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Beneath This Man Paperback – November 26, 2013
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Jesse Ward drowned her with his intensity and blindsided her with his passion, but he kept her away from his dark secrets and broken soul. Leaving him was the only way Ava O'Shea could survive. She should have known that Jesse Ward is impossible to escape--and now he's back in her life, determined to remind her of the sensual pleasures they had shared. Ava is equally determined to get at the truth beneath this man's steely exterior. That means letting herself get close to the Lord of the Manor once more. And it's exactly where Jesse wants her--within touching distance...
- Print length544 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherForever
- Publication dateNovember 26, 2013
- Dimensions5.25 x 1.38 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101455578347
- ISBN-13978-1455578344
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"I couldn't tear myself away."―FictionVixen.com
"This Man was a sexy, infuriating, wild ride. The back and forth in this book gave me whiplash ... I cannot wait for Beneath This Man!"―TheBookListReviews.blogspot.com
"This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas really hooked me right from the beginning. It's erotic and passionate and romantic ... it'll also leave you wanting more."―BookishTemptations.com
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Forever
- Publication date : November 26, 2013
- Edition : This Man Trilogy
- Language : English
- Print length : 544 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1455578347
- ISBN-13 : 978-1455578344
- Item Weight : 15.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.25 x 1.38 x 8 inches
- Book 2 of 4 : This Man
- Best Sellers Rank: #608,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,401 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- #10,811 in Contemporary Women Fiction
- #17,102 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

#1 New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling Author Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, her boys, and Theo the Doberman. She is a self-professed daydreamer and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males.
Writing powerful love stories with fierce, memorable characters is her passion - a passion that has taken her on an amazing journey into the limelight of romantic fiction. Her work is now published in more than twenty-five languages across the world.
Find out more about Jodi at www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a satisfying read with a captivating storyline featuring great twists and turns, and they appreciate how it keeps them entranced throughout. The characters are well-developed, with one customer noting how Jesse's character grows throughout the book, and the story maintains an emotional gamut from start to finish. While some customers find the writing well-crafted, others note issues with grammar and readability. The book receives mixed feedback about its frustration level, with customers describing it as complex and repetitive at times.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book to be a satisfying and interesting read, particularly noting that Book 3 is even better than Book 2.
"...That is a very realistic, human quality and I commend Ms. Malpas for her realism in both of these characters...." Read more
"...enough to keep reading and I’m so glad I did, this book and book 3 are so much better!..." Read more
""It's pure bliss, baby. total gratification. Absolute, complete earth shifting, universe shaking love"..." Read more
"...Really, it was fantastic. Despite my ¡¥issues¡¦ with aspects of the book, Jodi does write flawlessly and that cannot be denied...." Read more
Customers find the book's story captivating with great twists and turns, and one customer notes how the author skillfully builds suspense.
"...with the realities of life would be there and make a great story without the sex scenes. Though, I for one, love those scenes...." Read more
"...She stood up to him, she succumbed to him, she riled him, she created more drama and she kept the mystery going by NOT demanding answers...." Read more
"...Despite all this, I loved it. Lots of secrets are revealed, and we learn more about Ava & Jesse and why they are who they are, which I hated about..." Read more
"...This book was filled with angst, intense drama, frustration and even heart warming moments...." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book engaging and intense, keeping them totally entranced and well worth the wait.
"...And it is off to the races. It is fast-paced and a lot is covered quickly...." Read more
"...It's truly a wild, bumpy and at times emotional ride loaded with undiluted lust and an endless array of scorching sex...." Read more
"...But much improved, no distractions so I could fully concentrate on the story...." Read more
"...The storyline frustrated me so much and not in the good way that I like but in a way that makes me wash my hands of this heroine who is less than..." Read more
Customers love the series, describing it as a fantastic and amazing trilogy, with Book 2 receiving particular praise for being beyond crazy.
"Book 2 is an awesome continuation of this story. The story picks up right where book one left off. And it is off to the races...." Read more
"Book 1 was incredible. Book 2 is unbelievable. The love between Jesse and Ava is absolutely swoon-worthyyyyyyy. I can’t wait to dive into Book 3." Read more
"...Great writing.. and I will say if you need an amazing series that will blow your mind and keep you glued to your seats.. this is what I will recommend" Read more
"...Jodi Ellen Malpas has written a sexy, shocking and surprising book! Ellen: I love how Ava constantly pushed Jesse...." Read more
Customers love the characters in the book, particularly Jessie, with one customer noting how Jesse's character develops throughout the story.
"...The sex is amazing. The struggle is gripping. The realness of the characters make them people, not just names on a page." Read more
"...I still liked all the secondary characters, all their friends & co-workers helped maintain the storyline and added humorous banter to help move the..." Read more
"...He seems like quite the character and I was happy to have more of him and his personality shared...." Read more
"...Jesse is a very intense character, he is broken and damaged. But I can't help but love him. "I need you. I need you strong and healthy...." Read more
Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as intense with an emotional gamut from start to finish, including heart-warming moments and moments that break the heart.
"...It's truly a wild, bumpy and at times emotional ride loaded with undiluted lust and an endless array of scorching sex...." Read more
"...“I Love You” all the time, it was so sweet, the they had some very comfortable & adorable dialogue between them...." Read more
"...was filled with angst, intense drama, frustration and even heart warming moments. Jesse and Ava's relationship has been rocky from the get go...." Read more
"...but it definitely fit well with the story. Totally intense and intriguing story. And yes, there was some seriously scorching sex scenes!..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some finding it well written and easy to read, while others note issues with grammar and misspellings.
"...Despite my ¡¥issues¡¦ with aspects of the book, Jodi does write flawlessly and that cannot be denied...." Read more
"...I think this book was well written; it had a great storyline, and one finally gets a glimps into Jesse's mind...." Read more
"...If you don't like strong language, this is not the read for you. I would recommend this book, and have. The sex is amazing...." Read more
"...I still enjoyed it though, hence the 4 stars. She is a good writer and I have found this story worth reading...." Read more
Customers find the book complex and frustrating at times, noting its ups and downs and repetitive elements, though one customer appreciates its demanding nature.
"...I would recommend this book, and have. The sex is amazing. The struggle is gripping...." Read more
"...It was actually difficult to get through at times...." Read more
"...This book was filled with angst, intense drama, frustration and even heart warming moments...." Read more
"...In the end, no real answers, just more questions that I want answered. And it was not hot and sexy for me. -Did I skim? No...." Read more
Reviews with images

Beneath Jesse Any Day
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2014Format: KindleVerified PurchaseBook 2 is an awesome continuation of this story.
The story picks up right where book one left off. And it is off to the races. It is fast-paced and a lot is covered quickly. Ava steps up and takes the lead for a little while when Jesse is not on his game. There is a lot that comes out and a lot for Ava to deal with, but she handles it beautifully. She is determined to be there for him. And despite the fact that she hasn't voiced her feelings to Jesse, she is true to herself and great for him.
Once they are over the immediate crisis, they start down a path of building a relationship. Ava thinks she knows everything, but Jesse is holding back some important secrets (age no longer one of them). Every time Ava thinks there can't be any more bombshells, another one explodes. I don't know very many 26 year olds that could handle blow after blow that she is hit with.
Ava knows about the sex club. And even though she thought it would be a deal-breaker, it doesn't look like it is going to be. How great is it that while Jesse owns and operates the sex club, he is bound and determined that he and Ava are not going to be a part of it.
THESE BOOKS ARE DEFINITELY NOT STAND-ALONES. You need to read Book 1 first. And you DEFINITELY can't stop with this one. You will want to read Book 3.
Jesse is domineering, he's controlling and protective. Some would say over-protective. He's lost so much, it's his way of coping. He's trying to insure that he doesn't lose the love of his life now that he has finally found her. He knows that everything in his life, everything that he has gone through, has led him to Ava. He just doesn't know how to handle it. He's never had to before.
One reviewer slammed this book as not having a plot line outside of the sex. I completely disagree. That reviewer also spent the better part of her review pointing out that Jesse was an alcoholic. It is obvious from that person's review, that somewhere in her life she has been affected by alcoholism. I would in no way diminish her life experience. However, I do think that it tainted her point of view about the book. Jesse is flawed, majorly flawed. He has had little guidance in his life to point him in directions to constructively deal with the pain that has happened in his life. Everyone goes through that. Take away the sex scenes from this book, you still have a man that is trying to get over a past that would have destroyed most men, and trying to figure out how to show love in a way that he never received. You still have an amazing young woman who has fallen for this wounded man and is making a choice to support him and be there for him no matter what. Ava doesn't look at things blindly. She has to take a step back every once in a while and regroup. That is a very realistic, human quality and I commend Ms. Malpas for her realism in both of these characters. And in a world where we are taught to turn our backs and walk away at the first sign of trouble, it is refreshing to see an author build a character with the fortitude to stay. Ava doesn't blindly accept Jesse, but she stays. She wants to be that one person for him that loves him unconditionally. That is a great quality. Kudos to Ms. Malpas for infusing that into the book. And the struggle with the realities of life would be there and make a great story without the sex scenes. Though, I for one, love those scenes.
Everyone takes something different from a book. I was drawn in by these characters and this story. I read all three books and turned right around and started over. Once I knew the entire story I wanted to experience it again with my knowledge of the twists and turns to see if different things stuck out -- and they did.
Language is strong. F-word is very very prominent in this book. If you don't like strong language, this is not the read for you.
I would recommend this book, and have. The sex is amazing. The struggle is gripping. The realness of the characters make them people, not just names on a page.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013OK, so I broke my own rule to hold off and read series until final book has been released. After reading many good reviews and everybody raving about Jesse I just succumbed to my own craving to get to know Jesse and be swept away by his and Ava's story...
Book 2 has been released and my recommendation is to read them as a set and thus I will review as a set - brace yourself for an epic story!
Jesse Ward (age TBA, 35-45 years approx./playboy-businessman/dark blond hair/green eyes/6'3") needs 10 rooms decorated at a country estate, the Manor. He has specifically requested Ava O'Shea (26 years/interior designer/dark brown hair/dark brown eyes/just out of a 4 year relationship) though she has to prior knowledge of him... There! That's the tone of this series right there - secrets, secrets and more secrets... Their first meeting is electric and the story goes from there.
Wow! Jesse! He is just what I needed. In fact he is everything I needed! But it took me a while to get into him. The first time he started barking orders "Mouth!" I felt like - Wow, that does not make him an alpha. As it turns out Jesse and I just need a little more time to connect and once we did I was on cloud nine (sigh!) He truly is all pure, sexy, hot, dominant alpha male, so intense, possessive, compulsive, a playboy a man full of secrets...
For Ava Jesse was:
"...the epitome of bad boy, if slightly older. He's hazardous, enigmatic and completely addictive..."
"...intense, quite volatile, incredibly self-assured and extremely rich..."
Ava is everything that Jesses needed and everything we needed to keep the story going. She stood up to him, she succumbed to him, she riled him, she created more drama and she kept the mystery going by NOT demanding answers. I almost tore my hair out in despair for her NOT negotiating Sarah out of the picture (no ultimatum needed!). It would have been so simple, but then again we probably need the wicked Sarah stirring, stirring throughout this series.
For Jesse Ava was an obsession, pure and simple:
"...I can't answer that, Ava, because I've never wanted anything enough to pursue it so relentlessly. Not like I wanted you..."
I'd also like to extend my sincere thanks for introducing us to all that is sex with Jesse (or f~s depending on the mood) -
Reminder f~s, Sleepy sex, Make friends sex, Shower f~s, Hangover sex, Catching up sex, Sense f~s, Seeing stars f~s, Apology f~s, Possessive f~s, Retribution f~s, Sleepy celebration sex, and... Truth f~s. The last one courtesy Ava.
***
My only grievance would that these books need some more editing, for ME not enough to deduct any points off my rating. But since I feel strongly that this series is making history, it's only to its benefit for me to point it out: a) At some point I think writing was shifted from past tense to present progressive, but lots of "stood/sat needs" still need fixing. b) Typos, misspellings here and there (bought misspelled as brought throughout book 1?).
***
Back to the positives:
This series is filled with covert pasts and hidden agendas! It's truly a wild, bumpy and at times emotional ride loaded with undiluted lust and an endless array of scorching sex. So far 2 books, almost 1,000 pages, hours upon hours that for me can only described as elated/euphoric angst - I was glued to the pages needing to know what would happen next, yet NOT wanting the books to end - ever! I am so thankful Ms. Malpas!
As I come down from all that is "Central Jesse Cloud Nine" I find myself staring into space. What an a.m.a.z.i.n.g. read! I think I am going to need some sense knocked back into me - seriously! Jesse. Jesse! JESSE! JESSSEEEE! Ugh, actually what I need is for book 3 to be released soon, more like real soon! Ms. Malpas! MS. MALPAS! Three... Two... ONE... ZEROOO!!!
***
Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 5 stars
Story line rating, book 1: 5 stars
Story line rating, book 2: 5+ stars
******************************
Overall rating: 5++ stars
Would I recommend this series: YES!!!
Would I re-read this series: Yes!
Top reviews from other countries
- GolfNutSuzieReviewed in Canada on March 4, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this storyline!
Book #1 was ok, but this one I enjoyed much, much more! Finally, you get to find out more about Jesse and why he acts the way he does and AVa finally SPEAKS what his on her mind. They both actually communicate with each other in this book, which I found less frustrating to the reader who is not always left to try and figure what the hell?. The storyline becomes clear in book #2 and you're kept on edge and engaged with Jesse's past and his internal battles. It is a well written book and the sex scenes are amazing!
What I find interesting is this: in book #1, Ava is always running away from him mostly because she's afraid of getting hurt (which gets to be annoying after 3 times!). In book #2, when you find out more about Jesse, Ava actually has enough GOOD reasons to run very fast and far away from him ("Ho, he gorged on women. I prefer dabbled" Ava thought), but yet, she stays....
Obviously there is more to be told about Jesse and Ava and this will come in book #3, which I'm very much looking forward to.
- DBReviewed in France on April 21, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars set in London, sooooo good
I so loved this series. I think the characters believable and story fantastic, waiting for the last instalment in July
- maria belen couce grañaReviewed in Spain on February 20, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars good book and sequel
Here again you get a good reference of London, the wealth, extravagance and you earn a little bit more of who this enigmatic male is - Jesse.
- BibliophileReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't make me wait too long for the end...
Thank you,thank you, thank you, Jodi! First: Thanks for not making us wait a whole year for the second installment, thank you for the story and the wicked romance, thank you for mentioning David Kimmerle to help us appreciate how steaming hot Jesse is and thank you for filling my head and thoughts with such a captivating trilogy.
Second: The music tracks picked are fabulous. I especially enjoyed Foster The People's Pumped Up Kicks and am, in fact, listening to it as I write this![...]
Third: This books hits so many of my chocolicious buttons - romance, obsession, compulsions, volcanic emotions and sex, denial, angst, twists, turns and big reveals, the bitchy 'other woman' he totally ignores, a disturbed psyche that only her tender embrace can soothe... Jodi, you could have written this book just for me.
Story: If you haven't read This Man (TM) then DO THAT FIRST! Beneath This Man (BTM) continues from the cliff we were left hanging off (by the fingernails, I might add) and yes, you guessed it, Jesse and Ava do meet again. There will be enough reviews out there with spoilers so I shan't go down that route. What I will say is that several of things that were glanced upon in TM are revealed in their entirety (unless the final book tells us more) in BTM - such as Jesse's absence for those four days (!!!), his drinking and those damned pills! We also get up close and personal with the Manor. The things we loved about Jesse and Ava in TM are amped up by their words and behaviour in BTM.
The secondary characters are really great and I really liked the way small things, such as Ava's observation of Sally's attire, reveals more about Ava's character. That is real show and tell character development.
My only gripe is editing, mainly punctuation and grammar - 'hadn't of took' instead of 'hadn't taken'. Silly simple things, but for the sake of time (getting that book posted on Amazon by the deadline), I don't particularly care. The story overwhelms what, in other books, would have me gritting my teeth and ruining the experience.
Read it - just bloody read it! - if you are a fan of FSOG, BD and Crossfire; you won't be disappointed.
- Anu KumarReviewed in India on April 12, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars First of all let me start about how wonderful the writing is
First of all let me start about how wonderful the writing is. It’s sensational and it’s erotically romantic {obviously} one who carves to have dark/possessive lovers, this book is made for you. Jesse Ward is one of the finest heartthrob that I’m pleased to come across in my life. No matter how many erotic or any kind of novels that I read, I will and always have a special place for him. And the female character! She is the best! She’s mature, smart at how she handles things, not afraid to say NO. She is strong, well-behaved women who’s perfect for someone like Jesse. This story shows that age is just a number and love can change anyone. Even the cruelest person in the world. It takes time but when the time comes you’ll be thankful to have that person who showed you how to live and love 💕 “This Man” triology is one of the best books out there. If I’m given the chance to choose between fifty shades of grey and this. Without batting an eye, I’d choose “this man”