It started as as a simple search for a landscape designer…I wanted a beautiful backyard for my new home and my neighbors suggested I look into Ward Landscaping & Design.The owner had no pictures of himself on his website, just a portfolio of nice outdoor sitting areas, pools, and vibrant gardens that I’d always dreamed of having.Of course I hired him.I expected to meet an average guy, but … expected to meet an average guy, but Mr. Marcel Ward is far from your average man. He’s handsome, and well-built, and his smile–though a rare feat–is truly infectious.
He’s every woman’s dream–a handsome, older man who doesn’t mind getting down and dirty to create something beautiful all because of his passion for it. Unfortunately that lucky woman can’t be me.
Although Mr. Ward tests my limits, quickens my breath, and makes my heart skip a beat when he’s around, I’ve made a promise to devote myself to my husband.
So why am I falling for a man I know I can’t have?
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Sexiness. Taboo. Amazing writing.
WARNING: THERE ARE TABOO SUBJECTS IN THIS BOOK. THEY WILL MELT YOUR PANTIES AND MAKE YOU HOT AND BOTHERED.
This book totally threw me for a loop. The author takes a taboo subject and makes you love it. You feel wrong and dirty for liking it, but it is so hot and draws you in from the first word. She creates a world of lust and instant attraction. I really want to live in this world!!! I will never view landscapers the same way again!!
I loved every part of this, no matter how forbidden or taboo it seems. It makes your realize when you’re in a situation and are lonely, you’ll do anything to feel better. Marcel is this big, sweet southerner who makes your heart melt. The heat and chemistry comes alive from the pages of this book. I loved this book and cannot wait until the conclusion. It’s gonna be a doozy.
I could empathize with Gabby being in the situation that she is in. Marcel is one amazing dude who had offered heartache after heartache. He is there for Gabby during her low and lonely times. The way things happen seems so natural and they fight it hard. Kyle is a part of the puzzle that creates distrust and issues. He will shock you and you realize what kind of person he truly is. Really – JUST READ THIS BOOK!!
Better hold on for the ending of this. It’ll be a bumpy, sexy, frightening ride!!!
Holy Smokes!!! This book right here is another reason why Shanora Williams is one of my favourites for Taboo Forbidden Romances, she always delivers a mind blowing multi layered story that keeps you captivated from the beginning.
You might think you have this story worked out from the title, some of you may even be a little judgemental about these types of stories, but try to think outside the box.
The blurb doesn’t tell you how much these characters will get under your skin. Don’t judge them before you’ve given them a chance. If you can’t then maybe this book isn’t for you.
Gabby and Marcel have instant chemistry, it’s powerful, electric and very intense.
They’re like magnets drawn together a force neither can deny.
Mr Ward is definitely a Man who’s good with his hands, must come from all that manual labour. 😉
I felt a lot of emotions as I read this, there are subtle clues throughout that tell you not everything is as it seems. You never really know what hides behind someone’s smile unless you look closer.
I can’t praise this book enough, I loved every heart stopping, pulse pounding moment.
That cliffy was freaking EPIC!!
Holy fire! I received this book as an ARC. First let me tell you I have been waiting on pins and needles for this book and Shanora didn’t disappoint.
Marcel and “Miss Gabby” are fire… I love how Shanora took her time building there relationship. All the feels… and the sex between the 2, I need my own Marcel!!!!!!
I am totally against cheating but if I was married to Kyle I would not have a problem with he. He is the biggest A@#HOLE.
And that cliffhanger though…. how you love to torture us Shanora! I cannot wait for the next book!
Riveting!
Shanora Williams once again brilliantly weaves an intricate tale that has left me completely captivated!! I was drawn in from the beginning into Gabby and Marcel‘s story and just couldn’t put my Kindle down. I loved this thought-provoking story! There’s always more than meets the eye!
There are so many layers unraveling in a way that only Shanora can develop! I’m still feeling the angst and emotions that I found personally relatable in some unique way. To me the author has cleverly delved beyond the surface into relevant issues that affect many. The ending has me reeling and anticipating what is to come!
This is a story that touches on topics that should not be judged by misconceptions… It must be read to truly appreciate it’s alluring value, compelling characters, palpable chemistry and the deeper underlying issues.
I absolutely cannot wait for book 2 of The Ward Duet, The Man I Need, coming in June!
Rate: 4/ 5 stars
Love forbidden romance? What about age gaps? Shanora writes some of the best ones I ever read and she’s got a new one just for you…
Mr. Ward is something else. He’s all man, a little broken at that. which just makes him all the more special and lovable to me.
I loved Gabby from the very beginning as well, I love her spirit and how passionate she is. She’s a recently married woman who just moved to a new home, in a new state away from everyone she knows. She’s brave and sweet and most of all lonely. Knowing no one and having her husband out of town most of time due to work, she spends a lot of time by herself in a big house. So when she hires Mr. Ward to work on her backyard and they share this connection right from the get-go, she tries to develop this friendship with him… only that friendship slowly but surely turns into something more special, more meaninful, something that is just more. And Gabby slowly discovers that Marcel is the right guy for her, in every possible way, if only she wasn’t already married… if only she had met Marcel before meeting Kyle.
Kyle seems like a nice man in the beginning until you start to notice little things here and there, first on your own and then when both Gabby or Marcel address them. He is the picture perfect guy but you know he’s hiding behind this mask and I am so curious to find out more about him because there is still so much we don’t know in this book. I have a lot of questions regarding him and his secrets.
I swear Shanora kept me on my toes, waiting for the pin to drop. I knew it was gonna end in a big cliffhanger so from the beginning I was thinking of crazy theories and I’m usually good at predicting things but not this time, this time Shanora got me good! I was not expecting that ending at all but it made a lot of sense.
The Man I Can’t Have is a captivating forbidden romance that will reel you in from the get go. It’s a slow burn and it’s a beautiful story of a sudden deep friendship that both characters needed that turns into something much more special, love. It is so weet to see these two fall for each other no matter how wrong it is. But there is still much more to come, much more to learn and a little while to wait. I’ll be here dreaming of Mr. Ward while I wait for The Man I Need.
The woman who writes the best Taboo books and has written my absolute favourite book from her to date is back!!!! YASSSSSS. With her amazing alpha males and those DAMN cliffhangers lol.
So if this book was a man I would date, kiss, have sex, marry and have lots of babies with said man…
Bloody hell though…. when Shanora writes about an older man/younger woman I just know it’s going to be fucking amazing and thats what this one was.
Taboo books are my kryptonite. I can’t help but love them.
Marcel GOD LOVE HIM. Can I just jump into this book and give him a hug. With what he’s had to go through over the years I just felt my heart hurt for him. I got teary because of how much pain he felt and that he blames himself for what happened.
Gabby shouldnt want things with Marcel… but damn who could resist a man like him. Like seriously though HOT AS FUCK!!!!
“I knew you wanted me,” he says. Another thrust. “From now on you won’t be his.” Another thrust. “You’ll be mine.”
HOLY SHIT MAN!!!! Marcel made my lady bits so damn happy lol.
Some of the sex scenes made me want to fan myself because it was hot!!
I got a little stabby towards a certain person in the book. Like I wanted to dick punch them till it fell off haha. NO JOKE. You’ll see why when you read it. #Stabby #DickPunch #UtterTwunt
I swooned, got butterflies, got all hot and bothered, got teary, shouted TW*T and then shouted WHAT NOOO WHY at that cliffy.
Seriously can’t wait to read the next book. I need it in my life know.
Well done to Shanora on another amazing read xx
The Man I Can’t Have is the first book in the Ward Duet and Shanora hits this one out of the park. This story may not be for everyone but it’s a definite read for all taboo, age gap, and forbidden readers.
Three months into their marriage Gabby and Kyle pack up and move to a new town. Away from the cold and to warmer weather. She meets Meredith, her new neighbor across the street while she’s having her yard done. Gabby plans to have a housewarming party soon and looking into having someone do their backyard. Meredith highly recommends Ward Landscaping & Design. After browsing the internet, Gabby emails the owner Marcel to come out and set up a consultation.
Gabby is feeling lonely after the move with her family living in a different state and her husband flying back and forth to run an investment company in New York. She went from seeing them everyday to hardly at all and she misses them.
Her husband Kyle is a prick. The people around her notice. When they confront Gabby about him she gets defensive. She tries really hard to make him happy. He goes back and forth from being genuine and loving one minute to being a jerk the next. When Gabby tells him she contacted the landscaper without talking to him first he wasn’t happy but she talked him into it.
Marcel is not what Gabby expected. She’s attracted to him. He’s attracted to her but he knows she’s married and off limits and only confuses him when he keeps catching her staring at him.
This story wasn’t what I expected, it was so much more. I thought I knew which direction it was headed but I was so wrong. I was totally blindsided and ended in a major cliffhanger. I loved it and can’t wait to see what happens next in The Man I Need.
Advanced readers copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
Oh my lawwwwwd!
If you think this is simply a taboo forbidden romance you got it all wrong.
One thing about Shanora, she have Twist is her sleeve. The angst. The secrets. The steamy part. The characters. Oh my oh my…. Shanora you just wreck my heart.
For you who have trigger warning, I suggest you read this book. Cause TMICH is a lot more. Open your mind. Don’t judge, cause seriously, Marcel and Gabby chemistry will blow your mind. The plot is to die for. The way Shanora write is… Divine!
And those steamy scenes? for the love of all hot man in the world…. Marcell is just delish!
And yes TMICH ends with cliffy. And a bad, I mean the worst possibly cliffy you ever imagine but oh my God it’s so worthed, you need to read TMICH like yesterday!
ARC received for honest opinion. Gabby and Macel on the kitchen table OMG!!! This book blew me away such amazing characters. My emotions were all over the place. And that cliffhanger wow. This book is a MUST read.
Call me superficial but the moment I saw this cover I knew it was a book I wanted to read and title and synopsis intrigued me further.
I truly believe that this is a book that’s best to go in blind. Shanora has given her readers a multi layered story that at first looks like your typical bored housewife book. Gabby newly married and in a new home hires Marcel to redesign her garden and the lines between them become blurred.
I found Gabby a fascinating character to read about. On the outside she comes across as young and naive but you get glimpses of her strength of character. Marcel as you find out in the prologue is a man who has endured unimaginable pain in his past. The man we meet comes across as gruff, rude and unapproachable.
This is a rollercoaster of a book emotionally, it’s sexy, it’s poignant and the angst is off the charts. I read this book twice the second time I was looking for little clues I was sure I missed. As it’s a duet I knew we had to be building to something but no way did I predict that cliffhanger ending. Honestly book two can’t come soon enough.
Holy smoking panties on fire!!!!
Sexy as a shirtless hunk with a V and hot as a burning ember, this book scorches your soul with restricted passions and curbed lust. When unleashed the volcano erupts right on the pages. My heart was thumping at every scene with dread and anticipation. I wanted them to happen but was also holding her back. Very cleverly written, this book will set your pulse racing and you will beg for more from Mouthwatering Marcel with full luscious lips (I’m a sucker for them)
Shanora has fulfilled all my fantasies by creating landscape architect in Marcellus Ward.
I wish he could do my Landscaping .IfYouKnowWhatIMean
He meets Gabrielle Moore, and takes on the project of giving her the back garden and patio in her new dream home. She’s unhappy and she knows it, so why doesn’t she walk away? Lemme tell you this question plagued me. But the answer I got had my mouth hanging open.
“Life has never been easy for me, so when I see that some people are wastin’ their time, I say it. No point in holdin’ my tongue, ’cause I may not get the chance to tell that person the truth again later. Sometimes tellin’ the truth hurts. And sometimes knowin’ the truth saves a few lives.”
He gives her “front garden” a lot of attention too “IfYouKnowWhatIMean ..teehee!!
I’m sorry I’m being juvenile but I’ve been DYING to say this line *tittering*. Ok sobering up….
The story pulls at your heart, it’s journey is laden with yearnings and cravings of the forbidden kinds. It flows so smoothly, I was unable to put it down or walk away from it.
The fire that’s consuming both H/h singes my soul too, esp after The Villa scene
I hate the situation we’re in.
I hate my temper.
I hate that he fell for me!
I loved Gabby and Marcel. Their proximity confuses them both and their time apart kills them both.
TBH i had a somewhat love/hate relationship with kyle.
But omg!!! The bombshell on the last page had me huh!!!!
Can’t wait till June, I’ll be on pins and needles… #WriteShanoraWrite!
4.5 stars for All the Little Things
This book…this amazing, all consuming, heart stealing, soul crushing, epic freaking book! I loved every single second of Marcel and Gabby’s story. The layers of this story have totally blown my mind. It has made me question what I think is right and wrong and what will a person do to fight for love. On the surface, a person might think this is just a story about cheating and not give it a second glance. This story deserves all the reflection and studying of one’s own heart to find what is right when it comes to matters of the heart and living life to its absolute fullest. The storyline gripped me from the very first page and I was filled with tension from the angst filling every page. The characters have filled my heart with their voices. Marcel and Gabby both tortured in their own ways and searching for their truth. The heat in this book blew me away. Shanora Williams has a forbidden love affair down to an art, making the reader want everything they shouldn’t. I could feel every emotion poured in to each word. And as gripping as the story between the main characters was, the side characters each found their own way in to my heart. I especially loved the scene between Gabby and her brother Ricky. The emotion between them hit me right in my feelings and hasn’t let go yet. I am dying at the gut wrenching cliffhanger this book ended on. I need the rest of this story right now and I need everything fixed right now. Congratulations Shanora Williams on the brilliant book!
I have been waiting impatiently for this book for what feels like forever and I went into it with extremely high hopes. From the blurb alone I knew I was going to like this book but even I was surprised by how much I loved the story and the characters.
I’m staying away from the story because as always it’s best to go in blind with this book. The characters are easy to relate to. They’re flawed, their lives aren’t perfect and sometimes they make mistakes. I live for books like this. I like angst, I can’t get enough of the conflict that comes with a book like this. It’s extremely easy to put yourself in these characters shoes and honestly I can’t say I wouldn’t behave the same way.
The Man I Can’t Have was everything I had hoped it would be. It consumed me completely. I felt every emotion the characters felt. The loneliness, the indecision, the sadness, the confusion, the anger. The characters…there’s just something about them that drew me in. They frustrated me in the best way possible.
I’m a huge fan of Shanora Williams and have been for years and this book is definitely my favourite from her. I need the next book now. I need to know what happens after that fantastic ending and I can already see a re read in the immediate future while I wait for more.