Sex isn’t love. Love isn’t sex. And friendship is neither. The son of a French Olympic skier and a Malaysian fashion designer, Ronin Alexander has lived the life of a nomad, traveling the world to find his next adventure. Life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Evelyn, a beautiful scientist who owns a bath shop in Aspen, Colorado. They defy all the rules of relationships, falling hard and … relationships, falling hard and quickly in love.
Their world intertwines with Evelyn’s two best friends, the Governor and his soon-to-be wife. The four become close—very close.
When tragedy strikes, things from their pasts are unveiled—unimaginable truths and the grim realization that life will never be the same.
Jewel E. Ann steps into another dimension with this mind-bending thriller, a provocative story that pushes boundaries and tests the true meaning of love.
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I was literally at the edge of my seat throughout the whole freaking book! Lol Jewel have the power to make my cry every single time I read her books. I am seriously at a loss for words. You’ll have to read to experience this dynamic relationship between the four of them. Evelyn, Lila, and Graham were all close friends before Ronin joined the group. I’ll have to say the three of them have quite a weird friendship. Lol BUT RONIN IS EVERYTHING. I love him so much!!! Ronin and Evelyn are couple goals. But I saw the blurb for book 2, and I am so heart broken. Please, please, please… DON’T make me dislike Ronin. This book is really relatable to a lot of people when it comes to sickness/health. So be prepared to get your heart broken.
*I received an ARC for an honest review.
“I want this, and I’ve never wanted anything more than seeking the next adventure. But you … you make me want to stay.”
Well, Jewel E. Ann’s done it again! The Life That Mattered was the start of another brilliant, captivating, and mind-bending duet and I loved every second of it! From the moment Evelyn and Ronin met, I was hooked. I fell in love with them as fast as they fell in love with each other! They were such a perfect match and their relationship was of the epic variety. This was a 5-star read for me solely based on Evie and Ronin’s love story – which was breathtaking, swoon-worthy, and oh-so-sexy – but then there’s this whole other aspect that takes this story to the next level. You see, Evelyn has two best friends – Lila and Graham – who happened to be married. Their friendship spans a number of years and life events. The three have a very interesting dynamic which Ronin quickly becomes part of the fold once he comes into the picture. I can’t even begin to scratch the surface of their complicated relationship and I feel like there’s so much more to explore but one day their lives become inexplicably intertwined in light of a near tragedy. This is where things take a turn toward mind-bending and I wish I could say more but trust me, it’s soooo good. The angst and the heart-wrenching agony will tear at your heart and keep you flipping pages. I can’t even imagine where Jewel E. Ann will take us in the second half of this duet because I never expected the ride we got in the first half. There’s a doozy of a cliffhanger, but what makes me even more nervous was going back to re-read the prologue – you’ll understand why I did that once you finish. I’ve got so many questions and I don’t know how I’m going to survive the wait until the second book comes out!!
I won’t give any spoilers so I’m sure so this review should confuse you as the book did me. I don’t know if it’s just me but I don’t think the blurb matched the book. I feel like it’s not the same book. I probably wouldn’t have wanted to read this story if someone would have described it as I would. That being said, I wish this entire story was less about Ronin’s “gift” and more about him and Evie. I also have weird vibes with Graham and Lilah. It feels like both of them are in love with Evie but are together for political purposes. Of course, we ended on a crazy cliffhanger so I need Book 2 to see what happens. I may need it before I can really decide how I feel about this story.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.
“The Life That Mattered” is the latest masterpiece by Jewel E. Ann, and in true fashion she takes you on such a rollercoaster of a ride, that you have no choice but to strap in and hold on tight, as you weave your way through her brilliant and powerful storytelling! This book has everything we’ve come to expect from Jewel, with her refreshing ideas and relatable characters while pushing the boundaries on love, friendship, fate and thrill… and now add in a whole other level of unconventional truth and this book just BLEW MY MIND! I loved every single character, and how integral each one is to this whole web that has been spun from money, sex, lies and obsession. And even through all that, the connection between Evelyn and Ronin is as real as real can get.
“I felt like we were a fact—the sky was blue, water was wet, the wind blew. Ronin and Evelyn just were.”
You can’t help but FEEL their bond and love. They have so much trust and faith in one another, until life finally spirals and their relationship is tested and now their fate may be on borrowed time. The dismal prologue may be insight into where this story is heading, as so many plot twists arise and then left with that heart stopping cliffhanger… where my shock took hold and emotions overflowed with desperation to know if every single character is okay. I am on a well-deserved book hangover as I inhaled this epic tale, and am counting down the days to discover if there is light at the end of this extraordinary journey.
4.5 stars–THE LIFE THAT MATTERED is the first instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary, adult THE LIFE erotic, transcendental, preternatural duet focusing on paramedic and ski instructor Ronin Alexander, and chemist/soap maker Evelyn ‘Evie’ Taylor.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ronin and Evie) covering approximately six years, THE LIFE THAT MATTERED follows the building relationship and romance between paramedic and ski instructor Ronin Alexander, and chemist/soap maker Evelyn ‘Evie’ Taylor. Evelyn Taylor loves her two best friends, soon to be Governor Graham Porter and his fiancé Lila, but never expected to find love for herself until meeting ski instructor Ronin Alexander. A whirlwind romance, and a Christmas elopement pushed Ronin and Evie’s relationship to the next level but a series of mysterious tragedies will affect the man that Evie loves, tragedies that are completely out of Ronin’s control. With Ronin’s secret about to be revealed, Evie struggles with what has happened, and the fall-out as their lives begin to spiral out of control.
THE LIFE THAT MATTERED is first and foremost an emotional love story between two people pulled together by passion and life. There is a tenderness to the relationship between Ronin and Evie that will captivate and seduce but not all is well in the lives of the people they love, people who will indirectly and directly affect the friendships and devotion, the happily ever after, between Evie and Roe.
Jewel E Ann pulls the reader into a world of what ifs? Of otherworldly states, and abstract reality; of theoretical possibilities and empathic influences. An intriguing, tragic, and startling story that ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned. Expect the unexpected from author Jewel E Ann
I’m speechless and heartbroken .
I’ve finished the book a few days ago but couldn’t bring myself to write a review.
It’s a story full of feelings and emotions. Everything you’ve ever felt in your life, you’re going to feel with this book in a few hours.
And I mean EVERYTHING. Happiness, love, family and friendship, humour and great dialogue and inner dialogue but also sadness, heartbreak and fear.
It’s like a punch in your heart but it gives more awareness that everything can change in a second.
I need the second book to ugly cry of happiness.
, . ℍ, .
Completely unexpected!
I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this story but it far passed anything I could’ve dreamt of. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.
From the prologue where it sucks you into Evelyn’s life to the unfolding of such a epic love story. It has readers trying to figure out how it can lead to such a crazy path. With a world wind of emotions throughout the book to that ending that completely shattered my heart. I can’t wait until The Life you Stole.
‘The life that was real’ would also be a great form of describing this book. Real. You know that sometimes while reading a romance you feel like the characters are too much, maybe not believable to be real outside of a book? Well this it not it. What I love the most about this story is how Jewel made their characters as people in real life, with their ups and downs, flaws and qualities, good and bad moments. She was able to tell a moving journey without writing unnecessary drama. Does that mean that there’s no angst here? Abso-fucking-lutely not. There’s lot of angst here but it’s the same angst you can find in life as one grows up, things change and we try to grieve all that while continuing to find reasons to be alive and grateful. And that’s what bought me, real life ‘drama’, real issues, real lessons. The author needn’t to add couple drama to make their path believable. She actually told a perfect love story between them (won’t specify more here not to spoil anyone but I’ll make sense once you read it) without the usual fights and problems a couple of a romantic story has before they get together. I could feel myself falling in love for them as they fell for each other.
“Life was about breaths and heartbeats. A smile. A wink. The squeeze of a hand. Sunrises and sunsets. The rest… it was all extra.”
The story flowed as well as the writing, the more you read the more you wanted. There’s was a point in which I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. This author doesn’t fail to make you crave her words.
“I’d rather be emotionally invested to the point of stepping out of bounds than emotionally dead.”
As the trama develops and you fall in love for the characters you also start getting nervous about them, your suspicions begins to take place and while you try to figure out how something so beautiful could turn into the mess that was slightly presented to you at the epilogue you also start to pray for a HEA that you now need to happen, because these characters find their way to you and they get into your emotions as if their feelings where also yours… Or maybe this is the author wanting us to be as empathetic as Ronin (our male protagonist) is *wink wink* …
“After years of lost wavering faith, I didn’t feel confident that if there was a god, she would listen to my prayers.”
A god woman? We don’t know about that though I’d luuuuv the concept to actually be real in this story, but we do know there is something that we can’t yet explain that is messing around with our heads and their lives. So I really can’t wait for the second part of this duet to take me out of this cliffhanger that I was left in because I seriously crave for the story to continue and I’m crossing fingers for a HEA of some sorts.
“I promise to find you in every life… in every universe.”
Narrated with multiple voices and from various time lines, The life that mattered is a story that will make you want to believe in soulmates and everything that can guarantee an everlasting love like Evie and Roe have
“Evelyn made me feel more vulnerable than I ever thought humanly possible. She was the beginning and the end… my absolute favorite… everything.”
I could tell you more about the characters or their path but I believe that is a journey you need to make. I’m just here to show you how it made me feel and hope you can also read this and share your feelings afterwards.
Thank you, Jewel ( Jewel E Ann ), for this story, for making me emotionally vulnerable again, and for the honour to read an ARC of your beautiful work. Just thank you.
“New romance was the best drug, and my addiction felt incurable.”
I don’t know where to start with this one. From the very beginning you a swept away in the beauty of the romance and everything around it and then the significant part comes in to play completely pulling you further into the book with the mystery and suspense of it all.
We start with Evelyn on vacation with her two best friends, Lila and Graham, who are a couple. Giving them some alone time, she meets Ronin in a cafe and fate starts to work on this couple. Their chance meeting leads to dinner and Ronin admitting that he has taken a job in Aspen which just so happens to be her home town. No numbers are exchanged but they find themselves together again in Aspen and never look back!
I don’t want to say too much about the story as I think it’s best you go in blind to experience it all. Their love and romance is everything. Ronin is the perfect book boyfriend, loving, caring and all kinds of dirty. I loved them. There is also a good bit of humour and that ‘wood’ conversation had me doubled over laughing!
I had no idea where this book was going to go and kept anticipating what would come next, but like any good story, the predictable didn’t happen and Jewel completely through me of course. And that ending/cliffhanger, my jaw was on the floor. I have my thoughts on what’s next, which will most likely be wrong and I can’t wait for the conclusion – I’m glad that date has been brought forward!
ARC received for an honest review – thank you
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Overall Ratings;u2063
First Sex Scene – 20%
POV – Duel
Hero –
Heroine –
Story –
Angst –
Steam –
Chemistry –
I just knew going into this story, that it was gonna wreck me. This amazing author has shown me her “shock-factor” abilities before so, I figured I was prepared for anything… I was wrong though, I was not prepared for this story and I was definitely not prepared for that cliffhanger!!
Now, I am going to keep my review as vague as possible, because this story should be read with as little spoilers as possible. Just jump in blind … you won’t be sorry.
All I can say is that this isn’t your typical “love story”. Even though the main characters Evie and Ronin are oh so awesome, this story involves more than just 2 people… … Two couples entwined, connected through their past and the future.
There is plenty of romance and friendship, humor and love… but there is more as well…
It was different from any story I have read before and that was actually really refreshing. It also kept me intrigued until the very end.
The prologue grabbed me by the throat and I just knew I was gonna pull an all-nighter to finish it because there was no way in hell I would be able to take a break.
I still got stuck with that mother of a cliffy though, which I have to be honest, really pisses me off. Thankfully I got the awesome news that the release date for the second book has been pushed forward by a month, and so it won’t be long until all will be revealed… Let’s hope time flies because I really need some answers!!!
Well played Jewel E Ann … very well played …
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review
The Life That Mattered is a mind-bending, how-far-can-your-emotions-be-pushed kind. Be honest, how many of this kind have you read? Do you want to be challenged in your reading preferences? To only label it entertaining would be too simplistic.
Jewel E. Ann constantly pushes boundaries in her writing. I know some authors would like to think their boundaries are limitless but realistically, many of them stay within their comfortable lines. They churn out safe, similar plots, tropes, boring “been there, read that” books. Not Jewel E. Ann. Just when I thought I was already in awe of her writing prowess, she took it up a few notches.
This book is a serious rival to the Transcend duet, my favourite JEA books. Each character is given a LIFE that goes beyond words. You want to be a fly on the wall. They’ll intrigue you, challenge you and your perceptions.
I can’t wait to see how it ends, then savour them all over again.
Oh Nooooooooo!
Im clutching my heart before it had fallen into pieces. Jewel had yet again to un-glue everything I had. She was a master of left turn. I was blindsided beyond my thought!
My Evelyn Taylor, the lady that I envied so much. Strong personality and a genious who made beautiful soap. Evelyn and Ronin were an everlasting love. I adore Ronin. Oh No, I have fallen inlove Ronin. His love for Evie was genuine. The man who will made my toes curled up and hints of blush oh my cheeks. Their love stories will made you laugh and cry.
I recommended to read the book blindly… It had pulled me into so many directions, I cant stop. Jewel, you had so many red doors for me to cross! I tried not to put too many faces but this.. This story had me shed tears beyond belief!
Jewel, is it too much for asking more hope?
No!!!!!
The conclusion is in book 2.
The wait! The wondering! The beginning of the book haunted me throughout this story to find it’s contents must remain in book two also!
Jewel, well played!
WOWOWOWOW. Okay okay where do I begin? Jewel E. Ann has left my jaw on the floor with The Life That Mattered. This book was a truly beautiful read with a plot twist that I did not see coming at all. It was so very interesting and intricate and I have no idea where she’s going to go with The Life You Stole.
Ronin and Evelyn’s relationship sparked so fast and it was a beautiful thing to read. I’m a sucker for instant connections so I ate it all up. Ronin, you’re my kinda hero, okay? Evie was no slouch either. She has her own scientific convictions and notions and I’M HERE FOR IT! Loved her character so so much!
Anyway, I’m still here stunned. I’ll be waiting patiently for book two.
Wow wow WOW!!!! I swear each book I read of Jewel’s gets better and better!!! She is an author I compare all other authors to! She is my ultimate, my unicorn, my end all be all author. No matter how high my expectations going into her books she far surpasses them Each. And. Every. Time! Each one of her books is a life lesson for me. TLTM is one of those books that flipped my world upside down and inside out. Jewel’s books are not only books that are lessons in life but true mind blowing experiences. You will simply find yourself unable to put this book down.
These characters are pure magic. Once again I experienced a plethora of emotions throughout this novel. I became instantly attached to these characters and as always enjoyed the high level of intensity, off the charts angst, scorching hot chemistry and belly laughing humor as only Jewel could pull off. In other words it is pure perfection!
No matter the trials and tribulations, angst and heartache we experience reading Jewel’s books I can honestly say she never fails to make me laugh along the way. One minute I am an emotional mess and the next I am laughing so hard I could barely catch my breath. There was one part in particular I laughed so so hard! I can hardly remember a time I laughed that hard reading a book. When I wasn’t laughing I found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath and waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop. I am not sure who to trust or what to believe. The prologue and the very last page have me guessing an over analyzing everything!!!!! Very anxiously awaiting TLYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely incredible! The power of Jewel’s writing is you feel every single detail. Every character comes to life and you breathe their love, their pain, their…everything. To say anything outside of Jewel is a phenomenal writer and The Life That Mattered is just another example of this would spoil the perfection of having this story unfold organically for you. Go in blind…go in open and let Jewel work her magic!
Ps. I’m gonna need The Life You Stole like yesterday…this is cruel!!
I’m still trying to wrap my brain around what I just read, but what I do know is that The Life That Mattered knocked my socks off. With painstaking execution, this entirely unique, consuming, passionate, and thought-provoking novel puts Jewel E. Ann’s literary sorcery on full display. Nice to see you again, Book Hangover.
There is a lot to unpack in the synopsis. Olympic skier, fashion designer, chemist, bath shop owner, what sounds like a foursome, love story, tragedy, thriller… Say what? If I’m honest, it had me confused and a bit hesitant to read the book. If other readers are similarly conflicted, here’s all you really need to know: Two main characters fall in love. They are best friends with another couple. The four of them aren’t swingers. Some crazy sh*t happens and it will leave you reeling.
Ronin and Evelyn are two people who fall deeply in love very quickly. I abhor instant love in fiction as a general rule, but their connection feels not only authentic but inevitable. Their meet cute is so endearing, and the fierce love they share is evident throughout the entire book.
Unquestionably, Ronin is wonderful man who is devoted to Evelyn, but he’s hiding something. I had my heart in my throat waiting to uncover the complete truth and how it might affect them. Their best friends, Lila and Graham, have a complicated relationship. Their dynamic fascinated me and kept me guessing.
The character development is exceptional. Evelyn is my favorite. I was immediately drawn to her imperfections and easy nature. Her love for her family, friends, and just life in general is contagious. Her joy was my joy; her heartache was my heartache.
The Life That Mattered is the first book in the Life Duet, and it has a cliffhanger that tested my sanity. I love puzzles, though, and this book leaves many pieces to put together. I finished the last sentence and then went back and re-read the prologue and a few other passages at least a half dozen times. I have absolutely no idea where this story is heading, but I can’t wait to get my hands on The Life You Stole to find out.
I received an early copy to voluntarily read.
This is The Life That Mattered, book one of Life Duet series written by Jewel E Ann. Its a story about Ronin and Evelyn and the route their lives take after their chance encounter. Graham and Lila are Evelyn’s best friends and we get to watch as their lives evolve over time. I have absolutely loved every Jewel E Ann book that I have ever read. She has a way of catching you unaware, drawing you in with sweet words and adorable meetings and then ripping right down the middle of your chest and tearing out your heart. She will sew you back together afterwards, but you may bleed out while waiting to be repaired. That’s what this one will do to you… fair warning!! BUT, I will absolutely read it over and over and over! AND I may just do some crying in the corner as I wait on the second part of this story!! Okay! Okay! I WILL be begging and crying as i wait, oh so impatiently, for the exciting conclusion to this story!
How would you act if you knew that all of your actions would return to be felt by you daily? Would you be so willing to help others if it would cause you personal harm?
Jewel E Ann always writes the stories that stay with you. Make you unable to move on to another book for a while as you continue to recover from the beautiful mess that is her latest book.
That is why her books are a must read for me! Thank you for another amazing story Ms Ann! Thank you!
Holy smokes, I knew, just knew 100% that my most anticipated book of 2020 by Jewel was going break me and make a hot mess. The Life That Mattered is probably by far one of my favorite books by this author.
THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU A MASSIVE BOOK HANGOVER!
I loved everything about this story! I loved that Jewel gave me diverse/multi cultural characters and the ‘paranormal’ element is intriguing and had me glued to the pages. I felt the intense chemistry, love and passion between Evelyn and Ronin and the love they have for their family and friends. The family/friendship dynamic is strong. I also loved that the characters were older. The main characters were all in their mid thirties (Evelyn, Ronin, Graham and Lila).
Fair warning this is a duet and book one of this Life Duet does in with a major cliffhanger.
5 mind-blowing stars!
There is no questioning Jewel E. Ann’s ability to write a spellbinding and unpredictable novel. She makes you think outside the box and knows how to build anticipation. Her words affect you whether you want them to or not. The Life that Mattered is a mind-blowing story that consumed me from the first page to the last, and it is just the first half of the story. The prologue itself broke my heart. Then I was healed by the immense love in this book only to be broken again, as I rode this complex and emotional rollercoaster of feels. Now, I am left reeling from the cliffhanger that may just be too much to handle.
I don’t want to go into too much of the story because to experience it fully you have to go in blind but know that the storyline is captivating and characters are amazing. Evelyn, Ronin, Lila, and Graham are multi-dimensional and the relationships between all four of them are unique.
Evelyn is a breath of fresh air. She has such a fun personality and is so positive. I loved her the moment I met her and she felt real and relatable. Lila and Graham, Evelyn’s best friends who are getting married, have been a solid foundation in Evelyn’s life and they have supported each other through thick and thin. When Ronin enters the picture, they welcome him into their group and they all grow closer. Ronin is such a delight. He is charming and sweet, and I was swooning from the minute he walked into Evelyn’s life. He is just such an amazing man and there was no way I wouldn’t fall for him.
I adored Evelyn and Ronin together. They share a special connection the moment they meet. They just click and I felt the spark between them. They fall hard and fast. It is a whirlwind romance that changes their lives forever and I believed every second of their love. It is all-consuming and beautiful, and I felt like I could happily drown in it.
“My life was pretty fucking incredible at the moment. I didn’t want to slow down and think. If we didn’t make sense … then I refused to live my life by any sort of sense or rules.”
I loved the way the story unfolded. There are secrets and surprises that will knock you off your feet. Situations that will break you and others that will fill you with so much warmth. I had no idea what to expect from this story and I couldn’t have imagined anything better. The romance, the friendships, the angst, the twists and turns, all are perfectly crafted in the most spectacular way to make you feel everything. And the feels are all over the place! I loved experiencing each and every one of them through the highs and lows and everything in between.
I was captivated, consumed, and even overwhelmed at times but I wouldn’t change a thing because this book has left me with an epic book hangover that has stuck with me for days. I just can’t get it out of my head and heart. The Life that Mattered is easily a new favorite of 2020 and I am desperate for The Life You Stole, book two of the Life Series!!
“I wasn’t looking for anyone the day you walked into that cafe in Vancouver. But since that day all I can do is look at you. My mother once said I’d find something … some-one who would make me forget my purpose in life. Break my compass. Jumble my thoughts. And steal my heart…I didn’t believe her”…
“She was right.”
*ARC generously provided by the author and Social Butterfly PR*