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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Wow! I’m kind of speechless right now after having read T.M.I.C.H.! I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil such a great book.
This is book #1 in the Ward Duet. There were so many aspects to this book, so many layers. I just wanted to hurry up and peel them all back. There was no shortage of angst and steam but the plot was what got me! There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I was left with my mouth hanging open in the end, wishing for June to hurry up and get here so that I can devour The Man I Need. Marcel was everything! I need a Marcel in my life! Lol. There is subject matter in this book but it is tastefully done & woth the read. Needless to say, I highly recommend reading it.
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review****
The Man I Can’t Have
Please Note: This story involves cheating.
Angsty Emotional Rollercoaster Ride
The Man I Can’t Have by Shanora Williams the angst filled story of Gabrielle Moore and Marcel Ward. Gabby and her husband Kyle moved to South Carolina but he travels to and from New York for work. Thus leaving her home alone most of the time. Marcel award is the owner of a landscaping company hired to makeover Gabby and Kyle’s backyard.
Gabby is a lonely housewife who has not intent on cheating on her husband. Her husband isn’t exactly the best man for her. He seems to think very little of her decision making skills. It’s not that he’s a bad person but he doesn’t She is a friendly woman who just likes people to feel welcome. Even those landscaping her backyard.
Marcel feels this instant attraction to Gabby. He knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. Including a married client. No matter how hard he tried to stay away, he couldn’t. Unlike Kyle, He saw Gabby for who she was and wanted her to be treated how she deserved.
The chemistry between Gabby and Marcel is undeniable. They are great companions for each other but she has to live with the guilt that comes with her affair. I really enjoyed reading The Man I Can’t Have even though I’m not a fan of cheating. I understand Gabby’s torment over it but she decided that Marcel was worth losing her marriage if her husband found out. Personally, I think her husband may be cheating on her as well. That was not in the book but him being away one can easily assume. I could be wrong in that assumption though.
The Man I Can’t Have is an emotional roller coater filled with loneliness, lust, and betrayal. Though some people may not want to read it because of the affair, the I don’t care if you’re married attitude, or Kyle’s treatment of Gabby, I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the release of The Man I Need. Shanora Williams is a new to me author and I recurved an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so Shanora! It ends in a cliffhanger!!!!!! And it was soooooo good.
Gabby and Marcel have such a wonderful build!
This book deserves more than 5 stars. I cannot wait until part 2. It’s going to be amazing!
DREAMY’S REVIEW
The Man I Can’t Have by Shanora William’s in my first book by this author, and when I tell you that I went in… I WENT IN. Devoured in one sitting. Raved so hard about it when I was finished. Went back in and reread my highlights!!
I was completely taken by this book!!
If forbidden romance is your jam, you need this on your TBR, RFN!!!
The Man I Can’t Have was unexpected in the BEST way possible!
“To most people, I have a normal life. I was just married, and I’ve moved into my dream home… but like I’d mentioned before, something is missing.”
I was clearly not prepared when diving into this book, but going in blind, I didn’t even expect it! Zero triggers for this reader right here! I’m all good to go for the forbidden aspect of this book, and if the title/ blurb makes you question even a bit, I say don’t even try!
Buuuut… THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE.
It clawed at my heart, it buried me five feet under with my emotions going haywire, and it made me raid my panty drawer! (Marcel is FINE AF!!)
“He is so perfect—everything I always wanted in a man. Too bad he can never be mine.”
The sexual tension. The angst. The drama. The forbidden aspects. The age gap. THE PUPPY.
Oh my god, everything about this book had me itching to get to the very next page! It took me on an emotional journey! It’s one of those forbidden love story where you know it’s oh so wrong, but you root for it because it feels so damn right!
*****
When Gabriel Lewis moved into her new home and hired a landscaper to work on her backyard… he wasn’t what she was expecting.
Marcel Ward.
Gabriel and Marcel had a push and pull like no other!! Their attraction was coming off of the pages! Intense, raw, and real!
Their friendship turned into illicit relationship grew on me! I cannot lie and tell you I didn’t root for them… BECAUSE I DID.
HARD.
There is something about two people wanting more, needing more, looking for more. And sometimes, even at the inconvenience of time and circumstances, you find it. Their magnetic pull towards each other is unquestionable! It grows and becomes something beautiful and all-consuming.
“‘From now on you won’t be his, you’ll be mine.’ I can’t get the words out of my head, but only because no words spoken have been truer.”
Marcel Ward is a man I will not be forgetting anytime soon!
“He has a hold on me— a tight lasso wrapped around me that I can’t break free from— and he knows it. We both know it.”
And might I add, I just didn’t like Kyle from the start? I knew there was something off about that man!
*****
The Man I Can’t Have is absolutely addictive and captivating! It has the perfect balance of emotion, angst, drama, and steam!
My first Shanora William’s book and definitely not my last! She has truly outdone herself with her impeccable writing, well throughout and developed characters, and a storyline that keeps you captivated through and through!
MAJOR cliffhanger at the end! TMICH left me with my jaw dropped wide open and stunned AF! I love a good cliffhanger and Williams definitely delivered!
”He isn’t the man I can’t have. He’s the man I’ve always needed.”
I’m standing on pins and needles in high anticipation for what comes next! I cannot wait for The Man That I Need!
Five forbidden stars:
I’m no fan of cheating in books but Shanora, wow you blown me way with Marcel and Gabby story. Their story is so deep and their chemistry so damn hot. You go through roller coaster emotions with them . This books has angsts, drama, secrets and very steamy scenes. It does end with cliffhanger but totally worth the read. I can’t wait to find out how their story unfolds in book two.
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of this arc that I received for free. I’m not that much into story that involved cheating, but I really enjoy and love reading this story. This book was absolutely amazing! The time and effort that the author put into this is story is really good and the characters are developed equally good. I would recommend this book to anyone. I didn’t expect the story to end the way it did, but I can’t wait to read the next book.
Somehow I always go into a book thinking I know what’s going to happen and so I won’t be sucked in, surprised, caught off guard. And every time, Shanora SLAYS me! Marcel is everything. I loved him immediately. I could hear his voice and it gave me goosebumps and butterflies just reading him. Gabby felt familiar from the start and I couldn’t place why. Not until the end.. This story hits home for me on so many levels and I was waiting for the stomach drop/plummet that I knew would come. Shanora didn’t disappoint. I fell in love with her characters yet again and cannot WAIT for part two. Shanora has a serious gift and I consider myself super fortunate that I’ve discovered this author. Everything you write is effing GOLD.. LOVE it!! xo..
The Man I Can’t Have by Shanora Williams
5 STARS!
This book is the first book in the Ward Duet. This book may contain triggers for some people. It is about some tough subjects not every reader would enjoy. If you enjoy taboo stories or any of Shanora’s other books, I highly recommend this book! This story has well developed characters that are very relatable. Gabby and Marcel have undeniable chemistry from the first time they meet.
Gabby is young, a newlywed, and has been taken away from her family and friends by her husband, Kyle. Kyle is gone for days at a time for work, and Gabby is stuck in a huge house knowing miles away from her loved ones. Kyle gives Gabby permission to do work in the backyard of their new house, so she hires a landscaper company that came recommended by her neighbor. Ward Landscaping and design is who she chooses to go with even though Kyle fights her the whole way. Gabby can’t seem to get Marcel out of her mind from the first moment she sees him. She uses every excuse to get close to Marcel even though she knows she shouldn’t. Their conversation gets more personal every time they talk. Marcel has a dark past and some things he has never told a single soul about. He feels a pull towards Gaby and reveals more than he intends to do. Gabby feels the unexplainable pull towards Marcel and feels guilty for the intense attraction she has for him. Their relationship turns from business to personal quickly. They both know it’s wrong. They seem to pull the best and worst out of each other. Their story is one that will stick with me for a long time!
In true Shanora fashion, this book has twists and turns the reader doesn’t see coming. It will keep the reader on the edge of their seat and wanting more. This book has quickly become one of my favorites. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! It ends in a huge cliff hanger and I can’t wait for the conclusion of this story!!! I highly recommend this book! Put all preconceived notions aside, take a leap of faith, and dive right in! You won’t regret it!
The Man I Can’t Have by Shanora Williams is an emotional powerhouse read!! This is an angsty, steamy, intense, taboo story that tells the reader Marcel and Gabby’s forbidden love story. The chemistry and connection between them is so intense and amazing. The pull is something that cannot be denied or ignored.
Without giving anything away, this book will take you on a wild journey. There will be some things that might push your limits in this story but the rewards will have you craving more. Gabby is 25 while Marcel is 35. So there is a bit of the age gap. I’m not giving all in my review. There is so much to be discovered and just know, there is an epic cliffhanger that will leave you breathless and needing book 2. There are so many twists, turns, feels, emotions,… this story is hard yet so worth it!!! Marcel is all man, a man who has demons in his past and yet with Gabby , finds light. OMG, this is such a beautiful story. Cant wait for book 2.
My Rating: 4.8 stars *********
Just take my heart and RIP it out. There is no way to prepare yourself for the emotions this book evokes.
Also if you have triggers that are easily set off then you might want to find another book to read.
I’m still flabbergasted at that cliffhanger. Gabby is absolutely amazing! She is so sweet and kind. Always sees whats best in everyone. But Kyle is a complete a**hole. Never liked him at all. He screams creeper. Now Marcel is everything plus some. Always knows when something isn’t quite right. Sees through all the BS
They all the have their secrets and we see a few of Gabby and Marcel’s but I have a feeling Kyle is hiding the most and worst of them all.
This book is definitely my new favorite of 2019!! I’m now anxiously awaiting book 2.
Hold on tight… what you are going to experience when you read The Man I Can’t Have is going to knock you right off your feet. Shanora Williams has gone and done it again. Marcel and Gabby are phenomenal characters. Right from the bat these two have a chemistry that can be seen from miles away. They both are running from demons that control the decisions and the path they make in their lives. Both surviving and just being, but not LIVING. That is until their paths cross and once they do the magnetic pull they have for one another sets their souls on fire. Marcel tries to drown his past, the losses in his life by not getting attached. If you don’t get attached then when something is no longer there you don’t get hurt. Although Marcel tries to keep Gabby at a distance, the pull is just too strong and he gets pulled deeper and deeper.
Gabby is finally living a life that she never had growing up. Growing up, her family had struggles. So when Kyle comes along, he sweeps her off her feet. Although Gabby thinks she is happy, she feels like she is missing something in her life. Being in a new state, in a new home, away from her family and friends, and her husband always away working, Gabby’s feeling lonely. She needs something to occupy her. So when she decides to tackle on the backyard project she is happy for the distraction. She never expected the owner to be charming, alluring and OH SO HANDSOME! Soon Gabby finds that Marcel is so much more than just a handsome face. He is kind, thoughtful, and generous. He brings out the real Gabby, not the Gabby that she is around her husband Kyle. As feelings and attractions between Marcel and Gabby deepen, things become more complicated and little white lies become big ones. Soon Gabby finds that she isn’t the only one keeping secrets. As secrets are uncovered and truths are revealed the lives of all involved are affected dramatically.
WOW….my mind was blown with how the book was left off. I can’t even imagine what poor Gabby is going through. The mere fact that she feels like she has no other choice but to stay in an unhappy marriage is so sad. To want someone so badly but you can’t have them, ugh! It is so unfair to watch two people that are meant to be can not. Waiting impatiently to see Gabby’s fate.
6 stars!!!
The Man I Can’t Have had CONSUMED my life the past few days. Ever since I started it, and now that I’m finished with it, it’s STILL consuming me.
Marcel has won a spot on my all-time favorite book boyfriends list. He had me swooning SO HARD that I had to put the book down for a breather about a dozen times. Gabby and Marcel are also My new favorite couple!!! Between their chemistry and the raw sexual tension made me feel like I was going to combust.
I’m glad I don’t have to wait long for The Man I Need, but it’ll still feel like FOREVER to me. I you think I’m being dramatic, then READ this book. You’ll feel the same way, trust me. Shanora deserves an award for being the QUEEN of cliffhangers.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Shanora Williams is the absolute Queen of FORBIDDEN ROMANCE! With Gabrielle Moore and Marcellus Ward, she’s given the reader another sexy couple who just cannot help from falling for each other even though circumstances forbid them being together. In this case, Gabrielle is married, albeit very unhappily, and Marcel is the landscape designer she hired to spruce up her home’s grounds.
Marcel is everything her husband is not – sexy, rough around the edges, seriously intense and passionate, and most of all, he is in love with Gabrielle and treats her like the queen she deserves to be treated as. Can they be together long term? Will Gabrielle give in to the feelings between them?
The will they, won’t they, the push and pull, the delicious sexiness of it all was almost too much for me, and I was on the edge of my seat as I read them falling for each other. I know eventually they’ll get their HEA, but until then, knowing I have to wait for that, is killin’ me!
And then of course, there was the twisty cliffhanger, and now I’m once again stuck waiting impatiently for The Man I Need to release. June’s not that far off, but it isn’t soon enough for this woman!
Hm, I must say, that I’m not a 100% fan of this book. Before reading I didn’t know there was cheating involved. A lot of people were raving about it, so I started to read it.
Unfortunately cheating happened in my family before, and I strongly dislike it. There’s no excuse for it.
Otherwise I liked the writing and the flow.
I kindly received an arc for an honest review
The author strikes again with another page turner of a forbidden romance! The angst, the want for something you cannot have is strong in this read.
The newlyweds, Gabby and Kyle are starting a new life in a new place. The drawback…Kyle’s work is quite a distance and an workaholic that has him away days at a time.
Alone in a new area, working on her art, and wanting to contribute to renovating her backyard she hires a landscape designer that is recommended by her neighbor. Little did she expect that the man showing up is someone that will she finds a connection of friendship leading to more. A magnetic pull whenever they are nearby. Secrets are kept, surprise actions from all parties involved will have your feelings all over the place. The justification on so many instances will have you opening your eyes on the situations between Gabby, Kyle, and Marcel. Then we are left with that cliffy that will have you rooting for hope and possibilities.
4.5 stars. Wow, my favorite from Shanora so far. This is a cheating book, so beware if that’s a hard limit for you. The slow build was just right for Gabby and Marcel’s forbidden relationship. This book will give you all the feels, from Gabby and her husband Kyle’s imperfect relationship to wildfire romance she has with Marcel. The ending was shocking and I need the next book now!
This book is absolutely amazing !!!!
Shanora Williams knows exactly how to write books which aren’t easy to read… books which have forbidden stories…. books which are percfectly sinfull with all this delicious moments, that You don’t want to put this books down.
The Man I can’t Have is written in exactly Mrs Williams style… From the begining YOU will want more, this story sucks You in compeletely with the speed of light !!!! I’m not big fan of duets but with this one I have NO PROBLEMS, I’m very greedy for mpre Gabby and Mr Marcel!!!
Shanora Williams made Gabby and Marcel unforgettable !!!! Their story everything what I expected, I still feel that my heart is beating fast because chemistry between them seriously could burn… and not only because Gabby with Marcel have forbidden story, but because I felt their connection and attraction from the very first sight ! They consumed my heart, they give my mind rollecester ride…I want to be Marcel’s Gabby… I want to be Gabby’s Marcel because they gave me every possible feeling I’ve should felt as a reader and mrs Shanora Williams fan!
Highly recomended title !
We all crave for things we can’t have. And if we have one taste, we get addicted. The consequences be damned. If you ever felt something like that in your life , you may get an inkling about Gabby and Marcel’s story. Now make it a thousand times worse and voila! Shanora Williams has written an torturing story of forbidden love.
I loved Marcel’s character. He has this perfectly broken, angsty and vulnerable heart to make me fall in love. And Shanor has described all his good parts in vivid details and my imagination is running wild. He is straightforward to the point of rudeness, dirty talking, arrogant and sexy as hell. He is hurting in all kinds of ways. He wants to make Gabby happy again at all cost. In one word, he is a lethal weapon to destroy my heart.
But I didn’t exactly love Gabby. I understand the reasons behind her decisions but I had a hard time being ok with them. And I don’t mean her feelings and attraction towards Marcel. She had to go through a lot. I absolutely adored the glimpses of the sassy , bright and loving girl. I did feel a lot for her towards the end.
Shanora Williams created a burning chemistry between them. The heartbreaks, the regrets, the push and pull..they were on point. I expected to feel a lot more angst and devastating desires between them. But that is my personal issue. You should read this story for Marcel. Because this man is everything!
Received ARC voluntarily for Honest Review
OK … Shanora Williams is one of those authors that I’ll read a book that’s absolutely out of my comfort zone. As far as taboo romances go, I’ll read hers. With that being said, TMICH is one that I was nervous to read since it had some tropes that are my absolutely NOs.
I truly, TRULY wanted to love this one, but it was really tough for me to look past certain things when it came to Marcel, Gabrielle and most definitely Kyle.
Cheating is generally one of those tropes that I don’t like to read about, but some authors are able to weave it into something. You can easily guess that there’s cheating from the title. From the beginning, you can sense that Gabrielle isn’t completely happy with the life that she’s currently living. Her reasons for marrying Kyle were definitely ones that you shouldn’t marry someone for, therefore, she felt like something was missing in her life. And in comes Marcel.
Marcel has a thriving landscaping business that began after the tragic loss of his sister. Around that time, he was in a rough spot unable to gain any sort of employment because of a mistake that lead to a bit of a downfall in his life. And that’s initially what brought him into Gabrielle’s life.
Ugh, you guys have no idea how much it’s bumming me out to write this review because I just love this author so much.
I didn’t connect with Gabrielle at all, I found her to be extremely selfish and immature. Her reasons for what she did, didn’t feel justified enough. With that cliffhanger ending, I can’t say much on what I’d do in that particular situation, but I won’t put any blame on her in that instance and her decision to stay. That’s something I can’t even fathom.
When it came to her husband, Kyle, there was a lot of red flags sent her way from her family and friends. None of them liked him at all. And although, we didn’t quite see too much of this side of Kyle, there were little bits here and there that said otherwise. There was definitely something off about him and it was even more confirmed by the end of TMICH.
As much as I wanted to be on-board on what could come of Marcel and Gabrielle, I just couldn’t get behind her reasons for cheating. And I wanted Marcel to take the high road…so I was bit disappointed on that front.
As much as I wanted to love this story, I just couldn’t get behind the actions of all three of these characters. It’s nothing against the writing cause Shanora always executes on that front. I’m still planning on read the concluding book to this duet because I’m rather curious to see what happens. And more than anyone, Gabrielle needs to get out of that situation she’s in and hopefully get her HEA.
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE AUTHOR IN CONSIDERATION FOR A REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
So a huge fan of this author, but I do review every book by its content. This book had me feeling like what the heck did I just read?! This is story begins with newlyweds starting their life away from their families as many young couples do starting out. But as life happens and jobs and passions develop.. you don’t always see qualities in your spouse that you did when you were dating. Does that make you long for those qualities in new relationships? it can, enters a hellava landscape architect, whose life and what he is dealt makes him have certain qualities but what appears to be and what is in this book is not all that it seems, it is passionate, hot, desirable, full of angst and a cliffy that for once I do not mind… really this is absolutely brilliant and could not be facilitated any differently by the author… because timing , my goodness, is just that, part of the brilliance here. I am not a huge fan of cliffhanger but the next book is coming quickly and frankly I think you need a breather here to let this all soak in. This book has some very delicate situations but I think maybe the best book one of the year! Can not wait for the next but I honestly need a support group for this book first!!!! Love it!