The Forbidden
By Jodi Ellen Malpas
From Goodreads:
FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE THIS MAN TRILOGY….
What do you do when you can’t control your feelings for someone? When you know you shouldn’t go there? Not even in your head.
Annie has never experienced the ‘spark’ with a guy-the kind of instant chemistry that steals your breath and blindsides you completely. Until a night out with friends brings her face to face with the wickedly sexy and mysterious Jack. It’s not just a spark that ignites between them. It’s an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.
Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who’s had such a powerful impact on her and who could bend her to his will so easily, must be dangerous. But she’s already in too deep. And Jack isn’t only dangerous. He is forbidden.
My thoughts:
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. One thing’s for sure, I had to keep an open mind and fight against being judgemental.
Spoilers!
Annie is a successful architect who has no interest in a serious relationship. She’s just fine with her life and won’t fall for a man, until she meets Jack, and just about falls on the floor when she meets him. There’s something about him, he’s breathtakingly handsome, and Annie feels a connection with him from the moment she lays eyes on him. Problems arise when Annie finds out Jack is married. She knows the relationship between them is wrong now, but she can’t seem to shake him.
Jack is a contractor, also successful, but has a marriage that he simply can’t handle. He’s unhappy and yearns to be with Annie the moment he meets her, but the question is: does he really? This is where things get juicy, because I couldn’t figure out Jack throughout the entire book.
I wanted to read a heavy romance–something different–as I’ve been reading middle-grade and children’s books a lot these last few months. The Forbidden definitely delivered. I honestly didn’t want to put the book down despite some of the annoying, irresponsible characters. It’s written well with tons of drama, the type of book you just have to finish to find out the outcome of the characters. It’s twisty and deceiving. I’m really glad I read it.
With that said, I know that some people will have issues reading it because of the cheating factor. Infidelity is something I have serious issues with and would never promote, but somehow I was willing to overlook it in this story. Afterall, it is just a fictional story. I think as you begin to learn more about the characters, you realize there’s much more going on in the background that isn’t revealed in the beginning chapters as well. Definitely a book for mature readers.
4****
Find this book on Amazon and Goodreads:
- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Forever (August 8, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 145556821X
- ISBN-13: 978-1455568215
Thanks for reading my review! Feel free to share your thoughts below.
❤ Mischenko
ReadRantRock&Roll 
Great review. I know what you mean about cheating being a turn off. In a story with such twists and turns though, I’d be willing to read until I’ve figured it all out, then get judgy if I feel it’s warranted. 😄
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Thanks, Nina. Yeah, truly as you learn more about the characters, it’s nearly justified, but I still felt weird about it throughout. I found it entertaining regardless and I think you might too. 💚❤💚
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Fantastic review, Jenn! This sounds really good. I can definitely understand the issues with cheating, but sometimes it definitely drives the plot and makes for an interesting story! I’m glad it worked out for you! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season!! xoxo ♥
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Thanks, Steph! It definitely drives the entire plot because the book is centered around those two as the main characters. I’m glad I finished it and didn’t give up because not once did I figure out what was going to happen. Twisty! 😉
We are excited about the holidays, but we aren’t totally ready. I’m sure you know what I mean! 😂 Hope all is well and if we don’t chat, have a Merry Christmas, friend. ❤💚❤
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You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and didn’t figure out what was happening! I always seem to figure out the twists,and it drives me nuts! When I read a book that surprises me, I’m so happy now a days! 😅
We are too! We celebrated with my dad and stepmom yesterday because the leave for Virginia today to be with her mom, whose 96 and her sister’s family for Christmas Eve then head to TN to be with my dad’s brother, sister, and rest of the family for Christmas. We don’t do the TN Christmas since I can’t be in the same state as my mom…fun. So we’re still getting ready here too! I’ve not wrapped any of the kids or hubby’s gifts although I’ve been meaning to all week. I hate wrapping, lol. 🎁 I’ve got more cookie baking to do too but threw my back out last week while baking (from being on my feet 10 hours over a 2 day period) and had to get a epidurial steroid injection which helped a few days but now I’m loaded on pain meds and muscle relaxers when I take them. It kills me to be on my feet more than an hour or two, but I’ve got so much to bake and cook. It’s frustrating. 😕 Anyway, I hope you’re doing better than I am right now my friend, lol 😅 Have a Merry Christmas, Jenn! ❤🎅💚🎄😘
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Lol! I hear you. The ending wasn’t totally surprising, but I had no idea how she was going to end the story. It was quite refeshing!
That’s sweet that you got to spend some quality time with your dad and stepmom. Sounds like they’re going to be busy! I didn’t know that about the state thing with hour mom? We will have to chat about that sometime.
Sorry your back is hurting. That’s the worst! We just did cookies this week and it really tired me out. I actually posted about it yesterday and talked about how it was so worth it regardless. Good stress has the power to do that to me though. Ugh, I’m sure you know what I mean. I hope you’re able to get all your baking done though and that you won’t have any pain for Christmas. Rest up as much as possible, friend! 💚❤💚
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Wonderful review, favorite M! I agree about the cheating- it makes me so, so mad, but if it’s part of the story, I go with it to see what the story is all about. Happy you had a good read. Happy Friday! Woo hoo! ♥️ 🥰 Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, Jen! It makes me mad too. I nearly DNFed it. Have a good weekend, and if we don’t chat by then, Merry Christmas! Hope you’re ready! ❤💚❤
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Merry Christmas to you, too! I’m not quite ready, but I’ll get there! 😂 ♥️ xoxo
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Pingback: What I’m reading until Christmas, decorations, and other happenings this week… – ReadRantRock&Roll
Fantastic review and, wow, do I love that cover!
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Thanks! I liked the cover too. Came close to buying it! ❤💚💚
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Loved your review so much that I ended at the book store getting the book. Thank you! Definitely too close to home.
Kay of Hearts!
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Yay! I hope you like it! Let me know. ❤ Thanks!
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