This Man Confessed - By Jodi Ellen Malpas *Review*

This Man Series - Book 3 | Add to Goodreads| Amazon | Kobo | Nook |

The Manor, the very place where their passionate love affair began, fills with guests on what should be the happiest day of Ava and Jesse's lives. She has accepted that she'll never tame the fierceness in Jesse-and she doesn't want to. Their love is profound, their connection powerful, but just when she thinks that she's finally gotten beneath his guarded exterior, more questions arise, leading Ava to believe that Jesse Ward may not be the man she thinks he is. He knows too well how to take her to a place beyond ecstasy . . . but will he also drive her to the brink of despair? It's time for this man to confess.

I haven't had to suffer through such dramatics since high school. Ava is still a pushover and can't be decisive. Jesse is still overbearing and tyrannical. It's not sexy, it's exasperating to read. I skim read pages 200 to 350 (out of 436) which thankfully kept me from being annoyed beyond belief. I just couldn't handle the exaggerated behaviors of both characters. Jesse treats Ava like a child and she acts like one! She SULKS and he counts to three if he doesn't get what he wants. They call make-up sex "making friends" and label their sexual encounters all kinds of ridiculous names. In all honesty I read this simply to find out where their story finishes and whether they grew out of their childish ways...

***SPOILERS***

The pregnancy was forced and Ava didn't want kids! But suddenly she's okay with staying at home and looking after the kids. Like all good women should, right Jesse? If it weren't for the fact Jesse makes a great Dad (no surprise there...) this book would be a one not one and a half stars.

***SPOILERS END***

The epilogue saved the book from being solely an exercise in managing my annoyance. While Malpas writes well, her characters give me heart burn.

This Man - By Jodi Ellen Malpas *Review* #COYER

This Man Series - Book 1 | Add to Goodreads
| Amazon | Kobo | Nook |

Young interior designer Ava O’Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can’t control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won’t let her?

I wanted to like this. The amount of hype around this series made me think I would like this. But I hated it! Am I going crazy here or is everyone else reading a different book?

First Jesse Ward is a despicable male character. There is a difference between a dominating man and a man who is pushy, demanding, rude, aggressive, condescending and controlling. Jesse Ward is the latter. I hated that he called her "Lady," it wasn't endearing or sweet, it made me think of when I am telling my friends off and say "woman, you listen to me."

Not to mention the fact it was a constant reminder of Jesse Ward's weird belief in how a woman should act - newsflash sucker, ladylike etiquette went out with arranged marriages, finishing school and, oh yes, female subservience! His counting is overkill and downright ridiculous. If I ever met a man who COUNTED DOWN to condition my behaviour I would have him hogtied, locked in a box and mailed to Timbuktu faster than you can say "make me."

Besides these faults Jesse Ward harrasses Ava despite her blatant refusal of his advances due to her JOB! Going as far to orchestrate a highly unprofessional situation. Maybe everyone else finds his aggressive pursuit sweet and romantic but I simply see it as a disregard for a woman's right to refuse a man. There is no romance in stalking.

Now Ava. My god woman grow a backbone. 

Ava is flaky, immature, indecisive and constantly confused about EVERYTHING. She irritated me from the moment she met Jesse Ward. Such a cringe worthy encounter had me practically hiding my face in shame for the inability of a woman to control her vagina. It wasn't sexy or hot to hear how awkward she was due to, here's the kicker, the physical appearance of a man. 

Yup. 

Ava, a professional and successful interior designer turns into a stumbling fool in front of a good looking man. Heaven save me from la-la heads such as Ava. Besides that she is constantly changing her mind, second guessing herself, making rash decisions and packing tantrums like a two year old. By the end of the book I was happy they were together because these two ninny's could never find a more perfect partner. GOOD RIDDANCE.

I only read this book so I could review number three in the series so stick around if you want to know how it ended up. (Note: I skipped book two because I couldn't handle three full books about them. Sorry.)

COYER Note: This book was bought on sale for less than $5.