Forbidden

A Reluctant Series Novel, Book 2

By: Marla Josephs

Narrated by: D.C. Cole

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Shelton Morrison has a strict and fast rule about not getting involved with his tenants. He doesn't do it. It's bad for business. But, his latest tenant is definitely testing his resolve. She isn't just living in one of his various rental properties, she's living in his upstairs apartment just a stairway away. Savina Savagar is tired of her overbearing, male dominated family. She's moved out and right into the upstairs apartment of her irresistible new landlord. Only, he seems determined to resist her. The more she gets to know him, the more she wants more than the friendship he is offering.

©2015 Beverly Fields (P)2017 Beverly Fields

Perfect title - really good story

Any additional comments?

This is the first book by Marla Josephs that I have listened to but it definitely won't be my last. I was really looking forward to this book and was not disappointed at all. It was a very entertaining, engaging and enjoyable story. Even though the story builds slowly it still pulls you in from the start and holds your attention until the end.

This is the second book in the series but can be listened to as a standalone. I did not read the first book in the series but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story it deals with a different couple than the first story does.

I was really surprised when the truth came out. I thought she just had an over protective mafia-type Italian father when the truth came out it shocked me for a minute. There is a steamy adult scene between Shelton and Sevina, then we find out she was underage at the time. (a couple of days shy of her 18th birthday) I knew something was up but that's not where I thought the story would go. It is a huge spoiler which I try not to give in my reviews but it is something that may be really off putting for some listeners. It was enough to make me do a rewind to see if I heard it right.

Great cast of characters. All of them not just Shelton and Savina. Even though there were a lot of characters almost all of them were likable and characters that you would like to see each get their own stories. It's not often that you come across a story that most of the characters leave a lasting impression on you.

D.C. Cole once again does a great job with the narration. That voice. It just pulls you into the story and keeps you there. Really good character voices. The cadence, delivery and tone are perfect. He brings the characters, their emotions and the story to life through his narration. He was the perfect narrator for this story. Very enjoyable.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

Sweet and spicy with great characters

I love that this isn't a 'we meet and fall into bed story' but then none of the books I've read/listened to by Marla have been. Shelton and Savina spend a fair bit of time getting to know each other before anything happens. The also have great chemistry, talk about hot, it makes it very enjoyable to listen to.

There's also a lot of growing for both Shelton and Savina as they figure out what they are to each other and how to be in a relationship together. Savina is a bit of a contradiction, at times she's very self assured and at others she's at a loss, but that happens to most of us in life so I found her really easy to relate to.

I haven't listened to the first book in the series but that didn't seem to matter, I suspect that when I go back and listen to book 1 I'll find this one had spoilers. I don't mind, but if you do, then make sure you're listening in order.

D.C. did a great job of the narration, the voices are excellent, I could tell who was speaking without needing to be told, and that's important. The flow and phrasing were excellent and it had a lovely smooth pace.

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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Sweet romance

I really liked this story. Had a twist which I wasn’t expecting. The narration is great.

Rulebreaker

Shelton Morrison is a man who lives by the rules. When his new tenant Savina moves in he finds himself a world-class rule-breaker and it’s driving not only him crazy but Savina as well. Shelton’s carefully constructed world falls apart when, to his horror, he discovers he’s broken a cardinal rule, a forbidden rule and it all centers around Savina.

This story is a shocker, I had no idea where it was heading, so I was just as surprised by the revelation as Shelton!

I enjoyed this story and it encompasses everything I’ve come to expect and I love most about Marla Joseph’s books. Her heroines are not doormats, they are intelligent and have no problem confronting issues head on. The women in her books stand up for themselves in a major way, most times to the consternation of their lovers.

I see this series continuing for a while. There are so many characters in this book that need their own story told. I especially like the banter between Shelton and his cousin Fallon it’s hysterical. Narrator DC Coles does an amazing job voicing the interaction between the two, as well as all the other characters in this 7 ½ hour audiobook.

I can’t wait for book 3 in the series! This audiobook was received in exchange for an unbiased review!

Nice!!

I thought the characters were developed very well and also introduced very smoothly. I enjoyed the play and tension between Savina and Shelton. Very well done. The overall story kept me entertained and I appreciated that one. I like these characters and the way they sort of show up in each other's stories. Another great story by Marla Josephs.

4.5 Deliciously Forbidden Stars!

I couldn't wait for Shelton's story after meeting him in Reluctant, the first book in The Reluctant series, and it did not disappoint! Shelton is a successful real estate businessman. He has a rule against getting involved with his tenants. That is until sweet and sexy Savina moves in upstairs. She temps him at every turn. Savina is strong, smart, and thoughtful. She has a large meddlesome family that drops in on her constantly. This leads to a hilarious and awkward situation between Shelton and Savina that neither of them can live down throughout the book. They become friends first in this slow burn forbidden romance. It is sweet and steamy, and gave me time to really care and root for them both. This has a couple twists that stunned me and kept me totally engaged. I loved the interactions between all their friends and family members, including Shelton's cousin/sister Fallon, who we met in book one. Their banter was fun and touching.
I look for authors who can make me feel many emotions and Ms. Josephs does that with ease. Her choice to have DC Cole narrate this story made it even better. His voice changes and intonations made these characters so real, and demonstrated their emotions perfectly.
I loved this charming, emotional, and steamy forbidden romance!

Great read

Another great read by Marla Josephs. You can't help but fall in love with the characters. If you're looking for a romance book, this is the one for you. It Won't disappoint.

Didn’t see it coming!

Not surprisingly, I loved this book! As it turns out, Marla Josephs has become one of my favorite authors, I love everything she writes! I will say, this book started a little slower for me than the first in this series. It took me a minute to get into it but once I did, I couldn’t stop listening. Though it is the second in the series, it is a stand alone; however, you really don’t want to miss “Reluctant” because it’s fabulous, too. This book had a little twist that was quite a shocker! It was nowhere on my radar! Good job, Marla!
The narration was fantastic! As always, D.C. Cole’s performance is amazing. I will listen to anything from Marla Josephs and/or D.C. Cole.
I can’t wait to listen to #3 in this series! I absolutely, 972%!, recommend this book, this series and every other book/series by Marla Josephs! Try it! No reason to be RELUCTANT! 😊

If you love DC Cole - This is A MUST Listen!

Any additional comments?

I just re-listened to books 1 & 3 with Forbidden (book 2) in between since it's new to audio and fell in love with the entire series all over again. I FLoved Forbidden and can't give it enough 5 Stars to give it justice. Thanks for the chance to listen and review it Marla Josephs <3

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great story!

I'm embarrassed to say this was my first Marla Josephs & D.C. Cole story but it will definitely not be my last. I loved Shelton and Savina. Even though there were a lot of supporting characters in Savina's family, they were so much fun. I hope some of them will have stories of their own.
Marla is a great writer and D.C. has such a velvety smooth voice. Now, I'm off to buy Fallon and Reid's story!
***Author provided audio in exchange for an honest review***