Untouched

by Jayme Bean

Dr. Julia Morrow and her graduate students, David and Marisol, embark on a research trip to explore a remote section of the Amazon rainforest. When their trails seem to change direction at will and they find themselves lost and without communication, the trio worry they may be in for more than just the latest scientific discovery.After strange circumstances divide the group, they're left deciding which is more important - finding out why the rainforest seems like it’s alive or getting back home in one piece. The deeper they travel into the jungle in search of answers, the more they realize that some places are meant to remain untouched.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Adventure, Adult, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 9, 2021

About the author

Jayme Bean is an independent author who enjoys writing stories that speak both to the wonders of the world and the highs and lows of the human condition. Inspired by her travels around the world and her career as a zookeeper, she writes using her experiences, lending a unique viewpoint to her stories. Jayme calls the sunny state of Florida home and shares her life with her son, and two cats.

Reviews

[M.E. Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untouched is a masterful story that touches on a plethora of genres, making it a unique book that I can’t label.

First of all I was amazed with the amount of research and time that must have gone into this story. David and Marisol’s thesis’s were incredible! I loved the technical jargon in the narrative and how realistic both of them felt as characters.

And Ben - oh sweet Ben. David might have wanted to be Tarzan but Ben was totally my image of Tarzan, a hot boy wandering the jungle and falling in love with a nerd. He’s now one of my favorite book boyfriends.

Basically I loved everything about this book. There was the perfect mix of adventure, romance, character growth, and suspense to keep me completely involved. I’ve never read anything quite like this and I doubt I will ever again. Bean is an incredible author and I can’t wait for their next book!

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Respected and popular professor Dr. Julia Morrow has chosen two of her best graduate students to accompany her on a research expedition into the upper Amazon. The two students she selected could hardly be more dissimilar. Californian David Harris came from a home with wealthy but distant parents who often left him alone to entertain himself with books. Botany student Marisol Lugo is from Miami, the pride of her family, and the only girl. She is especially close to her twin brother, Mateo.

The entourage is off to a shaky start in rain-soaked, crowded Iquitos, Peru. Marisol eagerly drinks in the sights, sounds, and smells while David wishes for fine dining and air conditioning. Dr. Morrow and the two students manage to reach the base camp without incident and proceed into the rainforest. Not long after reaching the first campsite, though, the three become inexplicably separated. Somehow, David and Marisol find each other, but Dr. Morrow’s whereabouts remain a mystery. The two stumble across Ben, another student who is on an extended research mission and presumed lost in the jungle. Together the three must find a way out of an area the natives call Tierra Maldita, cursed earth. Is the rainforest really trying to trap them or is their isolation causing them to imagine things? Will any of them escape alive?

At its heart, Untouched is a story about forging relationships. David and Marisol may be a mismatched pair in many ways, but necessity forces them to work as a team. They bicker, to be sure, but as David slowly adapts to the hostile environment, Marisol develops a growing respect for his abilities. Even Ben, the experienced jungle researcher, comes to realize that David is developing a keen insight into the world around them. The friendship that develops from this crucible of adversity is likely to remain strong indeed.

This book intrigued me from the start. While the exotic rainforest setting is a catalyst for the human drama that is the real story, it serves that purpose wonderfully. Author Jayme Bean makes effective use of her extensive travels, for she gives the reader a very real sense of being lost in the jungle. Add in plot twists that throw setbacks at the three students every time they seem close to success, and you have a book that is hard to put down. If you think you know what will happen next, you’re probably wrong.

If I have a complaint about Untouched, it is that it can seem repetitious in places. Marisol and David have the same arguments in slightly different forms throughout the book. But this is a minor distraction at most. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[A.E. Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really compelling eco mystery! Grad students David and Marisol head out on a research trip with their professor through the Amazon. Soon after they depart, they begin to realize the jungle is not what it seems. Bean does a great job ramping up tension as the plot (and jungle) thicken. David and Marisol are well-developed characters who don't necessarily like each other at first, but soon have to depend on each other to survive. This one is worth a read!

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Julia Morrow and her graduate students Marisol and David are entering the Amazon rainforest to take part in an ongoing ecological experiment. Shortly before entering the rainforest, Doctor Morrow discovers that her other student who assists her on experiments has gone missing and has not contacted the villagers who provided him with supplies. Unable to reach him by satellite phone, Doctor Morrow is deeply concerned about his safety.

Normally enthusiastic, the guides who helped doctor Morrow and her students take supplies out to their base camp have suddenly become fearful, one dubbing the rainforest “Tierra Maldita,” or cursed land, and refuses to go further to the base camp. Without the help of the guides, Doctor Morrow, Marisol and David strike out on their own carrying all the supplies to the next base camp. After a long day of hiking and making the first base camp, the following morning Doctor Morrow is nowhere to be found.

Now David and Marisol must decide whether to push forward into the rainforest hoping to find Doctor Morrow further ahead or turn back. Facing numerous obstacles and attacks, Marisol and David persist in their endeavor, whether the rainforest wants them to or not.
Untouched was a very entertaining read so much so that I stayed up till 2:00 AM because I wanted to know how the book ended. Adventure is not a normal genre to read but I got very strong Crichton vibes from this story and I loved it.

I loved how the camaraderie of David and Marisol developed from quiet strangers to best friends. Without giving too much away, one of the characters develops a relationship with an unnamed character and I now ship them hard. I would love to see further stories of all of these characters by Ms. Bean in the future.

5/5 Stars
Thanks to the author and Book Sprout for providing me with a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rebecca Crunden]

Paul once told me that it’s ‘inhospitable for anything other than the creatures that exist in the swamps.’



Untouched follows a small group of researchers as they embark into the Amazon rainforest. Things quickly become dangerous for the group when they realise that there's more to the forest than they ever could have imagined.

“There are pirates, authorities that aren’t too keen on researchers like ourselves, and I’m sure we’ll come across villages who will be none too pleased to see us bringing foreign trash to their pristine wilderness.”



I'm so impressed by Jayme Bean's debut novel! The rich imagery and detail is amazingly well actualised and the characters are excellently developed. David and Ben were definitely the highlight for me. OTP FEELS.

‘David could hear the smile in Ben’s voice. Normally, he would be pulling away and trying to avoid anyone being in his personal space, but Ben made him feel almost at ease.’

HEART EYES

This is a wonderful book and I definitely recommend it!

Also, love love love this:

“People say that, but they rarely mean it—bibliophile. They read three or four books a year and think they’re blowing through the library. Me? I feel like my entire life has been nothing but devouring books.”

[Raul Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite reads this year. The dialogue is so well written that you feel like you’re part of the scene. The characters were so likeable and you just rooted for them to make it to the end. The thriller aspect of the story really caught me by surprise. The ambience is very ominous and you can feel the danger looming. David is such a wonderful character. His character development as the story progress is something I haven’t seen in a story. I can’t get enough of these characters. The story was overall spooky-full, action packed and full of queer representation to go around!

[David Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all have our weaknesses when it comes to books, tropes or character types we’re immediately drawn to. One of mine, and I have many, is environmental/biological horror. More specifically, nature run amok/striking back. It can be animals (Dr. Rat by William Kotzwinkle), insects (Invasive by Chuck Wendig), plants (The Ruins by Scott Smith)—you get the idea.

Jayme Bean’s Untouched definitely has some The Ruins vibes, but she’s very much her own writer, and this is an exciting, original and engrossing novel.

The setup is simple and devastatingly effective—a doctor takes two grad students into the remote Amazon rainforest for research purposes, but also to find a fellow researcher who has stopped checking in. Shit gets real quickly when the jungle, seemingly with a mind of its own, separates them, and Untouched becomes a tale of discovery and survival.

Bean excels at describing the rainforest as something beautiful yet overwhelming and ultimately terrifying. She makes you feel the oppressive heat and humidity, the claustrophobia that can come from lush vines and sharp, spiky, dangerous plants pressing in on you from all sides. She has a background in zoology, which comes through clearly in her vivid descriptions of the wildlife they encounter. Her descriptions of plant life are just as vivid, just as detailed. Bean writes with a scientific authority that makes her story feel all the more plausible. Untouched is at heart a cautionary tale—nearly all living things, when threatened, will take steps to protect themselves.

If Bean’s rainforest setting feels authentic, so do her characters. They are all complex and fully realized, with interesting back stories. Threaded throughout the novel, weaved into the terror, is a touching new romance with beats that feel just right. Bean writes straight, gay, and bi characters equally well. I found myself rooting for them to survive, just to see where the relationship would go.

If I haven’t made it clear by now, you should read Untouched. And one other thing—Bean got the idea for this novel while visiting the Amazon, and she has an engrossing post, with a bunch of great photos, here: https://jaymebeanauthor.com/untouched...

[Bernard Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smooth and gripping as the mighty flow of the Amazon River. Incredible experience which left me excited, scared, and jealous. I might be a man of few words, but what else to say when your heart is full of images, sounds, trees, and more trees? This is a pure adrenaline rush read mixed with the dangerous beauty of the jungle. Addictive! So . . . when do we leave (on the next research trip)?

One more thing: the book cover is a work of art!

[Sibil · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

You shouldn't read this book if you are planning a trip to the Amazonia or to the jungle, because it could give you nightmares (and some really bad ones, at that!), but if you aren't planning this kind of trip then this book could make a great read!
It has it all: charming characters (David is my favorite, but Ben and Marisol are good, too! And the Professor was pretty interesting too, even if we don't get to see as much of her as I liked); an intriguing plot with some angst and mystery and twists and it was riveting! And an original and intriguing setting. The Amazonian jungle is fascinating and we are gifted with some interesting landscapes that sounded really lovely.
This does not really sound like my cup of tea, but once I started it I was completely immersed in the story, and I had an amazing time with it!

[Olga Miret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I write this as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel.
This is a debut novel, and based on the acknowledgments, it seems that despite the author’s initial reluctance to write a book, her enthusiasm for the Amazon rainforest, her contact with other writers, and her husband’s support encouraged her to embark on the project, and I am grateful for it. It is a great story, and I’ve enjoyed it enormously.
The plot is not too complicated, although this is a book where the devil is in the detail. What if the Amazon rainforest could defend itself against the intrusions and destruction it is suffering at the hands of the human being? What if the plants and the trees fought us back? The Day of the Triffids came to my mind, but let that not confuse you. That’s not what this is about. The beauty of the story is that the protagonists who end up fighting for their survival are not “baddies” in the classical sense, but quite the opposite. They are not there to destroy the forest but to research and learn about it, to try to preserve it. But, research and experiments, as we all know, are not always harmless, and the best of intentions can have terrible consequences. In that peculiar setting, we have the protagonists (Marisol and David are the research students, and they get separated from Dr. Morrow quite early in the book, although they become a trio again when they meet Ben, who’d gone missing before their arrival), and the novel is, in a way, something I’ve referred to before: a “coming of age”-style or “rite of passage” novel with a grown-up protagonist. Although the three: Marisol, David, and Ben are put to the test by what happens, David is the one that goes through a major change, and whose experiences get him further away from his comfort zone. In their own different styles, the three are geeks: studious, bookworms, and more focused on their research and learning than on their social lives, but David has always loved the indoors and seems totally unprepared for the expedition. Despite that, his contributions are very important to the resolution of the novel (although I won’t spoil the whole of the story for you), and he comes out of it a changed man.
If I had to choose a genre, I am not sure which one I would use to describe the story. It is an adventure story, a mystery (as two people go missing in the story, and later on there are other mysteries to try to solve, as the protagonists get lost in the rainforest and don’t know how to get out) that veers into horror at times, but also a story about learning who you are by confronting your fears, learning to work as part of a team, and to trust others. Along the way, we learn a lot about plants, biology, and the Amazon rainforest, about the organisation of a research expedition, about some Peruvian traditional beliefs, about panic attacks and its symptoms, and there is an interesting —if somewhat brief— conversation about bisexuality and how people react to it. There is a love story as well, and although I don’t think it will take anybody by surprise, it works well, and it adds further depth to the characters.
Although there are some other characters that contribute to the story (like the local guides, some of the other members of the research team), and I would have liked to get to know Dr. Morrow a bit better, the story centres on the three characters I’ve already mentioned. Marisol comes from Florida, her humble family is originally from Puerto Rico, her mother died when she was quite young, and she is very fond of her father, brothers (including a twin brother), and despite her scientific studies and knowledge can’t help but remember her grandmother’s teachings and religious beliefs, which make her worry about the guides’ refusal to go further into the forest, that they deem “tierra maldita” (“accursed land”). David, on the other hand, is from a very well-off family, but his parents have never been particularly close or even interested in him and his life, and he took refuge in his books and his studies. He never seemed to connect with anybody and has no true friends. He also suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, and although he has learned to manage those quite well, in most cases, it is not easy in his current circumstances. They make for a very odd couple, but, as you will probably image, they learn much about each other and about themselves in the process. Ben... We don’t get to know so much about him, as he is introduced later in the story, but he comes from a reasonably happy family, although he prefers to do his own thing and feels his parents try to over-control him; and he is independent to a fault, having learned how to live in the rainforest and become a true survivalist. The story also reminded me of a Young Adult or a New Adult story, because of its focus on characters (especially David) who are emotionally younger than their years, with the advantage that in this case, their ages (they are in their late twenties) make the whole novel more realistic, as we aren’t confronted with 17 years old who have the skills and knowledge that many experienced adults would be envious of, a common trope in some of these novels.
The story is told in the third person, although the point of view alternates between the different characters. In my opinion, David’s point of view dominates the story overall, but the author is excellent at introducing the experiences of the other characters as well, and although there is a fair amount of telling (because the characters —and us, of course— need to learn details about the project, the place, the plants, and the environment to make sense of what is happening), we often get to see and experience the full richness of the rainforest, the wonder and marvel of the sounds, the colours, the shapes, the feelings, the smells, and also the fear of being at the mercy of nature and not fully knowing what is coming next. The combination of the scientific knowledge titbits (that I found fascinating despite knowing very little about plants and even less about the rainforest), the fight for survival, and the strength and resilience of the characters, with the occasional touch of humour, reminded me of The Martian, and although the setting is completely different, I think there are some commonalities there. There are scenes of great tension interspersed with more contemplative moments, and the narrative eaves and flows, but although sometimes it might seem as if the characters are banging their heads against a wall (tree?) or spinning their wheels, I was hooked by the narrative and gripped by the story from very early on, and sad when it came to an end.
I highlighted much of the text and have found it too difficult to choose a few examples from the selection to share. There are witty dialogues, moving confessions, wonderful descriptions, scientific explanations, and awe-inspiring and scary passages as well. As usual, I’d advise prospective readers to check a sample of the novel, to see if the style of writing suits their taste.
I loved the ending, and although perhaps I would have liked to know more, it felt satisfying and right. I’ve mentioned the author’s acknowledgments, and I enjoyed reading about the process and what inspired her to write this book.
I recommend this book, that I had a great time with, to readers who enjoy adventure stories set in the wild, particularly those with an emphasis on ecology, biology, and the rainforest, happy to read about science and learn new things, and who also enjoy novels whose characters grow and learn from their experiences. There are beautifully descriptive passages that don’t overwhelm the story; there are plenty of adventures and scary moments for those who like to be gripped by a narrative; and also much to make us think. At the beginning of the novel, the author warns about the presence of episodes describing anxiety and panic attacks, and it is a fair warning, as the descriptions are very realistic and might cause upset to sufferers. There are also very mild scenes of M&M intimacy (I’d hesitate to call it erotica, and there is little explicit in them), but as I know what is somewhat subjective, I thought I’d mention it. There is no interpersonal violence in the book, but I’ve mentioned some scary scenes, and there are other kinds of violence and injuries present as well (that probably would be covered by the author’s warning about strong themes).

[Chris Durston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew. This was an adventure.

That's appropriate, by the way, because I'm pretty sure it is in fact an adventure book. Whaddya know. I'm not sure I've ever read an adventure book before; it's certainly been a long time since I deliberately picked one up, put it that way. Untouched makes me think I've been missing out, although somehow I imagine there probably aren't many as good as this.

Untouched does not, at least explicitly, contain any supernatural elements, but it's maybe a little bit speculative - perhaps it's, like, almost entirely in the realm of reailsm but taking the smallest possible step towards sci-fi. Parts of its world are strange, but strange in a way that feels very plausible, and that's really possible because of who wrote it. If anyone other than someone with Jayme Bean's exact background and areas of knowledge had written this book, it would've been a lot worse. You get the feeling she gets a real sense of wonder and magic from those things about the real world that are just on the edge of being something else, something transcendent, something just barely explicable. There's a lot of wonder to be found in reality if you look in the right places, and Jayme Bean knows where to look.

Its world, then, is... well, it's the world, realised as its own mysterious and beautiful entity. As for the characters, there are... two consistent main characters, I think. A third starts the journey with them but is absent for the rest of the book after an early turning point, and after a brief period of the twosome alone there's a new member to round out the trio. I wish we'd got more time with the one who disappears early on - I suspect there's a whole other story that could be told with them! They're all great, though: nuanced in ways that fit well together.

The whole thing feels really original, even if some of the basic notes of, y'know, people getting lost and having to survive feels familiar. It'd be spoiling things to say too much, but I got vibes of VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy, Sue Burke's Semiosis duology, and Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time - suffice to say that I'm not a biologist, but this book makes slightly speculative biology the most gripping thing.

And it's just really well written, and honestly it's just really good and I didn't want to stop reading. So there. Read this book.

[P.J. Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving an ARC of Untouched by Jayme Bean in exchange for an honest review. I will be the first to admit that I am NOT an adventure genre fan. So, keep that in mind when reading this review.

It takes A LOT for me to stick with a book. I tend to lose interest very quickly and it's hard for me to find a book that keeps me engaged. From the first chapter, I was drawn into this crazy and twisted story. What truly hooked me were the characters. I absolutely fell in love with them. Each one of them has their own quirks. Honestly, this is some of the best character work I have seen in a LONG time. And the accurate as hell depiction of the LGBTQ+ characters was very well written and spot on!

I am not going to go much into the plot because this is one of those books where the less you know, the better! I was absolutely hooked, burning through the pages as quickly as I could. I cannot express enough how in love I fell with Ben and Marisol. I love the slow burn feel of this novel. How the pieces slowly begin to click together is flawless, riveting, and a truly outstanding debut from an author that you need to keep your eyes on. Her prose is lovely and she truly soars with description and has a hell of an eye for the detail that sucks you right into the scene. I felt like I was in the rainforest with these characters.

The plot is simple yet layered. There are so many things hidden beneath the surface. Each layer is peeled back slowly as the story unravels and it was truly a thrilling and fun experience/read. I highly recommend this book to anyone...and not just adventure fans! Like I said, I am definitely not the target audience for this book. But there's a little bit of everything in here. Romance, mystery, splashes of horror and it's all wrapped up in a twisted and prickly package of endearing characters, tight suspense, and answers that you'll be flipping the pages to uncover.

5/5

[Blake Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does so many things, it's hard to know where to begin. Following David, Marisol, and Dr. Morrow into the Amazonian jungle was not something I thought I'd be doing, but once we were on the boat, there was no hope for turning back. Every page of this book drives the reader forward with a mix of character, plot thickening, and just good old fashioned anticipation.

This book gave me more anxiety than reading a Michael Crichton novel and that's saying something. As the characters find their way through the jungle in search of their lost friends with danger around every corner, I found myself unable to put it down, but also terrified to continue. The author paints the scenes so well that I could smell the humidity, feel the rain, and hear the jungle around me. It was a completely immersive experience.

Everything in this book from the botany to the first aid care is thoroughly researched and completely true. There's no reason to look anything up because it's already been done by the author. However, I did find myself looking up plants and animals so I could see what they looked like (i.e. bromeliads and pink-toed tarantulas).

If you're looking for a book you can't put down that not only is a great story, is scientifically accurate, and has a beautiful representation of LGBTQ+ characters, this is the book for you. This book is one thing you shouldn't leave Untouched (tongue click).

[Michele Quirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a gripping thriller that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, nervously eying that indoor plant you keep on the bookshelf, then Untouched is 100% the perfect book for you!!

Untouched follows the nerve-wracking journey of two graduate students and their professor as they trek through the harsh and unforgiving Amazon. What I loved most about this book is that along with being packed with action and suspense, it also puts so much focus on the characters themselves. Like, the character development in this book is HUGE, particularly for David. Unlike with Marisol, who I loved from the moment I met her, David took me some time to warm up to. But as Marisol said, he really came into himself during his journey. His arc was by far my favorite and (small spoiler ahead) I loved him with Ben!

Untouched had plenty of action. Crazy vines, disappearing trails, and caimans were just some of the struggles our characters faced out in the rainforest, but there was also a perfect mix of less intense scenes as well. One of my absolute favorite scenes was the one with the river dolphins!

Untouched truly was an amazing read and I highly recommend it. Jayme Bean is a talented author and I look forward to many more books by her in the future! 5/5 stars!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untouched pulls you in from the first page. The quality of writing is fantastic. The descriptions and the plot make it incredibly hard to put down. The characters feel very real and relatable. If you want a character based story, then this book is for you, as they are incredibly developed and the true centerpiece of the novel. The pacing is also superb and well balanced as it gives you plenty of action, but also time to breathe between sequences.

The rainforest setting is not done frequently enough, but is done expertly here and it's clearly well researched. The setting, plot, and style of the book remind me of the TV series "The River" as well as the book/movie "The Ruins" with a touch of Michael Crichton to boot. High praise for a debut novel, but the author's attention to detail warrants it.

All in all, I can't recommend this book enough. Give it a read. You don't regret it.

[KB Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting, action-packed romp through the rainforest!

Untouched is a book for wide-eyed, adventurous spirits who love a good story. A central trio of sassy, smart, well-rounded characters find themselves in close quarters and tense situations. There’s something for everyone here: exciting adventure, sexy tension, tightly-written drama, and a bit of mystery. Bean’s writing has a fun, intriguing tone that reminds us how joyful reading can be.

Progressive and inclusive, the queer representation was a breath of fresh air. Taking the typical idea of romance in an adventure story and turning it on its head, Bean weaves these othered perspectives into the tried-and-true tropes of the action/adventure genre in a way that feels totally natural and comfortable. I’m so impressed by Bean’s ability to craft queer characters with relatable backgrounds and personalities. I was crushing on Ben the entire time. So dreamy!

Untouched is a new classic. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to read it, and I’m looking forward to what comes next from this author!

[Rory Michaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNTOUCHED is the story of two students, David and Marisol, who travel with Doctor Morrow to study in the heart of the Amazon. The plot line and character development touch on new adult, romance, and thriller territory, but ultimately this is a character driven adventure set in spectacular, beautiful—and in this case—hostile nature.

As a debut novel, all I can say is wow.
UNTOUCHED is an original, exciting, interesting, and surprisingly educational story that really knocks it out of the park. Deep in the confines of the jungle, Bean gives you and the characters just enough room to breathe without letting the tension drop. Natural openings allow characters to develop and further reveal themselves, and are woven seamlessly into aa story that is intelligent, sensitive, and mature. The limited omniscient point of view captures the ominous threat of the characters surroundings beautifully, not trapping you in a single point of view—instead trapping you together with the characters in their plight.

The exciting adventure, terrifying threat, likeable leads, and sweet romance come along with fantastic bisexual representation. Bean handles each individual personality and identity thoughtfully, providing wonderfully well rounded characters who find personal growth, self actualisation, and the new beginnings of a found family. Shades of Crichton and Garland, with a hint of Jumanji on steroids, this is deeply enjoyable book, and David is an anxious hero I'd follow anywhere. I can't wait to read more of this author's stories.

[Jayme Bean]

Author of Untouched here!

(4.26.21) Untouched is currently available for pre-order here (Linktr.ee/BuyUntouched). If you pre-order, make sure to fill out the pre-order campaign form to get some free goodies (signed bookplate, sticker, and a postcard written by one of the characters!). For those in the United States, discounted signed hardcover and paperback copies are available through my website (JaymeBeanAuthor.com).

[Sarah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Amazon adventure

This book brings the Amazon to life (perhaps a little too much for the poor characters!)

Speaking of characters, they are well-fleshed out, realistic people. David is a character I quickly warmed up to & resonated with me (an over-thinker with anxiety, I can't think why...) Also, the exploration of being bi, and how people often misunderstand what that means, really shines a light on the effects of biphobia.

I also learnt a lot about plants!

[Amanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review of Untouched

[Anthony Nerada · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'll admit that I don't often dive into the New Adult/Adult space when it comes to fiction, the premise of this novel, paired with the immaculate writing style, had me hooked from the very first chapter. Untouched, by Jayme Bean, tells the story of grad students, Marisol and David, as they venture into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest in hopes of researching the ecosystem and plant life for their theses. Throughout the novel, Jayme skillfully manages to capture the slight nuances that come with having anxiety and experiencing paranoia, all while pulling the reader into the dark mystery of the rainforest and never letting go. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book, terrified to turn the page and discover what trouble Marisol and David found themselves in next. Along the way, what I didn't expect was to learn about strange plants and animals I didn't even know existed!

I received an ARC of Untouched in exchange for an honest review.

[Ash Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayme Bean is a talented storyteller. I was hooked from the start to the last word.

This story is about two students, Marisol and David, who travel to the Amazon to study with their Professor. Only, once they get there, they find out that Ben, the former student, now full-time researcher has gone missing.

The majority of the book takes the reader on a journey of self discovery, adventure, mystery, a lesson it botany, and a sweet gay romance that will leave you all tingly.

I loved how involved the story was in the actual environment they were living in... with the jungle playing it's own role around them. It read as though it was it's own character, changing and moving along the story line in a way that really had me guessing who's side the plants were on.

This was a very well thought out story, with fun, engaging characters, hilarious dialogue, and smart, witty characters. I absolutely adored this book.

[M.G. Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine if Michael Crichton and Kim Stanley Robinson threw The Blair Witch Project and The Ruins into a pot, gave it a stir, and decided to collaborate on the plot that recipe generated.

That's high praise, by the way. This story has elements of those stories and those writers, creating the right balance of mystery and intensity.

What about the characters? I have to admit that I found Marisol annoying in the beginning, her attempts to get David to come out of his shell are a bit cringe-inducing, though over time she does grow on me. For his part, David is always intriguing as a man reluctant to come out of his shell, untrusting, and preferring to keep himself to himself for many and varied reasons. But as their friendship develops, they do rub off on each other really well.

This is a clear five-star review for me with some thought-provoking stuff while telling a great story.

[Colin Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayme’s writing has a way of sucking you right into the rainforest with the researchers, and will keep you reading far later into the night than you’ve planned. Not only did Jayme effectively heighten my anxiety with her expertly crafted and horrifyingly suspenseful jungle scenes, as well as play with my heartstrings as I grew to love this trio of plant-loving nerds, but she taught me in ways that didn’t feel like a lesson. There were no stones left unturned, no questions left unanswered, and it almost made me, a complete homebody who doesn’t enjoy the outdoors, want to book a trip to the Amazon myself… almost. I will absolutely read this again soon and cannot recommend it enough!

[Amanda Shortman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untouched is the kind of book I'd have never picked up if I didn't know the author, as I'm a bit of a scaredy cat and think I won't enjoy it. I am *so* glad I do know the author and decided to read this book, because it is incredible!

Set in the Amazon Rainforest, two graduate students get separated from their professor and trapped in the forest that keeps changing around them. They stumble across Ben, who has been in the forest for some time, and try to make their way back to base camp. Will they ever get home?

The thing I loved most about this book was how relatable the characters were. David suffers from anxiety, and it was great to see that rep in the book. He and Marisol create a strong platonic bond which gets them through, which is again something I loved to see. And then there is the bisexual rep, as David and Ben's relationship unfolds. Even the rainforest itself feels more like a character than a setting in many ways, which brought the whole thing to life in such a marvellous way.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys an adventure story.

[Sophie Carbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow that reading slump hit hard…. But this was good at least! Dialogue and the romantic relationship definitely left something to be desired, however. Very clunky and the romance was sooo rushed. Loved the concept and descriptions though!

[Enderchaun · Rating 1 out of 5]

absolute crap. This book had nothing good

[Brittney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It dragged significantly.. took me well over a month to finish because absolutely nothing really happened. I don’t understand all the 5 star reviews. Just wasn’t a hit for me.

[Mark Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Jayme Bean’s Untouched because its premise sounded intriguing and because the cover grabbed my attention immediately. I’m so glad I decided to take on this action and adventure thriller. Bean had me enthralled from the first chapter, and I never wanted it to end. In fact, when I went back to the novel to get details for this review, I found myself caught up in her prose all over again—re-reading several pages each time until I managed to stop myself. This is Bean’s debut novel, but she writes like a seasoned pro.

The plot is complex. Yes, it’s about the consequences of civilization intruding on the pristine Amazon rain forest, but the novel provides plenty of magic, elements that may or may not be science fiction, life and death struggles, the wrath of nature, and a love story.

Bean has done her research. The details she provides put us in the middle of a hostile environment. I felt I was right there alongside our protagonists the whole time. I could see, feel and smell the experience. I couldn’t keep track of all the plant names, but I believed everything I read about them. There is so much scientific detail the plot seems to slow down in places—then again, that pause allows us a respite from the intense battle with nature, and readers need that break as much as the characters do. That said, the tension continues to build all the way to the end.

The characters are well-drawn and easily relatable. The main protagonist is David Harris, who with a fellow graduate student, Marisol Lugo, has joined Professor Julia Morrow’s research expedition into the Amazon jungle. David is the least prepared and least excited about the prospect of spending time roughing it, and he’s an avowed loner. The experience changes him considerably, and we cheer him along as he develops courage, personality skills, and even heroism. Marisol also grows as a character, as she becomes more self-sufficient and more understanding as the story rushes to its climax.

In short, I highly recommend Untouched to anyone who enjoys a well-written, compelling, complex story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Brittany Weisrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin?
I'll do my best to avoid all spoilers!

Untouched gave me some of the best Jurassic Park, Congo, Anaconda, rainforest vibes.
From the first page, I vividly imagined the book's settings. Each description allowed me to play this book out like a movie in my head and for me--that's a win!

Untouched starts out with two students, Marisol, and David (who are as different as different can be) following their professor, Dr. Julia Morrow into the rainforest.
From the adequate descriptions of wet clothes, sweat, plant life, and tents--I felt as though I was in that insect-infested rainforest with them. If only it were just insects in there with them...

Their journey starts out okay enough if you can tolerate rain, overwhelming heat, and the lack of proper bathroom facilities, but quickly it becomes clear something else lurks in this jungle. Again, let me say the attention to detail in this book is top-notch!

As our researchers travel on, things seem to move, go missing, and all of a sudden David and Marisol are turned around and lost when they shouldn't be. Bushes and shrubs are everywhere no matter how many times a machete cuts them down. Time seems to pass in strange increments...and the natives believe this area to be 'cursed'...it all builds this delicious tension of what will happen next.

Things really start to hit the fan when David falls ill...

David is honestly, my favorite character. He was a tad awkward, which is tremendously relatable, and sometimes a little rigid, but such a good heart. I won't even start on how his anxiety leaped off the pages and gave me all the uncomfortable, but glorious feels.

Marisol was a likable character and I enjoyed her determination to get David out of his shell a bit.

Author Jayme Bean has pulled me from my go-to romance reads and I'm not the least bit mad about it.

I'd recommend this book for those who likes mystery/thriller, Michael Crichton, rainforests, and intense/high stakes situations!