Blogger Wife Chat Review: Beneath This Man – Jodi Ellen Malpas

Posted 12 September, 2018 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Reviews / 18 Comments


Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Blogger Wife Chat Review: Beneath This Man – Jodi Ellen MalpasBeneath This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Series: This Man #2
Published by Forever on 18 June 2013
Pages: 452
Format: Paperback
Source: BookBonanza 18

Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape--and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's steely exterior. That means letting herself get close to the Lord of the Manor once more. And it's exactly where Jesse wants her--within touching distance...

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Here we go again, with the second book in the This Man series by Jodi Ellen Malpas, Beneath This Man.

I don’t think either of us were incredibly impressed with this installment, wifey, what did you think of the overall story?

I felt like this was a filler story of sorts. Not much happened until the last third or so. However, the writing still made it compelling. I *had* to keep reading to see what happened next. Why do you think that is? Malpas also infused more humor into this installment and it was welcome. And that last third? Wowza! What did you think of the events and revelations in that final part?

I agree! It totally felt like a filler story. More of the same… Like you, though, I really enjoyed the last part of Beneath This Man! The pace sped up, and we finally got to know our characters a little better. I was stunned by the events and revelations in the final part. I was also happy to feel rewarded for having continue to read.

Do you think the character development was well done?

I didn’t think there was a lot of character development until the final third of the book. The characters were consistent though. Does that count? But there wasn’t much growth…until there was that tiny peek of some growth and what we could (*fingers crossed*) look forward to.

LOL, yes, they were consistent. But I don’t think that’s always a good thing. I rolled my eyes so many times at both Jesse and Ava it’s a miracle I actually managed to continue reading. Again- the last part really got to me, though.

How did you feel about the fact that Jesse still used his charisma, and sex, to get what he wanted from Ava?

You know, I know that this element of Jesse “sticks in your craw.” (do you use that expression? LOL) But I have to say that it didn’t bother me so much and that’s because Ava always knew what he was doing and she didn’t really mind. It’s who he is and the fact that he used his, um, abilities *wink* on Ava only made me more curious about the reasons why he did it. So in that way, Malpas did her job…kept me curious and engaged.

Yeah, Jesse really got on my nerves. And no, I have never seen that expression before! I think that in a way, Ava enabled him to treat her that way. But at the very beginning, she really tried to leave – and he wouldn’t let her. He also did not understand that no means no.

There were some more side characters in Beneath This Man, do you think they moved the overall plot forward?

There were more side characters in this installment and I’m split on their affect on the plot. Some of them definitely did move the plot along, or at least there is the possibility that they might. However, there were a few that didn’t seem to do much at all. But there was the possibility, right? What did you think of the mystery/twist plot threads?

I found some of the new side characters to be refreshing – because it meant we saw other sides to Ava and Jesse as well. And I enjoyed those interactions and how the plot shifted a little bit. I loved the mystery / twist plot threads. That’s partly why I just had to read the third book as soon as I finished this one!

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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18 responses to “Blogger Wife Chat Review: Beneath This Man – Jodi Ellen Malpas

  1. Sounds like it was a so-so one for you both for a while. Glad you found the mystery and side characters were a good addition. Fun how a character’s action struck you both so differently.

    Enjoyed your chat. Thanks!

  2. Berls
    Twitter:

    Great discussion! I love when people disagree on big elements – not having read it, I think it would bother me a lot that he didn’t respect that no means no. That’s a big one for me. But I do see the side that she always knew what he was doing and allowed it. Maybe I’ll just have to read it to form my own opinion… I’ll see what y’all think of the next book since this was just so-so for you both.

    {{Hugs}} miss you both!!!

  3. I have heard that the second book is so so but heard that book three is better. So looking forward to your thoughts on that one. I do plan on reading this series though. Great thoughts ladies.

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