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Being with Him (The Being Trilogy #1)

by Jessica Barksdale Inclan (Goodreads Author)

3.37 · rating details · 79 ratings · 35 reviews

They are here among us.pFar from home, gifted with special abilities, hunted for their powers. And they are desperate to find their other, the one who completes them.before it's too late.pSometimes, Time Really Does Stand StillpMila Adams has always known she was different. For as long as she can remember, she has had the ability to shift time, and who would believe that? ...more

Paperback, 316 pages

Published February 1st 2008 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

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Nov 24, 2009

new_user rated it

Shelves: paranormal-romance

An interesting read. Readers of Inclan's Croyants or Believe series will recognize some elements here, such as telepathy and possession, only they're more fitting in this context. Aliens. More importantly, there is more structure to these phenomena, rules and limits, etc.

Garrick also begins as a darker hero in Being with Him. He is motivated by a very compelling struggle, i.e. his fundamental difference from all other people. Inclan captures his alienation, his aloneness, very well....moreAn interesting read. Readers of Inclan's Croyants or Believe series will recognize some elements here, such as telepathy and possession, only they're more fitting in this context. Aliens. More importantly, there is more structure to these phenomena, rules and limits, etc.

Garrick also begins as a darker hero in Being with Him. He is motivated by a very compelling struggle, i.e. his fundamental difference from all other people. Inclan captures his alienation, his aloneness, very well. Garrick tried to tell his parents about his "abilities" as a child, and they believed he was mentally troubled. He learned to keep silent about his powers as a result and play a part. He has gotten used to protecting himself from deeper relationships, knowing that he will never be able to expose the most critical part of him.

I really liked this element of realism, and I was initially intrigued by Garrick, as well as Mila's approaches to their natures and the different ways in which this has affected their lives. Her men are thankfully not all clones. Secondary character Porter, smart aleck and cynic, is just as interesting as Garrick.

Unfortunately, once Mila and Garrick close the human chapter of their lives, there isn't as powerful a struggle to invest the audience's emotion. I loved the action plot and the time travel, but too often the author shrank from defining a culture or power or incident. There was too much abstract, vague and fuzzy, e.g. the gestalt consciousness when all the aliens travel together.

Sometimes warm and fuzzy. I would like to see some more editing and honed prose, possibly less dense with the sentimental reflections, especially as they were repetitive -Mila thinking for the nth time about her family- and closed every scene.

That said, if you like a non-explicit, feel-good romance where the heroes triumph and talk about their feelings, jump time, travel space and San the city, and flee alien baddies, check this out. There are a lot of fun Hollywood moments, like the roundtable discussion when all the secondary characters meet and share their impression of their predicament à la Jurassic Park. It's a little bit like a combo of all the scifi we've seen: Doctor Who, Sliders, etc. Except as a romance! :D(less)

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Feb 28, 2011

Tina rated it

· review of another edition

Mila Adams has always been different. She found out when she was young that she could fast forward time. But she always knew in her heart that she had to keep this gift a secret. Her mother keeps forcing her to date in hopes of getting her married. She now loses herself in her paintings.

Like Mila, Garrick McClellan has always known he is different. He can shift time as well. He thought he was the only person with this talent, that is until he saw one of Mila's paintings. In it he ...more

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Dec 06, 2010

Melissa rated it

· review of another edition

This sounded like a fun paranormal. However, I would classify this as a sci-fi romantic adventure. Mila is an insecure beautiful woman. Now, sometimes that can frustrate a reader, but in a way made sense. She is rejected for essentially who she is whenever she reveals a bit of her powers. I did like that by the end she was more confident, but not as much as I would have liked. Garrick has Mila's powers in the opposite direction. He has also been rejected, but his rejection was by his own parents...more

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Nov 05, 2010

Tonya rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, romance, science-fiction

I am not sure I'm a knowledgeable reviewer for this book since my most-read genres are neither science fiction nor romance, and this book is an odd combination of the two. I didn't like the cover for the book. It's misleading.

Mila and Garrick meet on a blind date for dinner at her house with her family, who set them up. Mila has an instant dislike for his rude behavior; Garrick is forcing himself to dislike this beautiful woman to stay distant from relationships because of his men...more

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Nov 07, 2010

Wenj rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: adult, first-reads, won-giveaways, series, arc, read-2010, science-fiction-and-fantasy, paranormal-romance

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

The synopsis to Being with Him, the first in the Being series by Jessica Inclan, is what initially drew me in. The premise sounded unique with the promise of a science fiction thriller mixed with steamy romance, something that surely couldn't fail to intrigue. How sad I was to find myself disappointed after only the first few chapters of reading this novel.

To begin, the characters are very hard to relate to. They are very monotonous...moreReview provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

The synopsis to Being with Him, the first in the Being series by Jessica Inclan, is what initially drew me in. The premise sounded unique with the promise of a science fiction thriller mixed with steamy romance, something that surely couldn't fail to intrigue. How sad I was to find myself disappointed after only the first few chapters of reading this novel.

To begin, the characters are very hard to relate to. They are very monotonous with lots of repetitive thoughts, mostly about how different they are from the rest of the human race and then after Mila and Garrick finally come together, how they can't stand to be apart. They have no true voices, instead making the point of view shifts more a shift of pronouns than anything else. That's not to say I didn't like the characters, but I just felt so separated from them. They were very one dimensional and it is my opinion that if Inclan spent more time developing the plot of the story (which in truth was potentially wonderful) and not harping on their need to be together this would have been a truly stellar novel and the depth of the characters would have naturally progressed.

In honestly, Inclan is quite talented at building the worlds surrounding the two characters. She has a knack of bringing them to life within the pages; from the San Francisco Bay area to the far away world of Cygiria, these locales seem to materialize before your very eyes. But, it wasn't only the imagery that I loved, but the history of the far away planet of Cygiria as well. She developed an extremely interesting culture and power system, making it seems like a true Utopia. I was saddened to see her very vivid account of the planet's demise due to the invading Neballats who in and of themselves where quite interesting and vile, continuing her theme of mirror images: Utopia vs. Dystopia and good vs. evil. However, like the characters when they actually showed up these Neballats were very flaccid, their true malice and vile civilization made null by the lack of threat they actually presented to the protagonists.

While I did like the aspects of the science fiction elements in the novel, they were more of a secondary nature which I felt was the actual problem. Since all of the suspense and action are related to these elements, I was left slogging through the rest of the book and quite often forcing myself to push on. While the romance was quite sweet and captured my interest due to Inclan's wonderful job at building the chemistry between the two, it was this lack of threat to them that made the pace seem to be so slow overall. With more action I would have cared more for them and what would become of them, but as it was, it felt more about them then anything else.

While this novel is touted as a science fiction romance, but I would warn readers not to expect too much more then simply romance. This is more of an introductory novel into the science fiction genre from devoted romance readers, not particularly geared to hardened fans of alien intrigue.
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Nov 06, 2010

Charia rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: own-read

I won this book as well as another, When You Believe, by Jessica Inclan in a drawing and was pleased I did. I enjoyed this book enough to definitely read more of the series, and others by Jessica. However it wasn't one of those books I couldn't put down. I generally take two-three days to read a book I love (in addition to working, etc.). This one took me a bit longer. I believe this was partially due to the world building that is needed for all first books in a series. Just a few slow areas in...more

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Jun 29, 2010

Nancy rated it

Mila and Garrick have always felt different from their friends and family, but little did they know how different they were until they met each other. Figuring they were the only ones possessing special powers, they were stunned to realize others like them existed. But at the same time, they learn a powerful enemy wants to use their abilities and will stop at nothing to capture them. They must travel to the stars to unite with their people and forge a new life for themselves and a connection tha...more

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Jun 07, 2011

Mayara Arend rated it

· review of another edition

Being with him is a lovely sci fi romance, and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm not much for lovey dovey romances, that show a couple just sooo in love that they can't see anything, they can't find flaws on eachother, they can't be funny or disagree. It's just annoying. And sci fi is one of my favorite genders, one that I haven't read in a while - at least no good books - so this was very refreshing and I ate it up, as quick as possible.

Mila is an upper class, young girl who dropped her job on ...moreBeing with him is a lovely sci fi romance, and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm not much for lovey dovey romances, that show a couple just sooo in love that they can't see anything, they can't find flaws on eachother, they can't be funny or disagree. It's just annoying. And sci fi is one of my favorite genders, one that I haven't read in a while - at least no good books - so this was very refreshing and I ate it up, as quick as possible.

Mila is an upper class, young girl who dropped her job on finances to paint. Which drives her mothe crazy, why can't she get married, why can't she "settle" "like a normal person". And well, there is a good reason for that, no one knows except for her, but she can shift time forward.
Garrick is a very handsome and successful young man, with more girls than he wants, trying to live through life without a serious romance. A lot like many men around, with a twist: he can move time backwards. He told that to his parents, when he was little and that was a major mistake as he ended up being taken to doctors and forced into electro-therapy and stuff like that.

Mila and Garrick meet and they feel it, something they never felt before: they are for eachother. The are doubles, two parts of a whole. Together they can move in time, wherever they want, and then come back. And they complete eachother, both romanically, sexually and spiritually.
After a while, we find out what the are (and, well, since I already told you it's a sci fi book, I'm pretty sure you kids can guess, right?), where the came from and why. We find out who the baddies are and why they want Garrick and Mila, but not only them, everyone like them. All of the Doubles, those with powers so grand they can scare off higher and most developed civilizations into separating them and putting them into some sort of induced coma.
I actually think Porter is my favorite character. He's snarky, sarcastic and he grumbles. But, like Garrick does, sometimes I like him - he's not all cheesy, his relationship with Stephanie is strange for Doubles... I'd like to read more about those two.
In the end, nothing is decided, but everything is decided... It's strange actually. Mila and Garrick will stay together and that's pretty much what matters for them, and I think I know something about Mila's brother's role, but they still have to figure out where are the other "Abandoned Ones" and where they will go to from now. I do not agree they should go to Earth or anywhere else that has people already. Come on, with all those powers, they can most definitly build something fom scratch in a few days! Oh yeah and the bad guys? Totally creepy.
Sure the love-making could be a bit more.. hm... long and described instead of so often, but hey, I'm not one to complain. And Mila ad Garrick sort of annoy me sometimes with their "OMG I'll be alone" thing, but it IS understandable, with the Doubles thing and all.(less)

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Aug 26, 2010

Phoebe rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone!

Recommended to Phoebe by: Jessica Barksdale Inclan

Shelves: reviewed, being-trilogy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 09, 2010

☺Tina☺ rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, free-read, time-travel

I won this book here and I was excited to receive the book. I wanted to give time-travel a try but I just couldn't get into the book. It started off good. Then once they started with the going back to their planet, with the voices and all the memories...she lost me. I really wanted to like this book. I really don't like a lot of repetitive words and self reflection in my books. I can deal with it for a while, but when it's repeated, I get bored. And since she gave the prespective of Garrick and ...more

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Nov 22, 2010

Brenda Whitner rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 21, 2010

Deb rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I think I picked the wrong time of year to read this book. It started off with a lot of promise; the heat between the two main characters was intense! Then the story took a very weird turn and I had a hard time following it.
The two main characters, Mila and Garrick, meet on a blind date. As it turns out, they both share the power to read minds and move through time. They are actually part of an alien race called Cygirians who are on the run from the evil Neballats who want to harvest their...more

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Dec 06, 2010

Erica added it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I liked this story. It was a good read and left me wanting more. I am going to have to get the next book in the series so I can find out what happens to Mila and Garrrick.
Have you ever felt you did not fit in? Do you feel there is someone out there who is meant just for you? Mila and Garrick both know how it feels to not quite fit in, to have a secret you can't tell anyone. When they are set up on a blind date by well meaning relatives no one could have predicted what would happen next.

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Nov 25, 2009

Sarah rated it

Recommended to Sarah by: First Reads

Shelves: first-reads, science-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 01, 2010

Happie rated it

Don't be fooled by the cover (although it was that caught my attention), this book is more has a sci-fi plot with a twist of romance (with very hot, steamy scenes...fanning myself). I loved the concept of finding one's soulmate or "double/twin", that literally and figuratively makes the other whole.

like 1 like

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Feb 03, 2011

Jennifer Cain rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: giveaway-wins

First things first. I won this title in a giveaway. The author was very nice and sent not only this book but another title too. Also, you should know I read this over the holiday season and was a little distracted. (In fact I thought I had already written a review.) I entered the giveaway looking for something different and found it.

Overall, I enjoyed Being With Him. It is a case of don't judge a book by its cover. I expected something a little more romantic. The racy scenes wer...more

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Nov 19, 2010

Colleen rated it

· review of another edition

For some reason I can believe in vampires, werewolves, time travel, esp and the like but aliens and life on other planets just doesn't work for me. So overall it's not a bad book, just not for me.

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Apr 28, 2010

Katie rated it

Shelves: read-in-2010, dystopia

A nice shift from the books I've been reading. Only thing that bothers me...the cover art. Makes it seem like the book is some kind of cheesy romance novel that's all about sex...and this is not that kind of book, in my opinion!

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Dec 28, 2010

Tobyann Aparisi rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Tobyann by: first reads

Shelves: first-reads

I have had some trouble staying up with this one. It took me sometime to really get into it. the cover had me a bit worried that it was nothing like it sounded and just another romance/harlequin type book. No it is not one of those! Thank God. but all the same it was very hard for me to follow and complete. It is okay, the characters are developed well enough, the story just seemed a bit slim, missing something. I appreciate the opportunity to receive this through first reads,and will try ...more

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Sep 26, 2010

Frana rated it

For a review please visit my blog: http://angel-on-a-move.blogspot.com/2010...

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Sep 03, 2011

Kerry added it · review of another edition

Book was OK, but I am not really into the whole alien thing.

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Nov 02, 2011

Karen Desmond rated it

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Dec 18, 2009

Tara Strbo added it

not one of my favs

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Dec 08, 2010

Leah rated it

· review of another edition

Easy read. Sci-fi. Its not my favorite but I thought it was well written for a quick and easy read. I liked the connection the aliens had together, but I was waiting for the end.

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Nov 25, 2010

Heather rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-read

Well I have to admit I never saw this coming. Let's just say the cover is very misleading and this trilogy is far better Sci-fi than Urban Fantasy. Without getting into spoilers, if you have the time read them. I was pleasantly surprised and glad I did.

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Mar 15, 2010

Darcy rated it

Shelves: 2010

I thought the premise to this book sounded good, but as I read it, it just didn't make sense to me. I forced myself to read to page 100, then I put it down for the night, picked it back up today and had to force myself to read another 60 pages. At this point I really don't want to force myself to keep reading, reading should be fun. This just isn't the book for me.

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Nov 29, 2010

Llhgrey rated it

· review of another edition

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. Good for readers who like sci-fi rather than paranormal.

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Mar 01, 2011

Bethany rated it

If I shelved my books by genre, I'd be stumped. Not really romance, not quite sci-fi. Kind of... Genre Identity Crises high on with this book. I'm glad I finished it, but I'm okay with never reading another in the series. Book swap fort this one.

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Dec 15, 2010

Mindee rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

From the cover I expected an over the top romance novel but what I got was more of a sci-fi novel with just the right amount of romance. The author's writing style is so detailed and captivating.

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May 10, 2011

Anne rated it

Shelves: bir-2011

It's a really good book, but only giving it 3 stars, because the ending was pretty anti-climatic. It just kind of fizzled.

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About Jessica Barksdale Inclan

Jessica Barksdale Inclán's debut novel Her Daughter's Eyes, published in 2001, was the premier novel published under New American Library's new imprint Accent. Her Daughter's Eyes was a final nominee for the YALSA Award for the best books of 2001 and best paperbacks for 2001 and has been published in Dutch and Spanish. Her next novel The Matter of Grace was published in May 2002 and was re-release...moreJessica Barksdale Inclán's debut novel Her Daughter's Eyes, published in 2001, was the premier novel published under New American Library's new imprint Accent. Her Daughter's Eyes was a final nominee for the YALSA Award for the best books of 2001 and best paperbacks for 2001 and has been published in Dutch and Spanish. Her next novel The Matter of Grace was published in May 2002 and was re-released in a mass market version in May 2004. Her third, When You Go Away, came out April 1, 2003. Her fourth, One Small Thing, was published April 2004, and has been published in Dutch and Spanish. Her fifth, Walking With Her Daughter, was published in April 2005. The Instant When Everything is Perfect was published in February 2006. In June 2006, she published the first in a trilogy from Kensington Books. When You Believe was followed by Reason to Believe and Believe in Me. Her second trilogy began with Being With Him, followed by Intimate Beings (October 2008). The final installment was the Beautiful Being, October 2009. All three of the last trilogy are available in mass market eidtions.

She is a 2002 recipient of the CAC Artist’s Fellowship in Literature. Inclán teaches composition, creative writing, mythology, and women’s literature at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, and on-line creative writing courses for UCLA extension. She has studied with Sharon Olds, Anne Lamott, Kate Braverman, Grace Paley, Marjorie Sandor, and Cristina Garcia. Her short stories and poems have appeared in Rockhurst Review, Hotwired, The Salt Hill Journal, Free Lunch, The West Wind Review, The Prairie Star, Gargoyle and many other journals and newspapers. Her short story Open Eyes was given first prize by Sandra Cisneros for El Andar magazine's 2000 writing contest. She co-edited a women’s literature/studies textbook Diverse Voices of Women (Mayfield Publishing, 1995). Ms. Inclán has degrees in sociology and English literature from CSU Stanislaus and a Master’s degree in English literature from SFSU. Ms. Inclán lives in Oakland, California and is currently at work on her next novel.

For more information, go to: http://www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com

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Being with Him (The Being Trilogy #1)

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