I understand why Ava second guessed Jesse's feelings for her. He was stand off-ish and wouldnt give a straight answer. And then the crazy demanding control freakish psycho behavior had me second guessing if poor Ava hadnt bit off more then she could chew. But as the story went on I got more info as to why he was acting the way he was and that only answered a couple of questions. I started on book two but then I had to plug it in to charge it.

I’m no prude when it comes to books with a heavy BDSM or dom/sub element, but this wasn’t a good example of that. This just seemed to present a lopsided relationship that was emotionally manipulative and abusive. The rapport between Ava and Jesse doesn’t present him as a caring, albeit dominant partner, but rather as a manipulative and controlling man who is used to using women to their detriment. The erotic scenes that could present their intimacy instead just serve to reinforce that the depiction is unsettling. Ava isn’t a woman empowered, but is painted as weak and constantly capitulating to Jesse’s will. As such, it’s nearly impossible to root for their relationship and difficult to get through this book at all. It’s a do not recommend for me, because it paints a problematic picture of what could be a healthy, consensual relationship.

**WARNING: This is the last book in a trilogy. Readat your own risk if you haven’t read the first two of the This Man trilogy**“We’re not conventional, baby. But we’respecial. What we have is really special. You belong to me, and I belong toyou.”Man, what did I let Steph get me into when Iagreed to read the This Man trilogy?Lots of delicious, intense, alpha male meets stubborn woman drama. It was sexy,it was a whirlwind, it was funny, and most of all it was a perfectly crazy,unreal but amazing love story. I mean come on, this stuff just doesn’t happenin real life. Beautiful, over-protective, sex-club owning Jesse Ward falls inlove with the forever challenging, beautiful Ava O’Shea. They have had probablythe most dysfunctional relationship I have ever seen. They fight, they havesex, he tries to control her, she defies him/runs, they have sex, and it goeson and on. I mean, I thought I knew drama, but wow…“He’s a challenging, neurotic control freak.He’s so handsome. This man stops me breathing when he touches me and fucks meuntil I’m delirious. I can’t wait to marry him.”I am trying to not spoil the plot for this book soI’ll basically just talk about Jesse Ward the entire review. Jesse confuses me.I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. He infuriates me with how controlling heis. I swear, he puts Christian Grey to shame sometimes in the over-protectiveand possessive department. And he’s not even a Dom! He does some jaw-droppingthings. But then, he says the most heart-melting, swoon-y things. Not tomention, the way he makes love to Ava. He’s literally walking sex. And I don’teven mind that he’s older. Usually the age is a hard thing for me to get over,but Jesse is so intense I never had time to stop myself from falling in lovewith him. I know all the adjectives I’m using seem to be a little too much, butthat’s just because Jesse is INTENSE. And extremely complicated. Just when youthink we know all his dark secrets, something more messed up has to happen. Itwas ridiculous. He’s ridiculous. But in the best way possible. I’m in love withthe way he loves Ava. I’m in love with him. “Doyou feel that? It was made to love you, Ava. For too long it was useless,redundant, not required. Now it’s gone into overdrive, it swells with happinesswhen I look at you. It splinters with pain when we fight. And it beats wildlywhen I make love to you. Maybe I go overboard with my love, but that’s nevergoing to change. I’ll love you this fiercely until the day I die, baby.”Ava is one of the strangest heroines I’ve evermet. She’s Jesse’s perfect match. His other half. I’ll admit, their unstablerelationship made me so tired sometimes. But, they always find their way backto each other. All the running Ava did in the first two books irked me attimes, but now I kinda understand. If I had a sex-god like Jesse relentlesslypursing me like that, I would run too. Too much intensity. Too much emotion.But in this book, we see Ava mature. She accepts their love for what it is. It’san unbreakable, undeniable, unmatchable connection. We see her fight for Jesse.She still challenges him, but that’s fine because that usually results in morehot sex. I don’t know if I could ever tolerate Jesse’s controlling tendencies,but like Ava, my heart broke for him when we find out all the reasons why he’slike this. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this couple.“Don’t thank me for looking after you, Ava.It’s what I’ve been put on this earth to do. It’s what keeps me here. Don’tever thank me for that… My dream is you, Ava. Day and night, just you. I canmanage without anything, but never you. Not ever… It’s never the end for us.Nothing will break us, Ava. Do you understand me?”That ending killed me. Killed me. I’ve never criedwhile reading, but I definitely wanted to cry. It was a perfect ending for animperfect couple. I was sad to say bye to them. I tried to draw out this lastbook as best as I could, but I had to finish it eventually. They will stay inmy mind for forever. I can’t wait to see what Jodi Ellen Malpas decides towrite next.“You’ve taken me completely, baby. You’veswallowed me up and drowned me in your beauty and spirit. You know I can’tfunction without you. You’ve made my life as beautiful as you are. You’ve made mewant to live a worth existence – a live with you. All I need is you – to lookat you; to listen to you; to feel you. To love you.”

I had heard about this book and put it off for a while but finally got to it and have to say that I was not all that impressed I think I was wanting more. It wasn't horrible but when it comes to this type of relationship and they are common in most books I have read, I just wanted more to the story. We really didn't get much back story at all on the two main characters. It drove me nuts that he was too afraid to say how old he was and that he kept calling her lady.
I know many loved it and that is great. I think at the moment I was wanting more from the book.