Charmaine Pauls doesn’t write conventional romance novels. No, this is definitely NOT your grandmother’s romance. Her stories are not only unconventional, they even seem disturbing at first. But within the first chapter you find yourself immersed in the story and the characters, rooting for a couple that would normally scandalise you. An older heroine and young hero romance is not as unusual as before and yet we still find ourselves reluctant to believe it. “Old Enough” will leave you not only believing in love at first sight and soulmates but will also leave you breathless and very very hot.

Jane lost the love of her life but managed to find contentment and happiness in her marriage and daughter. Her whole life comes crumbling down when her husband asks for a divorce. Just when she believes that she will never find passion and excitement in her life again, she meets Brian. A man much younger than her who seems to know her body and her needs more than anyone else she has ever known. She may believe that what they share is a secret tryst, but Brian has other plans. He believes that he has found the one and isn’t willing to let anything and anyone get in their way.

Charmaine Puals proves once again what an amazing storyteller she is. This is a romance that you won’t be able to put down or forget. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for Jane and Brian...

Old Enough by Charmaine Pauls is book one in The Age Between Us series. This is the story of Brian and Jane. Jane just got confronted by her husband saying that he is leaving her and pursuing a relationship with a women he worked with and now loves. Jane of course is shocked and surprised that he would leave her after 12 years of marriage.
Brian who will be 20 in 8 months has struggled to care for his family and really is older that his physical age through experience. Brian needing money for his little sister takes a 'job' that sets in motion a secret that may end up ruining something he didn't know he wanted.
I am usually not the old woman / younger man romance reader but this book makes me want to read more of them. Really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next installment in their story!

Old Enough is a taboo situation. The older woman being seduced by the younger man. It is naughty to think about but you have no idea!!!

He may be younger but he is very experienced. His control is admirable but it's his delectable fantasies that will make you wish you had a Brian. Naughty or nice, he is everything you need, want, and lust after.

It's so hard not to be jealous of Jane. Until you meet the other half of the drama in this book, you will want to shake the living daylights out of 2/3 the characters in this book. I guarantee it. And just as you are ready to battle your doubts....BAM!

It's over. Now we wait!!!!


Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood

So, I became a fan of Charmaine Pauls when reading the Loan Shark Duet that I absolutely LOVED!

This of course is a bit of a different story, not as dark as the Loan Sharks books. The story is about younger man courting older women. Brain is a younger man from the wrong side of the tracks. Jane lives int he well to do area but has suffered through so much. There is incredible chemistry between Brain and Jane. In each of their own ways they are helping the other along in their hard times. There angst within the story, that people deal with every day that make the story very easy to read, almost like having a heart to heart with a friend.

I love this book and cannot wait to read the next book "Young Enough" Five Stars!

Wow! This was so much more than I anticipated!

I’ve never been a huge fan of the older woman/younger man trope but I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author so I trusted her and took a step right off into the deep end of the crazy world she always seems to create. I couldn’t be happier about it.

Jane’s husband leaves her for another woman and her life is suddenly in turmoil. Her greatest love was lost years ago and so her marriage has been one of safety, security and friendship. Now she’s faced with trespassers in the middle of the night, a stranger who cares for her yard and garden, and the desire for a man much too young for her. When her body overrides her good sense, she gives in to the yearning he arouses in her and finds herself releasing the dragon within that has been asleep for well over a decade.

Brian is taken from the moment he first lays eyes upon Jane. She’s everything he shouldn’t want and all that he longs for. When he finagles himself into her life he’s in it for keeps. Age doesn’t matter. His is an old soul and his life has been one to add to his soul’s experiences. Now that he has Jane almost where he wants her, he’s walking a tightrope to keep not only her safe, but his family and himself as well.

I am definitely in love with Brian! Oh my gawd! He’s everything you could want in a book boyfriend and more. His desire for Jane is off the charts and he doesn’t hold back for a moment. He then follows up with the upmost care and concern for her. Her happiness is all that matters to him and he will do anything to see she has what she needs even as he ensures she remains his forever.

Jane is damaged and broken and a bit uncertain about everything that involves her relationship with Brian. Except for the unwavering desire they have for one another. It doesn’t take her long to give in to the desire but she’s still battling outside forces that threaten to steal her happiness in regards to her daughter. I absolutely hurt for the things she has to endure in order to seal Abby’s desires, even at the cost of Jane’s own peace of mind.

This is a fast paced read with secondary characters that I’m not sure I trust and some I’m supposed to trust but can’t allow myself to freely do so. The steam is off the charts hot and holy cheese and crackers, I’m sure my kindle was singed a time or two. I’m not a BDSM fan but the little bit that is shared between the hero and heroine was just too perfect to be anything but delicious.

There are so many things taking place inside this story all at one time and those things kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting for just one tiny break to learn where everything is headed. However, this author refused to feed the beast within me and continued to tease and taunt me until the very end of this installment of the duet. I need book 2 like right now!

This book was one of the best books I've ever read. I couldn't put it done. I'm going to have a book hangover from hell until I get my hands on book 2 please hurry.

Mind blown! My heart broke for the heroine. Her ex took everything from her and kept taking everything. I found that it was hard to read and have to put it aside for awhile. Amazing writing that evoked so much emotion. Another hit out of the park by this author!

Holy wow! This book is dark, dirty and totally depraved in the best ways. The story follows middle-aged divorcee Jane who is seduced by a barely legal Brian. Aside from the age difference, their story is full of secrets and skeletons that threaten their long term success. This book was so emotional and totally consuming that at times I needed a break to process their story. Be ready to feel every emotion as you read along. Im definitely looking forward to reading the conclusion. The smut is real people, so this book gets a full 5 chilli peppers of hotness!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book (from NetGalley). All thoughts and opinions are my own. This novel had a lot of depth. The backstory was just as good as the advertised excitement. With fully developed characters, who have motives for their actions, this was a fabulous read. I was better able to relate to the female protagonist, but also really appreciated the point-of-view alternating between the two characters. It was fascinating--I couldn't put it down. I anxiously await the next installment coming out in August! (This seems like the best medicine for a 40 something divorcee, however, their was enough fore-shadowing to make me worry about the future of these characters!!!).
Thank you to both NetGalley and Charmaine Pauls.

I was generously given an ARC for a honest review. This book was a first for me in the May/ Dec romance trope. Brian is 19 and Janet is twice his age with a 13 yr old daughter. The book deals with the baggage each character brings to a relationship and that's not even including the age thing. Brian is wonderful....even though he is only 19, he acts so much older and mature, probably because he's had to take care of his mom and sister since he was 9. He is a dominant male in and out of the bedroom and it makes for plentiful scorching hot sex scenes! Jane is a very vulnerable individual and at times I wanted to shake her so that she would get a backbone. But then her past holds her back so much...it's understandable. The whole book was very suspenseful because I kept expecting the pressures on Brian to explode! I can't wait for the next book!

I received Old Enough by Charmaine Pauls for free in exchange for an honest review. I didn't know what to expect when I first started it, but found that I got into the story quite quickly. I found the characters quite engaging (other than the ex-husband. He was a bit of a douche.) I was very sad to find it over and am anxiously awaiting the second installment. I am hoping to read more by this author, as this was my first by her.

I almost passed on this book because of the age gap trope, but I'm so glad I didn't because this book was unputdownable. I couldn't get enough of Jane and Brian's budding relationship. Although young, Brian is wise and mature beyond his years and his character was so believable, even I fell in love with him a little bit. I love what he brings out in Jane's character and I hope she continues to grow in the next book. My heart really felt so many emotions for her. She got so many bombs dropped on her and handled them with poise and grace. I do hope she stands up for herself a little more in the next book. And I hope the people that have wronged her get theirs. I know things are going to get worse before they get better, and I can't wait to read it all in Young Enough.

WOW! What a read! A cliffhanger too...argh! This is my first read by Charmaine and definitely not my last. The characters were believeable and the writing was spot on...not too wordy...and a joy to read. I had a hard time putting this book down once I started. This book is most women's dream...an much younger man who is sexy, hot and totally into us! I loved Brian. He is sweet, protective, and trying to do the right thing. I am so "upset" that I have to wait for book 2...I want it NOW!

The main character, Jane, is a woman facing a major change in her life. She finds out over dinner that her husband, the cold and disgusting Francois, has cheated on her and now wants a divorce. Years of marriage now over, Jane quietly moves on because she has a daughter to raise. When a hot, extremely younger guy named Brian trespasses on her property with his friends one night, she never thought she would ever see him again nor fall in lust for him. But nothing in this story is what it seems.

I love this story, but the cliffhanger ending makes me want to scream. This is a story with an older woman and a younger man. I loved Brian. The way he supports his family and stands up for himself and the ones he loves is wonderful. Jane is too much of a doormat for a strong guy like Brian. She allows everyone in her life to treat her like dirt, from her friends, to her ex, to her daughter. So sad. Even with this dynamic, the story is fascinating.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley for my honest review.

"Old Enough" is the first novel that I have read by Charmaine Pauls. It is the steamy tale of the attraction between Jane, a woman in her mid-forties, and Brian, a man who is not quite twenty. The story abounds with secrets, threats, and unknown past histories. Jane and Brian each have secrets that they do not/cannot reveal for fear of spoiling the love they share. However, everything is coming to a head. Monkey, the neighborhood mob boss, is a constant threat, not just to Brian but to all those Brian loves. Then there is the elusive Benjamin; we don’t yet know what his ulterior motives are. Finally, there is the gypsy’s ominous warning to Jane about trust and betrayal

The story flows satisfyingly and ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. It leaves you curious as to how all the secrets will be revealed and the impact that they will ultimately have on Brian and Jane’s relationship. Can’t wait to find out in Young Enough, the second novel in this duology.

I was curious about this story and what she would do to make this reverse May to September romance an okay situation. It is funny how people view others when the man is older – that is acceptable. However, when the woman is older, then that is seen differently. Shame and disgust can be evident even from your good friends.

This story is one of those stories. A hidden secret romance that has a huge secret attached to it. However, this young man has an old soul and is dedicated to this woman, regardless of what others say and do. That can be very dangerous.

The author has brought us a solid glimpse at this budding and somewhat dark romance, with a hint of danger and a taste of suspense attached. Loaded with super hot connections and plenty of erotic steam, you will need to make sure the fans are running to keep yourself cool. I am definitely rooting for Team Brian! I need to find me one!

However, this book is just the wind up to the whole romance. Ending on a hot cliffhanger, we have to wait a bit to get the rest of the story. I, for one, cannot wait to see how this one will play out!

I was given an ARC copy of this book for an honest and truthful review. Old Enough is the story of an older woman and younger man and their relationship. But it is also so much more than that. Jane is a 40 year old recently divorcee and Brian is an almost 20 year old man. Sociaty their friends and anyone else who matters to Brian and Jane think their relationship is Taboo. Brian doesn't care what anyone thinks of what him and Jane are doing and it's all Jane can think of. Brian is hit with a task that he can't turn down because it would make life so much better for him and his family. Little does he know that to fulfill the task he'll have to hurt the one person he can't get enough of. Jane is trying to put her life back together after her husband leaves her. She is a little unsure of herself at first but Brian seems to bring out a side that she thought had long ago died with her fiancée. This book ends on a cliff hanger and I found myself screaming this can't be it! I have to know what happens! Old enough will keep you wanting more and leave you wondering what just happened?! I can't wait for the second book to come out so that I know how Brian and Jane's story will end.

Wow! My first reaction is surprised at the ending! I don’t like cliffhangers, but this one definitely makes you want more of Jane&Brian’s journey. For me it was a slow start, but built up quickly with some really awakening moments for both of them. I’m excited for the conclusion in book 2, August needs to come now.

I discovered Charmaine Pauls through her Loan Shark Duet which was taboo-y perfection. When I saw she had another duet coming out, I leapt on it. Get ready for an erotic adventure that will leave you screaming for more. Book hangover mode, here we come!

Jane has to deal with some pretty toxic people and when Brian comes along, she’s drawn to his compassion as well as his take-charge, alpha air of command. I really can’t go more into the plot than that. But there’s an age gap, our Jane is in her forties and Brian is barely twenty.

Both have to deal with their demons; they just come in different forms. By the end, the cliffhanger will just slay you because you know the ultimate secrets will be revealed soon, but how and what the repercussions will be? It’s anybody’s guess.

I’m still crying tears at that epically unfair cliffhanger. Luckily, our wait won’t be long. *makes grabby hands*

5 Blazing, Scorching, Get-Me-Book-Two Stars!

So when I first opened this book and I saw that it was dual first-person POV, I had to resist shutting it right back up. I can't STAND female authors writing as men - very, very rarely have I ever felt like it was an accurate depiction of a male perspective, especially in romance novels. But I was pleasantly surprised this time! There were clear differences in the POV between Jane and Brian (for one, he swears a lot more) so it wasn't too ridiculous.

In terms of plotline, we have here Jane (nearly 40) and Brian (nearly 20). (Okay, like a month off 20). The book starts off with her being blindsided by her husband Francois's desire for a divorce - on their wedding anniversary, no less. That night she encounters Brian, who's broken in to use her swimming pool. But what she doesn't yet realise is that their meeting wasn't a coincidence, and Brian has an Agenda with a capital A.