Oh. Wow.
Where to begin?
A 'taboo' romance between Brian, a 'wrong-side-of-the-tracks' 19 year old man (yes, a 'man' in every sense of the word) and Jane, a beautiful, sophisticated, up-town 42-year old woman?
Can I enjoy this and believe in them as a couple?
Oh you betcha!

First of all, the writing is first rate. It's such an interesting premise, and I was curious to see if the author could pull it off. Going in I was a bit skeptical, prepared to give up on it if it wasn't to my liking. But I not only liked it, I loved it. I couldn't swipe the pages fast enough. I really cared about this couple and wanted to see where it would go. And the only reason it took me two days to finish it was because work got in the way. (I hate when real life interferes with a good book!)

This book had everything to keep me turning the pages. Riveting writing, a grand soap-operish plot, plenty of twists and turns and reveals, scorching and I mean scorching hot sex, and characters to root for. I may have had a few problems with Jane (I thought she was too passive sometimes when it came to fighting for what she wanted/deserved and maybe gave in too easily), but Brian---god, for the most part I just marveled at what a man he was and all that he took on at a young age. And if he wanted Jane, then I wanted him to have Jane!

I just loved this story--and I would love to see it made into a movie.

5 +++ Stars for Old Enough

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This author has such a way of writing that as a reader you feel like you are in the story - & you can’t help but feel what the characters are feeling ...

Brian & Jane’s story is like nothing I’ve read before ... this book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger but Young Enough is available now to continue the amazing end to this story!!

Jane is meeting her husband to celebrate their anniversary & of all things he totally blindsides her by saying he wants a divorce. He has been having an affair & his girlfriend ( soon to be finace is pregnant )

Jane has had a number of tragic things happen & it seems as if everything keeps getting worse ...

Brian is actually shown a picture of Jane by someone who is trying to blackmail her - the attraction is instant even though Jane is aprx 20 yrs older than him. Brian breaks into Jane’s house with his friends just to see & not scare her - their chemistry from their first meeting is off the charts !!!

This book has sizzling chemistry & so many plot twists u will be hard pressed to put it down until you see what happens ...

Jane is such a strong character but her life has been filled with unhappiness- Brian makes her happy - feel attractive & loved but society views them as wrong for each other mostly due to their age difference ...

If you were like me you were constantly rooting for this couple - begging the question does age really matter when you have found true love !!

Strongly recommend this book !!!!

Wow! This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s the first part of the story of Brian and Jane, a younger man and a MUCH older woman. The story takes place in South Africa, which is only relevant when certain words or phrases are used that are different from the ones we would use in the US. Sometimes it took me out of the story, but only for a moment.

It is EXTREMELY sexy, delving into some practices/proclivities that I’ve not read too much about. It is well-written and interesting. Both Jane and Brian have a complicated backstory, which I always love. Jane is also a mom, which adds a relatable element to the story for me. I’m very anxious to see how things turn out for them , which is why I’m going to jump right in and read part two, called Young Enough.

Thanks for Charmaine Pauls and NetGalley that I got this ARC.

I have read this a couple times, because this is so good. I have love older man/younger woman books many years. Maybe because I like also older men. So I could say that this was everything what I love with age gap romances even thought in this book this was older woman with younger man. So it was different, but maybe this was, why this book was so good. Usual it is just like i said before (OM/YW), so this make it so special. And there wasn't feelings what usual make me thinks that younger guys are so annoying.. But I can make recommendation with Old Enough by Charmaine Pauls, because characters were nice and sometimes books make you believe that the age is only a number and if there is huge age gap, it isn't bad thing, not even thought some might think like it because our society says that this is wrong, even more if you are woman and much older or even a couple years.

So this was pretty much perfection for me. The story-line was ridiculously captivating. I just couldn't wait to read what was coming next. Really well done age-gap story.

I will point out, however, that it should have been called a duet. This isn't really a standalone. It's not really the end of their journey. So I can see how some people might be a little annoyed by the labeling.
I did read this disclaimer in the blurb on Goodreads: (Old Enough is Book 1 of The Age Between Us duology. Book 2 will be available on 28 August 2018.) ... based on the multiple complaints of people not knowing this story had a part two, I can only assume it was added after the fact. I could be wrong and people are just dumb *shrug* LOL

H.O.T. but with actual characters that you care about, and an actual story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved discovering that the sequel is available already because I can't wait to find out about what happens to Brian and Jane next and their delicate, erotic relationship.

To start this one was slow to pull me in I wasn't sure if I was going to really like it but once I got to the ending I felt like it got really good and interesting. Now don't get me wrong I felt like there was a bit of a fifty shades feel to it. Also felt a little stalker-ish. But I did finish it and want to know how it turns out. So off to the second book.

This for me was a really good read, never thought I would like the concept of a older woman going for a much younger man. However Brian is such a strong and wise character it works. I am now very keen to read the second book in the series to see how it all unfolds. I was instantly into the book within the first few chapters and very keen to keep reading.

I love a taboo story especially an older woman with a younger guy. The sexual tension between Brian and Jane was intense and hot. The mystery of the past was still veiled. The ending of book suggested that heartache was palpable. I just hope my heart can survive it. Off I go onto book 2.

I couldn't put this book down at all yesterday! Even though Brian and Jane met unconventionally and there is a huge age difference, none of that matters when you can feel the love these two share with each other!

I got an advanced copy of this from NetGalley under my favorite Erotica section. It felt more like a love story. And I loved every minute. Im so upset that I have to wait for book 2. LOL.

In this book a woman finds herself after being unlucky in love. A younger man brings her back to life and back to bed, let's say. I like that it was all so believable. I hate books that make you think "ya right, like that could happen". It was a definite page turner and the sex scenes were awesome!

Passionate, sexy and intense... I was immediately wept away by this story. Delicious and filthy, it pulled me in deep right from the very beginning and never let me go throughout. I LOVE this genre so much but this book was mesmerising. Something different and refreshing, and whether or not it's realistic enough for you, it still made me WANT to believe in the fairytale that if you want something badly enough that anything is possible. That change and happiness is possible and just by having that belief can overcome so much. And even when it frustrated me in parts, but that's the fun of reading I think to get so invested in the story and its characters your emotions are all over the place, I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVED AND LOVED THIS STORY SO MUCH. I can't wait to see what happens now even though I'm a little afraid to find out, I HAVE TO KNOW! *dives straight into book #2*....
4.5 Stars

I found this book engaging and a sexy read. It was nice that the female lead in this book wasn’t just a weak female being led by a man as they often tend to be in erotic fiction these days. This book has a strong story as well as some steamy sex in it.

The second installment in the story of a young man and his older lover, Old Enough by Charmaine Pauls is a dark, gritty erotic romance. Fans of BDSM romances will enjoy this book, along with the older woman/younger man trope. This book is not for the lighthearted, and includes serious themes. It was well-written and is a fast read. You won't want to put it down.

I received a free copy of this from netgalley in exchange for a review... And then proceeded to not read it for a month or so. Oops. ;;

I must admit that I had fairly low expectations going into this, I requested it largely on a whim, but this book not only met those expectations but it exceeded them. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it did achieve exactly what it set out to do: tell a fun, slightly taboo story that I definitely wanted to read more of.

I just really liked this book! It really was absolutely great. The sex scenes were hot, the characters were surprisingly engaging and I actually really loved the romance. I have a habit of really not liking alpha heroes, but I really adored Brian in this. I think because the book actually took the trouble to not only explain the power dynamics involved, but explore how the characters related to them. It was a really excellent and self-aware exploration of the kinks involved, and I definitely came out with the impression that these two characters are absolutely good for each other.

I've deducted one star because the plotting wasn't super amazing, and also because some of the stuff about race was a little hinky (it's set in South Africa and most of the characters are white, the one explicitly black character is the secondary antagonist in the book).

...But overall this was a very solid book, and I really enjoyed it. I've already preordered the next one, and am looking forward to the conclusion of this story.

What a beautiful story about love and friendships, deceit and betrayal. This book flowed so easily and the characters were painted so that the reader could feel them.
I am looking forward to the story of Brian and Jane, soul mates that they are, to see what will happen next.

5* Passionate Stars

This was an engaging story about finding love when you least expect it and when the odds are against you. Jane is in her early 40’s and just coming to terms with her unexpected divorce from her cheating unlikeable husband and Brian who is 19 years old but far from being a teenager. He is very mature and confident. His protectiveness towards raising his younger sister and caring for his mother after his father abandoned them when he was very young was heartfelt.

This hidden secret romance was filled with angst, pain, family drama and secrets between Brian and Jane. The chemistry between Brian and Jane was off the charts hot and sexy.

The book ends on a cliff-hanger and I hope in the follow up book, Young Enough the secrets between Brian and Jane will not detonate and ruin what they have tried so hard to protect and that they get their HEA.

Many thanks to the Author Charmaine Pauls and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.

Wow. How can I get myself a man like this. This blew me away. I have already got the next book on order.
The characters are real and make you feel. Cannot wait for the next one.

I love the concept of this book. An older women taking back her sexual identity and exploring the darker side with a much younger man. The book gets a 5 for this depiction. She knows how to write some steamy sex scenes. Brian and Jane certainly work well in the bedroom, the garage or even outside for that matter.
The biggest problem I have with the book is how Jane's friends treat her. After 12 plus years of her marriage her husband and child's father leaves her for another women. He gets her pregnant and They kick Jane out of her house and basically take over the life she used to have. Her friends including her Dwight and ex-husband want her to be ok with this. I realize that you can't live angry but come on! I wanted to toss my kindle at times.

I know this is a duet and we still have a lot of unanswered questions so I'm going to reserve judgement until I read the next book.

This story was captivating from the very beginning and I honestly finished it in one sitting. I absolutely loved Brian's character and for him to be on the young side, he sure acts more mature than half of the adults in this story. I enjoyed Jane's character although I wish she was stronger, especially when it came to Francois, Debbie and yes even Abby. I wanted Jane to stand her ground and not give up everything so easily. I hope in the next book she fights for what is hers and what she deserves. Lindy and her father Monkey needs to get in a car and ride off somewhere, anywhere but in the next story. Yes, I know its wishful thinking on my end. Lindy, Monkey, Francois and Debbie along with a few more characters can disappear for all I care; I dislike quite a few of them. This story ends with a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more and I can't wait to see how everything plays out. I'm excited to see if things will go the way I think they will or if I will be completely shocked by everything. No matter what, I'm left wanting more and I can't wait to read the next book. This book is perfect for readers looking for a read that's captivating, has a bit of suspense along with parts that will make you laugh and scenes that will make you blush. I truly enjoyed it.