First of all, hats off to the author for this being her first self published book. What an amazing accomplishment!

So I'll start with positives.... there are tons.
The chemistry and sexual tension between Ava and Jesse keep you on the edge of your seat waiting with baited breath for what happens next. Will he take her easy...hard.. or not at all? Will she allow it each time or will she stop him? However it comes, it comes with passion. I found myself blushing at times from how hot the sex scenes were.
The relationship between Ava and Kate is brilliant. All women have that one girlfriend that they can count on no matter what. That one girlfriend who will tell you to shut up and put your big girl panties on. Kate is exactly that to Ava. I loved the cake scene in the back of Margo. I could totally see the scenerio clearly as it is something I could imagine happening with my best girlfriend.
The mystery that surrounds The Manor and all of those who frequent the place including Sarah. I have to admit it, I pretty much figured out that Jesse may have been a high class pi... err...hmmm... I'm saying too much. Anyway, I figured it out early on and I can't wait for the second book to reveal some of his dirty little secrets.
I loved that Ava is strong and not willing to conform unless it's for her own sexual pleasure....but I did find her to be a bit whiny over small stuff.

So this moves me on to the bad....

I like the banter between the 'Jesse, how old are you?' questions and how he always upped the age each time she asked. It's cute however, there was too much of her freaking out about him possibly being over 35 which because she is only 26 it is unacceptable.... ah sweetie it's a little late for that.... you've had sex about a billion times... just sayin'
A certain love scene was a tad bit uncomfortable reading because it seemed a little forced.... BUT she never said no.... she just said wait. I just found it a little aggressive but after reading more, I realized it is totally who Jesse is. He needs to control Ava in every way because he's petrified she'll run.
Yeah the dominance (not sexually) is a little much. I get the whole fact that Jesse has never had a woman in a relationship like this who actually cares for him...so it leaves him vulnerable and shaken by the fact that at any moment she could be swept away by another man or leave on her own.... fear will make a man do some seriously crazy s*** but certain things just seemed a bit crazy obsessed.

I read that some people found it hard to read due to the way it was written in British slang. I'm sorry, I just had to laugh a little at that. I didn't really see much British slang, sure there was some but nothing so hard that I had to reread a paragraph 3 times before I finally understood it ha-ha. Besides, the book is set in London, England should the characters talk like they're from the valley in California with the word 'like' coming out of their mouths every other word? Sorry, I just found humor in the complaint when I read it.

All in all, I thought the book was extremely well written. I loved the ease of the authors writing style. She never spent too much time dwelling on one scenerio and moved fluidly into the next scenerio. When you can't put a book down at 3am on a work night, I'd have to say, it's a pretty damn good page turner.

HOLY MOTHER OF MESSED UP MAN BATMAN!!!

I came across this book, saw the reviews and them saying move over Christan Grey. I thought "surely not" and then I read it, and said... YEP! I absolutely LOVED this book.

OK. So I know her name is Ava, and that's similar to Bared to You and Fifty Shades, it's like a mix between both Eva and Ana... but WHATEVER! Ava is awesome. I absolutely LOVED her!!! Why? Because, she was SO defiant. Jesse is freaking INTENSE! I mean, super intense, and he likes control. By control I mean, in the bedroom AND out! He doesn't like her wearing clothes that shows too much of her body, and he certainly doesn't like her cursing. Everytime she curses he says "MOUTH!" or "Watch your (bleeping) mouth" Oh dear Lord, and Ava wears short dresses anyways, and curses even though she shouldn't because he doesn't like it! Oh man.

So what's the deal? Okay let me break it down really quick for you guys:

Ava is an interior designer, and she goes to The Manor , which Jesse owns. Jesse starts actively pursuing her (and by pursing I mean, he's almost obsessed from the start.) Some of the beginning freaked me out a little, because he would literally call her OFF. THE. WALL. I mean, he would call like 10 times until she answered. If that were me, I would be exasperated and creeped out, but really, he's so fine I probably wouldn't mind, maybe. Anyways, she gives in. Oh boy does she give in. They start dating and she runs away a lot. He calls her OFF. THE. WALL (did I already say that?) and he shows up at her place.

Okay.. so I had to stop there because I can't give too much away. But... he has some secrets (yay!!) and although you kind of guess what one of the big ones are, you don't find out for sure until the end of the book! I KNOW!!!! AND IT SETS US UP FOR BOOK TWO!!! I died. I wanted to know what happened, but I have to wait for book two, so UGH!!!

He literally has so many secrets, you don't really know him. He won't tell her his age, he won't tell her why he has a big scar on his stomach, she finds out one secret about The Manor. What I'm saying is, HE IS A TOTAL MYSTERY.

DID I MENTION THE SEX IS HOT?

Oh Dear.

Okay, so my reasoning behind the 4.5 (i had to give it a 4 on amazon, no such thing as half stars here!). I loved the book, I seriously did. BUT! (haha, isn't there always a but with my reviews?) There were editing errors. Some that made me re-read the sentence over again, BUT it didn't detract from the story so much that I rated it any lower. ALSO, Jesse would call having sex "making friends" quite a few times throughout the book, which irked me.

SERIOUSLY, READ THIS BOOK!! (okay I'm done shouting)

FAVORITE HIGH'S WHILE READING:

"I expected a pompous country bumpkin, but I got a devastatingly handsome, suited God. He requested me by name, his touch turned me to molten lava, I can't look in his eyes for fear of passing out and he liked my dress."

"I'm alone with this man, who has rendered me speechless, motionless and pretty much useless"

"I'm beginning to wish that my handbag contents consisted of spare knickers, a blind fold, ear plugs and some armor."

"I want to look after you forever." he whispers.

OK, so I broke my own rule to hold off and read series until final book has been released. After reading many good reviews and everybody raving about Jesse I just succumbed to my own craving to get to know Jesse and be swept away by his and Ava's story...

Book 2 has been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set and thus I will review as a set - brace yourself for an epic story!

Jesse Ward (age TBA, 35-45 years approx./playboy-businessman/dark blond hair/green eyes/6'3") needs 10 rooms decorated at a country estate, the Manor. He has specifically requested Ava O'Shea (26 years/interior designer/dark brown hair/dark brown eyes/just out of a 4 year relationship) though she has to prior knowledge of him... There! That's the tone of this series right there - secrets, secrets and more secrets... Their first meeting is electric and the story goes from there.

Wow! Jesse! He is just what I needed. In fact he is everything I needed! But it took me a while to get into him. The first time he started barking orders "Mouth!" I felt like - Wow, that does not make him an alpha. As it turns out Jesse and I just need a little more time to connect and once we did I was on cloud nine (sigh!) He truly is all pure, sexy, hot, dominant alpha male, so intense, possessive, compulsive, a playboy a man full of secrets...

For Ava Jesse was:
"...the epitome of bad boy, if slightly older. He's hazardous, enigmatic and completely addictive..."
"...intense, quite volatile, incredibly self-assured and extremely rich..."

Ava is everything that Jesses needed and everything we needed to keep the story going. She stood up to him, she succumbed to him, she riled him, she created more drama and she kept the mystery going by NOT demanding answers. I almost tore my hair out in despair for her NOT negotiating Sarah out of the picture (no ultimatum needed!). It would have been so simple, but then again we probably need the wicked Sarah stirring, stirring throughout this series.

For Jesse Ava was an obsession, pure and simple:
"...I can't answer that, Ava, because I've never wanted anything enough to pursue it so relentlessly. Not like I wanted you..."

I'd also like to extend my sincere thanks for introducing us to all that is sex with Jesse (or f~s depending on the mood) -
Reminder f~s, Sleepy sex, Make friends sex, Shower f~s, Hangover sex, Catching up sex, Sense f~s, Seeing stars f~s, Apology f~s, Possessive f~s, Retribution f~s, Sleepy celebration sex, and... Truth f~s. The last one courtesy Ava.

***
My only grievance would that these books need some more editing, for ME not enough to deduct any points off my rating. But since I feel strongly that this series is making history, it's only to its benefit for me to point it out: a) At some point I think writing was shifted from past tense to present progressive, but lots of "stood/sat needs" still need fixing. b) Typos, misspellings here and there (bought misspelled as brought throughout book 1?).

***

Back to the positives:
This series is filled with covert pasts and hidden agendas! It's truly a wild, bumpy and at times emotional ride loaded with undiluted lust and an endless array of scorching sex. So far 2 books, almost 1,000 pages, hours upon hours that for me can only described as elated/euphoric angst - I was glued to the pages needing to know what would happen next, yet NOT wanting the books to end - ever! I am so thankful Ms. Malpas!

As I come down from all that is "Central Jesse Cloud Nine" I find myself staring into space. What an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. read! I think I am going to need some sense knocked back into me - seriously! Jesse. Jesse! JESSE! JESSSEEEE! Ugh, actually what I need is for book 3 to be released soon, more like real soon! Ms. Malpas! MS. MALPAS! Three... Two... ONE... ZEROOO!!!

***
Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 5 stars
Story line rating, book 1: 5 stars
Story line rating, book 2: 5+ stars
******************************
Overall rating: 5++ stars

Would I recommend this series: YES!!!
Would I re-read this series: Yes!

SYNOPSIS:

This Man (This Man #1)

Young interior designer Ava O'Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can't control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won't let her?

MY REVIEW: 3....2....1....zero!!

So with all of the year end polls I just had to figure out who Jesse Ward was. Not to mention one of my favorite authors said that she got her inspiration to write her book after reading this series. In an attempt to enlighten my curiosity, I just had to read this series, and can I say it did not disappoint.

Ava O'Shea goes on what she believes to be a first consultation with the owner of The Manor, and her initial instincts lead her to believe that said Jesse Ward was going to be anything but the man she found herself in the meeting. The sparks were flying all over the place so much to the point where one needs a restroom break just to attempt to gather themselves. (fanning myself) Poor Ava, she didn't have a chance, but who would with a hottie like Mr. Ward. However, there is one problem, Ava is not looking for a new relationship, especially one with a client, she has just found her independence and working through her past. Jesse on the other hand has no intention on letting Ava get away that easy and the things he does will have you both angry as hell and perhaps a little moist (yup I said it lol). The chemistry is off the charts between the two, but as must as Ava wants to run away, she finds herself in some interesting situations with Mr. Ward. I can't say that I'm not jealous.

Jesse had it all under control and he was quite accomplished, but what he didn't know was that his meeting with Ava O'Shea was going to change so much, including the fact that he was now chasing a women, when the norm is that they threw themselves at him. The more Ava ran the more he wanted her, and his actions were at some point outrageous. There were times I was reading and was like WTF!!!!????? Did he really do that? Jesse always seemed to make the situation turn out in his favor, but what Dominant male doesn't. Yes, I admit some of it is swoon worthy, even to the point where you are perhaps crossing your legs. :-) But there are points that make you want to cry and genuinely hurt for the characters.
The plot of the story draws you in and yes you will be hooked from the first page. The various degrees, and relationship stages will have you on this wild roller coaster that you won't want to get off....or perhaps you will. I especially loved the innocence of Ava in this novel, though she knew so much, at some things she was very naive and that really helped to develop the novel.

This is definitely a must read. Add it to your TBR list if you haven't already done so. It's an intensive, possessive, steamy, addictive read.

I thought this book was well written except for the bad grammer throughout the entire book, i.e., sitting instead of sat, standing instead of stood, etc. It was quite annoying at times. However, it did not take away from the book. I think the book got off on a slow start with all of the descriptions of a certain room. She went on and on when I wanted to get to the meat of the book. Jesse got on my nerves a few times but he got on Ava's nerves as well. There are times when I would not have made the decisions that Ava made simply because Jesse gets his arms around her, kissed her and all sense of reasoning goes out the door. At times she seemed weak, but then that might be because I am to much in favor of women's lib. So what I did, was accept the two main characters in how the author wanted us to and put my own beliefs and ideas in a closet and shut the door. After all, I am trying to escape and relax for a while as I read and not read a book like it is in my life. I do not see Jesse as a stalker and all in all, Ava was crazy about him and he her. When you get down to it, he truly loves her and she truly loves him....i.e., no greater love. Jesse would get frustrated at Ava when she challenged him, but then again, that is what he liked about her. I have read some terrible reviews and some comparing it to 50 Shades. I did not like 50 Shades and will never read those books again. Thank goodness this book is NOT like 50 Shades, as I had a hard time getting through those books. I had a hard time putting this book down and much needed work around the house just had to wait, I was so obsessed with the book. I will re-read This Man and the others that follow. If I had followed those people who gave this book one star to not waste my money on this book, I would have missed out on a great book. This book has a strong storyline and it kept you guessing. It was a real page turner. Jesse Ward is a very complex character and he never wanted to cause Ava pain when it came to sex, unlike Christian. Yes, there were some bad reviews on Jesse's behavior in book one. If one journeys into the other books in this series, I think they will enjoy it. Some of the things that happen in future books of this series, causes one to shake their head like when Jesse and Ava marry and his dealing with her parents. What a trip that was. Jesse can be a lunatic at times (lol) but then again, so can Ava. Yes Jesse can be frustrating at times but Ava loves him for it and accepts who he is. As I said earlier, it is truly a love story with some crazy things happening. It does have mystery and danger.