Just You (Starting Out #2) by Jane Lark

Jul 07, 2014 sue rated it it was ok

Shelves: net-galley, romance

This was a follow on from book 1 which I enjoyed.

Book 2 had me a little bit annoyed at the start due to all this couple could think about was sex, sex sex, nothing wrong in that, but I wanted storyline. I wanted to feel there was more to this couple.

As time went on though, it picked up for me and from the middle I started to really knuckle down and enjoy it.

It was hot heated sex, nothing wrong with that at all, but I just think it could have been HOT, then story, then HOT again. Just MHO but I ...more

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Jul 25, 2014 Eileen Dandashi rated it liked it

About the Story: Portia, daughter of a billionaire, couldn’t stand the lie her parents lived. She left her home in California and moved to New York where she found work in a magazine publishing company. She decided not to use any of her parents’s money to live, so rented a one-room studio. She kept who she was, her past and the real Portia to herself, consequently appeared to be a snob with her nose in the air.

Justin worked at the same company and didn’t show any interest in Portia, nor she him. About the Story: Portia, daughter of a billionaire, couldn’t stand the lie her parents lived. She left her home in California and moved to New York where she found work in a magazine publishing company. She decided not to use any of her parents’s money to live, so rented a one-room studio. She kept who she was, her past and the real Portia to herself, consequently appeared to be a snob with her nose in the air.

Justin worked at the same company and didn’t show any interest in Portia, nor she him. He came from the Bronx, relatively good-looking with an easy way about him. He had his hands full taking care of this three younger brothers, trying to keep them out of gang activity, a chance to just grow up. There was more to Justin than just an easy-going young man.

When Portia drank too much at the New Year’s Eve party her boss gave, she did something stupid. She got into a swimming pool with Justin. One thing led to another. She remembered kissing him, but her memory was sketchy and she couldn’t remember how much further she’d taken it. Or had she? She didn’t even really like Justin, at least, not in that way.

Justin wasn’t interested in Portia until that night, but he just waited to see what she would do. The next day she asked him if they had ‘done’ it together and he was able to reassure her they had not. From that day forward their relationship grew closer. They became friends.

But when Portia wanted to keep their friendship a secret, this rubbed Justin the wrong way. He didn’t want to be a dirty little secret. Would Portia be able to be her real self in front of her working colleagues? Would they be able to bridge the differences of their station and race?

My Thoughts: I’m used to reading Jane Lark as a historical romance writer, and I’ve loved her books in that setting. This is the first of her contemporary romances that I’ve read.

The story was thoughtfully plotted and entertaining with suspense in the latter half of the read. Both Justin and Portia were quite likeable, people with strengths and weaknesses. Ms. Lark wove a story of two young people, each trying to find a better life. Portia wanted to be her own person, independent of all expected from her father and mother. She didn’t want to be the society woman they wanted her to be.
She didn’t want to live their life style – her mother putting up with her father’s affairs and her father not having any interest in her mother or herself. If she had to live just from her own hands she would. At least she had nothing to feel guilty about. Her relationship with her family eventually evolves which helps make this story a happily ever after.

Once Portia and Justin started considering themselves an item, their relationship deepened. Portia was looking for this type of friendship and love, not the kind she saw in her parents.

Justin was the eldest of all his siblings. When his father left his mother, he basically took his father’s place, nurturing his brothers. The story shows how much love was in his family even though they had so little materially. The younger brothers looked up to him. When one of his brothers got stabbed by a gang member, he felt guilt and remorse. He should have been there. This part of the story is very touching and quite dramatic. I was carried into the hospital room and sat with the family who were in shock and grief-stricken. I felt the agony the brothers went through when their injured sibling was fighting for his life. I deeply felt the love each of the family members had for each other. Portia is more involved with Justin and joins him at the hospital. The real Portia shines through, showing compassion for Justin’s family and love for him. Again, this is the better part of the story.

The story didn't engage me immediately. About one-third of the way through, it gets interesting. Ms. Lark created these two people as quite believable with pasts that her readers could relate to. Through her I was able to see how scary it is to live in conditions you have no control over. Portia had money and position in society she couldn’t relate to. Justin offered her love and respect for who she was, not her money. Ironically, what Justin had was more valuable to Portia than what money could buy.

If you enjoy contemporary romance, thoughtful plots with young adults and societal concerns they face, then you should give Jane Lark’s Just You a read. ...more

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Jul 04, 2014 Jody rated it it was amazing

The New Adult genre has quickly taken over the bookshelves and it takes talented craftsmanship to set your book apart from the crowded field, but Ms. Lark has done that with this story of opposite's attracting in a world where kids have to grow up too fast. Readers get to watch a sweet yet sensual romance evolve between the two seemingly different main characters along with a subtle commentary on inner-city violence to keep us compelled from start to finish.

Justin had a difficult childhood where The New Adult genre has quickly taken over the bookshelves and it takes talented craftsmanship to set your book apart from the crowded field, but Ms. Lark has done that with this story of opposite's attracting in a world where kids have to grow up too fast. Readers get to watch a sweet yet sensual romance evolve between the two seemingly different main characters along with a subtle commentary on inner-city violence to keep us compelled from start to finish.

Justin had a difficult childhood where he had to grow up quickly as his father was an abusive alcoholic involved in gangs. After years of abuse he's now out of the picture and Justin's determined to keep his brothers out of that life by taking on a more fatherly role. With his mother struggling to make ends meet and equally determined to keep these boys safe their family has become extremely tight-knit which endeared Justin to me as they all looked out for one another. With so much seriousness in his life, and with everyone relying on him, it's no wonder Justin let loose at his boss' New Year's party with the usually quiet and controlled Portia. This one night of naughtiness changes both of their lives forever as these two opposites make a perfect match with a few bumps and bruises along the way as reality intrudes to try and pull them apart. Justin is the epitome of hero as he looks after his younger brothers both physically and emotionally. His interactions with them are sweet and occasionally tension-filled as gangs are always close by. He takes his role seriously and when things go awry it weighs heavily on him. He's honest and forth right and being with Portia gives him a support system that he's longed for. Just as he cares for his brothers he cares for her too, acting the gentleman in public and the tender and strong lover at home. He's proud to be with her though he doesn't quite understand what she sees in him which causes some issues in their relationship early on which are addressed in a believable way. As they grow closer he becomes an integral part of her life, becoming the family she always wanted.

It may look like Portia has the perfect life but it's all a facade as she's desperately lonely and struggling to make it on her own as she recently walked away from everything she thought she knew about her posh world. Portia's parents have set her aside almost her entire life and she tried to live how they wanted her to to make them acknowledge her but to no avail. Tired of living a lie she turned her back on HEA and her parent's wealth, choosing to forge her own path. At work she appears cold and better than others, but a drunken New Year's party brings out a more realistic side to her that has her getting closer to Justin and embracing her caring side just when he and his family need help most. Portia IS a snob at first but quickly realizes her faults and makes amends as she doesn't want to lose the happiness and acceptance she found with Justin. She becomes a much better person by opening her heart to him, though it's a struggle and at times fear has her making a poor decision. Ultimately though their newfound connection becomes their lifeline to happiness as they are only complete in each other's company.

I found this a compelling story from the first page to the last. I enjoyed the realism of the characters as the issues they dealt with were believably portrayed. The romance between Portia and Justin started off sweet and quickly morphed into something hotter and more profound. The secondary characters (especially Justin's family) kept me further immersed in the overall story and their ending in particular kept me on the edge of my seat. While the answer to his family's problems were too pat I still got caught up in the journey and this story that often put a smile on my face as the dialogue was delightful. As the second book in the Starting Out series it's not necessary to have read the first installment to enjoy this one as Ms. Lark has crafted an engaging story that left no doubt as to HEAs! ...more

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Jul 01, 2014 Derna rated it really liked it

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***

‘Just you’ is the second book in the starting out series by Jane lark and is Justin and Portia’s story. I met Justin in the first book in the series, as he was Jason's workmate, and friend, so I was looking forward to learning more about him. Justin and Portia come from two very different cultures after drunken New Years Eve hookup, something that starts out as friends with benefits leads to much more.

Jason was a good guy, lo ...more

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Jul 30, 2014 Sally Sparrow rated it really liked it

I am kind of over the romance genre of books, as often they are too sappy, too silly, too fraught with ridiculous anxieties and insecurities. If romance novels portray real people, sign me up for the hermit life.

This book, however, this book, is a real love story. A story of two people who work together and hook up at a drunken work party. She doesn’t remember but a few snippets of the night, and hadn’t even been interested in him before then. But the more she thinks about it - the more she cons I am kind of over the romance genre of books, as often they are too sappy, too silly, too fraught with ridiculous anxieties and insecurities. If romance novels portray real people, sign me up for the hermit life.

This book, however, this book, is a real love story. A story of two people who work together and hook up at a drunken work party. She doesn’t remember but a few snippets of the night, and hadn’t even been interested in him before then. But the more she thinks about it - the more she considers him as a man - the more she likes him. What follows is a sweet story of friendship, sex, and finally, love.

Just You is touted as an interracial love story, but honestly, it isn’t written that way. There is no obvious skin color comparison or anything like that, and I wasn’t even certain that Portia and Justin are two different races until halfway through the book. Portia and Justin are just two people who fall in love, not a white woman and a black man. They are just people.

Portia is a British society girl, raised in boarding schools and estranged from her family. Justin is an urban New York man, raised by a single mom in the ghetto. Their issues as a couple are more about their upbringings, and their personal baggage related to their early years, rather than the color of either of their skin.

What I found really refreshing was how much they each genuinely liked and admired the other person, for who they were. Social standing, bank account balances, mailing addresses, skin color - none of it actually matters, and it doesn’t matter in this story. Portia’s family judges Justin by what they see when they meet him, but she responds by telling them who he is, and how much she likes him.

There is also very little senseless chatter. The rambling mental dialogues that seem to be standard for New Adult or Young Adult romances aren’t present here. The story is mostly told in the here-and-now, which adds to my reading delight.

That isn’t to say the book is perfect, because it isn’t. There are numerous typos and the punctuation seems to be completely arbitrary. Sentences are ended with question marks, questions are ended with periods, and the commas are all over the place. These are flaws that ordinarily drive me nuts, and will usually ruin my reading experience completely. However, this time I didn’t even care. The power of the story itself overshadows any annoyance I might have normally felt by the punctuation issues. I just ignored the commas and periods, and happily read the words.

There is also a language issue. I am guessing the author is British as she uses British language for both characters even though only Portia is British. No one growing up in the Bronx is going to watch films, go to the cinema, make dinner on a cooker, get sacked, or live in a flat. They would watch a movie, go to the movies, use a stove or oven, get fired, and live in an apartment. But again, totally forgivable because the story is so lovely.

I love this book so much. It is just wonderful. It left me happy for days after I finished reading it, and I started reading it again just to regain that literary happiness. ...more

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Mar 22, 2014 Sorcha O'Dowd rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hea, contemporary, romance, drama, kindle, kindle-read, arc-s, new-adult, blog-tours

I know I’m always in for a treat when I start a book by Jane Lark. I never have to worry that the writing will fall flat, or the characters will develop unrealistically, and in ‘Just You’ I was yet again swept into Portia and Justin’s story by Jane Lark’s beautifully poetic writing style and characters that I can not only relate to, but actually feel an affinity with.

‘Just You’ was the second stunning addition to the ‘Starting Out’ series. I didn’t think it was possible but Justin and Portia may I know I’m always in for a treat when I start a book by Jane Lark. I never have to worry that the writing will fall flat, or the characters will develop unrealistically, and in ‘Just You’ I was yet again swept into Portia and Justin’s story by Jane Lark’s beautifully poetic writing style and characters that I can not only relate to, but actually feel an affinity with.

‘Just You’ was the second stunning addition to the ‘Starting Out’ series. I didn’t think it was possible but Justin and Portia may have just beaten Rachel and Jason in terms of how amazing a couple they are, which is a high feat indeed considering how Rachel and Jason are pretty damn amazing too! Jane Lark again has created such wonderful three dimensional characters that I just connect to so deeply. Portia in particular was a character that I was so sure I would hate at the beginning of the story, but ended up being one of the most kind-hearted, well-meaning characters that I have met in a long time.

‘Just You’ brings in so many dimensions that make it such a realistic and heart-warming story. There was only a strong focus on the development of Justin and Portia’s relationship, which became stronger as Portia began to see the world with a different light, and which made her develop so much as a person, mostly thanks to Justin. There is the wonderful message throughout this story that everyone can change if there is someone who loves and cares enough about you to help you through it, and this was particularly beautiful to see Justin’s influence in helping Portia realise that she wanted to be somebody different to the person she was pretending to be her whole life.

There is also some beautiful scenes which show the importance of family, and the unconditional love that a parent and siblings can have for each other something that is a priority in a life of poverty and struggle, as well as some heartbreaking scenes where we see that money cannot buy parental affection or love. There was also the barrier of race that was brilliantly dealt with, and was shown two-sided, which is often ignored. We see Justin’s family shock that Justin is dating a white girl, and Portia’s family’s disappointment in Portia dating a black boy. This was written very truthfully and also showed how far Portia had come in becoming a better person that she refused to listen to her parents and society on a matter of love.

This was a beautifully written story which has stayed with me long after finishing it. Justin and Portia’s story is one that I know will be re-read many times in the future, as its message that love can overcome financial status, race and prejudice is a heart-warming one that rekindled my hope in humanity again.

5 Stars! ...more

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Jun 07, 2014 Char (1RadReader59) rated it really liked it

This was a really good interracial story. In which not only are you crossing color barriers but socioeconomic road blocks as well. Both didn’t seem too much for Justin but they were at first for Portia. She had been not only hurt by her inner most circle but they betrayed her trust.
So, when they actually started seeing each other she kept it a secret. Mainly out of protection I believe due to her English accent she came off as snobbish and just mean. When they are out to lunch and a friend fr This was a really good interracial story. In which not only are you crossing color barriers but socioeconomic road blocks as well. Both didn’t seem too much for Justin but they were at first for Portia. She had been not only hurt by her inner most circle but they betrayed her trust.
So, when they actually started seeing each other she kept it a secret. Mainly out of protection I believe due to her English accent she came off as snobbish and just mean. When they are out to lunch and a friend from works sees them she jumps up and says they just ran in to one another and will she join them. Then she will not make eye contact with Justin which makes Justin mad so he gets mad and heads back to work. What pisses him off she had just had sex with him that morning. After that Justin will not talk to her, email her or text her anymore except to say it’s over.
She goes to his home on the bad side of town and ends up meeting his family which makes him even madder. His mom and brothers like her and offer to take this litter brother to school if he wants to sleep over her house. He says no. But they work out some things and he does and she talks him into going to dinner to meet her folks. She dislikes her folks a great deal and she had left them behind in California when she moved there to New York. While they were eating Justin gets a call saying from his mother saying that there was an emergency and that Justin was needed at the hospital now. He apologizes and gets up to leave and her parents never say they hope all is okay, nothing. She just shakes her head and leaves with him after a few choice words for them. This night and the next several nights are tuning points in their, on again off again relationship.
This was a short story that shows you what family is all about but what and how harsh and hurtful family can be. It also shows us how we look at someone without really knowing them. Assign judgment as these two characters do to each other. He’s thinking she is rich, she’s thinking he was a gossip and a player just trying too hard to get in any girls pants.
Also, how we believe how others around us will take our different relationships. So, weather we are trying to hide it, protect it or keep it safe for just the two of you it shows as you are ashamed. Talking is the best especially for this couple considering their backgrounds. I think you will enjoy the webbed backgrounds of these two. I give it 4 stars. Provided by net galley.
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Jul 04, 2014 Becky rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, contemporary

A short, easy-to-read story about two coworkers who might not have given each other a chance...except for a drunken encounter in a hot tub on New Year's Eve. Just You is the second in the series, but it works well as a standalone. I have not read book one (I Found You), and except for a bit at the end where it appears a storyline that started in I Found You has some drama that will continue in a future book, nothing here really depended on having read the first book.

I found Justin to be a more s A short, easy-to-read story about two coworkers who might not have given each other a chance...except for a drunken encounter in a hot tub on New Year's Eve. Just You is the second in the series, but it works well as a standalone. I have not read book one (I Found You), and except for a bit at the end where it appears a storyline that started in I Found You has some drama that will continue in a future book, nothing here really depended on having read the first book.

I found Justin to be a more sympathetic character overall. The relationship he had with his brothers and the respect he had for his mother was absolutely great. He was very good to Portia, even when she was being a bit of a witch, and he called her out when she went over the line. I was definitely cheering for him throughout the book.

Portia wasn't a bad character overall--her heart was ultimately in the right place and she had some definite justification for her issues--but for most of the book Justin was the more mature and level-headed one in their relationship. She definitely grew on me as the story progressed, though.

That being said, no twenty-something guy from the Bronx is going to ask a girl if she "fancies" going somewhere or doing something...ever. Justin also had a tendency to tack a "yeah?" on the end of his sentences, another Britishism that seemed out of place for a guy who grew up on a street where people getting shot in drivebys is apparently a common occurance. Just like when Portia, who grew up with money and went to boarding school talks about going to "Macky D's" (which is apparently street slang for McDonald's--I've only heard it shortened to Mickey D's, so I don't know where she would have picked the other one up given her background), these things threw me out of the story for a few disconcerting moments.

The interracial relationship was nicely handled here, which was a plus. On the minus side, most of the major conflicts in the story were resolved a bit too easily and neatly to be believed. Still, Just You was an enjoyable way to pass a few weekend hours.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

...more

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Mar 23, 2014 Kim rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, read-in-2014, reviewed, net-galley

Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .

Jane Lark's Just You was a good, quick read. I enjoyed the way she handled not only the interracial storyline, but the socioeconomic differences between the characters as well. I wasn't sure how to feel about Portia at first, but as the story continued and I learned more about her, I respected her for her choices. It would have been easy to continue to play the spoiled rich girl card, but she was determined to make something more of herself and I Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .

Jane Lark's Just You was a good, quick read. I enjoyed the way she handled not only the interracial storyline, but the socioeconomic differences between the characters as well. I wasn't sure how to feel about Portia at first, but as the story continued and I learned more about her, I respected her for her choices. It would have been easy to continue to play the spoiled rich girl card, but she was determined to make something more of herself and I appreciated that. Justin was adorable. He was, without question, my favorite character in the book. He was strong and sexy, but sweet underneath it all. The secondary characters, particularly Justin's family, brought a lot to the story. I adored his brothers.

Since this one starts out with memories of a previous night's hookup, it's probably not a huge surprise that this book has some pretty hot, sexy times in it. Portia and Justin have hot chemistry – in and out of the bedroom. I'll be honest and say it did take me a little bit of time to get into this book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. In addition to the love story, there were several family and community issues addressed that added some depth to the story.

I liked the characters and the overall story. It was realistic, but not overly emotional or angsty. My only real issue with the book was that often Justin would use Briticisms, such as "flat" for apartment. This guy grew up in a rough part of the Bronx. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have called his home a flat. Maybe it was because he was talking to Portia, who was British, but it bothered me a bit. It didn't detract from the overall story and didn't impact my view of the book as a whole, but I feel compelled to mention it. All in all, this was a good read and a nice continuation of this series of standalones. I enjoyed getting the opportunity to find out what was going on with Jason and Rachel from the first book, I Found You, as well. I loved them and it was great to hear they were doing well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 27, 2014 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemp-romance, challenge, net-galley, challenge-2014, kindle-books

Received this book from Netgalley for an honest review!

This is the first book I have read from this auther and I was not dissapointed, a quick read with a storyline taking place in New York.

Portia lives in a small attic apartment in New York by herself estranged from her parents, who are once again off jet setting in Europe. her family has money but due to her estrangement she chooses to not touch any if it and make due on her own.Portia pretty much keeps to herself with the exception of the oth Received this book from Netgalley for an honest review!

This is the first book I have read from this auther and I was not dissapointed, a quick read with a storyline taking place in New York.

Portia lives in a small attic apartment in New York by herself estranged from her parents, who are once again off jet setting in Europe. her family has money but due to her estrangement she chooses to not touch any if it and make due on her own.Portia pretty much keeps to herself with the exception of the other gitls she works with, however getting over the top drunk at a New Years Eve party she wakes up the next morning with vague memories if getting intamite with her co worker Justin.
How to handle it, she just has never thoiught of Justin that way, should she just pretend she has no recollection, confront or admit that she is not sure what happenned.
Seeing Justin at work she realizes she needss to find out so she texts him and asks him to meet her for coffe later.
Justin is suprised but intrugued at Portia, looking to have coffee until he realizes she just doe not remmeber what went on; assuring that nothing major happened and seeing the relief n her face , he moves and decides to put Portia in the past. Until a few days later when he gets a text asking him to come over, could this be freinds with benefits? These two do go at it hot and heavy for a while but Portia tends to be a little arrogant without meaning to and also keeping there realtionship a secret which leaves Justin feeling like a dirty secret.

To spite the animosity between them over the handiling over the relationship,Justin being an upstanding and caring getnleman does agree to help Portia with a dinner meeting with her parents.

When tragedy strikes for Justin and his family, Portia steps up and shows her true colors and just how supportive and open she can be.

I have given enough spoilers so I am stopping here , I loved the chemistry between Justin And Portia, Justin's Character I fell in love with , the story line was a little slow to start with but picked up about a quarter of the way through but worth the effort to push through!
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Jun 06, 2014 Micky rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Everyone 18 and older

Recommended to Micky by: This was a NetGalley ARC

I almost put Just You on my DNR (do not read), CF (cannot finish), PC (pure crap) shelves because the first quarter of the book all Justin and Portia seemed to do, think about or talk about was sex. Not all 20 somethings think only of sex. Not to mention each and every time they were intimate Portia climbed mountains, saw stars and went to the moon and back. Ummm….what? Where does that happen every time? Women know this is just not realistic. Even women who are head over heels in love with their I almost put Just You on my DNR (do not read), CF (cannot finish), PC (pure crap) shelves because the first quarter of the book all Justin and Portia seemed to do, think about or talk about was sex. Not all 20 somethings think only of sex. Not to mention each and every time they were intimate Portia climbed mountains, saw stars and went to the moon and back. Ummm….what? Where does that happen every time? Women know this is just not realistic. Even women who are head over heels in love with their partners don’t get curled toes all of the time. I know this is fiction but does that mean it has to be that far fetched?

HOWEVER, I hung in there. I stayed the course and I felt like Secretariat at the end of the book. Aside from my frustration with the oversexed loved birds, the rest of the book was like drinking a vanilla-marshamallow-caramel latte and eating a gooey Cinnabon on a cold day in winter. SIMPLY FANTASTIC!!!

When Justin, a young black man from Queens falls for Portia, who is rich, well educated and white, I knew they would have to deal with racism as most interracial relationships do. Her parents were not pleased at all but Justin did not allow that to stop him from being with the woman he loved. Portia, on the other hand, was not subjected to anything but acceptance upon meeting Justin’s family. Sure, his mother was shocked she was white, but that did not stop her from embracing Portia.

For a minute, I thought Portia was too needy, but as I continued reading and saw how alone she had been for the majority of her life, she made more sense to me. Things were not easy for them as a couple or even in their private lives. Then when tragedy strikes, I was not sure whether or not they would be able to make it.

Just You really took me through a series of emotions. I laughed and I cried. I cursed and I shouted. I punched the air and I shook my fist. Yes, I really did do those things because of this book. Even with the challenges early on, this was such a great New Adult book. ...more

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Jul 10, 2014 RJ rated it liked it

Shelves: safety-gang-safe, enemies-to-lovers, stand-up-hero

This was a wonderful little novella about an interracial couple.

Justin is a black, twenty-two year old living in the "ghetto," where he has worked hard to avoid the life of drugs and gangs. He is also the "man" of the family; taking care of his single-mother and three younger brothers.

Portia is white and comes from a wealthy family. Her parents aren't present in her life, and she has never received any type of love from either of them.

They both have many hurdles to pass through before they can ...more

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May 28, 2014 Jane Hunt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley-read-and-reviewed

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'Just You' is the second in the Starting Out series. This is Justin and Portia's story. It starts with a question, which Portia desperately needs the answer to. Did they actually do it at their boss' New Year's Eve party? Portia has to find out since it was Justin's friend, Jason she really wanted to connect with and he left the party early with his new girlfriend Rachel. If you have read boo ...more

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Oct 15, 2014 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, x-read-in-2014

Cute story -
This one starts off the day after New Year’s - Remember in the first book when Justin, Jason and the girls from work were looking for a pool at the Penthouse where their boss lived?

Well Justin and Portia found the pool and went for a swim. In their drunken haze, things got a little hot and heavy, too.

But Portia couldn't remember all the details. Monday at work, things were a little tense. She didn't know how to act. Finally she asked Justin to lunch with her so they could talk it ...more

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Apr 17, 2014 Babel rated it liked it

Shelves: steamy, tough-themes, romance, versiónoriginal, drama, challenge, new-adult

I really enjoyed this novella. It's pretty long and perfectly balanced. Sexy, sweet and alarmingly addictive. Starting on New Year's Eve, at the party where an important event in I Found You took place, it zeroes in on a new couple. We briefly met them in the previous novel as Portia and Justin. Now, we can really learn about their impossibly antagonistic backgrounds and seemingly incompatible personalities.

First reviewed on http://sede-literaria.blogspot.com

Looks are deceiving, though. They sha ...more

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Apr 20, 2014 JG rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-netgalley, new-adult, romance, contemporary

Just You is a spin off from Jane Lark's New Adult Romance, I Found You, however it could be read as a stand alone. The story is about Justin and Portia, two people who are so different from one another but who also find themselves hooking up at a work party. Once the drunken haze has dissipated, Portia finds herself wondering what in the world happened. Snippets of Justin and her filter thru her foggy brain but then she starts realizing how in the world is she going to deal with this. Justin has ...more

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Jul 07, 2014 books are love rated it really liked it

Justin is a wonderful guy. Brought up by a great mom in a poor neighborhood and trying to be everything for his brothers his escape is work. Work where he meets the rich girl Portia. Portia who he thinks is shallow and snotty. Portia thinks Justin is a douche. Both have parts of their lives they wish to change. Portia wishes her parents accepted her and weren't so rigid. She also wishes she could not conform to what society wants from her.

At a New Year's party these two have a moment. One moment ...more

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Jul 10, 2014 Paula Phillips rated it it was amazing

Remember Jason from Book #1 I Found You and his now wife Rachel. Well Book #2 follows on from that story and features Jason's workmate and close friend Justin. Just You is a story of Cinderella in the modern age with a twist as Justin happens to be a Black kid from the Bronx and is the father of his household , trying to keep his three brothers from the gang life that they are exposed to every single day while his mum works to provide for the family. Portia who works with Justin at the Sports M ...more

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May 24, 2014 Aarati rated it liked it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, arcs-and-review-book-read

This was another good read from Jane Lark. It was well written with great characters and a decent story line. A lot of emphasis was on sex which irked me a little, because story is king for me. But regardless she did a good job with this book. As per usual she captured the emotions very well in this book.

Justin has been brought up in a poor neighborhood by his amazing mom. He is a stand-up guy, lovable and at sometime just adorable. And romantic when time calls for it. He tries to do his best f ...more

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Sep 13, 2014 The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club rated it liked it

We are The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club, to know more about this book, go to the post in our website:

Just You (Starting Out #2) by Jane Lark

If you are interested, you can visit our website:

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club's Review:

Rate: 3 stars

Review:

In this new Starting Out story, Jane Lark brings two people from different worlds together. But not only Jane Lark handled perfectly the one night stand that has the potential to be much more b ...more

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Jul 29, 2014 Jo Hughes rated it it was amazing

When we first meet Portia she is a little hungover from the New Year’s Eve Party the night before, unsure of what happened and not wanting to face up to what she may have done she decides to ignore the situation until she goes back to work (I’m sure we have all done this at some point in our lives).

Justin can’t believe what happened at the party with Portia and determined to have no regrets he is a gentleman that doesn’t kiss and tell.

Jane writes the book form both Portia and Justin’s point of v ...more

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Sep 11, 2014 BestChickLit.com rated it it was amazing

I was immediately pulled into the story, firstly by the need to know what had happened between Justin and Portia and then by the need to know what would happen between the pair.

It’s a mesmerising story based around the age old truth of never judging a book by it’s cover. Jane Lark gracefully charts the journey of these two young people from polar opposites of society as they begin to bare their souls to one another. You can’t help but be drawn to Justin’s strong character, his sense of responsib ...more

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Dec 26, 2014 Fatmata Sankoh rated it it was amazing

I read this book after reading the third in the series. Even though its the second it made no difference as I still enjoyed it. The author's portray of Justin and his family was great although they had a shitty dad and tough start in life, they were able to rise above it. And her letting the readers through Justin's eyes to see the norm in his world was brilliant. It was suttle but the point was made and as a black reader I was happy about that. It was a fantastic read and I fell in love with Ju ...more

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Dec 16, 2014 DJ Sakata rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult

Favorite Quotes:

“She looked like a different girl, a girl who might actually play a game of tonsil hockey in a pool with a guy about thirty steps below her on the social scale.”

“’I love you.’ She said it like it was a discovery.”

“’I think I’ve felt it for ages,’ she whispered, her eyes shining at me. ‘But just now, the words leaked out of my heart and they were everywhere. I love you Justin, seriously. I hope we last… You’re all I want.’”

My Review:

Jane Lark’s Starting Out series wove an intricat ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Gabby (What's Beyond Forks?) rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed

Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?

Just You is book two in the Starting Out series by Jane Lark. Justin and Portia have some great chemistry. You can feel it gushing off the pages. They definitely let their hormones carry them away, but I think that plays well into the story as their real emotions start to become more important. I'm not sure why Portia wants to keep Justin hidden. I don't get the impression it's a rare thing for her. I think she's just been alone so long, and she has this publi ...more

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Mar 16, 2014 Daydream Books rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, read-2014, blog-tour, british-author, arcs-read

Just You is my fifth Jane Lark book. I really like her style of writing but if I had to choose I prefer her Regency tales over her modern. Having said that the first book in this series, I Found You was a great read. It was gritty and dealt with solid social issues via Rachel's mental problems but I felt that Just You lacked something. Portia and Justin just seemed to be either thinking, talking or having sex the majority of the time rather than delving deeper into the underlying issues of their ...more

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Nov 05, 2014 Sultan * Baby Mama Smut-a-teer* rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was prob my favorite of the three. I really like how Justin was true to himself and didn't let Portia get away with keeping him her dirty little secret.

Portia and Justin start a friends with benefit relationship, and at first Justin was enjoying it,till he began to felt like her little secret. Portia soon realizes she likes Justin and gets her mm back.

I love how real and refreshing justin and Portia where with each other. She was there for him and he for he ...more

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May 29, 2014 Anima rated it really liked it

Shelves: hot-romance

Having received this from Netgalley I took a chance on a new-to-me author. Portia is a very wealthy young lady trying to make it in NYC without family money. She works with Justin, young poor and a father figure to his 3 brothers. Both having judged on appearances they never hit it off until a drunk incident at a New Year's party. It takes off pretty quick from there and they have passion and chemistry pretty quickly. A family tragedy brings Portia closer to Justin and a reality check on her own ...more

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Jul 10, 2014 Rivalie rated it liked it

3.25 out of 5 stars
Initial Reaction: Jane Lark does an amazing job again in creating beautiful and delicate relationships that transcend stereotypes to deliver a beautiful story. I did enjoy Just You a lot, but it was waaaaaaaay too sexual and I spent the majority of the book skimming over scandalous scenes. I wanted to connect with the characters deeper but it was so hard because all they could think about was rolling around with each other. (You know what I mean?) I would've liked a little mor ...more

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May 26, 2014 Lisa Gemmell rated it really liked it

From Netgalley for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book, It might of been a short read but it had everything that makes me enjoy in a book. The characters seemed real, and it was such an insight for the way things turned out for everyone. There was some emotional situations that had me drawn to each page, both main characters Portia and Justin were absolutely enthralled in some unknown chemistry. Can two people from different worlds work? Does someone race, wealth really matter?

The author ...more

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