I’m old enough to drive a car, buy alcohol, and enter a club.I’m old enough to take responsibility for my actions.I’m old enough for her.No matter what her middle-aged friends or society says.No matter she’s the age of my mother.No matter why or how I met her.I’ll take those secrets to my grave.And her with them.If those secrets don’t ruin us first.(OLD ENOUGH is Book 1 of THE AGE BETWEEN US … ENOUGH is Book 1 of THE AGE BETWEEN US duology. Book 2 will be available on 28 August 2018.)
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The main character, Jane, is a woman facing a major change in her life. She finds out over dinner that her husband, the cold and disgusting Francois, has cheated on her and now wants a divorce. Years of marriage now over, Jane quietly moves on because she has a daughter to raise. When a hot, extremely younger guy named Brian trespasses on her property with his friends one night, she never thought she would ever see him again nor fall in lust for him. But nothing in this story is what it seems.
I love this story, but the cliffhanger ending makes me want to scream. This is a story with an older woman and a younger man. I loved Brian. The way he supports his family and stands up for himself and the ones he loves is wonderful. Jane is too much of a doormat for a strong guy like Brian. She allows everyone in her life to treat her like dirt, from her friends, to her ex, to her daughter. So sad. Even with this dynamic, the story is fascinating.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.
Loved this book!! Need #2 now
Holy mother of God, Batman; Old Enough is one hell of a ride!
I have to qualify this first by saying I don’t normally like the older woman/younger man trope. However, Old Enough has just given me my very first exception to this because it is seriously amazing. It’s super sexy, it’s suspenseful, it’s got a central mystery running through it, and the characters are deeply layered and interesting.
Jane has just been told by her douchey husband that he’s leaving her for his assistant. Yep, how cliché can he get?! And to make things worse? Her and Francois’ daughter, Abby, adores him and his mistress. Yep, talk about kicking her when she’s down. But…salvation comes in the form of a seriously hot young man whom she meets when he breaks into her yard to swim in her pool with some friends of his. Not exactly an auspicious meeting, but it sets the stage. And when he keeps coming back and starts maintaining the grounds of her house, she’s drawn to him even though he’s young enough to be her son. And they’re fast forming a serious attachment to each other. But things cannot possibly keep being this easy because they both have their fair share of baggage.
Jane’s got a dead fiancé in her past and the whole mystery surrounding that is an unknown (to the reader) that just may have something to do with her new man. It’s also left her damaged and bearing scars that no one really knows about. Brian’s got a family that he’s fiercely protective of – a younger sister that he fathers and an alcoholic mother that he cares for. They’re why he so desperately needs money. But just what will he do for that money? How far will he go? And what will Jane do if she ever finds out his secrets?
I absolutely loved Old Enough. Charmaine Pauls drew me in with her The Loan Shark Duet series but Old Enough has surely cemented my love of her writing. I’m dying here now, though, waiting for Young Enough. Even though it’s coming August, I cannot possibly wait that long!
Charmiane Pauls has done it again…she has given us another page-turner that will have you hooked until the end and leave you wanting more. Old Enough is the first book in The Age Between Us duet. This forbidden romance will evoke a range of emotion from you, it will shock you, anger you, make you swoon and so much more.
I finished this story yesterday and I can’t get these characters out of my mind. The novel is gripping, addictive and intriguing. Its a story about an older woman/younger man. Jane and Brian’s characters were so well written you will be rooting for them in no time. In this novel we get an insight into their individual lives and budding relationship. These characters soon steam up the pages with their HOTT scenes yet at the same time the story is complex and deeply moving.
This story had elements of danger and suspense and there is also a mystery hidden within the story that has not yet been revealed. And then there is the cliff-hanger ending that will just shock you. OMG…I can’t wait for book 2.
Old Enough is a phenomenal read and definitely worthy of more than 5 stars. I loved it and I would highly recommend it.
I am a very big fan of the forbidden romance trope, so when I saw this I was intrigued. Often though these books can lead to a letdown because they are just cookie cutter copies of the same basic idea and are all about the intimate scenes and lack anything else of substance. Well, that was definitely not the case for this book. Was it hot and steamy? Yes It was, but it was so very , very much more. This is a complex, well written, deeply moving and powerfully engaging read.
Brian and Jane. These are complex and complicated characters. Each burdened by the baggage of their pasts and bearing deep emotional scars. Both broken, both imperfect and yet, so perfect for each other. You will very quickly fall for both these characters and find your whole heart invested in their romance. This is book 1 of 2 and does end on a cliffhanger, but not a brutal one, and the conclusion releases in about five weeks. If the next book is as good as this one it will be well worth the wait.
Jane. My heart breaks in so many ways for her. She has suffered more than her fair share of loss, pain, tragedy, unfairness and injustices in her life. She is smart, kind, talented, a great mom and a way better friend then some of her friends deserve and almost always comes across as a lady unless Brian is around to unfetter her inner carnal dragon that has been chained and asleep for years. She has been encouraged and forced to o and act and live a certain way by various people for years and it was so thrilling to see her begin to break free of other peoples ideals and expectations and start to evolve into who she was always meant to be. I can not wait until she goes into full “No More” mode and everyone that walks all over her gets what’s coming to them.
Brian. He may be younger in years but in life experience he’s much, much older. Brian has grown up tough and in a tough neighborhood. He is not always a good guy, by his own admission and you may start out not liking him. However, he will quickly grow on you as you learn more about him and his family history. This guy is dominate, responsible, capable, smart, talented, motivated, hot, caring, kind, charming and often heartbreakingly sweet. Blindsided by and fully invested in the powerful and unexpected feelings he has for Jane, he is working hard to make her happy, keep them together, protect and provide for his family, find a way to avoid the threats and danger from his neighborhood and the exposure of a big secret.
At it’s core is of course the romance between Jane and Brian. And it is a doozy. In addition to the age difference (she’s old enough to be his mom), it is an opposites attract story. Jane and Brian may only live miles apart but their lives and childhoods are worlds apart. This fact does nothing to dampen the fierce attraction that they feel towards each other. The chemistry they share just sizzles and sparks from the pages. The intimate scenes they share are scorching and fervent. They often include some elements of BDSM. Specifically bondage, spankings, voyeurism and some power exchange. Their romance is also very sweet and filled with tender emotions.
In total this book was just amazing! It has a brilliant blend of romance, passion, emotional turmoil, lies, secrets, danger and a bit of suspense that will grab your interest and not let it go. I fell in love with Jane and Brian and I am fully vested in seeing them get the HEA they both deserve. For now I eagerly await book 2. This is my completely honest, voluntary review.
Wow! This was so much more than I anticipated!
I’ve never been a huge fan of the older woman/younger man trope but I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author so I trusted her and took a step right off into the deep end of the crazy world she always seems to create. I couldn’t be happier about it.
Jane’s husband leaves her for another woman and her life is suddenly in turmoil. Her greatest love was lost years ago and so her marriage has been one of safety, security and friendship. Now she’s faced with trespassers in the middle of the night, a stranger who cares for her yard and garden, and the desire for a man much too young for her. When her body overrides her good sense, she gives in to the yearning he arouses in her and finds herself releasing the dragon within that has been asleep for well over a decade.
Brian is taken from the moment he first lays eyes upon Jane. She’s everything he shouldn’t want and all that he longs for. When he finagles himself into her life he’s in it for keeps. Age doesn’t matter. His is an old soul and his life has been one to add to his soul’s experiences. Now that he has Jane almost where he wants her, he’s walking a tightrope to keep not only her safe, but his family and himself as well.
I am definitely in love with Brian! Oh my gawd! He’s everything you could want in a book boyfriend and more. His desire for Jane is off the charts and he doesn’t hold back for a moment. He then follows up with the upmost care and concern for her. Her happiness is all that matters to him and he will do anything to see she has what she needs even as he ensures she remains his forever.
Jane is damaged and broken and a bit uncertain about everything that involves her relationship with Brian. Except for the unwavering desire they have for one another. It doesn’t take her long to give in to the desire but she’s still battling outside forces that threaten to steal her happiness in regards to her daughter. I absolutely hurt for the things she has to endure in order to seal Abby’s desires, even at the cost of Jane’s own peace of mind.
This is a fast paced read with secondary characters that I’m not sure I trust and some I’m supposed to trust but can’t allow myself to freely do so. The steam is off the charts hot and holy cheese and crackers, I’m sure my kindle was singed a time or two. I’m not a BDSM fan but the little bit that is shared between the hero and heroine was just too perfect to be anything but delicious.
There are so many things taking place inside this story all at one time and those things kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for just one tiny break to learn where everything is headed. However, this author refused to feed the beast within me and continued to tease and taunt me until the very end of this installment of the duet. I need book 2 like right now!
I’m old enough to drive a car, buy alcohol, and enter a club.I’m old enough to take responsibility for my actions.I’m old enough for her, no matter what her middle-aged friends or society says.No matter she’s the age of my mother.No matter why or how I met her.I’ll take those secrets to my grave, and her with them, if those secrets don’t ruin us first.When I started reading I couldn’t put it down.Charmaine Pauls is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.
I gotta say this is the best older woman, younger man tropes I have read to date. The author did a brilliant job of making this 19 year old come off as one of the most confident and dominant heroes and yet stay true to his age.
Brian’s story is believable. The way he is an old soul due to how young he was when he had to become the man of the house. I’m very intrigued by him and I’m on pins and needles waiting to see what is going to happen in book 2.
I’m not sure how I feel about Jane yet. I like her. She honorable and honest but maybe too much. I want her to assert herself to a few of the side characters. She is almost too innocent in the midst of many sharks in her life but that is also why I’m loving Brian so much. The way he takes care of her is very appealing.
There are so many outcomes I can see for the next book. I really don’t know what to expect and that’s a big reason why I am so enthralled with this story. I’m so happy book 2 is being published not long after this book. ARC provided by Author.
Jane Logan receives some news that seems to come out of nowhere. Brian Michaels gets an interesting proposition. The author surprises me by where she’s taking her story. Even if I could guess what an author is up to, this would be one of those that I never would have guessed in a million years. Every way you turn something else is going on and you just never know what she’s got in store around the next corner.
Our author has written something that seems so real. She makes it very easy to picture each scene as it goes by. It’s not hard at all to feel sorry for what Jane is going through and all the pain she is experiencing. There were points in the story where I had a hard time believing how young Brian was. He acts like someone so much older – some of that could be due to his family life.
Ms. Pauls gave me characters to hate, characters to feel sorry for, a mystery surrounding Jane and at times had me wondering what’s Brian up to. She gave me plenty that would keep me on the edge of my seat and had me wondering how much more Jane could take. This may be a story of older woman/younger man but there are times where you forget about that and just think of them as two people. And the steam heat once it starts continues to the end which isn’t really an ending – it’s just the beginning of what comes next in Young Enough, so stay tuned.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I was real curious to read Old Enough and soon I was drawn into the story of Brian and Jane and turning page by page to see how their story unfolds. Brian, young of age, but with an old tender soul, caring, loving and defenitly a sexgod, (please sent him by 🙂 Jane, a bit older but what are numbers, when souls connect age doesn’t matter. A woman struggling because she never truly belonged to a man that really cared about her like Brian does… A big cliffhanger makes me curious what their adventures will be in the next book Young again… Next month can’t come soon enough
Old Enough is a taboo situation. The older woman being seduced by the younger man. It is naughty to think about but you have no idea!!!
He may be younger but he is very experienced. His control is admirable but it’s his delectable fantasies that will make you wish you had a Brian. Naughty or nice, he is everything you need, want, and lust after.
It’s so hard not to be jealous of Jane. Until you meet the other half of the drama in this book, you will want to shake the living daylights out of 2/3 the characters in this book. I guarantee it. And just as you are ready to battle your doubts….BAM!
It’s over. Now we wait!!!!
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Well what a tangled web this book has become! After the devastating opening scene, bits and pieces are all coming together.
Jane, has felt nothing but loss as far as her love life has gone. 2 relationships down the toilet. Her daughter now wants to spend time with her father and his new fiancé. Having a successful career is about the only thing that is in her favor.
Brian, barely surviving on his paycheck and full-time student status. Raising his younger sister and taking care of his mother are added to the pile. When he un-expectantly meets a gentleman, who is offering him a road to travel on that is paved instead of dirt, he has no other option but to hear him out.
All it took was one look at the photo and 20-year-old Brian was ready to sign up. His sister could be enrolled in the private school that she needs to be at. Instead of the public school that she is bullied at daily.
When 40-year-old Jane arrives home to find intruders in her swimming pool, who can she turn to for help? Pulling up her big girl panties, she confronts them. There is one who catches her attention and not in a bad way.
As Jane and Brian develop a ‘relationship’, there are hidden secrets. There are people who are making demands, marriages being planned, families being threatened. But these two are in their own ‘love bubble’. There isn’t a place that hasn’t been christened by these two!
It took me a while to understand this book and location. Its location is South Africa and not knowing how things are done there, it was confusing for me to read about. But looking past that, the story was there. Now If I can get book two as soon as possible, that would be great!!! What a cliffy this one left me on. I’m using my fingertips to hold on…just about ready to fall… Will be interesting to see how the story ends or will the fortune teller be right????
#BookBistroBlogApproved
So sexy, steamy and taboo!
P L O T
I’ve always believed age is just a number and people can love whoever they want. Love is a feeling, an emotion, it knows no time, no gender, and no race, no number. So why are others shunned by the public?
This book is super hot I tell you. Brian with the rope on the cover? You better prepare yourself because that’s a scene in the book and it was HAWT! Fire baby! They’re obviously from different social class, and that’s one of the most exciting forbidden romance. Then comes their huge age gap, which should not be a problem, but society right?
The beauty of a blooming relationship. When you can’t get your hands off each other and can barely go on a day without hearing the other’s voice or see them. The odds are still with them in this book but I bet good money it’ll be stacked against them in the second book.
C H A R A C T E R S
They’re both kinky and I love it!
Brian Michaels
He had to take care of his mom and sister at a very young age so he had to grow up early. That’s how he knows Jane is the one for him. He may be young in age but he’s mentally old enough to be with her. I also cried when they were talking about his confidence and not being ashamed of his life and obvious display of struggle to make ends meet.
Jane Logan
Jane is heartbroken and hasn’t opened up since the death of her one true love years ago. That is until Brian came along and he awakened the sleeping dragon. I love how she doesn’t act on impulse and easily understands Brian and how he way react if she does a certain activity. She’s super smart and a great mother.
Lots of people hate Debbie but I seriously think she’s not that bad. I think she’s genuinely trying. She may have crossed some lines but it doesn’t mean it wasn’t out of love. Jane is just having a hard time adjusting to her growing daughter’s changing perspective in life, topping it all of with her new life problems, her sexy secret and everything else she has to worry about.
W R I T I N G
Charmaine Pauls is just an amazing romance writer. I can always feel the love and lust going through the character’s veins. They are as real as they can be as fictional characters. There was no need to cry in that scene, no one was expected to cry in that scene but I did. It’s either just me of the beautiful way she wrote it. I love it.
O V E R A L L
It was a fun quick read that I enjoyed so much.
Supper excited to see shit go down in the next and final book. I hope Jane won’t be a bitch when she finds out the truth, I hope Brian will get off the blackmail and I just wish for everyone to be happy!
So this was pretty much perfection for me. The story-line was ridiculously captivating. I just couldn’t wait to read what was coming next. Really well done age-gap story.
#2018TopRead
I’m left gasping at the end of this book. I need the next book NOW!
The story of Jane and Brian has you literally galloping through this page turner.
The characters are so well written and yet again you are place somewhere that you know will end in tears but you don’t know which way the gut wrenching tragedy will come from.
There are a number of characters in this book that bring out that passionate side of you. I’m not a violent person but Debs need a bitch slap.
I can’t say enough good things about Brian and Jane. Brian is walking a tightrope trying to avoid the nasty Monkey and Jane is totally oblivious to this,and this is not the only issue.
I can’t say too much I don’t want to spoil things
Brian and Jane relationship is just ………………HOT
well worth 5 stars