Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know! Favorite Quote(s): “Don’t let you insecurities overpower that which makes your soul come alive. Otherwise, you’ll walk this earth never feeling whole…and that’s no way to live.” The MC only talks about her body in a negative way and I thought that maybe it was just the start of the story and that it would get better but it didn't. The MC went through a "glow up" and lost a bunch of weight and it's written in a way that makes it seem like her smaller size is somehow better than being plus-size. She goes from a size 18 to a size 10. This happens 25% of the way through the book. I really wish the h had made the H wait a little bit before jumping in bed with him after 4 years. Yeah, he basically *takes* the first time 🥵... but after her very desperate behavior in high school, I wish she'd been a little more reluctant to eff like bunnies when they were older. At that point he hadn't proved that he'd changed in any way. So, it felt a little cringe that she just opened her legs without much of a protest. I would have liked more tension around that. Or even better, HIM manning up and really trying to earn her trust. Didn't happen that way tho. 😐 #womp-womp

The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance : Jade

There are few authors as courageous or bold as her when it comes to the emotional capacity and complexity of her characters. She lets her characters be deeply flawed, often unlikeable at times. There are no true external villains- because her characters are their own villains, to each other and often to themselves. She has a deft hand in putting words and meaning to their brokenness, with a real, raw, earnest, and unapologetic immersion into the ins and outs of their flaws, their imperfections, their limitations. And in doing so, she gives us access to their humanity, and somehow then our own- the courage it takes to exist when we’re so messed up, when we’re so flawed, when we’re swimming in a world full of our own mistakes. How we're somehow in control and powerless in our own being all at once. It’s what marks her stories so consuming, her characters so compelling, and her words so meaningful- because underneath it all is an intimate reflection of the worst of ourselves…but the best of us, too. As far as my most liked side characters, I’d love it if Storm and Quinn got their own book. I felt a very strong connection between those two and I believe that is one age-gap romance that would blow the rest out of the water in this trope, should it ever come to fruition and be written. I absolutely appreciated their banter and moments together where she was getting on his nerves and acting bratty, yet we saw very subtle moments of care and vulnerability from Storm that we usually don’t see when he’s with anyone else, save for maybe the h, Lennon. Worse, he has figured out how desperate I am to protect my father from brutality behind bars. He has the power to grant that protection, and he has offered it … for a price.

Dirty Empire is the third book in the Empire Nightclub series and should be read after Sweet Mercy and Gabriel Fallen. Lennon Phoenix high school romance was pretty cute, sometimes really awkward, but cute nonetheless. I think it was beautiful how Lennon was the first person to really help Phoenix with his learning disability and show that you can be smart in other areas of your life, even if you don’t have A’s all the time. Now, Phoenix – that broody, angsty, anti-hero, emo boy? Yeah, I can't resist that vibe. The tough guy with a soft side for the people he cares about – sign me up. people were mean to her, Phoenix included, and she held them accountable. any time she gave him a verbal beat down, i bowed down to her even more. by the end of the book, i was metaphorically face down in the mud at her feet, polishing her shoes like a lil Victorian houseboy cleaning his master’s boots bcos i was just a peasant at her feet. Storyline/My Thoughts: What can I say about The Words without spoiling this massive book for readers on the fence about reading it? Here’s my first reaction to the readers’ hesitation, go for it. I did, and I don’t regret it one bit. Well, I maybe do regret one thing, finishing the book too fast. I had a hard time putting down the book. I fell for the characters and their story. Not just the main either. I fell for the secondary characters, too.

The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance: Jade The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance: Jade

I’m tough as a nail Sharp as a blade But I’m still lying here... In the mess you made. Jagged and broken Dull and washed out. Everywhere I turn... I breathe you in and bleed you out.” i shouldn’t have liked this book. i mean, i really, really, really shouldn’t have liked this book. bcos this was everything i hate in a romance. Phoenix was everything i hate in a hero. OM drama - the h gets friendly with the H's bandmate in the 4 years later timeline. He kisses her, and the H freaks out. Also, during the 4 years they are apart, the H goes to see the h at school, and he sees her with her boyfriend, and gets upset and leaves without talking to her. She's a die-hard lover of oxford commas, em-dashes, music, coffee, and anything thought-provoking...except for math.Lennon losing weight when she reunites with Phoenix. she’s still not “skinny by society’s standards” according to her book (giving specific sizes which was another thing i think AJ could have just left out) but she still lost a lot of weight and left a bitter taste in my mouth. she could still be her original size, and be happy and desirable. She strings along another band mate named George (george?!) And doesn't even kiss him. It's a struggle for them to kiss! I loved the jealous thoughts and actions from phoenix 😂🤷 but that was awkward as you can see... CLOWN BEHAVIOR. you can tell me Phoenix doesn't deserve shit and he's the worst hero ever and i'd have nothing to defend myself with. but for some reason, i was ready to overlook all the red flags. i could feel their connection and their love even amongst the toxicity 🧍‍♀️ Lennon can hate me all she wants—hell, she can scream it from the top of the highest mountain until her lungs give out—but she can’t deny our chemistry.” doesn't apologize for YEARS for how he betrayed Lennon, but wrote a bunch of unsent letters saying how much he loved her and missed her 😭

The Words by Ashley Jade | Waterstones

He once told me that my wedding day would be the best and worst day of his life. When I asked him why, he said it was because he’d be giving me away to someone who loved me just as much as he did...but it also meant he’d be losing me. i don't know what came over me, but i was happy with Phoenix doing the bare minimum both in Part 1 and 2, cause i could feel how obsessed he was with Lennon anyway 🤡 I’m not.” Pure contempt fills her voice. “Let me put it this way. If I was on fire, and the only way to extinguish it was to have sex with you… I’d beg someone to pour gasoline on me.”

Publication Order of Complicated Parts Books

Phoenix comes from a troubled home, but exudes such confidence, but deep inside harbours something that would make people see him differently Mercy Wheeler and Gabriel Easton’s sordid tale ends in Fallen Empire as Gabriel must save Mercy and escape his father’s grip once and for all. I was angry… But I was also jealous. Even though I have no right to be. Because I’m not the kind of girl who gets the guy.” I'll do anything for my father, including agree to Gabriel's cruel game. But I won't comply with his every whim and wish.

The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance by Ashley The Words: An Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance by Ashley

And when Lennon comes out the other side and realises the ramifications of Phoenix’s confession, she goes into damage control mode, because she and Phoenix are in charge of there future, calling the shots, Phoenix fulfils his contractual obligations, but what makes the sun shine brightly is Lennox getting to fulfil her dreams with Phoenix by her side. Let me tell you those last 20% of the book hit HARD, I’m not sure I’m over it yet and it’s been days. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions.From USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ashley Jade comes an edgy, enemies-to-lovers standalone romance about mistakes, forgiveness, and second chances . Her characters are flawed and complex, and chances are you will hate them before you fall head over heels in love with them. I've got a thing for characters who are a bit broken, a tad messed up, you know, gloriously imperfect. I am fully invested in their character development, and I love to see them throughout their road to redemption. This one dished out both! I initially wanted to stop shortly after I started reading the book but I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt and I guess a chance to see if it was part of just the journey but the fact that the glow up happens at 25% and the negativity just continues to 58%, I decided to DNF it. if Lennon has a million fans, then i am one of them. if Lennon has ten fans, then i am one of them. if Lennon has only one fan then that is me. if Lennon has no fans, then that means i am no longer on earth. if the world is against Lennon, then i am against the world.