This Man

This Man Trilogy, Book 1

By: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Narrated by: Edita Brychta

Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Named one of "The 20 Greatest Ever Romance Novels According to Goodreads Reviews" by O, The Oprah Magazine

Young interior designer Ava O'Shea has no idea what awaits her at the Manor. A run-of-the-mill consultation with a stodgy country gent seems likely, but what Ava finds instead is Jesse Ward - a devastatingly handsome, utterly confident, pleasure-seeking playboy who knows no boundaries.

Ava doesn't want to be attracted to this man, and yet she can't control the overwhelming desire that he stirs in her. She knows that her heart will never survive him and her instinct is telling her to run, but Jesse is not willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her.

©2013 Jode Ellen Malpas (P)2013 Hachette Audio

This Man consumed me until the end, & I want more!

Would you consider the audio edition of This Man to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

Have you listened to any of Edita Brychta’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

An extreme reaction? I was immersed in this story every single minute! It has all the elements I love in a good "guilty pleasure" novel. The characters are charming, witty, intelligent, and not to mention sexy! The sarcastic but comical comebacks and observations between Ava and her best friend Kate are funny and well written. I loved that I found mysel laughing out loud during unexpected times throughout!

The relationship between Ava and Jesse was intense and extreme at times. You could feel the magnetic pull between the two characters. Ava fighting it and Jesse drowning in it. I was pleased that both characters were older than most in this category. It is a mature read and doesn't leave you feeling unsatisfied or turned off by extreme play in the bedroom. It has just enough fire without needing ice to cool it down a notch.

Oh My Gosh, I would probably kill him

This was a very interesting book that gave me anxiety every step of the way. I understand dominance, but this is crazy, over-the-top dominance. Jesse is gorgeous, sexy, and extremely rich. But along with that comes crazy. Ava is beautiful, young, talented and must be crazy to fall in love with him. Despite all of this craziness, I really liked the book. I do believe that Jesse is a little psycho. But, he does love her and she loves him. I thought Jodi did a great job of building the characters. They were very understandable, even being crazy. What does that make me since I can relate? However, the story is a bit like "Groundhog Day". I enjoyed Edita's narration. Now, on to book number two.

I would have given 3 1/2 stars, if possible

There is a lot that I like about this story. For instance, I like the unique storyline. I like the mystery surrounded around the Hero. I like the Heroine's occupation, it isn't the usual occupation of a Heroine in a romance. I like the depth of character of the Hero. However, I detest the shallowness and immaturity of the Heroine. She is supposed to be an sensation in her career with more talent then anyone her age should have; she is 26. However, she acts like a 15 year old in her personal life. Instead of having an adult conversation with Jesse about her reluctance to start a relationship with him, she refuses to answer her phone or her door. She has co-workers lie about her presence at work. For God's sake, I wanted to yell at the Hero and tell him that this woman is not worth even 1/2 the effort he puts forth to win her. She has no ability to read between the lines and only cares about how she feels about something. She absolutely doesn't try to see things from any point of view other than her own; Good God! Her characters almost made me abandon the novel, completely! Then good parts helped me to continue, however.

My only other issue is the narrator's "male" voice. It does not fit the described Hero, at all. They should have picked Sabacion York or someone like him. I am going to finish the trilogy, however, I want to see how this all plays out.
-V from Kansas

Amazing!!!

Great book!!! I've already read them twice now listening through Audible!!! this is one of my favorite trilogies! Jesse Ward

Wow!

Narrator Review: Edita Brychta did an excellent job with her narration. She did a good job of switching between characters. I would listen to more books she narrates.

Story Review: My favorite books are the ones that have a hero that knows what he wants and goes for it. So many books have the hero falling for the heroine and they don't realize it and even fight it to the end. While I can appreciate a book like that, for me, there is nothing better when the man fights for the woman from the start. You definitely get that with this book.

I read some reviews before starting this and there are a lot of readers who think Jesse is abusive. He's controlling and manipulative where Ava is concerned and I get that. I understand why some readers wouldn't enjoy that. I, however, like the controlling possessive men in my books. In a book, you already know going in they aren't psycho's and possibly need a restraining order. It's a book, so this allows me to not question if he is a psycho or if he just really loves a woman so much he will do anything he can to keep her in his life. Now, saying that, I couldn't help rolling my eyes every time he yelled at Ava for cussing, especially since he cusses. Yes, out of every controlling, manipulate thing he did to Ava, that was my biggest complaint.

On to Ava. I hate a spineless heroine and I'm afraid that's how she came off. Yes I like the dominant men, but I also like the woman to be just as strong. There is nothing more frustrating when a woman doesn't stand up for herself or at least communicate her issues. Most of his ridiculous behavior was her fault. Yes, I said it. She ran away with out communication. He had no idea what was going on. She didn't even have the decency to tell him she decided not to see him anymore. How many times do we flay a man for being such a coward?

So yes, I get why the reviews are all over the place but I got the one thing I love in a story so even though I have issues with some of it, it's still a 5 start read for me.

Holy Cow!!!

Would you listen to This Man again? Why?

This book and it's 2 others should be illegal it is so good. I just couldn't stop listening. The narration is fantastic and the story line incredible. Just Wow!!

Jesse Ward takes alpha-crazy-mad-intense to a new level

I’ve read this book in 2017 and recently purchased the audiobook. I think Edita Brychta did a good job performance wise, but I truly wished the bonus chapter would have been read by a man (since it’s in first person single POV)
Onto the book, it’s steamy and filthy and I love it. Jesse is over the top what I call alpha-crazy-mad-intense and Ava is fun and likable. People who are not into dominant men will probably hate it but if you love your heroes dirty-mouthed, sexy, and possessive, you will love This Man 😉.

I am well and truly mind F**K!

This was the most intense, crazy emotional rollercoaster I have ever listen too, and boy... Whew!!! I loved every single minisule of it... I will literally pay audible to hire Brychta to narrate books 2 and 3, just so I can get more of Jesse Ward and Ava.

Jesse is up there in (Travis Maddox, Jake Wethers and Shy Cage) godness! Seriously!!

Jesse... well the only way to describe him is plain and simple... CRAZY... but the man is sooo intense... A good helping of Jesse smex had me panting, sweating, and just plain o'cheesing from ear to ear! I think at one point (the second bathroom scene), I literally had to get up and turn on some AC... It was that hot!

Now Ava... I liked her, but... I just wanted her to give in sooo bad... b/c you know Jesse + Ava was going to be off the charts... but Ava really held out... for a long time. Ava also had an inner monalouge about how crazy Jesse seem to be and how certin things would foreshadow...something was just not right about Jesse but she would get sucked under his smex spell and that was it... Her thought process was shot to hell!

I loved how Jesse had a smex or (*uck) for everything... Literally... a reminder *uck, sense *uck,crazy *uck, dom *uck, and the intense *uck... Whew!

This couple seriously was up and down the entire book... and just when you think Jesse rained in the crazyness... CLIFFHANGER ENDING!!!!!

I really really need books 2 and 3. It's not a want...it is most definately a need!!!

Narration was great. I loved Jesse's raspy voice.. perfect... and his smex sounds... WOWza!

This is a buy, credit or sale... a must! Remember... cliffhanger ending... so you might want to wait until at least book 2 is on here or you will be in the same lonely boat like me :(

An enjoyable romp!

What made the experience of listening to This Man the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Edita Brychta was amazing!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The chemistry between Ava and Jesse was almost palpable. Jesse's overbearing and controlling nature did push the limits at times.

What about Edita Brychta’s performance did you like?

The subtle changes of voice for changes in character made for a very enjoyable listen. Her voice is beautiful and her narration style are amazing. I found my self listening to another book and wishing she were the narrator. On par with the amazing Davina Porter.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

This made my daily drive much more enjoyable. It was a fun listen and made me want to purchase the entire series.

Love! Love! Love!

I avoided this series for awhile and now I wish I had not done it.

This is one of the best one's I have read in a while!

I would recommend this to everyone.