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A Place Without You
The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
They are reckless.
They are forbidden.
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
Henna chooses her dreams.
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
A Place Without You is an emotional story of young love, shattered dreams, and impossible decisions.
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
They are reckless.
They are forbidden.
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
Henna chooses her dreams.
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
A Place Without You is an emotional story of young love, shattered dreams, and impossible decisions.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2018
About the author
Jewel E. Ann
53 books9,057 followersJewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.
Her newest release is I Thought of You, a contemporary romance/women's fiction.
Upcoming Projects: Sunday Morning, book 1 in the Sunday Morning Series coming in Sept. 2024.
Get a free book by subscribing to her newsletter!—> Sign up here!
Her newest release is I Thought of You, a contemporary romance/women's fiction.
Upcoming Projects: Sunday Morning, book 1 in the Sunday Morning Series coming in Sept. 2024.
Get a free book by subscribing to her newsletter!—> Sign up here!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,571 reviews
January 1, 2019
5 stars!
I've read a few of Jewel E. Ann's books, and I have to say, this is my favorite. It was completely captivating, addictive, and an epic romance. I highlighted so many quotes, didn't want to put the book down, and it is seriously the best kind of forbidden love.
Henna and Bodhi are a couple I will always remember. I love this kind of love story. The kind that sets your heart on fire. When Henna and Bohdi meet, it's fate. It's meant to be. And the universe always seems to pull them together when they need each other. They fall fast and they fall hard for one another. Henna is 18 and Bodhi is a few years older, but it's clear that they belong to one another.
Due to an accident Henna was in, she is behind a year in school. When she starts her senior year of high school the very last thing she expects to find is Mr. Malone, her sexy guidance counselor, aka Bodhi, the man she is head over heels for. Bodhi's family situation is complicated, and it's not like he can just quit his job because of it. This puts them in a bit of a bind.
As things progress with this couple, there are even more obstacles that arise. Some so much more serious than the student/counselor thing. My god this book was angsty as hell. I was so stressed while reading it. But I still loved it so much. These two went through so much. Even when it felt like things could never work, I had hope, because they are meant to be. And even when they hated each other and their situations, their love always always prevailed.
Sobs. I just loved it so much! Henna and Bodhi were both fantastic characters, but my favorite of the book may have been Bodhi's dad. I adored him and I so loved the relationship he had with Henna. And there was a scene with he and Bodhi I straight out sobbed while reading. Seriously the best dad ever.
This book was full of passion, angst, and epic love. It's the kind of romance that I crave. Even though it had my stomach in knots, I loved every single page! This is definitely a must read for all lovers of romance.
The Law of Henna and Bodhi: When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
I've read a few of Jewel E. Ann's books, and I have to say, this is my favorite. It was completely captivating, addictive, and an epic romance. I highlighted so many quotes, didn't want to put the book down, and it is seriously the best kind of forbidden love.
Henna and Bodhi are a couple I will always remember. I love this kind of love story. The kind that sets your heart on fire. When Henna and Bohdi meet, it's fate. It's meant to be. And the universe always seems to pull them together when they need each other. They fall fast and they fall hard for one another. Henna is 18 and Bodhi is a few years older, but it's clear that they belong to one another.
Due to an accident Henna was in, she is behind a year in school. When she starts her senior year of high school the very last thing she expects to find is Mr. Malone, her sexy guidance counselor, aka Bodhi, the man she is head over heels for. Bodhi's family situation is complicated, and it's not like he can just quit his job because of it. This puts them in a bit of a bind.
“You’re trouble.” Do I want trouble tonight? Do I want to go down this rabbit hole? Giving her the once-over while she does the same to me, the answer is clear. Interlacing our fingers, she pulls me toward the van. “Oh, you have no idea.”
As things progress with this couple, there are even more obstacles that arise. Some so much more serious than the student/counselor thing. My god this book was angsty as hell. I was so stressed while reading it. But I still loved it so much. These two went through so much. Even when it felt like things could never work, I had hope, because they are meant to be. And even when they hated each other and their situations, their love always always prevailed.
“I missed you beyond words,” I whisper. His eyes open, looking a few shades darker blue beneath the curtain of my hair around us.
“You hated me.”
“Yes.” I drop soft kisses all over his face.
“But I loved you more.”
Sobs. I just loved it so much! Henna and Bodhi were both fantastic characters, but my favorite of the book may have been Bodhi's dad. I adored him and I so loved the relationship he had with Henna. And there was a scene with he and Bodhi I straight out sobbed while reading. Seriously the best dad ever.
This book was full of passion, angst, and epic love. It's the kind of romance that I crave. Even though it had my stomach in knots, I loved every single page! This is definitely a must read for all lovers of romance.
Henna: Hi. Remember me?
Bodhi: Hi. I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.
April 22, 2022
I finished! Okay, so what if I skimmed (a lot) or barely cared about the forbidden love affair that was Henna + Bodhi.
One thing that bugged me though was Jewel's attempt at transplanting Woodstock to Coachella. This read like it should have been set in 1969, considering all the nudges to flower power, the VW bug van, the smoking of weed, and the weird love child thing that Henna had going on, And oh, lest we forget the names! Henna and Bodhi! *snort*
In any event, I read this and now I'm done. I'll take any small mercies. TYVM.
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January 1, 2019
*****FIVE++++++++++++ STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
”Bodhi paints me with his emotions, plays me with his body, takes what’s his, and gives me everything in return.”
“I love this girl with more love than I thought I had left in my heart. Henna takes everything that’s good in my life and multiplies it.”
“Love is not a rational emotion. It jumps out of planes and dives off cliffs. It leaves a permanent mark on everything it touches. I can do the right thing or I can love you, but I can’t do both.”
This story was EPIC!!
My first "Best of 2019" read.
Jewel E. Ann is one of the greats! Her stories take me to my happy place. The characters she creates leave an indelible mark on my heart. I never know exactly what I’m going to get from her stories, but one thing I do know is that she is going to take me down a wild journey filled with crazy love and painful angst. This is the woman that drove me to drink during one of her stories but let me tell you, I will NEVER forget how amazing that book was and it made me one of Jewel's fangirls for life! If you’ve never read any of her books, you need to make it one of your New Year’s resolutions. Get ready to be swept away by Bodhi and Henna’s passionate all-consuming romance!!
I knew early on this book was going to be something extraordinary. Bodhi and Henna are both beautiful characters and their love for each other burns something fierce but they each have endured great tragedy and loss which places huge obstacles in their paths and turns their relationship into the ”forbidden”.
Bodhi and Henna meet at Coachella and spend an incredible weekend together. The chemistry between them ignites fast and furious. While they think at first that they’re only meant to be in each other’s lives for a brief moment in time, it becomes clear within a few hours that something epic is happening before their eyes and they’d give anything to not have to part ways, life is often unfair and even though they are two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together their timing is all wrong.
They’ll eventually be reunited after their memorable weekend at Coachella and what should be a happy twist of fate, ends up being a painful and heartbreaking reminder as to why they can’t ever live their happily ever after.
Brace yourself for the ugly cry and to have your heart twisted due to some painful angst but all I can say is that this story is SOOOOOOO worth the torture because it is simply AMAZEBALLS!!
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5+++++++
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 5+++++++
Angst: 5
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++++
A PLACE WITHOUT YOU releases on January 2nd. I predict that this is going to be on a lot of reader’s ”Best of 2019” shelves.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ApZXGR
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/APlaceWithoutYou
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
”Bodhi paints me with his emotions, plays me with his body, takes what’s his, and gives me everything in return.”
“I love this girl with more love than I thought I had left in my heart. Henna takes everything that’s good in my life and multiplies it.”
“Love is not a rational emotion. It jumps out of planes and dives off cliffs. It leaves a permanent mark on everything it touches. I can do the right thing or I can love you, but I can’t do both.”
This story was EPIC!!
My first "Best of 2019" read.
Jewel E. Ann is one of the greats! Her stories take me to my happy place. The characters she creates leave an indelible mark on my heart. I never know exactly what I’m going to get from her stories, but one thing I do know is that she is going to take me down a wild journey filled with crazy love and painful angst. This is the woman that drove me to drink during one of her stories but let me tell you, I will NEVER forget how amazing that book was and it made me one of Jewel's fangirls for life! If you’ve never read any of her books, you need to make it one of your New Year’s resolutions. Get ready to be swept away by Bodhi and Henna’s passionate all-consuming romance!!
I knew early on this book was going to be something extraordinary. Bodhi and Henna are both beautiful characters and their love for each other burns something fierce but they each have endured great tragedy and loss which places huge obstacles in their paths and turns their relationship into the ”forbidden”.
Bodhi and Henna meet at Coachella and spend an incredible weekend together. The chemistry between them ignites fast and furious. While they think at first that they’re only meant to be in each other’s lives for a brief moment in time, it becomes clear within a few hours that something epic is happening before their eyes and they’d give anything to not have to part ways, life is often unfair and even though they are two pieces of a puzzle that fit perfectly together their timing is all wrong.
They’ll eventually be reunited after their memorable weekend at Coachella and what should be a happy twist of fate, ends up being a painful and heartbreaking reminder as to why they can’t ever live their happily ever after.
Brace yourself for the ugly cry and to have your heart twisted due to some painful angst but all I can say is that this story is SOOOOOOO worth the torture because it is simply AMAZEBALLS!!
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5+++++++
Heroine: 4.5
Plot: 5+++++++
Angst: 5
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++++
A PLACE WITHOUT YOU releases on January 2nd. I predict that this is going to be on a lot of reader’s ”Best of 2019” shelves.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ApZXGR
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/APlaceWithoutYou
August 2, 2020
3 Stars
Not exactly a stellar beginning of the year for me: my first Jewel E. Ann book that wasn't epic.
My GR buddies know how crazy I am about this author.
You see, there are hundreds of different romance authors on my shelves and Jewel E. Ann is the fourth most read author. Fourth.
I've read all of her books. And apart from a book or two, I rated them all five stars. All except this one.
Sadly, I would have loved this one too if it hadn't been for the heroine.
I found her behavior and actions immature, reckless and annoying, which is a first for me because I always adore Jewel E. Ann's heroines.
My second issue is the connection (or lack of thereof) between the main characters in the first part of the book. I really, truly, honest to God did not feel it. By the time I reached the last half it was too late.
Okay, so this book wasn't epic for me but that doesn't mean it's bad. I still think you should give it a chance to experience the awesomeness that is Jewel E. Ann.
Not exactly a stellar beginning of the year for me: my first Jewel E. Ann book that wasn't epic.
My GR buddies know how crazy I am about this author.
You see, there are hundreds of different romance authors on my shelves and Jewel E. Ann is the fourth most read author. Fourth.
I've read all of her books. And apart from a book or two, I rated them all five stars. All except this one.
Sadly, I would have loved this one too if it hadn't been for the heroine.
I found her behavior and actions immature, reckless and annoying, which is a first for me because I always adore Jewel E. Ann's heroines.
My second issue is the connection (or lack of thereof) between the main characters in the first part of the book. I really, truly, honest to God did not feel it. By the time I reached the last half it was too late.
Okay, so this book wasn't epic for me but that doesn't mean it's bad. I still think you should give it a chance to experience the awesomeness that is Jewel E. Ann.
January 2, 2019
He grins.
I grin.
“Hi. Remember me?”
Bodhi rubs his lips together and nods slowly. “I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
2018 was an amazing year for me, not because I read so many great books but I also discovered Jewel's phenomenal books. :) I read 12 books of her in 2018 and they were all so freaking awesome. <3 So as you can see, there is no surprise in here. This book was just another 5 stars for me and from beginning to end this beautiful story spin my head and gave palpitations to my heart. I'll never forget Bodhi & Henna's story. <3
Jewel, thank you so much for this unforgettable journey. <3 I'm pretty sure this book is one of my favorites now.... :)
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤
----------------------
Read Chapter One - Now! 😍
https://www.jeweleann.com/a-place-wit...
Expected publication: January 1st 2019
BLURB :
The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
They are reckless.
They are forbidden.
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
Henna chooses her dreams.
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
I grin.
“Hi. Remember me?”
Bodhi rubs his lips together and nods slowly. “I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
2018 was an amazing year for me, not because I read so many great books but I also discovered Jewel's phenomenal books. :) I read 12 books of her in 2018 and they were all so freaking awesome. <3 So as you can see, there is no surprise in here. This book was just another 5 stars for me and from beginning to end this beautiful story spin my head and gave palpitations to my heart. I'll never forget Bodhi & Henna's story. <3
Jewel, thank you so much for this unforgettable journey. <3 I'm pretty sure this book is one of my favorites now.... :)
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. ❤❤❤
----------------------
Read Chapter One - Now! 😍
https://www.jeweleann.com/a-place-wit...
Expected publication: January 1st 2019
BLURB :
The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
They are reckless.
They are forbidden.
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
Henna chooses her dreams.
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
January 1, 2019
Don’t sweat it. everything is temporary
‘A PLACE WITHOUT YOU’ Is a full length contemporary romance stand alone novel by Jewel E. Ann
MY REVIEW: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
God as soon as I started this the world around me ceased to exist, this was the exactly the kind of book I wanted to start the New Year off with, a book that I couldn’t put down, an author that is known to throw us all the feels, the angst, the forbidden love that set my emotions reeling. You can tell this is a seasoned author because it was just utter perfection. Unique, Un-put-downable, Un-predictable, Undeniably epic, this author has set the bar high for any other book to follow in her footsteps for 2019!!
Henna and Bodhi will stay in your hearts forever more.
Henna is such a free spirit, a butterfly ready to take the world by storm.
Bodhi is trapped in a world he didn’t ask for, responsibilities wearing him down, he’s given one week a year to just breathe.
This put me through the paces, so many emotions were wrung out of me but at the end of it my heart is full, no words can really convey how much I loved this book, the characters, they touched such a special spot in my heart, I giggled, swooned, cried, I felt all the feels in the world. This author just cemented me to her words even more with this book.
April 30, 2020
Henna is a 19-year-old free spirit girl about to graduate high school after experiencing a tragic accident.
Like every year, she goes to the 'Coachella' music festival, where she met Bodhi. 🎉
Bodhi has a painful past. He had big dreams until the night that changed his life and since, he's been agonizing over the mistakes he made. 💔
They have intense chemistry - Henna is exactly the type of girl Bodhi needs, but he doesn't think he deserves happiness, so he knows that after the festival, they will have to go their separate ways.💥
They both did not expect to see each other again so soon, but it happened in a completely different environment from Coachella, which made their relationship... FORBIDDEN. 😱
Will they ever find the right timing...? 💜
📚 “𝙃𝙞. 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚?”
“𝙄’𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮.” 📚
So... sorry, but UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT!!! 😈
I heard so much about this book and I was so excited when the audio finally got out, but it didn't live up to my expectations. I want to make clear that my low rating is not related to the writing style, which was (as usual) amazing! I probably would have liked the book, *if not for the heroine*.
Henna was the most annoying heroine EVER!!! It was a first, because I usually fall in love with Jewel's heroines. 😱
I hated her as much as I hate waxing...! 😂😂😂
Spoiled. Childish. Brat with rage outbursts of a 2-year-old... and she was also the definition of a doormat. 😬
True, Henna experienced a terrible tragedy, but it still did not justify her behavior.
Then... towards the end, Hannah did something that didn't fit her selfish persona - so even though it was supposed to be a tear-jerking moment, all I thought to myself while rolling my eyes was, "God, this is SO ridiculous!!!!!"
📚 "𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙪𝙥. 𝙂𝙤𝙙… 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠." 📚
To tell the truth, the whole vibe of the book was a little wired - I would get it if the plot had happened in the 60's, during the Woodstock Festival with Volkswagen Vans and the Flower Children, when everyone smoked marijuana and were carefree and irresponsible... but as a modern story, it didn't really work for me. 😬
Plus, because Henna was SO annoying, I didn't feel their love... Their story was supposed to be a wild memory from Coachella, but they were both convinced that they found the love of their lives after only two days, and I didn't feel it... Especially because that most of the book they weren't even together!
And the ending...? I already said doormat, RIGHT?!?! 😭😭😭
📚 "𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨." 📚
OK, I'm relaxed now... 😂
The good: Jewel handled super-sensitive topics with care! I loved the characters of Barrett (Bodhi's dad) and Juni (Henna's mom). Her dad was awesome too, which made me wonder - how is it possible that two cool people gave birth to such an annoying brat, HOW?!?! (Shit, I'm getting angry again. Breathe Mali, breathe...) 😂😂😂
I'm obviously in the minority - so If you love forbidden love books, I recommend you try it yourself, because Jewel is definitely an amazing author! 💜
• I listened to the AUDIO version. 🎧
▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️▫️
📖 ᖴOᒪᒪOᗯ ᗰE Oᑎ IᑎᔕTᗩGᖇᗩᗰ: 🎉 https://www.instagram.com/the_romanti...
📖 ᐯIᔕIT ᗰY ᗷᒪOG ᖴOᖇ ᗰOᖇE ᖇEᐯIEᗯᔕ: https://books-romance.com/
January 4, 2019
★ 2 STARS ★
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A new year has started, but my honest opinion will remain the same.
Sooo, here I am again in the minority team... *sigh*
Henna não é o tipo de heroína que me agrada muito. Mesmo ciente de tudo o que ela enfrentou e em certas situações até mesmo conseguir compreender suas atitudes, ainda assim esta personagem me irritou bastante. A achei imatura demais em determinados momentos e egoísta em outros. Não fui capaz de sentir uma simpatia por ela.
Bodhi foi outro personagem que não me ganhou completamente. Pra mim ele não foi um mocinho forte, apesar de ter suas qualidades, não conseguiu deixar sua marca.
Pra ser honesta, não fui capaz de me conectar com nenhum dos dois.
Eu gostei de como o relacionamento dos dois se iniciou, de como se conheceram. Entretanto, conforme a trama foi se desenrolando e principalmente o caminho que ela seguiu não me agradou. E, a partir de determinado ponto a relação acabou perdendo o brilho pra mim.
O comportamento e algumas das ações do casal me decepcionou. Sei que todos os relacionamentos têm seus altos e baixos e que nada é de fato perfeito, porém há certas situações da qual eu não consigo aceitar ou simplesmente relevar. Muita coisa foi desnecessária e outras poderiam ter se desenrolado de maneira diferente...
A história tem sim pontos e momentos que se destacaram, algumas partes carregadas de emoções e sentimentos, porém não foi o suficiente pra mim. Não sei explicar ao certo, mas não consegui sentir tudo aquilo que era suposto sentir. Não me tocou como deveria.
O final foi um pouco corrido na minha opinião e devido a toda trajetória dos personagens, dos altos e baixos e da história em si, gostaria que o desfecho fosse mais elaborado. Acho que deixou a desejar, ficou faltando algo...
De modo geral, não foi um livro que me impressionou, tentei muito gostar, mas não consegui pois a irritação que senti ao longo da trama se sobrepôs a qualquer outro sentimento. Como eu disse, não procuro por personagens perfeitos ou histórias de amor onde só há flores e corações. No entanto, o que li aqui não me convenceu, não teve um sentido completo e também não é algo que eu realmente goste de ler.
Este é o segundo livro que leio da autora e assim como o primeiro, eu gostei muito da escrita dela. Mas, infelizmente, este livro não funcionou pra mim, não foi nada do que eu imaginava e esperava.
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“Vulnerability takes more strength than anything else in life. You have to be willing to feel absolutely every emotion. Vulnerability is the sharpest knife, the longest marathon, the highest mountain.”
A new year has started, but my honest opinion will remain the same.
Sooo, here I am again in the minority team... *sigh*
Henna não é o tipo de heroína que me agrada muito. Mesmo ciente de tudo o que ela enfrentou e em certas situações até mesmo conseguir compreender suas atitudes, ainda assim esta personagem me irritou bastante. A achei imatura demais em determinados momentos e egoísta em outros. Não fui capaz de sentir uma simpatia por ela.
Bodhi foi outro personagem que não me ganhou completamente. Pra mim ele não foi um mocinho forte, apesar de ter suas qualidades, não conseguiu deixar sua marca.
Pra ser honesta, não fui capaz de me conectar com nenhum dos dois.
Eu gostei de como o relacionamento dos dois se iniciou, de como se conheceram. Entretanto, conforme a trama foi se desenrolando e principalmente o caminho que ela seguiu não me agradou. E, a partir de determinado ponto a relação acabou perdendo o brilho pra mim.
O comportamento e algumas das ações do casal me decepcionou. Sei que todos os relacionamentos têm seus altos e baixos e que nada é de fato perfeito, porém há certas situações da qual eu não consigo aceitar ou simplesmente relevar. Muita coisa foi desnecessária e outras poderiam ter se desenrolado de maneira diferente...
A história tem sim pontos e momentos que se destacaram, algumas partes carregadas de emoções e sentimentos, porém não foi o suficiente pra mim. Não sei explicar ao certo, mas não consegui sentir tudo aquilo que era suposto sentir. Não me tocou como deveria.
O final foi um pouco corrido na minha opinião e devido a toda trajetória dos personagens, dos altos e baixos e da história em si, gostaria que o desfecho fosse mais elaborado. Acho que deixou a desejar, ficou faltando algo...
De modo geral, não foi um livro que me impressionou, tentei muito gostar, mas não consegui pois a irritação que senti ao longo da trama se sobrepôs a qualquer outro sentimento. Como eu disse, não procuro por personagens perfeitos ou histórias de amor onde só há flores e corações. No entanto, o que li aqui não me convenceu, não teve um sentido completo e também não é algo que eu realmente goste de ler.
Este é o segundo livro que leio da autora e assim como o primeiro, eu gostei muito da escrita dela. Mas, infelizmente, este livro não funcionou pra mim, não foi nada do que eu imaginava e esperava.
“No matter where I am on this earth, I’m loving you… forever.”
January 4, 2019
Jewel E. Ann, you have the talent to literally take over my heart with your writing.. You had my heart racing, then melting, then mad. You made it skip beats, with the sobbing I did. My heart, it got put through the ringer during this read but In the end, my heart thanks you for completely and utterly making it feel, feel so fricken happy, and full for the love of your stories!!
"Hey, I'm pretty sure you're still my greatest memory."
Full review to come.....when I can form my thoughts😜
***********************************************
This book. I’ve sat and thought, how do I put this book into words. Simple, read this book and please don’t flash to the end to cheat. So amazingly written to me, it sucks you in and it literally holds you hostage until the end.
Bodhi & Henna, Henna & Bodhi, I cant say I’ve wanted a couple to be happy as I’ve wanted this much deserving couple to have that. Hands down, my heart fell in love, hard, with Henna & Bodhi. Bodhi & Henna. Henna & Bodhi. Still reeling from these two 😍
Bodhi is dedicated to taking care of his physically challenged father from an accident and now battling cancer. He feels he doesn’t deserve happiness, definitely doesn’t deserve love, heck never looked for it. He simply does what he has to do to take care of his father and pay the bills. So when he meets Henna, what happens when she takes ahold of his heart, and won’t give it back. Here begins the journey of Bodhi & Henna.
Henna, fought death and won, so what better way to live it to its fullest by being happy, and carefree, and taking what you deserve. So when meeting and falling for an incredibly sexy man, how far will she go to be with him, stay in touch with him?
Without giving anything away about how much these two endure during this journey, be prepared for all the emotions. But, I promise, in the end, that journey comes to a remarkable end. I relished in the connection, the chemistry, the way this book flowed, and dang did I fall even more in love with the writing this author creates. Perfection!
"Hey, I'm pretty sure you're still my greatest memory."
Full review to come.....when I can form my thoughts😜
***********************************************
This book. I’ve sat and thought, how do I put this book into words. Simple, read this book and please don’t flash to the end to cheat. So amazingly written to me, it sucks you in and it literally holds you hostage until the end.
Bodhi & Henna, Henna & Bodhi, I cant say I’ve wanted a couple to be happy as I’ve wanted this much deserving couple to have that. Hands down, my heart fell in love, hard, with Henna & Bodhi. Bodhi & Henna. Henna & Bodhi. Still reeling from these two 😍
Bodhi is dedicated to taking care of his physically challenged father from an accident and now battling cancer. He feels he doesn’t deserve happiness, definitely doesn’t deserve love, heck never looked for it. He simply does what he has to do to take care of his father and pay the bills. So when he meets Henna, what happens when she takes ahold of his heart, and won’t give it back. Here begins the journey of Bodhi & Henna.
Henna, fought death and won, so what better way to live it to its fullest by being happy, and carefree, and taking what you deserve. So when meeting and falling for an incredibly sexy man, how far will she go to be with him, stay in touch with him?
Without giving anything away about how much these two endure during this journey, be prepared for all the emotions. But, I promise, in the end, that journey comes to a remarkable end. I relished in the connection, the chemistry, the way this book flowed, and dang did I fall even more in love with the writing this author creates. Perfection!
January 9, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
He eats one fry and hands me the last one. It’s oddly the most romantic thing a guy has ever done for me. The final french fry trumps a single red rose. At least, that’s how my mind works.
“Are you still flirting with me?” “Always. Even when our kids think it’s gross and we’re too old to flirt, I’m going to tease you with my sexiness.”
It’s hotter than a pot of Devil’s stew.
Do people really use paperweights? I always think of them as unsuspecting weapons in murder mysteries.
One of his eyes pops open, followed by the other. “Oh my God! You’re not dead.” I drop to my knees and rest my forehead on the arm of his chair, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tightly. “Not today, young lady. But Christ … I hope the mortician does a better job of checking my pulse than you did. I don’t relish the idea of being burned or buried alive.”
I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.
My Review:
I am not a fan of the angst which made this tragic story a treacherous and somewhat arduous trek for me to journey through, yet the writing was stellar and the cleverly alluring characters were enticing, complicated, and so incredibly nuanced; I couldn’t give up. I had to read all the words. Even the ones that greatly annoyed me.
The storylines were shrewdly paced, and often heart-wrenching and multi-layered with complex issues and thought-provoking real-world dilemmas and obstacles that would be difficult for anyone to navigate, much less while in the throes of an epic love story. The writing was lushly descriptive, poignantly insightful, and relentlessly mined all the feels with panache. And oh, I have to mention the bone-melting sensuality... I may have been gasping... a few times.
I struggled in how to rate it overall which proved to be quite the predicament as there were sections I truly struggled with as well as the unfortunate deployment of my least favorite trope, yet the superior quality and thoughtfulness of the writing couldn't be overlooked. While the HEA was hard won, it was well worth the effort and “quite the snack.”
He eats one fry and hands me the last one. It’s oddly the most romantic thing a guy has ever done for me. The final french fry trumps a single red rose. At least, that’s how my mind works.
“Are you still flirting with me?” “Always. Even when our kids think it’s gross and we’re too old to flirt, I’m going to tease you with my sexiness.”
It’s hotter than a pot of Devil’s stew.
Do people really use paperweights? I always think of them as unsuspecting weapons in murder mysteries.
One of his eyes pops open, followed by the other. “Oh my God! You’re not dead.” I drop to my knees and rest my forehead on the arm of his chair, grabbing his hand and squeezing it tightly. “Not today, young lady. But Christ … I hope the mortician does a better job of checking my pulse than you did. I don’t relish the idea of being burned or buried alive.”
I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.
My Review:
I am not a fan of the angst which made this tragic story a treacherous and somewhat arduous trek for me to journey through, yet the writing was stellar and the cleverly alluring characters were enticing, complicated, and so incredibly nuanced; I couldn’t give up. I had to read all the words. Even the ones that greatly annoyed me.
The storylines were shrewdly paced, and often heart-wrenching and multi-layered with complex issues and thought-provoking real-world dilemmas and obstacles that would be difficult for anyone to navigate, much less while in the throes of an epic love story. The writing was lushly descriptive, poignantly insightful, and relentlessly mined all the feels with panache. And oh, I have to mention the bone-melting sensuality... I may have been gasping... a few times.
I struggled in how to rate it overall which proved to be quite the predicament as there were sections I truly struggled with as well as the unfortunate deployment of my least favorite trope, yet the superior quality and thoughtfulness of the writing couldn't be overlooked. While the HEA was hard won, it was well worth the effort and “quite the snack.”
January 8, 2019
Didn't like it. Too insta-love for my taste. Didn't like either of the MCs, she was childish and clingy, he was dull and weak. He knew she is a teenager and still lusted for her and she was ok to have sex with him even though she is a virgin.
Of course because the male lead is a man after all and he has needs, being in love with the heroine doesn't stop him from sleeping with others while she is still texting him and asking if he forgot her. Pathetic much? Yeah I know.
She almost slept with another because she was hurt. Of course she couldn't, because she is a woman and her virginity is so precious and beautiful so she will give it to the man she loves... God! I'm gonna throw up, so I will stop. I stopped reading then anyway.
I don’t have time to date. That’s not my life. But you can and you should.”
“Well, if you’re not having sex, then why should I need to have it?”
“Henna …” He shakes his head. I didn’t think he could look more pained. I was wrong. “It’s not that I … what I mean is …” Bodhi sighs.
My stomach tightens and my chest constricts my lungs, making it hard to breathe. “Sex,” I say on an exhale of disbelief. “You don’t date, but you … Jesus!” Standing, I slide my bag over my shoulder. “I feel so stupid. Just…” I shake my head “…so fucking stupid.”
She bends down and kisses me, framing my face with her hands. “I hate you for being with…” her throat bobs “…other women when I promised I’d find you.”
“I hate myself too.” My chin drops to my chest. They weren’t just a means to fill a sexual need; they were a way to try and forget about Henna. I’m so fucking stupid because this woman is eternally unforgettable. How could I not know this?
Of course!!
Of course because the male lead is a man after all and he has needs, being in love with the heroine doesn't stop him from sleeping with others while she is still texting him and asking if he forgot her. Pathetic much? Yeah I know.
She almost slept with another because she was hurt. Of course she couldn't, because she is a woman and her virginity is so precious and beautiful so she will give it to the man she loves... God! I'm gonna throw up, so I will stop. I stopped reading then anyway.
I don’t have time to date. That’s not my life. But you can and you should.”
“Well, if you’re not having sex, then why should I need to have it?”
“Henna …” He shakes his head. I didn’t think he could look more pained. I was wrong. “It’s not that I … what I mean is …” Bodhi sighs.
My stomach tightens and my chest constricts my lungs, making it hard to breathe. “Sex,” I say on an exhale of disbelief. “You don’t date, but you … Jesus!” Standing, I slide my bag over my shoulder. “I feel so stupid. Just…” I shake my head “…so fucking stupid.”
She bends down and kisses me, framing my face with her hands. “I hate you for being with…” her throat bobs “…other women when I promised I’d find you.”
“I hate myself too.” My chin drops to my chest. They weren’t just a means to fill a sexual need; they were a way to try and forget about Henna. I’m so fucking stupid because this woman is eternally unforgettable. How could I not know this?
Of course!!
January 1, 2019
<3 5 stars <3
"Henna and Bodhi...
It's like my body knows that he's mine to touch."
Such a beautiful story, I have no words.My heart is so full, I adored everything about this story.But most of all the romance which is epic.
Bodhi and Henna were both unique, not only their names but their personalities too.I fall in love with them slowly and I just couldn't get enough of them.
I haven't read a lot of books from this author but I can easily say this is the best!I could keep going and going telling how much I loved this story.It's a heartwarming story and i had butterflies in my heart with these two.Also it's intense and steamy.
"Henna and Bodhi...
It's like my body knows that he's mine to touch."
Such a beautiful story, I have no words.My heart is so full, I adored everything about this story.But most of all the romance which is epic.
Bodhi and Henna were both unique, not only their names but their personalities too.I fall in love with them slowly and I just couldn't get enough of them.
I haven't read a lot of books from this author but I can easily say this is the best!I could keep going and going telling how much I loved this story.It's a heartwarming story and i had butterflies in my heart with these two.Also it's intense and steamy.
January 14, 2019
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: Wow. I wasn't quite expecting such a heavy read! . They were definitely experiencing some instalove and I struggled with it at first -- but by the end I truly felt their connection and was completely rooting for their HEA by the end. I was, however, disappointed in the big conflict timing and the ending. I wanted more of a time between the resolution and the epilogue, and I think I had in my mind how I wanted it to be wrapped up but was disappointed when that's not how it went down .
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Henna and Bodhi's story. I'm going to add a spoiler tag in case this is too spoiler-y:
POV: This alternated between Henna and Bodhi's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the end (see closure section below). I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: Yes. They move really quickly and basically fall in love the day they meet. I struggled with it at first, but not after a while and them going through and being resilient through some heavier stuff.
H rating: 4 stars. Bodhi. I liked him. He was so damaged by his past and guilt, but I appreciated how he loved the h.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Henna. I really liked her. She was funny, loyal, and kinda crazy -- but it worked!
Sadness level: Moderate. I cried, but I never quite needed tissues.
Push/Pull:Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes -- *BIG SPOILERS*
Closure: This was my biggest issue. We get their big conflict presented really late (93%), resolved, and then a HEA in the epilogue. There was hardly any time in between and not nearly enough to process their resolution. While I thought the epilogue was cute, it wasn't what I was hoping it would be -- but it was still enough for me to classify it as a HEA.
Safety: This one is probably either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: Wow. I wasn't quite expecting such a heavy read! . They were definitely experiencing some instalove and I struggled with it at first -- but by the end I truly felt their connection and was completely rooting for their HEA by the end. I was, however, disappointed in the big conflict timing and the ending. I wanted more of a time between the resolution and the epilogue, and I think I had in my mind how I wanted it to be wrapped up but was disappointed when that's not how it went down .
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Henna and Bodhi's story. I'm going to add a spoiler tag in case this is too spoiler-y:
POV: This alternated between Henna and Bodhi's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good until the end (see closure section below). I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well otherwise.
Instalove: Yes. They move really quickly and basically fall in love the day they meet. I struggled with it at first, but not after a while and them going through and being resilient through some heavier stuff.
H rating: 4 stars. Bodhi. I liked him. He was so damaged by his past and guilt, but I appreciated how he loved the h.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Henna. I really liked her. She was funny, loyal, and kinda crazy -- but it worked!
Sadness level: Moderate. I cried, but I never quite needed tissues.
Push/Pull:Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Not really
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Not IMO
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes -- *BIG SPOILERS*
Closure: This was my biggest issue. We get their big conflict presented really late (93%), resolved, and then a HEA in the epilogue. There was hardly any time in between and not nearly enough to process their resolution. While I thought the epilogue was cute, it wasn't what I was hoping it would be -- but it was still enough for me to classify it as a HEA.
Safety: This one is probably either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
December 23, 2018
**4.5 Stars**
Phew.... This was a toughie to get through especially because of all the emotions and a certain topic I won’t spoil. Once again Jewel E. Ann delivers a story with characters that makes me feel and think about while reading and once I’m finished.
Henna & Bodhi. Bodhi & Henna. Wow. These two made my skin tingle. Right off the bat their chemistry was palpable and intoxicating. They meet in a cab on their way to a music festival and sparks fly. I was completely entranced with them. They both come with baggage and making a relationship work isn’t easy even though it feels like it. In their own bubble everything is right and easy but it all comes tumbling down when the “real” world sets in once they get home.
I enjoyed Henna and Bodhi. Two flawed characters with so much heart. Together they feel invincible but Bodhi doesn’t feel worthy of Henna. It’s a difficult journey filled with love, loss and acceptance. They both love so fiercely and sacrifices a lot because of it.
A Place Without You delivers all the feels and a story with a controversial topic. I can’t point out enough how much these two characters moved me. Not only with how strongly they love but by their actions as well. I could easily relate to both of them and their predicament they were in.
Jewel E. Ann is a master storyteller. I’m challenged and never disappointed. That’s why she’s a unicorn author of mine.
4.5 Limitless Stars
Phew.... This was a toughie to get through especially because of all the emotions and a certain topic I won’t spoil. Once again Jewel E. Ann delivers a story with characters that makes me feel and think about while reading and once I’m finished.
Henna & Bodhi. Bodhi & Henna. Wow. These two made my skin tingle. Right off the bat their chemistry was palpable and intoxicating. They meet in a cab on their way to a music festival and sparks fly. I was completely entranced with them. They both come with baggage and making a relationship work isn’t easy even though it feels like it. In their own bubble everything is right and easy but it all comes tumbling down when the “real” world sets in once they get home.
I enjoyed Henna and Bodhi. Two flawed characters with so much heart. Together they feel invincible but Bodhi doesn’t feel worthy of Henna. It’s a difficult journey filled with love, loss and acceptance. They both love so fiercely and sacrifices a lot because of it.
A Place Without You delivers all the feels and a story with a controversial topic. I can’t point out enough how much these two characters moved me. Not only with how strongly they love but by their actions as well. I could easily relate to both of them and their predicament they were in.
Jewel E. Ann is a master storyteller. I’m challenged and never disappointed. That’s why she’s a unicorn author of mine.
4.5 Limitless Stars
May 15, 2020
OMG this book WRECKED ME!!!!!!
Beautifully written but tissues are a necessity!!! Buckle up everyone!!
There were so many things I loved about this novel.
I loved Henna's care free and wild spirit. Her gypsy like personality, not taking anything too seriously, living in the moment, and not wasting a profound connection with someone even if it's just meant to be temporarily. And the connection she shared with Bodhi was immediate, tangible, and epic.
Bodhi was a DREAM!!! The mother lode actually!! He was such an amazing guy, even with everything else that was going on. And the way he was with Henna - SWOON!!!! These two were a dream come true. They just fit. You know like Yin and Yang - two halves belonging together.
But as it is often in life, timing is everything. And at times fate and karma can also be a bitch.
For me Henna and Bodhi were meant to be. I loved them, actually adored them together. Their love for each other was beyond reason and without a doubt meant to be. It's just that life had other plans.
The author wrote a gorgeous love story. Absolutely beautiful, meaningful and touching. I adored it until l got to the second half of the book. It would have been one of these magical stories that left me all glowing and and grinning like a maniac, because that's how much I loved it.
But then the author went her merry way and ripped my heart out!! It became emotionally wrecking and left me with this huge hole in my heart. But besides all that, A Place Without You was exceptionally well written, crisp, clean, with dialogues that just jumped off the pages. It also helps that the author writes some of the most enjoyable characters.
I just need to remind myself that she also excels in ripping out my heart when I least expect it.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
Beautifully written but tissues are a necessity!!! Buckle up everyone!!
There were so many things I loved about this novel.
I loved Henna's care free and wild spirit. Her gypsy like personality, not taking anything too seriously, living in the moment, and not wasting a profound connection with someone even if it's just meant to be temporarily. And the connection she shared with Bodhi was immediate, tangible, and epic.
Bodhi was a DREAM!!! The mother lode actually!! He was such an amazing guy, even with everything else that was going on. And the way he was with Henna - SWOON!!!! These two were a dream come true. They just fit. You know like Yin and Yang - two halves belonging together.
But as it is often in life, timing is everything. And at times fate and karma can also be a bitch.
For me Henna and Bodhi were meant to be. I loved them, actually adored them together. Their love for each other was beyond reason and without a doubt meant to be. It's just that life had other plans.
The author wrote a gorgeous love story. Absolutely beautiful, meaningful and touching. I adored it until l got to the second half of the book. It would have been one of these magical stories that left me all glowing and and grinning like a maniac, because that's how much I loved it.
But then the author went her merry way and ripped my heart out!! It became emotionally wrecking and left me with this huge hole in my heart. But besides all that, A Place Without You was exceptionally well written, crisp, clean, with dialogues that just jumped off the pages. It also helps that the author writes some of the most enjoyable characters.
I just need to remind myself that she also excels in ripping out my heart when I least expect it.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
Shelved as 'never-no-way'
June 13, 2019Initial thoughts on 18.12.2018
I read the blurb and didn't like it.
I read Chapter One and didn't like it, either.
I have a feeling she is not my type of heroine but I may change my mind. I am waiting for more reviews. Jewel E. Ann is one of those writers whose books are either a hit or a miss for me. That's why I need to wait and decide wisely...
***
Addition/Revision on 14.06.2019
I had initially marked this book as "maybe" and waited for more reviews to come. Some of my friends with a similar taste in books as me didn't like it when they read the book and now, my book-soul-mate Funda read it and we talked about it under her review/rating (you can follow the comments).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
What I learnt from her makes me change the "maybe" shelf to "never no way" shelf.
Basically, her being a clingy doormat and his never grovelling would be good enough reasons for me to avoid this book but there is more. So, nope, not interested in it at all!
I read the blurb and didn't like it.
I read Chapter One and didn't like it, either.
I have a feeling she is not my type of heroine but I may change my mind. I am waiting for more reviews. Jewel E. Ann is one of those writers whose books are either a hit or a miss for me. That's why I need to wait and decide wisely...
***
Addition/Revision on 14.06.2019
I had initially marked this book as "maybe" and waited for more reviews to come. Some of my friends with a similar taste in books as me didn't like it when they read the book and now, my book-soul-mate Funda read it and we talked about it under her review/rating (you can follow the comments).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
What I learnt from her makes me change the "maybe" shelf to "never no way" shelf.
Basically, her being a clingy doormat and his never grovelling would be good enough reasons for me to avoid this book but there is more. So, nope, not interested in it at all!
January 1, 2019
REVIEW: 5 STARS
"I want him to hold me in his arms the way I've held him in my heart."
SHE'S FREAKING BRILLIANT.
I cannot even begin to explain how amazing it is to me that someone can write a story that completely catches me off guard - but on top of that, has me still thinking of it days, weeks, months later because it affected me on some deeper level. A level that goes beyond normal. Jewel is most definitely that kind of author for me. There is a reason she sits on my favorites list each year. Yet again, here is proof.
Where to start with this one. If you know Jewel's writing from any of her previous books, you will know and understand her angst. You have felt the effects of how easily she rips you apart and puts you back together. You've seen the reality that encompasses all her stories and the triumph in the ending. It's what keeps me coming back for more. It's the reason I sign up for her brand of torture, every single time. Because she does it effortlessly. It's so good. Add the fact that nothing of hers is predictable or without their own special twists, that makes for a page turning read that is never boring. Ever. And the quotes? I could quote the whole darn book!!!
"Attraction doesn't give a shit about time. It wants what it wants."
I am such a slow, meticulous reader, so when the words are visual and the feelings are palpable, it brings the story to life. This is exactly how Jewel writes. Her words are electric when she tells a story. When Bodhi and Henna met, it was a sensual dance of flirting, smiling and winking. Their chemistry was immediate and intense, but I don't think it was unexplainable because it was destined to be. The buildup was told so well that I saw a strength in their vulnerability and I appreciated that. The angst was definitely there, but it was a softer angst. It wasn't the stomach twisting angst I've come to expect, but I liked that little switch up. It really worked for this story and it made their love that much more vibrant and alive. It wasn't an easy road to get from point A to point B, and there is no denying that, but it was one worth every single obstacle. Their push and their pull, their desires to do the right thing gave this book such a hard-hitting, emotional gut punch. I couldn't help but pore over the words that she was bringing to life. She made it easy to imagine how every decision made affected the characters, in turn allowing me to feel their turmoil.
"There's a part of her no one will ever understand unless they see how she expresses herself without words."
I connected very easily to both Henna and Bodhi, not by experience, but by emotion - which made them very relatable. I liked how stubborn Henna was. I liked how set Bodhi was in his convictions. Together, they made the story breathe. It was moving. It was fluid. Flawless, even though their actions may have been angering and the reasons may have been agonizing. Their relationship had charisma, but their fight for an undeniable love wasn't without it's battles. Their love was organic in every way.
"I'm pretty sure you're still my greatest memory."
I know I say the same thing every time I read one of her books, but when Jewel gives me deep characters, an engaging first meeting combined with a plot rampant with emotional truths, and buttoned up with an amazing ending...it's perfection. It literally is. I love her books. I just do. I love the way she tells a story, and it's as if she unapologetically showing us the truth behind a love that's destined to last through hardships, through thick and thin. Guaranteed.
Once again, Jewel writes FATE like it was meant to be. (I'm punny)
"Yeah, she's a torturous glimpse at a life I would have loved to live."
~BEE
AA AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2BRkXGo
ENTER HERE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2BSCaPS
"I want him to hold me in his arms the way I've held him in my heart."
SHE'S FREAKING BRILLIANT.
I cannot even begin to explain how amazing it is to me that someone can write a story that completely catches me off guard - but on top of that, has me still thinking of it days, weeks, months later because it affected me on some deeper level. A level that goes beyond normal. Jewel is most definitely that kind of author for me. There is a reason she sits on my favorites list each year. Yet again, here is proof.
Where to start with this one. If you know Jewel's writing from any of her previous books, you will know and understand her angst. You have felt the effects of how easily she rips you apart and puts you back together. You've seen the reality that encompasses all her stories and the triumph in the ending. It's what keeps me coming back for more. It's the reason I sign up for her brand of torture, every single time. Because she does it effortlessly. It's so good. Add the fact that nothing of hers is predictable or without their own special twists, that makes for a page turning read that is never boring. Ever. And the quotes? I could quote the whole darn book!!!
"Attraction doesn't give a shit about time. It wants what it wants."
I am such a slow, meticulous reader, so when the words are visual and the feelings are palpable, it brings the story to life. This is exactly how Jewel writes. Her words are electric when she tells a story. When Bodhi and Henna met, it was a sensual dance of flirting, smiling and winking. Their chemistry was immediate and intense, but I don't think it was unexplainable because it was destined to be. The buildup was told so well that I saw a strength in their vulnerability and I appreciated that. The angst was definitely there, but it was a softer angst. It wasn't the stomach twisting angst I've come to expect, but I liked that little switch up. It really worked for this story and it made their love that much more vibrant and alive. It wasn't an easy road to get from point A to point B, and there is no denying that, but it was one worth every single obstacle. Their push and their pull, their desires to do the right thing gave this book such a hard-hitting, emotional gut punch. I couldn't help but pore over the words that she was bringing to life. She made it easy to imagine how every decision made affected the characters, in turn allowing me to feel their turmoil.
"There's a part of her no one will ever understand unless they see how she expresses herself without words."
I connected very easily to both Henna and Bodhi, not by experience, but by emotion - which made them very relatable. I liked how stubborn Henna was. I liked how set Bodhi was in his convictions. Together, they made the story breathe. It was moving. It was fluid. Flawless, even though their actions may have been angering and the reasons may have been agonizing. Their relationship had charisma, but their fight for an undeniable love wasn't without it's battles. Their love was organic in every way.
"I'm pretty sure you're still my greatest memory."
I know I say the same thing every time I read one of her books, but when Jewel gives me deep characters, an engaging first meeting combined with a plot rampant with emotional truths, and buttoned up with an amazing ending...it's perfection. It literally is. I love her books. I just do. I love the way she tells a story, and it's as if she unapologetically showing us the truth behind a love that's destined to last through hardships, through thick and thin. Guaranteed.
Once again, Jewel writes FATE like it was meant to be. (I'm punny)
"Yeah, she's a torturous glimpse at a life I would have loved to live."
~BEE
AA AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2BRkXGo
ENTER HERE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2BSCaPS
January 1, 2019
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Life is meant to be lived and not chased, raced, or saved for another day...
Henna Lane is an artsy free spirited 18 yr. old girl who lives in Colorado. She has a colorful life and personality, and is known to be unpredictable and spontaneous, so when she meets a gorgeous guy named Bodhi at a music festival she decides they could be great together even if only for a few days. She knows it's temporary, but when sparks fly you have to pay attention. When they touch it's electric, exciting, and undescribable. Their chemistry is magnetic, and they feel limitless when together. It's natural and easy between them, and neither want their time to come to an end.
-“Henna, are you flirting with me?”
-“Yes, Bodhi, I’m shamelessly, unapologetically, working-my-ass-off flirting with you. The universe has spoken. We can’t ignore the universe.”
-He’s mine. Even if he doesn’t really know it yet- he’s mine.
-Bodhi can touch me without lifting a finger. I feel him in ways I’ve never felt anyone before.
-Attraction doesn’t give a shit about time. It wants what it wants. I know one thing for sure- long after our time ends, I will feel an invisible pull to her for the rest of my life. Yin and Yang. Positive and negative. Bodhi and Henna.
Bodhi meets Henna and she's like a sexy goddess from the seventies made just for him. He's blinded by her light and in one day she makes a permanent mark on him. She's a stunning glimpse of a life he could have had. She makes him feel alive, and they share a weekend immersed in music and each other. They both feel something extremely powerful and life changing. Bodhi knows she will forever own a piece of his heart. They fall hard and fast, and then abruptly part ways only to eventually cross paths again. This is where their story takes an unexpected twist, and they have to decide if what they feel is worth fighting for.
Jewel E. Ann always writes books that are unique, beautiful, and speak to the heart. This story is emotional, messy, complicated, and full of tragedy, obstacles, and angst. This couples road to love isn't easy, and is plagued with impossible decisions and circumstances. It's a second chance forbidden romance that is fantastic and unforgettable. I loved Henna+Bodhi so much!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2F16VG2
(ARC provided by Social Butterfly PR)
-Life is meant to be lived and not chased, raced, or saved for another day...
Henna Lane is an artsy free spirited 18 yr. old girl who lives in Colorado. She has a colorful life and personality, and is known to be unpredictable and spontaneous, so when she meets a gorgeous guy named Bodhi at a music festival she decides they could be great together even if only for a few days. She knows it's temporary, but when sparks fly you have to pay attention. When they touch it's electric, exciting, and undescribable. Their chemistry is magnetic, and they feel limitless when together. It's natural and easy between them, and neither want their time to come to an end.
-“Henna, are you flirting with me?”
-“Yes, Bodhi, I’m shamelessly, unapologetically, working-my-ass-off flirting with you. The universe has spoken. We can’t ignore the universe.”
-He’s mine. Even if he doesn’t really know it yet- he’s mine.
-Bodhi can touch me without lifting a finger. I feel him in ways I’ve never felt anyone before.
-Attraction doesn’t give a shit about time. It wants what it wants. I know one thing for sure- long after our time ends, I will feel an invisible pull to her for the rest of my life. Yin and Yang. Positive and negative. Bodhi and Henna.
Bodhi meets Henna and she's like a sexy goddess from the seventies made just for him. He's blinded by her light and in one day she makes a permanent mark on him. She's a stunning glimpse of a life he could have had. She makes him feel alive, and they share a weekend immersed in music and each other. They both feel something extremely powerful and life changing. Bodhi knows she will forever own a piece of his heart. They fall hard and fast, and then abruptly part ways only to eventually cross paths again. This is where their story takes an unexpected twist, and they have to decide if what they feel is worth fighting for.
Jewel E. Ann always writes books that are unique, beautiful, and speak to the heart. This story is emotional, messy, complicated, and full of tragedy, obstacles, and angst. This couples road to love isn't easy, and is plagued with impossible decisions and circumstances. It's a second chance forbidden romance that is fantastic and unforgettable. I loved Henna+Bodhi so much!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/2F16VG2
February 28, 2022
Henna and Bodhi are soulmates. Period.
I loved this book so much, dare i say this is my most favourite read so far this year?
The heroine Henna seems so much like a spoiled, rich and shallow brat in the beginning of the story but hell she's so much more. She's funny, smart and so much full of life even after experiencing tragedy so young in her life. I loved her personality. 🖤
The Hero Bodhi is so much full of guilt, self-loathing and love that my heart broke for him. He chose his family over everything for obvious reasons and i loved him for that. 💔
Can we get a round of applause for Henna's mom Juni? And her step-dad Zach? And her dad Mitch? They are the bestest best parents i have ever read about in a book before. 🥺🥺
This story was so realistic that the situations i wanted to hate, i ended up understanding them and loving every decision the character's made.
I loved how Henna never gave up and i loved how Bodhi tried to stay away but couldn't. (His sister was so fucking horrible, fuck her 🤬)
The character development was so so good in this book. We see characters grow up, we see their thought process change, we see how they learn things and experience life in their own way. 🙌
And the writing 🖤 OH.MY.GOD i LOVED the writing 🖤
Henna and Bodhi. Bodhi and Henna. FOREVER. *Sigh*
I loved this book so much, dare i say this is my most favourite read so far this year?
The heroine Henna seems so much like a spoiled, rich and shallow brat in the beginning of the story but hell she's so much more. She's funny, smart and so much full of life even after experiencing tragedy so young in her life. I loved her personality. 🖤
The Hero Bodhi is so much full of guilt, self-loathing and love that my heart broke for him. He chose his family over everything for obvious reasons and i loved him for that. 💔
Can we get a round of applause for Henna's mom Juni? And her step-dad Zach? And her dad Mitch? They are the bestest best parents i have ever read about in a book before. 🥺🥺
This story was so realistic that the situations i wanted to hate, i ended up understanding them and loving every decision the character's made.
I loved how Henna never gave up and i loved how Bodhi tried to stay away but couldn't. (His sister was so fucking horrible, fuck her 🤬)
The character development was so so good in this book. We see characters grow up, we see their thought process change, we see how they learn things and experience life in their own way. 🙌
And the writing 🖤 OH.MY.GOD i LOVED the writing 🖤
Henna and Bodhi. Bodhi and Henna. FOREVER. *Sigh*
August 26, 2021
“Every place was simply a place without you.”
One of my favorite things to do while reading a great book is come up with a playlist of songs to accompany it---songs that really capture the essence of the story, the relationships, the tone. But when an author finds their own way to incorporate songs into their novel, I'm in heaven and eternally grateful...and I'm also more likely to give it ALL the stars.
"Our love is forbidden and complicated. It’s hard and unforgiving. If we want it, we need to let it hurt sometimes."
Hedley. Safetysuit. Marianas Trench. Hozier. The Fray. The songs of these bands that Jewel featured in A Place Without You are some favorites of mine, (seriously, it was actually freaky how she knew about some of these bands because not many people do) so my reading experience with this one was extra memorable and meaningful. Music has the power to transport us just like books, so pairing the two together was like emotional overload for me...but in a fantastic way.
"I am his canvas. His instrument. His making and his undoing."
A Place Without You will take you on a journey. From Coachella to Colorado and even the Italian coast, Jewel's descriptive words will carry you far away and then deliver you back to reality, safe and sound. And with the most endearing free-spirited heroine and a sexy surfer/cowboy who will steal your heart, you will feel all the feels with this one.
"She’s everything I can never be. It’s all I think as I watch her sleep. She’s also Hell, and taming Hell is a job for the Devil. Right now, I feel like the Devil—stealer of innocence, breaker of rules, keeper of lies."
There is an unexpected subplot here that sealed this book's 5 star fate for me. I love a bit of controversial subject matter because in my opinion, seeing characters act human and flawed and confused and scared makes them feel more real to me. Some may not like it. Some may not agree. But I think it was a brilliant touch and added so much depth to an otherwise super (almost painfully) sweet love story.
"The Law of Henna and Bodhi: When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces." ❤️
Best paired with Pocket Full of Dreams by Hedley and a box full of Kleenex, this is one contemporary romance not to be missed. (don't say I didn't warn you.)
One of my favorite things to do while reading a great book is come up with a playlist of songs to accompany it---songs that really capture the essence of the story, the relationships, the tone. But when an author finds their own way to incorporate songs into their novel, I'm in heaven and eternally grateful...and I'm also more likely to give it ALL the stars.
"Our love is forbidden and complicated. It’s hard and unforgiving. If we want it, we need to let it hurt sometimes."
Hedley. Safetysuit. Marianas Trench. Hozier. The Fray. The songs of these bands that Jewel featured in A Place Without You are some favorites of mine, (seriously, it was actually freaky how she knew about some of these bands because not many people do) so my reading experience with this one was extra memorable and meaningful. Music has the power to transport us just like books, so pairing the two together was like emotional overload for me...but in a fantastic way.
"I am his canvas. His instrument. His making and his undoing."
A Place Without You will take you on a journey. From Coachella to Colorado and even the Italian coast, Jewel's descriptive words will carry you far away and then deliver you back to reality, safe and sound. And with the most endearing free-spirited heroine and a sexy surfer/cowboy who will steal your heart, you will feel all the feels with this one.
"She’s everything I can never be. It’s all I think as I watch her sleep. She’s also Hell, and taming Hell is a job for the Devil. Right now, I feel like the Devil—stealer of innocence, breaker of rules, keeper of lies."
There is an unexpected subplot here that sealed this book's 5 star fate for me. I love a bit of controversial subject matter because in my opinion, seeing characters act human and flawed and confused and scared makes them feel more real to me. Some may not like it. Some may not agree. But I think it was a brilliant touch and added so much depth to an otherwise super (almost painfully) sweet love story.
"The Law of Henna and Bodhi: When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces." ❤️
Best paired with Pocket Full of Dreams by Hedley and a box full of Kleenex, this is one contemporary romance not to be missed. (don't say I didn't warn you.)
January 7, 2019
The moment I opened this book...I was hooked. I tried to read as much as I could before my eyes started to get too heavy and I knew I had to get some sleep. Don't start this one right before bedtime...you will be tossing and turning all night because all you really want to do, is finish it...
When these two crossed paths, it was love at first sight. For them, but also for me. Both of them are awesome characters...bit together... they rock !!
The Law of Henna and Bodhi: When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard.
This book started out so light and fun, but I should have known...knowing this author, it wouldn't stay that way. Even though it is obvious, right from the start, that their love is one for the ages...they don't get to travel the easy road...
Their relationship is a bumpy ride...but the destination is so dammed worth it...
I was smiling and blubbering while reading this one... Such a wonderful read !!
Highly recommended !!
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January 22, 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Henna Lane was a free spirit. After a life altering experience, she vowed to live without regret and explore what the world had to offer. But what she found grounded her in a way she didn’t expect.
Bodhi Malone had a dream. However, the dream shattered alongside his zest by the past he couldn’t change. Meeting Henna breathed a new life into him but sometimes love alone might not be enough to mend what was broken.
I felt like this book had a bipolar personality. On one hand I love the inclusion of a heavy subject in the story that brought all the feels. On the other hand, there were things that irked me too much to ignore.
Henna was part of the issue. She endured life but I had hard time in giving her sympathy because of her difficult personality and the choices she made. I’m glad she redeemed herself towards the end but even then I wasn’t completely happy with her.
I liked Bodhi. He carried heavy burden on his shoulders and yet could still grace others with his selflessness. However, their initial love was too whirlwind to be believable. It took me until later for me to feel for them as a couple.
As previously mentioned, the story touched a heavy subject. I love seeing the main characters and their support system at their best and worst when dealing with the issue.
A Place Without You is a story of sacrifices and finding oneself. It would appeal to readers who enjoy angsty, emotional romance.
🔹 💛 🔹 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔹 💛 🔹
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Henna Lane was a free spirit. After a life altering experience, she vowed to live without regret and explore what the world had to offer. But what she found grounded her in a way she didn’t expect.
Bodhi Malone had a dream. However, the dream shattered alongside his zest by the past he couldn’t change. Meeting Henna breathed a new life into him but sometimes love alone might not be enough to mend what was broken.
My life will suck if I spend the rest of it comparing every man I meet to the one I want the most. The one I can’t have.
I felt like this book had a bipolar personality. On one hand I love the inclusion of a heavy subject in the story that brought all the feels. On the other hand, there were things that irked me too much to ignore.
“I want him to want me. Like the epic kind of love where he comes for me. The kind where he doesn’t take no for an answer. The kind that involves begging and groveling. I want him to chase me. Need me. I want him to hold me in his arms the way I’ve held him in my heart.”
Henna was part of the issue. She endured life but I had hard time in giving her sympathy because of her difficult personality and the choices she made. I’m glad she redeemed herself towards the end but even then I wasn’t completely happy with her.
Bodhi can touch me without lifting a finger. I feel him in ways I’ve never felt anyone before.
I liked Bodhi. He carried heavy burden on his shoulders and yet could still grace others with his selflessness. However, their initial love was too whirlwind to be believable. It took me until later for me to feel for them as a couple.
As previously mentioned, the story touched a heavy subject. I love seeing the main characters and their support system at their best and worst when dealing with the issue.
A Place Without You is a story of sacrifices and finding oneself. It would appeal to readers who enjoy angsty, emotional romance.
🔹 💛 🔹 . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔹 💛 🔹
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
December 21, 2018
The Law of Henna and Bodhi: When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Time to dust off the 6 Star Box that's solely reserved for Jewel E. Ann. Another book that is tucked in safely.........And now I'm empty!
So many feels overflowing in my heart, levees breached, tearful eyes, exhausted heart. Such memorable lines, unbelievably strong desires and deep despair, it's not a book, it's an experience. A ringside viewing of a colourful life of Henna & Bodhi. Their love didn't happen, it just is, it exists. I'm still wide eyed after having finished the book. It's taken me all day to collect my thoughts and write the review.I've argued with Jewel(pls don't hold it against me!). I'm not ready to let go of them yet
Don’t sweat it. Everything is temporary.
Well they ARE NOT. The woman who turns ordinary words into extraordinary stories belies her own penned adage. There's a permanence of genius in every book by Jewel. It's not just an emotional statement, but well founded on reason. Every story she writes has a unique plot with flawed "human" characters as protagonists. She refuses to be boxed in, colours all outside the lines and is stubborn in her adherence to the plot. Public opinion and sales do not dictate her craft and that's the reason she has garnered respect as a writer among her peers and us readers. Meticulously choreographing the timeline of her novels, minutely detailing the characters' behavioural patterns,creating strong females who carve their own path and men who are Alpha sexy and lustworthy, her books are highly anticipated and delightfully savored by all. She creates Henna and let's her roam freely amongst us. Free spirited soul,she lives in a world I dare to inhabit in my dreams.
The world is big, but our time here is small and precious. Life is meant to be lived, not solved. And love …well, it’s like a white T-shirt with french fries and ketchup. It’s messy, but worth the risk.
All forgiving, kind soul and compassionate Henna has overcome insurmountable odds to reach a place of comfortable confidence and an optimistic attitude. She's "Glass is half full" kinda girl, jumping off cliffs and taking risks.
I’m not sure what Henna’s world is really like, but she doesn’t seem to have any boundaries, and at this very moment, I want to live in that world with her.
she's seizing every moment of life, drinking greedily every drop of time spent with Bodhi in Coachella, where they meet for the first time.
"I love you"
"I need this job"
Bodhi is quite a snack and totally fuckable Guidance Counseller and hence their love wagon goes down the Forbidden Alley. They can't be seen together down this slippery slope to Disasterville so they're forced to go the clandestine route. On one such deliberate rendezvous, Henna meets Barrett. Their bond is also a love story of sorts in the sense that it's fatherly, buddy-camaraderie which starts with mutual love of Weed cookies and doobies. They share pain and depression stories, struggles of survival and all forgiving love for Bodhi. Total heartbreak happens many a times, tears flow freely, I sob, I cry, I double up in pain. The unrequited love is too much to bear and so is Barrett's ticking life.
Our life is still this cage, but now I’m on the outside and he’s still stuck inside. He didn’t clip my wings. He clipped his own.
I read this book non stop and as I closed the book I choked up on millions of emotions just going haywire in my heart and soul. I think I can't shelve this book in the typical romance genre because it's not a mere love story between young music lovers Henna & Bodhi, it's also a story about platonic love connections based on rapport of pain and depression. Henna is as much tied up with Barrett as with Bodhi. Malones are now an integral part of her life and Malone Men have come to depend on her daily visits to break the monotony of their burdened lives.
The love that Henna & Bodhi have is stuff legends are made of. It's transcendental, ageless, timeless.
“Fate? No. Fate is nothing more than another word for happiness. We’re more than fate. We sound like something undeniable —Romeo and Juliet, Johnny and June, Beyoncè and Jay Z … Henna and Bodhi.”
Bodhi has a mountain of guilt weighing his life down, tethering him to his home, shackled to his fate.
I can do the right thing, or I can love you, but I can’t do both.
Even far apart they're in the same world, the ground beneath their feet is cut apart but they share the same sky above. Life loses meaning for both of them when they take a break and try to explore the world.
“Funny …” I shake my head. “Because after two years, a million new faces, and countless cities … every place was simply a place without you. So it doesn’t matter that everyone wanted that for me. I only wanted you.”
I could picture Henna as a Kite, her string still in Bodhi's hands, she just got a long slack to go find herself.
Phenomenal is a word that falls short as an adjective to describe the magnitude of this book. Skillfully written, spectacularly unique and full to the brim with tearful emotions that just runneth over throughout the story. I soaked up every chapter, every sentence, every word, every syllable like my own cause Henna and Bodhi are mine. I wish I could claim them. Very lovable, livable characters, I haven't read such an unusual story since I read her ONE! Even side characters of Juni & Zach were so fantastic, I wish I saw them some more. Alice was a mute spectator and witness to lusty bondings!!
So to conclude my babble, I will say this-GO READ THE BOOK on Jan 2nd, once in a lifetime venture awaits you folks. Henna's scent will linger in your senses long after you've closed the book, she will get more vibrant and intense as the time shall pass. That's how Henna is!💖
6 stars for Curse Of Coachella
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Time to dust off the 6 Star Box that's solely reserved for Jewel E. Ann. Another book that is tucked in safely.........And now I'm empty!
So many feels overflowing in my heart, levees breached, tearful eyes, exhausted heart. Such memorable lines, unbelievably strong desires and deep despair, it's not a book, it's an experience. A ringside viewing of a colourful life of Henna & Bodhi. Their love didn't happen, it just is, it exists. I'm still wide eyed after having finished the book. It's taken me all day to collect my thoughts and write the review.I've argued with Jewel(pls don't hold it against me!). I'm not ready to let go of them yet
Don’t sweat it. Everything is temporary.
Well they ARE NOT. The woman who turns ordinary words into extraordinary stories belies her own penned adage. There's a permanence of genius in every book by Jewel. It's not just an emotional statement, but well founded on reason. Every story she writes has a unique plot with flawed "human" characters as protagonists. She refuses to be boxed in, colours all outside the lines and is stubborn in her adherence to the plot. Public opinion and sales do not dictate her craft and that's the reason she has garnered respect as a writer among her peers and us readers. Meticulously choreographing the timeline of her novels, minutely detailing the characters' behavioural patterns,creating strong females who carve their own path and men who are Alpha sexy and lustworthy, her books are highly anticipated and delightfully savored by all. She creates Henna and let's her roam freely amongst us. Free spirited soul,she lives in a world I dare to inhabit in my dreams.
The world is big, but our time here is small and precious. Life is meant to be lived, not solved. And love …well, it’s like a white T-shirt with french fries and ketchup. It’s messy, but worth the risk.
All forgiving, kind soul and compassionate Henna has overcome insurmountable odds to reach a place of comfortable confidence and an optimistic attitude. She's "Glass is half full" kinda girl, jumping off cliffs and taking risks.
I’m not sure what Henna’s world is really like, but she doesn’t seem to have any boundaries, and at this very moment, I want to live in that world with her.
she's seizing every moment of life, drinking greedily every drop of time spent with Bodhi in Coachella, where they meet for the first time.
"I love you"
"I need this job"
Bodhi is quite a snack and totally fuckable Guidance Counseller and hence their love wagon goes down the Forbidden Alley. They can't be seen together down this slippery slope to Disasterville so they're forced to go the clandestine route. On one such deliberate rendezvous, Henna meets Barrett. Their bond is also a love story of sorts in the sense that it's fatherly, buddy-camaraderie which starts with mutual love of Weed cookies and doobies. They share pain and depression stories, struggles of survival and all forgiving love for Bodhi. Total heartbreak happens many a times, tears flow freely, I sob, I cry, I double up in pain. The unrequited love is too much to bear and so is Barrett's ticking life.
Our life is still this cage, but now I’m on the outside and he’s still stuck inside. He didn’t clip my wings. He clipped his own.
I read this book non stop and as I closed the book I choked up on millions of emotions just going haywire in my heart and soul. I think I can't shelve this book in the typical romance genre because it's not a mere love story between young music lovers Henna & Bodhi, it's also a story about platonic love connections based on rapport of pain and depression. Henna is as much tied up with Barrett as with Bodhi. Malones are now an integral part of her life and Malone Men have come to depend on her daily visits to break the monotony of their burdened lives.
The love that Henna & Bodhi have is stuff legends are made of. It's transcendental, ageless, timeless.
“Fate? No. Fate is nothing more than another word for happiness. We’re more than fate. We sound like something undeniable —Romeo and Juliet, Johnny and June, Beyoncè and Jay Z … Henna and Bodhi.”
Bodhi has a mountain of guilt weighing his life down, tethering him to his home, shackled to his fate.
I can do the right thing, or I can love you, but I can’t do both.
Even far apart they're in the same world, the ground beneath their feet is cut apart but they share the same sky above. Life loses meaning for both of them when they take a break and try to explore the world.
“Funny …” I shake my head. “Because after two years, a million new faces, and countless cities … every place was simply a place without you. So it doesn’t matter that everyone wanted that for me. I only wanted you.”
I could picture Henna as a Kite, her string still in Bodhi's hands, she just got a long slack to go find herself.
Phenomenal is a word that falls short as an adjective to describe the magnitude of this book. Skillfully written, spectacularly unique and full to the brim with tearful emotions that just runneth over throughout the story. I soaked up every chapter, every sentence, every word, every syllable like my own cause Henna and Bodhi are mine. I wish I could claim them. Very lovable, livable characters, I haven't read such an unusual story since I read her ONE! Even side characters of Juni & Zach were so fantastic, I wish I saw them some more. Alice was a mute spectator and witness to lusty bondings!!
So to conclude my babble, I will say this-GO READ THE BOOK on Jan 2nd, once in a lifetime venture awaits you folks. Henna's scent will linger in your senses long after you've closed the book, she will get more vibrant and intense as the time shall pass. That's how Henna is!💖
6 stars for Curse Of Coachella
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December 24, 2018
“He’s mine. Even if he doesn’t know it yet-He’s mine”.
Jewel E Ann has never ceased to amaze me with her storylines. Every time I think I have this author figured out and what direction she’s going to go, she throws us a curve ball and blows us away. I knew this was forbidden and I approached it anyway because like a moth to flame, I just couldn’t help myself. With my heart guarded and hope on the line, I stepped into the greatest unknown.
Like their namesake, Henna and Bodhi were both very unique characters. They were at different stages in their lives but one moment brought them together and solidified their stay in each other’s lives. Time was never on their side, and to the outside world, their love was forbidden but they had something more than that because they were MORE than that. They were Henna and Bodhi.
“ Our love is forbidden and complicated. It’s hard and unforgiving. If we want it, we need to let it hurt sometimes”.
What I really liked about this one was that as the story progressed, so did the characters. What started out as a laid back, free spirited feel, quickly became an emotional love story that dealt with sacrifice, betrayal, distance, and the ultimate gift of all: unconditional love. These two went through everything that you could have imagined and they were stronger and better for it. I did get frustrated a few times with some of the characters and their actions and I really wanted to throttle them but at the same time, I understood where they were coming from.
If you’re going into this story thinking that you know exactly how this is going to turn out, think again. It’s different, beautiful, real, and it makes you crazy emotional.
January 23, 2019
5 ⭐'s
“In spite of what you believe, my Henna could never be temporary.”
I LOVE Jewel E. Ann's books and this one is all about the angst, baby. She writes the most unconventional characters and events that it just draws me in.
Bodhi and Henna are very unconventional and come together in an unconventional way. I was just happy that we got Bodhi's POV because it would have not been the same book without it. Reading his thoughts made me happy...for the most part.
Their love story is about having faith and letting fate bring you and keep you together. Some of the things they said to each other were sooo sweet.
That doesn't mean I liked everything. I didn't care for some of the things they both did. And what happened with Bodhi's Dad is not my favorite theme. It made me question my five star rating but with how much I loved everything else, I just couldn't down rate it.
I felt there was a lot squeezed into the story and I'm sure the author could've made this a 2-3 book series easily.
I loved the ending but the epilogue...not so much even though it was sweet.
“Hi. Remember me?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
“In spite of what you believe, my Henna could never be temporary.”
I LOVE Jewel E. Ann's books and this one is all about the angst, baby. She writes the most unconventional characters and events that it just draws me in.
Bodhi and Henna are very unconventional and come together in an unconventional way. I was just happy that we got Bodhi's POV because it would have not been the same book without it. Reading his thoughts made me happy...for the most part.
Their love story is about having faith and letting fate bring you and keep you together. Some of the things they said to each other were sooo sweet.
That doesn't mean I liked everything. I didn't care for some of the things they both did. And what happened with Bodhi's Dad is not my favorite theme. It made me question my five star rating but with how much I loved everything else, I just couldn't down rate it.
I felt there was a lot squeezed into the story and I'm sure the author could've made this a 2-3 book series easily.
I loved the ending but the epilogue...not so much even though it was sweet.
“Hi. Remember me?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
December 19, 2018
5 "I'm pretty sure you're my greatest memory" stars
I feel like I've just been put through the wringer, rehydrated and put back through a second time. I am exhausted after reading that. My stomach hurts and I'm caught in that weird place between crying and hysterical laughter. The story of Henna and Bodhi is nothing short of phenomenal. I will be the first to admit that it took me a while to warm up to Henna. I found her to be childish and immature and reckless to begin with. I had to remind myself she was only 19 and I was looking at things from 35+ years of additional experience and life lessons. So, I cut her some slack. And you know what? I fell in love with her. And anyone who knows me knows I'm all about my heros and not my heroines!! But this girl. I have no words. I am so proud of her. Yeah, I'm proud of a fictional character!! And Henna and Bodhi together - pure perfection! There are some gut-wrenching things to experience in these pages. But there is beauty and healing and love...most of all, there is love.
I feel like I've just been put through the wringer, rehydrated and put back through a second time. I am exhausted after reading that. My stomach hurts and I'm caught in that weird place between crying and hysterical laughter. The story of Henna and Bodhi is nothing short of phenomenal. I will be the first to admit that it took me a while to warm up to Henna. I found her to be childish and immature and reckless to begin with. I had to remind myself she was only 19 and I was looking at things from 35+ years of additional experience and life lessons. So, I cut her some slack. And you know what? I fell in love with her. And anyone who knows me knows I'm all about my heros and not my heroines!! But this girl. I have no words. I am so proud of her. Yeah, I'm proud of a fictional character!! And Henna and Bodhi together - pure perfection! There are some gut-wrenching things to experience in these pages. But there is beauty and healing and love...most of all, there is love.
January 1, 2019
5 incredible stars!
‘I love this girl with more love than I thought I had left in my heart. Henna takes everything that’s good in my life and multiplies it.’
What a way to start the reading year with this unforgettable epic, believable and all-encompassing love story! However, the love aspect is just a small part of A Place Without You, because this is so much more than a love story. This is a life story. This is a story that will engulf you in its pain, its beauty, its honesty, and its love. The love between Henna and the tortured Bodhi, the love between Bodhi and his father, and Henna’s love for her Mum, Dad, and stepdad. There are so many layers to this story and every single one had us on the verge of tears – happy and sad – or ugly crying for so many reasons throughout. So many emotions! We’re confidently calling it early and saying, whilst this may only be our first read the year, this book will be on our Top Reads list of 2019.
“You’re my boy, Bodhi. I might not be able to always catch you when you fall, but it won’t stop me trying.”
Jewel E Ann has done it again with her inherently incredible talent for creating some of the most beautiful characters we’ve ever read, and Bodhi and Henna have been added to that list. There is a sincerity and quirkiness to her characters who never fail to worm their way into our hearts. Bodhi is the stuff book boyfriends are made of. His good looks secondary to his beautiful heart. What a man!!
“ Love is not a rational emotion. It jumps out of planes and dives off cliffs. It leaves a permanent mark on everything it touches. I can do the right thing, or I can love you, but I can’t do both.”
Our love is forbidden and complicated. It’s hard and unforgiving. If we want it, we need to let it hurt sometimes.”
A Place Without You begins as forbidden first love, and despite the obstacles, Bodhi and Henna endure, and even during the time they spent apart, not once, not even for a single second, did we ever doubt the sincerity of their love. Their connection was intense, convincing, passionate and truthful. As we read, we knew this book was going to sear our souls, we could feel this book was going to break us and heal us, and it did exactly that in its poignant and moving prose.
‘I know one thing for sure – long after our time ends, I will feel an invisible pull to her for the rest of my life.’
A good story can make you reflect and think about your life, it can evoke memories, making you feel a deeper connection with the characters and that’s exactly what happened in A Place Without You. We love to feel a story, to really experience every moment with the characters, to understand their journey and we felt that way throughout Henna and Bodhi’s story. Not one single emotion was spared by the extraordinary writing of Jewel E Ann. The way this lady injects humour and warmth into the most painful moments, the way she merges passion, romance, despair and swoon with a dose of realism is the reason we desperately continue to devour her stories.
Henna: Someday…I’m going to find you.
Bodhi: Wouldn’t that be something?
Henna: Oh, it will be.
Henna and Bodhi meet at a Coachella festival, sharing an intense connection in a definitive moment, that would prove fate is one clever phenomenon. Bodhi is drawn to Henna’s spirited and carefree nature, something so very different from the life he leads. As the story unfolds (and we’re giving nothing away here because you must experience everything for yourselves) we learn about the guilt that consumes Bodhi, and his want to experience the life he could have with Henna and it’s crushing.
“I want him to want me. Like the epic kind of love where he comes for me. The kind where he doesn’t take no for an answer. The kind that involves begging and groveling. I want him to chase me. Need me. I want him to hold me in his arms the way I’ve held him in my heart.”
Never predictable, always moving, and tinged with moments of humour and swoon, we were completely swept up in a story that called to our hearts. Never on the peripheral, always feeling present in this telling of insurmountable love – love in so many forms. The undercurrent of family loyalty, sacrifice and responsibility spoke to our hearts, the romantic heart of the story moved us in a way we’ll never forget.
‘So, this is what it feels like to understand that the world is not a place or a destination. It’s a moment. When we touch, it’s the world. It’s life.’
Words are not enough to convey how utterly beautiful this story is, nor what we took away from this A Place Without You. From the stage at Coachella to the mountains of Colorado and the beautiful trips around the world, Jewel E Ann held us in the palm of her hand with every single page. Sweet, romantic, emotional, beautiful, compassionate, honest…one word sums it up..perfect!
Be sure to make this your first read of 2019 – trust us, you won’t be sorry! Prepare for a tearjerking, wonderful and unforgettable experience.
“Hi. Remember me?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
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May 2, 2023
The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
This book was so damn sad and good.
It made me fall in love with Jewel E. Ann again, after the Fisherman fiasco, and it made me weep a little, especially at the end.
Henna and Bodhi's love was raw and unrealistically beautiful, but their struggle were real and palpable.
My heart was beating so damn fast the whole time
I'm not a big fan of main characters in a romance novel having other partners during break-ups or in the time period between them meeting and falling in love, but I know how things go in reality - I know how love and sex don't always get together, I know how rainbows often require rain to come out, and that's what makes this book, this story so touching and realistic.
Nobody writes angst like Jewel E. Ann.
She owes me at least a fruit basket for the emotional pain I went through because of this book.
The storyline about Bodhi and his dad was my favorite. Evreything about them was delicate and intense, and it made my soul bleed.
I finished the book last night and I woke up thinking about it. Hint: I wasn't a ray of sunshine on this fine Monaday morning.
Bodhi and Henna will have a special place in my heart forever.
And if it's undeniable JEA is the queen of angst, she also mastered the fine art of fade-to-black smut, to the point some of this see-through steamy scenes were better than some of the explicit stuff I've read through the years.
JEA's writing is exquisite, addicting.
This story is powerful and painful, emotional and peppered with amazing songs the two main characters keep mentioning here and there.
I can't wait to find out where my next book by this author is going to take me.
One thing is sure, though.
It'll be hard for another book couple in the JEA universe, to own my heart the way Bodhi and Henna, and Flint and Ellen (from Look the Part) do.
August 19, 2021
Re-read audio style.
Even though the male narrator didn’t know how to pronounce Coachella, he grew on me. And really, nothing can take away how amazing this book is. It will always have a special place in my heart as one of the best books I have ever read.
Original review:
This book is an emotional disaster and it’s beautiful. I’m not sure if it’s insanity or wisdom but somewhere along the way I decided that devastation can be beautiful. Because it’s raw and truer than any other emotion.
I think this is the most millennial book I’ve ever read. And I dig it. I like how chaotic Henna is.
Henna and Bodhi, it does sound pretty epic.
Fuck! It’s been 50 pages and I’m crying like it’s a goddam saga.
Oh Bodhi, I know exactly how you feel to be trapped in a world that’ll never be your own. I’ve never related to a character more.
How many times exactly is this book gonna make me cry?!?!
This is the best book I’ve read this year and I think it might have broke me.
“Hi,remember me?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
Bodhi + Henna ... that pretty much sums it up.
Even though the male narrator didn’t know how to pronounce Coachella, he grew on me. And really, nothing can take away how amazing this book is. It will always have a special place in my heart as one of the best books I have ever read.
Original review:
This book is an emotional disaster and it’s beautiful. I’m not sure if it’s insanity or wisdom but somewhere along the way I decided that devastation can be beautiful. Because it’s raw and truer than any other emotion.
I think this is the most millennial book I’ve ever read. And I dig it. I like how chaotic Henna is.
Henna and Bodhi, it does sound pretty epic.
Fuck! It’s been 50 pages and I’m crying like it’s a goddam saga.
Oh Bodhi, I know exactly how you feel to be trapped in a world that’ll never be your own. I’ve never related to a character more.
How many times exactly is this book gonna make me cry?!?!
This is the best book I’ve read this year and I think it might have broke me.
“Hi,remember me?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still my greatest memory.”
Bodhi + Henna ... that pretty much sums it up.
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