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

Wow!Just Wow!

This was a passionate romantic story. Definitely adult in nature. Both Jesse and Ava are intensely in love with each other. I'm looking forward to how their relationship progresses from "in love" to "loving" in the future books.

Is it just me?

I haven't finished the book yet but I have to say something. I don't know if it's just me but that first scene in the hotel where he set her up and everyone in the building seemed to know it was a trap complete with waiting jealous "girlfriend" just pulled me out of it. I don't know a single woman who would go along with that, except this girl. Even if Jason Mamoa was in that hotel room, I'd still be furious and humiliated. Maybe that's it, humiliation? I don't know. If I can get past it, I'll update my review.

Love it!! Amazing!!!

One of my friends recommended this novel. I love it!!! Can’t wait to read part 2!!! I’m in love!!! Best erotic novel I’ve ever read!!!

A must read! Checks all the spicy boxes!

Have read this series over 5 times and listened 3 times!! Absolutely love the storyline. Jodi Ellen Malpas out did herself with the story of Jesse and Ava pulling you in with every turn of the page. This book let alone the entire series will have you gasping, crying, swooning and breathing heavy all at once!

Needless to say this series opened my eyes adult romance in a whole new level and has led to the purchase of every Jodi Ellen Maplas book published since!

So hot!!

Ava and Jesse had such a hot connection with each other!!! Jesse was interesting, hot, intense, mysterious, and mind blowing. Such a great read!!!

This Man, what a ride! Now I'm totally hooked. SO SO GOOD

Ava and Jesse are quit a pair. You want to keep them together threw the entire story. I think I have another author I like.

Best book of my life

This is such an awesome trilogy. I saw myself in both lead characters and saw it is okay to live with such passion.

Awesome book!

Loved it! The story line is amazing!!! Can't get enough of it. Keep "rereading" it and always find smth new!

Repetitive and Illogical

I really enjoyed some of Ms. Malpas’ previous books so I thought it would be a no-brainer to spend a credit and listen to “This Man”.

Unfortunately, while the story begins in an interesting way, it quickly becomes a repetitive litany of sex, argument, separation, argument, sex, and so on for 9 hours. There is no substance to the main characters’ relationship, so the reader can’t even identify a sound reason why they are actually together. It’s too bad, because the relationship could have been an interesting one if the characters had been properly developed and their relationship had been properly framed.

Another irritating matter is that the male MC (Jesse), calls his girlfriend Ava, (the female MC) “lady” throughout the story. It’s either a belittling 1950’s-era reference to “woman”, or else it’s a pejorative term that he uses punitively; who knows? Regardless, the repeated use of “lady” rather than her name or an endearing term such as “sweetheart” just sets a weird tone and mood.

Last but certainly not least, the dynamic between the MCs is just toxic and ridiculous. Jesse is an obsessive-compulsive control freak that wants to dictate every component of Ava’s life from the very beginning of their relationship. If he had wanted to dominate in the bedroom only, it probably would have been much more believable and interesting. Instead, he wants to control her work schedule, clothing, time with friends and family members, activities, alcohol consumption, work with male clients, etc. A supposedly strong and independent Ava gripes about it to Jesse but goes along with all of his behaviors as his control infiltrates more and more of her life. What benefit — other than sex — could this type of relationship offer Ava?? It’s depressing and demoralizing to watch a bright, competent woman turn into a limp dishrag suitable for wiping Jesse’s figurative floor.

“This Man” is a very long, very repetitive, and very boring look at a relationship with no redeeming substance to it at all. I would recommend passing on this one.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

I’m conflicted on how to rate this book. I liked it, but there were parts that gave me the “eye rolls” and overall I thought the story was way too long.

I was really hooked on this book from the very beginning. The first meeting between Ava and Jesse was intense and mega swoon-worthy. I swear I was going to rate this book 10 stars just on the first few chapters alone. Ava and Jesse’s chemistry is off-the charts.

Although I really loved Jesse’s character in the beginning; gorgeous billionaire domineering hunk that he is, he sort of gave me the creeps by the end of the book. He was just too over the top. He became a rude, demanding, mean, immature stalker. Overall I just found him a little too extreme for my taste.

Parts of this book thrilled me and other parts annoyed me. It was too long and became too repetitive. Ava & Jesse are together, they fight, she runs away, he chases after her, they get back together, have great sex and then the cycle happens all over again.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The story did become exciting again towards the end of the book (despite how predictable it was). Overall I’m still intrigued by Ava and Jesse and want to know how their story ends. I did download the 2nd book, but given the length of the story I’m just not ready to jump into another exhausting listen.

3.5 stars in my opinion