Jesse

Publisher's Summary

Returning to Madison hurts. I thought I'd left my past behind, but the past goes on living. I carry it inside of me, it's a piece of me. People have marked me in indelible ways, and I drag the shreds of my soul behind me, trying to put my pieces back together. I'm not the Amber I used to be. I fly under the radar, try to be invisible.

It doesn't always work. Drawing attention scares me. It always spells trouble. Returning to my hometown is a last-ditch effort to lay my demons to rest and start anew, for good this time.

Meeting Jesse Lee wasn't in the plan. Yet here he is with his heart-stopping, sexy grin, handsome like a god, shining bright. He's full of life, full of heat, packing the energy of a thousand suns in his gaze and muscular body. Jesse burns, and the pain of being near him is sweet.

But he's foiling my plans. It's hard to remain a ghost when he's around. Hard to avoid his attention, to remain invisible. He sees me, really sees me, and behind his bright radiance, I can see shadows from his own past crowding in. He's swimming hard to stay afloat even as he reaches for me.

What is he afraid of? And how can he save me from drowning when he can't even save himself?

Stand-alone novel. No cliff-hanger.

Warning: This book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature listeners only. Not intended for young listeners.

©2015 Jo Raven (P)2017 Oh My Audiobooks

Good series! Love Jesse!

This is the second book in the Damage Control series, about the lives of a bunch of misfits who work at a tattoo parlor as a band of brothers. The heroine is a girl who has been damaged by bullying that was so bad she moved. She has no social skills and few friends, when she meets the hero at a party she's dragged to. He has a reputation as a womanizer and she's not interested nor does she trust men at all. Their romance developed over time with starts and stops. I liked the ending and the narration was very well done. Jo Raven is becoming a really great romance author.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

4.5 Lion Pendant Stars

STORY: Jesse=Man Whore. Everyone in the group thinks it and basically says he is. However, Jesse is a bit of an interesting character. Even though, yes, he has been with many a women, he's not just a man whore. He actually was a prostitute on the street...so that of itself is somewhat interconnected to him being who he is and what people think of him. Jesse has had to learn the hard way to work and stay off the streets. He lives with a group of guys, where he at least has his own bedroom....but the guys he lives with are very immature and it's not the greatest. So, he is working several jobs to try to move out and he holds onto his money like nobody's business. Jesse also has not forgotten his life on the streets. He goes back to check on his friends, tries to help them out, and there's a big reason why there is a fight in this book later on. Amber=Insecure. Amber used to live where everyone lives, but moved away due to some intense bullying by one guy. Leaving did bring back some of her confidence, however, she has quite a bit of ways to go to get back to being Amber. She did get into jewelry making, and from what others say, she's pretty good at it. (This also turns into an online business for her later in the book.) The first time Amber and Jesse meet was at a party, when he had just gotten a BJ from a random drunk girl. Talk about a first meeting! Amber was immediately thrown off, and had heard about him anyways...so, no, thanks! That first conversation was a shutdown on Jesse and I was like, "Go girl!" hearing it. I mean, seriously, he had just gotten a BJ or a partial BJ and expected Amber to what....fall in love with him? HA! Throughout the book, Amber and Jesse are breaking down each others walls, honestly. Amber is breaking down Jesse's "can't spend money, I'm alone, no one cares for me" walls (as are his roommates and it was sweet how much they do care for him) and he is breaking down her "don't trust guys" wall and building back some of her confidence in herself. However, as in any relationship, something happens to really bust them apart. {{I had actually read the book already of what had happened in the events after this, so I was ready for it, but oh my! Hearing what happened, I can see why everyone was pissed at this person. To find out more of the fallout from this and why that person did what she did, read "Shane," book #4, in this series by the same author.}} It wasn't even Jesse's fault what had happened...at all, but in a way it helps push Amber to be herself and stand up for herself. I did like that! Also, I liked the fact that the guy who bullied Amber wanted to apologize...but it was also Amber's turn to allow that to happen or not...interesting little side story.

SIDE SWEET: I love their nicknames for each other, but without having the book, I'm not sure what Amber's nickname is. It's either Ambers or Embers...I'm going with Ambers, but either way adorable. Jesse's nickname is JJ....and it's cute why that is his name.

NARRATION: Sebastian York (SY)--SY was great, and I do enjoy hearing several of his voices...drunk girl at the party voice of his was freaking hilarious...I could've listened to that a lot longer, lol! My only minor complaint was that during the fight scene of the book, it seemed like SY was just done with the book and ready to be over. I felt like it should've been more harsh or something. He didn't narrate it badly...I just felt it was not 100% there...that's all...please don't hate me...and I still like his narrations! :) Abby Craden (AC)--I think AC was perfect for Amber! She got the insecure Amber down pat, and you felt that through AC's voice. I honestly think AC did a better job of SY in this narration...she gave the umpf for the bullying part, she gave the hesitancy for the insecure Amber part, and she did a great job of narrating Jesse's part.

CREDIT WORTHY: If you're following along, yes! If not, I would read "Micah" first as it helps to introduce characters you will hear. But either way, it's a great listen and a great series!!!