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 … 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.more
The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it’s certainly going to inflict pain and anguish.
And yet we gravitate towards it like masochist suckers
It’s a very delicate balance to attempt to venture into the Forbidden trope and neutrally justify the story but Jodi has nailed it and in spades!!!
Annie meets Jack in a bar and it’s Instant Fireworks . Their bodies and souls ignite like never before. A lustful night of passion that follows, leads to the walk of shame in the morning , And Annie bolts.
She then comes face-to-face with her wickedly sexy and devastatingly dangerous stranger in the most inconvenient of circumstances , and guess what ……….he’s Off Limits !!
“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.”
You go Crazy. End of!
The heart breaks and weeps , fights a prolonged battle with her head and the result is buckets of guilt that douse her perpetually. She whips herself with her own judgemental eye . Labelling herself
Careless
Deceitful
Manipulative
scheming
calculating
But she’s neither . She’s just a girl who had the misfortune of falling deeply in love with a man who wasn’t hers to call .
Jack is a very strong and stolid character. He doesn’t bullshit, he’s very firm in his stance. Oh, and he’s amazing in bed. The sex is off the wall hawt. ;p Jodi writes “sex againstThe wall ” like no other and each of her books has bathroom sex as an essential. I love it!!!.
That brings me to the ethical angle of the story. I’ve been really conflicted for the past couple of days and here’s my stance – life is too short to be trapped and unhappy . When you find somebody who makes your heart sing and loves you Truely, Madly ,Deeply . You grab that sucker with both hands and never let go . End of !
“I’ve seen the reactions of people who have found out about affairs. They tarnish each and every adulterer with the same brush. I accept that many affairs are based on nothing more than sex— something exciting and daring in a life of boredom and discontent. But what about the people who meet that little bit too late and share something special like Jack and I do? Are we supposed to let that person pass on by, turn away from someone who finds your soul and kisses it?”
I have to note something here. There’s a pulse of anguish and weighted lust that throbs in the story in the background , like a metronome. You can feel it, taste it, hear it. It’s dread filled and ominous at points , hypnotising and blinding at others. But it’s there , ticking like a clock . I almost didnt wanna finish the book as much as I wanted to race towards the end.
The writing is phenomenal. It’s her maturest work yet and I enjoyed reading it so much , I pulled an all nighter . She doesn’t give any character a free pass , just dues and Karma and all. The setting, the side characters are really precise and help advance the story. Lizzy is the voice of reason yet a true friend.
I loved the boldness and desperation of the story. I loved the helplessness of the characters. I loved the heart of the story. I loved the bravery of Jodi , that she didn’t colour inside the lines and stick to the box !
5 “Jack Out Of The Box” stars
The best stand alone ever!!! Jack!! Need I say more?! There are so many jaw dropping twists in this book. I could not put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Forbidden had me at the edge of my seat. This is a definite book to add to your reading list!!
I love this series it is a must read
This is a controversial story and JEM did it justice.
I loved the characters and how they developed from the beginning until the end of the book. There were so many emotions brought about through the pages of the book that I couldn’t put it down.
Loved this book!The Forbidden
I just finished The Forbidden and I absolutely loved it JEM!!Jack & Annie’s story was so well written. As a reader, I felt their guilt, anguish, turmoil and suffering. But you also felt the desire and absolute love they had for each other. It might not have been the best of circumstances of how they got together but there was no doubt they were each other’s halves.
5 ’Forbidden’ Stars
I have started this book once before but it didn’t grip me. But now, I’m loving it all the way. Jodi is the queen, no questions here!
I just love Jodi Ellen Malpas’s writing and how she is not afraid to cross that line some readers would call “safe.” Well, I don’t want “safe”, I want real and Jodi delivers in The Fobidden.
Anni Ryan is an up and coming architect that dedicates all her time to her successful trade. One night while she’s out with friends at a bar, she meets an stranger that she shares an intense one-night stands with. The feelings Annie has for the sexy stranger become so all-consuming and intense that they spook her and has her leaving the hotel room before sun rise.
As days pass, Annie starts to second guess her departure from her one-night stand. That is until she sees him at her house warming party. She also finds out that he is to be the contractor on her new project and they are to see more of one another. Even though they try to keep their interactions professional, they fail and slip into a secret affair. But Jack Joseph is no ordinary hookup, he is forbidden and shrouded in secrets and lies that could break them.
** I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
loved this story!! I have to admit that when it was reveled that Jack was married, I was horrified. I usually don’t do cheating stories but knowing Jodi’s writing from the This Man series (which I LOVED!) I tucked in and kept reading. Once again, Jodi did not disappoint! Jack & Annie have an undeniable chemistry and are so in tune with each other it’s scary. Jack is married to Stephanie but all has not been well for a very long time. Jack has finally found the strength to leave the…well abusive… marriage he’s basically been trapped in. Annie is that strength. She just has to hang in there until Jack can make a clean break. Will keeping their love a secret be enough to keep Stephanie from going off the deep end? Or will she finally take the final step she’s always threatened Jack with?
This book was sexy, steamy and thought-provoking. A lot of twists and turns. I could not put it down!
The first sex scene in this book is soooo incredibly steamy. I could walk away happy with just the first scene! YOWWZA! To say it was HOT is putting it mildly!! Jodi did a great job depicting the guilt & struggle the characters had between their feelings and doing the right thing. It had to be a difficult challenge to create a character doing something we hate, yet still keep us liking/loving her. Despite my unhappiness about the characters choices, the author created a story that evoked empathy and compassion, allowing me to embrace the characters and root for their love to succeed. I did find that Stephanie seemed similar to Jesse’s psycho knife wielding ex. Overall, Jodi a great job telling her story. I have read all of her books and continue to be a huge fan. Thank you Jodi for another entertaining and steamy read!
**I was lucky to win an ARC of this amazing book and am honored to leave an honest review**
Wow! This book just…. Wow! I’m having a hard time putting into words what this book did to me. I am emotionally drained. So many twists and turns.
This book was gripping, raw and incredibly real. Annie and Jack took my heart. I found the storyline incredibly intriguing and couldn’t put this book down!
Throughout the book there are so many twists and turns. It’s both heart-wrenching and passionate. I laughed. I cried. And at times, I had to put it down and walk away for a while before continuing on.
I thought this book was so different from her previous writings. It may not be for everyone, but it will take you on an emotional journey that you won’t forget.
3.5 stars
I think this is the hardest rating I have had to give and the hardest review I’ve ever had to write. First of all, because I LOVE Jodi’s flawless writing. She’s an insta -One click for me. But the topic was a hard limit for me, one I couldn’t look past. Secondly, I think that this book should has come with more of a “warning”. Simply saying it was “Forbidden”, was very ambiguous. If you love romance novels, you know that we can’t build love over lies, and we can’t build our happiness over the sadness of others/ourselves. That’s why I can gave it 3.5 stars (on average). Ultimately, I couldn’t look past the matter at hand, but I couldn’t deny their love.
5 STARS FOR JODI’S WRITING STYLE
As I said, I’m a HUGE fan of Jodi’s writing style. I love all her books and I’ve read them all. This book is truly a masterpiece in that sense. I love how she describes emotions, actions (they had scorching sex scenes), places, people. I could clearly visualize what was happening and how they were feeling. Jodi knows how to develop characters so well, the main ones and the secondary. In this book she has created characters that are very real and with flaws making the story believable. They’re so human, that you just end up loving them, or in my case hating them.
The ability this author has that despite you’re hating the subject, but yet you can’t stop reading it and you know why? Because Jodi trapped us on her web and we are stuck there until “THE END”.
This is not the first time that Jodi given us a debatable book. I remember all the long convos about loving or hating “The Lord of the Manor” (This Man Series), there were people who love Jesse (like me) and people who actually hate Jesse, and THE FORBIDDEN will be the same way, we will talk about this forever, readers will be divided once again on their opinions, that is how you know how good of an author Jodi Ellen Malpas is.
2 STARS FOR THE CHARACTERS
*sigh* This was hard for me, when Annie met Jack their connection was undeniable and almost unbelievable. Just with the brush of their skin, both felt something that neither have experienced before.
Annie Ryan was a successful woman, she just bought a new home and she owns her own business, but she never found love or she never felt a connection with a man that will make her want to have a relationship. She is hardworking and very independent.
Her friends were worried about her, about her love live, she hasn’t been with a man in years so they insisted she have a wild night. So she does exactly that. She meets Jack in a bar and they had the most amazing, scorching, hot and very consuming night. But when they both think this was just a “one night stand” and they will never meet again, Annie finds out she will have to work with him because he is the contractor on her new project and also that he was off her limits.
Annie knew he was forbidden and that they can’t be together but as she said, Jack consumed her and she can’t live without him. (Yes, he consumed Annie’s brain, sense and morals too), despite Jack lied to her about his current relationship status, they both decided to have a relationship anyways.
That’s when they both disappointed me and hit my hard limit. I understand that when you love someone, you just love them. “The heart wants what it wants.” I can understand that they are in love and they belong together, but why Jack couldn’t fix his “situation” first and then go for the love he deserves. Sorry, but I can’t buy all the lines or excuses he gave like “my wife is volatile”, “I’m miserable in my marriage”. Maybe if we’d had Jack’s POV his excuses would have been more believable. But as if stands for me, he is just a liar and cheater.
And Annie regrets all the time about the situation, but still she continues on it. Even when she has an inner battle, she chooses wrong. Both of them made the wrong decisions and there is a price to pay at the end.
I REALLY tried to have an open mind about this relationship. I struggled while reading it, maybe hoping they will do the right thing. I love romance and I believe in love, in your soul mate but I can’t believe we can build our happiness at expenses of others, not in this situation.
Annie and Jack will tempt you like no others can to try the forbidden! Annie has never experienced those elusive tingles, those sparks, those magic moments that make you stand up and say wow when you meet that special someone. For her everyone has been fairly forgettable. A fine passing fancy, but nothing write home about. Her work, friends, and life have always fulfilled her and it just seemed like it was always going to be that way. Until one night… one stranger finally has that je ne sais quoi. From the moment Jake catches her eye in that bar, she knows instantly there is something different about him. She is drawn to him. Their chemistry is off the charts and their connection is immediate. That pull leads them to a night full of passion the likes of which neither has ever know, but the scared Annie pulls a runner the next morning before they can exchange contact info. Thinking she has seen the last of Prince charming, Annie tries to recover from the night she cannot forget. But fate has other plans, and she doesn’t plan on being kind. Jake appears back in her life, but he brings with him baggage that Annie had not accounted for. Destiny, Life, Love, Hope, Despair, Desperation, and so much more are invoked when the Forbidden is involved!
“The Forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism.”
First of all, I tip my hat to the author for doing something that is different from her norm and tackling a subject that many people will automatically write off due to the subject matter alone. I’m one of those readers who doesn’t really have any hard limits and I’m so thankful for that. Otherwise, I truly believe I would miss out on some great books. I think some people will miss out on how good The Forbidden is due to it not fitting in their “safe” category.
Annie has worked her entire life to be the successful architect that she has become and she just hasn’t had time for relationships. Honestly, she hasn’t really even met someone that sparks something in her to make her want a relationship. Until she comes across a stranger at a bar and she can’t deny the attraction. Giving in, she spends a night with him that she will never forget. When he shows back up in her life and Annie discovers his secret, her world is turned upside down and he’s just become her forbidden fruit.
From the beginning, I wanted Annie and Jack together. You could just tell that their chemistry was explosive and that belonged together. Was it wrong, sure, but you can’t help who you love, right? Their story is one that is real and can happen to anyone. I love just how honest and emotionally raw Malpas delivers their struggle to us. And yes, it is certainly a struggle.
Just like Annie, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Jack from the start. He was irresistible with magnetic charm. His feelings for Annie were completely swoon worthy if you take all the outside factors out. I couldn’t get enough of him.
Overall, I enjoyed The Forbidden. I ask that you go into this book with out any expectations and an open mind. If you do that, you can truly discover the beautiful love that is built between Jack and Annie. Put you hard limits aside and just go with it.
This book nearly gave me a heart attack. I seriously hand to put this book down like a million times to catch my breath from all the anxiety it was giving me. I thought I could read anything and it wouldn’t affect me, but this book definitely pushed my comfort zone. It had my emotions stuck in my throat, scared to turn the page, and angry at both the main characters for the way they were acting. But OMG! Do not let any of that deter you from reading this book because it is so damn good. It is sexy, heartbreaking, emotional, angst filled, steamy, and thrilling. The writing is off the charts and addictive from the first page. I am so happy to be done reading it because I nearly died reading it, but I’d go through all of it all over again.
Wasn’t sure what to expect with such an intense storyline. But could not help falling in love with Jack and Annie and their story! Must read!
This book is definitely different from the other JEM books but nonetheless, it’s still a phenomenal read. I wasn’t sure going in how I would feel knowing what the Forbidden was about but once I started reading I knew that it would definitely be one that stuck with me. Jack and Annie couldn’t deny their feelings or chemistry for each other and because of that you will be captivated by them. Pulled into their story and they won’t let go until the very end, your world will never be the same after all is said and done!
What a great book. Not an easy book to read by any means but it was so beautifully written and honest. Annie is a strong independent woman who wasn’t looking for love and Jack is a strong man who makes no excuses for falling in love at the wrong time. We can’t always help when and who we fall in love with. For such a “forbidden” story I think Jodi did a wonderful job
“A man who can bend a woman to his will so easily and so soon couldn’t be anything less than lethal.”
Definition of forbidden: not permitted or allowed.
My god! Jodi Ellen has done it again. She has left me with my mouth open. She has delivered a very intense story that has caused me mixed feelings. The Forbidden is a mind-blowing read you do not want to miss. I don’t know how she does but her male characters improve with every book she writes. It makes you wonder if those males really exist.
The plot is provocative and it will leave you breathless. Jodi’s elegant writing will wrap you into temptation and it will be irresistible not to fall into it. This book is beautifully written and each page will have you on the edge of craziness.
In The Forbidden we have a hard-working heroine who is focused on her career. Annie has not experienced the sparkling love which is described in many romance books. The kind of love that consumes your soul and makes you feel furious butterflies in your tummy. Nobody has captivated her attention until she met a cocky stranger, a dangerous man who will tempt her.
“You’ve clearly never been consumed by a man.” He pauses, giving me a moment to agree, but I don’t. I’m fixated on him. “But one day a man will come along and he’ll swallow you up, Annie. Blindside you.”
The attraction will be explosive and risky. Something that they haven’t experienced. Denying what Annie and the sexy stranger feel for each other is not an option. The chemistry between them is pure fire.
“If I ever lay eyes on you again, Annie, I can’t promise I’ll do what’s best and walk away next time.”
When you have not experienced that “spark” that burns your heart and body and you find it, you only want to enjoy it fully. Annie will surrender to her desire. A one night-stand won’t hurt her, will it?
“Ever experienced this before?” he asks quietly. “The chemistry, the need?” “No.” My answer is easy and it’s the truth. “Me either.”
On the other hand we have the sexy stranger, aka Jack. He is the kind of man who you will fall for; sexy as hell, tempting, dangerous and forbidden. Did I say forbidden? Yeah, he is. Please keep an open mind!
“My heart is hammering,” he confesses, his hips shaking with the strain to keep still. “It’s beating so fucking hard, and it feels so fucking good. Where did you come from, Annie?”
The thing with one night stands is that you do not expect to see the person never again. Jack and Annie will surrender to their desires. They will share more that a passionate night. But things will be pretty complicated for them.
“I know I’ve been on your mind since I fucked you every which way in that hotel room. Stop denying it. Don’t insult me and tell me you don’t crave that amazing feeling all over again. I can see it in your eyes every damn time I look into them. You. Want. Me.”
Nobody is allowed to judge people but people tend to do it. Is it wrong to fall for a forbidden man? Remember that there are always two sides of the story. Annie really had a hard time to contain her feelings because she is blindsided by the sparkling desire Jack has woken up insider her.
“The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it’s certainly going to inflict pain and anguish. It defies reason for me to willingly allow myself to be possessed like this. To surrender to a man who belongs to someone else. But I can’t fight my heart. I want him. My sanity will be compromised no matter which road I take. I’m doomed.”
I could feel the struggle Annie felt. Circumstances and our previous decisions can reduce our love to something that we shall hide and loving someone should be free.
“Knowing you’re doing something so terribly wrong doesn’t make it easy to stop.”
“You possess me. You own me. You rule me,” Jack murmurs in my ear. “You are everything to me, Annie Ryan. My pulse, my heartbeat, my breath. Everything.”
I guess it’s important to clarify that the topic in this book, from my point of view, can be classified as controversial and sensitive. But who the hell can tell what is good or wrong, so prepare yourself for a passionate and taboo read. If I could give more than 5 stars, I’ll give millions.
Annie has long thought that the “spark” everyone talks about is just a myth, she has yet to meet a man who stirs up the butterflies, let alone been worthy of holding onto, so she chooses to stick with being single. She has a growing business and career to worry about anyway, she doesn’t need a relationship or a man cramping her style… but then she meets Jack. Jack is mysterious, intriguing as hell, and every time he is near the heat between them surges…but Jack comes with complications, ones that make him completely forbidden. So, she tries her best to keep her distance, but life continually keeps throwing them onto each others paths, and before long she finds her resistance to him weakening, and winds up doing things she knows she shouldn’t be!
Sometimes in life there are things you know you shouldn’t do, but you just can’t help yourself, and you end up throwing caution to the wind and doing them anyway… which is the perfect way to describe Annie’s predicament. As soon as she discovers that Jack is labeled forbidden fruit, she tries to avoid him at all costs, but fate has other plans for them… plans that take readers on one hell of a literary escape!! This exquisitely written story comes with complex characters and a very engaging story line that will keep you teetering on the edge of your seat! Jack and Annie’s relationship is intense, passionate, sweet and downright heartbreaking at times, and I just couldn’t help but get wrapped up into their forbidden world, devour all their little secrets. I highly recommend this one, it’s just too good to pass up!!