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The Age Between Us #2
Young Enough
AN OLDER WOMAN YOUNGER MAN ROMANCE
I thought I’d lost everything. My life was in tatters when a man half my age broke into my property and invaded my future. Our love is forbidden, but I’m single and he’s all the taboo I crave. For once in my life, why not? But what if I start wanting more than a fleeting love affair? What if his secrets will destroy me? I had no idea how much more I was about to lose.
(Young Enough is Book 2 of The Age Between Us duology. Old Enough (Book 1) must be read first to follow the story.)
I thought I’d lost everything. My life was in tatters when a man half my age broke into my property and invaded my future. Our love is forbidden, but I’m single and he’s all the taboo I crave. For once in my life, why not? But what if I start wanting more than a fleeting love affair? What if his secrets will destroy me? I had no idea how much more I was about to lose.
(Young Enough is Book 2 of The Age Between Us duology. Old Enough (Book 1) must be read first to follow the story.)
200 pages, ebook
First published August 28, 2018
43 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Charmaine Pauls
72 books1,838 followersCharmaine loves to write dark and edgy romance that will melt both your e-reader and your heart.
She's a mom of two teenagers, an adorable dog, and a dominant cat. Her country of birth is South Africa where many of her stories play off. Her French husband kidnapped her to the south of France where she currently lives with her family.
When she's not writing, you'll find her in the kitchen baking cakes or in the gym lifting weights (because ... all those cakes!).
She's a mom of two teenagers, an adorable dog, and a dominant cat. Her country of birth is South Africa where many of her stories play off. Her French husband kidnapped her to the south of France where she currently lives with her family.
When she's not writing, you'll find her in the kitchen baking cakes or in the gym lifting weights (because ... all those cakes!).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
August 9, 2018
4.5*
I’ve just finished this book and I’m exhausted. It was never going to be an easy read. This author doesn’t do easy.
After Old Enough (which has to be read first) I felt I had it all figured out. I was wrong, so so wrong.
The more we read the more we learn about both Jane and Brian.
Jane has been through hell and it seems that everyone in her life has betrayed or abused her in one way or another at some point. And her suffering is not over, not by a long shot.
I was irritated and surprised that Jane just seemed to accept everything without complaint. But after learning her story I can kind of understand why.
Brian’s also been dealt a bad hand and at times he seemed too good to be true.
This book is an engrossing read. I read it in one sitting (finishing at 2.30am) which should give you some idea just how addicted I was.
It never lets up as Jane and Brian fight what seems like the world just to be happy together.
This is the first OW/YM book that I’ve ever liked which says a lot about the way it was written.
If I’m being picky (which I always am) I’d say for me there was maybe a little too much going on. This couple had literally everything thrown at them and at one point I remember thinking okay that’s enough, no more.
This is the fourth book I’ve read from this author and every one has been well written, interesting and unforgettable. At some point I’m going to have to check out the rest of her books. But now I need some sweet fluff to get my equilibrium back.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author. This is my opinion and my honest review.
I’ve just finished this book and I’m exhausted. It was never going to be an easy read. This author doesn’t do easy.
After Old Enough (which has to be read first) I felt I had it all figured out. I was wrong, so so wrong.
The more we read the more we learn about both Jane and Brian.
Jane has been through hell and it seems that everyone in her life has betrayed or abused her in one way or another at some point. And her suffering is not over, not by a long shot.
I was irritated and surprised that Jane just seemed to accept everything without complaint. But after learning her story I can kind of understand why.
Brian’s also been dealt a bad hand and at times he seemed too good to be true.
This book is an engrossing read. I read it in one sitting (finishing at 2.30am) which should give you some idea just how addicted I was.
It never lets up as Jane and Brian fight what seems like the world just to be happy together.
This is the first OW/YM book that I’ve ever liked which says a lot about the way it was written.
If I’m being picky (which I always am) I’d say for me there was maybe a little too much going on. This couple had literally everything thrown at them and at one point I remember thinking okay that’s enough, no more.
This is the fourth book I’ve read from this author and every one has been well written, interesting and unforgettable. At some point I’m going to have to check out the rest of her books. But now I need some sweet fluff to get my equilibrium back.
I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author. This is my opinion and my honest review.
October 7, 2018
So, I honestly do not know how to rate this book. The writing is superb as everything I have read by this author, but I had really so many issues with the main female character that I was basically fuming while I was reading.
*Spoilers and ranting ahead*
I suppose I am about the same age as Jane and I think that now I am old enough not to take any sh!t by anyone
i.e. I would probably be thirsty for blood
-if my husband who I also used to consider my closest friend treated me like used goods, throw me out of my house with my kid and started a new family without any guilt.
-if I was treated like a guest in my own house
-if my best girlfriend and her family decided that I was not good enough for her status
-if my ungrateful daughter rejected me in my face like it's no big deal while I was trying to come into terms that I was rejected already by her father
-if my immature boyfriend almost got me killed twice because of his stupid decisions
-if a younger, promising and cheaper employee got my job and I was fired without taking into account my loyalty and the effort I had put in the company.
-if I was drugged, raped, had the love of my life killed, had my future happy life destroyed and then blackmailed by the same man who ruined everything.
-if my stupid landlady never informed me that there were poisonous snakes in her property and my kid was almost killed.
-if I was treated by everyone like garbage because I had finally found a person who loved me and I could finally feel free and happy with him even if he had no grey hair
No, I honestly do not take sh!t anymore. And I can not understand Jane's behaviour who wanted to forgive everyone and to be a martyr while everyone around her was totally toxic.
I was expecting fire and blood in the end.
Instead
-she ran away to reinvent herself. That's such a cliché. Stay where you are and fight!
-she forgave everyone again one more time. Argh! Seriously? C'est la vie?
-every stupid abuser was happy with happy marriages and happy children all around. I don't even want to comment about this.
And so what? That's it? Not enough.
Can we have a third book, where all the abusers are miserable?
“You’re a bad example for her.”
“For Abby?” My indignation escalates. “You’re a fine one to talk. I was single when I met him.”
“Don’t.” He points a finger at me. “Don’t even try that one on me.”
“You expect me to stand here and accept your double standards?”
“I expect you to act your age.” He narrows his eyes. “For the sake of your daughter.”
I can’t believe my ears. I don’t even know what to answer. “It’s all right if you do it, committing adultery in the process, but it’s not okay for me?”
And the Oscar goes to the cheating husband...
*Spoilers and ranting ahead*
I suppose I am about the same age as Jane and I think that now I am old enough not to take any sh!t by anyone
i.e. I would probably be thirsty for blood
-if my husband who I also used to consider my closest friend treated me like used goods, throw me out of my house with my kid and started a new family without any guilt.
-if I was treated like a guest in my own house
-if my best girlfriend and her family decided that I was not good enough for her status
-if my ungrateful daughter rejected me in my face like it's no big deal while I was trying to come into terms that I was rejected already by her father
-if my immature boyfriend almost got me killed twice because of his stupid decisions
-if a younger, promising and cheaper employee got my job and I was fired without taking into account my loyalty and the effort I had put in the company.
-if I was drugged, raped, had the love of my life killed, had my future happy life destroyed and then blackmailed by the same man who ruined everything.
-if my stupid landlady never informed me that there were poisonous snakes in her property and my kid was almost killed.
-if I was treated by everyone like garbage because I had finally found a person who loved me and I could finally feel free and happy with him even if he had no grey hair
No, I honestly do not take sh!t anymore. And I can not understand Jane's behaviour who wanted to forgive everyone and to be a martyr while everyone around her was totally toxic.
I was expecting fire and blood in the end.
Instead
-she ran away to reinvent herself. That's such a cliché. Stay where you are and fight!
-she forgave everyone again one more time. Argh! Seriously? C'est la vie?
-every stupid abuser was happy with happy marriages and happy children all around. I don't even want to comment about this.
And so what? That's it? Not enough.
Can we have a third book, where all the abusers are miserable?
“You’re a bad example for her.”
“For Abby?” My indignation escalates. “You’re a fine one to talk. I was single when I met him.”
“Don’t.” He points a finger at me. “Don’t even try that one on me.”
“You expect me to stand here and accept your double standards?”
“I expect you to act your age.” He narrows his eyes. “For the sake of your daughter.”
I can’t believe my ears. I don’t even know what to answer. “It’s all right if you do it, committing adultery in the process, but it’s not okay for me?”
And the Oscar goes to the cheating husband...
May 11, 2020
4 Stars
Arc Book Review
Release Date-28/8/18
So this was the second instalment in The Age between us duo, and though I didn't rate it quite as high as part 1 this was still a really worthy addition to this great series.
In "Young Enough" We catch up with our lovers Brian and Jane after the events of the previous instalment and just as I predicted previously things went to hell in a handbasket like dramatically.
Everything that could go wrong here did, this was so bloody angsty.
I started this with a sense of dread deep in the pit of my stomach so it was almost a relief when everything that had been building up finally started to implode piece by piece one incident after another like falling dominoes.
I'm not going to go into Specifics here but let's just say there's plenty here to grab and retain your attention.
I was still adoring Brian and Jane; especially Brian and really couldn't see how they were going to survive the fallout here and still remain eventually happy together.
I mean without either of them giving up something or someone they cared about; it just seemed such an impossible situation and every direction in sight was a no win for someone.
So here we are also finally given some closure in regards to some of the truly reprehensible characters we were introduced to previously.
Some actually came into there own and surprisingly stepped up to the mark and others finally showed their true colours in all their self-centred entirety.
Though I was slightly disappointed that just desserts were not served where they were definitely deserved.
My other main bug-bear here was Consequences especially in regards to Abby they seemed to be sorely lacking and I don't really think the punishment fit the crime; what Abby did regardless of her youth was deplorable and she practically just got a slap on the wrist in regards to her behaviour.
I found this as a parent inconceivable.
I also would have liked to see some apologies from certain adults and there unwarranted behaviour towards Jane as It seemed to have just been brushed beneath the carpet and forgotten; in my opinion, its no wonder Abby behaves the way she does when her role models are just so lacking in their own remorse.
Despite my above grumbles, this was still a great read with so much to offer.
It was jampacked right through and I read it practically in one angst-ridden sitting.
I do have to say though that as much as I liked our final destination here I would have myself prefered a slightly more alternate route getting there, but no mind we got where we needed to be anyway disregardless of the actual direction taken.
But all in all, this was still a great conclusion which wrapped up everything so neatly and expertly.
A really well-written age gap romance that I enjoyed immensely.
As I have stated previously OW/YM is not usually my thing; have to say this one is my exception to the rule, one I'm glad I gave that initial chance to.
I am really happy to give the thumbs up and recommend "The Age Between Us" Series.
Its a sexy, angsty journey of discovery and I am really glad I took a leap of faith here.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of "Young Enough" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm.
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 28, 2018
One thing I learned from this book is that apparently I am bloodthirsty and that Jane is a better woman than I am. I knew Jane and Brian's journey was not going to be easy but I had no clue the amount of pain Jane would suffer for her chance at happiness.
How much can one woman take until she breaks? That's still the question because Jane proved to be much stronger than I gave her credit for in the first book. She is one of the most honest, giving heroines I have ever read. She truly only wanted what was best for others and never complained for herself, and it killed me at times.
Through it all, Brian proved that age is just a number. I loved how fiercely he loved her. How hard he fought for her. He's the kind of hero I love to read about. For being as young as he was, he knew what he wanted and he jumped every hurdle in his way. I loved how much of a better man he was compared to the more "mature" side characters in this book. This is a couple that deserves to make it work.
Despite my bloodthirsty nature not being satisfied, I can appreciate the way the author kept Jane true to character. This was brilliantly written but I am not surprised since I have experienced this author before. I highly recommend The Age Between Us Duet. ARC provided by author.
How much can one woman take until she breaks? That's still the question because Jane proved to be much stronger than I gave her credit for in the first book. She is one of the most honest, giving heroines I have ever read. She truly only wanted what was best for others and never complained for herself, and it killed me at times.
Through it all, Brian proved that age is just a number. I loved how fiercely he loved her. How hard he fought for her. He's the kind of hero I love to read about. For being as young as he was, he knew what he wanted and he jumped every hurdle in his way. I loved how much of a better man he was compared to the more "mature" side characters in this book. This is a couple that deserves to make it work.
Despite my bloodthirsty nature not being satisfied, I can appreciate the way the author kept Jane true to character. This was brilliantly written but I am not surprised since I have experienced this author before. I highly recommend The Age Between Us Duet. ARC provided by author.
Read
April 18, 2021It would take less time to say what did NOT happen to the heroine or side characters.
There is fiction then there is stretching the bounds of reality. SPOILERS below.
Older woman/younger man
BDSM
Cheating ex
Pregnant girlfriend of cheating ex
Dispossessed from housing
Bratty daughter
Cobra attack
Potential blindness due to cobra attack
Friend betrayal
Job loss
Rape
Unknown paternity
Slashed and scarred
Blackmail
Subterfuge and digital spying
Mob connections
Forced engagement
Undercover operation
Drowning
School abuse and bullying
Alcoholic parent
I know I'm leaving something out.
Nobody burned alive and the dog didn't die.
There is fiction then there is stretching the bounds of reality. SPOILERS below.
Older woman/younger man
BDSM
Cheating ex
Pregnant girlfriend of cheating ex
Dispossessed from housing
Bratty daughter
Cobra attack
Potential blindness due to cobra attack
Friend betrayal
Job loss
Rape
Unknown paternity
Slashed and scarred
Blackmail
Subterfuge and digital spying
Mob connections
Forced engagement
Undercover operation
Drowning
School abuse and bullying
Alcoholic parent
I know I'm leaving something out.
Nobody burned alive and the dog didn't die.
August 17, 2018
Super sexy, dark and erotic, yet a fabulous love story. 4.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book left me with a multiple multitude of feelings. Not only did Paul’s bring us a amazing HEA but the road to get there was rocky.
The path we had to travel with Jane and Brian had so many ups and downs and twists and turns, it was hard not to get caught up in the book.
I had a tough day when I first started reading it I really wasn’t into reading but I knew I had to get it done. But then the author turned up the heat with some amazing sex scenes, loaded with erotica, dominance, and a whole lot of imagination.
Couple that with personal issues, family drama, mobster violence, and secrets galore. Soon I wasn’t worried about the day I had as I blazed through this book.
With every turn of the page Paul’s managed to ramp up the story more and more. Between the blistering passion, the suspense, drama, and the twisted web of the truth, this book is a testament to the author’s creative mind and unique storytelling ability.
This is the second series of books I’ve read by this author and each one has been surprising. And for the The Age Between Us two part story she did herself proud with the amazing story of Brian and Jane. Make sure to set some time aside when you dive into this one!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/young-enough...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book left me with a multiple multitude of feelings. Not only did Paul’s bring us a amazing HEA but the road to get there was rocky.
The path we had to travel with Jane and Brian had so many ups and downs and twists and turns, it was hard not to get caught up in the book.
I had a tough day when I first started reading it I really wasn’t into reading but I knew I had to get it done. But then the author turned up the heat with some amazing sex scenes, loaded with erotica, dominance, and a whole lot of imagination.
Couple that with personal issues, family drama, mobster violence, and secrets galore. Soon I wasn’t worried about the day I had as I blazed through this book.
With every turn of the page Paul’s managed to ramp up the story more and more. Between the blistering passion, the suspense, drama, and the twisted web of the truth, this book is a testament to the author’s creative mind and unique storytelling ability.
This is the second series of books I’ve read by this author and each one has been surprising. And for the The Age Between Us two part story she did herself proud with the amazing story of Brian and Jane. Make sure to set some time aside when you dive into this one!
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/young-enough...
September 7, 2020
Oh hell no.
Abby is Jane’s daughter. Abby then falsely accused Brian of rape. Um. What the fuck is going on. I’m SCREAMING.
Abby is Jane’s daughter. Abby then falsely accused Brian of rape. Um. What the fuck is going on. I’m SCREAMING.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2019
4 ⭐'s
This is the conclusion to Brian and Jane's story and it's a doozy. I cannot believe what all they get put through and it's just so continuous and consuming!
It was hard to be put through all that but it makes you want to keep reading...hoping for something good to come out of it.
Obviously, I don't want to spoil the story but I will say - be prepared to have lots of reading time and be prepared to not have everything perfect. You're in for a wild ride.
This is the conclusion to Brian and Jane's story and it's a doozy. I cannot believe what all they get put through and it's just so continuous and consuming!
It was hard to be put through all that but it makes you want to keep reading...hoping for something good to come out of it.
Obviously, I don't want to spoil the story but I will say - be prepared to have lots of reading time and be prepared to not have everything perfect. You're in for a wild ride.
May 6, 2021
*Reread exactly a year later & upgraded it to 5 stars* I just LOVE this couple & book. It's so engaging, though obviously, I dislike all the sh*t they had to deal with. Abby was one of the worst daughters in literature I feel. She preferred a man that's not even her actual father and his new wife to her real mother? She also could have messed up Brian's life. It's so despicable to lie about something like that, especially since the victims are always believed. The ending is a little bittersweet though, and I would have liked to know how old they were when the story ended. Also, I wouldn't mind a romance for Brian's younger sister, Sam, just saying...
If you haven't read book one, PLEASE check it out! I highly recommend this series. Kinda sad now :/
Original Review
There's so much toxicity where they live, I wish Brian and Jane just left the area and fuck Abby. Leave her behind. She prefers her father and Debbie's anyway.
I hate that bitch so much.
Jesus, it's like the odds are stacked against them. It's our love against the world type of love.
I think Brian should have definitely told Jane about the whole business with Lindy so she would understand.
This book had me laughing once out loud because it was genuinely funny when she was like our sex life isn't vanilla to the detective, but also not really laughing out loud (I don't know how to explain) because the twists and turns in the plot are crazy.
When Jane sees Brian at the engagement party, instead of explaining to her what's going on, which would be the logical thing to do, he goes the possessive male way and has sex with her twice.
I want to continue reading this book, but at the same time I don't because I don't want their story to end. Tbh, the whole cellar scene seemed like it would have to be the climax, but of course there are still more plot holes not solved yet.
Wow, the author really does pack a lot in 200 pages. You feel like with all that happens, you're reading 400 pages.
I honestly don't know if I should give this 4 or 5 stars. It was wild.
The ending, even though it's not sad, it just leaves me on a sad note (the last chapter more than the epilogue). Jeez, how old was Abby when she got married? I would have liked to know how many years later in the epilogue. Also, I would have preferred Jane and Brian to get married. Do they ever? Brian is super possessive, I'm sure he'd want to claim Jane as his wife as well.
I'm glad Jane finally got what she wanted out of life: love, a restaurant, a job as a cook, Italian lessons, a visit to Rome. It's nice that *spoiler* Evan is Abby's real father so that there is a piece of her first love that lives on. But still, she dropped out of school to marry Francois to raise a child that wasn't even his and then she couldn't do her cooking degree because he needed money for his stuff. Also, Benjamin was a despicable character. He was the one who drugged Jane so she'd sleep with him! Jane never cheated. And he was mad because she loved Evan and not him. Get over yourself, Benjamin. Sucks he's famous too, so now he is rich.
Like I said at the beginning, I'm glad they got out of Pretoria.
I feel like I need to read/do something happy now.
If you haven't read book one, PLEASE check it out! I highly recommend this series. Kinda sad now :/
Original Review
There's so much toxicity where they live, I wish Brian and Jane just left the area and fuck Abby. Leave her behind. She prefers her father and Debbie's anyway.
I hate that bitch so much.
Jesus, it's like the odds are stacked against them. It's our love against the world type of love.
I think Brian should have definitely told Jane about the whole business with Lindy so she would understand.
This book had me laughing once out loud because it was genuinely funny when she was like our sex life isn't vanilla to the detective, but also not really laughing out loud (I don't know how to explain) because the twists and turns in the plot are crazy.
When Jane sees Brian at the engagement party, instead of explaining to her what's going on, which would be the logical thing to do, he goes the possessive male way and has sex with her twice.
I want to continue reading this book, but at the same time I don't because I don't want their story to end. Tbh, the whole cellar scene seemed like it would have to be the climax, but of course there are still more plot holes not solved yet.
Wow, the author really does pack a lot in 200 pages. You feel like with all that happens, you're reading 400 pages.
I honestly don't know if I should give this 4 or 5 stars. It was wild.
The ending, even though it's not sad, it just leaves me on a sad note (the last chapter more than the epilogue). Jeez, how old was Abby when she got married? I would have liked to know how many years later in the epilogue. Also, I would have preferred Jane and Brian to get married. Do they ever? Brian is super possessive, I'm sure he'd want to claim Jane as his wife as well.
I'm glad Jane finally got what she wanted out of life: love, a restaurant, a job as a cook, Italian lessons, a visit to Rome. It's nice that *spoiler* Evan is Abby's real father so that there is a piece of her first love that lives on. But still, she dropped out of school to marry Francois to raise a child that wasn't even his and then she couldn't do her cooking degree because he needed money for his stuff. Also, Benjamin was a despicable character. He was the one who drugged Jane so she'd sleep with him! Jane never cheated. And he was mad because she loved Evan and not him. Get over yourself, Benjamin. Sucks he's famous too, so now he is rich.
Like I said at the beginning, I'm glad they got out of Pretoria.
I feel like I need to read/do something happy now.
July 28, 2018
Oh my gawd the drama! Drama, drama, drama! And I loved every moment of it!
While Old Enough sets up the relationship between Brian and Jane, showcasing their dreams, desires and struggles, this book explodes with all the repercussions of their decisions and actions. Jane’s life implodes from not only her current situation but from her past and she is helpless to stop it. Brian is faced with dealing from the fall out of living in the wrong neighborhood and being in the sights of the wrong people. Together is no longer an option if this couple want to come out of this with any semblance of normalcy for their individual futures.
Every turn of the page in this book resulted in new information as well as new trials and horrors for both of these characters. I wasn’t sure I would survive it. It was like watching a nuclear explosion except what was exploding was nothing more than a house of cards built on secrets and deceit.
The strength Jane showed throughout her ordeals made me realize the true extent of strength that was hidden within her throughout the first book. There were times I was sure she would simply give up and let the tide of despair sweep her away. Instead, she continued to move forward, determined to take one step at a time, even when each step took her further away from everything she ever loved.
Brian remained solid in his love and devotion to Jane despite the obstacles that laid waste to each day as his family, friends, and his own conscience fought against everything he longed for. Making decisions that would ultimately cost him the woman he adored more than his own life, he never took his eyes off the prize.
Young Enough has so many twists and turns keeping me on the edge, I read it in one sitting. I could not set it aside. I had to know how this couple could ever overcome the many trials and obstacles that prevented them from finding true happiness. While age certainly plays a part in their story, there is so much more here that consumed their tale until age was a mere drop in the ocean of their fears and grief. I loved every moment of both of these books and the wild, sometimes erotic, always unpredictable ride this author took me on.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
While Old Enough sets up the relationship between Brian and Jane, showcasing their dreams, desires and struggles, this book explodes with all the repercussions of their decisions and actions. Jane’s life implodes from not only her current situation but from her past and she is helpless to stop it. Brian is faced with dealing from the fall out of living in the wrong neighborhood and being in the sights of the wrong people. Together is no longer an option if this couple want to come out of this with any semblance of normalcy for their individual futures.
Every turn of the page in this book resulted in new information as well as new trials and horrors for both of these characters. I wasn’t sure I would survive it. It was like watching a nuclear explosion except what was exploding was nothing more than a house of cards built on secrets and deceit.
The strength Jane showed throughout her ordeals made me realize the true extent of strength that was hidden within her throughout the first book. There were times I was sure she would simply give up and let the tide of despair sweep her away. Instead, she continued to move forward, determined to take one step at a time, even when each step took her further away from everything she ever loved.
Brian remained solid in his love and devotion to Jane despite the obstacles that laid waste to each day as his family, friends, and his own conscience fought against everything he longed for. Making decisions that would ultimately cost him the woman he adored more than his own life, he never took his eyes off the prize.
Young Enough has so many twists and turns keeping me on the edge, I read it in one sitting. I could not set it aside. I had to know how this couple could ever overcome the many trials and obstacles that prevented them from finding true happiness. While age certainly plays a part in their story, there is so much more here that consumed their tale until age was a mere drop in the ocean of their fears and grief. I loved every moment of both of these books and the wild, sometimes erotic, always unpredictable ride this author took me on.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Read
April 15, 2021Umm...how much damage can one character take??? -from her ex’s insecure wife, from her ex, from her ex fiancé’s brother, from her daughter, from her friends, from her boss, from her boyfriend and from his employer, and from his employer’s daughter???
To put a bow on it all and say-yay, the end. Uhh, no.
To put a bow on it all and say-yay, the end. Uhh, no.
August 14, 2018
I'm definitely the minority in liking this duet. I love an age gap May-December romance and while this certainly filled as an age gap (23 year differnce) it contained more pain and tragedy then romance.
Jane was sweet but somewhat of a push over. She was beaten , cheated on, fired from her job, drugged, rapped, she had horrible friends, an horrible ex-husband and dare I say daughter. This woman endured so much tragedy in her life I truly don't know how she got out of bed in the morning.
Brian was sweet at times but he too took advantage of Jane. He stalked her, pressured her and helped cause a good portion of her issues.
The sex was not but there was too much sex and too much tragedy for me.
Jane was sweet but somewhat of a push over. She was beaten , cheated on, fired from her job, drugged, rapped, she had horrible friends, an horrible ex-husband and dare I say daughter. This woman endured so much tragedy in her life I truly don't know how she got out of bed in the morning.
Brian was sweet at times but he too took advantage of Jane. He stalked her, pressured her and helped cause a good portion of her issues.
The sex was not but there was too much sex and too much tragedy for me.
July 27, 2018
4 stars. I was very correct in my review of the first book that this book would be where shit goes down. And woo boy did shit go down. Everything was fine and then like 50% in all of the drama you could ever imagine happens and I thought my heart was going to give out from all of the anxiety this was giving me. It was great.
You get your happily ever after but dammit you have to work for it. Pauls makes sure to put Brian and Jane through the ringer before they get to finally be happy and at peace and I was honestly just so emotionally drained by the end.
Jane is such a strong woman because the things she had to suffer through forsome good dick Brian was absolutely insane to me. I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I think she definitely had the better character development between the two. All the judgment from people and being called a ‘sugar mama’ (oh, the horror!) and while she had her moments of doubt, she didn’t let it get to her. Plus, all of the heartache and pain and she still comes out stronger and wiser.
Brian I still love but there was one thing he did towards the end that made me side eye him for the rest of the book. It was stupid, reckless and incredibly dangerous. He should’ve been groveling at Jane’s feet for that. No spoilers, but it made me look at him differently. He’s still bae though but from a distance.
I think one of my only gripes about this book was how the whole Jane/Francois/Debbie/Abby thing is handled. Everyone treats Jane so terribly and then things between them wraps up all nice and neat as if they hadn’t been giving poor Jane the blues. I didn’t like it. This woman has gone through so much hardship and heartache that honestly stems from Francois and it just felt so underwhelming. I wanted more from that.
Also her daughter, Abby, is an asshole.
Overall, this was a great emotional rollercoaster of a conclusion to this series.
*E-book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
{Challenges completed:
✔For Love of a Book: Shopping Cart Challenge
✔Romance Readers Reading Challenges: The Wonderful World of Romance Quarterly Challenge}
You get your happily ever after but dammit you have to work for it. Pauls makes sure to put Brian and Jane through the ringer before they get to finally be happy and at peace and I was honestly just so emotionally drained by the end.
Jane is such a strong woman because the things she had to suffer through for
Brian I still love but there was one thing he did towards the end that made me side eye him for the rest of the book. It was stupid, reckless and incredibly dangerous. He should’ve been groveling at Jane’s feet for that. No spoilers, but it made me look at him differently. He’s still bae though but from a distance.
I think one of my only gripes about this book was how the whole Jane/Francois/Debbie/Abby thing is handled. Everyone treats Jane so terribly and then things between them wraps up all nice and neat as if they hadn’t been giving poor Jane the blues. I didn’t like it. This woman has gone through so much hardship and heartache that honestly stems from Francois and it just felt so underwhelming. I wanted more from that.
Also her daughter, Abby, is an asshole.
Overall, this was a great emotional rollercoaster of a conclusion to this series.
*E-book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
{Challenges completed:
✔For Love of a Book: Shopping Cart Challenge
✔Romance Readers Reading Challenges: The Wonderful World of Romance Quarterly Challenge}
August 29, 2018
Their HEA was fought for, blood was shed for it, and I still wanted more. The drama was insane the sex was off the charts but at times I felt like it was all too much! I don’t fully understand why Jane seemed weak at the same time so strong. There were moments that I wanted her to kick and scream or throw something but she kept her cool and showed she had class. She was more forgiving then I would have been. I enjoyed their story but...
The way they handled rape in this story turned my stomach... in some ways I felt like the author let Jane take the blame for what happen when it was in no way her fault! I hated that. I honestly didn’t understand how that even played out. You put me in a room with a man who raped me and I’m going for his nuts! I also hated her daughter. There was nothing redeeming about her.
The way they handled rape in this story turned my stomach... in some ways I felt like the author let Jane take the blame for what happen when it was in no way her fault! I hated that. I honestly didn’t understand how that even played out. You put me in a room with a man who raped me and I’m going for his nuts! I also hated her daughter. There was nothing redeeming about her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2022
I'm not sure that I enjoyed reading this second book. It was honestly laughable the list of things that happened to the h in this story. I will spoiler tag them in case you want to go in blind. This is literally just me writing down the notes I took while reading.
I mean, you just can't make this stuff up! 🤣🤣🤣 Still giving it three stars, because although it was over the top ridiculous, I did have a good time reading it and the writing is really well done...even if the storyline is off the walls bonkers.
I mean, you just can't make this stuff up! 🤣🤣🤣 Still giving it three stars, because although it was over the top ridiculous, I did have a good time reading it and the writing is really well done...even if the storyline is off the walls bonkers.
November 13, 2023
No review as find this book stupid
The end
The end
December 22, 2020
I hate everyone in this story .
July 24, 2018
Oh my goodness. This book had absolutely everything! I really thought that this second book would just be a simple HEA, a simple conclusion to Jane and Brian's loves story..... boy was I wrong. There is so much emotion and story builds and builds in such an amazing way that I could not put it down. I could not get enough of Jane and Brian. I love how all of the elements of the story all came together. I could not put this book down! I read the whole thing in just about 4 hours! 5 stars for "The Age Between Us" I wish I could give more stars and keep reading all about Jane and Brian.
August 30, 2018
Bitter beginning with (unfortunately) plain ending.
Too many problems with too tight-chested plot. The hero was outstanding character. Still. The heroine, unfortunately, still lame and still weak to the very end which is too bad.
With so many problems in there, I have to ask the author, do you actually hate your main character so much? because, come on, with all the problems and weak solution like that, it was some kind of downfall if I may say.
I was some kind like hoping that with so so many problems, the heroine will be tough and smack all the problems down with brilliant and graceful ends.
But its not.
Those problem was some kind like they all gone by itself. Nope. Just nope.
The most anticipated part was the ex-bf's brother which seems so hateful, turns out, lame. Melted like chocolate in the sun. With nothing HOT and ah~~ mazing conclusion in it.
Too many problems with too tight-chested plot. The hero was outstanding character. Still. The heroine, unfortunately, still lame and still weak to the very end which is too bad.
With so many problems in there, I have to ask the author, do you actually hate your main character so much? because, come on, with all the problems and weak solution like that, it was some kind of downfall if I may say.
I was some kind like hoping that with so so many problems, the heroine will be tough and smack all the problems down with brilliant and graceful ends.
But its not.
Those problem was some kind like they all gone by itself. Nope. Just nope.
The most anticipated part was the ex-bf's brother which seems so hateful, turns out, lame. Melted like chocolate in the sun. With nothing HOT and ah~~ mazing conclusion in it.
October 22, 2018
4 But I don’t know better Stars
Our main character still suffers from very low self-esteem and is trampled on dramatically in this book and she just rolls over and takes it. This book really makes you ensure you hate her daughter Abby and if it was my daughter she would be getting some spankings and sent to reform school. This book was FILLED with plot twists so much so it gave me a bit of whiplash. I don’t think I need the amount of twists that was given. I think the final plot twist was a bit too easy but after the amount I survived to get to it I think it was worth it because I have an angst hangover
But the book is original and it reads really well. You grew so much is this duet with these characters but I wish the characters grew as well. None of our characters were without sin.
I hated most of the characters in almost a high five to the author way they were all completely horrible and all deserved misery
Our main character still suffers from very low self-esteem and is trampled on dramatically in this book and she just rolls over and takes it. This book really makes you ensure you hate her daughter Abby and if it was my daughter she would be getting some spankings and sent to reform school. This book was FILLED with plot twists so much so it gave me a bit of whiplash. I don’t think I need the amount of twists that was given. I think the final plot twist was a bit too easy but after the amount I survived to get to it I think it was worth it because I have an angst hangover
But the book is original and it reads really well. You grew so much is this duet with these characters but I wish the characters grew as well. None of our characters were without sin.
I hated most of the characters in almost a high five to the author way they were all completely horrible and all deserved misery
October 12, 2018
This is the sequel to Old Enough (The Age Between Us) about 19 year old Brian and 42 year old Jane and their 'taboo' love story.
God, so much happens in this one. Sooo much drama and angst you'll wonder if Brian and Jane could possibly make it together. But you'll be rooting for them against all the odds.
I absolutely enjoyed every minute of reading it and was hoping it could go on for another 50+ pages.
One of my favorite stories of 2018.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an arc via Netgalley
God, so much happens in this one. Sooo much drama and angst you'll wonder if Brian and Jane could possibly make it together. But you'll be rooting for them against all the odds.
I absolutely enjoyed every minute of reading it and was hoping it could go on for another 50+ pages.
One of my favorite stories of 2018.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an arc via Netgalley
March 22, 2019
Beautifully painful and painfully beautiful!
To recap, Young Enough is Book 2 of a love duet between a forty-two year old divorcée who is struggling to restructure her life after the loss of her marriage and a nineteen year old university student who pursues her relentlessly while simultaneously working to support his alcoholic mother and his younger sister. Jane and Brian are explosive together! But it takes a lot for Brian to convince Jane to look past the multitude of obstacles, towards seeing them as a permanent couple.
*** “I wish I could give you the younger version of me.” “I don’t want the younger version of you. It won’t be the person you are now, because everything that happened to shape you into the person you are wouldn’t have happened.” ***
Brian is very possessive, protective and determined for his age. Whenever Brian and Jane are together their passion is so beautiful it makes me ache. Their love is intense and glorious - completely enviable!
*** “Every woman deserves the over-the-top, I’d-fucking-die-without-you feeling I have for you. I won’t degrade a young girl to second best simply because you reject me, so don’t even think about it. I’d prefer to be alone.” ***
But Charmaine Pauls is the queen of torturing her characters. Just when the couple are ready to take their relationship to the next level, a deluge of challenges (which have been simmering in the background) is finally released. This author proves again she has the courage to subject her characters to gut-wrenching hardship and drag her readers through the ringer. Jane and Brian encounter so much more danger, betrayal and even just plain bad luck that I wasn’t sure I could withstand the torture, the pain. I could feel my miniature literary self curled up into the fetal position inside my mind sobbing “No! No! Stop! I can’t take any more!”
Young Enough completes the Age Between Us duet with intense pain, intense love, and intense satisfaction. I may have wished greater retribution on some of the secondary characters (ahem! Francois, Benjamin, “Debs”, I’m looking at you!) but at the same time, I am won over by the grace and kindness of Jane and the resilience and loyalty of Brian. I loved this couple!
(NetGalley ARC)
To recap, Young Enough is Book 2 of a love duet between a forty-two year old divorcée who is struggling to restructure her life after the loss of her marriage and a nineteen year old university student who pursues her relentlessly while simultaneously working to support his alcoholic mother and his younger sister. Jane and Brian are explosive together! But it takes a lot for Brian to convince Jane to look past the multitude of obstacles, towards seeing them as a permanent couple.
*** “I wish I could give you the younger version of me.” “I don’t want the younger version of you. It won’t be the person you are now, because everything that happened to shape you into the person you are wouldn’t have happened.” ***
Brian is very possessive, protective and determined for his age. Whenever Brian and Jane are together their passion is so beautiful it makes me ache. Their love is intense and glorious - completely enviable!
*** “Every woman deserves the over-the-top, I’d-fucking-die-without-you feeling I have for you. I won’t degrade a young girl to second best simply because you reject me, so don’t even think about it. I’d prefer to be alone.” ***
But Charmaine Pauls is the queen of torturing her characters. Just when the couple are ready to take their relationship to the next level, a deluge of challenges (which have been simmering in the background) is finally released. This author proves again she has the courage to subject her characters to gut-wrenching hardship and drag her readers through the ringer. Jane and Brian encounter so much more danger, betrayal and even just plain bad luck that I wasn’t sure I could withstand the torture, the pain. I could feel my miniature literary self curled up into the fetal position inside my mind sobbing “No! No! Stop! I can’t take any more!”
Young Enough completes the Age Between Us duet with intense pain, intense love, and intense satisfaction. I may have wished greater retribution on some of the secondary characters (ahem! Francois, Benjamin, “Debs”, I’m looking at you!) but at the same time, I am won over by the grace and kindness of Jane and the resilience and loyalty of Brian. I loved this couple!
(NetGalley ARC)
March 19, 2019
*** Be warned, this book is red-hot and you will not be able to put it down! *** Young Enough is the second book in The Age Between Us duet. If you have not read Old Enough, the first book in this duet, you will be a little lost. I recommend you go back and read the first book. I really loved the first book in this series and didn't think that I could possibly like this book more….Oh my was I wrong. I absolutely loved this book. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. Young Enough is the continuation of Jane and Brian’s dark, an erotic love story.
At times this book was very intense, I was overwhelmed, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. I read the whole book in about five hours. There were multiple times where I actually said, “Noooo, OMG, that did not just happen!” This book has everything, lust, deceit, lies, blackmail, and an all-consuming love between two people that defies all logic.
Ms. Pauls writing is superb, from the first word to the last. Her further development of the secondary characters are carefully crafted, and in the end, their true nature is revealed. While the story unfolds she deliberately divulges little hints of what may happen and then… the book explodes! When you think you have figured out what is going on, there is a new twist, a new lie brought to light, another person’s betrayal is exposed, all of which is attempting to keep Brian and Jane apart. I love the way Ms. Pauls cultivates the relationship between Jane and Brian. The love and heartbreak they share wraps around your heart, squeezing until you feel as lost and out of control as they do. She also writes the most amazing, seductive scenes… 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 steam meter! The big question: do Jane and Brian get the HEA they so deserve or do the circumstances and people in their lives who are plotting against them win? Sorry, not going to tell! 🤭
The Age Between Us duet will go down as one of my favorite duets. I might just have to go back a reread it, it was just that heart-wrenchingly beautiful!
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This is my honest review.***
At times this book was very intense, I was overwhelmed, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. I read the whole book in about five hours. There were multiple times where I actually said, “Noooo, OMG, that did not just happen!” This book has everything, lust, deceit, lies, blackmail, and an all-consuming love between two people that defies all logic.
Ms. Pauls writing is superb, from the first word to the last. Her further development of the secondary characters are carefully crafted, and in the end, their true nature is revealed. While the story unfolds she deliberately divulges little hints of what may happen and then… the book explodes! When you think you have figured out what is going on, there is a new twist, a new lie brought to light, another person’s betrayal is exposed, all of which is attempting to keep Brian and Jane apart. I love the way Ms. Pauls cultivates the relationship between Jane and Brian. The love and heartbreak they share wraps around your heart, squeezing until you feel as lost and out of control as they do. She also writes the most amazing, seductive scenes… 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 steam meter! The big question: do Jane and Brian get the HEA they so deserve or do the circumstances and people in their lives who are plotting against them win? Sorry, not going to tell! 🤭
The Age Between Us duet will go down as one of my favorite duets. I might just have to go back a reread it, it was just that heart-wrenchingly beautiful!
***I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review to read this book. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. This is my honest review.***
September 22, 2018
Again .. perfection for me. This duet is one of my top reads for 2018. The story was super sexy and erotic but it was also more than just a romance journey. It was a growth journey and Charmaine Pauls executed it perfectly! Well done.
January 11, 2019
*ARC generously provided by the author’s publicist via Bookfunnel in exchange for an honest review.*
Heartbreaking, romantic, and hopeful.
SPOILER FREE
Blogger’s Note: If you haven’t read old enough yet, then I suggest you not read this review because it might spoil things for you.
Our love drowned. It wasn’t strong enough to withstand the onslaught of my lies. My deceit.
P L O T
I’ve said it before, people have heard it before, and I will say it again until the entire world hears it too. Age is just a number. It’s already hard enough to find true love but we also have to stay within the line society has created on who we should spend the rest of our lives with? If it feels right, go for it. Only you can decide what makes you happy.
It’s a crucial part of love. It’s knowing when to let go.
The plot is amazing, family matters, work matters, daughters, siblings, mothers, everyone matters but the most important factor is love. From the very beginning it was never going to be an easy ride for our ship. The world is against them, but they do have each other. The break-up was what I was looking forward to in this book because it was bound to happen and to my surprise it wasn’t how I expected it would be. The reason was not what I thought it would be and that scene was hard to read. It was painful and just heartbreaking.
When it starts with a lie, you’re going to wonder when it became real and which parts of it was true.
It’ll be better if I sneak off in her dreams. It’s less harsh than having to face the wrenching pain of a goodbye spoken in a doorway, of watching someone walk away, until you’re the one left behind, standing on your own with nothing but silence and loneliness.
C H A R A C T E R S
Brian Michaels
Brian is every bit a man as men twice his age. He did have to grow up early to take care of his family but that’s also one of the reasons why Jane is so attracted to him. When in a misunderstanding, he faces it head on like a man should and finds a way to talk and explain his side of the story. He doesn’t run away, he doesn’t let Jane assume the worst of him.
How do I soothe someone when I’m broken myself? How do I make it right when all I have left is so much despair?
Jane Logan
An independent woman and a loving mother. Very different from the girls Brian goes to school with. Sure, she may be a little old school and hard headed sometimes but she’s like any other woman especially when she’s in love. Crashing a party just to see him one last time and making rash decisions in the heat of their lust for each other.
There was a time I believed it was a love beautiful and pure, but now I know it’s a love tainted with obsession and tarnished with lies. But sometimes an impure love is the greatest thing we’ll ever accomplish. It’s not perfection that matters, but how deep our feelings go. It’s existing at the center of someone’s world, even if just for a few fleeting minutes against the rough bark of a tree.
W R I T I N G
Charmaine Pauls has done it again. Every person that matters in the lives of our two lovers have been given the chance to speak up their mind and showed us where they stand in this uncanny relationship between Brian and Jane. It’s such a beautiful world Pauls has created. Sometimes we need to set aside our differences, forget what society thinks and understand how a person feels. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to their story.
I let the closure of goodbye settle in my heart, enforcing it with my guilt.
O V E R A L L
Charmaine Pauls is utterly amazing with romance between two people from different worlds and with different views of the world. She seems to enjoy duologies and I am only too eager to read them. Comparing this story to her Lone Shark Duet, I can confidently say that her message is clear. Age is just a number, love can be found in the most unlikely of places from unlikely people, and love will always find its way back.
I have yet to meet a couple with this kind of relationship where the woman is older than the man, and I very much would love to know their love story.
“I don’t hate you.” If anything I love him even more, and it hurts.
Heartbreaking, romantic, and hopeful.
SPOILER FREE
Blogger’s Note: If you haven’t read old enough yet, then I suggest you not read this review because it might spoil things for you.
Our love drowned. It wasn’t strong enough to withstand the onslaught of my lies. My deceit.
P L O T
I’ve said it before, people have heard it before, and I will say it again until the entire world hears it too. Age is just a number. It’s already hard enough to find true love but we also have to stay within the line society has created on who we should spend the rest of our lives with? If it feels right, go for it. Only you can decide what makes you happy.
It’s a crucial part of love. It’s knowing when to let go.
The plot is amazing, family matters, work matters, daughters, siblings, mothers, everyone matters but the most important factor is love. From the very beginning it was never going to be an easy ride for our ship. The world is against them, but they do have each other. The break-up was what I was looking forward to in this book because it was bound to happen and to my surprise it wasn’t how I expected it would be. The reason was not what I thought it would be and that scene was hard to read. It was painful and just heartbreaking.
When it starts with a lie, you’re going to wonder when it became real and which parts of it was true.
It’ll be better if I sneak off in her dreams. It’s less harsh than having to face the wrenching pain of a goodbye spoken in a doorway, of watching someone walk away, until you’re the one left behind, standing on your own with nothing but silence and loneliness.
C H A R A C T E R S
Brian Michaels
Brian is every bit a man as men twice his age. He did have to grow up early to take care of his family but that’s also one of the reasons why Jane is so attracted to him. When in a misunderstanding, he faces it head on like a man should and finds a way to talk and explain his side of the story. He doesn’t run away, he doesn’t let Jane assume the worst of him.
How do I soothe someone when I’m broken myself? How do I make it right when all I have left is so much despair?
Jane Logan
An independent woman and a loving mother. Very different from the girls Brian goes to school with. Sure, she may be a little old school and hard headed sometimes but she’s like any other woman especially when she’s in love. Crashing a party just to see him one last time and making rash decisions in the heat of their lust for each other.
There was a time I believed it was a love beautiful and pure, but now I know it’s a love tainted with obsession and tarnished with lies. But sometimes an impure love is the greatest thing we’ll ever accomplish. It’s not perfection that matters, but how deep our feelings go. It’s existing at the center of someone’s world, even if just for a few fleeting minutes against the rough bark of a tree.
W R I T I N G
Charmaine Pauls has done it again. Every person that matters in the lives of our two lovers have been given the chance to speak up their mind and showed us where they stand in this uncanny relationship between Brian and Jane. It’s such a beautiful world Pauls has created. Sometimes we need to set aside our differences, forget what society thinks and understand how a person feels. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to their story.
I let the closure of goodbye settle in my heart, enforcing it with my guilt.
O V E R A L L
Charmaine Pauls is utterly amazing with romance between two people from different worlds and with different views of the world. She seems to enjoy duologies and I am only too eager to read them. Comparing this story to her Lone Shark Duet, I can confidently say that her message is clear. Age is just a number, love can be found in the most unlikely of places from unlikely people, and love will always find its way back.
I have yet to meet a couple with this kind of relationship where the woman is older than the man, and I very much would love to know their love story.
“I don’t hate you.” If anything I love him even more, and it hurts.
July 30, 2018
Young Enough (The Age Between Us Book 2)
By: Charmaine Pauls
4 Stars
With the ending of Old Enough (The Age Between Us Book 1), I couldn’t imagine how this book would play out and end with everyone happy!! Charmaine Pauls definitely made us go on one heck of a roller-coaster ride to get to the end of this book!!!
Just when you thought you were free falling into happiness bliss, poor Jane gets knocked around and twisted thru each and every turn of this roller-coaster ride.
Friends
Job
Photo’s
Video
Ex Husband
Daughter
Ex-Lover
They’ve all come to bite Jane in the Butt!!! In more than just one way. The one consistent is….
Brian
Brian loves with it all. Protects what means the most to him. Works his young fine butt off to provide.
But when where you live and what you’ve done in the past come back to hurt you in the worst way possible….
Can you still love the way you want to?
What a good Duet!!! Charmaine pulled us in with book one and gave us a great story in book two revealing all the secrets!!!
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By: Charmaine Pauls
4 Stars
With the ending of Old Enough (The Age Between Us Book 1), I couldn’t imagine how this book would play out and end with everyone happy!! Charmaine Pauls definitely made us go on one heck of a roller-coaster ride to get to the end of this book!!!
Just when you thought you were free falling into happiness bliss, poor Jane gets knocked around and twisted thru each and every turn of this roller-coaster ride.
Friends
Job
Photo’s
Video
Ex Husband
Daughter
Ex-Lover
They’ve all come to bite Jane in the Butt!!! In more than just one way. The one consistent is….
Brian
Brian loves with it all. Protects what means the most to him. Works his young fine butt off to provide.
But when where you live and what you’ve done in the past come back to hurt you in the worst way possible….
Can you still love the way you want to?
What a good Duet!!! Charmaine pulled us in with book one and gave us a great story in book two revealing all the secrets!!!
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Follow us on:
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September 5, 2018
Jane and Brian go through hell in their conclusion. I honestly am not sure how they made it through because so much is thrown at them!
I liked their conclusion, but I have to admit I was a tad dissatisfied because in the end, Jane did not make Brian grovel nearly enough for his second chance. Aside from that, though, I loved Young Enough. It's fast paced, well-written, and Jane and Brian are both such strong, deeply layered and substantial characters that I couldn't help but fall in love with them and their journey. Although Brian was a good 20+ years younger than Jane, he was really mature, almost as mature as Jane. And Jane was just lovely - strong, loving, kind and had the biggest, most forgiving heart. Her connection with Brian is the kind we all long for, love to read about, and would love to experience for ourselves. This duet is one I won't soon be forgetting.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I liked their conclusion, but I have to admit I was a tad dissatisfied because in the end, Jane did not make Brian grovel nearly enough for his second chance. Aside from that, though, I loved Young Enough. It's fast paced, well-written, and Jane and Brian are both such strong, deeply layered and substantial characters that I couldn't help but fall in love with them and their journey. Although Brian was a good 20+ years younger than Jane, he was really mature, almost as mature as Jane. And Jane was just lovely - strong, loving, kind and had the biggest, most forgiving heart. Her connection with Brian is the kind we all long for, love to read about, and would love to experience for ourselves. This duet is one I won't soon be forgetting.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
August 28, 2018
Young Enough is book Two in the The Age Between Us by Charmaine Pauls. This continues the story of Brian and Jane. I do strongly feel you should read the previous book 'Old Enough' before reading this one. f
Jane has suffered through so much. Jane was a strong women that did have weak moments as anyone would in her shoes. Although Brian was young in physical age he was a older sole who had to fight to get what he wanted. For so much of their difference there so much that they were as one.
Really enjoyed reading their story.
Jane has suffered through so much. Jane was a strong women that did have weak moments as anyone would in her shoes. Although Brian was young in physical age he was a older sole who had to fight to get what he wanted. For so much of their difference there so much that they were as one.
Really enjoyed reading their story.
July 31, 2018
4.5 Stars for Young Enough
Instinctively, we dance in tune. We’re two of a kind. Soulmates. Born at the wrong time.”
Young Enough is the concluding story of Jane and Brian’s taboo love affair in The Age Between Us duet. Old Enough left readers in angst with a mysterious Fortune Teller Reading that foretold Jane betrayed by her new found love. The prophesy is rather accurate, Jane has serious bad luck in love. You feel this with every turn of the page, and Jane’s desperation to keep whatever she has left in her life, seems to slip through her fingers like sand. It’s emotional and painful to see someone experience life’s obstacles. It seems that Jane experiences the worse of the worst in her midlife. Jane is on the precipice of losing it all and it’s at this juncture where I feel like Jane needed to do something more. Fight harder for Abby, challenge Loretta’s judgment, be assertive with Francois and Debbie, and finally be open with Brian. Both Brian and Jane keep secrets from one another, they aren’t open and honest and it was horrible to watch them go down a path that would destroy their fragile relationship.
This book is very emotional and there are a lot of ups and downs that the characters endure. As always, Charmaine Pauls delivers on all the essentials, a sexy hot romance, excellent writing, on the edge of your seat angst and lots of intricacies in the plot. Jane is a strong female protagonist, but it’s also clear from her treatment of others that she comes off as an ice queen. She is perfectly fine with going through the motions of life, but to others she keeps an emotional distance. It seems that the only other person she hasn’t created these barriers around herself is with Brian, and this is why they are so perfect for one another, despite their age difference. Brian, however, does some pretty unforgivable things that constantly put Jane in danger. It is one mess after another for this forbidden love and there were times where I wondered if they could get past this hurtle and make it to the next. I’m still mulling over how much I liked this aspect of the story. Monkey and Lindy were just unscrupulous characters that created further angst but also took away from page time between Brian and Jane that I would have preferred. Every horrible hurtle the couple endures to get to their HEA seemed to fit and yet it also took away from Brian and Jane’s time to discover one another; get a chance to explore being in an open, adult relationship. I want to say I wanted more, and yet I’m not entirely sure what this “more” would or could be. I like the ending and yet it wasn’t enough, I feel like there is more to their story. Jane changes when she loses everything in her life, and I guess I wanted those emotions to be on the page and to see how that really impacts her stoic and reserved decorum. Maybe I’m just not ready to say good-bye to Brian and Jane, but this is just a testament to Ms. Pauls’ writing. I simply can’t get enough.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book, all opinions shared here are my own.
Instinctively, we dance in tune. We’re two of a kind. Soulmates. Born at the wrong time.”
Young Enough is the concluding story of Jane and Brian’s taboo love affair in The Age Between Us duet. Old Enough left readers in angst with a mysterious Fortune Teller Reading that foretold Jane betrayed by her new found love. The prophesy is rather accurate, Jane has serious bad luck in love. You feel this with every turn of the page, and Jane’s desperation to keep whatever she has left in her life, seems to slip through her fingers like sand. It’s emotional and painful to see someone experience life’s obstacles. It seems that Jane experiences the worse of the worst in her midlife. Jane is on the precipice of losing it all and it’s at this juncture where I feel like Jane needed to do something more. Fight harder for Abby, challenge Loretta’s judgment, be assertive with Francois and Debbie, and finally be open with Brian. Both Brian and Jane keep secrets from one another, they aren’t open and honest and it was horrible to watch them go down a path that would destroy their fragile relationship.
This book is very emotional and there are a lot of ups and downs that the characters endure. As always, Charmaine Pauls delivers on all the essentials, a sexy hot romance, excellent writing, on the edge of your seat angst and lots of intricacies in the plot. Jane is a strong female protagonist, but it’s also clear from her treatment of others that she comes off as an ice queen. She is perfectly fine with going through the motions of life, but to others she keeps an emotional distance. It seems that the only other person she hasn’t created these barriers around herself is with Brian, and this is why they are so perfect for one another, despite their age difference. Brian, however, does some pretty unforgivable things that constantly put Jane in danger. It is one mess after another for this forbidden love and there were times where I wondered if they could get past this hurtle and make it to the next. I’m still mulling over how much I liked this aspect of the story. Monkey and Lindy were just unscrupulous characters that created further angst but also took away from page time between Brian and Jane that I would have preferred. Every horrible hurtle the couple endures to get to their HEA seemed to fit and yet it also took away from Brian and Jane’s time to discover one another; get a chance to explore being in an open, adult relationship. I want to say I wanted more, and yet I’m not entirely sure what this “more” would or could be. I like the ending and yet it wasn’t enough, I feel like there is more to their story. Jane changes when she loses everything in her life, and I guess I wanted those emotions to be on the page and to see how that really impacts her stoic and reserved decorum. Maybe I’m just not ready to say good-bye to Brian and Jane, but this is just a testament to Ms. Pauls’ writing. I simply can’t get enough.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book, all opinions shared here are my own.
July 25, 2018
This duet started off with the issue seeming to be about the age difference/taboo but it has become about so much more.
I have to be honest I wasn't sure how these two were going to sort through the seemingly insurmountable issues they had.
Jane and Brian.
Brian has so much responsibility that he handles with such maturity but he really has too much coming at him at once.
Jane and the relationship with her daughter and her ex husband and his fiance is painful, I would have liked to see more redemption for some of the things 'Debs' did, she did steal Jane's husband after all.
But in many ways it is very realistic, not everyone gets redemption in these situations and sometimes, someone has to be the bigger person for the sake of the child.
I wasn't sure how they would get their HEA but they manage it.
Well written, quite exciting at certain points.
No cheating, though Brian has another woman/girl interested in him.
I didn't give it as high a rating as book 1 as I felt the relationship with the ex and Debs was all wrapped up in a bow without them fully recognising how badly they had treated Jane, despite her history affecting her relationship with her ex it was if 'it was for the best' and 'it was your fault we didn't work out' as she was hung uop on her first love Evan when in fact her ex husband caused the situation by taking advantage of her vulnerability.
ARC.
I have to be honest I wasn't sure how these two were going to sort through the seemingly insurmountable issues they had.
Jane and Brian.
Brian has so much responsibility that he handles with such maturity but he really has too much coming at him at once.
Jane and the relationship with her daughter and her ex husband and his fiance is painful, I would have liked to see more redemption for some of the things 'Debs' did, she did steal Jane's husband after all.
But in many ways it is very realistic, not everyone gets redemption in these situations and sometimes, someone has to be the bigger person for the sake of the child.
I wasn't sure how they would get their HEA but they manage it.
Well written, quite exciting at certain points.
No cheating, though Brian has another woman/girl interested in him.
I didn't give it as high a rating as book 1 as I felt the relationship with the ex and Debs was all wrapped up in a bow without them fully recognising how badly they had treated Jane, despite her history affecting her relationship with her ex it was if 'it was for the best' and 'it was your fault we didn't work out' as she was hung uop on her first love Evan when in fact her ex husband caused the situation by taking advantage of her vulnerability.
ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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