Instant attraction for someone already in a relationship doesn’t sell well. A popular author of the This Man series. I was expecting more.

I enjoyed The Forbidden. The story follows Annie & Jack secret relationship through a tumultuous and emotional journey. As taboo subjects surface and secrets are revealed all cards will be off the table and if their relationship is to survive the only question will be is ‘at what cost’

The best thing about this book is the chemistry between Jack and Annie... their initial meeting and the events immediately following on were simultaneously hot and cute. The rest of the book was good and certainly dramatic. A solid 4 stars.

When something is forbidden it means it is banned, not allowed. For some, that term is enough to steer them clear, especially when consequences are involved. You don't want to disappoint those around you, or hurt those involved. But for others the forbidden is exciting, uncharted waters. It's exhilarating, thrilling, everything wrong yet right.

The Forbidden will divide reader opinion. Its taboo subject matter is something some people have experience with and everyone has an opinion on. Including myself. I set aside my moral compass to enjoy the story. I managed to finish it within a few days, despite its subject matter because, for the most part, The Forbidden was great.

Annie Ryan has accomplished her life goals before thirty. Career orientated and intelligent, Annie is succeeding - she's a talented architect, is genuine about her love for her job, she owns her own company and she purchased her very own apartment. When she isn't working diligently, she's spending time with her best friends.

Annie never expected to meet someone who changed her perspective on romance, so how does she resist the forbidden?

Needing to escape the drama plaguing his personal life, Jack Joseph finds solace in contracting and Annie. She's comforting, loving and witty. She isn't complicated or difficult. Jack is caring and gentle without being overbearing, protective yet not without his own vulnerabilities.

Meeting a woman as driven as Annie wasn't part of Jack's night plans. With an intense introduction filled with chemistry, how does Jack walk away from Annie?

I applaud Jodi Ellen Malpas for stepping outside her comfort writing zone. Instead of writing what readers want, she wrote what she wanted too. And that takes courage. She acknowledges that the concept she explores won't please everyone.

I implore you, before diving into The Forbidden, keep an open-mind. It is tempting to judge these characters harshly. I wanted to.

Without mentioning the storyline too much, JEM created a couple with good chemistry that complimented each other quite well from the beginning. Both are intelligent, witty, career-driven adults who meander through life, seemingly pulled together on the surface, but underneath are waging personal battles.

I initially wanted to give The Forbidden an extra star, I really did. But there are numerous minor issues that changed my viewpoint. You don't find out the 'forbidden' aspect until almost a quarter in, so for me the beginning was lackluster. Upon learning the forbidden, you have a wide range of raw emotions spiralling across the pages - anger, sadness, shock, guilt, regret, fear and hope, to name a few. JEM did a great job displaying these feelings throughout.

My biggest issue was the ending. To me, it was unnecessarily over the top and also a common trope that annoys me in these kinds of stories. I'd go more in-depth to explain my thoughts on this matter if it didn't give away too much information.

Overall though, I enjoyed The Forbidden because while Jack and Annie's actions are questionable, they are human. Humans aren't perfect, neither is life. We often make terrible life decisions, shit happens and when you love someone, you love someone.

4.5* Addictive Stars

This book had so many feels. The attraction between Jack and Annie was insane and addictive! I connected with Jack and Annie and felt their guilt with what they were doing but their attraction was beyond lust, they had a real connection. They were soulmates who unfortunately met at the wrong time in their lives.

“Jack was never really forbidden. Because he was always mine. And I was always his. Even before we knew it. Even before we found each other.”

It was well written with lots of drama and angst and will keep you turning the pages over quick to find out what happens between Jack and Annie.

Forbidden was a dark taboo romance and will not be everyone’s “cup of tea” but the blurb and name of the book does warn you of this!

ARC kindly provided by Hachette Australia. via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately; I DNF this book. If there wasn't cheating I would have be all over this, but it does.
That cover though is AH-MAZING!

Annie Ryan loves her life. She has her dream job and has just found the perfect place to live. Her three best friends are the constants in her life and they would do anything and everything for each other. What more could she want.

Then on one of their frequents nights out, she meets Jack Joseph. He is gorgeous, tall, built and seems to be perfect in every way imaginable. But Annie doesn't need any complications in her life, especially as she only has time for her Architectural business that she is finally getting recognition for.

Unfortunately what the head says no to, the heart is the complete opposite. And after one passionate night, Jack is instilled in her heart. Little does Annie know, but he will be a big part of her life, both business and personal. The problem is will she be able to survive having him in it or not. And when she finally finds out more about Jack, can she walk away or will doing so break her apart.

I could not put this book down, Jodi writes the types of books that it is impossible not to read straight through from beginning to end. Worth far more than 5*.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia for the opportunity to read and review, great read.