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Beneath This Man  By  cover art

Beneath This Man

By: Jodi Ellen Malpas
Narrated by: Edita Brychta
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Publisher's summary

Book two of the number one New York Times best-selling This Man trilogy.

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....

©2013 Jodi Ellen Malpas (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"I couldn't tear myself away." (FictionVixen.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)

"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)

What listeners say about Beneath This Man

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Mentally exhausted from this whirlwind romance!

Despite the fact that this book mentally exhausted me like no other book ever has, I did find myself spellbound by Ava and Jesse's unique and dramatic love life and I was unable to stop listening to their over-the-top crazy story. Eventually, I really did end up liking the second part of this trilogy much more than the first one. This book was so intense and I was utterly lost and transfixed in their world. Jesse & Ava in the depths of despair at the end of This Man. Both of them are broken by what has happened and their relationship is seemingly in ruins. They’re both in pieces and wrecked and, Jesse especially, hell-bent on self-destruction. This was done so very well – their broken hearts and intense overwhelming sadness leap vividly to life right off the page and their despair is palpable. They’re just lost without each other. Anyways, Jesse's friends come to Ava for help and so ensues the beginnings of their reconciliation. Eventually, Jesse is back to his arrogant, alpha, dominant controlling glory with sleepy sex, sense fucks, reminder fucks and now even retribution fucks. The steam factor in this book is through the roof!! I honestly didn't think Jesse Ward could seem anymore crazy but in Beneath This Man, the guy introduced us to a whole new level of borderline DELUSIONAL! At one point, I became appalled with their relationship but soon came to the realization that its just who they are(crazy in love). Throughout the book, the couple has their ups and downs. Jesse still held a lot of secrets from Ava until the end. Jesse finally opens up towards the end of the book and explains where he was AND what he was doing during those days he disappeared in the first book This Man. When he revealed this, my heart broke for Ava because she was devastated. Beneath This Man is a beautiful, captivating, conflicting, tortuous romance that had me completely consumed by their story. This book provides a wild ride, a rollercoaster of emotions, a train wreck and a beautiful prelude of what's to come in the next chapter in their story.... This book was definitely better for me than the first. I don't know what the third installment will bring, but I can't wait to find out!

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41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I'm so involved

I have to admit this series has taken me. From the first book, to this one, I'm useless. I pay no attention to the outside world. This world has captivated me. Now I must wait until the next book. It's an amazing series and well worth you credit's; time; money; family/friend irritation due to your lack of inattention.... need I say more?

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This was all sorts of crazy!

First off, Ava and Jesse are one messed up couple. And Jesse is more than just a dominating alpha male, he is all sorts of crazy and twisted. I found myself screaming at Ava for being so stupid for hanging on to this relationship….seriously?? He might be rich and handsome but he is totally cray-cray! From hiding birth control bills to forcing a marriage proposal via sex… It was all just so over-the-top.

This book was just as repetitive as the first one and did drag on and on with the sex, fighting, drama, etc. When there was an actual plot it was very good. I have such mixed feelings about this book. It was like the proverbial train wreck….I couldn’t look away, or in this case I couldn’t stop listening.

Compared to others in this genre, I thought it was better than the Crossfire or Stark trilogies but doesn’t compete with the Blackstone Affair. I’m certain I will get the third book simply because I can’t stand not knowing how it all ends.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I WAS RIVETED!!

What a stellar follow up from This Man! Book 2 was excellent from beginning to end. I seriously didn't want this book to end. I have developed an unhealthy attachment to this series and these characters, and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm totally in love with Jesse and all his neuroticism, but, I got pretty ticked off with him in this installment--quite a bit is revealed, and it made me want to spit nails, but, I pressed on :-) I laughed, I almost cried, my mouth kept flying open in disbelief, and I found myself literally holding my breath during various moments in the story this time around. The relationship between Jesse and Ava is so incredibly intense it's insane, but, I truly adore these two together. This is such a well written story, and although it's comparable to 50 Shades, I enjoyed it 10 times more. I highly recommend Beneath This Man, it's a keeper and definite repeat listen!!

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

What the ........ ???

The Damaged Dominant seems to be a running theme these days, but this one pushes that beyond the norm. The first book was enjoyable, this one...I wanted to choke the crap out of both of them.

He's a disaster......with obsessive behaviors that border on abusive. The adolescent wall / window punching, trying to separate her from friends and family, jealousy driven outbursts manipulations and assorted other generally creepy attributes just start to grate on you about half way through. I'm not even delving into the Binge drinking / I'm not an alcoholic thread.

Her acceptance of his sabotaging her career, beating up random men, and karmic backlash of his "reckless" Life are just a little much.

Perhaps if we didn't push so hard for the trilogy this might have been ok......I would rather read one great book then three with random made up issues that border on psychosis to fill space.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Twisted!

Ok so i listened to the first book and thought it could get better in the next so I am now trying to finish it, but I know I won't. This guy is just wrong! And so is she! What a twisted relationship! No plot, just on and on sex with a very strange over the top control freak and she doesn't have enough sense to run as fast and far as she can! Sorry... I tried to like it but it was just wrong.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

so very frustrating

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

NO, this book was so frustrating and annoying. The first book was great, but this book showed her to be weak and stupid and him to be an overbearing, egotistical, arrogant man.

Has Beneath This Man turned you off from other books in this genre?

no, but maybe from this author

Which character – as performed by Edita Brychta – was your favorite?

Kate

What would have made this romance irresistible?

if he hadnt been so arrogant

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Longest.Book.Ever

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book is for someone who doesn't mind stories about abusive controlling men.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jodi Ellen Malpas again?

I doubt it.

What about Edita Brychta’s performance did you like?

The narrator was fine.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Beneath This Man?

All the times Jesse was an a** to Ava. Which is the entire book.

Any additional comments?

I like a good smut book. After reading 50 Shades I was on the lookout for new books of the same type. This book is not it. I listened to the first of this trilogy and wasn't a fan but not completely turned off so went for the second hoping it'd get better. Nope, it gets worse. Jesse is a controlling and abusive jerk. Ava is stupid for continually going back to him after all the stuff he does and says to her. I will not be listening to the third book. I finished this only because I can't stop anything halfway through.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I WANT TO BASK IN THE SUN OF JESSE CLOUD 9 TOO

Phew, what a rollercoaster of emotions this riveting listen brings forth as their tragic, heartbreaking but wonderful love story continues 5 days after book 1 (This Man) ended and, after many tears are shed heartbroken Ava gets an urgent plea to help handsome playboy Jesse and the hoped for reconciliation may thankfully be at hand.

As Jesse's obsession and need for Ava continues there are highs and lows but you know it's a very unhealthy relationship that's going to come crashing down on them at some point and when it does it was raw, painful and spectacular as Jesse finally breaks and hits the 'self destruct' button. When Jesse's dark secrets and weaknesses are revealed you find yourself torn between hating what he's become, and done, whilst loving and feeling so desperately sorry for him and the intense heartache Ava must feel to take such dramatic steps to hold on to a profound and powerful love like no other.

This is a very well written, intense, erotic, passionate, overwhelming love story of two people's corrupted, all consuming, yet beautiful, bond and the torturous tumultuous life it brings them both. There are a few sub plots, lots of sex and a few twists and surprises. But the beauty and joy of this story are the feelings that Jesse and Ava have for each other that make them hold on to and fight for each other - together with the sacrifice, growth and surrender each of them painfully endures.

Worth a credit? It's 19 hours of pure undiluted pleasure that will totally captivate, consume, enthrall, entertain, exhaust and engross you in the lives of two loveable characters who are deeply in love and are desperately trying to hold on to it despite all the odds. It's not a stand alone book (get all their romance history first) but this trilogy is heading to be absolutely the best romances I've got in my large and ever growing library so it won't come as any shock when I say a very, very, very creditworthy listen and all that's left to say is..... I NEED NEED NEED BOOK 3 This Man Confessed.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Serious eye rolling!!!!!!!!

What did you like best about Beneath This Man? What did you like least?

Ummm the narration? Not really much else.

What was most disappointing about Jodi Ellen Malpas’s story?

Ava is a complete doormat!!!!! She gives up too easily and lets Jessie have his way all for 30 minutes of bliss. I just don't understand it. It's extremely frustrating.

Which character – as performed by Edita Brychta – was your favorite?

Maybe john? He is the only stable one.

Could you see Beneath This Man being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Heck no!!!! I would never watch this!

Any additional comments?

I'm so disappointed in this series. There are way too many secrets and no answers.

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4 people found this helpful