I am his obsession. His property. His Jasmine.And he will never let me go.Trapped in the middle of nowhere, taken by a madman, I’m forced to be his wife. Obedient, meek, righteous in the eyes of God.But I am none of these things, and I can’t give in. No matter what he does to me, no matter how much he hurts me, I have to get out of here.I have to escape… before I forget who I was before him.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 star’s because this book was brilliant from page 1 till the end. Omg I feel like I’ve been pulled through the wringer more than once while reading this i couldn’t read it it fast enough or even put it down the whole time I had to find what happened next.
Oh the insanity, the divine devotion Daniel made you feel I wanted to strangle him to physically hurt this guy for what he was doing.
Then there is Sloane(Jasmine) your heart will bleed for her for the pain she endured thinking will she make it champion her to just hang on, stay strong then will help arrive in time to save her.
This book has triggers all over the place so be warned. It’s just sooo flipping good I’d definitely recommend it if you like dark, psychological grab your heart and twist kind of stories then you need to one click this book.
I love Jennifer Bene’s writing immensely, and its always a one-click for me. I have not read anything by Shane Starrett until now and if this is an example of his writing he will become a one-click too!
This dynamic duo created a very intense, hold your breath, amazing story!
Jasmine is a story that questions the good in people and believes in the bad in humanity.
When the FBI and the local police departments fail to give 100% in locating a missing Sloane, a lowly newly appointed deputy still believes in following his instincts.
This story is a roller coaster ride of emotions and not for the faint of heart. Heed the dark warnings.
Oh wow! I have to put a all nighter on this one it was so good that I just had to finish it in one sitting the suspense was killing me not knowing what was going on and to have a ending like that. I really thought in what way the story was going but then it made a big twisted that it left me a bit happy and bit not so much at the same time. I really felt for Daniel I know I know call me crazy but he just had something that pull me to him and don’t get me started on Mason I think he was a pain in you know where but we too have that moments where you just feel so let down. But overall the story was definitely good this authors made a wonderful job in this story I hope we will see more from them.
Harsh, gritty heart wrenching
Not just dark romance this is pitch black. Capture and prisoner “romance”. Brutally and tripping my portrayed. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but if you can take the hits, the story comes out ok. Obviously trigger warnings apply. If you can take it, I definitely recommend this heart wrenching story.
Okay I abandoned a book so that I could read this one. Jasmine is DARK and if you ask me too DARK for me. The good news is that there is an HEA.
Jasmine is a standalone book and this is not a romance. I have not read anything by Jennifer Bene and Shane Starrett is a new author that I read his first book and loved it. So when I saw this one and it is on Kindle Unlimited I had to read it.
Wow! And that isn’t a good wow! This book was terribly dark. The things that happened to Jasmine by a crazy “madman” here it is again WOW! The good news is that there is an HEA.
I will definitely read more from either of these authors but I was glad this one is over with, for me.
OH and this definitely will have triggers for some.
This book covered it all. Mystery, suspense, torture, crime investigation, dark kidnapping sex, love, HEA. There did get to a point where I started skipping some because I wanted to find out what happened. I don’t think that was a flaw with the book; more like a flaw with this impatient reader. Highly recommended for those who like good mystery, suspense, thrillers.
I thought I would just get started on this book as I went to bed (early for me) at 12:45 AM. Yeah, I finished the book at 6:15 AM. This is a ‘just one more chapter’ kind of book.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the story, as I’ve read books by both the authors individually, but had no idea what sort of plot they would cook up by working together. What I did expect: a lot of dark and non-con (check). What I didn’t expect: a tale of survival, a happy ending, and a commentary on a segment of humanity that I didn’t know would be in this book.
So I knew from the blurb and some excerpts that there would be a horrible man who did horrible things to a woman. I tried to take that and go into the story without trying to guess where the plot would go (a bad habit of mine), and there were several stops along the way that kept me in that place of uncertainty, which I like as a reader. I actually don’t need a happy ending, I just need to remain engaged.
What came at me out of left field was when some other characters appeared on the scene, and there was now a third element in play (aside from desperate captive and delusional zealot, already playing out in aching contrast). There was now a sort of police procedural thing happening, and honestly, that was what made this story stand apart for me.
I’ve seen reader comments about the focal character of this third story element being ‘a d**k’ and a bad person, and sure there were moments when, reacting to this character as a human, I thought, “Jeez, give it a rest, guy. Everyone knows you’re hard-boiled, already.” BUT, it wasn’t just the one character. Almost every peripheral law enforcement character (save one) embodied similar jaded attitudes, even if they weren’t always grinding it in like salt, verbally. So there was a whole slice of this book interspersed with the drama of the main two characters that provided this commentary on some of the grey-as-oatmeal apathy that can get going within a profession where service people see horrible s**t all the time, and it just grinds them the heck down. That element was what brought the maximum level of realism for me.
Not that I don’t want to give credit to the glassy-eyed fanaticism of the antagonist, the hero of his own story, as everyone surely is, who does the scariest thing of all: believing everything he’s doing is right and justified. Because that felt unpleasantly authentic, as well, and I’m glad we got into his POV, because it made me as a reader buy into his outrageous actions. Where it we’d only seen the woman’s POV, I might have thought it was melodramatic.
So. I never know how to summarize these things.
If you like dark, horrific realism, a page-turner that won’t quit, and yes, a spot-on flavor of West Texas (been there, can confirm), then this book will be for you. I was engrossed and impressed.
I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this book. While I haven’t read anything from Shane Starrett before, I have read a number of books by Jennifer Bene. Like those, this is a quality read. However, what I wasn’t anticipating was just how absolutely pulled into the story I became right from the start. The inherent menace that is present throughout has the reader walking a tightrope of emotions along with the characters was masterful. This was not a pleasant read (for the most part) but was engrossing, and while there is a HEA, it isn’t a romance. As a writing couple, I’m hoping for much more to come from these authors.
This is a brutally dark and emotionally harrowing read. If you are a reader that has any triggers at all, I warn you that this book is probably not the right choice for you because this book has too many of them to even list. I thought that this was a very raw and gritty read. I do not feel it is right or accurate to use terms like or enjoy to describe my feelings about this book . This story is just too deep, twisted, intense and disturbing to inspire those types of emotions. I will say it is a compelling read that will ensnare you in its tangled web and dare you not to look away. Like a moth to flame you are drawn to something you fully realize will be painful and yet you cannot resist. You can also expect this powerful story to make you think because as you look behind the curtain what you may find yourself feeling will surprise you.
A dark story that you can’t put down. It pulls you in , and you can’t help but want to know what happens next.
This writing duo popped out an amazing book! It’s not romance, more of a darkly twisted love story. The psychological trip it takes you on will keep you biting your nails. Daniel is part monster, part I don’t know what, maybe that beating heart is his only redemption. Be prepared to be taken down a dark path!
I received an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Ms Bene is a great writer, there is no doubt. Her books tend to be on the darker side, and this one is no different. If you enjoy a dark read, this is the book for you.
This was so deliciously dark. It’s most definitely not romance, but there is a love story in here. It’s dark, twisted and deranged, but it’s so very good. Sloan’s story isn’t easy to read by any stretch, and it’s one that will stay with you long after you finish it. She went through a lot to get to where she is in the end. But though it was difficult to read at times I loved how the characters were developed.
I can highly recommend it!
A gut-wrenching and thrillingly dark read which captivated and held me on the edge of my seat! Seamless and excellent writing from these two authors, I was completely hooked. It had all the darkness and powerful emotions I’ve come to expect from a Jennifer book, only this was so much more and I believe Shane brought something extra special to the table that shot this into a new level of outstanding. I very much hope these two authors continue to write together because I’ve just found another favourite author pairing to stalk.
You will want to scream at the injustice, but pray for Sloane’s redemption!
Jennifer is one of my top 10 authors and this book did not disappoint! I made the mistake in thinking that I could start reading a few chapters before going to bed. Well, let’s just say at 70% into Jasmine I couldn’t keep my eyes open, so reluctantly put the book down. Falling asleep was impossible as I kept thinking about how close they were and how would it end. Sloane is trying to get herself discovered as an actress by blogging her way across the country when she disappears in Texas. The FBI assigns Mason to the case when Sloane’s father pressures a local Senator. With all hope lost that she will be found alive, Clint from the local Sheriff’s office butts heads with Mason to continue the search. You will want to scream at the injustice, but pray for Sloane’s redemption!
If you are a lover of either true crime or cults then this is the book for you! It reads like something that could have been ripped from one of the many podcasts I love so much. The only things missing were Daniel believing he was either God or his Prophet and the fact that he doesn’t lead a group and only needs Jasmine. There are possible triggers throughout, so if you have problems of abuse, non-con, or religious fanaticism be warned. This one will flip all of those switches. However, if you love taking trips down dark and disturbing rabbit holes, then dive in.
The story revolves around Daniel and Jasmine, and it is one that will tear out your heart, leave you gasping for breath, and ignite your imagination. You don’t get Daniel’s whole backstory, but you do get enough to understand some of the horrors he experienced while growing up. Then there is Jasmine/Sloan who is the victim of all of Daniel’s crazy. You also don’t get her backstory, but you do see how and why she ended up where she is. And where she is is trapped in a house of horrors, being broken repeatedly in the most violent ways. She fluctuates, in a very believable way, between hating Daniel and craving his tenderness. She walks this tightrope of desperately wanting to survive and desperately wanting to die that will have you teetering right along with her. To round out this cast of characters, you also have the jaded FBI agent and the small town officer who still believes he can make the world a better place.
I love authors that can push me beyond my comfort zone and still keep me captivated, and that’s exactly what Ms. Bene and Mr. Starrett have done with Jasmine.
Jennifer has written another masterful deliciously dark and depraved book that had me completely engrossed the entire read. The characters she writes are so incredibly broken and flawed but at the base of their psyche is the need for love and what they perceive to be love. This story is not for the faint of heart but those that dive in will no be disappointed
4.5
I devoured this book and stayed awake way past my bedtime to finish it in one sitting.
It was such an intense and amazingly written story. Authors did an amazing job with character development that will make you feel for all of them, even the bad guy.
Storyline is filled with horrors and torture Jasmine/Sloane endures but also shows her strength and will to not give up and escape. While mostly dark, twisted and depraved, there is also a love story woven into the storyline.
If you are fan of dark reads you should definitely read this book.
I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received an advanced copy of this book from author and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
What an outstanding book!
I am very familiar with Ms. Bene as an author.
However Mr. Starrett is a new to me.
Just as I’m excited for this book I’m excited to have found a new author.
Wow what an incredible realistic story their combined talents brought to life.
It’s so real so scary and happens everyday.
Evil people doing evil deeds.
With no sense of how precious someone else’s life is.
Or the utter devastation their ruthless vile behavior cause.
Maybe they do know how/what their actions do to others and they just don’t care.
There is always a domino effect to one evil act.
It’s not just one victim effected.
Then we have the peacekeepers,those that have sworn to serve and protect.
Those that carry and bear the responsibilities of finding the perpetrators that prey on the innocent.
Those that don’t leave their work at the office.
But live 24/7 with what they have seen in their files.
And swear to themselves no matter how much time has or will pass they will figureout and find the victim.
Either to return them to their family and friends or to be buried with dignity.
But unfortunately some of these men and women have become so jaded they loss hope.
This is the story of a young woman who is determined to once again live free.
No matter what “He” does to her or how much he wants to break her.
She will not let him destroy who she is.
It’s the story of a cop who lives and breathes his cases.
Who feels empathy and wants to make a difference for good in the world of crime.
All the characters are incredible.
They truly believe in their own philosophies.
Whether in this case it’s the perpetrator or the cops.
When the mind is fixated on something it’s almost impossible for that way of thinking to change.
Unless a miracle happens.
Thank you Ms. Bene and Mr. Starrett for writing one hell of a story of survival,strength and courage!
This one will blow your mind – Drag you down into the depths of hell and yank you up into the glorious starry sky.
I yelled, cajoled, begged and cried my way through this one! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!