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Unexpected Emotion #1
Trusting Jack
After a devastating divorce, Emma is picking up the pieces of her shattered heart and life. Her first step is reclaiming her old job as personal assistant to famous actress Norah Jackson. Work takes her to London, where she meets sexy fledgling actor Jack Brandon. The sizzling attraction is immediate and mutual.
Little by little, Emma begins to open her heart again. But Jack has a past, too. And it's come back to haunt him, wreaking havoc on their budding romance. Can Emma let go of the hurt and learn to trust Jack completely? Or is their relationship doomed to be a one act play?
Little by little, Emma begins to open her heart again. But Jack has a past, too. And it's come back to haunt him, wreaking havoc on their budding romance. Can Emma let go of the hurt and learn to trust Jack completely? Or is their relationship doomed to be a one act play?
Unknown Binding
First published August 5, 2013
5 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Beth Hale
39 books93 followersBeth Hale writes about what she knows: strong, Southern women and the men who love them. She twines believable characters, realistic circumstances, and heart-felt emotions together to create sassy, sexy contemporary romances. She draws inspiration from the every day life problems we all face, and expands them into vivid, interesting, hard-to-put-down stories.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 18, 2013
Trusting Jack is a wonderful book. You start out feeling sorry for Emma but by the end of the book, you're cheering her on. Jack is a good man with a ex girlfriend from hell. It was well written and very entertaining. I want to see more, I would love to see James (Jack's friend) fall in love. Ms. Hale did a great job with her first novel. I'll read more by this author!!
April 12, 2017
In Beth Hale’s book Trusting Jack, the author has created characters so realistic they practically walk out of the pages. From the first chapter where Emma Payne is betrayed by her cheating husband Ryan, I liked her character. Although she was devastated by his infidelity and subsequent abandonment, she takes steps to pull herself together and move forward with her life. Supported by her gay friend Chris and encouraged by her mother she returns to the job she had before marrying Ryan; assistant to world-famous actress Norah Jackson.
Traveling to Europe with the actress for the filming of a “period drama” Emma, a history buff, is thrilled. Once in London, the women have the opportunity to enjoy the city for a few days before the filming begins. After a flurry of shopping, they go to a local popular dance club in the evening and fortuitously run into James Wyley and Jack Brandon. It turns out Jack is also starring in the movie and James is his best friend. Jack, an Englishman, is instantly attracted to the girl from the American South. While James flirts shamelessly with Emma he notices Jack’s interest and volunteers to step aside should the actor want to pursue her.
Emma may be attracted to Jack but her recent pain makes her wary of entering into any kind of relationship. What she doesn’t know is that Jack himself has had a recent romantic breakup and he is also cautious.
The story flows beautifully as the relationship between Emma and Jack grows more serious. Behind the scenes, Marcus Reynolds, want to be actor and assistant to starring actor Roger Agnew, lusts after Emma. She is unimpressed with him and deflects his very forward advances. In spite of this, he continues to believe she will eventually give in to him.
This is very much a character driven book. The relationships between all the characters are well defined and develop in a realistic manner. Hale does a great job of dialogue, keeping Emma true to her Mississippi roots with occasional lapses into Southern dialect. Meanwhile, all the British characters also use phrases and terms that are common in England. This sets yet another realistic tone to the story.
I found this book to be an enjoyable and well written romantic story. While Hale does kick it up a notch toward the very end with an unexpected violent act, it is smooth and transitions comfortably. I highly recommend it to readers who like a solid love story with a fulfilling if somewhat surprising end. It’s a pleasure to award Trusting Jack a Gold Bookworm.
Traveling to Europe with the actress for the filming of a “period drama” Emma, a history buff, is thrilled. Once in London, the women have the opportunity to enjoy the city for a few days before the filming begins. After a flurry of shopping, they go to a local popular dance club in the evening and fortuitously run into James Wyley and Jack Brandon. It turns out Jack is also starring in the movie and James is his best friend. Jack, an Englishman, is instantly attracted to the girl from the American South. While James flirts shamelessly with Emma he notices Jack’s interest and volunteers to step aside should the actor want to pursue her.
Emma may be attracted to Jack but her recent pain makes her wary of entering into any kind of relationship. What she doesn’t know is that Jack himself has had a recent romantic breakup and he is also cautious.
The story flows beautifully as the relationship between Emma and Jack grows more serious. Behind the scenes, Marcus Reynolds, want to be actor and assistant to starring actor Roger Agnew, lusts after Emma. She is unimpressed with him and deflects his very forward advances. In spite of this, he continues to believe she will eventually give in to him.
This is very much a character driven book. The relationships between all the characters are well defined and develop in a realistic manner. Hale does a great job of dialogue, keeping Emma true to her Mississippi roots with occasional lapses into Southern dialect. Meanwhile, all the British characters also use phrases and terms that are common in England. This sets yet another realistic tone to the story.
I found this book to be an enjoyable and well written romantic story. While Hale does kick it up a notch toward the very end with an unexpected violent act, it is smooth and transitions comfortably. I highly recommend it to readers who like a solid love story with a fulfilling if somewhat surprising end. It’s a pleasure to award Trusting Jack a Gold Bookworm.
October 28, 2015
I don’t know why but I find something special when I read a romance novel where love is found, lost and found again. While losing a loved one is bad enough when he/she dies from an illness or having their life snuffed out due to an accident or even worse at the hand of someone else; having it happen through divorce results in a devastating, traumatic effect on the individual.
I loved how Ms. Hale wasted no time in getting to the apparent reason for emotional split between Emma and Ryan which culminated in their getting a divorce; both had made a mistake in their rushing to be married.
Naturally, after this Emma wanted to get her life back to the way it was, and to the job she once had in the movie industry before she’d entered this dismal period in her existence. Soon after she rejoined actress Norah Jackson as her personal assistant, she meets Jack Brandon who’s a sexy, young, inexperienced actor.
Although each had a kismet-like attraction to each other the moment they first met, each carries baggage from a previous love affair they once had. Both Emma and Jack are hesitant in allowing themselves to experience the kind of love they’re both seeking, which in turn creates them having an almost rollercoaster-like relationship.
Does their relationship in the happy ever after? I’m not going to say as I’d like you to share the emotions I’d experienced in reading this book. The story is well-developed without any of the sex scenes you might expect, which is why I’ve given Ms. Hale 5 STARS.
I loved how Ms. Hale wasted no time in getting to the apparent reason for emotional split between Emma and Ryan which culminated in their getting a divorce; both had made a mistake in their rushing to be married.
Naturally, after this Emma wanted to get her life back to the way it was, and to the job she once had in the movie industry before she’d entered this dismal period in her existence. Soon after she rejoined actress Norah Jackson as her personal assistant, she meets Jack Brandon who’s a sexy, young, inexperienced actor.
Although each had a kismet-like attraction to each other the moment they first met, each carries baggage from a previous love affair they once had. Both Emma and Jack are hesitant in allowing themselves to experience the kind of love they’re both seeking, which in turn creates them having an almost rollercoaster-like relationship.
Does their relationship in the happy ever after? I’m not going to say as I’d like you to share the emotions I’d experienced in reading this book. The story is well-developed without any of the sex scenes you might expect, which is why I’ve given Ms. Hale 5 STARS.
May 17, 2015
This is a tender story with so much heart in it that it overflows as each chapter merges into the next. Beth had me hooked from the beginning of the story, as Emma was cast aside by Ryan without a hint of compassion. The platonic love between her and Chris was like siblings and the coziness between the two of them was like a warm blanket in front of the fire on a autumn day. As the story went on, I felt I was there with Emma as she took on the world with new strength and determination. When Jack entered the story I found a new story emerge and the stage was set for endless possibilities for the young woman from Mississippi as she took on London and their relationship blossomed and transformed into what I wanted to happen for her. There is a sexiness to it as well, but I found that she had balanced it out well with rest of the story. Also I enjoyed the friendship between Emma and her assistant Norah as it matured from a working relationship into a close friendship. Well written Beth, and most enjoyable!
June 28, 2014
I don't think I've read a romance book since I was a teenager and that is a long time ago, and I pick this up because Beth and I belong to the same writers group. Having said that I paid for my copy and the writers group is virtual so I have never met Beth and don't feel the need to give a complimentary review that is not deserved.
But a complementary review is what I will give because it is deserved.
Emma comes out of a mentally abusive marriage and is just getting back on an even keel when she meets Jack. Being a romance book I expected there to be a hiccup to their blossoming romance and I thought I knew what it would be, but I was wrong. The story is well written, there are a couple of unexpected twists and you really are rooting for Emma and Jack to make it through.
A great read and I will be recommending this book to others.
But a complementary review is what I will give because it is deserved.
Emma comes out of a mentally abusive marriage and is just getting back on an even keel when she meets Jack. Being a romance book I expected there to be a hiccup to their blossoming romance and I thought I knew what it would be, but I was wrong. The story is well written, there are a couple of unexpected twists and you really are rooting for Emma and Jack to make it through.
A great read and I will be recommending this book to others.
January 7, 2015
Sweet love story and very relatable characters
Verified Purchase
This review is from: Trusting Jack (Unexpected Emotion Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
This particular love story had twists and turns that I definitely did not expect, especially toward the end. The characters were easily pictured in my mind and their personalities were infectious. Without a doubt, you knew who to root for. At times it was a little slow-developing in the story line but definitely made up for it toward the end. The author did a great job on her first novel. I will be waiting for her subsequent titles to be released.
Verified Purchase
This review is from: Trusting Jack (Unexpected Emotion Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
This particular love story had twists and turns that I definitely did not expect, especially toward the end. The characters were easily pictured in my mind and their personalities were infectious. Without a doubt, you knew who to root for. At times it was a little slow-developing in the story line but definitely made up for it toward the end. The author did a great job on her first novel. I will be waiting for her subsequent titles to be released.
November 17, 2013
I really liked this book. Emma could be stubborn and a little whiney at times, but overall it was a solid read. And she has her reasons, I guess, to act that way. All in all, the book was really good. It moved along at a good pace and I kept wondering what would happen next. I liked the humor in it and it had some well written love scenes (nothing too graphic). I would recommend to people who enjoy light romance books. For a first book, she did great.
February 6, 2017
A Passionate Love Story
Fighting through the pain of divorce, as well as, mental abuse, Emma has a second chance at love. Naturally, she has trust issues that creates a barrier. Jack shows her what true love is, the kind that slowly chips away at the barrier until it is no more.
This is a heartfelt story of finding love again after a deep heartbreak. It begins with a passion between Jack and Emma that leads to the truest kind of love.
May 19, 2015
I enjoyed the story from beginning to end. I liked Emma's spunk and Jack's persistence. The story flowed well except I found myself having to go back and reread portions - a break of some kind in between thoughts or scene changes would fix that - it gives a pause to let you know that something different is happening, or we are reading someone else's POV.
I would read more by this author!
I would read more by this author!
September 27, 2013
284 pages
Both Jack and Emma bring some serious trust issues to the table. Unable to deny their attraction and just as they’re leaping off into the great unknown Jack’s past comes calling and Emma’s insecurities resurface.
A light entertaining read.
August 3, 2016
This is a great book. The plot is fast paced, the characters are fun and you can symathize with them, and I enjoyed the historical and humorous touches. The spelling and grammer are excellent. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 6, 2014
I thought this was a wonderful first book by a promising new author. I laughed out loud, I rooted for Emma and Jack, and fell a little in love with James. The plot flowed well and the characters were all believable.
January 17, 2014
sweet romance about second chances. very well done for a first book
February 28, 2014
I loved this book. I stayed up to 2 am just because I had to know how it ends. Such a good book.
May 15, 2014
The story plot overall was good and I enjoyed all the characters. There is some grammar problems, but you get the gest of it. This should not deter you from this story
December 31, 2014
Beth Hale's Trusting Jack is a light, fun romance--well worth the read!
January 17, 2017
Awesome read! :)
thanks for writing! <3
thanks for writing! <3
January 1, 2014
Very nice love story about second chances!
May 11, 2016
Trusting Jack is a passionate tale of healing after betrayal. Emma loved once, or thought she did at least, and then was not only betrayed but condemned by her own husband, Ryan. She was left broken. After she hid away from life. When she decides to take her life back and live as her heart longs to, she meets Jack. He is as opposite to Ryan as day is to night. She still questions whether its real. Can he truly like her for who she is? Is that possible? What if the past is repeating itself? There is a point when Sarah comes back on the scene that she thinks it is repeating. What if Ryan's critique of her is what is real? Just when she thinks she understands-- disaster does strike.
This was a wonderful romantic tale. It was right up my alley. There is a little danger in the story and a lot of Emma second guessing herself, but she is sourronded by good people now. The battle is not only if she can trust Jack, but what about Norah and Chris? Her actress boss and her best friend have so much love for her, but she still has Ryan's voice in her head. In the story Emma's battle is learning to trust and allowing her heart to heal and the lies she was told to fall away off her shoulders. When the past seems to be repeating itself will she hide again? Or stay and refuse to give up what she loves?
It was not just a category romance, but dealt with a woman who was scarred by an emotionally abusive husband. It has to do with her healing as much as finding love, and yet it's light and fun. There are scenes that made me laugh! Sometimes Emma's critique of herself made me want to cry. I have been where she is and had to dig my way out unsure who I could trust or even at times who I wanted to be. The title is perfect. The story is perfect.
This is a book I would recommend to romance readers that want something that's a little deeper than the typical category romance. I really loved Trusting Jack and I am certain many others will too!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews