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Holding You #1

Holding You

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Author's note: HOLDING YOU is book 1 out of 2 (not a standalone). It contains explicit language and sexual content.

Deep breath … I am peaceful, I am strong.

Free-spirited Addy Brecken is Milwaukee’s most talented vegan chef and co-owner of Sage Leaf Café. She has a genius IQ, a padded savings account, an amazing view of Lake Michigan, and a heart that won’t stop beating.

Deep breath … I am peaceful, I am strong.

An early April morning finds her drowning in the seductive fragrance of lilacs and the warmth of the morning sun when she’s nearly hit by a car in front of her café. The peaceful existence she’s desperately tried to maintain after the horrific loss of her family is suddenly shaken by the Range Rover driving, arrogant, sex-on-legs Quinn Cohen.

Deep breath … I am peaceful, I am strong.

A successful, Latino businessman from New York, Quinn has a taste for the finer things in life. A typical playboy, he has the money, the houses, the cars, and the women. Quinn is everything Addy avoids. Where she lives simply and prefers to help the less fortunate, he has no problem spending an obscene amount of money on a briefcase. Their opposite personalities lend to several heated encounters, and Addy finds herself propositioning Quinn for the one thing she never imagined needing … sex.

Offering only her body, Addy tries to keep Quinn at a safe distance from her heart and a world away from her past. Their passion-filled connection makes Addy feel something unfamiliar, alive. But with passion comes more feelings: anger, jealousy, love. When Addy surrenders to the unimaginable and lets go of her past, she’s faced with the impossible … holding on to her future.

Deep breath … I am peaceful, I am strong.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2014

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4528 people want to read

About the author

Jewel E. Ann

55 books10.5k followers
Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.

Her newest release is I Thought of You, a contemporary romance/women's fiction.

Upcoming Projects: Sunday Morning, book 1 in the Sunday Morning Series coming in Sept. 2024.
Stay in the loop by subscribing to her newsletter!—> Sign up here!






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5 stars
1,534 (41%)
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113 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
Profile Image for Malene.
1,341 reviews758 followers
December 18, 2016
I still need answers to Addy's past and how this book ended confirmed my suspicions. This was one roller coaster ride of emotions between Addy and Quinn. Their chemistry is off the charts!! I enjoyed how Addy kept surprising me with who she was as a person.
She's definitely experienced losses in her life and how she picked herself up was strong. Quinn's family was fantastic especially his mother Elena. Her friendship with her bestie Mac is extraordinary. I love these two ladies together. Unconditional support. I'm still a little nervous about his history with Olivia. It ended with a cliffy and I can't wait to finish this duet!

4 BadAssDirtyLatinGodStars
Profile Image for Duchess Nicole.
1,275 reviews1,580 followers
September 8, 2015
Not as much a fave as Undeniably You but still okay. This had a great storyline, but it dragged on for a little too long, and the sex scenes were beyond redundant. Upwards of twenty or more, no exaggeration. I know a lot of my hussy friends like that, but for me sometimes less is more :D :D :D A definite cliffie on the ending. Huge. So be prepared. I liked how the heroine was very different with regards to her lifestyle, but it got to be waaaay overdone. We know, we know...she's vegan, she's compassionate, she's rich but lives poor, she's vegan, she gives to charities, she's utterly quirky and cute...and oh, yeah...she's vegan. Vegan. Ve-gan!

Still, I moved right on to the next book. I'm trying to understand why in the world she's keeping her past such a secret from Quinny the sexy Latin Lover.
21 reviews
August 28, 2014
Hmmmmm, ok so I seem to be in the minority here but I really didn't care for this book. Let me explain.....

There were parts of this book that were brilliant and beautiful but the horrible parts greatly outweighed the beautiful parts.

Addy was a strong self sufficient woman who had one hell of a past (something you won't get the full version of until well into the 2nd book, which I enjoyed much more by the way) She was independent and caring and a genius.

Quinn was a rich, sexy as hell playboy that was dealing with his own personal baggage.

Although both characters had dealt with a great amount of pain in their pasts as the reader I felt very disconnected. I wasn't sure where either one of them were emotionally and what I was reading about them contradicted with what they were doing.

They meet in the "really that's kind of cheesy way" as Addy is twirling around in the street and Quinn almost runs her over. Long story short they run into each other by chance again and end up in the bed.....shocker. He leaves the next morning after leaving a rather hurtful note.....another shocker. This is where it gets to be too much for me. I was confused with Addy's character. I had viewed her as a strong, smart, independent woman but she allowed Quinn to walk ALL over her....not just once....or twice.....or three times....or four....you get the point yet? It was OVER AND OVER AGAIN! How many times does a man have to sleep with another woman before you leave his lying, cheating, no good rear? ONCE! That would be it for me. I was FURIOUS with Quinn the entire book and even more so with Addy for being so pathetic.

The sex scenes where not well written and parts of the dialogue screamed Fifty Shades of Grey....which worked well for Fifty Shades but not here. Quinn just couldn't quite pull off the Mr. Grey. I ended up skimming over most of those parts.

I almost put it on the DNF shelf but decided to read the entire thing so I could write an honest review.....what happens at the end you ask? You're left with a cliffhanger (literally!) and are forced to read the 2nd book to find out how it ends.

This just didn't work for me. I will say the 2nd book was better.
August 28, 2019
3.5-4 ⭐'s

“Never goodbye.”

For the most part, I really enjoy Jewel E. Ann's books and I have no idea how this duet slipped on by.

Adler (aka Addy) is a tree hugging vegan and all that implies. She's taken some hard hits but we don't find out all the details for a while. She's been trying to go on living for the last seven years.

Luckily, she has her best friend, Mac, helping her and standing by her side. They also run a vegan cafe together.

One day, Quinn literally almost runs Addy down. They exchange a few words and that seems to be it until fate has other plans and keeps throwing them together.

They are both very interested but he lives in New York and she lives in Milwaukee. They don't even consider it working but fate keeps stepping in.

Addy doesn't want to reveal her past so they keep things in the present in a non-monogamous friends with benefits type relationship. The problem is that there is no one else for Addy...Quinn is a whole other story. Enter angst!

And I loved that angst...and as always I wish there was more or just more development of it. The main problem I had was all the sex...ugh. It was just too much and too repetitive. And the story was too one sided by not having Quinn's POV.

The ending was a killer. Luckily, I didn't have to sit around and wait for the next book to come out.
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,612 reviews109 followers
August 23, 2016
I am so glad I read the Jack and Jill series before I picked this one up. I loved the Jack and Jill series. I can't believe that the author who wrote Jack and Jill wrote this. If I read this, I would never read another book by the author.

WARNING:

The rest has some spoilers.


I am not sure if what Quinten was doing was cheating at first since Quinten and Addy said that they would keep it "acquaintances with benefits". Also, Quinten said he never had a relationship longer than 6 weeks, but he was seeing his sister's friend every time Addy and he were apart. They were apart more than together. Also Quinten would go weeks/months without contacting Addy. When Addy found out and confronted him about Eden, I thought Quinten was more upset that Eden (I think the ex's name was) was gone than Addy being upset. It just felt wrong after awhile that every time Addy and Quinten were apart, Quinten sought companionship with other women taking them out and having sex with them. In the beginning, I would understand him having sex with OW, but it happened through most of the story. It happened more than it didn't.

There were too many sex scenes. There were more sex scenes than story.

Addy's BFF, Mac, annoyed me. I felt she was just jealous of Addy.

Addy and her lifestyle became too much. She was also a hypocrite. If Addy was so careful about what she put in her body then why was she okay with having unprotected sex with Quinten when he was still having sex with other women?? AIDS and other STDs!!!!

I did not really feel the "love" between these two. I love ex drama, but I have to believe that the hero LOVES the heroine with everything before I can deal with ex-lover/girlfriend drama. I did not feel that here.

I love cliffys, but I needed it to be something that showed how much Quinten loved Addy, not the other way around. I won't be reading book 2.

This may work for you, but it did not work for me.
Profile Image for Christie«SHBBblogger».
988 reviews1,303 followers
April 22, 2014


Title:Holding You
Series: Holding You #1
Author:Jewel E. Ann
Release Date: February 21, 2014
Rating:3 stars
Cliffhanger:Yes
HEA:



3 Never Goodbye stars

This man had taken a piece of me that I couldn't live without. Our love felt beautiful, vital, and sometimes toxic.

That quote right there says it all. Their relationship is a bag full of mixed emotions and transitions from healthy to unhealthy from one minute to the next. This book really had so much going for it, I was thoroughly enjoying the first part and had a strong feeling that it was going to be a big success for me. I loved the heroine's interesting character traits. I loved the Hero's slightly mysterious vibe and his Spanish/Brazilian heritage. But as their relationship developed, I liked their actions less and less and it was filled with bad choices and drama. This is just not the type of relationship that I care to read but many would still enjoy it. It's wonderfully written with great humor and intriguing sexy characters but there was much I could've done without.

Our heroine: Adler



There was so much to love about Addy. She's a genius with a photographic memory but she doesn't like to make it known that she got accepted to every Ivy League school out there and could've had her pick. She's a gifted musician who can play just about any instrument, she's a self-taught vegan chef (and practicing vegan), she's into yoga, healthy living, an activist, volunteers for the homeless…this girl's got it going on. Another big trait I loved was that she's extremely wealthy, but she doesn't flaunt it and lives very modestly. She doesn't believe in consumerism and overindulgence. With all this going for her, she's just a fragile girl trying to re-establish her life after tragedy took everyone she loved away from her. She pushes men away and doesn't like to get close to anyone. She's still in pain, but she's valiantly trying to move on and make a happy life. She works as the chef in her vegan restaurant and spends time with her best friend Mac. And to top it all off, she ranks dark chocolate on the same level as oxygen-necessary for her existence. Well, that sold me right there.


Our Hero: Quinn



Quinn is your typical womanizer, sexy spanish speaking, dark haired businessman who is also wealthy but he likes to live extravagantly. He has an over-the-top NYC apartment, Land Rover, and lots of overpriced items that Addy takes him to task for. They don't have a whole lot in common, in fact, they're quite opposite in their lifestyles, but from the minute they meet, have an undeniable and unwanted attraction.



He's never wanted or pursued intimacy with a woman, but for the first time, he's drawn to a woman and the tables are turned on him. She doesn't want anything other than sex and though he tells her that this is ideal, his actions show the opposite.

"Why do you do that? he asked with a tenderness to his voice I'd never heard.
"Do what?" I whispered, still not looking at him. Using one finger, he tilted my chin up demanding my eyes on him again.
"That. You look away like you're more insecure about me looking in your eyes than at your naked body."


He wants more than she's able to give-emotionally, she's scarred and unable to share anything about her past and he has an uphill battle getting her to give him any little piece of herself.

Don't you get it? I'd lay the fucking world at your feet if you just asked me! But not you, Addy, you just want sex with no strings attached."

Her growing feelings are her biggest struggle. After all her loss, could she dare to bare her heart to another person? Could she leave herself vulnerable and open for more heartache? Quinn doesn't have a good track record with women, but he's shown her in several ways that she's becoming everything to him.

Mac was right, he might be on the other side of my proverbial mountain, but most of the time it felt like he was at the bottom of a steep cliff that I was standing atop. Would he catch me if I jumped?"



Their connection was there-and when they finally admitted their true feelings I was thrilled and hoping for a progression into a more natural relationship. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts. I definitely had no complaints in that area. That was one thing they got right from beginning to end. But that's not enough to hold two people together forever.



Their love story is filled with lots of ups and downs and I was rooting for them to get it right. As much as Quinn clearly cares about her, he makes the decision to date other people when she demands sex only and I didn't like that. Yes, she told him he was free to do it, but if he truly had feelings for her, he wouldn't do it. He knew there was something in her past that caused her inability to label them in a relationship but she was clearly emotionally involved whether she admitted it or not. He repeatedly hurts her and she hurts him by not letting him in. They go on a crazy journey of bad choices until I was ready for them to either give up or get the hell with the program.

I want to rate this higher because of all the great things in this book, but Addy and Quinn's relationship was too toxic for me. The drama was excessive and frustrating and disappointing. But, if you're big on angst this may be just the book for you. They were great characters with flaws that while making them more human, less likable to me. While I didn't care for many aspects of this book, there were mainly 4 and 5 stars reviews out so I could be the minority here. The next book is out, and even though this ended in a huge cliffhanger, I think I'm going to jump off this roller coaster ride early.

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Profile Image for Chan.
793 reviews51 followers
August 7, 2020
Mixed Feelings

Adler Brecken is a rich, genius, tree hugging, humanitarian. She meets Quinten Cohen, an elaborate, sexy, rich businessman. They are complete opposites. Addy wants to save the animals; Quinn wants them as thousand-dollar rugs on his marble floors. Nevertheless, there is a deep attraction that they can’t ignore. Addy has to decide about moving beyond her traumatic past and Quinn has to decide whether or not to forgive his past and let go of the women.

Book 1 alludes to Adler Brecken’s traumatic past. Jewel gives us bits and pieces, but it’s clear that there is a lot of death involved.

I’m a Jewel E. Ann fan, but there were more moments in this books that I disliked more than I enjoyed. The parts that moved me, really moved me…like deep. Even some of the quotes at the beginning of the chapters made me pause and reflect.

The connection between Addy and Quinn was palpable at times. The emotion written into Addy’s pain was real, I felt it. The desperation of their wanting more out of life than the way they were living prior to meeting each other was beautifully scripted.

I don’t want to go into my issues with the book because detailing it will take away from the story, but two items that won’t be considered spoilers are 1) Sex and 2) Unicornness (is that a word? Probably not, but I couldn’t think of anything else that would fit).

1) There was toooooo much sex. I’m not used to this from Ann. I’m not saying they weren’t written well because Ann is an amazing writer, but the amount of sex took away from the story.

2) I was sick and tired of hearing about Addy’s uniqueness. How many times do we have to hear she is vegan, she saves animals, she saves the earth, she is a genius, she is vegan, she plays every instrument, she is vegan, she is a prodigy, she creates her own vegan meals, she feeds the homeless, she was accepted into every school she applied to, did I mention she’s vegan. Come on! It came off as she was being judgmental of those who didn’t follow her lifestyle.

The book ended on a cliffy, literally and I will read the next one, but this not a Jewel E Ann favorite of mine.
Profile Image for Mizz.
1,074 reviews395 followers
February 2, 2016
First impressions count

When a heroine is introduced to me with a list of everything that is perfect and great about her...it's a complete turnoff. I want to be able to relate to her and be her friend but I can't if all she tells me is:

1) I have a trim figure because I do yoga and get up every morning at 5am to go for a 30 minute walk
2) I am a vegan and own an award winning restaurant where its harder to get employed than to get into an ivy league college
3) I volunteer and provide for the less fortunate
4) I am so connected with nature that it is both a curse and a blessing



Me:

Profile Image for Dianne.
6,815 reviews631 followers
June 19, 2014
Get ready to reach for the tissues, grab the ice water, pick up some oven mitts and keep a fire extinguisher handy, because Holding You by Jewel E. Ann is one of those gems that shines like fiery diamond, smolders with sensual heat, and may fry your mental viewing screen as it worms its way into your heart!

Addy is a brilliant, free spirit for whom life means giving of yourself, and never turning your back on a cause. She is also shattered, raw and broken, but the events that shredded her are her secrets to keep. With loyal friends and a simple lifestyle that belies her massive bank account, Addy is the kind of woman we would all like to be, strong and independent, dancing to the beat of her own drum and finding joy in the simple things in life.

Quinn is an uptight corporate head, worth millions, who enjoys all that money can buy, never once apologizing for his lavish lifestyle. He is a darkly handsome, self-assured, womanizer who takes what he wants, when he wants it. But Quinn also has a painful past that he hides from others.

Like oil and water, their first meeting is less than spectacular, and their second meeting wasn’t any better. But these two simmering volcanoes are just waiting to explode, they complete each other. Agreeing to be friends with great benefits, they are able to avoid revealing their pasts, until love steps in, bringing joy, heartbreak and trust issues to the forefront.

Jewel E. Ann guides us through this love story like a pro. Filled with humor, fabulous characters and a beautiful tale of love and need,she tops it all off with flaming hot sex.Addy is one of the most wonderful characters ever, quirky, funny, and daring, there is no way one cannot just fall in love with her. I must admit, Quinn was sometimes over-the-top arrogant and possessive, especially as he is most definitely no angel, but as his story unfolds, his attitude becomes a little more understandable, okay, some of his attitude. Well told, slightly dark and very erotic,Jewel E. Ann makes their journey far from being smooth sailing for either of them.

I received this copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Holding You - Book 1
Publication Date: February 19, 2014
Publisher: Jewel E. Ann
ISBN: 0991310632
Genre: Adult Romantic Erotica
Print Length: 404 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Profile Image for Jennifer ♛Jenna♛.
64 reviews29 followers
March 17, 2014

This book was a lot different then what I expected when I started reading it; it was definitely better. Addy and Quinn are complete opposites but their chemistry is undeniable. From the very first moment they meet you can feel the instant attraction ignite on the pages.

Addy is a certified genius, vegan, philanthropist who could care less about money and materialistic things.

While, Quinn is a successful businessman who lives to make money and only gives to charity when there is something in it for him. He is also a bit of a womanizer and admits that his longest relationship was 6 weeks.

Addy and Quinn have a way of bringing out the best in each other when they are together. Addy tries to show Quinn that material things aren't going to make him happy. While, Quinn allows Addy to loosen up and forget all about her inhibitions. Addy isn't really up for a serious relationship thanks to her tragic past so she proposes an acquaintance with benefits Quinn agrees. But, both don't realize the impact that the other will have on their life in the process.

*Cliffhanger Alert*
I can't wait for the next book because although we learn a lot about Addy and Quinn there are still secrets from Addy's past that haven't been completely revealed.
Profile Image for Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁.
575 reviews342 followers
January 4, 2018
***** 4 Stars *****

This series is absolutely lovely.

A quirky vegetarian with a painful past.

A wealthy playboy afraid to commit.

Sounds cliche... but wait until you read it with Jewel E. Ann's special dust of romance.


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Profile Image for Natalie  ~ The Biblioholic.
2,713 reviews1,419 followers
January 2, 2016
“Our love felt beautiful, vital, and sometimes toxic.”

That quote sums up this book for me. Addy was trying to cope with the tragedy of her past and Quinn wanted to be man enough to help her. We get glimpses of what happened with Addy but I guess book 2 will contain the full reveal.

I liked Addy. She was spunky, kind, generous, smart, etc. She's a filthy rich vegan chef who owns her own vegan Cafe. Did I mention filthy rich? And she doesn't care about money except for how it could benefit the less fortunate. A truly remarkable character. More people should be like this! She had so many things going for her. And her support network (Mac and Evan) were amazing too. I'm glad there wasn't too much drama involved to convince her to make the switch from 'friends with benefits' to a real relationship with Quinn.

For the most part, it was hard to like Quinn. He was too cavalier in the way he handled their 'no strings' relationship. He basically flaunted what he was doing with other women but became a possessive jerk at the hint of anyone being interested in Addy. Damn hypocrite lol. I believe things went too far with Olivia. I think she should be killed off or something. She was horrific. Why couldn't she understand that what he had with Addy was only what she could dream of ever sharing with him??? I like that his title for her was 'distraction'. I think it was a fitting description.

Quinn's mother was incredible. I like how real she was and hope to see more of her in book 2. She seems to be a voice of reason.

My only issue was that I really wanted Addy to confess all to Quinn. I just feel that for a relationship to really work, everything needs to be out in the open. I understand her hesitance but there is a saying: Everything in darkness must surely come to light.

My fave quote:“The worst kind of pain is when you’re smiling just to stop the tears from falling.”

I felt like this is what best describes Addy. Fake it til you make it sweetheart. Time is the greatest healer.
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,934 reviews987 followers
August 18, 2020
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll keep repeating like a parrot Jewel can write NO wrong!!
Even when she started out, her earlier works are far ahead in feels and narration than veteran authors of now. Goes to show she's always been a master of churning literary fantasies.
Half a Duet done, fell in love with Quentin Cohen, obsessed over vegan & environmentalist Billionaire Adler Sage Brecken, got my heart broke, flew up on the wings of emotions and got thrown down on the rocks...Splat!!! All between the pages full of soul touching words that Jewel writes. She manipulates human hearts, rearranges mere 26 letters of the alphabet again and again till they draw out every smile, every groan, every orgasm and every tear from her readers.
Adler is the one who's above in status, finances and dedication than Quinn. She shocks and stuns him at every step. Owner of Dinky loft & mismatched furniture, she drives a 10 year old car- Karma while a million dollar yacht stays parked. A conundrum...a puzzle to solve for Quinny, who falls deeper in love with her with every encounter.
I loved this concept of Addy being in a strong place but vulnerable at the same time. Trusting but reluctant. She manages to break her own heart with her inhibitions.
Ever since I read her first book, I've been worshipping the ground she walks on, my Jewel In The Crown
This story is her comfort zone. Full of sass, humor, wit and sarcasm...abundance of sentiments and unexpected coupke pairings that just can't help but fall in love.
Now to finish the Duet with the last book of hers, cause my heart stopped beating when book 1 ended
Th-Thump...Th-Thump...Th-Thump
If you haven't, you MUST READ THIS DUET!!
5 stars for Planet Awesome
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Profile Image for Gina *loves sunshine*.
2,223 reviews93 followers
May 16, 2017
So it is a very good thing that I got this book in a set with the sequel, because the ending is a complete cliff hanger - so I will be starting book 2 as soon as I hit save!

2 things that drew me into this novel immediately...1) the story starts in Milwaukee - loved that..don't get that city very often, go midwest lake towns! and 2) the main Character Addy entices you with her story as a vegan and a chef/cafe owner that dazzles a meal with tasty vegetables..again don't get that very often either!

Awesome story of feelings, intense attraction, hurt, and fighting the feeling of forever and all those things that make up an intense romance! I'm wondering if book 2 will blow me away and take this to a 5 star...better go find out!
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
1,717 reviews161 followers
August 12, 2018
Another mindfuck read with a killer cliffhanger. I'm officially obsessed with this author, I can't move on to anyone else right now. Plus, I have to read the sequel.

All of her books are available in ku. Highly recommended if you want an exhilarating, heart wrenching, belly lurching read.
Profile Image for Filiz.
304 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2022
Bu kitabı Jewel'ın yazdığına inanamıyorum okuduğum en kötü kitabı bu olsa gerek ilk yıllarında mı yazmış acaba hiçbir duygu yok ki bu kadın her kitabında bütün duyguları dibine kadar yaşatan biri. Sürekli seks okudum gözlerim kanadı resmen
Profile Image for Melissa.
3,101 reviews22 followers
March 7, 2014
Hold on to your hats because this is quite the roller coaster. Quinn and Addy are very intense in their passion for one another. With how open they are with how they feel for one another, they are both holding their cards very close and their baggage is about to come to the surface. This book ends on a pretty significant cliffy so be prepared. Book 2 which is the final book is to be out May 2014. I am hoping for an earlier release. Fingers crossed! 5 solid stars!
Profile Image for Cindy.
817 reviews48 followers
October 2, 2015
I don't want to give anything away, I went into this book not knowing much about it and I was really glad. You will want to have both books on hand, because book two picks up where one left off. Thought this one was beautiful, tragic, sexy, funny, frustrating, and wonderful. Another one of my all time favs for the year. I already want to go back and reread it. Loved it! Enjoy!
Profile Image for Amy .
176 reviews17 followers
March 18, 2022
Pop my cherry with Jewel E. Ann. Its beautifully written book. But I'm so exhausted with sadness ( H/h dealing with so many death of love one) and anxiety this book make me feel. Perhaps one day I will reread when I'm ready mentally and will bump up the stars this book deserve.
Profile Image for Jamie.
2,052 reviews94 followers
August 11, 2025
I'm so glad that I read Look the Part before I read this one. Because honestly, I'm not sure I would've read anything else after this. This book was rough for me. The writing is good, but the characters ugh...I just can't.

Quinn is constantly cheating. Addy is supposed to be this super smart woman, but she allows it and keeps going back for more. We are using sex as a weapon in this book. Not to mention, neither talk about their past.

How are we supposed to love these characters when we know nothing about them other than they love to have sex and Quinn loves it so much he screws all the women. I'm of course reading the next book immediately because 1. I need this over with, and 2. I need to know what happens.
Profile Image for Diana Ouma.
265 reviews13 followers
February 2, 2016
Holding You by Jewel E. Ann, is just like all her other stories, EPIC. I honestly wonder how Jewel does it, because every single story I have read so far is so unique and engaging. She has definitely become one of my favourite authors in Contemporary Romance. Now if she would just release Dawn of Forever , I would be eternally grateful.

I felt significantly insignificant, as if my presence in the world, albeit small, was still necessary.

Holding You begins at the peak of life of Addy, a thirty year old vegan chef in Milwaukee. She has reached the point in her life where she is truly who she wants to be. She has an amazing best friend, Mac, and a great restaurant. She mediates, runs and sails.Her life has not always been perfect, but she is slowly allowing herself to live again. Addy loves being close to nature. One day, she steps out of her restaurant on to the street and allows the winds and the scenery around to carry her. In those moments, her life drastically changes.

My soul is injured. My heart is shattered but won’t stop beating. You see the person I want to be, not who I am. I don’t fear death, I fear the pieces of my heart could be further shattered and it will still be beating.

Quinn is a latin businessman from New York. He is visiting Milwaukee for a business venture. On his way to a meeting, he almost crashes into Addy who stands in the middle of the street embracing nature. He thinks she is crazy at first and belongs in the set of Sound of Music. This is the case where opposites attract. Quinn is money and power driven while Addy just wants to live her life. But Addy realises she misses being sexually attracted to a man. She then propositions him for sex.

“You’re like my favorite dessert,” I confessed.
“I crave you constantly, borderline addiction, but I fear the consequences of overindulging.”


This is where Addy and Quinn's story begins. It is a relationship purely based on sex at the beginning. However, the more time they spend with each other, the more comfort they gain. There is a companionship that is built. Both characters have dark pasts and are reluctant to fully commit. They are both damaged and slowly begin healing each other. It is a beautiful thing to watch. It is paradoxical that Addy and Quinn bring out the best and worst in each other.

You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. “Te amo.”

Jewel E. Ann wrote Holding You as close to a true relationship as possible. I could honestly believe this happens in real life. It isn't the type of HEA where everything is perfect after the characters are together. She shows the work, passion, drive and strength that goes into maintaining a relationship. She also highlights all the flaws and pain that can come from the same relationship. There was a lot of REALNESSgoing on.

“Your caveman thoughts of jealously are the only distraction. They are distracting you from the naked woman trying to seduce you, so let it go, stop wasting time, and take me already.”

Each character stole my heart! Mac, Addy's best friend, is a firecracker and adds humour to the story. She is as crazy as Addy and so intelligent and supportive of her friend and her family. Addy personality really made Holding You . She embodies all the strong characteristics a heroine should have. She is strong, self-assured and unique while still being vulnerable and personable. Quinn is literally sex on a stick. Despite his physical features, I fell in love with his emotional and contemplative side. He genuinely cared for his family and his friends, making him more swoon worthy.

His expression was indifferent and his self-assured posture said he owned the place, and worse than that, his look said he owned me.

While reading Holding You , I had permanent butterflies in my stomach. I genuinely cared for each of the characters wellbeing. I can't wait to start the second novel (it ended in a cliffhanger). I advise you all to read this. If you are looking for a contemporary romance with a twist,
Holding You should be right up your alley.

“I would … I would give it up for you. I would choose you with nothing, than everything without you.”
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,905 reviews6 followers
May 19, 2016
This book drives me crazy, and not in a good way. If you want to be frustrated out of your ever loving mind, this book is for you. If you love drama, a man who claims to have strong feelings for a woman yet has lots of sex with other women, then you will love this book. If you like heroines who can't make up their freaking minds- "This is just sex. Go ahead and have sex with other people, it's fine. I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but you having sex with other people hurt me. I know it's not fair to you, but I can't be in a relationship with you...but you having sex with other people is killing me on the inside." JUST MAKE UP YOUR MIND ALREADY. YOU ARE SO FRUSTRATING AND I THINK I MIGHT HATE YOU.

What I liked:
1) There was some fun banter between the MCs that was humorous.
2) The story, although told in the first person, was engaging. I generally don't like stories told from that pov, since it lends itself to telling and not showing (which the first part of the book was full of), but there were parts of this that was read like a natural progression.

What I didn't like:
1) The h. Too wishy washy.
2) The H. There was never a reason for his manho ways.
3) Too much angst and drama. Plus the other women thing was a big turn off. There aren't any graphic details of the act, but it was still not cool for me. If you like that sort of thing, you will love this book.
4) There is just too much sex in this book. I think I skimmed almost all of those scenes. The upside of that is that book was finished much more quickly.
Profile Image for Robyn.
713 reviews41 followers
August 4, 2019
3 Latin Lover Stars

Unfortunately, “Holding You” kind of lulled for me. I wasn’t a big fan of portions of the plot, or the main characters. These are all firsts for me with this author— I’m a huge fan:( It didn’t hold my attention like I’d hoped, except for a portion in the middle and then again at the very end of the book. The MC’s begin with an unrealistic agreement, then move rather quickly to a very undesirable OW scenario. Parts of this story left me feeling frustrated, for the most part detached, and annoyed with each of the MC’s for different reasons.

Initially, I felt connected with Addy’s character, as we shared some commonalities in the first part of the book. I too have a passion for preparing, and eating healthy organic cuisine, love practicing yoga, experiencing nature, the love of reading part—for sure;D I even take pleasure in tasty vegan meals sometimes (definitely not vegan tho). The meals she prepared sounded delish—the descriptions made me want to take a trip to her quaint sounding, Sage Leaf Cafe;)

The descriptive sexy times were pretty hawt...there were many of them! Unfortunately, I need much more than just lots of steamy bedroom scenes in my reads. Admittedly, I considered hanging it up, and not finishing a few times. I’m going to move onto the next book, in the hope of a more favorable outcome. Fingers crossed!
Profile Image for Zilpha Owens.
936 reviews9 followers
April 8, 2020
5 Never Goodbye Stars

Where was I when this was being released? No clue, but there is no doubt I would have been a fan from the get-go. Jewel E Ann is a phenom when it comes to writing romance and while I should be shocked that this is her debut, I am not. I should also be shocked that she completely rendered me useless and that I stayed in my chair reading for a good portion of the day. Again, I am not.

There are a few things I want to say and then I’ve got to jump into Releasing Me which is the conclusion to the Holding You duet. Jewel E Ann knows how to slay with words. She leaves the reader (yes, I’m that reader) an emotional mess with a love story that digs deep. Addy and Quinn are all well developed, beautifully complicated characters. I both loved them and wanted to wring their necks throughout their story. Keeping secrets, even with good intentions, is never good.

My best advice when it comes to reading romance? Never pass up the opportunity to read a Jewel E Ann story. Holding You is a clear example of her stunning storytelling.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,468 reviews292 followers
August 7, 2017
You know that feeling when you HAVE to put your book down and "adult", but you can't take your mind and heart away from the story that has enveloped your life? That is what happened while I was experiencing Holding You..the angst, mystery, did he really moments that were unfolding before my eyes were addicting. The moments shared, honesty and emotions that were involved for all help me captive, long after my kindle was closed. Even now, after finishing book two...I can't stop thinking about it.

This man had taken a piece of me that I couldn’t live without. Our love felt beautiful, vital, and sometimes toxic.


This author has quickly become a favorite MUST READ. Her books are so angsty, so addicting, so completely overwhelming you can't help but be swept away...I can't even articulate my feelings. GAH. Just love. Loved it.
Profile Image for Melissa.
251 reviews77 followers
August 21, 2015
5 Stars isn't enough !
I couldn't put this one down...Totally addicted to the story of Addy and Quinn. I recently came across this Author and I'm now obsessed.
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