What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hollywood Series #3
Just Physical
Listening Length: 13 hours and 54 minutes
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, twenty-five-year-old Jill Corrigan takes herself off the romantic market. Not wanting to become a burden to a potential partner, she focuses on her career as an actress instead. On the set of a disaster movie, she meets stunt woman Kristine “Crash” Patterson, whose easy smile instantly makes Jill wish things were different.
Meanwhile, Crash is trained to fall, but she didn’t count on falling in love. Despite their growing feelings for each other, Jill resolves to let Crash into her bed, but not her heart. As they start to play with fire on and off camera, will they really be able to keep things just physical?
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, twenty-five-year-old Jill Corrigan takes herself off the romantic market. Not wanting to become a burden to a potential partner, she focuses on her career as an actress instead. On the set of a disaster movie, she meets stunt woman Kristine “Crash” Patterson, whose easy smile instantly makes Jill wish things were different.
Meanwhile, Crash is trained to fall, but she didn’t count on falling in love. Despite their growing feelings for each other, Jill resolves to let Crash into her bed, but not her heart. As they start to play with fire on and off camera, will they really be able to keep things just physical?
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 18, 2015
104 people are currently reading
1156 people want to read
About the author
Jae
126 books3,804 followersJae is the author of twenty-six award-winning romances between women. She lives in the sunniest city of Germany, near the French and Swiss borders. The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
She used to work as a psychologist but gave up her day job in 2013 to become a full-time writer and a part-time editor. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the best job in the world.
When she’s not writing, she is an avid reader of sapphic books, indulges her ice cream and office supply addictions, and watches way too many crime shows.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
February 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this! Jae just keeps putting out great books. I did read book 1 in this series which I enjoyed, but missed book 2. I really should have read it first considering Jill was in it, but when I saw this book at the library, I couldn't pass up on reading it. And enough of Jill's back story was explained so I didn't feel out of the loop.
In this book the main character Jill, has MS. I don't think I have ever read a LesFic book with a character who had MS before. I've heard about people having MS, but it's not like Cancer where there is so much out there about it. I felt like Jae educated me quite a bit about what people with MS have to deal with on a daily basis. It's heartbreaking but I'm glad Jae shined a light on it.
While Jill was extremely stubborn she was still likeable and I admired her strength. Crash was great. A perfect love interest to balance Jill out. Jae knows how to write great characters and great romances.
I also liked that the movie Jill was in was Shaken to the Core is now one of Jae's books. It made me want to read that new book even more.
It seems like you can't really go wrong with Jae, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
In this book the main character Jill, has MS. I don't think I have ever read a LesFic book with a character who had MS before. I've heard about people having MS, but it's not like Cancer where there is so much out there about it. I felt like Jae educated me quite a bit about what people with MS have to deal with on a daily basis. It's heartbreaking but I'm glad Jae shined a light on it.
While Jill was extremely stubborn she was still likeable and I admired her strength. Crash was great. A perfect love interest to balance Jill out. Jae knows how to write great characters and great romances.
I also liked that the movie Jill was in was Shaken to the Core is now one of Jae's books. It made me want to read that new book even more.
It seems like you can't really go wrong with Jae, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
March 29, 2017
My third reread of this week of a Jae book (well, 3rd reread of this week, just so happens to be by same author and in same series).
I read this book the first time in 2015, again some distance away from prior book in series, though just a few months between books as opposed to the year between books one and two. That's the first time I read the series. This time I read the books back to back this week over the course of three days.
Prior two books in this series kept knocking on my six star shelf, especially since books can't get there unless they are rereads. And they are quite good books. Both were just slightly less than top level, best of the best, reads though. Both rereads were slightly more satisfying experiences than first reads, though.
This time? This book I mean? I originally gave this book a rating of 5 stars. And this time give it a rating of 4.75. It's been 2 years so it isn't that I reread the book too close to original read. No, it was just certain aspects that detracted from my enjoyment.
Book 2 in the series had the main characters thrust together and 'in trouble', or helping to get out of trouble, because of Jill. Because Grace had been willing to help her friend who had/has multiple sclerosis - and had been caught in photographic form looking like she was having an affair, a lesbian affair at that. So Jill isn't some side character who is barely seen, heck, she once was the girlfriend of Amanda, the star of the first book in the series but was too far in the closet for the relationship to last and so it collapsed. So . . . okay, 1) the reader doesn't know about the Amanda connection until it came up in book 2 and 2) Jill doesn't appear in book one. So my mild attempt to raise the importance of Jill collapsed before I could make the claim. Right, no matter. Though will include a specific sentence I was going to mention - 'Jill isn't some barely there, seen a few times, side character in book 2; unlike Grace (star of book 2) in this book here, or Laleh in this book’. Laleh, who the heck is that, you might be thinking. Well, Laleh was briefly in this book and more talked about than seen . . briefly talked about. She is a waitress at a Persian restaurant that Crash and Jill went to in this book here, and is of importance because she later starred in a book of her own (in which most, maybe all for the main starring characters in this ‘Hollywood series’ make an appearance – 2016’s Heart Trouble).
I had a point I was attempting to make, probably lost the point somewhere along the line – namely that Jill has a biggish role in the series – bigger, in some ways, than other main characters who make something like cameos but are more ‘barely there’. Like I already mentioned Grace appears in this book here – she actually has more ‘scenes’ than I recalled, though she’s mostly there not talking much, as opposed to playing an important role. A stand in, if you will, for someone Jill is willing to turn to for help instead of turning to Crash. Lauren plays a bigger role than Grace in this book, but really felt like something of a ‘see, here’s another character from the past! It’s like a reunion of sorts!’. Though that’s kind unfair – I mean, the movie Jill is co-staring in, and that Crash is stuntwoman on was written by Lauren.
Right, enough of that.
Jill has MS – the book opens at some point prior to book 2 of the series, I believe a year before, where Jill learns about her illness. Then pops forward 2 years (or possibly 18 months) for the remainder of the book (or 1 year after the end of book 2). Jill is still having trouble getting work as an actress, but that’s more mentioned here and there since she’s actively working on a film for the most of the book. A film titled Shaken to the Core (if not known yet, a lot of Jae’s works are connected in one way or another, like the Hollywood series is connected to both ‘Shaken to the Core’, and ‘Heart Trouble’; while ‘Shaken to the Core’ is connected to yet another series, ‘Backwards to Oregon’ through a side character, the same one Jill plays in the movie, who is a descendent of the people in that Oregon series.)
Jill plays Dr. Lucy Sharpe in a film about the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. A film written by Lauren. Since she has MS, the directors (main director, and the 2nd unit director who does the action and stunt stuff) want(ed) someone else to do most of the action/physical scenes. Things as ‘little’ as stumbling over a bedpan – which is the first stunt that the stuntwoman had to perform in the book and in the film.
Crash plays the other main character in this book, and the stuntwoman who is confused by doing such a ‘simple stunt’ and assumes that Jill is a ‘Hollywood Diva’ or sleeping with someone of importance (oddly, she never thought that Jill was sleeping with, say, Lauren who does have some (limited) power – no, once Crash gazed upon Jill, she knew Jill was a lesbian and therefore . . . . *shrugs*). Unfortunately for Crash, she makes her view public. Unfortunate because that ‘Hollywood Diva’ was standing right behind her. So Crash and Jill meet badly.
Somewhere along the way, though, Crash and Jill start some kind of relationship. The kind wherein they aren’t really dating, but are, and there’s lots and lots of sex (and I mean a lot. I’d forgotten that this book seemed to be so full of sex). But not really dating . . . because Jill doesn’t do that.
I had one real problem with the book – that push pull dynamic between Jill and Crash got old fast. Crash would try to have a relationship with Jill. Crash would get as close as she could – Jill would – seemingly at the same time, push and pull Crash; then push harder – pushing Crash away. Because . . .. Now there’s a reason for Jill’s actions – Push push push, push some more, then bounce back to square one. This is a weird mix of ‘long road to love’ and ‘insta-love’ – for the simple reason that you need a certain amount of love, on Crash’s part, to keep pushing against the stubborn mule-like Jill.
Bah. I keep struggling to write this. Probably because I’m starving. So I’ll just leave it as is.
I liked the book, even with its flaws.
Rating: 4.75
March 29 2017
I read this book the first time in 2015, again some distance away from prior book in series, though just a few months between books as opposed to the year between books one and two. That's the first time I read the series. This time I read the books back to back this week over the course of three days.
Prior two books in this series kept knocking on my six star shelf, especially since books can't get there unless they are rereads. And they are quite good books. Both were just slightly less than top level, best of the best, reads though. Both rereads were slightly more satisfying experiences than first reads, though.
This time? This book I mean? I originally gave this book a rating of 5 stars. And this time give it a rating of 4.75. It's been 2 years so it isn't that I reread the book too close to original read. No, it was just certain aspects that detracted from my enjoyment.
Book 2 in the series had the main characters thrust together and 'in trouble', or helping to get out of trouble, because of Jill. Because Grace had been willing to help her friend who had/has multiple sclerosis - and had been caught in photographic form looking like she was having an affair, a lesbian affair at that. So Jill isn't some side character who is barely seen, heck, she once was the girlfriend of Amanda, the star of the first book in the series but was too far in the closet for the relationship to last and so it collapsed. So . . . okay, 1) the reader doesn't know about the Amanda connection until it came up in book 2 and 2) Jill doesn't appear in book one. So my mild attempt to raise the importance of Jill collapsed before I could make the claim. Right, no matter. Though will include a specific sentence I was going to mention - 'Jill isn't some barely there, seen a few times, side character in book 2; unlike Grace (star of book 2) in this book here, or Laleh in this book’. Laleh, who the heck is that, you might be thinking. Well, Laleh was briefly in this book and more talked about than seen . . briefly talked about. She is a waitress at a Persian restaurant that Crash and Jill went to in this book here, and is of importance because she later starred in a book of her own (in which most, maybe all for the main starring characters in this ‘Hollywood series’ make an appearance – 2016’s Heart Trouble).
I had a point I was attempting to make, probably lost the point somewhere along the line – namely that Jill has a biggish role in the series – bigger, in some ways, than other main characters who make something like cameos but are more ‘barely there’. Like I already mentioned Grace appears in this book here – she actually has more ‘scenes’ than I recalled, though she’s mostly there not talking much, as opposed to playing an important role. A stand in, if you will, for someone Jill is willing to turn to for help instead of turning to Crash. Lauren plays a bigger role than Grace in this book, but really felt like something of a ‘see, here’s another character from the past! It’s like a reunion of sorts!’. Though that’s kind unfair – I mean, the movie Jill is co-staring in, and that Crash is stuntwoman on was written by Lauren.
Right, enough of that.
Jill has MS – the book opens at some point prior to book 2 of the series, I believe a year before, where Jill learns about her illness. Then pops forward 2 years (or possibly 18 months) for the remainder of the book (or 1 year after the end of book 2). Jill is still having trouble getting work as an actress, but that’s more mentioned here and there since she’s actively working on a film for the most of the book. A film titled Shaken to the Core (if not known yet, a lot of Jae’s works are connected in one way or another, like the Hollywood series is connected to both ‘Shaken to the Core’, and ‘Heart Trouble’; while ‘Shaken to the Core’ is connected to yet another series, ‘Backwards to Oregon’ through a side character, the same one Jill plays in the movie, who is a descendent of the people in that Oregon series.)
Jill plays Dr. Lucy Sharpe in a film about the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. A film written by Lauren. Since she has MS, the directors (main director, and the 2nd unit director who does the action and stunt stuff) want(ed) someone else to do most of the action/physical scenes. Things as ‘little’ as stumbling over a bedpan – which is the first stunt that the stuntwoman had to perform in the book and in the film.
Crash plays the other main character in this book, and the stuntwoman who is confused by doing such a ‘simple stunt’ and assumes that Jill is a ‘Hollywood Diva’ or sleeping with someone of importance (oddly, she never thought that Jill was sleeping with, say, Lauren who does have some (limited) power – no, once Crash gazed upon Jill, she knew Jill was a lesbian and therefore . . . . *shrugs*). Unfortunately for Crash, she makes her view public. Unfortunate because that ‘Hollywood Diva’ was standing right behind her. So Crash and Jill meet badly.
Somewhere along the way, though, Crash and Jill start some kind of relationship. The kind wherein they aren’t really dating, but are, and there’s lots and lots of sex (and I mean a lot. I’d forgotten that this book seemed to be so full of sex). But not really dating . . . because Jill doesn’t do that.
I had one real problem with the book – that push pull dynamic between Jill and Crash got old fast. Crash would try to have a relationship with Jill. Crash would get as close as she could – Jill would – seemingly at the same time, push and pull Crash; then push harder – pushing Crash away. Because . . .. Now there’s a reason for Jill’s actions – Push push push, push some more, then bounce back to square one. This is a weird mix of ‘long road to love’ and ‘insta-love’ – for the simple reason that you need a certain amount of love, on Crash’s part, to keep pushing against the stubborn mule-like Jill.
Bah. I keep struggling to write this. Probably because I’m starving. So I’ll just leave it as is.
I liked the book, even with its flaws.
Rating: 4.75
March 29 2017
August 7, 2019
5 STARS for the re-read.
Years ago, when I rated this on GR , I wasn't writing reviews. So I have no idea why I didn't rate it higher than 4 stars.
This book kept coming up on my radar, especially since Jae wrote a story with Jill & Crash in the recent anthology, Laid Bare. Its been a few years since I read it - so I had to do a re-read.
I can really relate to Jill's MS symptoms. I don't have MS, but I deal with a lot of what she goes through. A few years ago I had back surgery that didn't go as planned. Six surgeries and 4 mo. in rehab hospital - my left leg was numb and I could barely move my left foot plus I had dropped foot on my right - just like Jill. My dropped foot went away in a few weeks and I now walk with a cane or walker. I didn't have a Crash :-( but I had relatives and friends who helped me, especially since I couldn't drive for a few months. I had a sign up sheet for a few weeks "Drive a gimp to work" that my co-workers volunteered to drive me to work until I could drive again. So yeah, it sucks. But I don't have the specter of MS as Jill does in the story.
So I can really understand Jill. Though I wasn't as stubborn as Jill, but I probably should have been. Excellent book, well written and an ease to read as I've come to expect from Jae. Now I need to go back and re-read about Grace and Lauren.
Years ago, when I rated this on GR , I wasn't writing reviews. So I have no idea why I didn't rate it higher than 4 stars.
This book kept coming up on my radar, especially since Jae wrote a story with Jill & Crash in the recent anthology, Laid Bare. Its been a few years since I read it - so I had to do a re-read.
I can really relate to Jill's MS symptoms. I don't have MS, but I deal with a lot of what she goes through. A few years ago I had back surgery that didn't go as planned. Six surgeries and 4 mo. in rehab hospital - my left leg was numb and I could barely move my left foot plus I had dropped foot on my right - just like Jill. My dropped foot went away in a few weeks and I now walk with a cane or walker. I didn't have a Crash :-( but I had relatives and friends who helped me, especially since I couldn't drive for a few months. I had a sign up sheet for a few weeks "Drive a gimp to work" that my co-workers volunteered to drive me to work until I could drive again. So yeah, it sucks. But I don't have the specter of MS as Jill does in the story.
So I can really understand Jill. Though I wasn't as stubborn as Jill, but I probably should have been. Excellent book, well written and an ease to read as I've come to expect from Jae. Now I need to go back and re-read about Grace and Lauren.
November 21, 2015
4.5 stars
Just Physical by Jae stole my heart. This is the third novel in The Hollywood Series. While the book is a stand alone, if you have read the previous books, especially Damage Control, you meet up with some familiar characters. Just Physical is a star studded romance that you do not want to miss.
Jill Corrigan is a tough, hard headed, stubborn actress. She is fiercely independent, which is a double edge sword when you have been recently diagnosed with MS. Jill is a hard character not to fall in love with. Her strength in the face of adversity is admirable. She is a character that will undeniably pull at your heart strings.
Kristine "Crash" Patterson is a Hollywood stuntwoman. She has come onto the set of Jill's newest film, to do all the action scenes Jill has been deemed unfit physically to do. She is a hotshot, daredevil, who is eager to do what it takes to make it in the male dominated world of stunt doubles. One thing about Crash, she has a heart of solid gold, and it doesn't take much for that heart to be stolen by Jill.
Up until reading this book, I knew very little about MS as a disease. Jae did an outstanding job of informing me, the reader, about the struggles of living with MS. She did it in a way that only a skilled writer could. Jae applied it to her characters, and their lives, weaving this information into the story, without breaking character I guess you could say. I never felt like the author was getting on soap box, or the story becoming like a medical journal.
Oh the character development, how fine it was. This is what sets this author aside from so many. She brings characters to life in her stories. They are so well thought out, and well developed. Not only can you see them through the story, but you are able to really understand emotions, reactions and why they are the way they are.
Overall this a great book. The romance is there, the characters are fantastic, and the story evolves in way that holds your attention to the very last page. Jae hit a home run with Just Physical. She is an author that you buy the book automatically, guaranteed time an time again to produce great work.
Once again Ylva Publishing produces another great book , worth every penny!!!
Just Physical by Jae stole my heart. This is the third novel in The Hollywood Series. While the book is a stand alone, if you have read the previous books, especially Damage Control, you meet up with some familiar characters. Just Physical is a star studded romance that you do not want to miss.
Jill Corrigan is a tough, hard headed, stubborn actress. She is fiercely independent, which is a double edge sword when you have been recently diagnosed with MS. Jill is a hard character not to fall in love with. Her strength in the face of adversity is admirable. She is a character that will undeniably pull at your heart strings.
Kristine "Crash" Patterson is a Hollywood stuntwoman. She has come onto the set of Jill's newest film, to do all the action scenes Jill has been deemed unfit physically to do. She is a hotshot, daredevil, who is eager to do what it takes to make it in the male dominated world of stunt doubles. One thing about Crash, she has a heart of solid gold, and it doesn't take much for that heart to be stolen by Jill.
Up until reading this book, I knew very little about MS as a disease. Jae did an outstanding job of informing me, the reader, about the struggles of living with MS. She did it in a way that only a skilled writer could. Jae applied it to her characters, and their lives, weaving this information into the story, without breaking character I guess you could say. I never felt like the author was getting on soap box, or the story becoming like a medical journal.
Oh the character development, how fine it was. This is what sets this author aside from so many. She brings characters to life in her stories. They are so well thought out, and well developed. Not only can you see them through the story, but you are able to really understand emotions, reactions and why they are the way they are.
Overall this a great book. The romance is there, the characters are fantastic, and the story evolves in way that holds your attention to the very last page. Jae hit a home run with Just Physical. She is an author that you buy the book automatically, guaranteed time an time again to produce great work.
Once again Ylva Publishing produces another great book , worth every penny!!!
January 18, 2019
A really sweet love story.
Ratings: 4.25 ⭐️
Ratings: 4.25 ⭐️
December 20, 2016
You know a book will be well written, well researched and edited to perfection when Jae is listed as the author. She breathes life into her characters. Her scenes and settings are easy to visualize.
Just Physical is all this plus an educational read on the challenges faced by those with MS. The physical side effects and current treatment processes are a given. What I had not considered before was the stigma that comes with an MS diagnosis. Careers are affected as are relationships. Jae brings this home with Jill's treatment on the set of a film she almost didn't get a role in because the director felt she would be unable to keep up with the rest of the cast. Jill prickles at what she perceives as coddling by Crash after she becomes aware of Jill's MS.
As heroic as Jill is made out to be I found Crash the easier character to admire. She had her own demons to contend with and an attraction to Jill she wanted to explore. She also pursued Jill with a gentle kindness which many times I didn't feel Jill deserved. Jill had her reasons to not want to form a romantic relationship, to not have to see a lover become her caregiver. Her arguments and repeated rejection of Crash made the book feel much longer than its 288 pages. Her fears and her pride made her seem obstinate rather than noble. It's rare that I pick a favourite in a romance novel but in Just Physical I was cheering for Crash and frustrated with Jill.
Just Physical is all this plus an educational read on the challenges faced by those with MS. The physical side effects and current treatment processes are a given. What I had not considered before was the stigma that comes with an MS diagnosis. Careers are affected as are relationships. Jae brings this home with Jill's treatment on the set of a film she almost didn't get a role in because the director felt she would be unable to keep up with the rest of the cast. Jill prickles at what she perceives as coddling by Crash after she becomes aware of Jill's MS.
As heroic as Jill is made out to be I found Crash the easier character to admire. She had her own demons to contend with and an attraction to Jill she wanted to explore. She also pursued Jill with a gentle kindness which many times I didn't feel Jill deserved. Jill had her reasons to not want to form a romantic relationship, to not have to see a lover become her caregiver. Her arguments and repeated rejection of Crash made the book feel much longer than its 288 pages. Her fears and her pride made her seem obstinate rather than noble. It's rare that I pick a favourite in a romance novel but in Just Physical I was cheering for Crash and frustrated with Jill.
August 7, 2020
Just as good as the others in this series. Loved the build up of the romance and the characters. I am going to read Heart Trouble again now. Though not strictly the next one in the Hollywood series some of the characters make an appearance in this book. I love it when that happens! It makes me feel more connected to the characters.
December 12, 2015
My spouse has relapsing remitting MS, so this was an interesting read. We were already in a committed relationship when she was diagnosed, so we worked though the I don't want to be a burden issues very quickly. Thankfully her symptoms have been very slow to progress. She was diagnosed 11 years ago and has had no major exacerbations. Small flair ups but nothing major. Fatigue brought on by heat, and some falls and balance issues, but we feel very blessed that her MS has been mild. Migraines are also something she gets much more regularly than I'd like, but we can't really complain.
With all that said, I enjoyed and related to much in the story. Thank you for an accurate portrayal. Although this portrayal will be different than someone else's. There is a saying amongst those with MS. My MS is not your MS and your MS is weird! Basically no two people will get the same symptoms or issues.
With all that said, I enjoyed and related to much in the story. Thank you for an accurate portrayal. Although this portrayal will be different than someone else's. There is a saying amongst those with MS. My MS is not your MS and your MS is weird! Basically no two people will get the same symptoms or issues.
November 15, 2021
I've "read" this book before but this time I decided to try the audible book. Story, characters are excellent but the narrator was tolerable. Something about Abigail Rakocy's inflections and voice choices didn't resonate for me. But I was able to finish the book. Other narrators that I really dislike, I just stop listening and read the myself.
November 18, 2015
This is a solid, skillfully-written addition to Jae's Hollywood Series.
First and foremost, I really must give kudos to Jae for the significant amount of research she must have done to provide such deeply-understood, nuanced, realistic portrayal of the experience - mental, physical, emotional, practical - of someone living with a chronic (incurable) illness [in this case, Jill with MS]. Everything was captured - not just from Jill's internal experience and perspective but also the perspective of her main lustful/romantic interest [a new character to the series, stuntwoman 'Crash'], and the wider world around that (ie how MS treatments work, support services available) etc. The book really was masterfully rich in detail in this regard. If I was rating the book on this alone it'd be getting a hands down 5 out of 5 stars and more if I could give it.
[To give a little personal context to my comments - I have more than one person in my social circle living with MS so I like to think I'm more informed about this particular disease than the average bear. As such, any inaccuracy would have particularly grated... so the fact I, in fact, felt strongly the opposite speaks volumes I think].
If you're sensing a 'but' though, you'd be right.
Because I read books like this expecting romance and to connect with the characters and their journey. And I didn't quiiiite believe the journey - particularly the romantic journey Jill went on throughout the book. It was there, don't get me wrong, but it was a bit... light on. Like there wasn't enough room for the romantic journey alongside the personal 'accepting MS'. I appreciate that, for this character, romance can't be uncoupled from the disease. And that, for someone living with an illness like this, it's (almost) always in the back of their mind. But I guess, at times, I just felt like the MS 'stuff' was rammed down my throat when it didn't need to be. I wanted a few more moments where Jill was emotionally vulnerable with Crash -- a few more 'mini swoon' moments to keep my romantic soul happy.
I also wonder if the author has copped some slack somewhere along the line about a lack of sex scenes in her books because there was a noticeable amount in this one! Almost too many. Again, I appreciate Jill's motivation for trying to keep emotions out of her interactions with Crash but I could have done with one (or two) fewer sex scenes and a little more detail about Jill's emotional journey (it's hard to say more here without spoiling the read).
Ultimately I left this book appreciating the author's efforts to write an accurate book rather than being left heart-happy and reflecting on the characters and the journey I'd just witnessed. My head loved this book. My, erm, pwoar side (?!) is grinning lustfully. My heart though... my heart feels a bit short changed.
This would be my least favourite of the 3 Hollywood books, but there is absolutely no way I would have missed reading it and I still highly recommend it to lesrom fans (particularly those familiar with the series). Jae remains one of my favourite lesrom author's and I will definitely be reading future offerings of hers on the day they're released!!
First and foremost, I really must give kudos to Jae for the significant amount of research she must have done to provide such deeply-understood, nuanced, realistic portrayal of the experience - mental, physical, emotional, practical - of someone living with a chronic (incurable) illness [in this case, Jill with MS]. Everything was captured - not just from Jill's internal experience and perspective but also the perspective of her main lustful/romantic interest [a new character to the series, stuntwoman 'Crash'], and the wider world around that (ie how MS treatments work, support services available) etc. The book really was masterfully rich in detail in this regard. If I was rating the book on this alone it'd be getting a hands down 5 out of 5 stars and more if I could give it.
[To give a little personal context to my comments - I have more than one person in my social circle living with MS so I like to think I'm more informed about this particular disease than the average bear. As such, any inaccuracy would have particularly grated... so the fact I, in fact, felt strongly the opposite speaks volumes I think].
If you're sensing a 'but' though, you'd be right.
Because I read books like this expecting romance and to connect with the characters and their journey. And I didn't quiiiite believe the journey - particularly the romantic journey Jill went on throughout the book. It was there, don't get me wrong, but it was a bit... light on. Like there wasn't enough room for the romantic journey alongside the personal 'accepting MS'. I appreciate that, for this character, romance can't be uncoupled from the disease. And that, for someone living with an illness like this, it's (almost) always in the back of their mind. But I guess, at times, I just felt like the MS 'stuff' was rammed down my throat when it didn't need to be. I wanted a few more moments where Jill was emotionally vulnerable with Crash -- a few more 'mini swoon' moments to keep my romantic soul happy.
I also wonder if the author has copped some slack somewhere along the line about a lack of sex scenes in her books because there was a noticeable amount in this one! Almost too many. Again, I appreciate Jill's motivation for trying to keep emotions out of her interactions with Crash but I could have done with one (or two) fewer sex scenes and a little more detail about Jill's emotional journey (it's hard to say more here without spoiling the read).
Ultimately I left this book appreciating the author's efforts to write an accurate book rather than being left heart-happy and reflecting on the characters and the journey I'd just witnessed. My head loved this book. My, erm, pwoar side (?!) is grinning lustfully. My heart though... my heart feels a bit short changed.
This would be my least favourite of the 3 Hollywood books, but there is absolutely no way I would have missed reading it and I still highly recommend it to lesrom fans (particularly those familiar with the series). Jae remains one of my favourite lesrom author's and I will definitely be reading future offerings of hers on the day they're released!!
December 12, 2015
Another great book by Jae. So far I haven't found a story by Jae that I didn't like. And this time I've learned a lot about MS. And about stubbornness.
January 4, 2016
I loved Jill when I first read about her in Damage Control and was thrilled to hear she was getting her own book. I wasn't sure it could top that one though, and boy was I wrong.
I loved Just Physical. Like, big time loved it, one of my favourites this year. Jill and Crash are fantastic, fully fleshed out characters who each go on a journey of figuring out what living with MS means, both as the person living with with it and the person who loves the person living with it. I was glad to see Lauren and Grace show up again, and some of the side characters like Sally and George particularly stand out.
Other people have noted that this book has more sex in it than Jae's other books, and that's true. However, it was entirely appropriate for the love story of a couple that starts off with an agreement to stay "just physical." I particularly appreciated that the sex drove both the story and the relationship.
I can't be objective about this book. I think I'm a sucker for books about people who opt out of love and then find out it's not up to them. If you like Jae, get it. I'll be reading this one again, and more than once.
I loved Just Physical. Like, big time loved it, one of my favourites this year. Jill and Crash are fantastic, fully fleshed out characters who each go on a journey of figuring out what living with MS means, both as the person living with with it and the person who loves the person living with it. I was glad to see Lauren and Grace show up again, and some of the side characters like Sally and George particularly stand out.
Other people have noted that this book has more sex in it than Jae's other books, and that's true. However, it was entirely appropriate for the love story of a couple that starts off with an agreement to stay "just physical." I particularly appreciated that the sex drove both the story and the relationship.
I can't be objective about this book. I think I'm a sucker for books about people who opt out of love and then find out it's not up to them. If you like Jae, get it. I'll be reading this one again, and more than once.
August 17, 2023
Just love it! Class. The 3rd in the series - ignore the short story - but this one is a real roller coaster of a love story and reduces me to tears every time. One of the best ever. Highly recommended.
July 28, 2019
This is 4th story in the Hollywood series, although I don't really count Dress Tease (#3), since I'd call that a snippet, not a story.
Anyway, this is a follow on from Damage Control, and here Jill gets her own story. In all honesty though, Crash is the real star here. The story centres around Jill and her struggles with MS, which I give Jae extra kudos for, as she doesn't shy away from any aspect of living with MS, and there are several thought provoking scenes.
The problem lies in two areas, 1) the two women spend a lot of time together, but they rarely discuss anything of substance, it's usually push pull stuff about Jill's MS and some superficial discussions about family, so I struggled to believe they'd built the kind of foundation that would last them through Jill's illness.
2) Both women have demons to overcome and big decisions to make, but Jill's constant retreating from Crash wore thin well before the halfway mark, and by the end Jill wasn't the only one suffering. Crash's steadfastness and the way she went about learning about MS kept me hanging in there but it was a struggle to like Jill's character at many points.
We do get to spend more time with Grace and Lauren from book 2, but the other secondary characters aren't particularly fleshed out. There's also a reference to the characters from the first book that was so quick you'd miss it, and honestly wasn't necessary, as neither character had appeared in the book.
This gets four stars regardless, as it handles a difficult topic (and well-researched at that) and though the love story was frustrating at times, I was still rooting for them to have a HEA.
Anyway, this is a follow on from Damage Control, and here Jill gets her own story. In all honesty though, Crash is the real star here. The story centres around Jill and her struggles with MS, which I give Jae extra kudos for, as she doesn't shy away from any aspect of living with MS, and there are several thought provoking scenes.
The problem lies in two areas, 1) the two women spend a lot of time together, but they rarely discuss anything of substance, it's usually push pull stuff about Jill's MS and some superficial discussions about family, so I struggled to believe they'd built the kind of foundation that would last them through Jill's illness.
2) Both women have demons to overcome and big decisions to make, but Jill's constant retreating from Crash wore thin well before the halfway mark, and by the end Jill wasn't the only one suffering. Crash's steadfastness and the way she went about learning about MS kept me hanging in there but it was a struggle to like Jill's character at many points.
We do get to spend more time with Grace and Lauren from book 2, but the other secondary characters aren't particularly fleshed out. There's also a reference to the characters from the first book that was so quick you'd miss it, and honestly wasn't necessary, as neither character had appeared in the book.
This gets four stars regardless, as it handles a difficult topic (and well-researched at that) and though the love story was frustrating at times, I was still rooting for them to have a HEA.
December 30, 2015
Finally!
It took me long enough to finally finish this. I don't even know why, since it's a decent book. I must say, I liked Damage Control much better though.
I liked Jill in previous book probably more than I liked her in her own. And that's not a good thing. It was maybe because in Just Physical she was too frustrating and annoying with the - pushing Crash away, because I'm sick and I don't deserve to be happy and I can't ruin Crash's life because she shouldn't be with someone who has MS - thing. I don't know if I've ever read about such a stubborn person before. It just really became very annoying after a while.
I liked Crash, though. She was a good, loving, loyal, strong person and I could find many other positives. And she was so damn patient with Jill and all that stupid 'pushing her away' thing. Honestly, she had my respect.
The sex scenes were good. Hot. There were a few of them, since it was 'just physical' at the beginning.
So, it was a good book. Not great, not amazing, but a solid 3 stars book.
It took me long enough to finally finish this. I don't even know why, since it's a decent book. I must say, I liked Damage Control much better though.
I liked Jill in previous book probably more than I liked her in her own. And that's not a good thing. It was maybe because in Just Physical she was too frustrating and annoying with the - pushing Crash away, because I'm sick and I don't deserve to be happy and I can't ruin Crash's life because she shouldn't be with someone who has MS - thing. I don't know if I've ever read about such a stubborn person before. It just really became very annoying after a while.
I liked Crash, though. She was a good, loving, loyal, strong person and I could find many other positives. And she was so damn patient with Jill and all that stupid 'pushing her away' thing. Honestly, she had my respect.
The sex scenes were good. Hot. There were a few of them, since it was 'just physical' at the beginning.
So, it was a good book. Not great, not amazing, but a solid 3 stars book.
August 7, 2021
4,25 stars
To me this was the weakest part of the series. Which still means it was damn good and deserves a good rating. It just means that I don't have the compulsive tendency to re-read it over and over.
To me this was the weakest part of the series. Which still means it was damn good and deserves a good rating. It just means that I don't have the compulsive tendency to re-read it over and over.
May 15, 2020
Another wonderful novel by Jae. A heartening read!
January 6, 2016
I loved this one. Like, it gave me big strong fighty fangirl love feelings. I liked Jill in Damage Control, but she's so good in this one. I loved, LOVED Crash. She's wonderful, and I hope we see more of these ladies in the future.
I've seen some people on here talking about how there's way more sex than a usual Jae novel and whether it's too much. For me, it worked out just right. There are only two or three explicit scenes, and the rest is hinted at. All of it, however, propels the relationship, so none of it feels unnecessary.
I know I'll be reading this one again more than once.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/just-...
I've seen some people on here talking about how there's way more sex than a usual Jae novel and whether it's too much. For me, it worked out just right. There are only two or three explicit scenes, and the rest is hinted at. All of it, however, propels the relationship, so none of it feels unnecessary.
I know I'll be reading this one again more than once.
Full review here: http://www.thelesbianreview.com/just-...
December 30, 2015
Was an enjoyable book when Jill wasn't being annoyingly stubborn and rude to Crash. I can understand an independent person wanting to do as much as they still can, but it doesn't give them the right to be down right rude to others who just want to help. It was nice to see Lauren and Grace make a few appearances; I hope their story isn't done. The chemistry between Grace and Jill was well written (again when Jill wasn't being rude), and Crash's sense of humor made their interactions fun. Crash's courting of Jill was sweet and I got a little teared up towards the end.
November 29, 2015
Slight departure from Jae's "become friends--slow burn--then lover's" formula. (And yes, I love that formula.)
More of a "casual sex first---relationship complications---resolution" formula.
More of a "casual sex first---relationship complications---resolution" formula.
October 8, 2025
➥ 3 stars ⋆˚࿔
There was a little too much angst in this one for me, but I still had a great time reading it with @MarsBar :) So sad that we’re all done with the Hollywood series now🥲💔
(Buddy read #5)
➥ my playlist for this book
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4T6...
There was a little too much angst in this one for me, but I still had a great time reading it with @MarsBar :) So sad that we’re all done with the Hollywood series now🥲💔
(Buddy read #5)
➥ my playlist for this book
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4T6...
May 31, 2024
It’s easier to write something if there’s something super positive or super negative to say. I’m not sure I have much of either to note.
This is my ninth book I’ve read by Jae. 17th ‘thing’ if you include the short stories. It seems that I both almost like everything I read by Jae, and have some odd vague reluctance to leap in. Like there’s this second book in a police series that I’ve been eyeing for more than a year, but I still can’t seem to get myself to start it. And, despite rather enjoying ‘Backwards to Oregon’, I’ve never been able to even contemplate trying anything else in that series. I’m odd that way, apparently. This book, though, I snapped up immediately when I saw it was out and began reading immediately after whatever book I had been reading when I bought this book here.
So, what’s this one about? Jae likes having series that follow different characters, as in the first book would follow certain characters, and the second book would follow a different set of main characters. I knew that going in. I just didn’t remind myself of the prior books in this series so didn’t immediately recall that Jill had been in the prior books. Ah, see, I went back to look at the books just now and what I had initially thought was in fact true. Jill wasn’t in the first book, she was in the second and then in the short story sequel.
Hmm. Okay let me back up. I recall now why I just leapt into Just Physical without paying much attention to the prior books. Amanda Clark and Michelle Osinski are the stars of the first book. Amanda pops up in the second as a co-worker of Grace’s (her name pops up 91 times, to be exact). Michelle is named and seen but has more of a cameo role in the second book. Neither Grace nor Lauren, the stars of the second book, are in the first book. Though Grace is mentioned in it about three or four times. Held up as a model of gorgeousness. Amanda mentioned 3 times in the third book. Or um. A person named Amanda is. No, it says in certain spots ‘Amanda and Michelle’, so it’s the same Amanda. Huh. It just skipped past me.
“Same thing with Amanda, her ex-girlfriend-turned-friend. Since she had moved in with Michelle, she saw the world through rose-tinted glasses.” (69% mark) – Amanda and Jill had dated? Why am I only learning of this in the third book, most of the way through the third book for that matter? Great. Now I’m going to have to reread all three books (and short story) to figure out how everyone ties together.
So. Amanda and Michelle star in the first book. Grace is mentioned in that first book. Jill is not despite being ‘ex-girlfriend’ of Amanda. Amanda pops up in the second; Michelle is mostly a cameo part at best in second. Neither pops up in the third book, though a party involving them is mentioned. Grace and Lauren star in the second book (and short story). Jill appears in the second book. Amanda, Jill and Grace work together on a show (if I’m recalling correctly). Both Grace and Lauren are in the third book, much bigger roles than the first couple get to be. Especially since their, Amanda and Michelle, roles consist of being mentioned.
Right. So. Jill Corrigan first appeared in the second book in this Hollywood series, as a co-worker of Grace. And she gets entangled in something of a scandal involving Grace because both are seen hobbling into one of their trailers. This forced Jill to come forward to make an announcement about her condition. She had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 25. Grace had just been helping her. They were not, in fact, secret lesbian lovers.
Third book opens. Jill is still attempting to wrap her brain around the fact that she has multiple sclerosis. She decides that she doesn’t want to be a burden, doesn’t want to tie someone to her – to make them become her care-giver. To, in her mind, ruin their life. So, she decides on never again having a romantic entanglement.
Lauren’s written a film, based on the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Starring two, if I recall correctly, lesbians. Jill likes the script and wants to play one of the lead roles. She’s not even offered the chance to audition for either part because of her multiple sclerosis. It’s a disaster picture. Lots of action. The studio and producers are afraid. Lauren, though, has gotten them to consider her for a secondary character. One who actually pops up in about as many scenes as the two main characters. And Jill takes the job.
The two main characters, one of whom’s names is Nikki, the other one escapes me (Shawn?), do most of their own stunts (and have very limited interaction with the story line of the book). Jill, on the other hand, has a stunt double. One named Crash Patterson.
Crash and Jill meet for the first time when the stunt coordinator (or the director? I forget which), describes the first stunt Crash will be performing. Stumbling over a bed pan. Crash, confused at the simplicity of the ‘gag’ makes some comment that consists of calling Jill a prissy prima donna. Only to find that Jill was standing behind her.
Jill is as stubborn as a mule. Takes a little bit for her to accept Crash’s apology. Sparks fly between them but Jill lets Crash know that nothing can happen between them. Crash, probably the only person on the set who didn’t initially know about the multiple sclerosis (and doesn’t yet at the time I’m describing), ‘accepts’ this comment. But wants to be friendly/friends.
Crash works on trying to wear down Jill’s reluctant determination to die alone. Jill’s stubborn, as noted, as a mule.
There are some great scenes in this book. Involving romance, friendship, trust, … scenes of learning about and living with multiple sclerosis. And a lot more sex scenes than I’m used to from Jae. If I recall correctly, the second book had roughly zero. At least that’s the way it felt – since the sequel short story is where the sex occurred for that couple. Again, if I recall correctly. There will be no need for a sequel sex short story here. They didn’t exactly fuck like bunnies, but they were graphically intimate numerous times. I don’t recall now how many times. I appear fixated on this aspect of the book. Heh.
Overall a great book, hence the five star rating. I’ve been putting ‘the best of the best’ books on a 5.5 star shelf. This one will probably go onto the 5 star shelf. It’s a solid five star book. I just don’t know yet, have to give it time, eh, to see if it has that little bit extra that lingers and causes me to elevate the book.
As of yet, no book by Jae has risen to the top tier of that 5.5 shelf, but this is the sixth work by Jae that I’ve given five stars. Five of which are books, 1 of which is a short story. Hmms. My math must be wrong. I’ve an overall rating of 4.19 for the stuff I’ve read by Jae. That seems oddly low. Considering everything except two short stories have been given at least 4 stars. I probably should just get a rating average for the full length books. Too much work. I move on.
This is my ninth book I’ve read by Jae. 17th ‘thing’ if you include the short stories. It seems that I both almost like everything I read by Jae, and have some odd vague reluctance to leap in. Like there’s this second book in a police series that I’ve been eyeing for more than a year, but I still can’t seem to get myself to start it. And, despite rather enjoying ‘Backwards to Oregon’, I’ve never been able to even contemplate trying anything else in that series. I’m odd that way, apparently. This book, though, I snapped up immediately when I saw it was out and began reading immediately after whatever book I had been reading when I bought this book here.
So, what’s this one about? Jae likes having series that follow different characters, as in the first book would follow certain characters, and the second book would follow a different set of main characters. I knew that going in. I just didn’t remind myself of the prior books in this series so didn’t immediately recall that Jill had been in the prior books. Ah, see, I went back to look at the books just now and what I had initially thought was in fact true. Jill wasn’t in the first book, she was in the second and then in the short story sequel.
Hmm. Okay let me back up. I recall now why I just leapt into Just Physical without paying much attention to the prior books. Amanda Clark and Michelle Osinski are the stars of the first book. Amanda pops up in the second as a co-worker of Grace’s (her name pops up 91 times, to be exact). Michelle is named and seen but has more of a cameo role in the second book. Neither Grace nor Lauren, the stars of the second book, are in the first book. Though Grace is mentioned in it about three or four times. Held up as a model of gorgeousness. Amanda mentioned 3 times in the third book. Or um. A person named Amanda is. No, it says in certain spots ‘Amanda and Michelle’, so it’s the same Amanda. Huh. It just skipped past me.
“Same thing with Amanda, her ex-girlfriend-turned-friend. Since she had moved in with Michelle, she saw the world through rose-tinted glasses.” (69% mark) – Amanda and Jill had dated? Why am I only learning of this in the third book, most of the way through the third book for that matter? Great. Now I’m going to have to reread all three books (and short story) to figure out how everyone ties together.
So. Amanda and Michelle star in the first book. Grace is mentioned in that first book. Jill is not despite being ‘ex-girlfriend’ of Amanda. Amanda pops up in the second; Michelle is mostly a cameo part at best in second. Neither pops up in the third book, though a party involving them is mentioned. Grace and Lauren star in the second book (and short story). Jill appears in the second book. Amanda, Jill and Grace work together on a show (if I’m recalling correctly). Both Grace and Lauren are in the third book, much bigger roles than the first couple get to be. Especially since their, Amanda and Michelle, roles consist of being mentioned.
Right. So. Jill Corrigan first appeared in the second book in this Hollywood series, as a co-worker of Grace. And she gets entangled in something of a scandal involving Grace because both are seen hobbling into one of their trailers. This forced Jill to come forward to make an announcement about her condition. She had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 25. Grace had just been helping her. They were not, in fact, secret lesbian lovers.
Third book opens. Jill is still attempting to wrap her brain around the fact that she has multiple sclerosis. She decides that she doesn’t want to be a burden, doesn’t want to tie someone to her – to make them become her care-giver. To, in her mind, ruin their life. So, she decides on never again having a romantic entanglement.
Lauren’s written a film, based on the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Starring two, if I recall correctly, lesbians. Jill likes the script and wants to play one of the lead roles. She’s not even offered the chance to audition for either part because of her multiple sclerosis. It’s a disaster picture. Lots of action. The studio and producers are afraid. Lauren, though, has gotten them to consider her for a secondary character. One who actually pops up in about as many scenes as the two main characters. And Jill takes the job.
The two main characters, one of whom’s names is Nikki, the other one escapes me (Shawn?), do most of their own stunts (and have very limited interaction with the story line of the book). Jill, on the other hand, has a stunt double. One named Crash Patterson.
Crash and Jill meet for the first time when the stunt coordinator (or the director? I forget which), describes the first stunt Crash will be performing. Stumbling over a bed pan. Crash, confused at the simplicity of the ‘gag’ makes some comment that consists of calling Jill a prissy prima donna. Only to find that Jill was standing behind her.
Jill is as stubborn as a mule. Takes a little bit for her to accept Crash’s apology. Sparks fly between them but Jill lets Crash know that nothing can happen between them. Crash, probably the only person on the set who didn’t initially know about the multiple sclerosis (and doesn’t yet at the time I’m describing), ‘accepts’ this comment. But wants to be friendly/friends.
Crash works on trying to wear down Jill’s reluctant determination to die alone. Jill’s stubborn, as noted, as a mule.
There are some great scenes in this book. Involving romance, friendship, trust, … scenes of learning about and living with multiple sclerosis. And a lot more sex scenes than I’m used to from Jae. If I recall correctly, the second book had roughly zero. At least that’s the way it felt – since the sequel short story is where the sex occurred for that couple. Again, if I recall correctly. There will be no need for a sequel sex short story here. They didn’t exactly fuck like bunnies, but they were graphically intimate numerous times. I don’t recall now how many times. I appear fixated on this aspect of the book. Heh.
Overall a great book, hence the five star rating. I’ve been putting ‘the best of the best’ books on a 5.5 star shelf. This one will probably go onto the 5 star shelf. It’s a solid five star book. I just don’t know yet, have to give it time, eh, to see if it has that little bit extra that lingers and causes me to elevate the book.
As of yet, no book by Jae has risen to the top tier of that 5.5 shelf, but this is the sixth work by Jae that I’ve given five stars. Five of which are books, 1 of which is a short story. Hmms. My math must be wrong. I’ve an overall rating of 4.19 for the stuff I’ve read by Jae. That seems oddly low. Considering everything except two short stories have been given at least 4 stars. I probably should just get a rating average for the full length books. Too much work. I move on.
December 22, 2022
Fear is so well portrayed. Jill Corrigan is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Crash decides to pursue something with her. The uncertainty is over the top.
If you do not know about concessions, this book helps you to understand that. There’s a lot of reference in this book about Grace Durand and Lauren Pearce, the couple of the previous book, Damage Control. Here you learn that Lauren keeps avoiding alcoholic drinks because of Grace but at the same time, Crash struggle to reach a point to understand that even Jill having MS she can be independent and starts to realize that she needs to be part of the solution by allowing her to do things on hew own despite being worried.
The first reaction of Crash’s mom about dating someone with MS is natural believable, motherly but also her change and support are extraordinaire.
Some might say that Jill’s attitude was too much but I understand her and I think that is totally valid, MS is a life changing condition that even if you don’t have a severe case, it will change your life and the life of people around you; her first stance was not selfish I would probably do the same with the tiniest difference that never would ever convince me to date someone.
Love the part where Grace tries to confront Jill about dating Crash, but it backfires.
One of my favorite dialogues is:
- “How the hell could she get her to accept normal, considerate acts without freaking out or believing that every little sign of Crash’s caring had to do with her dam MS”.
- “It is when you’re fighting for your independence every day”.
Funny moment. When an MP3 player was mentioned, that threw me back to my elementary school days.
The use of Spanish was very well done.
This is a nice read. It’s no angsty but isn’t a rainbow, it’s long and filled with emotions.
If you do not know about concessions, this book helps you to understand that. There’s a lot of reference in this book about Grace Durand and Lauren Pearce, the couple of the previous book, Damage Control. Here you learn that Lauren keeps avoiding alcoholic drinks because of Grace but at the same time, Crash struggle to reach a point to understand that even Jill having MS she can be independent and starts to realize that she needs to be part of the solution by allowing her to do things on hew own despite being worried.
The first reaction of Crash’s mom about dating someone with MS is natural believable, motherly but also her change and support are extraordinaire.
Some might say that Jill’s attitude was too much but I understand her and I think that is totally valid, MS is a life changing condition that even if you don’t have a severe case, it will change your life and the life of people around you; her first stance was not selfish I would probably do the same with the tiniest difference that never would ever convince me to date someone.
Love the part where Grace tries to confront Jill about dating Crash, but it backfires.
One of my favorite dialogues is:
- “How the hell could she get her to accept normal, considerate acts without freaking out or believing that every little sign of Crash’s caring had to do with her dam MS”.
- “It is when you’re fighting for your independence every day”.
Funny moment. When an MP3 player was mentioned, that threw me back to my elementary school days.
The use of Spanish was very well done.
This is a nice read. It’s no angsty but isn’t a rainbow, it’s long and filled with emotions.
November 18, 2021
I don’t think I can say more than what has already been said regarding Just Physical. I might be late in reading it, but this book was a part of journey towards Jae’s award-winning short story Worth the Wait. You might ask why I waited so long to read it, the answer is quite simple, because I’m stupid. I just wanted to test my resistance to something I wanted to read so badly, since everybody wouldn’t stop talking about it. Only one word to it, right? Stupid!
When I read Damage Control, the character that touched my heart the most was indeed Jill Corrigan and I was so happy to know that Jae decided to write a whole book about her.
Just Physical reminds me once again that Jae is also a psychologist and therefore knows exactly how to portrait a character and make sure that the evolution of their emotions is just right: denial, survival, rejection, pushing everybody away, not feeling yourself worthy of love, fear of abandonment. All of this hit me pretty hard, Jill and Crash hit me pretty hard, they made my heart ache, they made me lust, they almost and I say almost, made me cry. They made me think how sometimes in life we are so stubborn that we deny ourselves the happiness we deserve: because when we look at the mirror, we only see our faults, our defects, our misery, and we don’t want to put any other human in that misery with us.
Trust me, I know all about it. I know how you can love someone so much that it hurts thinking about a life without them, but at the same time, I didn’t want my partner to carry my burden, seeing myself so weak, so lost, so alone in my head, feeling nothing but a failure.
Jill is a reminder of all of that to me and possibly, the most stubborn character I have ever read about, and if that is not appealing to me! I cheered for Crash so much that my heart was literally drumming in my chest!
Every word they shared, every touch, every furtive look at each other, the constant back and forth, the teasing, the banter and the heartfelt moments, the chase, the “Never Let Me Go” moments, the steamy body contact, the almost happy and back to square one “Stay away from me”, the water chasing a fire that can’t be put out now that it’s again alive… I felt all of this, my body and my mind reacted to all of it.
And what kept my heart in a tight grip has been the feeling of someone who is so afraid to ask for help, because they always felt the need of being able to do everything alone. Sometimes, alone is not enough. Sometimes, you must accept that nonjudgmental helping hand. Sometimes you need to understand that love is not only being there for the best of it, but also fighting everyday battles, and you need to trust your partner and their willingness to be at your side while fighting, breaking walls, climbing stairs, taming wildfire.
I have such a deep respect and love for Jill and Crash, they’ll be in my heart for a long, long time.
I could go on forever talking about Just Physical, but when a book makes me feel so much, sometimes all the emotions are bottled up in my head and I can’t seem to wrap myself around them.
Just one last thing, some scenes are so powerful and so dramatically romantic that they remind you of the Sturm und Drang… after all Jae is German, she knows all about romanticism and passion.
When I read Damage Control, the character that touched my heart the most was indeed Jill Corrigan and I was so happy to know that Jae decided to write a whole book about her.
Just Physical reminds me once again that Jae is also a psychologist and therefore knows exactly how to portrait a character and make sure that the evolution of their emotions is just right: denial, survival, rejection, pushing everybody away, not feeling yourself worthy of love, fear of abandonment. All of this hit me pretty hard, Jill and Crash hit me pretty hard, they made my heart ache, they made me lust, they almost and I say almost, made me cry. They made me think how sometimes in life we are so stubborn that we deny ourselves the happiness we deserve: because when we look at the mirror, we only see our faults, our defects, our misery, and we don’t want to put any other human in that misery with us.
Trust me, I know all about it. I know how you can love someone so much that it hurts thinking about a life without them, but at the same time, I didn’t want my partner to carry my burden, seeing myself so weak, so lost, so alone in my head, feeling nothing but a failure.
Jill is a reminder of all of that to me and possibly, the most stubborn character I have ever read about, and if that is not appealing to me! I cheered for Crash so much that my heart was literally drumming in my chest!
Every word they shared, every touch, every furtive look at each other, the constant back and forth, the teasing, the banter and the heartfelt moments, the chase, the “Never Let Me Go” moments, the steamy body contact, the almost happy and back to square one “Stay away from me”, the water chasing a fire that can’t be put out now that it’s again alive… I felt all of this, my body and my mind reacted to all of it.
And what kept my heart in a tight grip has been the feeling of someone who is so afraid to ask for help, because they always felt the need of being able to do everything alone. Sometimes, alone is not enough. Sometimes, you must accept that nonjudgmental helping hand. Sometimes you need to understand that love is not only being there for the best of it, but also fighting everyday battles, and you need to trust your partner and their willingness to be at your side while fighting, breaking walls, climbing stairs, taming wildfire.
I have such a deep respect and love for Jill and Crash, they’ll be in my heart for a long, long time.
I could go on forever talking about Just Physical, but when a book makes me feel so much, sometimes all the emotions are bottled up in my head and I can’t seem to wrap myself around them.
Just one last thing, some scenes are so powerful and so dramatically romantic that they remind you of the Sturm und Drang… after all Jae is German, she knows all about romanticism and passion.
April 27, 2022
Why had I not read this???!!! Oh I loved it. 5⭐️. It’s a rollercoaster of a journey. I kept thinking I had Jill worked out. Why she acted a certain way, said certain things. But of cause it’s a Jae book so the characters are always so layered and beautifully established that there’s always more to find out. I had so much empathy for her, and got mad with Her and for her. She’s a gorgeous, complex character who I loved getting to know and trying to figure out. Then there’s Crash. Oh be-still my big romantic heart ❤️. She’s just bloody awesome. She’s so courageous, and faces everything she wants in life head on, even if she fears it. She’s kind and thoughtful. She’s full of passion and fire. But most of all she’s full of understanding and patience and is willing to learn if it means she gets what she wants. The storyline is great. I love that it��s about filming Shaken to the Core (which is also a brilliant Jae book) it’s just great. Read it, get lost in it and prepare to fall in love 😍
May 25, 2020
4/5 stars
OMG the rate at which I binged read this series is honestly ridiculous. Despite this being the busiest part of the year for me, I couldn't help but spend all my spare time (and a lot of time I didn't have to spare) on these books. These have been the first books by Jae that I've read, but I now have a tab open with all of the books by her that I'm going to binge next. This was just another great romance in this series. It was different from the other two books, but still had so much of the same aspects that I loved. The characters and the relationship was extremely well-developed, again, I could feel the chemistry between these characters it was just so visceral!
This is also the first book I've read about a character with MS. I learnt so much through the character of Jill and I'm glad that I'm now more educated on all the struggles that people with this disability go through. Jill was a very stubborn (sometimes frustratingly so), strong and independent character. I already loved Jill going into this book after reading the second novel in the series, but this book gave her the limelight that she truly deserved. I admit that I found her frustrating sometimes because I just wanted her to let people help her, but it was understandable for her character to be so stubborn. Even though I just wanted our characters to get together because I'm a romantic at heart, I also appreciate that Jae didn't underemphasise or skip over the struggles (both internal and external) that Jill was going to. On a less meaningful note, the angst and conflict between the characters also meant that their relationship was all the more sweet once they actually got together.
I really loved Crash. She was such a charismatic, funny and kind-hearted character. Her commitment and love for Jill just makes me want to gush about her. I also haven't read a book about a stuntwoman (or man for that matter) before, and it was honestly so interesting. It was just another facet of the Hollywood/actor experience that I loved exploring. Crash also just perfectly balanced with Jill. I ADORED them together. They had such witty interactions, a strong emotional connection and also believable chemistry. This whole series was great, so I definitely recommend!
OMG the rate at which I binged read this series is honestly ridiculous. Despite this being the busiest part of the year for me, I couldn't help but spend all my spare time (and a lot of time I didn't have to spare) on these books. These have been the first books by Jae that I've read, but I now have a tab open with all of the books by her that I'm going to binge next. This was just another great romance in this series. It was different from the other two books, but still had so much of the same aspects that I loved. The characters and the relationship was extremely well-developed, again, I could feel the chemistry between these characters it was just so visceral!
This is also the first book I've read about a character with MS. I learnt so much through the character of Jill and I'm glad that I'm now more educated on all the struggles that people with this disability go through. Jill was a very stubborn (sometimes frustratingly so), strong and independent character. I already loved Jill going into this book after reading the second novel in the series, but this book gave her the limelight that she truly deserved. I admit that I found her frustrating sometimes because I just wanted her to let people help her, but it was understandable for her character to be so stubborn. Even though I just wanted our characters to get together because I'm a romantic at heart, I also appreciate that Jae didn't underemphasise or skip over the struggles (both internal and external) that Jill was going to. On a less meaningful note, the angst and conflict between the characters also meant that their relationship was all the more sweet once they actually got together.
I really loved Crash. She was such a charismatic, funny and kind-hearted character. Her commitment and love for Jill just makes me want to gush about her. I also haven't read a book about a stuntwoman (or man for that matter) before, and it was honestly so interesting. It was just another facet of the Hollywood/actor experience that I loved exploring. Crash also just perfectly balanced with Jill. I ADORED them together. They had such witty interactions, a strong emotional connection and also believable chemistry. This whole series was great, so I definitely recommend!
April 27, 2019
I knew that the third story in this series would have to be about Jill. It wasn't quite as good as the first two, but mostly because Jill is so stubborn. As with all Jae's books though it didn't disappoint, and I'm glad I got to know her story. And that she finally agreed to be with Crash!
*Arc provided by YLVA in exchange for honest review*
*Arc provided by YLVA in exchange for honest review*
March 30, 2018
Just Physical is book 3 of the Hollywood Series by Jae and it is awesome! I loved it. Jill and Crash are wonderful characters that you just love to root for. This is a must read for me and I highly recommend.
December 28, 2015
It's a 3.5 for me on this one. It's an enjoyable read and I really appreciate all the research that Jae had put into the book. I do feel like I learned a lot more on the struggles and the problems for a MS patient after reading this book, it does feel a lot too much though, after it start repeating itself. I do love how the author wrote about Crash, compare how she studied her stunt, researched on it, and met her fear full on to her relationship with Jill. Crash is wonderful. Jill, to be honest, I love her more in Damage Control, although i understand her struggles but it felt like all Jill is doing in this book is pushing Crash away. This book might have been better if it is shorter, less is more, whether it is the sex scenes or the physical struggles of a MS patient, because it does feel a little dragging when it gets to 2/3 of the book . Overall, a pretty good read and a nice continuation of Damage Control.
November 28, 2024
3.25⭐
I really loved the first ~100 pages but after that it went downhill.
I loved Jill in "Damage control" and was really excited to read her story.
I continue to really like Jill and I also really liked crash.
They were really cute together but we barely got any cute couple scenes.
Either they having sex or having the same argument for the millionth time.
And that's my issue with the book, it's extremely repetitive.
I could definitely see where Jill was coming from, but it just got annoying after basically reading the same thing for 170 pages.
This had the potential to be great but sadly I feel like that potential was wasted.
I just feel like nothing really happened and I had the same issue with the 2nd book in the series.
I really loved the first ~100 pages but after that it went downhill.
I loved Jill in "Damage control" and was really excited to read her story.
I continue to really like Jill and I also really liked crash.
They were really cute together but we barely got any cute couple scenes.
Either they having sex or having the same argument for the millionth time.
And that's my issue with the book, it's extremely repetitive.
I could definitely see where Jill was coming from, but it just got annoying after basically reading the same thing for 170 pages.
This had the potential to be great but sadly I feel like that potential was wasted.
I just feel like nothing really happened and I had the same issue with the 2nd book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews