Let me first confess: while I own several Jodi Ellen Malpas books, Leave Me Breathless is the first one I've actually read and now I'm kicking myself for waiting so long! She masterfully intertwined heat and suspense, while introducing characters that were interesting and easy to empathize with. I loved how much Ryan just wanted a break from drama and chaos (and so does Hannah really), so he goes to a quintessential place of peace for him, only to fall in love with a woman that (inadvertently) brings all the things he is trying to get away from! I also really loved the small town setting and the way humor was used in the book in a way that lightened up what could have otherwise been very heavy. I definitely plan to read The Protector very soon (I need Jake's story) and I look forward to seeing what the author offers us next! 4 out of 5 wine glasses.

5 Stars!

Jodi Ellen Malpas left me completely breathless with every single word and every single page in this brand new romantic suspense and y'all I couldn't get enough!! I've been a huge, huge fan of this author since she created THE LORD **fans self** and while nothing will ever compare to Jesse #sorrynotsorry, they've gotten pretty dang close with each new book.

Leave Me Breathless is her brand new emotional, sexy, swoony standalone following the brilliant Protector and this is NOT one you want to miss out on. From the intriguing blurb (make sure to check it out!!) to that to. die. for. cover, this book had me pulled in before I even started (plus I floooooooved The Protector so I was already all in!). Ryan and Hannah lit up my kindle from the very moment landed on my kindle and I soared through the pages during their journey. I could not put them down or let them go for a single second.

Unforgettable. Unputdownable. Unstoppable. Undeniable. This book was PERFECTION in every little way.

I'd recommend JEM every single day of the week to ANYONE who likes an edgy, suspenseful, all-in type of romance.

I highly recommend this book.

4.25 Stars / 3.5 Steam Fans

Like many J.E.M. stories, this one caught me off guard as being much more than what it appears from the start. Ryan is a "retired" MI-6 agent that returns to the small town where his daughter lives. Hannah is the new art store owner in this small town and has a very clumsy nature. Ryan accidentally hits Hannah with his vehicle and from there they start this journey of finding peace, acceptance, and opening one's heart back to love.

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Leave Me Breathless is a stand alone novel written by Jodi Ellen Malpas. There is a tiny connection to The protector, but you don't have to read that book in order to understand what is going on in this one.

I wasn't expecting Ryan to have a daughter to be honest and I was a little thrown off at first, but she won me over. I still find her a little too mature for someone her age, and sometimes she seemed like the only voice of reason. There is some drama with her mother, but for most of the book things are good.

I liked the small town setting and how Ryan and Hannah met and started becoming something more. The secrets Hannah was keeping were slowly revealed to us and they weren't pretty. If they were they wouldn't be a secret, right? They were told in an usual way, but I liked it.

The suspense was good and so was the romance. The pace was also good and I enjoyed the book a lot.

This author never fails to disappoint. I devoured this story. These characters are such well written characters

Ryan Willis has returned to the small home town for a break from his protection job. On his way to his secluded cabin, he runs into Hannah Bright, I do mean runs into with his truck she was riding her bike until he crashed into it. Being away he did not know that she had moved into town and had also opened an art store, what he does know is he is attracted to her. She is to him as well but she is running from her past. When he finally starts putting it all together he calls his former boss for information and his partner who says he has a way of attracting trouble, but still comes to his help. The story is fast-paced but good, with nice changes with an outdoor shower scene instead of indoor and the use of the story taking place in the woods, for me just added to the story. Overall a very good book.

I was a little nervous before reading this book since I haven’t read The Protector yet. I didn’t feel lost at all.

Ryan & Hannah’s story was definitely a slow burn romance with a bit of suspense. I got lost in JEM’s words and couldn’t put down this story. I read in one sitting.

I look forward to more by Jodi Ellen Malpas.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

“I don’t want this to end yet.”
“This never ends, Hannah.”
“Everything ends.”
“This…never…ends…”

If you’re a fan of Jodi Ellen Malpas you’ll no doubt be dying to flip the pages of her latest standalone, Leave Me Breathless. The trademarks of this author are all apparent, the ones we’ve all come to love from her, but in Ryan Willis, although still possessive and commanding, we have hero somewhat ‘softer’ for want of a better word, and we loved him! In saying that, Ryan Willis very much retains the masculine alpha Jodi writes so well. Ex-M15 and army, he’s the guy you’d want on your side…and in your bed. Phwoarrr, he really is very delicious without being overbearing!

We really enjoyed Leave Me Breathless. We adored Hannah Bright, our heroine, who really was, by all regards, a hero herself! As this woman’s past unravelled, we cheered her on and stood behind her every step of the way. A warrior, a survivor – she may have been sweet and quiet in personality, but she was all grit and heart underneath.

“This is me, Ryan. There is nothing else for me to give you, just this. Isn’t it enough?”
I find myself smiling almost immediately, her message received loud and clear. It is more than enough.’

Leave Me Breathless is a romantic suspense as such, with a small-town setting which we loved. The friendly, quirky townsfolk of Hampton were welcoming and entertaining, as was this story. What more could we want, romance, passion, suspense, intrigue, humour and emotion. Tick, tick, tick!

The story opens with Ryan and his partner Jake Sharp (you’ll remember him from The Protector) cheating death on another dangerous case, and they’re done. They want boring. They want quiet. For Jake, he just wants to get home to his wife, Cami, Ryan wants to relax in the idyllic Hampton, spending time with his cute daughter. Lounging back in his cabin without a worry in the world.

“I don’t want to look at you when I tell you what I’m about to tell you,” she says quietly. “I don’t want your sympathy.”

Also wanting a quiet life is Hannah Bright. Opening a cute little arts and crafts store in town, Hannah hopes Hampton, in the Peak District will give her the peace and sanctuary she craves. But what is she running from? What drove her to the out of the way, Hampton? And can she be safe?

Ryan and Hannah quite literally bump into each other and though they didn’t get off on the best footing, sparks soon fly and the chemistry sizzles between them. Ryan’s ten-year-old (going on thirty) daughter Alex takes a shine to Hannah as well, and for the first time Ryan sees a future, but will Hannah hang around long enough for that to come to fruition, or will her past catch up with her.

‘Ryan wants me. Just the way I am. He’s filling the empty spaces inside me. And I can’t help letting him in.’

We were certainly kept entertained throughout Leave Me Breathless, falling in love with the characters – especially the banter with Ryan and his daughter, Alex. She really was an old soul and gave us quite the giggle. The closing chapters were especially emotional and a perfect place to end Ryan and Hannah’s story. A charming and at times suspenseful story we adored!

“I don’t ever want to scare you.” I’m not scared of him, not like that. I’m scared because he leaves me completely breathless.’

Absolutely adored this story! Malpas has a beautiful way of weaving a story that keeps you on your toes and fall in love with her characters!

Gahhhhhh JEM really left me high once I reached the end to this witty, sexy and fun story.

The characters are totally the type of characters that you will fall in love with since the moment they are mentioned in the book. Their chemistry is just super hot and it will make you fall in love with them instantly.

JEM always has a way of creating stories that will make her readers fall in love.

You could never go wrong and you will always love anything that this author writes because that's how good and fun and entertaining her writing is.

Leave Me Breathless left me just like the title of the book. I was breathless with these characters. I love a man who can make my heart pitter patter especially when they are a single father who is a doting father and knows how to take care of his family.

Ryan mesmerized me with his intensity and Hannah instantly won my heart with her charm and pleasant attitude.

4.5 Breathless stars

Its been a while since I read a book from JEM and after reading this one I'm not sure why I have waited for so long. This book honestly did leave me breathless. Ryan has certainly given Jesse a run for his money in the swoon-worthy stakes.

JEM has done a great job with this book by giving us a steamy romance mixed with some suspense. A sexy British alpha male who will have your pulse racing is the perfect match for the quirky sexy artist in Hannah.

I loved these characters, they were easy to connect to and had you invested in them from beginning to end. Hannah has been through so much and is living in fear, barely living until she meets Ryan and he gives her hope.

Another great read from JEM and I am looking forward to seeing what she brings us next.

I enjoyed this story. It had suspense and romance that made me swoon. I loved the male character in this one. I thought he was charming and easy to fall for. That said, it was a little slow for me at times. However, the storyline was well built as well as the world that it takes place in and I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Jodi Ellen Malpas.

I read The Controversial Princess and was hooked on JEM from there, so when the opportunity to read her gem again, I was like heck yeah!!

I must say that even though this was different from her previous books, IMO, I still got lost in Hannah & Ryan's story. Hannah running from her past & Ryan wanting a break from his "never know what will happen" kind of job. Hannah having a creative and free spirit was different to Ryan's always needing the next adrenaline hit but the one thing they both had in common was the intense chemistry. Hannah being careful not to give away hints of her past made Ryan work harder to figure her out because he was all in. And let's not forget Alex- Ryan's daughter- sassy 10 year old going on 20. I thought I had it figured out yet I was very mistaken. Be prepared to get lost and pay close attention because you might miss a clue or two.

LEAVE ME BREATHLESS by Jodi Ellen Malpas is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, romantic suspense story focusing on former MI5 agent, thirty-nine year old single father Ryan Willis, and thirty-three year old, artist Hannah Bright. LEAVE ME BREATHLESS is the follow up story line to the author’s previous release THE PROTECTOR.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ryan and Hannah) LEAVE ME BREATHLESS follows the building relationship between former MI5 agent, thirty-nine year old, single father Ryan Willis, and thirty-three year old, artist Hannah Bright. Ten years earlier Ryan Willis left the MI5, and began working private security only to walk away following his latest assignment. Tired and hoping for some R&R, Ryan returns to his home in Hampton, England only to come face to face with his future when he accidentally runs her off the road. Enter artist Hannah Bright, and the woman with whom Ryan will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Hannah and Ryan, and the potential fall-out when Hannah’s past comes back hoping to destroy it all.

Hannah Bright is on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of her past but a past that will do anything to end our heroine’s life. Meeting Ryan Willis finds Hannah with thoughts for the future, a future she knows could end very badly. Ryan Willis suspects Hannah isn’t who she claims to be, and therefore calls in a few favors, not realizing the trouble that follows in Hannah’s wake. Having fallen in love with our story line heroine, Ryan finds himself becoming lover and guardian in an effort to protect the woman that calls to his heart.

The relationship between Hannah and Ryan is one of immediate attraction but their accidental meeting places Ryan in a precarious predicament when he discovers his attraction to a woman that is all kinds of wrong. With his precocious daughter in tow, Ryan begins to fall for Hannah Bright, a woman who is hiding much more than Ryan could ever have imagined. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting charavters including Ryan’s ten year old daughter Alexandra, and her mother Darcy, and her husband Casper: Hannah’s friend Molly; numerous townies, as well as the reintroduction of Jake Sharp and Cami Logan, and Jake and Ryan’s ‘boss’ Lucinda.

LEAVE ME BREATHLESS follows several paths including Ryan’s antagonistic relationship with his daughter’s mother. Darcy comes from wealthy breeding stock, and in this their daughter Alexandra is caught between two different worlds, miles apart. Hannah struggles with her past: the violence, the secrets and lies that threaten to destroy everything she has built but a past that refuses to accept the inevitable.

LEAVE ME BREATHLESS is a story of betrayal and lies; second chances and falling in love. The premise is engaging, impassioned and edgy; the characters are edgy and energetic; the romance is sensual and intense. LEAVE ME BREATHLESS is a spirited and intoxicating that will leave you wanting more.


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“I don’t ever want to scare you. I’m not scared of him, not like that. I’m scared because he leaves me completely breathless.”


Hannah Bright has just opened a new business. Her arts and crafts store may not be the most lucrative decision, given that the small town she recently moved to, takes the term small seriously, but it makes her immensely happy. After all, this boho-chic woman, with her colorful scarves in her hair, loose-fitting, vibrant-colored clothes, who is always in the company of her inseparable bicycle lives and breathes art. But if the exterior facade is cheerful and carefree, inside she lives in panic. Hannah is not who she looks, nor who she says she is. And her stay in the town has an expiration date.
Ryan Willis is a former MI5 agent and now works as a private security. But years away from home and constant danger no longer appeal to him. After a successful job, he decides to retire, to the horror of his boss. And returning to his small, quiet town is the only thing on his mind. After all, his daughter and his secluded, nature-surrounded cabin are waiting for him.
Hannah wants to be as unnoticed as possible, not attracting attention and not become attached are her mantras. Ryan wants to resume his life and take care of his daughter. But an accident will cause them to meet. And with that, all their carefully constructed plans go down the drain.
And as much as Hannah tries to run away, they always run into each other. And denying the attraction on both sides will become increasingly difficult. But how to get involved with someone if at any time she can leave? Without ever saying goodbye?
Just took one look for Ryan to know that Hannah hides something. His instincts scream that she is in danger. But how to help her if she refuses to trust him? How to show this woman that what they have is for forever?
With suspense, a bit of drama, secrets and a lot of romance, the book is another Jodi Ellen classic. Jake and Cami appear in the story, and fans will be happy with the new revelations.
Ryan is the perfect good guy. Attentive, loving, protective, handsome, funny and good father. By the way, Alex his daughter was a great addition to the narrative. The girl is devoid of any filter. Completely hilarious.
Hannah hides a big secret, and the few clues are released, allowing the reader to complete the puzzle. An interesting, strong character who with Ryan's help reconnects with herself. An interesting, plausible, respectful, loving couple who protect each other. A beautiful novel.

2 reviews - both 4 stars

This author could write a phone book and it would be fantastic, so its no surprise that this story was smokin' hot as well. I would give this book a 4 stars and highly recommend to others.

Ryan and Hannah come from 2 different worlds but when there worlds collide in a Ryan's home town both won't realize that they are about to embark on a whirlwind romance. But Hannah has secrets and Ryan is determined to not let it deter what they have started to build together, but when those secrets start to surface and Hannah has no choice but to run what will happen? Can there love for each other keep them together?

Get to one clicking you don't wanna miss this one! We met Ryan in the Protector and now he steams up the pages of his own tale, get it now!
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Ryan works in protection but after his last assignment, he's had enough and is ready to go home. Before I forget to mention, Ryan worked with Jake from The Protector, so it was great to see some more of him and Cami.

Ryan heads back to Hampton to spend time with his daughter and to build on his property. But his plans take a slight detour as he runs Hannah over... literally. Hannah is a new transplant in Hampton, opening a craft store and selling artwork. She was not prepared to be attracted to Ryan. Their encounters are great and the attraction so palpable you could slice it with a knife.

But Hannah is keeping something a secret, mainly her past. Jack starts to become suspicious; call it gut instinct, and starts to dig into her past. The more he uncovers, the more danger looms closer.

What happens? Definitely one-click to find out.

Leave Me Breatless by Jodi Ellen Malpas. When you liked Forbidden, then you're gonna love Leave Me Breathless.
It's a story of heartbreak, pettiness, second chances, danger and drama put in a fantastic read by an outstanding author.
Meet Ryan. He's an ex-ish MI5 man, who's working in a security agancy. He's pretty private and I learned about his personal life on the way through the book . And there are a few big surprises to discover, promise.
He's heading home to his small town to be with his favorite person. What he doesn't expect is to discover there's a new art shop in town with an irresistible owner.
Hannah Bright is new in town, art shop owner and she fears her own shadow, with reason. She hides from her past and her past mistakes.
Leave Me Breathless is not a damsel in distess romance. It's a beautifully thought out, beautifully told and beautifully written story with a heroine who's strong when it counts and a hero who's worthy to be the next book boyfriend, a bit mangled and battered but not broken. Alpha.
I recommend the book, 5 Stars.

Another JEM hero to swoon over? Count me in!

I was hooked on Ryan from the start! Is there anything better than an alpha, protective guy who is also a big softie underneath all that gruff, hard exterior? I think not. He’s got this double-edged personality. Yes, he’s all-male, tough, intelligent, and protective. But he’s also charming, sexy, fun, and flirty. And there’s a whole other side to him that will make you swoon.

Hannah is a mystery. On the surface, she’s light, care-free, and easy-going. She can also be clumsy and awkward, but underneath her laid-back facade, she’s plagued by her past. She’s so kind and fun, but she’s also scared and skittish. She's never truly able to relax and let down her guard, and for good reason.

Neither one of these two are looking for anything serious, but neither one can really resist the other. Their attraction is mutual and their chemistry is on fire. With plenty of suspense, plenty of heat, and quite a few laughs, this is another classic JEM novel. You’re easily going to fall in love with this couple. A definite five-star read!

Leave Me Breathless was a pleasant read. Ryan and Hannah’s story had the romance, suspense, and the small-town feel. It was intriguing to see how everything would play out. Ryan was a great hero-protective, sweet, good dad, alpha-he had it all. How he was with his daughter and Hannah was heartwarming. Just a sweet guy to his girls. Hannah had her secrets but she was still a lovable girl. There was something there that made you feel for her. Hannah and Ryan together was endearing. I liked reading about their coupledom and interactions. But there was also the suspense of Hannah and her secrets. What would come of it? It was fascinating seeing where it would go. And it was good finding it all out as reader. Overall this was a satisfactory story.

Ryan Willis has decided to take a break from the protection business. He’s heading back to his hometown with a population where everyone knows everyone, and nothing ever happens. He’s content to spend his days in his remote cabin in the middle of nowhere doing nothing. Meeting Hannah Bright completely derails his plans. She intrigues him the way nothing or no one else ever has and he’s more than a little attracted to her; but Hannah has secrets, and in his line of work…secrets don’t work.

Hannah Bright is settling into a small town in England. She’s been living under the radar for a few years. While her life might be a little lonely, she’s happy. Relationships aren’t something she’s eager to form but the people in this town start to grow on her. Especially Ryan Willis. From the moment they ran into each other, literally, she can’t seem to get him out of her head; but her life is too complicated for romance and if Ryan knew the real her, he’d probably run for the hills.

It took me a really long time to get into this book. It took me a good two and a half weeks to finish this book, which soooo unlike me. I liked the characters and the storyline, but I felt like it took too long to get to the meat of the story.

Ryan and Hannah, once they decided to give into their desire moved pretty quickly in their relationships and throw in Ryan’s daughter and the dynamic was pretty cute, but It wasn’t until around sixty/seventy percent into the book when I felt like I was so invested that I couldn’t put it down.
If that momentum had happened a little sooner in story, this could have been a four-star read for me.
Cute story that may or may not be a quick read.