This book was breathtaking ;) be back with my review!

Leave Me Breathless can be read as a standalone but it’s also a spin-off of The Protector. This book had me on the end of my seat the whole time trying to figure out what Hannah was hiding, what was her story. When Ryan Willis met Hannah Bright for the first time he was instantly connected. If that makes sense. There was a pull. He was constantly going to her or near her or just wanted to see her. He had never in his life felt that with anyone. He was always the type to just get his fix and move on. No relationship, no commitment. He was going crazy trying his hardest not to act on those feelings especially when at the beginning Hannah was trying to stay away from him, even though he knew she felt the magnetic pull. He had this feeling he had to go slow, easy and he had to protect her. So that was what he was going to do if it was the last thing he would ever do.

Hannah could not get attached to this wonderful town she moved to. She was there to hide. She would eventually move on and did not want to hurt herself or anyone else. Especially a person that would make her feel whole again. Someone that she felt safe with, someone that she was finally normal with. When she met Ryan she felt it right, the pull. They were two magnets that would not let up, no matter how much she tried to stay away from him, she always ended up face to face with him. She knew from the first moment they met that she would be devastated when she eventually had to leave, but she could not risk his life and especially not his daughters.

Hannah had secrets and Ryan knew she did, but the problem was she always avoided telling him and would always change the subject. She was scared of something and he had to know what it was. Because to him she was perfect, nothing she could tell him would change that. But, he needed to know what she was hiding from so he can protect her and keep her safe. He knew he could not live without her. He didn’t care about anything, only that she would stay with him forever. Could there love stay strong when the secrets Hannah has from her past find her in the present? Will she stay and fight for what she has with Ryan or will she run like she always does to protect the one person that loves her for the person she is inside.

This book is a must read. The suspense, the chemistry they had with each other was amazing and had me hooked the hold time. Received this book for my honest review.

🌟🌟4 1/2 stars🌟🌟

I am fairly new to JEM’s writing....my first book was The Controversial Princess...I know, I know....I need to read This Man....but....TCO made me a fan and when the opportunity arose to revive an ARC of Leave Me Breathless, I jumped on it!

LMB was a rollercoaster for me. I experienced so many emotions: sadness, happiness, hope and most of all anxiety....that’s right, my anxiety was HIGH! Hannah was such a broken a woman (she believed she was but for me she was a strong and determined). Life had not treated her fair and the lengths that she went to....WOW! Don’t think I would have had the strength for it.

Ryan....ahhhh!!!! He was an absolute dream! He was brought to life for me by Ms. Malpass writing and being able to make him “real” show great skill by the author...at least for me.

Leave Me Breathless will he added to my real shelf when the PB addition releases.....

This book is hard to review. Not because I didn't like it, the opposite actually, but because there is a lot going on through the story, a lot happening, and a lot to process as you read.

Ryan and Hannah aren't your typical couple in a romance story, there is a lot they don't know about one another, and a lot that they think they know that maybe isn't quite what they thought.

And, this pretty much sums up my feelings about this book. I thought i knew where it was going to go, and how it was going to get there, a couple different times. And, I was wrong both times. But, in the best possible way as the direction it took worked better than what I was expecting.

Part of what draws me to titles by Jodi Ellen Malpas is the suspense. The not knowing what is going to happen, and the sense that she is an author who is willing to push boundaries, to let characters act in ways that maybe they wouldn't always in more "traditional" romance and this adds tension as you honestly don't know if it is going to work out for Ryan and Hannah.

I am also being deliberately vague as there is a lot in this book, and all of it could be an accidental spoiler...from the way they meet and the reasons they each have for maybe not jumping right into a relationship, to the ways the story arc builds...so I am going to be vague, and say that I enjoyed this title, and avoid all spoilers.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

Jodi Ellen Malpas’s Leave Me Breathless took me by surprise in the best way possible. It’s a little different than her other books with its rural village setting and heavy dose of intrigue and suspense, but it also features one of her signature swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, resilient heroines, so it still feels like a JEM romance. Ryan is a single dad and ex-military, and he has just retired from personal security and moved to the small town where he grew up. Hannah recently moved there and opened an art store, and their attraction is immediate and intense from the moment they meet. She seems skittish about getting involved and evasive about her past, but he’s gobsmacked and wants to unravel her secrets. But the truth could put them both in danger when Hannah’s past comes back to haunt her. I absolutely adore Ryan — he’s sexy, sweet, funny and patient while still being a strong alpha-male. He and Hannah make an endearing couple, and I found their romance entertaining, fast-paced and utterly sigh-worthy.

If you love romance this is a must read because this is romance at its best !!!!!
I was excited about this book from the time I started hearing about it but I was also a bit sceptical, I was afraid I would compare this book to previous books by one of my favourite authors, I should never have worried Hannah and Ryan’s story captivated me, it drew me in from the first page and there was no putting down until I had read the very last line, Hannah and Ryan maybe characters I fell for but I can’t leave a review without mentioning an adorable little girl named Alex who stole my heart.
I don’t want to write a review full of spoilers because I believe you need to read this first hand with no preconceived ideas but I will say this is a spin off from The Protector and we do touch base with a Jake and Camille which for me was an added bonus to a story I was already loving. This book has all the feels you want and expect in a great read, it’s told in duel POV, it’s got wonderful characters, it has the perfect mix of love, passion and humour as well as a few twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I guess all that’s left to say is Leave Me Breathless is the perfect title for a story that really did leave me breathless... Once again this very talented author has weaved her magic and given us a book I urge all romance lovers to one click.

Leave Me Breathless by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a heart warming story of fearless love. She creates emotional and swoony love stories every time. And this was no exception. Alpha hero. A vulnerable yet strong heroine. Tons of deep emotions with the edge of thriller. If you loved The Protector, this story is for your addiction and obsession.

Hannah Bright is running from her traumatic past and the small town in England countryside is perfect for hiding in plain site. She is still jumpy, scared and skittish. But she is determined to start a new life with her art store. And Ryan Willis with his sexy body, gorgeous smile, panty melting charm and alpha man bossiness is not the complication she needs. But Ryan is fascinated with her shy, sweet and loving personality. Even when he can sense with his protection service experiences that she is hiding something and she is in big trouble. He has own issues like a sassy as hell daughter and his dreams. Can they beat the danger or will Hannah run again before jeopardizing their lives?

I loved the small town romance vibe in this story! The small community with all the quirky personalities and the natural beauty had me hooked. The chemistry between Hannah and Ryan was hot,deep and intense. It was slow burn at the best. Ryan was trying to be soft, considerate and careful not to spooke her. And Hannah was unsure if she should take a chance on the relationship. So the build up was pure torturing push and pull. And then it explodes so beautifully and sensually. The romance cannot get any better than this. And then there was the suspense to keep you on the edge. JEM Alphas are my indulgence and Ryan fits the role perfectly. Only Jodi can create this unique combination of arrogance, protectiveness, confidence and sweetness. My heart and panties had no chance. And Hannah was a bright woman with all her fear and broken parts. I admire her fighter spirit and strength. And Ryan's daughter Alex is the most adorable kid ever!

Jodi Ellen Malpas put heart aching emotion in every word and romance in every sentence of Leave Me Breathless. A breathtaking love story that captured my heart and soul.

Received ARC for Honest review

Perfect balance of suspense, humor and romance. Ryan has been in the military and then working protection for years. His last assignment, well, it was enough to make him realize it was time to stop. Returning to his hometown of Hampton to return to the daughter he loves and the comfort of his cabin and the wilderness. He never expects to run a woman off the road on his return. Hannah has a passion for art and has a vibrancy to her messy, unconventional approach to life. But when you look deeper, you see fear and trepidation are just under the surface. Moving to Hampton seems to feed her spirit in a way she didn't expect. When she encounters sexy Ryan, as he almost kills, her, well, she finds new feelings being awakened. Hannah is struggling to embrace this wonderful life she has built for herself while running from her past. Will she get a happy ending with Ryan? Or will her past force her to leave? Ryan's relationship with his daughter is fabulous. These two have an amazing bond. Hannah connecting with Alex through art was beautiful to experience and the three of them together find an ease that none of them expect. All of this adds pressure to Hannah as she navigates the now while running from her past. How this would end, well, I really didn't know it everything was revealed. Loved the journey to get there. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Another great read from Jodi, this romantic suspense / single dad read is also a spin off from The Protector but very much its own standalone...... sexy, swoony, funny and cute with drama and suspense to keep you on your toes, I read it in one go, an engaging and riveting read from start to finish.

Ryan is ex MI5 and works with Jake Sharp (The Protector) and loves nothing better than returning back to his home village, where nothing ever changes and there is no danger around, loving his own built log cabin and the peace and quiet it provides.

Hannah is new to the village having just opened up and art shop, she is cute, quirky and fun and loves nothing better than painting all day.

Ryan and Hannah bump into each other in the most unexpected of ways, their chemistry and attraction undeniable. But Hannah is full of secrets and must try and keep her feelings for Ryan from being involved, knowing she cannot stay long. But the man is stunning and gorgeous, calming and protective and she is in real trouble. Ryan knows something is off somewhere but doesn't press Hannah to much, she tends to be skittish and he has to tread carefully around her at times, but he is determined to win her over and make her his.

I loved the characters and the story line, the English village setting and the way of life it portrays. Cabbage brought an interesting and quite funny twist into the story, endearing and too grown up for her age, yet reckless and wild. A great read from start to finish, fast paced, sexy and funny, add in the dramatic suspense and you have a great read here. Loved the parts with Jake, Cami and the family involved in here, added a lovely layer to the story. Highly recommended reading.

I AM BREATHLESS! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic's Read

I completely loved this story. It's full of Heat, Love and Suspense.... So friggin good!!

Ryan and Hannah are defiantly drawn to each other. He wants everything from her, all her love, dreams and even more for her to trust him enough to share her life with him even her past. When he dives into her past he finds so much more than he bargained for, also finding that he has to protect her.

Hannah just wants to live a life not in constant fear. When she gets involved with Ryan she finds that she wants to live an even fuller life one with him. She has to figure out how to let him in fully and get past her fear.

I found myself laughing at his sassy as hell daughter, Alex just made this story so much better.

”LEAVE ME BREATHLESS” is a spin-off of ”The Protector”. The Hero, Ryan Willis, is ex MI5 and close friends with Jake Sharp. I liked this book so much more than its predecessor. The pace of the story flowed perfectly and I felt a connection to the main characters. Ryan and Hannah had insane chemistry. While the story reminded me so much of the movie, ”Sleeping With The Enemy”, I can’t deny that I was thoroughly entertained. There was plenty of JEM’s signature steam with a healthy dose of nail-biting action thrown in as well.


Here are my overall ratings:

Hero: 5
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 4
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5

Leave Me Breathless is another great standalone from Jodi. A little lighter than what we typically see from her, a sweeter more earthy romance this time around. The novel centres around the Hero Ryan Willis, an ex MI5 agent, turned private security who has decided to pack it in and live the quiet life to raise his 10 year old daughter Alex. Ryan is a burly alpha male with a strong protective moral compass, he is an amazing father and has a huge heart, I found the contrast of his tough exterior Vs his gentile persona very endearing.

The heroine of the story is Hannah Bright as clumsy, artistic type, a bit of a loner and the new woman in town. You get the sense that Hannah is running from something and this serves as the underlying plot to the story throughout. As the novel goes on obviously things begin to unfold and this brings the suspenseful elements to the book. Hannah is a likeable character, she is easy to warm to and when she does let loose and free's herself from the demons keeping her hidden away you get to see what an independent woman she is.

There is a secondary character in this book that was a stand out for me, and that is Alex - Ryan's daughter. She was like the glue that held this story together and kept it moving forward. She is a clever and sassy little thing that has her Dad wrapped around her finger. At times I found elements of the story verging on being linear and repetitive; but insert a scene with Alex and it lifted the moment and things felt like they were progressing then. She was a total ray of sunshine and I loved the dynamic between her and the adults of the story.

Overall Leave Me Breathless was an enjoyable read, the cameo's from Jake and Cami (character from The Protector) were a nice touch. I felt the plot was somewhat predictable but Jodi's writing as ever is quality and the characters well developed. Occasionally pacing was a little slow and a lot seemed to happen in the last quarter of the book that maybe could have happened sooner. That said if you are looking for a sweet and steamy romance with lovable characters that you can just kick back and read away the day with then Leave Me Breathless is your book.

"I'm uncomfortable with how comfortable this woman makes me feel. She's like a precious box of adorableness."

As I'm sure is the case with most of us, the buzz about this author started with her This Man series, we were curious to meet Jesse Ward, right? She definitely has a gift for writing beautifully broken characters. What I found interesting about Leave Me Breathless is that it's the female that is broken.

Hannah is most definitely adorable. She's a creative free spirit that loves to escape into her artwork. She surrounds herself with color. Her painting, her wardrobe, and her heart. Despite the fact that her past is absent of color, full of darkness, she still has the ability to shine her light on others. I couldn't help smiling while reading about her, she's just that awesome of a character. Which makes it that much harder to imagine what she might be running from.

She hides it well, but Ryan has worked in security long enough to read between the lines. He knows she's got secrets that are keeping her from letting him in fully. He can see that she feels the same attraction that he does. The desire between them is intense, but she's fighting the idea of a relationship between them. What is she afraid of?

Of course, the less she shares, the more he wants to know about her. "—as if her wildness isn't enough of a draw to me, the secrets I sense she's keeping are only amplifying my curiosity." IKR? Mine too! I was hanging on the edge waiting to learn the details as the story unfolded.

I found myself thrown back and forth between heartbreak and hilarity. Sighing one minute and laughing the next. I don't want to spoil anything for those that haven't read it yet, so I'll just say that the females stole the show in this one. I'm totally in the girl crush zone here, unable to stop smiling at their antics.

Don't get me wrong, Ryan is perfection. And he's oh so smart as well. He knows when to advance and when to withdraw. She's like a skittish colt and he doesn't want to risk spooking her. So, I'll just call him a 'Hannah Whisperer', though he's just as effective when silent. "He said nothing. But everything I needed to hear."

This story has just enough sweet, sassy, sexy and suspenseful to leave you sighing in satisfaction. Did you catch that? Five S's and five stars. Fingers crossed that this one will end up as a movie on Passion Flix too! 🤞

Such a great read, read it in one sitting, it took me by surprise and I loved it!I like the story amd I loved the characters!It isn't a unique story but still it catch my interest and kept me until the end!

Hannah and Ryan were great together, Hannah is sweet and cute!I loved her and Ryan is sexy and so protective!He is swoon worthy, and will make you melt!

It has suspense and the romance is sweet,sexy and intense!Overall, it was fast paced!

THIS BOOK. I have NO words for how much I loved this story, Ryan, Hannah and Alex. I completely devoured this story. I was hooked from the very first word to the very last word. Its breathtakingly beautiful.
Ryan and Hannah had an instant connection from the moment he ran into her (literally) and that connection only seemed to grow stronger and more explosive as the story continued. I loved Hannah’s quirkiness. She was sweet, fun, carefree, but also guarded and heartbroken. Ryan is protective, 100% alpha and has a romantic side.
For those who have read The Protector this is a great follow up to that book. You get some more Jake and Cami, which I LOVED those scenes. Jake and Ryan’s friendship was great and the joking between them added a few laughs to the story.
This story was emotional, it was sweet and it was suspenseful. Leave Me Breathless is one of my top JEM books and Ryan definitely moved his way up the JEM Alpha ranks in my eyes. A MUST READ and a TOP READ for 2019.

5 Star Review Leave Me Breathless by Jodi Ellen Malpas

I have been looking forward to reading this new book by Ms. Malpas ever since she announced it. I found myself totally invested in Hannah and Ryan’s story. I also fell hard and fast for Ryan's daughter Alex; what a delightful and funny 10 year old she is.
This is a spin off from The Protector and had Jake reprising his role as Ryan’s partner initially. It was great to touch base and see where he and his family are now and that added to my enjoyment of Leave Me Breathless. Truth be told, I enjoyed this book more The Protector as I found it easier to connect with Ryan and Hannah.
Leave Me Breathless is told in dual POV’s and was well written and so descriptive that I found myself wanting to visit Hampton. The characters were likeable and well rounded and I found myself laughing at the banter between Ryan, Hannah and Alex.
Ryan is ex-military and a man not to be taken lightly; add in a pairing with Hannah who is obviously hiding from a dangerous past and there are sure to be fireworks. Ryan is troubled by the fear that he sees in Hannah’s eyes and calls in a favour from his ex-employer, determined to keep Hannah safe at all costs.
There is so much more to Jodi Ellen Malpas’s characters, they are flawed, human and not afraid to show their vulnerability and it is here that Ms.Malpas weaves her magic.
Will Ryan’s ex cause even more heartache for them? What will happen when Hannah’s past comes back to haunt them ? Can they escape the past and make a future and a family together? One click and find out.

Jodi Ellen Malpas knocked it out of the park with this steamy romantic suspense. I absolutely LOVE books that can combine drama, suspense, secrets, and romance so seamlessly—and Jodi did just that! It’s also no secret that I’m obsessed with all of the alphas that JEM creates in that wonderful mind of hers, but Ryan might be quickly rolling into first place. He’s strong, formidable, protective, and patient. He has many soft spots which made him so much more appealing. Hannah is the perfect heroine. She’s cute, quirky, messy, and is hiding many secrets from her dark past. This was one heck of a ride and I enjoyed every second of their sizzling romance. If you’re looking for a book that has the perfect mix of steam and suspense, this is the book for you.

Thank you to Netgalley, Social Butterfly PR, and Forever Romance for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Leave Me Breathless did exactly that to me in the end. I really enjoyed Ryan and Hannah’s story. The angst as I turned every page while I waited for Hannah’s past to catch up with her was real and I loved the anticipation... until I didn’t. I just wish that the excitement had happened a little sooner in the book, to be honest.

If you don’t fall in love with Ryan Willis, then we are not reading the same novel! He’s a swoon worthy, panty dropping alpha that will steal your heart with one of his crooked smiles. He has all the attributes that you’d expect from an Ex MI5 agent and protector but with a caring and sweet nature that we all want our men to possess. He’s just perfect in my opinion!! I loved the chemistry and connection that he and Hannah shared and I adored his relationship with Alex, who really is the most incredible character who added to the story perfectly!

Hannah Bright arrived in Hampton like a breath of fresh air. She is such a likeable character and she fitted into the small town perfectly. She has a past that she has ran away from and although I would have acted differently in certain scenes, I can’t say that anything Hannah did was wrong as we all deal with similar situations in different ways. I appreciated her strength and how hard it must have been to make some of the decisions that she did. I loved having some of the chapters written to reveal her past. I felt that this, along with the dual POV, gave me a greater understanding of what the characters were going through and feeling.

Leave Me Breathless brought out all the emotions in me and I know you are going to need some tissues close to hand. I did wonder if having not read The Protector would spoil my enjoyment of this novel, but it didn’t. However, since this book is a spin off, the main characters of The Protector do make an appearance, and now I’m wishing I had read that book first - I shall rectify this soon.

I loved this story!! I was anxiously awaiting Ryan's story. I loved how him and Hannah 'ran' into each other. They have a very quirky relationship and I love every second of it. The steaminess is off the charts and what Hannah endured was terrible. I'm glad she found someone like Ryan. And Ryan's cabbage- she is great. Ryan is a great dad - I love seeing him interact with his daughter in this book. Plus I love that we got a glimpse into Jake and Cami too. Great read- definitely recommend!

Leave Me Breathless is classic JEM. Ryan is an alpha male who happens to also be a single dad. A double threat to the ladies ... oh wait he’s a triple threat because hello he is drop dead gorgeous. He says goodbye, or so he thinks, to his adrenaline junkie ways, settling in to small town life to be closer to his daughter full-time. His return coincides with the arrival of the town’s newest resident Hannah. Hannah brings with her a complicated past. She tries hard to stay under the radar but Ryan finds her intriguing and is constantly drawn to her. Before long it’s clear that this temporary attraction is not temporary at all.

As Hannah’s past unfolds both she and Ryan are faced with some impossible decisions. Past and present meld together to create a fast moving plot with excellent secondary characters. Perfectly balanced romance and suspense make Leave Me Breathless a hit for me.

If you loved The Protector than you will love Leave Me Breathless.

Just when you start to think Ryan and Hannah's romance might be just a little bit more lighthearted than others in Jodi Ellen Malpas's books, Malpas reminds you that she is in charge, and in her world, true love requires a fight.

Ryan, a former MI5 agent, wants to head home to Hampton, England, where life is slower and a lot less complicated. No bullets flying, no threats or dangers. Unless the woman you instantly feel a connection with happens to be hiding something Quite Serious. Hannah is hiding something, but what is it?

When you first meet Hannah, she reflects her last name: she is bright, sunny, helpful, and playful. You know something's going on with her and that she's hiding something, and you sense she is very much in the dangerous, theatening situation Ryan hopes to avoid. But as Malpas shows, you can take the boy out of MI5, but you can't take the MI5 out of the boy. Ryan becomes suspicious, and the more he finds out, the more he realizes that Hampton won't give him the peaceful idyll he hoped.

As Malpas weaves her tale, she also builds and builds the romance between Ryan and Hannah. It is COMBUSTIBLE, dear readers. You will feel their chemistry burn off the page. You also see them open up to each other in ways they won't--they can't--with other people. You hope and hope that Ryan and Hannah can figure out her history so she can be saved and he can have the love he wants and needs.

When I talk about Jodi Ellen Malpas's books with friends, they're shocked (shocked, I tell you) that my least favorites are the This Man books. For me, those stories are two people yelling at each other. I love all the other Malpas couples, and now I can add Ryan and Hannah to that list. So strap on your vibrators and get to reading this one.