I was disappointed to find out there wasn't a disclaimer on the book, spoiler or not, that the main characters are cheating and the female MC is the other woman. I was 21% into the book before learning that's what makes it forbidden and I won't read cheating...

QueenZany 4 Star Review
The Forbidden
Jodi Ellen Malpas


The Forbidden is a heart stopping, angsty affair of the heart!
That will tear down everyone of you barriers! Then at the same time rip out your heart! With the heart pounding emotional reality that sets in! Shaking you and making you second guess everything you believe! Sending you on a sensual, yet complex tornado of wills! Verses your heart, mind and that ever present moral judgment you have!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Jodi Ellen Malpas’ writing from the many books I’ve read by her, it’s that she allows her characters’ voices and their wants and needs to guide how she crafts their story lines, allowing them to dictate every aspect, even if they take her down a path filled with a multitude of obstacles - ones that are self-created as well as ones induced by other people’s actions and attitudes.

In Malpas’ newest release, The Forbidden, she delivers a complex and multi-layered story that poses a series of difficult questions - ones that don’t have easy answers - even though according to the dictates of society, the conclusions should be straight forward, leaving nothing open-ended because that would go against long held beliefs.

When it comes to matters of the heart, it’s clear that nothing is black and white; lust/love makes people irrational and reckless, which means that people will do just about anything in order to revel in the raw and carnal feelings that make them feel alive and adored.

From the very beginning of Annie and Jack’s story, Malpas captures the instant and intense attraction between them; their words and their actions resonate their need for one another. They aren’t thinking rationally or about the consequences of their actions because the fuse that was lit makes it impossible to do so. It’s not that Annie and Jack don’t understand the repercussions of their lust filled actions; it’s simply that their every thought is consumed by the other and despite the fact that it is the wrong time to pursue their unexplainable connection, their hearts are controlling them, which means that any intelligent thought is lost beneath the consuming desire they have for one another. For much of the story, Annie and Jack travel this forbidden path - one that they know they should regret, but they can’t or won’t walk away from each other because that would destroy them so much more than admitting the truth of their situation.

Some readers may not be able to see past the forbidden aspect ofAnnie and Jack’s relationship, and I can’t blame them for their inability to do so. But I will say that Jodi Ellen Malpas does a fantastic job of providing a comprehensive view of their situation - one that illustrates how an independent, intelligent, and anti-relationship woman can be blind-sided by all-consuming feelings for someone she just met and one that gives insight into the life and trials of a man who seems to only come alive after he meets a woman who makes him risk everything to claim her for his own.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

Favorite Quote: “The forbidden in too alluring. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism….my sanity will be compromised no matter which road I take. I’m doomed.”

Architect Annie Ryan has never experienced that spark of chemistry that overwhelms you…demanding your full attention. A chance meeting with a charismatic stranger changes everything and Annie has the most explosive and one-night stand of her life. Not expecting to see him again, she is shocked when he and his wife show up at her house warming party and Annie learns he is the contractor on her newest project-Jack Joseph.

Annie finds herself teetering on the edge as she fights between her clawing attraction to Jack and her horror at wanting a married man. Annie tries to keep things strictly professional but Jack refuses to let her back away from their attraction and pursues her relentlessly.

Unable to resist the temptation anymore, Annie falls willingly head first into an illicit affair with Jack and suffers as she tries to deal with the shame, sorrow, pain, and censure that follows.

When Jack’s wife discovers her husband’s infidelity, she decides to teach Annie a lesson on what happens when you take what is forbidden.

The Forbidden is a heavily emotionally driven romance that will appeal to those who enjoy angst, conflict, and some uncomfortable dynamics on the road to their happily ever afters. First off, the blurb isn’t completely forthcoming. Malpas merely informs us this romance is forbidden and the rest is left up to our imagination. Unfortunately, if you aren’t a fan of infidelity, then you might not be happy with the lack of transparency. Infidelity in stories doesn’t bother me. No romance is perfect and we can’t as a unit complain something isn’t being portrayed realistically in stories, then complain when it is. People cheat. People have relationships with other people besides their spouses, partners, and soul mates. It’s an unfortunate part of life.

The story starts out on a strong note; Malpas smoothly sets up the plotline and introduces her protagonists-Annie and Jack-with some humor and intense chemistry. They click instantly and take advantage by enjoying a night of no holds barred wild and explosive sex. The intensity of their attraction scares Annie as she has never felt like this before and she sneaks out, figuring she’ll never see him again. Until she finds out they not only will be working together but he’s married. From that moment, we are caught up in a maelstrom of emotions as Annie flips between her anger at Jack’s duplicity and her shame for still wanting him regardless of his lies and other obligations.

Adulterer. Weak. Immoral. Heartless bitch. My hands meet the edge of the sink and my head drops, unable to face myself. What had I become?

Told completely from Annie’s point of view, readers will instantly commiserate with her. Honest narrative opens Annie up completely to readers with nothing to hide behind. Her horror at being involved in something she considers sordid feels real, as does her attempts and failure to extracte herself from the situation. She tries very hard to resist Jack but he doesn’t make it easy and in the end, it doesn’t matter. The heart wants what the heart wants.

“I’m taking something that doesn’t belong to me.”

I liked Annie overall. She’s a smart, cautious, witty, well adjusted person. She loves her job, her home, and her small, close group of friends. She is content with her life. Malpas takes the time to draw Annie out; making sure we understand that this is not her normal behavior. Jack has caught her up in his web.

I would never have put myself in this situation for anything less than powerful love. The kind that keeps you going. The kind that gives you breath and life. Jack’s my life. He’s my pulse. He’s everything.

I wasn’t that big of a fan of Jack’s. He comes off sexy, intelligent, possessive, and funny with a hint of mystery, just how I like them, but his actions are suspect. We see everything through Annie’s eyes and she is admittedly complicit. His duplicity is made apparent almost right from the start. He is dishonest about his marital state (he doesn’t wear a ring nor are there tans lines to indicate he ever wore one). When Annie calls him out on it, he becomes defensive and indignant. He has an excuse for everything-he’s unhappy in his marriage, he doesn’t wear his ring due to injury, meeting Annie overwhelmed him. I think if we could have heard from his point of view, I might have understood his motivations better but the lack there of definitely hinders our understanding and connection to him.

A considerable amount of time is spent watching the affair evolve. Malpas doesn’t sugar coat it but neither does she dig too deep into it. We see exactly how painful infidelity is for all involved when two people’s wants and desires override everything-their pride, common sense, and integrity. Annie fights her feelings for Jack, then gives in and they have sex. Lather, rinse, repeat. He is her drug and their stolen moments together is her high as they seek to avoid Jack’s wife and Annie’s judgemental friends. When she comes down, which is often, her guilt nearly drowns her and she goes off the deep end, seeking out her friends and alcohol to try and forget. Malpas tries to make the jump from insta lust to love as seamless as possible but doesn’t quite make it. The lust I bought- lock, stock and barrell but I never saw the moment they fall in love so it never really registers. I also never quite shook the feeling that Jack was waiting to cheat on his wife and he made Annie his unknowing partner in crime.

The ending is quite the dramatic affair with Malpas ramping up the tension as everything comes crashing down. Jack is forced to face everything head on and inadvertently places Annie in the directly in the line of fire. I do wish the wife had not been characterized as a stereotypical villain. It’s a painfully obvious plot device to grant this couple absolution. I did like Malpas’ take on spousal abuse as she addresses domestic violence and the reluctance of men to admit to being abused. We see Annie and Jack’s best friend expressing anger towards Jack for not just leaving but how many times have we seen this from an abused wife? Jack shows us what we already know. It’s not easy to just get up and leave an abusive marriage.

Though not one of my favorites of Malpas, there were some aspects that just didn’t work for me, The Forbidden is a well-written and entertaining story that drags you into the complicated romance between two people with surprising ease.

Grade: C+

This book. This book. This book. I went into this book completely blind. I didn't know what to expect, but good heavens this book delivered SO much and packed an epic punch. This is one of those books that I had to read, take a few days away from and then come back and write this review. It was perplexing and thought-provoking, maddening and amazing all at once. It was A LOT to feel about a single book. That in and of itself. That ability to make me think, and my mind to swirl with so many different thoughts and emotions makes this a must-read.

Now's where we get into the nitty gritty of it. And PLEASE read until the end because I can't counter argue everything as I go, I have to go in sections. So let's start with the cons, though they're not true cons, they're cons from a romance readers standpoint. From a Romance standpoint, this book lacked a little bit of something for me. Annie and Jack's chemistry together was explosive and everything I needed and wanted. But in addition to that explosiveness came a lot of hurt for them both. I'm not going to spoil the theme of the book because if the author wanted that out there, she would have put it in the synopsis. The hurt on Annie's side of things was almost unbearable at times. Yes, she was making her own decisions in this story as well, but I felt her hopelessness and devotion to Jack despite his lack of "manning up". I hate using that term, but I've searched and haven't found a better one for the circumstances. Though on the other hand, I could feel Jack's hopelessness as well. It really just broke my heart and it wasn't completely mended at the end of the book.

BUT (and now here is where a lot of the positives come through) THAT'S REAL LIFE. It doesn't always work out the way everyone would like. It's NOT easy. There's heartbreak and mistakes and passion and and and. THAT'S what this book delivers on so brilliantly. It gives the reader a heavenly dose of realism, along with fairytale passion that some can only dream about. Seriously, I never doubted for a minute if Jack and Annie were supposed to be together. My only hang up came from putting themselves in an almost impossible no-win situation that eventually endangered both of them even further than the emotional damage they were wreaking on themselves. But when they were together, everything felt so incredibly right and whole. And good gracious this writing is FANTASTIC. That was something that kept me reading even when I couldn't think my heart could take it at some parts.

This book is not a pure romance, as I categorize it. But it is one heck of an amazing read and I won't hesitate to pick up another of Ms. Malpas' novels in the future. She's an epically terrific storyteller and captured my mind from the very first page. As for the story, it is a memorable and highly emotive one that I did enjoy. If you're looking for an intensely passionate, and heartwrenching story, this is it.

Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I have to admit I really had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book, however, I always feel confident that Jodi Ellen Malpas’s steamy and exciting romances will provide the perfect reading escape for me. What a story this passionate and suspenseful romance proved to be! Full of lust and longing, 'The Forbidden' questions the possibility in a true love being right when it is found under the wrong circumstances.

I was completely pulled into the characters and their feelings in the story. Annie was fun and charismatic, and I loved her determination and focus in her career. She was strong and independent and definitely not the kind of woman to succumb to her emotions in a questionable situation. I sympathized with her conflict and turmoil and actually admired her steadfastness in trying to overcome her desires and do what was right.

My heart really went out to Jack as well. I loved his support for Annie and felt like he genuinely deserved more. Strangely, my visual of Jack transitioned into a much older man than he actually was about a quarter of the way into the story. It seemed to change up his and Annie’s chemistry to me as their relationship played out. However, their pull of passion, turmoil, and angst continued to draw me in as they tormented themselves throughout, and I was full of hope that they would get their happily ever after in the end!

Where I wouldn’t necessarily consider this as intense as her previous books, I love the depth in Malpas’s stories. This one did go on a bit for me, but I definitely understand the need to fully develop the characters and build even more suspense into the plot. I really enjoyed how detailed Annie’s relationships were with her strongly supportive friends, and I felt it really enhanced and brought even more reality into the story. I also think Malpas did a great job with her presentation and execution of some rather controversial or taboo topics as well. Then there was the ending...Wow!

It takes a lot of talent for an author to take a 'forbidden' story such as this and turn it into an incredibly heartfelt romance. I love the way Malpas’s words flow so beautifully in her writing. They are so descriptive and paint such a picture that touches me every time. I really enjoyed this read!

*** 4 Stars for Me! ***

Some cultures call it "being struck with the thunderbolt". It is that moment when you meet someone that stuns you, makes your blood sizzle, your entire body tingle with awareness, and the attraction is such you will never be the same again.

Annie and Jack meet and the chemistry is off the charts. They both are trying to be good and just have a friendly chat but liquor is involved, emotions are running high, and that chemistry devil has a final say. One night of complete bliss... and then they must part.

Fate is also to blame. Who knew Annie would end up having to work with Jack? And what about all the details of his life...like is he taken? Is he a player? Will they be able to get along at site of the most important architectural job she has ever done?

Important questions are posed and your brain will be asking your soul to answer truthfully. Any woman who is single and meets a man nowadays will face the same dilemma. Do we really know the men we encounter?

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the publisher for sharing a copy with me.

Annie Ryan is all about her career. She’s worked so hard to become a successful architect and there’s nothing that brings her more satisfaction than seeing her vison become reality. There is no room for love in her highly regimented life and she has no regrets.

Until an innocent night out drinking with friends makes her question everything she ever thought she knew about desire.

“I have no interest in men right now.” I don’t know why, but I find myself biting my lip and watching closely for his reaction.
He nods slowly. “That could change,” he muses—out of the blue, shocking me.
My back straightens, my breath hitching a little. “How d’you mean?” I ask quietly, trying to weave interest through my words. I try. All that’s woven through every word I’m speaking to this man is intrigue. And desire.
“I mean” - he starts, leaning in a bit - “you’ve clearly never been consumed by a man.” He pauses, giving me a moment to agree, but I don’t. I’m fixated on him. “But one day a man will come along and he’ll swallow you up, Annie. Blindside you.”

Jack Joseph is a realist. He’s never going to find a woman that can silence all of his demons. He’s made some mistakes that refuse to fade away and now he’s marked forever.

Salvation appears in the form of an independent beauty that instantly captivates him - body and soul. Just one night with her isn’t nearly enough. But what it does is send them both headlong into an affair that burns so hot that it threatens to consume everything in its path.

But how can he possibly promise her his forever when it’s not his to give?

“It’s easy to ignore me when I’m on the end of a message, isn’t it?” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “What now, Annie?” He grabs my hand and slams it over the crotch of his trousers. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
He’s solid. He’s angry and he’s fucking solid. I gulp, anxiety gripping me. He’s wrong. It’s not easy when he’s on the end of an e-mail. It’s not as hard as this, but it’s still a battle that I’m losing. Or have I already lost?
“And this?” He moves my hand to his chest and pushes it into his pec. The beats of his heart are crazy fast. Just like mine. “What do I do with this?”

Jodi Ellen Malpas has shattered all of the traditional barriers with The Forbidden! She masterfully leads readers through a world of uncontrollable passion and crippling doubt while at the same time she dares to bring hope and redemption to the seemingly unforgivable.

You will gasp out loud and turn the pages wildly in an effort to immerse yourself deeper. And just maybe you find that there’s a bit of The Forbidden in us all…

I loved The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas. It was angst-filled, emotional and just so consuming. But before I begin, I feel like I have to state this, I love taboo stories. For me reading is a way to get lost in all kind of stories. And I generally do not shy away from anything. I would read something I would never condone in my life, but at the end of the day, wrong choices are made every day. Does this make it right, no, but I guess I am more open in my reading choices.

With that out of the way, by reading the blurb, you know there is something forbidden in this story. Annie has never experienced that moment when you meet a man and feel that immediate spark. Does it even really exist? Then she meets Jack and feels that spark. They have a one-night stand and she walks away. It should have been the end of it.

But Jack belonged to another. But did he really? Yes, he made some wrong choices along the way. He was not perfect, but he pulled at my heart. He was so sweet and protective. He has his reasons for what he does, right or wrong, but I do not want to give away any spoilers.

This story was forbidden, messy and crazy from start to finish. It was emotional and frustrating. But it will also consume you from beginning to end. Told in only Annie’s point of view, we experience her realization that he is married and now her co-worker. They try and stay away from each other, but the attraction is too strong.

I love this author’s writing style. She has this way of getting reader lost in her stories and she does this again in The Forbidden. I know there will be a lot of readers who will not read this story because of the plot, but this story is so worth the read if you are willing to give it a chance.

4.5 stars!

This review is gonna be short and simple. I don’t want to give anything away so that readers will experience this book on their own. I think it’s better to form their own thoughts after reading. This is the third story that I’ve read by this author and it was good. I was into the book and interested to see how it would play out. Annie and Jack were decent characters and I was fascinated by their story. It was just so real. Jodi is a very good writer and how she wrote the novel to engage readers is what made me continue to see how it would end. This is not going to be for everyone and even though it’s not something I would normally read, I did like it enough to finish. Overall, a nice read.

The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it’s certainly going to inflict pain and anguish.
And yet we gravitate towards it like masochist suckers :'(
It's a very delicate balance to attempt to venture into the Forbidden trope and neutrally justify the story but Jodi has nailed it and in spades!!!
Annie meets Jack in a bar and it's Instant Fireworks . Their bodies and souls ignite like never before. A lustful night of passion that follows, leads to the walk of shame in the morning , And Annie bolts.
She then comes face-to-face with her wickedly sexy and devastatingly dangerous stranger in the most inconvenient of circumstances , and guess what ..........he's Off Limits !!

What do you do when you can't control your feelings for someone? When you know you shouldn't go there? Not even in your head.

You go Crazy. End of!
The heart breaks and weeps , fights a prolonged battle with her head and the result is buckets of guilt that douse her perpetually. She whips herself with her own judgemental eye . Labelling herself
Careless
Deceitful
Manipulative
scheming
calculating
But she's neither . She's just a girl who had the misfortune of falling deeply in love with a man who wasn't hers to call .
Jack is a very strong and stolid character. He doesn't baloney , he's very firm in his stance. Oh, and he's amazing in bed. The sex is off the wall hawt. ;p Jodi writes "sex againstThe wall " like no other and each of her books has bathroom sex as an essential. I love it!!!.
That brings me to the ethical angle of the story. I've been really conflicted for the past couple of days and here's my stance - life is too short to be trapped and unhappy . When you find somebody who makes your heart sing and loves you Truely, Madly ,Deeply . You grab that sucker with both hands and never let go . End of !

I’ve seen the reactions of people who have found out about affairs. They tarnish each and every adulterer with the same brush. I accept that many affairs are based on nothing more than sex— something exciting and daring in a life of boredom and discontent. But what about the people who meet that little bit too late and share something special like Jack and I do? Are we supposed to let that person pass on by, turn away from someone who finds your soul and kisses it?

I have to note something here. There's a pulse of anguish and weighted lust that throbs in the story in the background , like a metronome. You can feel it, taste it, hear it. It's dread filled and ominous at points , hypnotising and blinding at others. But it's there , ticking like a clock . I almost didnt wanna finish the book as much as I wanted to race towards the end.
The writing is phenomenal. It's her maturest work yet and I enjoyed reading it so much , I pulled an all nighter . She doesn't give any character a free pass , just dues and Karma and all. The setting, the side characters are really precise and help advance the story. Lizzy is the voice of reason yet a true friend.
I loved the boldness and desperation of the story. I loved the helplessness of the characters. I loved the heart of the story. I loved the bravery of Jodi , that she didn't colour inside the lines and stick to the box !
5 "Jack Out Of The Box" stars

The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas
3.5 stars!!!

“We will be together. But at what cost?”

Jodi Ellen Malpas gives one addictive read with The Forbidden. Taboo for some, crack for others and this one was definitely crack. Car crash reading where you know that the proverbial shit will hit the fan and the question isn’t when…it is how far will that shit fly? This was a book that I couldn’t put down, where my hands were over my eyes, dreading what would come next, but knowing it would make for entertaining reading.

“If I ever lay eyes on you again, Annie, I can’t promise I’ll do what’s best and walk away next time.”

This would have been a solid four star read for me had it not been for the predictable shenanigans towards the end of the book. I saw it coming a mile off and knowing the talent that Jodi Ellen Malpas is I would have thought it would have ended a bit more creatively. However, while predictable I still enjoyed it, loved the characters and the pacing was perfect.

“Because everyone wants what they can’t have.”

Annie was an up and coming architect who had landed her dream job. Annie worked hard and worked harder, no time for play at all in her ninety-hour weeks. Annie had sworn off men and relationships, she had no time to give and not one man in her nearly thirty years had ever turned her head, she was beginning to think there was something wrong with her.

On a night out with her friends though, the unthinkable happens, the unexpected, the unwanted…a man turns her head, gives her butterflies, the chemistry sizzles, the attraction is off the charts and Annie has finally met her match…they certainly burned like one.

“A match made in heaven.” I don’t allow myself to fall.

This is The Forbidden, yes it does contain cheating so for those that shy away from these types of read then this is not the book for you. However, if you have an open mind, this was a novel take, it had a certain uniqueness to it that I have only read about once before. You never know what goes on behind closed doors and people are often quick to judge but sometimes all is not as it seems.

“Are we supposed to let that person pass on by, turn away from someone who finds your soul and kisses it.”


I loved the camaraderie between the friends and the connection between Jack and Annie was utterly believable. The dialogue was a little samey in places and the push and pull certainly validated the untenable situation that these two found themselves in. As I said above, this book was addictive, I couldn’t put it down and while around the eighty-odd percent mark there were quite a few eyerolls, I was still invested. So, while I didn’t love, love this one, I nearly did.

www.theromancecover.com

From the very first word to the last, I was hooked and consumed by this story. Cheating is such a touchy subject in a romance novel, though. Jodi Ellen has managed to write a soul crushing story of true love that is raw, touching and realistic. I love her writing style, the complexity of her characters and the emotions their story evoked in me. This book was honest and you could grasp the characters’ love, their guilt, anguish and reticence. I smiled so much throughout this book. I also held my breath a couple of times and even got a little teary eyed, wondering what up and downs the characters would have to go through before they could get their happy ending. I know there are a lot of people out there who hesitate to read a book if there is a hint of cheating, but I think you should try this book for yourself. I went into it with an open mind and I am so glad I did.

Annie Ryan loves her freedom and her job of architect. She is busy building her career and is convinced she is immune to men, until her life is turned upside-down by a chance meeting with Jack Joseph. Jack oozes charm and a bit of arrogance, no man has ever caught her attention and emotions so completely. Their connection is instant and Annie can’t believe she falls for him so easily. She is never reckless but with Jack, she wants everything, she is consumed by him. Neither one of them has previously experienced the instant chemistry or the intense need they feel for one another.

Annie thought their story was just a one-night-stand, fully expecting to never see Jack again. As it happens, Jack is the contractor of the project she is working on, and he is married. An affair feels so wrong, what she experiences with him is illicit, but their mutual feelings are undeniable. They can’t keep their relationship just business. Needless to say there are trials and tribulations in their relationship. There are fears and even some uncertainties but none of these seem to deter them. Jack feels trapped and miserable in a loveless marriage and, even though his wife refuses to accept it, he intends to ask for a divorce. Annie has given him a purpose and a reason to leave.

Jodi Ellen Malpas has delivered a story with passion, the forbidden and that all-consuming battle of attraction. I have to admit that it was easier to support Jack’s choices, considering his wife’s attitude. So if you enjoy a story of true love that is written with honesty, emotion and passion, with relatable characters and cheating is not a trigger, then this book is definitely not to be missed and I highly recommend it!

Please find below the links to my review (there is a technical problem with the add links section):
https://bookishattic.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/blog-tour-the-forbidden-by-jodi-ellen-malpas/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1975383771
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R2JQCXQ6FEOQAO?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

The Forbidden is a gripping love story filled with passion, angst and heartache. I enjoyed this read so much. If you make abstraction of the forbidden aspect of the story and only look at the leading couple, they exude an intense magnetism that can’t be denied.

That being said, I don’t completely approve the way their relationship develops, but I understand perfectly the diverging feelings they’re faced with. I think Jodi Ellen Malpas did a strong job writing the inner battles of Annie. The heroine knows that being with Jack is wrong for many reasons and we see her fight this unquestionable pull they share. She wants to be stronger and resist the temptation, but when you meet the perfect man when you weren’t even looking, it’s difficult to turn your back on it.

Jack is also an interesting hero. While he’s in the wrong too in this illicit relationship, I understood his need for Annie. His home situation is difficult and he’s only surviving. Annie bring a new breath into his soul that brings him back to life. When they’re both apart, they’re just so miserable, but they bring a sensuality that’s consuming but not without torment.

I highly recommend The Forbidden for all the emotions I felt while reading. From an extreme to another, Jodi Ellen Malpas delivers a fascinating story!

Sleeping with a married man, is definitely forbidden. It is one of the ultimate no-no’s. But it also takes two to tango. But we know this already.

Do I condone cheating? No. But I can go into a book and set that part of me aside as long as the story is written right and if it fits the story. What do I mean by that? Well, someone can write about cheating and it be just written terribly or it does not fit the story and characters.

This one is different. The end goal was to be together, not to constantly have to sneak around.

The guy - Jack - was not constantly saying:
“I just just need more time.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I just can’t leave her right now.”
“It is to risky.”

Did he need time? Yes. Did he take forever? No. Did he string her along? No.
He was in a marriage that was over before it started. He put himself into overdrive with his career. It was like GroundHogs’ Day everyday. Love, he felt was not even in the cards.

The girl - Annie - was in constant divide on what is wrong and what is right.
As a woman, how can I does this? Can I be this person? If this happened to me, how would I feel? She was married to her career. Never found the “one”. Truly was not even looking. She was happy with her life: job, family and friends.

Then one innocent night in a bar, The Fates collided. Their encounter was explosive. You know that little tingle you can get from just the thought of a good romp, times that by 100. I almost expected to see fireworks leaping out of my Kindle app. The more they tried to not fall down the rabbit hole again, it just made the tension rise. The fleeting moments that they got we extreme one on one. It was more than just sex. It was a deep soul connection. Finishing each other’s sentences, knowing what the other is thinking with just one look, being able to veg out with a movie and sweets and being completely comfortable with the other when no words need to be spoken.

It was great to see this connection happening under not so clean circumstances. The affair in this book felt right. I know that sounds weird but it did. They were truly real with each other. It was not about stepping out on a marriage to just have one night stand after one night stand. There was no bed post notching. It was about two people who truly fell in love and took steps to become one.

Love makes you do some crazy things. Things that you never imagined that you would do. Go to lines you swore you would never cross. There was no doubt that these too belonged together. The journey they took was definitely full of challenges and turmoil. They learned things about themselves and each other. Their strength was tested and proven. Obstacles were hurdled over. The Forbidden path that they took towards love and a life together was well worth it.

I've never read a Jodi Ellen Malpas novel but I know that she has a very strong and loyal fan base. So when I saw that this featured one of my favourite romance tropes, forbidden romance, I immediately picked this up!

Let's just say, I never saw what the "taboo" element was going to be and I loved that. When we had that big reveal, my mouth dropped and I muttered some curses because, damn, it's a good one. It sucked me in like no one's business.

One of the most important elements for me in a forbidden romance is that the novel has to convince me why these two should pursue their relationship despite all the obstacles in the way. I want to fall in love with these characters despite what they are doing--I want to root for them.

And this novel succeeded in that in every way!

I loved these two together--they have this phenomenal chemistry and connection--and I desperately wanted to see a positive outcome for them. And given the "forbidden" nature of this story, Malpas has done an amazing job to elicit that reaction from me.

While this story is a romance as its core, there is enough going on to keep the story moving and fresh. I never had a dull moment reading this novel. I was hooked.

The story has a great blend of being real and dramatic at the same time. The circumstances Annie and Jack find themselves in I think is fairly realistic. Some of the drama that accompanies it definitely has a dramatic flare but it just works so well with this story.

A very addicting read from start to finish!

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book based on the warning at the beginning about the content, but I really loved it. I felt that the subject matter was handled in a really interesting way that made you feel for the lead characters. I think that people are going to be pleasantly surprised by how quickly and easily they will be engrossed in this book and how much of a book hangover they will have afterwards. It has everything angst, tenderness and lots of heat. Jodi gets better with every book!

“You were always mine, even before I knew it.”
What would you do if you were faced with a situation where your moral compass screams that you are doing something wrong but your heart is screaming equally as loudly that nothing could be more right? That is the question I struggled with right alongside Annie in The Forbidden, and quite frankly I am still a bit conflicted after finishing the book. It is a story that will likely divide readers into two very opposite camps, but it is well written and pulled me in for the ride despite my trepidation.

Annie is married to her work and she is perfectly OK with it. In her 29 years she has never met a man who inspired more than passing interest so she has focused on building her business into a success she can be proud of instead. One night on the town with her friends brings a man into her life who turns all her previous experiences on their head and who will set her world into turmoil like she has never known.

Despite her best efforts, one night stand Jack consumes her thoughts relentlessly and she is kicking herself for sneaking out without finding out more about him. When he unexpectedly crosses her path again, she finds out he has been similarly consumed but a bright and shiny HEA does not await! What follows is a tumultuous journey through an emotional wringer full of high and lows, judgment, self-recrimination, love, lust, loneliness, doubt, heat, jealousy and a heaping side of batshit crazy. It all winds to a resolution that will be debated I am sure.

The Forbidden is not a story that we have seen from this author previously, and it clearly demonstrates that the world is never purely black and white for most of us but rather a many hued variety of every shade in between. it is a testament to her storytelling skills that I stuck with it till the end without DNF’ing a story I normally would pass on so well done Jodi Ellen Malpas!

In the acknowledgements of The Forbidden Jodi Ellen Malpas states that this was the hardest book she has ever written. I wonder it she was referring to the subject of the storyline or if she was referring to the intense emotional content in the book. I honestly would love to have the opportunity to sit down with her and have her explain the reason behind her statement.

Let me begin by saying The Forbidden in not This Man ~ But, I guarantee within seconds of meeting Jack you will want him to be your man ~

I absolutely refuse to give away one tiny bit of the storyline. It would be an absolute crime to ruin the experience you will have while reading The Forbidden. What I will do, is share with you my feelings about the characters, the plot and everything else that made this such a wonderful story.

~ Annie ~

In an instant I liked this character. Annie is an everyday kind of gal. She surrounds herself with great friends, has a loving family and is on the path to creating a good life for herself. She is career driven, self-assured, loyal, caring and compassionate. It seems the only thing Annie is missing is that one special person who will love her unconditionally. While like most young women, she would love to have that connection but, she doesn’t let that detour her from working hard to achieve success and happiness. Supported by a diverse group of friends, from an outsiders view it would seem that Annie has it all.

~ Jack ~

Jack … where do I start? He spoke and I fell helplessly in love with his entire being. Strong, masculine, confident, oozing sex appeal, funny and charismatic, Jack is the perfect leading man. Jack is also very career driven and has worked to achieve a solid and respected business. While his friend’s circle is somewhat smaller than Annie’s, they are just as loyal and play a pivotal role within the story. While it seems that Jack has a firm grasp on every aspect of his life, sometimes what people project isn’t always the truth.

It was a chance meeting ~ A moment of fate ~ A connection so strong you felt the earth had stopped spinning and you took a breath and realized that life as you know it would never be the same ~

The Forbidden is a fast paced story of life, love friendship and family. The story is a journey that beautifully combines the past, present and dreams of the future. It exposes the dynamics of many relationships. Husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, the fears and confusion of dating and friendship in it’s many forms. It is an intensely emotional story, one I found myself deeply invested in. It showcases the truths of the good times and bad. The self-doubt we place upon ourselves. The confusion and internal struggle of right and wrong. It brings to life various views on situations. Some you may agree with and others might just anger you.

The Forbidden is a roller coaster ride of emotions, that wrap themselves beautifully around a fabulous cast of characters. The ups and downs and the truth and lies. The information we hide, so we don’t have to face the words we don’t want to hear. The secrets will startle, the lies will shock, the hurt will gut you, the love with calm you and the passion, so intense, will make you want with fierce desire. Expect the unexpected and never assume things are as they seem. The Forbidden is a touching story of two people who find themselves together under a unique set of circumstances. It’s these circumstances that make them realize that life has many roads. Some are well traveled, carefree and surrounded by happiness and love. Others are a bit more daunting, filled with manipulation, lies, deceit and unhappiness. The Forbidden takes both paths and merges them together brilliantly.

I think what surprised me the most when reading The Forbidden was my instant and intense connection with Jack. While I was compassionate to Annie, her situation and her emotions it was Jack that touched me so deeply. Perhaps it was seeing such a strong and confident character’s reaction to various situations. With Annie though, there is this one scene where my heart actually shed tears. It was written with such rawness, heartbreak and truth, it just gutted me. With Jack though, there was something that had me hoping his truths were in fact true. His desires were not for his gain only. That the words he spoke held honesty. I don’t think I have ever championed for two characters as strongly as I did for Annie and Jack. But, I will admit many times I wondered if I had fallen for words that perhaps only benefited one of the two characters.

The Forbidden is a beautifully told tale of two people, their friends and what happens when you realize that life has so much more to offer than you could have ever anticipated or hoped for.