This Man

This Man Trilogy, Book 1

De: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Narrado por: Edita Brychta

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 😉.

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

Can't Wait for the Next Book

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

Haven't read the book don't have the time I listen to all my books and really enjoyed it I actually find that I get a lot more out of listening to them, a good narrator can make a book the best or the worst and Edita Brychta was great

Any additional comments?

Just hate waiting for the next one which won't be out till the end of November and not sure if that is just the written version

Jesse Ward Is Shadier Than Christian Grey

I'm not quite sure how to put my feelings into words for this book. My emotions ran the gambit, but mostly I think I was just mad at Jesse for being an ass and Ava for putting up with it. I think I could have stood it better if she was a true submissive and he a true dominant, mostly the relationship seems borderline abusive, but the story just sucks you in. The secondary characters are fabulous. The language and narration take some getting used to because of the story taking place in London, England.
I've always said a good book takes you through all emotions, this one does. The content is for adults only. Worth a credit or the cash.