An epic, forbidden MM romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Ella James… You think you know me. That’s the way I want it. Making you feel like we know each other–like we could go grab a beer sometime–is part of my job. Maybe the most vital part. It doesn’t hurt that I’m easy on the eyes, single at 35, and born richer than sin. My aesthetic matters much more than it should, but all the … should, but all the better for my worthy cause.
And it’s a worthy cause.
I’ve made an art out of making you feel good, and my influence makes you want to be good. Good like me. You think you know me, but you don’t.
Everyone has secrets. Mine could cost me everything.
So I’m a fortress. No one’s ever even gotten close.
Until tonight.
See that man, the tall guy dripping on the bow of my yacht? The one I just pulled from the ocean?
He’s the one who’s going to cost me everything.
***Book two, Adore, will release November 11th.
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The tease of Vance and Luke’s forbidden night featured in the Spring Fling Anthology captured my attention and I just cannot forget their encounter especially with the twist at the end. I was eagerly anticipating the full story, and Worship was so worth the wait! When this forbidden MM romance hit my kindle, I put everything on hold and jumped into it right away. The heart-breaking angst and irresistible sexual tension pulled me into this story from the beginning. I had a wonderful time enjoying this beautiful story which tugged at my heartstrings and gave me all the feels.
I loved the connection and chemistry between Vance and Luke. It’s electric, undeniable and supercharged. Their first meeting was unexpected, but the night that they shared was hot and passionate. Luke was a mystery man filled with secrets. I could sense that he wanted and needed the encounter, but he had reasons to keep Vance at arm’s length. Finally, Luke’s true identity unveiled the cause behind all his turmoil.
My heart ached for them. Every encounter, from the yacht to the cabin to the boat ride, deepened their affection for each other. The boat ride scene was my favorite which got me teary eyed. They were perfect together and their bond was genuine and palpable. Vance was the peace and rightness that Luke needed, but his sense of responsibility kept them apart. Nothing is worse than loving and wanting each other but knowing you couldn’t have. I’m a true romantic and hope that they can find a way around the big obstacle that was in the way in the next installment.
I absolutely loved this story and I’m now anxiously waiting for Adore, the second installment of the On My Knees duet.
Note: No worries if you have not read the novella in the Spring Fling Anthology. Part one of the book was actually that same tease which enthralled me.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After reading the beginning, the opening act as it were, of Luke and Vance’s story in the Spring Fling anthology, I couldn’t wait to see in which direction Ms James took them next when given free reign to expand on it. This first part of their duet, which includes that first meeting, didn’t disappoint.
Luke and Vance’s first encounter is under unusual circumstances, a quirk of fate if you will, or was it simply that the stars aligned? Either way, although they are strangers, there’s an instant spark between them and their lust and fierce attraction for each other is undeniable and quite frankly incendiary. Throwing caution to the wind, they give in to their desires on that first night with complete abandon. I am not exaggerating when I say that what follows is one scorchingly hot and extremely sexy liaison. I’m not saying any more, other than be careful as your kindle may combust!
I love these characters and the way Ms James has given them contrasting personalities. Vance the free spirited artist, seemingly content within his own skin, and Luke who is very much restrained by his occupation and standing within society. Despite his busy lifestyle, he has an air of loneliness about him. I felt great sympathy for him and in fact it started to become clear to me that there’s something missing in each of their lives, definitely unfulfilled desires.
Time passes and their story changes. I was pleased to see it evolve, from merely hot and heavy to becoming one of denial and longing. A forbidden love, a temptation they’re powerless to resist. Their meetings are few and far between but time does not extinguish the passion. With each clandestine encounter, their bond becomes stronger, starts to feel more than just a meaningless hookup.
Worship is just the beginning of an extremely steamy, erotic and exciting love story. Ms James has done an amazing job with her first MM and I can’t wait to read the conclusion in Adore.
This was my first book by Ella James, who quickly became my favorite. It’s also the first book of her On My Knee Series. The storyline has all the twists and turns that I did not see coming. It’s so good.
Holy hot damn this book is sexy as fuck. Things between Luke and Vance were explosive. I am officially addicted to Luke and Vance. This book is hot as hell and I can’t get enough of the sexual attraction between these two. In Worship we get the foundation of how they meet, the clear lust they have for one another, and glimpses into their life. We get bits of each of their upbringing with Luke holding his emotions close to the vest and Vance understanding that and not pushing Luke. But at the same time Vance has to do his own things and can’t force anything of him. That bit of longing he has killed me.
I definitely can’t wait to see what happens next with them and that they get to know each other on a deeper level. Not to mention both them men are dominant in the bedroom and its so damn hot. I’d love to see how this relationship works out given who Luke is.
For the last year or more I have seen this book everywhere. I wanted to read it, but as it goes other books pop up and things get pushed to the back of the proverbial bookshelf for a while. Yesterday I was looking for a short audiobook to get me through my workday and this gem popped up. It was far more than I could have expected it to be. Worship was so much more than a story about a forbidden relationship. It was about having to keep the biggest part of yourself hidden out of obligation, fear and faith.
Vance didn’t mean to come across Luke but when you are left alone on an island with nowhere to go but to the lone yacht drifting by that is what you do. He never meant to come across the sexy man with secrets who wanted to worship. Life sometimes has other plans that you don’t always see coming.
In Luke’s profession being discreet is his only choice. It isn’t so much as being discreet as hiding away that one part of yourself that makes you who you are. When Vance comes aboard his yacht his first thought was to get rid of the random guy but quickly those plans changed. He will allow himself this one night, this one night to do all the things he has never been able to do but one night never is enough is it?
Sometimes you meet someone that you have a gravitational pull to and that was Vance & Luke. Both men needed something from the other but while Vance just wanted to help Luke even if it was just as a friend Luke pushed him away. Time and time again Luke pushed Vance away and there is so only so much you can be pushed until you break. Vance finally broke, and now the consequences for that could be far worse than Luke ever anticipated.
Iggy Toma & Aiden Snow did a wonderful job on narration. Their voices were so different but meshed beautifully together. Aiden Snow’s deep tambour was perfection for Luke because it really gave him that hint of power that his character seemed to exude.
With that ending I am dying to get into book two Adore as soon as I can because if Worship was anything to go by we haven’t seen anything yet now that Luke & Vance are in the same city.
I was recommended this trilogy by a friend in a book group of mine and holy cow am I glad I read this one! This story is so good and steamy. It also has such an important underlying message of what it means to struggle and learn to accept yourself. I loved the characters and the character dynamics. The writing is impeccable with so much emotion and plot. I loved it so much. It’s an original storyline I haven’t heard of before and it’s told so well. I highly recommend!
Brilliant, heart wrenching, beautiful, angst filled and a story that truly needs reading!
I have.read a few MM stories and let me say that this one is not one that has been read!
Vance and Luke are characters that will work their way into your heart and stay for a long time and you will want to keep them there!
Theirs is a story that is for me a must read!
If you like MM romance with instant lust, heat, attraction… get this book!!
It is part of a duet (book 2 is Adore). It reads like one book , with book 2 picking up right where Worship leaves off.
Luke is a powerful and influential man with a secret that he’s kept from everyone he knows.. he’s been tempted before but has always reined in his desires… until Vance.
Vance is an artist, he’s bisexual, open to love with man or woman, but he’s never met anyone like Luke.
This book is H-O-T!!!! 5 alarm fire hot and so freakin sexy!
Ella James is a talented author who can make a reader feel like a voyeur into the lives of her characters and this book is no exception.
Worship is a seriously steamy MM romance with that touch of scandal that makes this story even more juicy and it will grab you from the first page! It does, however end leaving you wondering what will happen next between Vance and Luke and I can’t wait to read the next book in the On My Knees series to see how the relationship between these two men all plays out.
Vance and Luke have a complicated, conflicted relationship and most off that falls on Luke’s shoulders as he tries to wrestle his needs and feelings with his obligations and the expectations of those around him. Vance would love more to happen between them but he is also being held hostage by Luke’s conflicts. Can he find a way to break through those barriers? I guess we will have to wait and find out in the next book.
Ella James is a new to me author. These books were stunning. Forbidden MM romance. Vance & Luke had a random first meeting. A meeting that would haunt them both forever. Sex scenes were steamy AF. Many emotional twist that left me wanting more. Narrated by Iggy Toma & Aiden Snow
3.5
Book 1 in the On My Knees duet.
A quick easy read with a good amount of sexual tension and angst.
Vance is an artist that meets Luke on his ship when he gets stranded on an island while on a cruise.
Luke has a demanding job in the spotlight that doesn’t allow m/m relationships.
Told in past and present over several years
Lots of sex scenes
Ends on a cliffhanger
This is the first story I’ve read by this author. I resolved to quit getting as many new books and getting to my TBR list. This series has been there quite awhile. I don’t know why I have not read it before. I can’t believe I have not read this author before. This story is one that took me right into the emotions from the beginning. The attraction is there from the beginning. The way the relationship is played out is totally heartbreaking. Vance is the one I wanted to hug. He sure needed it. He is totally so dedicated to Luke that his life goes in turmoil. He is gay, out and straight forward. Luke on the other hand has had problems his whole life since being a child and not being allowed to be who he was. He was even sent to pray away the gay. This book has such a build up in it that I am glad I had the second to go to. I would have been totally upset if I had to wait on the conclusion. This is one of the few stories I will reread. It is also a story that is hard to let go of. I will follow this author. I would give it more stars if I could.
This has been one of the best, unexpected reads ever!!!
I hardly ever read the blurbs of recommended books, since this one was highly recommended on a book group I’m in, I bought it and dove in.
This did not disappoint and over exceeded by expectations.
The whole read was enthralling and all consuming.
I loved it and can’t wait for more!
Intense
It was the angst!
I was still thinking (hours later) about why this book captivated me so… long after I left my review and then it hit me
The loss, the need, the knowledge they could never be
It was the high level of angst that captivated me
The push and pull – The desire vs duty
It happened so fast
One minute I was outside looking in
The next – I was suffocating under the weight of their desire
Luke hides himself – hides his passion – hides his pain – and from what I gather something happened when he was younger that still effects him
Vance is a “live in the moment” type of guy – lives up to the artist lifestyle prototype- he is also very tactile
I am not sure how to properly word the intensity, the on the edge feeling that his story invoked it was like something was missing, just out of the readers reach while at the same time not
I do know that I could not look away
This is one that will drag you in and keep you under
This is in KU and book two is out – You know it I am off to find out how this ends
Intense. Draws you in. Powerful characters. Creative new storyline. Couldn’t put down. Need more.
Possible triggers for some regarding beliefs.
Worship blew me away. There is no other way of describing it. The story sucked me in and now I can’t get it out of my head.
I was quite overwhelmed reading about Vance and Luke. It’s such an emotional story, even though the writing is understated and the dialogue too. It’s a painful description of two utterly different men fighting their desires and wants because of societal pressure. It’s sad and tragic, but also incredibly steamy and beautiful. I’m frankly in awe of James writing.
The story span years. And the pace changes accordingly. During that time, the way the characters evolve is pretty heart-wrenching. When in the beginning there are glimmers of hope, they both harden in different ways. One of them unable to accept their impossible circumstances, the other resigned in forsaking what his heart wants. The emotional ups and downs are quite draining, but so, so worth it.
There are very few side-characters in Worship. And no side-stories either. But it doesn’t matter one bit. The total focus on Vance and Luke, separately and together, and their inner turmoil, is more than enough to make this read a solid 5-star.
But a word of warning, there’s a cliff-hanger. Or rather. It’s a duet. I can’t say I’m happy about that, since Worship is rather short (or maybe I just devoured it so fast that it seemed short?) so splitting the story in two doesn’t make sense. That being said, I still can’t be irritated, the story’s that good. And what’s even more, I can’t see how there ever could be a HEA. And I. Don’t. Even. Care. That’s the level of awesomeness we’re talking about.
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Ella James has the On My Knees duet. The books are Worship and Adore and are currently part of KU. They are wonderful stories. I’ve been in a push to find books that make me feel. These two did that in a major way. These books were twofold. Reading them was wonderful. I loved Luke and Vance so much. Then I talked about them with my online friends. You know its a sign of a good book when people who read it a year or more ago still had such passion while discussing the characters and the plot. I can say these two books need to be read together – its a duet for a reason. If you read these books, email me at kindleKindle Alexander.com or message me on facebook, let’s talk. I have lots of opinions.
New to me author. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA. Amazing start to the story. Main characters are Vance and Luke. Both strangers to each other. Ends in a tight spot and lucky I have book 2 to go onto straight away.
A worship read!
Everyone has secrets…His could cost him everything…
So he’s a fortress….No one’s ever even gotten close…
Until tonight…
So beautifully written. So poetic. So emotional. I just do not know what to say about these books because there are NOT enough words in the English (or any other language, for that matter) language to describe how breathtaking, steamy, passionate and flawless this novel is.
This novel will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. Always. So flippin’ perfect.
Full of forbiddenness, passion, steam, secrets and romance.
Perfect for readers of forbidden romances.
Vance and Luke are so hot. This forbidden romance is so angsty and I love it. The chemistry these to have is off the charts. They are so drawn to one another but fight it too.