Jake Undone

By: Penelope Ward

Narrated by: Felicity Munroe, Brian Pallino

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nina Kennedy is alive...but not living...until she meets him. Planes, trains, heights...you name it, Nina is afraid of it and leads a sheltered life ruled by irrational fears and phobias. When she moves to Brooklyn for nursing school, that life is turned upside down as she develops an intense but unwanted attraction to her gorgeous roommate, who's pierced and tattooed and just happens to be the smartest person she's ever met. Behind Jake Green's rough exterior and devilish smile lies a heart of gold. He makes it his mission to change Nina's outlook on life. When he agrees to tutor her, they forge a bet, and the stakes are high as Jake forces Nina to face her demons. He just wasn't expecting to fall hard for her in the process. What Nina doesn't realize is that Jake has been living his own private hell. Once he drops a bombshell, will their love survive it? Told in two parts from both Nina and Jake's points of view, Jake Undone is a standalone story and a companion to the novel Gemini.

©2013 Penelope Ward (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Nose dived by 50-60%

I rarely provide review comments and I have purchased over 1300 contemporary romance novels from audible in only 10 months. This book started off strong like it would be a quality plot. At about 50-60% it nose dived hard with ridiculous surprise spoilers ...and too many mis-communications causing rifts for one story. While wrapping up the ending many holes were left (I went back wards multiple times as I thought I had skipped a chapter ..but not). I also don't buy the HEA.

THE STORY & ITS CHARACTERS WILL SUCK YOU RIGHT IN

Oh boy this book hooks you right in with the shy and nervous Nina and her infatuation, lust and ever growing feelings for her gorgeous, tattooed, pierced and very smart roommate Jake. Jake is so supportive and caring towards Nina and he picks up on all her insecurities and helps her as any good friend would do. But the more time they spend together the closer they become but Jake is giving off mixed messages and won't take their relationship to the next level. Every weekend he goes home to Boston and nobody knows why - there's a huge secret he's frightened to tell Nina about because it could ruin everything so when he eventually decides to share his secret with her he is one day too late..... one day that poisons their newly found happiness and joy leaving only despair, longing, heartache, regrets and pain.

What a captivating story because you so desperately want Nina and Jake to work things out but before you know it there's even more heartache, drama, angst, temptations and misunderstandings standing in their way before finally they get their Fairytale HEA ending. It was very touching and romantic at times and it also had it's share of sexy times too and eventually, when you thought their bitter-sweet love story was wrapping up, the author took you just a little further with them which was so perfect, loving, tender and a lovely ending.

Worth a credit? Dual POV's, two really good narrators and a highly emotional, sometimes funny, sometimes sexy, romantic and touching plot made this a very creditworthy listen. And one that had me saying "Oh just one more chapter"...... right through the night.

Great In-Depth Story

I enjoy Penelope Ward's great story telling. This book kept me hooked from the beginning. The detailed personality of each character is quality work by the author. You feel like you know each of the characters. The author gives you such detail and has developed the characters to be relatable and the story to be believable. Nina has anxiety issues and Jake is hiding a secret. You become so involved in their lives that it is difficult to stop reading/listening. The narrators did a great job as well.

Loved it

Great story line and excellent narrators! Worth the credit for sure!! I love this author and hope more audio books will come in the future.

Love can be complicated.

I don’t know why I waited so long to listen to this book, I’ve had it so a while now. It’s just beautiful, I adore a story with angst, a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat, makes my heart so happy. A complicated situation Jake has but he’s such an amazing man, he keeps his promise to Ivy no matter how difficult his life gets. Nina, a beautiful, selfless young woman. This book is a true testament of the sacrifices some people have to make for the ones they love.

Just okay

The story was okay, but the female narrator kind of bugged me. It was like listening to a female William Shatner. Of course, I had to finish once I’d started, but I will definitely keep an eye out for other books she’s narrated so I can avoid them.

Penelope Ward is the best!!

Another great book!!! It was a roller coaster of a book! I was laughing and crying! I love a book that pulls at your heart! Nina and Jake forever!!!

So much drama

The first half of the book was good. From chapter 21-29 there is so much unnecessary drama. It was so hard to get through. That area could have been cut down and been so much better. The story had such potential until Jake kept making stupid decisions over and over. I usually like Penelope Ward's stuff, but this was rough to get through.

A deeply moving story.

I really loved this story because the characters aren't perfect, but show their flaws and vulnerability. Deep, all consuming love is what I like in a story and this story has it in spades.

What a great story!

Loved this book, the author and narrators. Emotional..cried. Want every man to communicate like Jake.

Terrible and rather insulting.

I didn't like this book at all. The characters are annoying, and the authors attitude to mental health is just insulting. I seriously doubt all it takes to overcome deeply ingrained phobias is a hot guy you want to sleep with.

I also didn't like the female narrator. Her voice was rather annoying, and the way she voiced the main male character was terrible.

YA romance with strong storyline...

...a sensitive tattooed and pierced male lead and a decent female lead. What's not to like!
For me the storyline and the chemistry between the two characters were the highlights.Lots of twists and ups and downs.
The female narrators intonation was very annoying and difficult to get used to - I definitely would not want to listen to any other book narrated by her. It almost put me off continuing with this book but credit to the author I kept going to the end!
If you can overlook a) factual inaccuracy about phobias/ panic attacks being cured so quick and with the method suggested and b) how stupid several characters behave towards the end - you will like it!

I Adored it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I was a great fan of the book, but hearing the Audio version brought it to life for me.

What did you like best about this story?

The Empire State building with A J

Have you listened to any of Felicity Munroe and Brian Pallino ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is first time I listened to Felicity Munroe and Brian Pallino,they brought the characters to life for me.I would definitely listen to any other Audio books they narrate.

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

I was up near all night as I wanted to listen to it all in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait until Jake Understood is out on Audio.