The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a standalone full-length romance novel.
Meet Annie, a successful business woman and Jack, a contractor, gorgeous and lonely, so it seems.
Both meet an d have this crazy insta-chemistry. Really through the roof high chemistry.
They spend the night together and their sex is scorching hot, like scorching firealarm hot.
What Annie doesn't know is that he's forbidden.
Some time later they meet again and the bomb drops. And now Annie's between a rock and a hard place. Are they soulmates, destined to be together?
Let me tell you, this book gutted the hell out of me. It's hard to review The Forbidden, because it would be too easy to give it all away. Just know this, The Forbidden is a great story. The writing is excellent and I loved the characters very much. Their flaws, their weaknesses and their strength.
I was hooked from page one and read the book in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.
I recommend The Forbidden and give 5 stars. Thank you Jodi Ellen Malpas .

Annie has just moved into her lovely new home, this is an exciting new step for her as she sets up her home office for her architecture business. She has a fantastic group of friends that she regularly catches up with but has no significant 'other' in her life. In fact she has never really felt that all consuming thing that a couple of her friends have, maybe she will never have that?

While out drinking one night with her posse, she has one of those weird moments she has heard about but never experienced. Her eyes meet with a man's across a crowded room... okay she is actually quite pissed and standing at the bar buying yet more shots to indulge in when she meets Jack. She can barely stand straight, let alone balance a tray of tequila.

When a sexy voice offers some assistance she experiences this spine tingling feeling, like she never has before. This utterly gorgeous man is speaking to her. He not only looks good, he smells good, his voice is sexy and she would be happy to surrender her knickers right there in the bar if they hadn't already melted off her. Annie is not imagining this connection, Jack is feeling it too and he feels just as overwhelmed as she does. However, nothing can become of this connection and Jack walks away at the end of the evening.

Turns out that Jack only gets as far as the curb before Annie and he end up in a hotel room together. They experience THE most incredible night of unadulterated, raw, passionately hot sex. Annie has never been with such a ravenous man and had no idea it could be this good - ever. However, this does not stop her from slipping away while he is sleeping. After all, she will never see this guy again right?

She couldn't have been more wrong, she not only sees him again but she also discovers the reason why he first tried to walk away from her. If that hasn't left her feeling like a stunned mullet, she also finds out she will be working with Jack on her current project - the biggest project she has worked on, a career defining project. This man that she has not been able to stop thinking about, every moment of that night they had together is etched into her memory and is on constant replay.

'I know I shouldn't want you. But I do. Nothing has ever made me feel this insane with need. Nothing has taken up so much space in my head.'

Quite a conundrum huh? And all of this happens in the first few chapters of this story which turns into a huge angst-fest of forbidden attraction between two people who cannot be together but desperately want each other. Jodi does a fantastic job of expressing all the emotional conflict, heartache and torment that these two characters go through and I could not stop reading - although sometimes I had my hand over my eyes and peeked between the fingers!

'You're trapped,' I whisper. We're trapped. There's no way out.'

Sweet Jesus. This book!! Jodi Ellen Malpas kept me up most of the night devouring moment moment.  I could not stop reading because she either had my jaw on the ground or I was screaming at my device, thinking - oh no you didn't just do that!! It was such an intense and captivating reading experience. I can't even tell you how much I loved The Forbidden.

The craziest part of it all - I would have never have picked this book up if I knew what the main storyline was. I actively avoid stories that go against one of my moral dealbreakers. (This is me telling you that this book might be a tigger for some people.  This isn't your typical, boy meets girl and they fall in love romance)

Which is why I was completely surprised to find myself empathetic and rooting for Jack and Annie. From their first few moments together at the bar, I was caught up in their connection and all of the excitement from the instant lust shared between these two characters.  I was giddy with anticipation for when they would act on their feelings again.  My heart was torn for all that they had to face and find answers to.  It's a major journey for them to find a happily ever after.

So major kudos to Jody Allen Malpas. You have done the impossible. You left me completely smitten by characters who I would normally hate.  This love story is well thought out and excellently written. Everything unfolds smoothly and there's never a moment you want to walk away from this couple.

The Forbidden is one my absolute top recommendations of this summer.  Everyone should meet this couple and experience all of the raw emotion that their romance will bring out within you.  This is a must read love story.

I have heard nothing but amazing things about Jodi Ellen Malpas books so when I got the chance to read The Forbidden I was so excited and I dived into this story as soon as I possibly could eager to see what this story had in store and OMG this book was fantastic. I wish I could go into fine detail about what happens in this book but its best to go into this book knowing as little a possible, just like I did . The title of this book is just perfect because some things that happen in this book are definitely under the forbidden list there is no over exaggeration and Iam going to be quite honest when I realized what was happening I was thinking to my self Iam I going to like to this book ? because the storyline is one that I am usually pretty uneasy of about, however, I go into every book I read with a open mind, ready to see what each story has in store and Iam so glad I did that with this book because it was amazing . Every scene was so powerful and evoked such emotion, I was hooked to every page , every sentence, every word needing to know what would happen next I could not put this book down. This story took so much twist and turns , and just had me so wrapped up in the story I lost track of time and before I knew it I read an entire book in 2 hours lol. The Forbidden was a sexy , addicting , thrilling contemporary romance and even hours after reading this book Iam still thinking about it . Iam eager to see what Jodi Ellen Malpas will write next and if you love all these things in your books you should definately pick up a copy of this book as soon as you can.

I gave this book two stars because the writing was easy to follow however, this book was a tragic story of two self-absorbed characters. I felt no compassion for their situation nor did I believe in the romance and chemistry between the two. The ending was very dramatic and was a desperate attempt at saving the plot.

Okay, I finished this book about 48 hours ago and I’m still struggling to write a review that will express all the emotions I went through while reading. I wish I could include my voice recordings to my fellow book nerd and friend Stephanie of Stephanie’s Book Reports because they are hilarious. Her evil laugh is also quite funny as well.
Okay, let’s see how this goes.
Annie and Jack meet one night in a bar and BOOM – the chemistry between them is off the charts. Right from the start, I knew this book was going to cause me anxiety. It just had that “thing” about it before I even realized why Jack was forbidden. It became a book I wanted to consume but needed to walk away often because it was too stressful – in the best way possible. Although, often I found myself right back at it – after of course shouting at the Kindle or typing furiously to my friend going “What the f*ck is going on here!?”
Jodi’s writing is flawless and she has that talent that keeps you wanting to read a book even though you know it is going to be the death of you! haha
I can’t say much about the plot without giving it away and I’m so not about that but know it’s good. Like really good but know there’s angst. So if you don’t like a book like that this isn’t for you. However, if causing yourself loss of sleep, endless hours of talking to yourself and the urge to hop on a plane and go find Jodi so you can go yell at her for driving you nuts then get this book now!
I actually did tag her several times on social media and she was so sympathetic – not! Anyway, if you haven’t guessed it, this book is a five star read for me. I love a book that drives me batty!

Quite simply, that quote is me. I thought this genre was a hard limit for me, yet I devoured every single word of this novel. I couldn’t get enough of this illicit love story. Had I known the plot prior to starting I probably would have disregarded this title, no matter how much I love the author, because I feel so strongly about the subject matter. I would have disparaged a delectably, sinful passion that literally became my obsession. Ms. Malpas delivered an epic liaison, rife with yearning and ardor. I hate that I loved this journey as much as I did. How could something so wrong, be so right? The complexities of the situation were wonderfully illustrated and the lure of temptation exquisitely brought to light.
The love affair between Annie Ryan and Jack Joseph is a passion full of heartache and hope. It’s an intense romance ladened with lust, and riddled with deceit. I loved the intellectual level the author imposed in these characters and the inner dialogue helped me see a different side of something I was sure I wanted nothing to do with. The push and the pull of the hero and heroine was intoxicating. I loved the supporting cast as much as the mains, giving the reader an authentic dose of reality. I love it when an authors words not only make me feel, but force me to take a step out of myself and gain another perspective, causing me to question my perceptions of right and wrong.

Since the moment I saw this book I was dying to read it, I mean, I didn't know what it was about but I LOVE the cover, later I read the blurb and sounded good but I never expected this.

This book is amazing, and while it certainly has a "forbidden" topic, the way it was written I almost forget about it.
I seriously could't stop reading because I was obsessed to know what what next, I was worried about my heart and my mental health because in some parts I couldn't stop crying, but then the author rewarded me with beautiful scenes to keep me sane and go on.

"He should have what he wants, and if I am everything that he wants, then I have to help him have me"

Annie and Jack were in a hard and difficult situation, but I couldn't stop rooting for their HEA. It's not an ideal situation but only a strong woman can face all that Annie faced to prove to everybody that that was truly love.
I can't say for which one of them my heart hurt more, if for Annie being in the middle of this or for Jack going through all this alone.... until Annie.

"The forbidden is too irresistible. It has a dangerous allure and a compelling magnetism. And it's certainly going to inflict pain and anguish."

Right now I can't find the words to explain how amazing this book is, or if I ever will be, it's been a whole day since I finished the book and I still feel emotional.... I lost a night of sleep but I gained a story that will be with me for a long time. One of my favorite books of the year.

If possible, read this book without knowing much about it. Put yourself in Annie's shoes as she discovers that her heart, which she thought was not programmed for love, most definitely is. And then be there with her when that heart gets crushed.

Jodi Ellen Malpas titled this book Forbidden purposefully. In her author's note at the start of the book, she tells you that "The Forbidden is controversial" and that she has "no doubt it'll cause debate." And she's right. She crafts a taboo romance that might bother or even offend some of her readers. Undoubtedly social media will have its hackles up and accuse her of glorifying something people hold sacred.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

This is my favorite book of Malpas's. It is more emotionally poignant and compelling. Your heart will feel as if it's outside your chest. You will want to reach into this book and grab Annie, sometimes to shout at her, other times to comfort her. You will want to shout at her friends, and you will want to take them to a pub and buy them a round of drinks.

You will want to shout at Jack, and you will want to offer him encouragement and sympathy.

I don't mean to make this book sound like a nonstop angst-fest. It isn't. There is humor, warmth, and a whole lot of the hot sex. Malpas is on point with the hot headboard rocking in this book, giving you the perfect amount of delicious detail. Strap on those vibrators, girls, because you will beg for release.

I think part of the reason for the success of Jodi Ellen Malpas's Hot Romance Novels is that she understands how to pace a story, and that includes when and how to incorporate the hot sex. A sex scene just for the sake of having a sex scene insults readers. What Malpas does, with this book in particular, is show you how sex can bring two people together and how it can drop an emotional time bomb into a relationship.

I would love to know your thoughts on this book, so please do read it and then come back and hit up the comments with your opinions.

This book took me a few chapteres before I got into it. I’m so glad I stuck with it. Once I got to a certain point in the book I couldn’t put it down. The pages wouldn’t turn fast enough.

I can’t imagine loving someone that I can’t have. Let alone someone you have to see them almost everyday. Annie is a successful woman who owns her own business and is down on her luck with men. She never thought she would meet someone and have an intense chemistry.

The chemistry between Annie and Jack is intense and neither of them can fight it. I don’t want to give anything away. Jodi Ellen Malpas is a must read for me and I am looking forward to more of her work.

I will admit, the premise of this book will turn some people off.  The author even admits that some may run the other direction when they find out.  But I have to say, this was an angsty, gut-wrenching read that was undeniably hard to put down and to deny this couple wasn't meant for each other.

Annie was determined to make a name for herself as an architect.  She had no time for romantic entanglements.  She had her business and her best friends...in her mind that was all she needed.  Until the night she met Jack at a bar.  He was charming, made her laugh and she was unbelievably attracted to him.  That attraction led to an unbelievable night and Annie's world turning upside down.

When we first meet Annie in the book, she came across as a little cold.  She was happy with how life and putting it into the little boxes she had carved out for it.  But when she met Jack, she came alive.  She flirted and laughed, I enjoyed this Annie.  And when she met Jack outside the pub and had that explosive night, there was not denying the chemistry they had.  I didn't want Annie to let go of Jack or what she felt when she was with him.  And I was devastated right there with her when she found out Jack's secret.

I have never, nor would I ever, condone someone cheating.  In my opinion, if you feel the need to be with someone else you should leave the person you're with.  And when Jack's marriage came out, I was a little betrayed.  But as the story unfolded and we saw more into Jack's married life I could understand why he chased after Annie when he wasn't truly free.  

Love doesn't always come at the most convenient time and I imagine the desperation and the need to hold onto something good could make you do something you normally wouldn't do.  Jack's desperation was almost a secondary character at times.  He was stuck and was blinded as to how to get out of the mess he was in (given the state of his wife, maybe he knew she was walking a thin line).

I think of all the JEM books I've read, this one is one of my favorites.  Jack and Annie don't have an easy road.  They are sometimes their own worst enemies.  But their love was one you couldn't deny and I was desperate for them to some way, shape or form, find they're happily ever after.

When I initially thought about reading this book I knew I was going to get upset with the thought of cheating but I opened my eyes to something that could happen and does happen to many people.

Annie and Jack's story is about finding yourself, deciding what you are willing to do and what you are willing to stand for. The first night was only supposed to be one night...no regrets...no future...absolutely nothing. In insight nothing always leads to something and the love and struggle that they faced as individuals and as a couple was strong.

Annie was business oriented and needed to prove not only to herself but also the world that she has substance and he drive was fierce. She was at the top of her "game" and proved it daily. She just needed a special person in her life to pull it all together.

Jack was a business man whose life was not the way he wanted. He was pulled into a life of need and a life of payback. He was not happy and he needed to substance Annie was able to provide.

This story was by far a fantastic book to read and I wouldn't expect anything else from Jodi Ellen Malpas!!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

I think that it first needs to be pointed out that this book is about cheating. The main characters have, what the title suggests – a forbidden affair.

Annie has been all about her new career now for a while. Even her friends make fun of her – she's an up and coming architect and because of that, she is constantly working. Finally able to afford her own place, she is all about new beginnings and fresh starts. Her friends are also giving her a hard time about her lack of men. Micky is her best friend since forever and Lizzy and Nat are her closest girlfriends. They all are woven into the story well and I hope we get to see more from them.

Jack is struggling with life. He is in an abusive relationship and his work is his only escape. He heads to the bar in order to escape a life he knows he shouldn't be trapped in. When he notices Annie, he just can't help himself. Despite knowing it's wrong, he can't seem to get Annie out of his mind or away from his bed.

What follows is a twisted love story. One where people know they shouldn't be together, but their pull and love is too strong for even them to break. There is judgment, hatred, love and ultimately, each character has to decide for themselves whether or not there will be anything else.

This is a well-rounded story that seems fairly honest about cheating and how guilty the included parties behave. While I wouldn't say that it was on par with the This Man series, I can definitely see its appeal.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
The premise of the book is about something rarely written about: adultery. Annie meets Jack at a bar and the attraction between the two is off the charts. After leaving his hotel room, Annie regrets not finding out his last name because of the connection she feels to him.

Several weeks later as she is hosting a house warming party for herself, who appears at her door? Jack and his wife. Immediately Annie regrets what happened and the immense guilt over what she has done overwhelms her. Jack is relentless in his pursuit of her and eventually, Annie gives in.

The premise is solid and the characters are well written. What bothered me was the reason why Jack's marriage was failing. Yes, it could happen, but more realistically life doesn't give you such a clear cut reason why a marriage doesn't work.

The book was written in its entirety from Annie's point of view and her angst, guilt, and love are expressed in such a manner that the emotions are leaping off the page. I would have liked a few chapters where we get to see Jack's point of view, his feelings, and how he reacts to the situation they find themselves in.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This sure is a difficult book to review. I loved it, madness and all, even if I shouldn't have. The fact that it does veer into the very unlikely level of crazy, (in my opinion) it actually made it easier to read – perhaps because it took the forbidden element in a different direction.

I could not help but like Jack; his life choices may be debatable, but the man himself is most definitely hot, desirable, and intelligent. How he and Annie cope with life's latest adventure may not be acceptable to all – but placed in the situation, I wonder how many people would risk all for a feeling of rightness?

This well-penned story gives the reader plenty to think about, a lot to enjoy, and maybe a revised view of what the limits are, and why. I definitely intend to put this in my reread pile, because in my haste to know just how it would work out, I may have missed sleep and therefore nuance with my tired brain!

Thank you, Ms. Malpas.

“You possess me. You own me. You rule me. You are everything to me, Annie Ryan.”

Jodi Ellen Malpas is back with a standalone page turner; a story of intense, knee trembling passion, heartfelt emotion, a forbidden love story that saw us completely involved in Jack and Annie and their plight. This was a forbidden romance in every sense of the word, and it’s one we believed in.

“Stop fucking lying to me! Stop saying what your head is demanding and start listening to your fucking heart.”

Annie Ryan hasn’t never been swept off her feet. In fact, she’s never experienced love with a man. Intense passion? Emotional involvement? Not that either. Instead, Annie turned her attention to pouring her passion into her successful Architectural business she has built from the ground up.

However, whilst on a night out with her mates she’s blindsided when she experiences the intense pull and chemistry with Jack Joseph. His mere presence sends her heart racing, sends her knickers in a twist and sees them spending a night of unbridled passion, only for Annie to get cold feet and bolt without so much as a goodbye, the next morning.

“If I ever lay eyes on you again, Annie, I can’t promise I’ll do what’s best and walk away next time.”

As fate would have it, Jack and Annie’s paths cross again under complicated circumstances. It turns out Jack owns a construction business….that’s right, they’ll be working together! Now, Jack and Annie are compatible on every level. Physically, mentally and emotionally – they’re perfect for each other. So, when they meet at Annie’s party a short time after a night of wicked sex, they can pick up where they left off, right? Wrong! Jack turns up to Annie’s party, totally clueless to the fact he will once again come face to face with the woman who had recently shook his world.

Well, it’s her alright and things become awkward because Jack is there with his wife! Yep, Jack is married. He’s forbidden fruit! Albeit Jack’s marriage is anything but happy, but he’s married and therefore off limits. However, try telling Jack and Annie’s treacherous hearts that!

“I’ll hold your hand through this if you hold mine.”
“I’ll never let go, Annie. Not for anything.”

We lived and breathed the potency of this story, believing in the confliction Jack and Annie were both experiencing. The clandestine catch ups had us holding our breaths, the confrontations with friends and loved ones had us clutching our hearts. We understood everyone’s perspective and we desperately wanted Jack and Annie to find their happiness and boy, did we have to work for it!

‘I know that him plus me equals amazing. I can’t resist him; I’ve tried so bloody hard. I want him. Need him. ‘

We especially love Jodi’s male characters and in Jack, this author given us a man of contradictions, who brought with him so much depth. Sure, Jack displayed the alpha tendency this author is synonymous with, however Jack also showed a searing and beautiful vulnerability. Jack is a victim in his marriage yet this did not emasculate him in any way. Not in the least, it made him stronger in our eyes. A man so desperately unhappy in his marriage, and so blissfully happy when he’s with Annie, yet wanting to do the best for both. We felt everything he was going through.

“Don’t make me give you up, Annie.”

Fans of stories with angst, heartfelt emotion, scorching passion, and edge of your seat drama, you’ll l enjoy this one.

Oh the tangled webs we weave. Being a massive JEM fan, aka she is my unicorn author and I even told her so at RT this past May, this book blew me out of the water. You get your Lord type man with all the trimmings in Jack. He is utterly swoon worthy and just plain wow! Then you have Annie who is so career driven and all about the job, and watching her melt to Jack was just unbelievable.
I will out right say that this book will not be for most people. There will be factors that you won’t like. There will be moments you go WTF are you thinking Annie, but I see the side of something that happens in everyday life that JEM wrote in such a stunning way. There were moments I wanted to smack both Jack and Annie but honestly you cannot help who you fall in love with. I won’t lie. I was in Annie’s shoes at one point in my life. I felt the same range of emotions she did at the time.
Overall, I found this book really raw and gritty with the passion that packs a punch. I enjoyed every moment of it. I am the kind of person that has no hard limits when it comes to reading, and this one was just brilliantly written in such a way that you are immersed in the world that JEM created. If you are a huge fan of her work, you will love this story regardless.

If you want your buttons pushed and are in the mood for an angsty read, this is definitely the book for you. The Forbidden is JEM at her best--she gives us characters, Jack and Annie , and they are in the best time--up and coming in their careers, young and vibrant, fun and funny friends with so much ahead of them as she creates a huge obstacle to their happiness. It's an impossible love and it's one that they both fight against and for. At any point you find yourself pushing for them to find a way and pushing for them to walk away. Gahhh! Angst!! And just when you are thinking that's it, I can't take it, JEM gives you a reprieve of sorts and even though you hate that Jack and Annie have to live like their living you can breathe...sort of. And then, BOOM!, things change, truths are revealed and you're anxious all over again. It's quite a ride to that happily ever after, y'all.

The Forbidden will not be for every reader--check the warning--but if the warning doesn't scare you, jump in and be ready to be up all night reading.

**link to review will come when review is live**

I can't even begin to tell you how many emotions this book put me through. I was frustrated with the characters and their situation. I swooned over Jack. I rooted for the main couple despite the situation and despite the fact that I normally wouldn't. I was devastated by the many obstacles that faced the characters and I even laughed at certain parts.

This book definitely put me through the ringer. I wouldn't have it any other way. I absolutely love Jodi Ellen Malpas' work and this book was no different. It was so beautifully written. I went into this blind and was so glad I did. It would have been a completely different experience had I not. I was on the edge of my seat the entire story and read it in one sitting. I was completely absorbed and left speechless after reading. I had to take time to even form the words for this review.

I cannot wait to see what Jodi has in store for us next. I never know what to expect.

Jodi Ellen Malpas” The Forbidden was one of my most anticipated reads for August and I expected so much but I am sad to say that I was disappointed with this book.

It wasn’t because it was lacking in the romance and chemistry department. From the very first encounter, Jack and Annie had that in spades but what was frustrating for me was the multitude of character flaws.

Sure I was enticed by the desire to know “How something so wrong could be so right?”- I was plagued with the thoughts of when was cheating ever admissible and when I discovered the reasons behind Jack’s actions I first felt empathy but that immediately transformed into aggravation because of his weakness.

There are other reasons but this is the most important I need to mention. The question is, would I recommend reading this book? Absolutely, it was entertaining enough. The end was good and my opinion is just one of many. Perhaps it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Read it and let me know what you think…