmen is Mexican. God I wish I were joking.
The worst part is the INCEST?! 1) Emotional incest because the two men the MC wants to get it on with are emotional brother/parent stand ins, which is just weird. 2) THE TWO MEN ARE BROTHERS!!
Why? WHy??? why???
Do their dicks touch? No. Is it still wildly uncomfortable? Yes. I would have been okay with some poly solution where she dates both brothers, but having a sexual thing with siblings??? FLaiof bleh
The cherry on this godawful sundae is the rape scene. Not called a rape scene because it's a man getting handcuffed, in his sleep! (Almost dnf at this scene). And then obviously saying "No". And then the MC keeps saying she "seduced" him. Honey, that's not seduction.
One Million Yikes
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