From #1 Amazon Best Selling Author Emma Jaye, the heart rending tale of the boy who couldn’t sit still.Smile, wiggle, lie, apologise, and run for the hills.That’s the formula Chris has used all his life, but this time, he has something he’s never had to lose before, a family that cares. The problem is, his new brother’s very edible friend isn’t fooled by his act. If his secrets are revealed, … is, his new brother’s very edible friend isn’t fooled by his act. If his secrets are revealed, they won’t want him and he has nowhere else to go.
Thanks to a suicide bomber, ex-military police sergeant Jase Rosewood is back in the English countryside. His plans for quiet recuperation are ruined by the effervescent, go-go dancing twink who has everyone wrapped around his little finger. Luckily for the gullible Matt, Jase can smell a liar a mile away, and Chris Bacon, if that’s even his name, stinks to high heaven. Assigned ‘Chris-sitting’ duty while Matt’s on honeymoon, Jase has a week to discover what is hidden beneath the bright camouflage. It’s a job, just like any other, so why does it feel so different?
Unfortunately, Jase isn’t the only one drawn to the boy who can’t stay still, but instead of wanting to reveal his true colours; they want to dull them forever.
Paint #1: Optical Illusion
Paint #2. Blank Canvas
Paint #3. Invisible Ink, Coming summer 2018
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Words are really not enough to describe Chris but I’m going to try. First of all he’s one of my favorite characters I’ve read about this year. He’s complex and intriguing, you just want to learn everything about him. He’s really really funny, he made laugh out loud many times. He’s also very brave and strong, the things he went through brought tears to my eyes.
Jace is also wonderful, I love how hard he tries to learn Chris and be better for him. Their relationship is not easy but it’s beautiful and realistic and I enjoyed reading their story so very much. I was rooting for them from the beginning.The side characters in the book are also wonderful. Nate is one of my favorites. Amazing book, I couldn’t put it down and I had the best time reading it but my God that ending killed me!!!
I’ve always loved books where everything is totally not as it looks like. Well, Chris is definitely the one who can’t be cracked easily. Having a great deal of issues he keeps smiling, drawing and making the people around him happy, right till the moment anybody wants to get too close.
On the other hand, there is Jase, who probably hates secrets more the anything and who would love to keep that pretty ass of Chris to himself.
What happens when ex-military who specialized in cracking hard nuts meets the natural liar? The hell of a mix of hot fights, great sex, that even hotter, and a piece of information about what really could be hidden behind that cheerful smile we see on people’s faces.
Optical Illusion is hot, painful, definitely dark and the criminal tone adds to the main impression.
But keep your pity to yourselves, cuz Chris is definitely not the one who likes to receive it, maybe only after the hard spanking?
Poor Chris has had a very rough journey. As for Jase he’s not had it that much easier. I loved getting to know these characters and their families.
Chris is an enigma, and his life is complex and finding his roots doesn’t make it easier..
Jase has mixed feelings about Chris.. he want swipe the brats smile from his face but also want to kiss it away.
Chris is just one big pain in the ass. Working Jase up… constantly ruffles his feathers. Chris doesn’t know how to keep himself under control. His self esteem is below zero. Keeping up appearances seems to work to most but not to Jase…
“Being wanted was his number one turn on.”
Then… there is a terrible disturbing turn of events. A nightmare…
To survive there can only be to conditioning himself
Chris can mislead as the best… even Jase who is watching him close… very close
“sex curing his insomnia”
An intense story, very intense! There are no negative points to mention, everything was right in this read even with all the events going wrong. Read the blurb…
I’m eager to read #2 and that’s just what I’m gonna do now.
So maybe I’ll expand this review later. For me a mustread!!
this bok is really good and i couldnt put it down. to be honest it is a really good heart stopping book. im speachless about this book. its so good that im hI’ming troube putting it in words because its that good
I’m an Emotional Wreck & Loving it! ~ 4.5’s
I love it when a story is so gripping that you have no idea that you’ve reached the end… till you read that last sentance on an epic cliffhanger!
It’s such an emotionally packed story that I literally had to take a moment to process it all after finishing it.
I’m so glad I don’t have to wait for the next installment, as it is already available and don’t have to keep this anxiaty of the cliffhanger locked in.
Amazing job by Emma Jaye in creating characters that you will definitely be emotionally invested in.
Highly recommended!!!
*4.5 Stars*
Emma Jaye delivers on a story full of intrigue, drama and complexity. I love her ability to really create characters and adding richness to the book.
The character development is one of the most refined I’ve seen. The author truly gives that sense of understanding that people are unique in their own ways and doesn’t shy from showing both flaws and positive aspects for each character. I love especially that she gives that same level of detail to secondary characters. Overall the world building is solid, especially as the book develops.
The storyline itself covers a wide range of events. It does start a bit slow but after that buildup it becomes captivating. I did deduct half a star because of its start. The book is an emotional journey and one that stays with the reader long afterwards. I immediately had to get book 2 because I became so hooked on this series.
4.5 Stars for an emotional and complex read! Highly recommend!
Emma Jaye is a new-to-me author. I was gifted with Optical Illusion, the first book in her Paint series, and I’m so happy I was.
At its core, Optical Illusion is the story of two broken men – Jase, who was wounded in the Middle East while serving with the British Army, and Chris, the illegitimate son of a prominent businessman.
The two meet when Jase returns to town to act as best man for his best friend, Matt. Turns out, Chris is Matt’s newly-discovered half-brother. The two men’s eyes meet in the church as Chris walks Matt’s bride (Kate) down the aisle. “Roll that tongue back in, soldier,” Matt quips to Jase, at the same time Chris turns to Kate and whispers, “Do you think we can change tradition of the best man sleeping with the bridesmaid, just this once?” And so their story begins.
Jase is stable, strong, and a major control freak. Chris is vivacious, snarky, and oh so loveable. When tragedy strikes, their world is turned upside down, and both are forced to face their demons and their feelings for each other head on.
Optical Illusion was a surprisingly good read. Emma Jaye’s writing provides a depth to the individual characters and their backgrounds that I rarely see in other books. She paints a vivid picture of the two men’s lives, highlighting the stark differences, while at the same time providing insight into what made them who they are.
The ending was a bit frustrating, but it also whet my appetite for the second book in the series.
At times, I laughed. At times, I cried. And my heart broke for both Jase and Chris in their quest to find their way to each other.
I loved this book! It’s a must read.